In crossover anime, who isn't a childhood friend?

He stood up excitedly, and his overjoyed exclamation immediately attracted the attention of the others in the review room.

The assistant, who was in charge of greeting guests and helping out, got up and came over, asking softly, "Professor Guozhu, what's wrong?"

Shinichi Kunitake remained engrossed in the book "The Astrological Murder Mystery" in his hands, his expression feverish as he did not reply.

He was truly shocked the moment the murder plot was revealed!

My usually composed mind is still reeling from this!

In recent years, detective novels have gradually declined in popularity.

This doesn't just refer to the fact that the market share of mystery novels has been squeezed out by other genres.

For example, romance and fantasy novels that are suitable for adaptation and cater to popular tastes, and light novels that have emerged as a dark horse in recent years.

The root cause of this phenomenon is not only the change of era from Showa to Heisei, but also the change in the preferences of the younger generation in Japan.

The more direct reason, as expected, is the inherent nature of the mystery novel genre itself.

Murder weapon trick, coded message, narrative trick, alibi, locked room...

Such crucial elements in detective novels have been thoroughly explored over the years.

This has resulted in a situation where detective novels in recent years have found it extremely difficult to produce anything truly original or refreshing.

Occasionally, a few good books do appear, but they often start strong but end weakly.

The puzzles and tricks were rendered quite well, but the final answer was utterly nonsensical and absurd, making it unbearable to look at.

Therefore, in addition to the "ordinary school" detective novels that focus on solving the mystery themselves, the market has also seen the emergence of the "social school" which emphasizes reflecting social reality through the story, and the "suspense school" which focuses on creating a suspenseful atmosphere and unexpected plot ideas to maintain a continuous sense of suspense until the truth is finally revealed.

There's no other way. The classic mystery genre has been explored to the point that even casual mystery enthusiasts, let alone professional judges, are probably tired of it. Since they can't come up with any brilliant plot twists, they have no choice but to find another way and explore other branches of mystery fiction.

But now, everything is different.

"...This novel is absolutely the best of the year. There's no need to read any further; it's simply the best!"

With the manuscript tightly gripped in both hands, and several other judges approaching, he uttered these words.

Just as everyone else present turned their attention to the manuscript in his hand.

Shinichi Kukatsu suddenly turned to face the staff members who were doing odd jobs.

"Dashan, who is the author of this novel? Is he one of the contestants who didn't make it in previous years?"

The staff member who was called out looked embarrassed and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Seeing this, the other judges quickly spoke up.

"Ms. Guozhu, it's not appropriate for us judges to ask these questions."

A few years ago, a literary award was exposed for a scandal involving insiders bribing judges to win awards.

When the public learned of this incident, they were outraged and condemned it!

The author who was criticized for buying the award fled overseas and changed his nationality. The publishing company behind him, which was involved in the scheme, was also severely damaged as a result.

This incident served as a wake-up call for other writers' associations.

As a result, the selection process for the Edogawa Rampo Award was improved.

In previous years, the final selection process was relatively free.

The organizers would send copies of each submission to the judges, who would then read them at home before coming to the office to discuss and select the final winners.

Now, the optimized process is as follows:

The final judges not only had no way of knowing the specific authors of each entry, but they also had to stay at the same hotel during this period.

The selection committee members act as a unified whole and are not allowed to go out alone unless absolutely necessary, until the specific winning works are selected.

This is somewhat reminiscent of grading college entrance exam papers, but it's a good thing, as it aims to minimize the possibility of scandals involving power, money, and sex in private.

Reminded of this, Guozhu nodded knowingly.

I really want to talk to the author of this novel right now about how he came up with such a brilliant and ingenious plot.

But for the sake of the fair and just conduct of the competition, and also for the good of the author of this mystery novel, he had to endure it.

He let out a long sigh and slowly sat down.

But while he sat down, everyone else in the office stood up.

You should know that everyone here right now is one of the most passionate people in China when it comes to mystery novels!

Seeing Kunitake Shin's strange behavior and actions just now, how could they not have noticed something?

If a book can move Mr. Guozhu, who is over sixty years old, to such an extent that he even lost his composure and forgot the basic rules of the competition, then it must be a masterpiece.

No... it could even be a masterpiece!

One person approached: "Mr. Guozhu, if you finish reading this novel, could you please give me your feedback?"

Another one chimed in, "No, no, no, Nitta-kun, you haven't finished reading that novel you're holding yet. Let me read it first. I just finished reading 'The Mermaid Case in the Lonely Village.' The method of the crime is quite clever. I recommend you take a look at that one first."

"A timetable trick that's just for show, can you call that clever? Tomoda-san, stop messing around. You were just about to go for a smoke, let me go first..."

"No, no, no, I'll go first..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Yuan Qianye was unaware that his original manuscript was being eagerly circulated among the selection committee.

As the new semester begins, he is currently engaged in his usual campus life.

During lunch break, he was invited to the kendo club and, accompanied by Saeko, who was no longer the club president, went there.

Then--

"Yuan-kun, Yuan-kun! All forty-two members of our kendo club, for the honor of Kawana, we beg you, please lead us one more time!"

"Please, Yuan-kun!!!"

Led by the newly appointed head of the Kendo Club, a total of forty-two people bowed their heads simultaneously the moment Minamoto no Chiya entered the Kendo Club.

The moment the minister finished speaking, dozens of people present simultaneously added their own powerful remarks.

This sudden turn of events left Yuan Qianye momentarily stunned.

Saeko, standing to the side, also looked surprised, clearly unaware of the situation.

"No, what are you doing?" Although Yuan Qianye was used to being the center of attention, he was still a little uncomfortable with such a large group of people kneeling in front of him.

The head of the Kendo club declared, "The Jade Dragon Flag competition will begin at the end of March this year. We would like to ask Yuan to lead our Kendo club to participate again!"

Yuan Qianye nodded knowingly: "If you're going to participate, then participate. Just talk it out properly. We're all classmates, why are you all kneeling down? Get up, get up."

The kendo club president paused for a moment, then asked, "Eh? So, Gen-kun, you've agreed?"

“I agreed. I was planning to participate in the Jade Dragon Flag competition again this year anyway,” Yuan Qianye said matter-of-factly.

Of course, he wasn't interested in honors or awards from his team or school.

He only hoped to distinguish himself in various fields, and for his future... to become a remarkable person.

As soon as Gen Chiyo finished speaking, the current head of the kendo club was still in a daze, while everyone else cheered.

After all, everyone kneeling had witnessed the incredible feat of this muscular man taking on forty-seven people single-handedly. If he agreed to lead the kendo club to participate in the competition, then winning the championship was practically a sure thing!

"Hmm... I think everyone in the Kendo Club probably thinks you didn't originally plan to participate in the competition this year. After all, you didn't show up at the Kendo Club once during the previous holidays, and I didn't let you take over as the Kendo Club president. In their eyes, this might also be a signal that you're not interested."

He left the kendo club.

On the way to the school courtyard.

Saeko explained this to Chiya Minamoto.

"That should be it."

Yuan Qianye nodded, agreeing with her point.

The two stood in front of the notice board in the courtyard, each looking at their entrance exam results.

Yuan Qianye remains the same, ranking first in the grade. Over the years, he has been as consistent as ever.

Saeko's grades, on the other hand, have improved significantly, rising to seventh in the grade.

She left the kendo club, freed from those extra administrative tasks, and had more time to study, so it's no surprise that she improved in this way.

If I maintain this level of performance, I'll definitely have no problem with the entrance exam for Zongwu High School two months from now.

The two exchanged a knowing smile, both satisfied with the result.

"I brought you a bento box today too, let's go eat at our usual spot."

Saeko picked up the bento box in her hand, her face beaming with smiles.

Upon hearing the phrase "the usual place," Chiyo's heart began to race again, and her gaze involuntarily focused on Saeko's soft, pink rose petals-like lips.

Ever since that hot spring trip, when he and Saeko secretly shared a blanket at night and did some amusing things, and then privately confirmed their relationship.

Now, when it's just the two of them alone in private, she always seems so bold.

They said they were going to have lunch.

But when they arrived at the school's backyard, in a corner of the courtyard hidden by tree branches, the lunchbox was placed aside, and Saeko melted into Chiya's arms like water.

Just like couples deeply in love.

More than the carefully prepared food, the two of them were clearly more concerned about the taste in each other's mouths at that moment.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

at the same time

On the school rooftop.

Rikka and Eriri sat together.

The bento box Mom made tasted great, but Eriri seemed unhappy.

"Hey Rikka, don't you think that since the start of this semester, Saeko-nee and Chiya haven't been hanging out with us much?"

Rikka seized the opportunity to secretly fork away a fish ball from Eriri's bento box.

"There's no other way. Saeko-nee needs to think about going to college, and Chiya, as you know, is an unreasonable academic genius who has to tutor Saeko-nee. They're both at a crucial time, so let's not bother them."

This is the reason that Chiyo Minamoto seemingly unintentionally revealed, unlike before, for leaving Eriri and Rikka behind to act alone with Saeko.