" Hikigaya-san, your phone received two calls on my way here, didn't you call back? "
" What did you say ... Oh, it might be an advertisement or something, just ignore it. "
Hikigaya, whose thoughts were far away, was startled by Nakamachi's reminder and evaded the question.
" But would a sales call come twice in a row? And every time I had to wait until the beep sounded before I was forced to hang up? Aren't sales calls always about time? I think there must be something urgent. "
" Damn it ! Such a sensitive girl, I hate this kind of self-proclaimed gentle concern the most. "
Hikigaya complained secretly.
" Then I won't bother you anymore, Hikigaya-san. Don't be so careless next time. Bye. "
Noticing that Hikigaya was feeling a little uneasy, Nakamachi-san was very good at reading the atmosphere and left. He was so mature that he didn't look like a junior high school student.
Hikigaya waved his hand with a stiff smile. I didn't expect that this quiet-looking Nakamachi had some devilish qualities. He walked out of the classroom quickly and came to a deserted place on campus. This flip phone has never been used by anyone other than Hikigaya's family since it was purchased, and he has never exchanged phone numbers with any other classmates. So the only time I took the initiative to publish this phone number was because
" Registration for the Newcomer Award ..."
Hikigaya muttered .
" Every year, the All Readings Newcomer Award receives around 2,000 submissions, but only the five winning and candidate submissions are published. I certainly can't call each of the others who weren't selected, and that would be too much work. "
The more Hikigaya thought about it, the more confident he became. He had to first convince himself that the call must be good news, and then he would have the courage to call back.
... ...
Naho Imamura is confused
In her opinion, whether Mr. Hikigaya, the author of "Confessions", is a part-time novelist with a full-time job or a full-time novelist who makes a living by writing, even if he is a college student who has not yet graduated ( PS : the youngest award-winning writer of the " all reading" Newcomer Award is a freshman at the University of Tokyo, 19 years old), he should have time to answer calls at noon on a weekday.
However, I called twice and each time no one answered. In any case, it would be impolite to call again.
" I'm going to report the situation to the editor this afternoon . Mr Hachiman, please don't mess with me ... Call me back soon ..."
Anxious Imamura began to randomly tap on the keyboard of her mobile phone to relieve stress. She suddenly remembered that she had often seen people saying something like " pressing 1 really works " on the Internet recently . Desperate, she began to frantically tap the number 1 button .
Deduction 1 really moved God, and Mr Hachiman called back. Naho Imamura hurriedly took a deep breath to avoid appearing too excited on the phone.
" Hello, this is Naho Imamura from the editorial department of All Readings. Are you Mr. Hachiman? "
" Ah ... yes, Ms. Imamura, Hachiman is my pen name. "
Hachiman was in high spirits at this moment , and answered with confidence.
But in Imamura's opinion, the voice was too young, just like that of a young and energetic boy. But since the other party had already revealed his identity, she chose to get straight to the point.
" Mr Hachiman , please allow me to congratulate you. Your work "Confession" has won the unanimous recognition of the judges of the " All Reading" Newcomer Award. Congratulations on winning this year's " All Reading" Newcomer Award. "
Hikigaya wanted to roar at this moment . That's right! Not only did it win the award, but it was unanimously recognized! Those legendary writers in the Japanese literary world in their 50s and 60s unanimously recognized this work! That's how it should be! What am I worried about?
Hachiman's right hand was clenched into a fist, his nails digging into his flesh.
" Okay ... OK, I understand. Thank you very much for your recognition of me. What should I do next? "
" We want to thank you, Mr. Hachiman. It is our honor that you chose to submit your work to All Reading. Your novel will be published in the November issue of All Reading in ten days . Before that, Mr. Hachiman, do you have time? I hope to discuss some contract-related issues with you in person. I will come to you. "
" Of course, no problem. I'm free both days of the weekend. If it's convenient, we can meet at 11:00 noon on Saturday at the restaurant called Lingqian across the street from Chiba City Tsubaki Junior High School. We can eat and chat at the same time. "
Hikigaya randomly found a restaurant near the school , even though he had only been there once.
" Sure, Mr. Hachiman , I'll remember that. I'll discuss the details when we meet. If Mr. Hachiman doesn't have anything else to ask, I won't bother you anymore. "
" Wait a moment, Ms. Imamura. "
There is one important thing Hikigaya hasn't said yet.
" Please speak, Mr. Hachiman. "
" On Saturday, I need to bring my parents to meet you. There is no other meaning, mainly because of my current age, I may not be allowed to sign a contract alone. "
" ... Mr. Hachiman , can I understand your words to mean that you are not yet sixteen years old? "
Naho Imamura felt that her mind was a little blank.
" Yes, I just turned fifteen two months ago, although I didn't really celebrate it. "
Hikigaya complained faintly.
" That's ... I think it's OK . "
Imamura couldn't say anything more, not even a respectful title.
" Okay, see you on Saturday then . Have a nice day, Editor Imamura. "
Teacher Hachiman hung up the phone, and Naho Imamura was left alone.
... ...
" You mean, Mr. Hachiman is actually still a junior high school student? "
The editor-in-chief also felt that his brain was not enough.
" Yes, Editor-in-Chief Matsui , I must meet with his guardian, otherwise we will be breaking the law. "
" All Reading 's Newcomer Award is indeed never short of young talents, but Mr. Hachiman is simply a teenager. Can you really be sure it's him? How can a second-year junior high school student have such writing skills? "
" If the information you gave me is correct, I think he is the author Mr. Hachiman. I think all my questions will be answered after we meet on Saturday. "
" That's all that can be done. "
Editor- in-Chief Matsui leaned back on his chair.
" Don't let age affect your mission. I emphasize again that you must confirm with Mr. Hachiman whether he has created the later part of "Confessions" and how the creation progress is. If there is a manuscript of the later content, convince Mr. Hachiman to let you read it . If there is no manuscript, you can ask Mr. Hachiman to orally express his general ideas. Your retelling and evaluation of the subsequent content will directly determine the future promotion efforts of our magazine and publishing house for "Confessions. "
" Understood, Editor-in-Chief Matsumoto ! "
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