The Fumiguruma Youhi Method, Episode 5: Shimura Discussion

Episode 4: Fuko Arai and Chiyo Takagi

The izakaya 'Sorekara' is about a five-minute walk from the memo office. It's a small place with six counter seats and two tables. As soon as I sat at the counter, Shimura asked, 'Can you drink beer?' When I replied that I could have one, Shimura looked happy and placed an order with the staff.

'Well then, welcome to the Writing Awards team. Cheers!'

It was just past 5:00 PM. We were the only ones in the shop so far. While ordering standard izakaya fare, Shimura asked me about my impressions of the office today, and I answered. Shimura began to down his second beer. Scratching his messy hair, he started to talk.

'Our team has some pretty unique members. Well, I have the dishonorable nickname of 'Word Swindler,' too. It's terrible, isn't it? I hate it.'

Shimura was a former copywriter. Although he didn't make a name for himself in that world, he was scouted by the CEO of memo, a company he had previously worked with as a client, and joined the firm.

'Chiyo-san is our former star writer. Did you know?'

'Yes. She's an essayist who uses skillful metaphors and self-deprecating humor about her lack of experience with men.'

'That's right. She's a monster. She earns so much from paid articles that we'd be in the red if we didn't hire her. Haha!'

'What kind of person is Arai-san?'

'Fuko is a pro at empathy. She was originally in our sales department, but she was running a community on other social media. We allow side jobs, you know. Fuko created a paid community and, well, I bet she was making as much as a regular employee. She uses empathy as a weapon to satisfy people's need for approval and earns money from members. She's a pro, too. Her catchphrase is 'That's great,' right? When she says that, it boosts your self-affirmation, and you don't feel bad about it.'

'Then why was I, someone with no special features, allowed to join the Writing Awards team?'

'Ah, you're curious about that, aren't you? I told the president, and we took a survey of all the employees. Remember? The one where we had to write down our hobbies and favorite movies.'

'Yes. I remember.'

'And when we looked at the results, Kato-kun, you were the most 'average.' No flair, nothing. The definition of average. A mass-produced twenty-something.'

I wondered if he was insulting me. It didn't feel like a compliment.

'No, it's not an insult. By the way, what was your favorite movie again?'

'Avengers...'

'That's it. The fact that you didn't answer with 'Cinema Paradiso,' 'Gattaca,' or a Yasujiro Ozu film is incredibly good. I'm complimenting you, okay?'

'Listen, for us writers and creators, personality is everything. If you're not edgy, you won't sell. But, the people reading the articles are all 'average' people. We have to make them think it's interesting.'

The memo Writing Award is a chance for writers who haven't seen the light of day yet to get published. Naturally, the publisher is aiming for a bestseller. We aren't making books just as a business card for writers, you know. If you want to create a bestseller, you have to involve people who aren't usually interested in reading.

That's why we need judges who have a 'normal' sensibility. Chiyo only has personality. Fuukon only sees articles that lead to money. Kato-kun is a rare talent. memo Inc. only has sharp, edgy talent.

“Huh, is that so? I don't really feel happy about that, though.”

“Haha! I'm complimenting you. Or rather, Igarashi came up with this selection method, too.”

It came up. The topic of Igarashi. Kato had wanted to hear about it sooner. Just as he was about to open his mouth, he was interrupted by Shimura.

“So, Kato-kun. Do you know what the definition of an interesting piece of writing is?”

“Uh, I've never thought about it.”

“That's a perfect answer. An interesting piece of writing is an illusion that only appears when you pose the question, 'What is an interesting piece of writing?'”

“That sounds like a scam.”

“You said it!”

Episode 6: The Missing Judge

Episode 1: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/n50fe762ef006
Episode 2: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/n2aefa79ddb17
Episode 3: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/n7766d2efafdd
Episode 4: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/n14db0d504832
Episode 5: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/ne3df7df82afc
Episode 6: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/nce363b3a3b6d
Episode 7: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/n988d2fbbea88
Episode 8: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/nc7891dfdb586
Episode 9: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/nf24d6f4b8133
Episode 10: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/n7df18307a437
Episode 11: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/n3729eec39423
Episode 12: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/n986740e6ffa6
Episode 13: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/ne4d645a75975
Episode 14: https://note.com/u_yasushi/n/na38f84e5a63f

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