I am a literary giant in Japan

"How cruel and brutal can the harm to children be?
Some of the bestiality that humans commit is beyond our imagination.”

The short but powerful sentence, like a cannonball, hit the heart of Kaoru as she opened the manuscript.

She had just finished watching the latest update of "The Crucible" not long ago, and it took her a lot of effort to get out of that feeling of depression and loss.

When she saw "Children in the Dark" at this moment, she seemed to fall back into that abyss in an instant.

What a headache!
What on earth is Mr. Kitagawa trying to do recently? Isn’t he afraid that readers’ hearts will give out again while reading this?

Although she thought so in her heart, Xunzi's hands and brain were very honest. She read the manuscript page after page without stopping for a moment.

Unlike the hotly serialized "The Crucible", "Children in the Dark" sets the main stage of the story in Thailand, which is relatively unfamiliar to Japanese readers.

Although Thailand is one of Japan's neighboring countries, Japanese people rarely consider it as their first choice for traveling, and it is not even a backup choice.

When the bubble economy emerged in the 80s, the Japanese's preferred tourist destinations were Hawaii in the United States, developed European countries, or Middle Eastern countries where most of the country was relatively poor but some cities were extremely prosperous.

In the 90s, when the bubble era ended and the Japanese wallets became deflated, most of them chose to spend long vacations in places like Hokkaido in their own country.

If they have a little spare money, some people will go to Seoul, South Korea to do some shopping and appreciate the style of this capital city, which is also ruled by the American father.

As for Thailand, even dogs don’t go there.

But at the same time, due to the lack of understanding of this country, it is relatively unfamiliar and alienated to most Japanese. Therefore, after Mr. Kitagawa sets the main stage of the story in Thailand, it is bound to attract a group of more curious readers.

This story is really a bit heart-wrenching.

“This novel may make people feel uncomfortable, disgusted, angry, or even creepy.

It is an encyclopedia of human bestiality, covering almost every degree of inhumanity.

Therefore, I hope that the novel will be classified and not shown to minors or those who are mentally immature. "

It took Xunzi more than three hours to finish reading "Children in the Dark".

At this moment, her back was almost soaked with cold sweat, and a chill inexplicably jumped from the soles of her feet to her forehead.

This is a short story similar to a movie script. Mr. Kitagawa narrates the entire content from a first-person perspective, and interspersed with a lot of stream-of-consciousness content that can only be found in pure literary novels.

At the end of the novel, Mr. Kitagawa specially attached an afterword, in which he wrote that he actually asked magazines and publishing houses to grade the novel and did not intend to show it to all readers!

"That's right. The content of this novel is too bloody and violent. Minors might be traumatized after reading it. It really shouldn't be shown to them."

Kaoru let out a long sigh and then a deep one.

In fact, she is only 19 years old this year. In Japan, the Civil Code clearly stipulates that people are considered adults when they are 20 years old or above.

Japan is very strict about age, especially the determination of adults and minors and their rights and obligations. Each one has strict regulations and detailed analysis.

For example, only adults can independently sign contracts (such as renting a house, applying for a credit card), apply for a passport with a validity period of 10 years, and choose professional qualifications (such as certified public accountant).

This standard has lasted for nearly a century. Even though members of Congress have repeatedly proposed to align with international standards and change the age of adulthood from 20 to 18, none of these proposals have been passed.

The only exception is that in Japan, the marriage age for men is 18 and for women is 16. Once married, they are automatically considered adults.

"How should we classify them? If we use the standards of adults and minors, have I violated the classification system?"

Xunzi held her forehead with her hand and smiled bitterly helplessly.

Teacher Beichuan really likes to give himself difficult problems.

She thought about it and decided to take the manuscript back to the Beichuan editorial department and discuss it with the editor-in-chief.

Just do it!

Kaoru immediately stood up, packed her things, picked up her small bag and her newly purchased mobile phone, and rushed to the Kitagawa Entertainment Building in the heart of Shinjuku District.

It is now early January and the overall temperature in Tokyo is still very low. Pedestrians on the street are basically wearing down jackets, thick hats and scarves.

Of course, young girls always wear short skirts and stockings on their lower body, or simply put on a leg-revealing artifact and go out. No matter when and where, they are the most beautiful scenery in winter.

Kaoru from Izu is more cold-resistant, so she wore a pair of black stockings with half fleece underneath. When she walked on the street, with her beautiful face and figure, she attracted a lot of attention and easily became the focus of the opposite sex's attention.

Since "The Dancing Girl of Izu" became popular, even though she no longer performed at Ganli Agency, Kaoru still maintained the habit of wearing a mask when going out, so as not to be recognized by some fanatical fans and then entangled -

As the economy gradually recovers, celebrities and underground idols are becoming more and more popular. The idol-training model has spawned a large number of new artists, as well as a large number of irrational fans.

Not long ago, a fanatical fan rushed into the home of an underground idol and forced him to kiss, hug and lift him up high. After being rejected, the fanatical fan became angry and stabbed his beloved idol directly.

Afterwards, the fanatical fan left Tokyo with the idol's head and was arrested when passing through customs on the way to Yokohama Port.

This matter was later suppressed by several major companies and bigwigs in the entertainment industry, so it did not cause widespread panic among artists.

With the help of Jabami Rei, an insider in the industry, who gossips and complains every day, Kaoru now knows all these things very well.

She tightened her collar and mask, not wanting to be "chilled to the bone" for no reason.

After getting off the subway at the busy Shinjuku Station, Kaoru continued walking towards the CBD area in the city center. When she was about to reach the Kitagawa Entertainment Building, a strong hand suddenly grabbed the corner of her clothes.

"Excuse me, miss. Could you please stop for a moment and take a look at this?"

A man's voice sounded from behind, startling Xunzi.

"Ah" She subconsciously took a few steps back and looked at the other person vigilantly. After discovering that the man had no strange intentions, she looked at him puzzledly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I seem to have scared you!" The man was wearing a bright red volunteer uniform and holding a pile of flyers in his hands. He was obviously not one of those weird fanatical fans.

He first bowed 90 degrees to apologize, then took out a flyer and handed it to Kaoru.

"Miss, I'm a member of the Association of People with Disabilities in Shibuya, Tokyo. This is our petition. Could you take a minute to look at it? Please! This is very important to us!"

"Ah, okay."

When Kaoru saw the words "Save the children" on the flyer, the refusal that was already in her throat could no longer be uttered.

“Thanks to Mr. Kitagawa’s The Crucible, many people in society have paid attention to children with disabilities, but the popularity of the novel alone is far from enough.

According to Japan's Special Law on Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, those scumbags can only be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison, and their personal information will not be made public.

Many of the children featured in the flyers were sexually assaulted by people who deliberately victimized them.

After those scums went to jail, they were soon released again, and then they continued to abuse the children, forcing them to face despair and fear time and time again!

We hope that Congress can take this matter seriously and really punish those scumbags! Don't let them get away with it or commit crimes easily at a very low cost!"

The man bowed to Kaoru again, tears in his eyes and he seemed to be gritting his teeth.

The same conversations and sounds were heard frequently nearby.

Xunzi held the flyer, turned her head and saw that there were many such volunteers in red in the area.

They were like a red tide, constantly surging towards the flow of people coming out of the subway entrance. They knew that the situation was impossible and that these things had always existed and had never been eliminated, but they still acted resolutely.

In fact, these organizations and groups have always existed in society, just like the dirty things and disgusting people they talk about, from ancient times to the present.

It’s just that in the past, everyone would subconsciously ignore the group with low voices and would only follow the media and public opinion.

The public can only see what the government-controlled official media and the social media controlled by the consortium want them to see.

This invisible, intangible cage is the most terrifying and deadly.

But this time, relying on the breakthrough of "The Crucible", these organizations seemed to see hope, and began to try their best to grasp this glimmer of possibility, gathering from drops of water into the sea, and moving forward in the impossible direction!

"Have you also seen The Crucible?" asked Kaoru.

The man was stunned for a moment, then nodded frantically and took out a wrinkled copy of "Masses" from his bright red volunteer uniform with difficulty.

"Yes! I've read it! And I've read it word for word, at least a hundred times!"

When talking about "The Crucible", the man's eyes instantly lit up. Xunzi could see that this was not a disguise, but a real love and admiration for the book.

Because this kind of light has appeared in her eyes many times.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked again.

The man became excited again after hearing this.

He has been engaged in this charity work for ten years.

In the past ten years, he has picked up at least 8,000 passers-by, and young and beautiful women like this, who are well-dressed, are the type of people who are most easily influenced in his memory.

They are maternal and empathetic, and are more willing to help than others.

But even so, among such women, probably only one or two out of ten would be willing to stop and listen to him.

And among those who are willing to listen to his "nonsense", only one or two out of ten are really willing to help.

He has been doing this kind of thing with extremely low probability and extremely low cost-effectiveness for ten years.

Over the past ten years, he has become somewhat numb and desperate.

But this time!
With the help of Mr. Beichuan's "The Crucible", he clearly felt that everyone was willing to listen to these things and even help out!
The girl in front of him had obviously stopped because of "The Crucible" and was willing to lend a helping hand.

Thank you Teacher Beichuan, praise Teacher Beichuan!

After the excitement subsided, he bowed to Kaoru 90 degrees with shaking hands, and then said tremblingly: "If you are willing, please write your name and place of work on the flyer.

We will officially issue a petition in three days. We hope you can come and sign it and help us submit the petition to Congress!
For example, if you are willing to do more, please promote it in your social circle and ask your family and friends to help us sign and promote it!

Please! Sorry to bother you! Thank you very much! "

"I understand." Kaoru took the flyer and wrote down her name and place of work without hesitation.

As she handed the flyer back to the man, she paused for a moment, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Are you planning to write a formal petition in three days?"

"Ah yes. If it's a large-scale signature, you should be notified within a week."

Seeing that she was still confused, the man's heart skipped a beat and he immediately explained,
"If it's not convenient for you at that time, we can wait. You can come over anytime as long as you are willing!"

"Ah, that's not what I meant." Xunzi stuffed the flyer into his palm and then smiled, "What I meant is that maybe you can consider adjusting the time for writing the petition and signing on a large scale to after the 15th."

"Huh?" The man looked at her in confusion.

“Of course, if it’s urgent, then don’t delay.

But I remember that the first parliamentary session this year should be in early February, right? There should be plenty of time. "Kaoru tilted her head.

“That’s true, but if people are not so excited, I’m worried that fewer people will come to sign.

Is there any reason for your suggestion? "The man thought that the girl in front of him who deliberately covered her face with a mask might be unusual.

After all, this is the most prosperous and central area in Shinjuku District, and many descendants of dignitaries live in the nearby villa communities.

If you are not a famous person, you won’t care so much about covering your face.

Of course, she might have some physical defect.

But the man's intuition told him that Xunzi was not that special person.

"As for the reason, it has something to do with Mr. Kitagawa's new book. Sorry, I can't reveal too much, so I ask you to trust me as much as possible."

Xunzi gently touched her handbag, and the manuscripts filled inside were the reason why she said so.

However, Kitagawa's novel is the top priority of the editorial department, and she cannot tell the man that once "Children in the Dark" is published, it may trigger even more public emotions.

By then, after "Beichuan" creates another wave of popularity, their petition will easily be noticed by more people.

"Is it related to Mr. Beichuan's new book?" The man was stunned again.

Unfortunately, Xunzi didn't say anything more and just left with the crowd.

He stood there in a daze for a long time until his companions came over and called him, and then he came to his senses.

"What is the connection? Is what she said true or false? Could it be that those people's subordinates deliberately want to delay our progress so that they can take this opportunity to find a countermeasure?"

The man's heart is very conflicted.

On the one hand, he felt that Kaoru was not that kind of person, but on the other hand, he was worried that Kaoru was the same kind of person as those people.

He shook his head helplessly and picked up the flyer.

"This name. This workplace!" His eyes suddenly widened, instantly overturning all his previous uncertainties! (End of this chapter)