Chapter 292 The Villain's Appearance Was Too Sloppy

This lounge, called kinkei, has Japanese-style murals on the wall, while the chandeliers and floors are completely in the style of a Western banquet hall. Just like the golden light you see when you open the door, the interior can be described as magnificent.

Hojo Kyosuke also knew why this lounge was rented, and there would be no wedding ceremony. Feelings are the essence here.

After a few simple greetings, Hamamoto Shigeru took the two new winners to his previous position. The two editors and Xisaki went to find their own circles.

"Teacher Wancheng, Teacher Misaki, this is the two teachers I just mentioned, Hojo Kyosuke and Oosaka Tsuyoshi."

Following Hamamoto Shigeru's introduction, the two men who were originally sitting also stood up, said polite words with a smile on their faces, and extended their hands.

Wancheng Yaji, the winning work is "Futako Tamagawa Kid", the content is very warm, it is the story of three elementary school students playing in Futako Tamagawa during the summer vacation.

Misaki Megaku, whose work is "The God of Death Comes to My House", also has a warm content. A god of death who is a heavy coke lover will ask the dying person if he likes coke before judging him. Although the novel does not show that the god of death will be partial to people who like coke, the author revealed in an interview that the god of death will indeed act differently depending on the answer.

These things are written on the information given by Xisaki on the way here before, in order to let Hojo Kyosuke come to socialize now. So, as expected, although he had never heard of these two people before, he still called out their names and began to quickly praise each other's works.

In less than a few people, they started chatting enthusiastically, not like people who had just met.

Osaka Gang next to him was stunned, turned his head and looked at someone in shock. In his cognition, Hojo Kyosuke didn't even care about winning the award, and even stuffed it into his hand, he was a little too lazy to take it, let alone understand the information of the literary circle.

If he and President Chino had not had more contact with the other party and knew that this person was simply lazy, they would have believed the rumors in the circle that Hojo Kyosuke was a madman who became famous at a young age and looked down on everyone.

But now, of course, he had also learned about the other winners in advance, but before he could find the relevant information from his head, Hojo Kyosuke had already started talking to the other party.

This guy, could it be that he simply disliked himself and Chino-san as married middle-aged uncles and felt that they did not match his style? Osaka Tsuyoshi looked at the other two authors on the table suspiciously.

Although he was not a handsome man, he looked... He lowered his head and looked at his thick beard and beer belly.

Hey, this is a symbol of happiness for a married man!

Besides, who can be confident in front of this guy Hojo?

"Oh, Representative Hamamoto, why are you hiding here? I've been looking for you for a long time."

A voice came from the side, and Hamamoto Shigeru quickly stood up and looked back. A man wearing a crimson suit and a triangular mustache on his chin.

"Teacher Ishida, is there anything I can do for you?" He couldn't help but glance at Hojo Kyosuke while speaking. It was this teacher Ishida Hidenori who said that Hojo-san was arrogant before. It seems that the relationship between the two may not be very good.

"Nothing, just confirming the issue of the award ceremony tomorrow and asking if there is anything I need to prepare myself."

Ishida Hidenori waved his hand. It was obviously a normal action, but with his face, mustache, and crimson suit, it looked very exaggerated.

Sure enough, this color and style of clothes, except for the guys in the gigolo shop, not many people can handle it, Osaka Tsuyoshi thought secretly.

Prepare? Prepare an acceptance speech? Hamamoto Shigeru shook his head in confusion:

"Please rest assured, we are ready for everything, and the award ceremony will definitely go smoothly."

"That's good." Ishida Hidenori nodded with satisfaction, then turned to look at the other people at the table.

"By the way, let me introduce you. This is the author of "The Devotion of Suspect X", Mr. Hojo Kyosuke. This is the author of "Memories of the Night", Mr. Oosaka Tsuyoshi." Hamamoto Shigeru introduced with his right elbow slightly bent.

"Ah! It turns out to be Mr. Oosaka. I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time!" Ishida Hidenori extended his hand enthusiastically.

Looking at the hand extended to him, Oosaka Tsuyoshi blinked, and then suddenly widened his eyes, always feeling that he had heard this before. Oh, yes, it was what the beautiful lady said to Hojo when he just arrived at the entrance of the memorial hall.

Ishida-san, I take back what I said before. Although your outfit is ugly, you are a person with vision!

Seeing that the other party ignored Hojo Kyosuke and shook hands with him first, Oosaka Tsuyoshi was secretly happy and quickly extended his hand.

But he didn't expect that it would be difficult to separate the hands after shaking hands. I thought that the other party would talk to Hojo after a few words of greeting, but I didn't expect that he talked for almost a minute without stopping.

The smile on Hamamoto Shigeru's face froze, and he and the other two people at the table looked at Hojo Kyosuke, only to see that he still had a smile on his face, just as polite as before.

Not bad, he is really well-mannered, he couldn't help but admire in his heart.

It is easy to develop a skill to face compliments from others humbly, but it takes a good psychological quality to maintain a good demeanor in the face of such an obviously deliberate snub.

Not to mention that the smile is still bright, not forced at all, even he, a man, thinks it looks good.

Aisaka tried hard to free his hand, only to feel that his palms were covered with sticky sweat. Although he was already a standard social person, he still couldn't help but shuddered in his heart. However, he felt funny in his heart and wanted to see Hojo like this. Guy's reaction.

Turning his head, he saw the bright smile on the other person's face, which was different from Hamamoto Shigeru's reaction. Ohsaka's heart skipped a beat.

Under the kind invitation of President Konno, he had to accompany him "with great interest" to watch all the videos of the kendo competition in Hojo Kyosuke's junior high school.

This guy had the same smile when he was provoked before the game. Then on the field, he stabbed the opponent in the throat, sending the opponent flying. After the guy took off his mask, his whole face turned into It was so purple that the ambulance team was startled, and the ambulance came.

There is no doubt that it is a clean gain, although it is a throat-piercing thing that junior high school students should not master. However, no matter the movement, momentum or hitting position, it is standard and there is no fault.

When watching the video, President Konno couldn't help but clapped his hands and jumped, which shows how exciting this shot was. But Tsuyoshi Aisaka, who didn't know much about kendo, felt chilled by the sight. He believed that Hojo-san's opponent would regret his provocation before the match.

"Oh, Hojo, is it the one who said that he is confirmed to win this year's Grand Prize?" Ishida Hidenori reluctantly stretched out his hand like a European noblewoman.

Hamamoto Shigeru and the other two authors looked at Hojo Kyousuke when they heard this, wondering how he would react. I saw this man who seemed ready to commit suicide just now suddenly patted Aisaka Tsuyoshi on the shoulder and said with a serious expression:

"Aisaka, why did you suddenly perform a one-man show? Go wash your hands quickly, be careful, you will have to have your leg amputated later."

"Oh, okay, okay."

Aisaka, who had just recalled Hojo Kyosuke's ferocious appearance, subconsciously responded. It wasn't that he was timid, it was because what the other party said seemed to have a convincing power.

Just like Ishida Hidenori did just now, Hojo Kyosuke completely ignored the other party. Hamamoto Shigeru applauded secretly, a graceful counterattack!

Hidenori Ishida, who had looked so proud just now, suddenly turned the color of pig liver. This made Tsuyoshi Aisaka think of the man lying on the ground waiting for a stretcher again.

Hearing what the two of them said, Wancheng Yaji burst out laughing. Seeing that the laughter attracted Hidenori Ishida's unkind eyes, he quickly waved his hand and explained:

"When I think about winning the award tomorrow, I can't help but feel happy."

"Hahahaha, me too, I'm so happy." Misaki smiled and patted Wancheng's shoulder vigorously:

“It’s such an honor to be able to win the award together with Wancheng-san.”

"Joy and rejoice together."

The two sang together, which made Tsuyoshi Aisaka laugh. The only ones who didn't laugh were Hidenori Ishida and Shigeru Hamamoto, but the latter laughed when he saw the former's increasingly ugly expression.

"Ahem, I'm sorry. I think that so many great generals this year can include so many excellent works, I can't help but feel happy from the bottom of my heart."

"This is all thanks to the efforts of Hamamoto-san and the committee."

Hojo Kyousuke, who had already sat down and crossed his legs, raised his tea cup in greeting.

"Yes, that's right. Speaking of which, this is my first time to come to the Meiji Memorial Hall. I didn't expect there to be such a place in Tokyo." Misaki Megaku from Kyoto sighed.

"I'm sorry that such a building can exist in the countryside." Hojo Kyosuke responded with a smile. He has a Kyoto family in his family and he understands the joke that everything outside of Kyoto is in the countryside.

"Hey, don't say this in a place like this!"

"Okay, so it turns out that we Tokyoites are so slanderous in private." Aisaka joined the conversation.

Seeing the other people entering normal chat mode again, Hamamoto Shigeru, who was still standing, clasped his toes in embarrassment. I complained in my heart about Ishida Hidenori. Doesn't this person know how to read air? His lung capacity is amazing, but I am not!

"Teacher Ishida, come here and let me introduce you to the editors." As the organizer, he had to bite the bullet and speak.

"Sure enough, he is indeed a genius who only meets once in 5,000 light years. At least his arrogance is worthy of his name." Ishida Hidenori was planted in the ground like a radish, motionless, swaying the red and yellow leaves and began to speak.

"Aisaka-san, did you know that light years are actually units of distance." Hojo Kyosuke said.

"Huh? Is this like this?" Top student Gosaka was stunned. Newspapers said that every day, so he thought it was a unit of time.

Ishida Hidenori was also stunned. He only saw this nickname from the newspaper, but then his witty little brain changed:

"What I mean is that there is only one genius like you in the universe five thousand light years away."

"Oh, thank you for the compliment, Mr. Ishida. You can just say this in private. Everyone is equal here."

Hojo Kyosuke had an expression on his face that said, "Don't do this next time." He waved his hands reproachfully. When it comes to yin and yang, he will not be inferior to others.

"You guy!"

Ishida was about to step forward as soon as his footsteps moved, Hojo Kyosuke was about to get up when he felt happy, and Aisaka Tsuyoshi was already ready to stay away.

"Haha, Ishida-san, the editors over there have been waiting for a long time." Hamamoto Shigeru stretched out his arms.

"I hope you can still laugh when you stand in the audience tomorrow and listen to my acceptance speech and applaud me."

After saying a few words, the big carrot was finally pulled out by Hamamoto Shigeru, still chattering endlessly.

"Hamamoto-san, I think your committee should be more cautious when making nominations in the future."

Hojo Kyosuke raised his eyebrows, wondering why the other party had such confidence. So he turned to look at Tsuyoshi Aisaka and asked questions with his eyes.

"Ahem, mystery novels should have won the award for mystery novels." Aisaka took a sip of water.

Someone recalled the information he had read before. Hidenori Ishida's award-winning work was called "The End of Memories at Fourteen Years Old." From the name, you can tell that it is a story about adolescent boys and girls. The works of the other three people on the table can also be summarized as "warmth".

I understand, no wonder it is called an award representing Japanese civilian literature. What the public likes most is this kind of heartwarming novel that can make people smile.

"In fact, almost no orthodox mystery novels have won awards in the past." Tsuyoshi Aisaka continued.

"But I will win the grand prize." Hojo Kyosuke said.

With these decisive words, Mancheng and Misaki could see the pride of this genius, but they also nodded along with Aisaka Tsuyoshi in conviction.

We’ve already mentioned the Civilian Literature Award. Isn’t it okay to vote because you like the author? !

Even if it is just a junk novel written by someone else, as long as it is good-looking, a large number of people will still blindly follow it. Not to mention that the content of Hojo Kyosuke's novels is indeed very, very good.

"To be honest, after seeing the grand event held by Hojo-san at Kinokuniya, I asked the publisher to arrange a book signing for me there."

Wancheng Yaji smiled bitterly and told the story.

"Haha, Manjo-san still doesn't understand Mr. Hojo well." Misaki joked with a smile.

"Yeah, I was a little angry because the bookstore didn't arrange a concert hall for me at first, but after seeing the number of people who came, I couldn't help but secretly feel happy. Fortunately, the bookstore and the publishing house did a good job in the preliminary investigation, otherwise I would have made a fool of myself."

Wancheng was sighing. In the photos shown on the Internet and on TV, there was a queue stretching for two blocks behind Hojo Kyousuke's promotional sign, and they were all young girls. It really made people’s teeth itch with envy. At that time, he thought that there were so many beauties in Shinjuku, and even if he was just a little bit...

"And the most annoying thing is that when I was going to the toilet, I accidentally heard..."

"Is it really accidental?" Misaki asked with a smile.

"Of course! Don't interrupt. Anyway, I just heard the clerks discussing who to vote for."

"Hahaha, needless to say, I know, everyone must vote for this guy Hojo." Aisaka smiled, and no one here knew it better than him.

"That's right!" Wan Cheng gritted his teeth.

"I heard similar words in bookstores in Kyoto. The clerks actually said that if Hojo-san wins this year, he will hold a book signing in Kyoto next year." Misaki gritted his teeth:

"Damn it, for such a reason. Don't they know that the selection criterion is 'want to sell in their own bookstore', not 'want the author to come to their own bookstore to promote'!"

"Hahaha, this is the so-called inclusiveness of literature." Hojo Kyosuke said with a smile.

"You guy! Is this how inclusive is explained?"

"Isn't it right? When I read the book, I imagined that there would be a man like the Stone God who loved me deeply. The reading experience immediately improved by three levels. This is the sense of immersion in the novel."

“So, every author should get a facelift to avoid disillusionment in his readers?”

Ohsaka is not in a good mood. If this is the case, wouldn't it make readers have goosebumps all over their bodies if a rough guy like him writes a love novel mainly from a female perspective?

After chatting and joking for a while, a few people started talking about Hidenori Ishida just now.

"Why is that guy so malicious towards Hojo? Could it be that his wife divorced him because she fell in love with Hojo?"

As a good friend, Aisaka spoke unceremoniously and did not change his position just because the other party looked down upon him. He was not stupid and knew that he had just become a tool again. Moreover, he is a noble mystery novelist. Although his works are not well received at the Grand Prize, his status in the literary world is much higher than that of his opponent.

"Don't talk nonsense. Think about who a woman who can fall in love with that kind of person is."

Hojo Kyosuke was startled. Looking at himself, he could tell how beautiful and virtuous the girls in his family must be. Just look at the red pickled radish and you will know the other person’s family. If Naohua saw herself wearing that outfit, she would probably faint from anger.

"Hahaha, Hojo-san is so merciless." Wancheng laughed.

"He must be lucky that there are too many people here." Aisaka sneered.

"What?" Misaki leaned over curiously.

"I don't know if you have heard that Tokyo is the strongest...cough cough cough, let go, let go, Hojo, I can't breathe."

"You guys, next time I see President Konno, I will propose to him to set up a kendo club in the association and get you involved so that we can communicate more when we have time."

Hojo Kyosuke let go of Tsuyoshi Aisaka's neck and adjusted his coat. What a risk, the nickname was almost exposed.

"Spare me! What I want to say is the Demon King of Swords!"

So the conversation among them turned to Hojo Kyosuke's kendo prowess, and they agreed to visit the dojo together when Kenzo Kono took someone to his family's dojo.

"Anyway, there will be a good show tomorrow. I hope Hidenori Ishida won't look too bad when he listens to Hojo's acceptance speech and applauds you, otherwise I will laugh."

Wan Cheng took a sip of the teacup. Thinking of the liver-colored face just now, he couldn't help laughing again. He really has no grace at all. In comparison, Hojo-san is as elegant and graceful as a golden pheasant on the wall.

"It's okay, it's okay to laugh. It's a happy thing anyway." Misaki said with a smile, and he didn't know whether he was happy because he won the award or the other party didn't win the award.

It's impossible to say that there is no comparison between writers, but both of them were hit by the bookstore clerk before they met each other. After meeting, they thought they would be difficult to get along with, but unexpectedly they were interesting. In addition, there were really annoying people, so the atmosphere became better.

So, an excellent leader may find it difficult to unite the team, but an annoying person can easily make everyone united against the outside world.

As they chatted, Amemiya Miki, who had disappeared for a while, came over to inform Hojo Kyosuke that dinner was ready. Someone remembered belatedly that he had said before that he would invite editor Shimomura's son to eat together, and he and a few friends teased Ishida Hidenori so happily that he forgot.

He looked at the dishes brought by the waiter, a silver salmon steamer, a chestnut cream Dorayaki and Mitarashi dango, and after tasting them, he sent a message to Xisaki. Of course, he would not pick up Shimomura Masao at this time, but asked Xisaki to buy a few more to take away as snacks in the evening.

Dorayaki and dango are snacks that they often eat when watching their movies.

"Then see you tomorrow, Hojo-san."

"See you tomorrow."

After saying goodbye, Hojo Kyosuke first went home to put most of the snacks in the refrigerator, and then took a few Dorayaki to school. Now the time is just right, and he can catch the first class at noon when he arrives at school.

Sobu High School, Class F, Grade 1

Hikigaya Hachiman looked at the math test paper in front of him expressionlessly, looking at the lonely circle surrounded by countless spears.

Factorization? Cross multiplication? Double radical?

What kind of second-year names are these! What, if you learn them, you can decompose everything and understand the root? Have you all been infected by Zaimokuza? And the teacher too, don’t you feel like you are performing a stage play when you shout out such names? Don’t you feel ashamed?

Hikigaya Hachiman, who ranked third... fourth in the grade in terms of Chinese language proficiency, said that he really couldn’t understand the second-year thinking of mathematicians. He took out the math textbook that he would definitely not use in the next class and covered the test paper. He turned around and leaned against the wall.

“Hey! Expand all the quadratic radicals! Factor all of them without missing a single one!”

Even though it was a sleepy afternoon, Zaimokuza was full of energy. He gestured with his hands like cutting melons and vegetables, and shouted in a voice that he thought was handsome.

"Hey, Zaimokuza, don't you think this is too chuuni?" Hikigaya shouted weakly.

"Hmm? Chuuni, isn't that just right?"

That being said, if these math problems are used as moves, they should not be used if they are not done correctly. If someone like me goes to such a world, I will definitely die in the first episode.

Well, the reason why Hikigaya Hachiman hates these chuuni names is not because he is not good at math at all, but just for the practical consideration of traveling to another world.

"By the way, Hachiman, you reminded me that in the next novel, let's set up such a character, who fights with mathematical formulas." Zaimokuza clenched his right fist and hammered it into the palm of his left hand. After making a handsome pose, he immediately took out his notebook and started writing.

In fact, there was already such a character in the new show in March last year...

Looking at the energetic Zaimokuza, Hikigaya swallowed this sentence. Forget it, just let him exercise his wrist strength.

But when it comes to novels, his eyes can't help but cast to the empty seat in the lower right corner of the classroom.

Hojo-san...

No, didn't Hojo-san say that honorifics are unnecessary? Hachiman, hold your head high. You can't respect someone from the bottom of your heart and unconsciously use honorifics just because they have achieved something you can never reach.

"That's great, Honya Daisho. Now, my dear friend, let's go buy the new "The Devotion of Suspect X" together after it's published." Zaimokuza said.

"Yes."

Although he already had a copy at home, Hikigaya agreed without hesitation. He knew that the "new" Zaimokuza was referring to was the reprint with the words "Honya Daisho" written on the book jacket. As a qualified follower, this is what the title implies.

After buying it, give it to Komachi and tell her that as long as she worships this book devoutly every day, both Hojo-san, a science genius, and Ishigami, the protagonist of the novel, will bless her so that she won't be as good at math as her idiot brother.

The news that Hojo Kyosuke will attend the Honya Grand Prize tomorrow was not spread by Sakura and Naturoko. The Japanese people are more enthusiastic than expected about such campus celebrities.

All morning, when classes were over, Hikigaya did not see less than five classmates around Yamauchi and Nishimiya. He had no doubt that if Hojo was not still the head of the Kendo Club, the table would definitely be replaced by some students with strange habits after school.

Wait, as the chief demonstrator of the Kendo Club, if I ask the head to exchange tables, there should be a certain chance that it will be approved, right?

Hikigaya recalled the previous practice of the Kendo Club, thinking that he was always the first to practice with the club leader as a demonstrator, and suddenly he puffed out his chest with pride. Rounding it off, he can be considered to have survived the Demon King so many times, even if he only provided the minimum experience each time, it should be enough to crush others!