For a long time after Kitagawa Miyuki's fourth birthday party, not only her, but also her mother, Kitagawa Kako, Takeshita Kusake, and Sakai Chie became a hot topic of discussion among the people living around her. In the blink of an eye, the time has entered March, and all kinds of big and small things have become more and more.

In the evening of that day, Chie Sakai, who had brought a sample book of "Rashomon" and a copy of the March issue of "Literary Spring and Autumn", appeared in the living room of Kitagawa's house. Giving these two things to Takeshita Kusa is very excited while looking at it, in front of Kitagawa's mother and daughter, she was completely calm and calm as usual: "I announce a great news to you." In one fell swoop, Takeshita-kun broke the record of 1,185,000 copies of the monthly magazine "Bungi Chunqiu", which was awarded by Risa Miya in the Akutagawa Prize and commented on by the judges. Do you want to know that exact number, what the new record is? ”

Hearing the good news of this amazing sales, Kako Kitagawa suddenly jumped up from the single sofa on the right as if she was electrocuted. As happy as a little girl, she not only slapped her hands with a "pop" sound, but also couldn't help but walk back and forth in the living room, sincerely expressing her congratulations on the brilliance created by Takeshita Grass Mustard: "Such a big good news, we must celebrate." I'll go to the kitchen and get champagne. Miyuki, what are you still doing in a daze? Why don't you hurry up and express your sincere congratulations to Takeshita-kun! ”

Miyuki Kitagawa, who didn't understand what the special meaning of this was, was still sitting indifferently on the couch with a pair of big bright eyes, looking at her mother stupidly.

After carefully reading the Takeshita grass mustard that all the members of the review committee commented on "Rashomon" one by one, he casually threw the March issue of "Literature and Art Spring and Autumn" on the glass coffee table, and said calmly: "I really don't know what you are excited about?" As far as I'm concerned, no matter how well I sell, it doesn't have much to do with the contemptible people, after all, they won't give me an extra yen. ”

Hearing him say this, Kitagawa Kako, who was directly confused, did not rush to the kitchen to get champagne, and was puzzled: "You not only broke a million sales, but also created a new historical record for the Literary Spring and Autumn Publishing House." Isn't it true that the better you sell, the more royalties you get? ”

"The royalties you are talking about have nothing to do with it. The March issue of Literature and Art once again published my Akutagawa Award-winning short story "Rashomon", which had already paid me for the manuscript. Therefore, there is no such thing as getting paid for sales. And only the circulation of the book "Rashomon" has a lot to do with the royalties I want to receive. Takeshita Mustard, who gave her some popular science, picked up the sample book from the glass coffee table and showed it to her, and said slowly.

walked back to his original seat, fell back, and sat directly on the single sofa Kitagawa Kako, her face showed a lot of disappointment, and there was really a feeling of falling from the clouds into the mortal dust in her heart, and she said indignantly: "After listening to what you said, isn't it empty joy?" That's just so unfair. If it weren't for your "Rashomon", how would they be a hit? ”

"You can't say that. My short story "Rashomon" is not yet that charismatic. There are two main reasons why the March issue of Literature and Art Spring and Autumn has been able to sell well. On the one hand, "Literary Spring and Autumn" originally had a large and fixed readership base, and this year's first literary event played a role in fueling the fire; Another aspect is that the fame and titles of all the members of the jury who have been famous in the literary world for a long time can also attract fans and followers who are loyal to them to buy them, so as to know whether their respective opinions on "Rashomon" are different from their own, or if they are in agreement. Takeshita Kusaoke, who had a clear mind, slowly explained to her in a logical manner.

"Kako, don't think that this record-breaking monthly sales magazine is not important at all. This fully shows that the book "Rashomon" that Takeshita-kun will release next is extremely likely to not only be out of stock, but also create another million sales. After all, the March issue of "Literature and Art Spring and Autumn" is an out-and-out weather vane. As an insider and insider, Sakai Chie is sure about this and is full of confidence.

Kako Kitagawa once again bloomed with radiance on her face, and she couldn't believe it: "Chie, is what you said all true?" I don't read much and don't understand anything, but don't lie to me! ”

Chie Sakai, who was sitting opposite her, said with an unchanged smile: "What did I lie to you about?" Basically, all the writers who have won the Akutagawa Prize and then released a single book are like this. At the beginning, it was because of the monthly magazine that Lisa broke the historical record of the Literary Spring and Autumn Publishing House, and then set a record of two million sales. I firmly believe that Takeshita-kun will definitely be able to write another brilliant article. ”

"Don't rejoice too soon. I think I might as well be the exception. No, my book will only become a piece of paper in the toilet at the entrance of the village. Takeshita Kusaoji is looking at the sample book in his hand, and at the same time, he is in the spirit of the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

"I'll give you another non-gossip in advance. Today, our publishing house has held a meeting and decided to double the original printing of 50,000 copies of your "Rashomon" collection to 100,000 copies. Not only that, but they also set out to promote your book overseas. That means that the price of one of your books is 2,000 yen * 10% of royalties * 100,000 copies, which is equal to 20 million yen. And that's just how much you can get paid for it so far. If you calculate the sales volume of 1 million, it is 200 million yen. Chie Sakai, who is extremely optimistic about him, is convinced that he will take into account economic benefits in literature and artistry, and have a double harvest.

After a pause, she cleared her throat and continued: "Once your physical book exceeds the sales of one million copies in China, it means that the translated version will be released overseas. The first target is of course China, and the person who is the translator will definitely not be someone else, but you will be responsible for it. In this way, you will not only receive a share of the remuneration for your translation, but you will also be able to continue to receive royalties from overseas distribution. ”