Tokyo Literary Masters: Starting from the Late 1980s

Passed unanimously.

Kitahara Iwa's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the receiver.

"In addition, I would like to convey the message from the representative of our sponsor, Mitsui Fudosan."

He said…

At this point, the voice on the other end of the phone became somewhat strange: "He said that although he was so frightened by your book that he unplugged his home phone line, he insists that the book should be published as soon as possible."

"The prize money is 500 million yen. The award ceremony and publishing contract will be sent to you later."

"You're in Tokyo, right? You should arrive this afternoon."

"Okay. Thank you."

Kitahara Iwa's voice was so calm that it surprised the other person.

"Um... Mr. Kitahara? Aren't you excited? That's 500 million yen!"

"Of course I'm excited."

Kitahara Iwa looked at the peeling plaster on the corridor walls, a cold smile curving his lips. "I was just thinking that this money will finally save me from having to count those damn one-yen coins when buying cigarettes."

hang up the phone.

The hallway still smelled of cheap fried fish, and the landlady was still complaining about rising prices.

There were no special effects of flowers falling from the sky, nor any exciting background music.

Kitahara Iwa leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette.

Five million yen.

In this crazy era where Tokyo land prices could buy the entire United States, this amount of money might not even buy a toilet in Ginza.

But it is not important.

The important thing is that this is an admission ticket.

It was a VIP card that allowed Kitahara Iwa to climb out of this quagmire called the bottom and stand on the poker table.

"So, the wolf's fangs are now sharpened, aren't they?"

Kitahara Iwa whispered to himself amidst the swirling smoke.

……

Evening, TSUTAYA Koenji Store.

The store was in complete chaos due to the implementation of the consumption tax.

The POS system was not updated in time, so we had to rely on manual calculation of the tax-inclusive price.

At the same time, there is a severe shortage of spare change, and people everywhere are saying they are short of one-yuan coins.

Sachiko Kamachi was so busy that she was covered in sweat, and her black-rimmed glasses had slipped down to her nose.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting again..."

Faced with a middle-aged male customer who was getting angry over the change, Sachiko Kamachi became anxious, her eyes reddening, and frantically searched under the counter, but the coin box was empty.

"Hey! Still haven't found it? I'm in a hurry!"

The customer impatiently slammed his hand on the counter.

Just as Sachiko Kamachi was about to collapse, a slender hand reached out and steadily placed a neat stack of aluminum coins on the counter.

"Here's your change: 4 yen. I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

A gentle and steady voice came from the side.

Sachiko Kamachi suddenly looked up.

Kitahara Iwatsu had somehow changed into a green uniform vest and was standing in front of the cash register next to him.

At this moment, Kitahara Iwa remained calm, deftly bagged the videotape, handed it to the guest with both hands, and wore an impeccable professional smile.

"Kitahara-kun?"

Sachiko Kamachi asked in surprise, "When did you arrive?"

"Just arrived."

Kitahara Iwa pulled a heavy plastic bag from his pocket, filled with one-yen coins he had specially exchanged on the way here, and gently placed it in front of Sachiko: "Use this, I've already asked the manager for reimbursement."

"Tonight will be a tough battle."

Looking at the bag of life-saving coins, and then at the calm and collected Kitahara Iwa beside her, Sachiko's previously panicked heartbeat miraculously calmed down.

"Um!"

……

That night's work was hellish.

The increase in consumption tax has caused great dissatisfaction among customers, and the tedious process of giving change has resulted in shockingly low efficiency.

But Kitahara Iwa acted like a battle-hardened commander.

Even with a grand prize award notification worth five million yen in his pocket, he meticulously demagnetizes every videotape at this counter where he earns 800 yen per hour, smiles as he deals with every unreasonable customer, and even finds time to help Sachiko with complicated refund disputes.

At this moment, Kitahara Iwa showed no signs of nouveau riche mentality whatsoever; on the contrary, he was more focused and patient than usual.

It wasn't until 2 a.m., as the last wave of customers who had been complaining about the increased consumption tax left, that the cash register finally printed out a long daily statement.

The battle over 3% is finally over.

The store manager slumped into his chair, loosened his tie, and held the daily settlement sheet in his hand, rubbing his temples wearily. "Honestly... those government officials just talk, but it's us who are exhausted. Just explaining the prices took half our lives."

The store manager looked up at Kitahara Iwao and Kamachi Sachiko, who were quietly tidying up the counter, and his tone softened for once: "Hey, you two, you've worked hard today."

"Especially Kitahara, thank goodness you brought that bag of coins, otherwise you would definitely be getting a lot of complaints tonight."

"It's my duty."

Kitahara Iwa put the last CD away, wiped his hands, picked up the neatly folded green uniform, and walked up to the store manager.

"Manager, there's something I'd like to say to you."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

The store manager looked puzzled and said, "If you want to take the day off, tomorrow is the weekend, so that's not possible..."

"No, it's resignation."

Kitahara Iwa gently placed the uniform on the table, his expression calm, devoid of youthful impulsiveness, only displaying a composed demeanor born of deep thought: "Today is the last day."

"Thank you for hiring me during this time; you helped me through the most difficult days."

Upon hearing this, the store manager was momentarily stunned.

Instead of flying into a rage as expected, he gave Kitahara Iwa a deep look.

Actually, he had a premonition all along.

Although the young man in front of me was efficient at his work, there was something in his eyes that seemed out of place here.

That wasn't the gaze of a cashier; it was the gaze of a wider world.

"...Found a new job?"

The store manager was silent for a moment before asking the question.

"Well, I guess I've found a way to survive without having to move videotapes."

Kitahara Iwa answered with a smile.

"yes."

The shop manager gave a wry smile, his tone carrying a hint of middle-aged helplessness and blessing: "That's fine. A top student like you, a graduate of a prestigious private university, shouldn't be stuck in my shabby shop being bullied."

"Take advantage of your youth and fly."

Then the store manager waved his hand, as if shooing away an eagle that didn't belong there, and said, "Your wages will be paid on time. Go now, don't make me regret letting go of such a good worker."

Thank you.

Kitahara Iwa bowed solemnly.

This bow is not for money, but for the time spent struggling to survive.

Step out of the gates of TSUTAYA.

The streets were deserted during the day, with the cold wind swirling fallen leaves.

"Kitahara-kun..."

Sachiko Kamachi, who had been following behind, finally couldn't help but ask.

At that moment, she took off the black-rimmed glasses she wore at work, her eyes filled with worry as she asked, "Are you really okay? Quitting your job so suddenly... how are you going to pay your rent next month?"

Kitahara Iwa stopped and turned to look at Kamachi Sachiko.

Under the streetlights, Sachiko Kamachi's plain face was filled with concern.

"Senior Puchi".

"Um?"

Are you hungry?

"Huh?"

Sachiko paused for a moment, then subconsciously touched her stomach before replying, "Yes... I'm a little hungry. How about we go to the convenience store up ahead and buy something on sale..."

"I won't go to the convenience store."

Kitahara Iwa shook his head and pointed to the sign across the street that still had red lanterns lit up: Gyu-katsu Charcoal Grilled Meat.

"We're going there today."

"Grilled...grilled meat?!"

Sachiko Kamachi glanced over and was immediately startled. She quickly waved her hands, saying, "No, no! It's very expensive there! Since you've quit your job, you should save money..."

"Let's go."

Without saying a word, Kitahara Iwa gently grabbed her wrist and stepped across the street.

"Um... Kitahara-kun?"

"This is a victory celebration banquet."

"A celebration? Or a celebration of resigning?"

"No."

Kitahara Iwa turned around and, standing in the middle of the zebra crossing, flashed a bright smile at the bewildered future diva: "Today, we celebrate the official disbandment of the Koenji loser duo."

……

Ten minutes later, inside the barbecue restaurant.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly, making a crackling sound.

The air was filled with the aroma of charred grease, a scent that blended money and happiness.

When the waiter brought out two large platters of premium Wagyu beef with a rich, reddish color and marble-like texture, Sachiko Kamachi was so nervous that she didn't know what to do with her hands.

"This...this plate will cost two thousand yen, right?"

She muttered to herself, looking at Kitahara Iwa as if she were a spendthrift.

"Eat."

Kitahara Iwa picked up a slice of beef and placed it on the grill.

The grease melted instantly, sizzling and releasing enticing white smoke.

"But……"

"Sachiko."

Kitahara Iwa put down the clip, took out the white envelope he always kept close to his body from his pocket, and gently pushed it in front of Kamachi Sachiko.

"Never mind the price for now. Take a look at this."

Sachiko Kamachi glanced at Iwata Kitahara with a puzzled look, then gently picked up the envelope.

The envelope felt thick and solid, and the heading read "Yomiuri Shimbun".

She carefully pulled out the letter inside.

next second.

Sachiko Kamachi's pupils suddenly contracted, and she froze in her seat as if she had been frozen in time.

[Notification of Award for the 1st Japan Fantasy Novel Award]

Title: The Ring

Prize money: Five million yuan

The surrounding noise of conversation and the sizzling sound of grilling meat seemed to disappear in that instant.

In Sachiko Kamachi's world, only the words "First Japan Fantasy Novel Award" remained.

She suddenly covered her mouth, looked up at Kitahara Iwa, and tears welled up in her eyes without warning.

"Is this real...?"

Her voice was trembling.

"real."

Kitahara Iwao picked up his beer glass, looked at Kamachi Sachiko in front of him, and slowly said, "Unanimously approved. The story that even the sponsors were so scared they pulled the phone line has won everyone over."

"I've already taken the first step successfully, and you can do it too!"

Kitahara Iwa pointed to the plate of smoking grilled meat: "None of us are the type to stay in a convenience store and eat cold bento boxes."

"You are the one who shines on the stage, while I am the one who conquers this era with words."

"So, let's eat meat, Senior Kamachi."

Kitahara Iwa laughed and raised his glass: "Only when you're full will you have the energy to be a wolf."

Listening to Kitahara Iwao's words, Kamachi Sachiko looked at him quietly, her vision blurred by tears, but an unprecedented smile bloomed on her lips.

Then she forcefully wiped away her tears, raised her oolong tea, and heavily clinked it against Kitahara Iwa's wine glass.

"Um!"

Amidst the crisp clinking of glasses, their eyes met.