Chapter 18 Hikigaya received an invitation
Knowing that her sister didn't know this writer Hachiman, Yukino lost interest and stopped talking.
" Are you also reading Confessions by Hachiman? This book has been very popular in the past few months. Many of my colleagues are discussing this novel. Even your mother reads it every month. "
Mr. Yukinoshita also joined the discussion. The colleagues he mentioned were naturally the other members of Chiba Prefecture. Mrs. Yukinoshita, who he mentioned, looked at Mr. Yukinoshita with some shame and anger, as if it was embarrassing for her daughters to know that their majestic mother actually liked the same novels as them. But in fact, her age group is the main force in the reading group of " All Readings" magazine.
" I think you two should reflect on why Mr. Hachiman could write such profound texts at the age of fifteen. Can you learn from his texts how to observe society and see the essence through phenomena? The talent for writing may be innate and cannot be compensated, but learning to observe and express opinions can be learned and improved, which will be of great help to your future path. "
Mrs. Yukinoshita, who felt that her dignity was damaged, began to use "Confessions" to educate her two daughters. She really admired Hachiman, a writer who was only 15 years old. At the age of a junior high school student, he had such a strong sense of social responsibility and insight into social phenomena, and used the medium of novels to attract the attention of the public. Mrs. Yukinoshita even thought that it would be great if writer Hachiman was a child of the Yukinoshita family. She would definitely be able to train him to be an outstanding politician.
However , Mrs. Yukinoshita never regretted giving birth to two girls. On the contrary, she did her best to train them. Haruno was very obedient and respectful of her, and was steadily moving towards the role of a qualified heir. As for the youngest daughter, Yukino, she was also very good, far better than her peers, but her personality became withdrawn or aloof in elementary school. Perhaps Haruno also has this kind of aloofness in her personality, but she can always get along well with the people around her, and finally develop them for her own use.
Yukino's aloof character soon developed into rebelliousness. She began to question her mother's arrangements for her future, began to avoid contact with her family, and even took the initiative to propose to study abroad in junior high school in order to have more time for herself.
" If this Mr. Hachiman is really a native of Chiba, then we should try to win him over, or at least get on good terms with him. He is an excellent writer, and his writings can have a far greater publicity effect than any other form. "
Mr. Yukinoshita said thoughtfully . As a member of parliament, he could deeply feel how much the novel "Confessions" could help colleagues who held the same views.
Hearing these words, Yukinoshita Yukino rolled her eyes imperceptibly. The world of adults is boring and vulgar. When faced with an excellent literary work, they only focus on its value for use. Such people are not worthy of appreciating literary works at all! Yukino thought so stubbornly.
In short, although the depressing atmosphere did not ease much, the people in the car were finally able to chat with each other, and before Christmas, the Yukinoshita family of four was reunited again.
... ...
" Hello, Mr. Hachiman , I'm Naho Imamura. Um, happy holidays to you too. It's like this, you know Mr. Arisugawa, right? Actually, he has something to tell you. "
On Christmas Day, Hikigaya suddenly received a call from Imamura Naho. In the past, they basically contacted each other through emails, and it was very rare for her to call him directly.
" Arisugawa " Mr. she mentioned on the phone , Hikigaya was naturally well-known to him . This was the first mystery writer he met after coming to this world, and he was also the leader of Japan's current mystery writers. His writing style is very classical and conservative. He focuses on describing small spaces, single cases, and stories with a short time span. In form, he is a bit like Conan Doyle, and in style, he is influenced by Ellery Queen. Hikigaya admires this writer very much who is still willing to stick to old-fashioned creations in today's strange development of mystery literature.
Of course, if there is any connection between him and Hikigaya , it is of course that as a judge of the " all reading" newcomer award, he spared no effort to promote his "Confessions", which effectively promoted the popularity of "Confessions" in the early stage.
" Of course, please give the call to Mr. Arisugawa. "
Hikigaya heard some murmurs on the other end of the phone, and then an uncle's voice came into his ears.
" Hello, Mr. Hikigaya , my name is Arisugawa. I've been wanting to find an opportunity to talk to you, but I have too many social engagements. Please don't mind. " ,he sounds more like a corporate executive than a writer.
" Hello, Mr. Arisugawa , you helped me a lot in the early promotion of "Confessions". I am very sorry that I didn't have the chance to thank you in person. "
Hikigaya said sincerely that he wanted to visit Mr. Arisugawa in person or call him several times to thank him, but the publisher said that the phone number of such a great writer is basically not made public, and only the cooperating editors have it. As for a physical visit, Mr. Arisugawa has hardly been at home in the past few months, so it is impossible to talk about it. So he had to write a thank-you letter and mail it to him.
" Okay, let's not talk about this. I asked Imamura to call you today. I mainly want to take you to a banquet in Chiba City at the end of the year. "
" Chiba's ... party? "
" Haha, you must have never known this banquet before. It's just like what you've seen in movies and TV shows. The organizer rents a hall, decorates it magnificently, sets up a bunch of tables, and invites a bunch of celebrities you know or don't know. Everyone stays here for a whole night, and may not eat much. They walk around with wine glasses in their hands, talking to each other, and clinking glasses. You can imagine the scene, right? "
" Your description is so vivid, it's almost like it's happening right before my eyes. But Mr. Arisugawa, why did you invite me? "
" Haha, Hikigaya-kun, because you are a famous person now, don't worry, it's just your identity as Mr. Hachiman. Actually, some of my writer friends also want to meet you, just to make themselves familiar with you. They all know the rules and will not tell anyone your identity. "
" I see …"
Hikigaya was still very hesitant.
" There's nothing to worry about, Hikigaya-kun. Just like if I hadn't told you about this party, you wouldn't have known about it. This party is something that 99% of Chiba people have never heard of, because they are not of this class and cannot be exposed to this kind of occasion. I don't mean to look down on anyone, just understand this principle. You will definitely not meet anyone you know at the party, because this occasion is completely different from your previous social circle. "
" Well, okay, Mr. Arisugawa, I understand. I will go with you. "
Hikigaya accepted it, thinking of it as a way of repaying him for promoting his novel.
" Haha, the invitation has been sent to your house. Just follow the instructions on the invitation. Bye, Hikigaya-kun! "
Arisugawa hung up the phone, and Hikigaya sighed softly.
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