For Kiyomizu Tetsu, the experience of meeting Nonian Reina in Toho was like a stone that was thrown into the lake. After waves of ripples, although something that was inexplicable would always settle down, the lake surface would eventually return to calm, at least on the surface.

In class, internship, conceived the outline of the novel, and went to various shops with Nanami Nishimi to interview them, and walked along the familiar track. Seeing that May, called early summer, was about to pass, Shimizu Tetsu still couldn't escape a more deeply rooted tradition in Japanese society: to drink with his boss after get off work.

Not far from Kotanshe, the izakaya in Edogawabashi is crowded with office workers after get off work. The dark suit jacket is casually placed on the back of the seat, and the buttons on the top of the shirt are also unbuttoned. The constraints suffered in the office are all liberated at this moment, and they are making noises and their faces are flushed.

A winery with a flushed face seemed to be impatient with the temperature inside her body, grabbed her neckline and pulled it off hard. Finally, before becoming completely open-minded, the boss and a few friends "invited" them out.

In the corner of the Izakaya against the wall, Shimizu Tetsuki observed the complete farce and turned to look at Heiichi Irie opposite. He picked up the wine glass and sent it to his mouth. He turned his wrist and drank another glass of soju.

"Tsk. Kiyomizu, this store isn't it?"

Listening to his erratic tone, Shimizu Tetsu picked up a fried dumpling and responded: "It's really interesting."

"That's it," Irie raised his hand and refused the action of Ishii Shuya next to him to help him pour wine. He filled the wine glass himself, and suddenly turned the topic to Shimizu Tetsu.

"Qingmizu-kun, I remember you came to the internship to collect novel materials, right? How is the progress of the novel now?"

Shimizu Tetsu tried the chicken skewers again and said, "I am modifying the outline, and you can officially start writing after the modification."

"Oh? Then I'm going to look forward to it. Speaking of which, I've read your last novel and it's written quite well. What's the sales volume of that book?"

"I don't know much about this," Shimizu Tetsu shook his head, "I have printed five thousand copies, but there is no news about printing it yet. It shouldn't be sold out."

"How is that possible!"

Irijiang lined up his palms on the table, attracting a look around him.

"In my opinion, it is at least a work that can be shortlisted for the Naoki Award. Why is there only this number?"

As one of the most important awards in the field of popular literature in Japan, there are many winners of the Naoki Award, such as Sima Ryotaro, Miyuki Miyabe, who can leave his own names in the history of world literature. Because of this, winning the Naoki Award can be regarded as a goal for which a writer strives for throughout his life.

Correspondingly, just being shortlisted for the Naoki Award is also a kind of honor. With the blessing of this light, the sales of the works may not stop at 5,000.

He didn't think that his works could reach that level, Shimizu Tsuki pulled the corner of his mouth helplessly.

"Although I am very grateful for Irie San's affirmation, and I am a little confident in my novels, the sales of the works are not entirely determined by quality. The author's popularity, the influence of the publisher, the publicity strength, and even the gimmicks will affect the sales. As a newcomer, it is already very good that I can sell the first book for 5,000."

Irie was stunned and raised his glass again.

"That's right, you have no foundation, and you're just a study in Hayami... Alas, I've been away from the Art Bureau for too long and I've forgotten such a simple truth."

He took a hard mouthful, and he was about to complain.

Shimizu Tetsu glanced at Ishii Shuya next to Irie. He used chopsticks to hold the edamame on the plate, looking calm, as if he was already used to Irie in this state.

However, Shimizu Tetsuki met him again. He was a little curious about what happened back then and said, "In what year did Irie Sang leave the Literary and Art Bureau?"

"About... fifteen years ago, 1996."

"Since then, Irieangsang has been in the dictionary bureau?"

Irie drank another drink and sighed, "Or where else can I go? I got married shortly before and the child was just born, and it was the time to need money. Although I envy Kishida for throwing the resignation letter on their faces, I really don't have that kind of courage and can only stay in the dictionary bureau first."

"What did the dictionary bureau look like at that time?"

"At that time... there were quite a few Japanese dictionary classes. I had just finished compiling the "Japanese Dictionary" and was about to make the first revision. Several seniors had heard of me and took care of me. I just stayed there. Although I was still dissatisfied, how could I say... I got used to it."

Irie filled his wine glass and continued.

"In addition, the dictionary response was good at that time, and everyone thought they could do something, so they fell in love with the job of dictionary editing. After all, there is no need to deal with people like the mountain, just do your own thing. By the way, you see."

Irie stretched out his hand and showed his fingers. Under the light yellow light, there were no traces on his fingertips soaked in wine.

Kimizu Tetsuki was a little surprised, "Is this?"

"There are no fingerprints, right? If you work in this job for a long time, your fingers will be worn out by the paper. This is also a little trace left by that time."

"What about it later?"

"Later..." Iriejiang took a big mouthful and choked a few times before responding. "After the revision was over, everyone submitted a new dictionary preparation plan with confidence. They were going to do a big move, but they were rejected. At first, they thought that our plan was not done well, and they revised it several times, but the outcome was the same. Finally, they realized that it was the board of directors' meaning. The Japanese dictionary already has "Guangciyuan" and "Dacilin". No matter how hard it is to make a fortune in Kotanshe, it is better to forget it."

"And then, the seniors either resigned or retired, and I was the only one who became the head of the section. After several years alone, two more people came in. Kanzaki was not allowed by other departments, so I was forced to come over. Ishii was interesting."

As he said that, Irie put on Ishii's shoulder and looked very proud.

"The Master of Linguistics at the University of Tokyo also ranked first during the internship. It is logical that all departments can go to it, but I chose our young and poor Japanese dictionary course. Isn't it strange?"

Shimizu Tetsu looked at Ishii who was silent throughout the whole process. He shook Irie's hand expressionlessly, then picked up chopsticks to pick up edamames.

Irie next to him was in a state of excitement, and his voice was a few degrees higher.

"Then it's Kiyomizu-kun. Although you are just here for an internship, you've done a pretty good job. This time, the bureau decided to make the second revision of the "Japanese Dictionary". This time, we..."

Kiyoshi Shimizu Toru waited for Irie to continue talking, but he didn't expect that he suddenly got stuck there. "We" called out for a long time and then there was no follow-up. I don't know what I suddenly remembered, and my face, which was originally red due to drinking, suddenly dimmed, and my arms that were waving in the air drooped down. My whole body seemed to have lost strength, leaning against the wall, with a lonely tone.

"This time...it may be my last chance... According to the attitude of the board of directors, after revision this time, I don't know when it will be next time, it is even more impossible to prepare a new dictionary..."

Speaking of this, his voice was a little choked.

"I...I don't want to be an editor who retires without editing a dictionary..."

Somewhat worried about his condition, Kiyoshi Shimizu wondered if he wanted to do something. Ishii Shuya raised his hand with a familiarity, asked for a hot towel from the store, and handed it to Heiichi Irie who covered his face with his hands.

The night outside was even heavier, and the store was still brightly lit in the noise, and the silence in this corner did not last long. Irie wiped his face with a towel and quickly recovered.

"Sorry, where did you just talk about it?"

“When it comes to this revision.”

"Oh, this time..."

As soon as he spoke, he was interrupted by a ringtone. Shimizu Tetsu was stunned for a moment before he realized that it was his phone. He turned on the screen and the name displayed on it was Nanami Nanami.

Looking at the time in the upper right corner, it is almost midnight.

"Irie Sang, Ishii Sang, I will answer the phone first."

"It's okay, go."

After passing through the lively diners, the summer night wind blew on his face in a cool mood, making Qingshuiche feel a little awake. With doubts, he pressed the answer button, but there was a silence in his ears.

After reconfirming the call status, Shimizu Tetsuki spoke tentatively: "Seven see you?"

It took a few seconds before a slight sound came out there.

"Qingshui, are you...out there?"

"Well, what's wrong?"
Chapter completed!