After formalizing the collaboration with Fujikawa Bookstore, Hoshino Talent Agency consulted Michiya Gōshin and decided to set the release date for this Sunday.
On one hand, Kodansha needed to contact various large bookstores to prepare for stocking the new book. On the other, printing the initial run of fifty thousand copies would indeed take some time. However, printing a proof copy was very fast.
The meeting was held in the morning, and by the next day, Michiya Gōshin had received the proof copy of Love Letter sent by Editor Machida.
The book's cover design featured a plain white background. On the left was the title in a light blue, fountain pen-style script. Embedded in the bottom right corner was a yellowed, replica library card, on which the name "Fujii Itsuki" was slightly faded by the sun.
The obi was hot-stamped with silver foil with a line he had written: "An unsent letter when the snow falls; a whole youth hidden within a library card."
"Looks pretty good. Now I just have to wait for the official release."
Wednesday morning. At six o'clock, Tokyo was enveloped in a biting chill.
The white puffs of Michiya Gōshin's breath condensed into frost in the air. He maintained a steady pace; since starting his morning training, the young man had grown accustomed to the rhythm of this exercise.
He glanced at the system's light screen, where a new notification was popping up from the [Entry Production Station].
[Production Queue 1: Long-Distance Runner]
[Experience: 61/100]
[Experience: 62/100]
[Experience: 63/100]
"Hoo—"
Adjusting his breathing, Michiya Gōshin finished his last lap along the riverbank. His sweat-soaked sportswear clung to his back, and a gust of cold wind raised a fine layer of goosebumps.
He slowed his pace, preparing for his cool-down. In the distance, the tall figure of the Tokyo Tower was faintly visible through the morning mist. He let out a long breath, expelling the dullness from his chest.
"Time to head back."
As he rounded the last corner, his familiar apartment building came into view. Just as Michiya Gōshin was about to take out his key to open the door, his peripheral vision caught sight of a slender figure.
A girl wearing a black baseball cap and a mask was leaning against his door, holding a light yellow paper bag.
"Michiya-san, you're finally back~"
Sakurajima Mai pulled down her mask, revealing her exquisitely beautiful face. She was wearing light makeup today, making her already bright violet eyes even more dazzling. A hint of cherry-colored lipstick glistened in the morning light.
The girl wore an oversized denim jacket over a white knit sweater, and slim-fit jeans that outlined the perfect lines of her legs. She was a truly pleasant sight.
"Sakurajima-san? What are you doing here?"
Although surprised, Michiya Gōshin quickly opened the door and welcomed the girl inside.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"Not too long. I didn't expect you to still have the peace of mind to go for a morning run, Michiya-san. It seems what's happening online hasn't affected you at all."
Sakurajima Mai followed him into the apartment, the citrus scent of her perfume filling the entryway.
"Of course not. But what's this?"
Entering the rented room, Michiya Gōshin noticed the girl opening the paper bag she was holding.
"It's a sympathy gift."
Sakurajima Mai handed over the contents. "Didn't you tell me last time to remember to bring you a very expensive sympathy gift, Michiya-san? This shop's yokan and rakugan are very famous. I even woke up early to queue for them. It cost a full 5,000 yen."
"How about it? Does that satisfy your request?"
She winked playfully, a lovely smile gracing her face.
Having known Sakurajima Mai for several weeks now, Michiya Gōshin knew she was easy to get along with, so he played along.
"Thank you so much, Sakurajima-san. As expected of a big star, spending 5,000 yen just like that. That's several days' worth of food for me."
"Hmph. Michiya-san, you're covered in sweat... Shouldn't you go take a shower?"
Sakurajima Mai glanced at the young man, whose hair was even damp with sweat, and said with a touch of annoyance.
"I always shower immediately after my morning run. It's just that a guest arrived today, isn't that right?"
Michiya Gōshin thought about the temperature that morning. The fact that she had made a special trip to visit him genuinely warmed his heart, and his voice softened considerably.
"Don't you have filming today, Sakurajima-san?"
After all, she was the female lead of 49. Normally, she would need to be on set from Monday to Friday.
"My recent scenes were all filmed together. The next two episodes are focused on the male lead, so I can relax a bit this week."
Sakurajima Mai's gaze returned to the young man's face as she asked seriously, "More importantly, how is the manuscript for Love Letter coming along? It's been so many days, you must have finished it by now, Michiya-san?"
"It's in the bedroom..." he pointed to the inner room, "But..."
...it wasn't the manuscript, but the bound proof copy.
But before he could finish his sentence, Sakurajima Mai had already dashed in like a child who had discovered treasure.
Michiya Gōshin shook his head with a wry smile, placed the sympathy gift she had brought on the table, and then called out to her retreating back, "You can take your time reading, Sakurajima-san. I'm going to take a shower," before turning and walking into the bathroom.
Fifteen minutes later, when he emerged from the bathroom toweling his hair dry, Sakurajima Mai was curled up on the sofa. The proof copy of Love Letter was open on her lap, and her expression was as focused as a student studying for an exam.
Michiya Gōshin didn't interrupt her, sitting down quietly to the side.
After some time had passed, Sakurajima Mai finally turned to the last page and closed the book. The girl's fingertips gently brushed across the cover, and her eyes seemed slightly moist.
"The last part is just too moving... Michiya-san, did you write this book just to deliberately harvest people's tears?"
Feeling a bit helpless, Michiya Gōshin could only hand her a tissue and say gently,
"Be it a tragedy or a comedy, a work that can move people is a good work."
Sakurajima Mai wiped the corners of her eyes. After a moment of silence, she picked up the proof copy of Love Letter and suddenly looked at the young man before her with great seriousness.
"Since it's been printed, does that mean it will be published soon?"
"Yes. Since Johnny & Associates is targeting me so aggressively, I have to find another way to break the deadlock, just like I said last time."
Michiya Gōshin nodded slowly. He wasn't particularly worried; after all, Love Letter was of high quality, and the young man was confident in both its sales and its future film adaptation.
"Then I'll help you!"
The girl sitting opposite him suddenly spoke with a firm tone. She picked up her phone, unlocked the screen, and her fingertips began to move.
"On the day Love Letter is released, I'll use my Twitter account to share and promote it for you. My fans can help you generate a wave of buzz."
"No!"
The moment Michiya Gōshin heard this, he quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Since Johnny & Associates has already gone this far, they won't back down easily. This is something I have to bear alone. It's too dangerous for you to do that."
But Sakurajima Mai didn't pull her hand back. Instead, she looked up to meet his gaze.
"I want to help you, Michiya-san. It's wrong for Johnny & Associates to suppress and blacklist you like this. I believe that with your talent, you can definitely beat them!"
"Whether I can win or not is a matter for later, but... you absolutely cannot share it during the book's promotional period, Sakurajima-san."
Michiya Gōshin looked at the girl before him with a burning gaze, his voice incredibly serious.
"But..."
"How about this? We each take a step back."
Staring at the girl's stubborn expression, Michiya Gōshin knew she wouldn't give up easily, so he decided to try a different approach.
"What do you mean?"
"After Love Letter is officially released, I'm guessing Johnny & Associates won't just let us build momentum on the internet. They'll definitely use other methods to slander and discredit me."
"So, after the book's sales break a certain threshold, the agency and I are planning to hold a book signing event."
A serious glint flashed in the young man's eyes.
"When the news of the book signing is announced, Johnny & Associates will definitely send reporters to give me a hard time. That will be the moment for the final counter-attack, and a chance to completely turn public opinion around."
"At that time... Sakurajima-san can make her official appearance..."
Michiya Gōshin lowered his voice and explained his plan. The girl's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and finally, she nodded with a smile.
________________________________________
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