Kono Monogatari O Kimi Ni Sasagu - Volume 1 Chapter 1.12

Yuto’s mouth hung open.

When hit with something unexpected, people really do lose their words and gape like this, he mused.

“That’s just sophistry!”

“I don’t think so. Novels and scripts are both stories, but they have many differences. Also,”

“W-what…”

Kotoha lost her smile and stared intently at Yuto.

“After giving such harsh feedback, are you going to stay in a safe place?”

Those words froze Yuto.

He recalled what he had said to Watanabe earlier.

That’s right. Thinking his role was to give feedback, he had arrogantly criticized Watanabe.

Criticism is a thorn.

It hurts when received, and it lingers as anxiety.

After hearing such words, even if they rewrote the script, the drama club members wouldn’t have the confidence to face the competition.

One should only give such harsh criticism if they can take responsibility for the work. It’s not something to say and walk away from.

Kotoha had trapped him.

But he had known and still spoke irresponsibly. Even if someone led him to it, it didn’t matter.

This makes me just like them.

The unpleasant memory from three years ago—the faces of irresponsible people he didn’t even know—flashed in his mind.

“Senpai.”

Kotoha looked directly at Yuto.

“You can’t believe in your own talent, right?”

“…Yeah, that’s why,”

He was about to say he couldn’t write—when Kotoha took his hand.

“If you can’t, I’ll believe in it for you.”

“What…?”

“So please, believe in me. That should balance things out, right?”

It was an absurd reasoning. But Kotoha’s sincerity gave it an odd persuasiveness that left Yuto speechless.

“Or can’t you trust me?”

“No, that’s not…”

“Sure, I used a deceitful trick to get you here. But I would never lie about creation.”

That was probably true. Over the past week, though Kotoha had followed him everywhere, her genuine passion for creation was evident. She was even willing to risk her life for it.

“I’ll do anything if you write. If you can’t believe in yourself, let me believe in you.”

Her passion felt like a burning spirit.

“There’s no one else for me. Ever since I read your writing.”

Her fiery words thawed the frozen corners of his heart.

“So please, write.”

Kotoha bowed deeply.

It was a straightforward plea, without any pretense. Ignoring the drama club members’ stares, her words shook Yuto’s heart, causing his first moment of hesitation.

Can I write it, should I write it—such doubts.

“Is what Natsume-san said true?”

Watanabe asked quietly.

“What…?”

“Is your ability as good as she says? Can you write something better in ten days?”

Watanabe scrutinized Yuto.

“That’s…”

Yuto faltered.

He had no confidence. He had stopped writing because he realized his talent’s limits.

But he couldn’t say that. Because,

“Believe in me.”

Kotoha’s earnest words were directed at both Yuto and Watanabe.

Watanabe widened his eyes, thought for a moment, then sighed deeply.

“…Right. I trusted Natsume-san’s judgment in making this request. If she believes in you, I should trust that.”

Yuto looked at Watanabe in surprise.

“You’re going to entrust this to someone like me?”

“Like I said. It’s Natsume-san’s recommendation. I don’t like you, but I can separate my feelings from your work.”

Watanabe’s eyes were serious.

Around them, the other members also watched Yuto.

Some had the same serious expression, some looked worried, some were doubtful. But they all shared one thing.

They were genuinely concerned about their play.

That realization made Yuto bite his lip.

“I…”

He had sworn never to write again.

Because three years ago, he realized his talent’s limits.

And because he had a sin to atone for.

But—

“Senpai.”

Kotoha’s clear voice reached Yuto’s ears.

“Please write. Your story. I’ll do anything for that.”

Since their first meeting, she hadn’t hesitated to cross the boundaries Yuto set. She tried to pull him from his quiet, dark place. Forcefully, but earnestly.

He couldn’t win.

Against her passion, her resolve.

And maybe, just a little—he wanted to respond to it.

(Sorry.)

He prayed silently to those he had hurt back then.

(Just this once, let me write.)

Yuto turned to Watanabe. Taking a short breath, he spoke.

“I’ll do it. Let me.”

“Alright, I’m counting on you.”

Watanabe nodded briefly.

It was a simple exchange.

But for Yuto, it was a significant decision.

When he looked at Kotoha, she was staring at him in a daze.

“What’s with that face, Natsume?”

“Huh… Oh, um, really, you’ll write?”

Yuto chuckled.

No one could have predicted that after all her confident persuasion, she would be so flustered once he agreed.

“Yeah, I said so. Pull yourself together, editor.”

At Yuto’s words, Kotoha’s cheeks flushed, and she seemed to shine with joy.

“Y-yes! Thank you very much!”