Crossover: Pen name: Dazai Osamu, Omega Kasumigaoka

……

Mid-December.

After dominating the market for a month, the popularity of "Snow Country" has finally begun to decline.

After being suppressed by "Snow Country" for a month, the market is finally starting to see new books emerge.

But in this unstoppable month.

Snow Country delivers a very impressive result.

Total sales in the first month reached 3.6 million copies!

It directly broke the sales records for the first week and first month of Japanese domestic literature.

More importantly, this book not only sells well, but also has an excellent reputation.

It has received widespread praise from both inside and outside the industry, with renowned figures, experts, professors, and scholars all giving it very high marks.

It is a rare masterpiece that excels in both literature and business.

The book "Snow Country" brought Kitahara Makoto a direct reward of 26.74 billion yen.

And this is just the beginning.

With its strong reputation, this book is sure to be a bestseller for decades to come.

It can bring Kitahara Makoto at least 500 million yen in revenue every year.

Besides.

With just one book, "Snow Country," he practically stood on the head of all the Japanese.

He has become the uncrowned king of the Japanese world.

Fame and status—these intangible benefits are immeasurable.

This film, "Snow Country," really made Kitahara a fortune.

Of course, having money doesn't mean forgetting to enjoy life.

After receiving the payment for the article.

Kitahara Makoto bought another large villa in the Minato Ward, which is close to Tokyo Bay.

Compared to Seyana Ward, this is a hub for 'new money'.

Although both are affluent areas, Minato Ward is more popular with young people and has a stronger sense of fashion.

The headquarters of the five major private television stations are also located here.

This has led to incredibly high housing prices here.

This villa cost Kitahara Makoto 7.3 million yen and is half the size of the villa in Seyeda Ward.

In addition, he also commissioned a yacht.

He planned to take the women to nearby Tokyo Bay once the yacht arrived, where they could enjoy the sea view, have a delicious meal, swim, surf, and experience a carefree and wonderful life.

……

……

It's late December.

The initial popularity of "Snow Country" has almost disappeared by three-quarters.

All we need to do now is rely on a good reputation to generate stable output and huge profits every year.

Unless Kitahara Makoto releases a new book or there is some major news, there won't be another surge in prices.

Otherwise, it will enter a long-term, slow and steady phase.

It's similar to the previous two books, "No Longer Human" and "Norwegian Wood".

"Your Name" is scheduled for release on January 20th.

At this point, there were only twenty-odd days left before the film's release.

The publicity campaign is in full swing.

A large number of cover posters appeared on buses, in subway stations, shopping malls, squares, and in front of cinemas.

NicoNico also released the previously edited trailer.

It was placed on the website's homepage.

Such extensive publicity.

Originally only known among anime enthusiasts, "Your Name" began to spread widely.

Even people who don't pay much attention to animated films now know that an original animated film is about to be released.

……

hotel.

It's that time of year again for the New Tide Society's year-end get-together.

At the invitation of Yamamoto Kazuto, Kitahara Makoto returned to the place once again.

As soon as he entered, he became the center of attention.

And it is the only focus.

Compared to my first visit here last year.

This year, he publicly released two new books, "Norwegian Wood" and "Snow Country".

Both books are top-notch works that have been both literary and commercial successes.

He also won the Akutagawa Prize, becoming the youngest recipient of the prize and the only literary author to open up a market in North America. He is a 'national writer' and a 'literary master'.

It’s different in the past.

If he was an elite monster when he first came here...

So now he has been promoted to the ultimate boss.

Correspondingly, people's attitudes have also changed dramatically.

One person after another came up to greet him, and he was overwhelmed with greetings.

There were politicians, businessmen, celebrities, artists, musicians, and fellow writers...

Everyone wanted to greet him, talk to him, and be his friend.

The man was alright; with so many people watching, his behavior was relatively restrained.

But those women didn't have as many scruples.

Anyone with even a little bit of good looks wanted to get close to him and rub against him.

The way they looked at him was like that of man-eating tigers, as if they wanted to devour him on the spot.

It wasn't until Toru Ueno, the chairman of the Japan Literature Promotion Association, came over that things started to change.

Kitahara Masashi successfully rose above these female celebrities and socialites who seemed to want to ovulate on the spot.

"Teacher Kitahara, doesn't it feel good to be liked by so many people?" Ueno Tetsu teased.

"Let's forget it, I can't handle it."

Kitahara Shin threw the small notes that someone had secretly put in his pocket into the trash can.

He's not the kind of womanizer who sleeps with every guy he meets...

And who knows if these roast chickens carry any viruses?

If you get infected, your happiness for life will be gone.

Rather than taking unknown risks.

He prefers to discuss the art of life with girls he knows well.

"Teacher Kitahara, you are such a wonderful person! It's a pity that I was as handsome as you when I was young!"

Looking at Kitahara Makoto's young, lively, and handsome face, Ueno Tetsu couldn't help but feel a hint of envy in his eyes.

Kitahara Shin said with a smile.

"President Ueno is joking. For us intellectuals, physical appearance is ultimately just external; what matters is talent. With your talent, President Ueno, whether you're handsome or not is no longer important!"

"Indeed."

Ueno Toru seemed to recall his glorious youth, and a hint of pride crept onto his face.

However, it was quickly suppressed.

"However, my talent is nothing compared to that of Mr. Kitahara. Mr. Kitahara, you are not only handsome, but also so talented. I admire you greatly."

"President Ueno is joking..."

Kitahara Shin stood there and exchanged a few pleasantries with Ueno Toru.

Then Ueno Tetsu suddenly said.

"I've come here this time because there's something I'd like to ask Mr. Kitahara for help with."

"what's up?"

"One of the judges for the Naoki Prize has retired and no longer wants to participate in the judging process."

"So I would like to ask Kitahara-sensei to take over his position."

"Me? A judge for the Naoki Prize?"

The Naoki Prize is the highest popular award in Japan.

It is sponsored by the Japan Literature Promotion Association, represented by the chairman in front of us, Toru Ueno (as is the Akutagawa Prize).

Kitahara Makoto was very surprised when he heard from Ueno Tetsu that he wanted to be a judge for the Naoki Prize.

In July of this year.

"Journey Under the Midnight Sun" was also nominated for the Naoki Prize.

Although he did not win the award because he was not present.

But now, instead of winning an award, he has become a judge for an award.

This feeling is so strange.

"I'm so young, is it inappropriate?"

Kitahara asked, somewhat surprised.

Ueno Toru replied with a serious expression.

"Although Kitahara-sensei is young, his achievements in 2.9 literature are something that countless people can never reach in their entire lives."

"With someone like you, Kitahara-sensei, who would dare say you're unworthy to be a judge for the Naoki Prize?!"

"That's it..."

He thought about it for a moment.

Kitahara Makoto finally accepted Ueno Toru's invitation and agreed to serve as a judge for the Naoki Prize.

This position is advantageous and harmless to him.

He became a judge for the Naoki Prize.

This means that they have the ability to influence the Naoki Prize.

The Naoki Prize is one of the most important career advancement paths for popular fiction writers.

Controlling the promotion channels means controlling the fate of these authors.

The best way for those in power to control those in lower power is—

It's an 'upward trajectory'!

Kitahara Makoto, who previously held only a high-ranking position.

Now we are slowly beginning to enjoy the rights of the upper class!

.......................................