Nanako Tokada nervously looked at the TV screen, and after seeing Kei Fujiwara appear on the screen, she subconsciously clenched her fists.

Will "White Night Walking" get the Naoki Award?

In fact, she hopes that Sima Guitai can win the award, because she really likes this novel too much, and she herself is very close to Sima Guitai.

Thinking of this, she rubbed the book "White Night Walking" on her lap, and suddenly turned the page, and there was a sentence on the title page:

"I wish you a happy life. In addition, you yourself are better looking than on TV - Sima Keita. ”

Looking at that sentence, Nanako Toshikada's cheeks flushed slightly, and this line of words was also something she saw after she went home. At that time, it was extremely pleasantly surprised, and there was even a feeling of a fawn rambling around.

So he recognized me......

Nanako Toshida had a sweet smile on her face, but as the sound on the TV came, she restrained her smile slightly and stared at the TV screen with a somewhat serious expression.

"Thank you to all members of the media for coming, and thank you for your interest in the Akutagawa Prize and the Naoki Prize. It is thanks to your support that the literary business of this book has been able to thrive to this day, and I would like to express my gratitude to all of you. ”

The first to speak on stage was Hattori Junyama, the most famous master of the Benge School of reasoning, and the king of best-selling and the president of the Mystery Novel Association.

"I myself have been nominated for the Naoki Prize four times, and finally won the highest prize for popular literature in the last one. Although in the first three times, after each defeat, I repeatedly emphasized to the media: the award is not important, I am writing for the readers...... But when I actually won the Naoki Prize, I suddenly changed my mind: the Naoki Award is still very important for a writer, especially a popular novelist. ”

There was laughter from the audience, and the camera swept over Kei Fujiwara, who was smiling, and Nanako Toshida also subconsciously smiled when she saw it.

"The Naoki Award represents the recognition of a writer in the mainstream literary world. If you've ever won the Naoki Award, remember that you may never be able to kiss the cheek of the goddess of art in your lifetime, but it is true that at some point in your life, your fingertips brushed the skirt of the goddess. And the moment when the skirt is brushed is also the moment when a writer awakens to a moment of divinity. ”

The audience burst into applause.

"I've been a judge at the Naoki Awards, and heck, seriously, being a judge is a real headache. Faced with five masterpieces, choose the most outstanding one. It's like facing five stunning beauties, but in the end you can only marry one. ”

"Luckily, I wasn't a judge this time, I was just a microphone, and I was responsible for conveying the judges' opinions on the work. Now the name of the recipient of the Naoki Award is on this card in my hand, and I haven't opened it yet, so even I don't know his name now. As for the Akutagawa ......"

Hattori Junyama paused, "This year's situation is quite special, so I'd like to ask Fujiwara-sensei to come on stage and explain it in person." ”

As soon as Fujiwara said the word, Fujiwara Kei was stunned and subconsciously moved his buttocks, and Itagaki Kazuhiko quickly pressed his shoulders and said in a deep voice: "It's not you, it's Fujiwara Ryosaku." ”

Fujiwara Ryosaku is a well-known writer of pure literature, who is in his seventies this year, and is also one of the judges of this Akutagawa Award.

Ryosaku Fujiwara took the stage, took the microphone and said, "I'm sorry, but no one has won this year's Akutagawa Prize. ”

As soon as these words came out, the audience was in an uproar, and the cameras in the hands of media reporters flickered non-stop.

"None of the shortlisted entries this time are of a level that would have won the Akutagawa Prize. The other four judges and I didn't want the Akutagawa Prize to be the worst ever, so we collectively decided to make this year's Akutagawa Prize empty. ”

With that, Fujiwara Ryosaku bowed to the audience and walked to the stage.

At this time, the clever media reporter turned the camera very wilted at the five authors who entered the enclosure, and the five shortlisted for the Akutagawa Prize were all applauding stiffly at the moment, with an embarrassed and helpless smile on their faces.

"It deserves to be a national award...... It's so strict......" Nanako Toshida muttered.

"Don't be sad about the five, losing the election is the only way for every writer to climb the tower of literature, you must know that I have been selected four times! So don't be upset. ”

After briefly comforting the five unlucky people who were not born in the world, Hattori Junyama continued: "Okay, then I'll announce the recipients of the Naoki Prize now, but before that, I have to take a look. ”

As he spoke, Junyama Hattori made a somewhat surprised expression, but ninety percent of it was pretended. Fujiwara Kei smiled, I have always heard that this Mr. Hattori is old, but he has a funny personality, and he really deserves his reputation when he sees it today.

He must have known the result, and the fool believed that he was only looking at the hand card now.

But Nanako Toshida believed it, she stared at the TV screen a little nervously, and subconsciously said silently: Sima Keita, Sima Keita......

"This result is really surprising, but not surprised that the work won the award, but surprised by the identity of the author......"

Junyama Hattori sold a pass, and then his eyes swept over the faces of the five shortlisted writers of the Naoki Award in turn: "The work that won this year's Naoki Award is-"

"Sima Guitai, "White Night Walking", congratulations."

Kei Fujiwara pursed his lips, and he expected all kinds of results, whether he won or not, or failed like the Akutagawa Award, so he didn't show too much surprise.

It seems that the situation in this world has changed...... You must know that in the parallel world "White Night Walking" was defeated, and it was not until Keigo Higashino took out the award harvester "The Devotion of Suspect X" that he won the Naoki Award in one fell swoop.

Itagaki Kazuhiko almost screamed excitedly, patted Fujiwara Kei on the shoulder, and asked him to hurry up to the stage to accept the award, and the moment "White Night Walking" was spoken, the last bit of essence in the eyes of Shimada who was sitting not far away was also extinguished, and he leaned back in the chair with his eyes closed and closed his eyes, as if he had fainted.

A hint of disappointment also flashed on Watanabe Ikema's face, but he still politely stretched out his hand to Fujiwara Kei: "Mr. Sima Keita, congratulations." ”

"Thank you." Kei Fujiwara straightened his clothes and walked to the front of the stage, and Junyama Hattori said into the microphone, "Why did I be surprised that "White Night Walking" was awarded? Obviously, this is such a good masterpiece. That's because Sima Guitai, the author of "White Night Walking", is only 23 years old this year and is a graduate who has just left school. Broke the record of 24 years old as the youngest winner of the Naoki Prize. And this is the first work in his life, which is really enviable. ”

Before Kei Fujiwara took the stage, a staff member handed him a hardcover copy of "White Night Walking" to display in front of the media.

Kei Fujiwara held his hands on his chest for "White Night Walking", the flash lights under the stage flashed non-stop, and the staff thoughtfully moved a chair at this time, and Kei Fujiwara sat down.

This will be followed by an hour-long or so conversation...... It's probably answering questions from reporters, and sharing creative experiences.

"Mr. Sima Guitai, when did you start writing novels?"

"Mr. Sima Guitai, why did you choose the genre of social novels?"

"Is there anything you would like to say to the readers?"

"Some people question that the trick of "White Night Walking" is too simple and has lost the essence and charm of mystery novels, do you have anything you want to reply?"

Most of the questions have actually been asked before...... It's just that Kei Fujiwara, who just now answered as a finalist, is now answering as a rewarder.

The flash was so dazzling that it didn't work, and under the bombardment in turns, Kei Fujiwara's eyes couldn't stand it anymore. blinked uncontrollably, and secreted tears. It's a pity that I don't have the ability of South Korean idols to not change their color in the face of flashing lights.

Harsh flash, aggressive questions...... Anyone who is faced with both at the same time will feel uncomfortable. But if you want to reap fame and fortune, you have to endure even uncomfortable things, what are these things, just a little wind and frost......

Thinking of this, Fujiwara Kei opened his eyes, straightened his back, and answered the reporter's questions in an orderly manner.

At the same time, Nanako Toshida in front of the TV rolled excitedly on the sofa.

"Great, Mr. Sima has won the award! Long live "White Night Walking"!! ”