It was getting dark, and the streetlights on the edge of the plaza lit up one after another.
Alice and Shiori were under a tree, always attentive to the movements of the readers.
The crowd had not yet dispersed, and the reason was their guidance. Shiori found Akari from the Older Sisters Alliance at noon and together they promoted the event on the forum, attracting more people to the plaza and maintaining the turnout.
However, as it got dark, the speed of readers leaving was faster than those arriving. It was estimated that in less than three hours, the people in the plaza would be gone.
"Alice, haven't they negotiated yet?" Shiori asked, sending a text message on her phone, turning around and asking: "I can't attract people, what if they disperse?"
Alice tilted her head and looked at the time on Shiori's phone. It was seven in the evening.
"It should be soon." She said: "It's impossible to talk for too long. They might already be on their way."
Shiori breathed a sigh of relief.
"How much do you think Kanto will concede?" Her eyes lit up and she asked expectantly: "Will they allow Takumi's manga to be sold in their bookstores?"
It was the outcome she hoped for the most, but also the least likely.
"Impossible." Alice refused without hesitation: "Kanto won't concede much. This time they are willing to contact Takumi, which is a concession in itself. If they ask for too much, they will definitely not accept."
Today's matter is not small, but it's not too serious either. Kanto doesn't have to make many sacrifices. If they ask for too much, they can use drastic measures. Threatening Kanto with readers is a joke in itself.
The biggest benefit Takumi and Hinotori Publishing could get would probably be Kanto's public apology. However, the apology won't be easy to get. Because that would make Kanto look bad. Perhaps they are more willing to scare off these radical readers.
The result will still have to wait.
"Look! Here!"
Shiori patted Alice's hand and pointed to the side. On the other side of the plaza, several cars approached.
"How strange! Takumi didn't come?"
Shiori looked, but found no familiar license plates.
Sun-san and Kazuki got out of the first car. After getting out, they entered the Kanto Building. Shortly after, some people moved the props and set up a small stage in front of the plaza. Kazuki stood up with a microphone.
"Silence, please!" He asked the readers chatting and arguing in the plaza to be silent and then said: "We understand why you are here. Our previous news and reports may have caused misunderstandings...".
Kazuki delivered a speech on stage. The readers stared at him. As they listened, they roughly understood that he was apologizing.
"Great."
Alice seemed happy. Kanto, such a large company, publicly apologized. A great victory!
"What? What kind of apology is this? There's no sincerity at all."
However, Shiori was very dissatisfied. Although he pretended to apologize, Kazuki never said that Kanto Manga Company had done anything wrong. He just said that everything was a misunderstanding. In his speech, he claimed that Kanto Manga Company's original intention was good, but that the media's wording and reprinting created external misunderstandings. He hoped readers wouldn't overthink it...
'Who can put up with those superficial phrases?' "What! Bastard! Are you apologizing?"
"What kind of apology is this? There's no sincerity!"
. Below the stage, readers were a little indignant.
But Kazuki ignored them. He continued: "Furthermore, let me explain to everyone that the agreement between Mirai-sensei mentioned in our last press conference was actually between him and Anthony...". He explained the true content of the agreement. Of course, he didn't mention the specific conditions. He simply said that the person Mirai-sensei wanted to use two manga to fight was Anthony, not Aika.
Upon hearing this, many readers' doubts were dispelled. No wonder Mirai-sensei would worry about a newcomer for no reason. It turned out he had reached an agreement with the veteran Nobel laureate.
"Really? Why didn't Mirai-sensei say so before...?"
"Yes, after all, it's the new mangaka's fault! It's not true that Mirai-sensei wants to be compared to him. It's pure advertising!"
"Mirai-sensei probably doesn't want to say it and belittle the new mangaka?"
Many readers have a good opinion of Mirai-sensei. Of course, the reality is not like that at all. Takumi didn't speak, mainly because if he did, the media at the time wouldn't have bothered to report it, and he hated seeing journalists.
If Kanto took the initiative to say this, the truth would be fully revealed, and no one would question anything.
However, after the truth was revealed, a new wave of anger flooded readers' hearts. Since it was Duke Anthony's agreement, Aika, a new mangaka, didn't have to be considered the number one mangaka. In the end, she was the worst.
In fact, she was using others' gambles to make a living.
Readers were furious and thought about how to deal with the new mangaka in the future. However, no one expected that, after Kazuki's resignation, Aika would get out of a car and go on stage with a pale face.
"I'm sorry, Mirai-sensei didn't treat me in the two books. I was too proud." After going on stage, the first thing she did was bow and apologize, saying: "I hope you forgive me for this matter...". At that moment, Alice and Shiori understood that Kanto didn't want to apologize, but instead blamed the mangaka.
A despicable act...
but very effective. For the excited readers, seeing Aika admit her mistakes was the most important thing. They were dissatisfied with the newcomer's arrogance and her trampling on Mirai-sensei. Aika took the initiative to admit her mistake and even bowed to everyone. The readers in the plaza were extremely happy.
Seeing the mangaka apologize in person, they felt they had won and had no regrets.
"The truth has come out, we have helped Mirai-sensei get justice!"
"Wow, Mirai-sensei is the best, we are so great, we even forced Kanto Manga Company to apologize!"
"It's great, today's visit was not in vain, seeing this guy apologize, it's refreshing!"
"Hahaha. Let's go home..."
After Aika apologized, readers began to disperse one after another.
"Why is this happening?"
Shiori was a little annoyed.
"Forget it! Let them go!" Alice sighed, "This is fine."
Although Kanto didn't apologize, Aika did, which was really good. Alice, satisfied, took Shiori away. Anyway, what happened today was an unexpected surprise.
In the plaza, there were fewer and fewer readers, and Kanto Manga Company's new entrance was also moved. Some employees who were called were erasing the words on the wall.
The disturbance ended smoothly.
"Aika, don't be discouraged." Sun-san breathed a sigh of relief. Then, seeing Aika's back on stage, he approached and patted her shoulder, comforting her: "We will remember your actions today."
Sun-san liked this mangaka. Aika was very obedient. The company asked her to apologize. Although she felt offended, she did it. This attitude is quite unusual and will not bring many disadvantages.
Aika is a newcomer. Her sudden popularity will undoubtedly arouse envy and hatred from many. After this apology, some readers will accept her. Mangaka who take the initiative to apologize are very good, and Aika's own strength is very great.
"The company will continue to support you in the future." Sun-san smiled and said: "This title of number one in Japan. Put it aside for now, and sooner or later it will be yours."
"Yes."
Aika nodded.
In fact, when Sun-san and Mirai-sensei met this time, Kanto Manga Company promised to apologize and not to use "Number 1 in Japan" to promote Aika in the future.
In this regard, Mirai-sensei was victorious. However, on the other hand, Kanto did not lose.
In any case, Aika's sales were soaring, and she is now a celebrity. As a novel mangaka, how many people can do this? The answer is no one. The fastest person to become popular in Japan was Aika. When Mirai-sensei debuted, he was not as dazzling as her.
"By the way, Minister..."
Aika calmed down and asked cautiously: "Did you go to see Mirai-sensei?"
"Well, he's an exceptional boy. He's willing to calm this matter this time. To be honest, I'm very happy." Sun-san nodded with joy. This time, the calming method proposed by Mirai-sensei was perfect.
However, Aika's expression suddenly became subtle.
"Minister, you worked so hard to find him... In the end, he just told you what to do and didn't come out to help?"
Sun-san was stunned. His eyes widened, dazed like a fool. Yes, the readers' commotion had calmed down, but Mirai-sensei didn't appear! Those who calmed the readers' anger were themselves, and it had nothing to do with Mirai-sensei!
With sweat on his face, Sun-san began to remember what happened that afternoon.
He remembered that he entered Uji-an Teahouse and that the four of them began to negotiate. Mirai-sensei personally prepared tea for them and remained quietly silent. The negotiation was not smooth at first. The old man Genji was strong and stubborn. He insisted that they publicly apologize. Sun-san, undoubtedly, disagreed. They were at a stalemate for more than ten minutes. Finally, Takumi spoke slowly and said that Kanto Manga Company did not need to apologize.
He proposed a plan for Aika to apologize, and explained from all points of view that it was the most perfect plan. Not only would it not harm Kanto Manga Company's reputation, but it would also benefit Aika's future development. Sun-san, moved, enthusiastically accepted it...
But Mirai-sensei didn't come!
"Kazuki!" Sun-san shouted, he turned his head and looked at the editor-in-chief of manga with wide eyes: "We didn't invite Mirai-sensei, he didn't appear, why didn't you remind me?!"
Kazuki was stunned.
"I, I...". His face flushed slightly and he said awkwardly: "I'm sorry, Minister, the tea Mirai-sensei prepared is delicious; I was drinking tea at that moment...".
Sun-san almost fainted and lost a lot. In retrospect, it was just a scam! But they were tricked!
Although everything went well, it was too exasperating!
"That insolent young man!"
Thinking of Takumi, Sun-san became even more enraged. He remembered the radiant smile Takumi gave him when seeing them off. At that moment, he thought this Mirai-sensei was very liberal... Now that he thinks about it, that smile was just to mock him!
- - - - - - - - -
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