Kono Monogatari O Kimi Ni Sasagu - Volume 1 Chapter 1.4

Even though it was morning, the summer sun was already harsh, and sweat was beading on Yuto’s forehead.

On the other hand, Kotoha, with her remarkably fair skin for summer, was hardly sweating at all. Probably because Yuto was the only one pushing a bicycle.

Since Kotoha, who had appeared at Yuto’s place, was on foot, he had no choice but to walk. It would take around forty minutes on foot since it was a fifteen-minute bike ride. He would probably make it just in time for homeroom. Of course, if it looked like he was going to be late, he planned to leave Kotoha and ride his bicycle.

“No, seriously, what do you mean by ‘editorial department’? Are you talking about a publisher or something?”

It was a question asked half mockingly, but Kotoha looked rather exasperated and laughed, “Ahaha.”

“A publisher? I’m still a high school student. What are you thinking, Senpai?”

You have no right to say that.

Yuto thought but didn’t say aloud, instead asking, “Then what is this editorial department?” Despite trying not to get swept up in her pace, he felt like he was sinking deeper and deeper into a quagmire. It must be just his imagination. Surely.

“It’s a club. Like the baseball club or the soccer club or the art club.”

“Isn’t it the literature club?”

“Nope. The literature club members usually create their own work or critique others, right? My activity is to support the creative process of writers comprehensively—in other words, I’m a producer.”

“Your ‘activity’? What about the other members?”

At that question, Kotoha fell silent for a moment before a forced smile crept onto her face, and she mumbled.

“…Other members don’t matter, do they?”

So, that’s how it is, Yuto thought.

He had never heard of such a dubious club as the editorial department since he entered school. He decided to press on and make her give up.

“It does matter. You need a certain number of members to be recognized as a club. Or is the club thing just a lie?”

Kotoha fell silent at Yuto’s questioning, her eyes darting around. This must be a weak point, Yuto thought smugly. It seemed he could use this as an excuse to refuse.

“Haha, is that so. If it were an official club, I might have listened, but if not, then no way—too bad. But it can’t be helped—”

Just as he was about to say more, Kotoha, who had seemed flustered a few seconds ago, was now smiling slyly at him.

“The editorial department was established by me this year. According to the school rules, to give the new club a chance to recruit members, there is no minimum member requirement for the first year. So the editorial department is an official club.”

“What—”

Yuto didn’t know such a school rule existed. However, it was natural not to know the rules about the rare event of starting a club.

He briefly considered whether Kotoha was lying, but probably not. It was something that could be easily checked.

“You tricked me!?”

“Tricked? That sounds bad. I didn’t say anything misleading, did I? Maybe you misunderstood, Senpai.”

Kotoha said, looking amused, then suddenly became serious, “But,” her eyes turned earnest. Yuto was taken aback by her gaze.

“I’d be really happy if you would listen. Thank you.”

She stopped and bowed deeply.

Seeing Kotoha, who had been somewhat light-hearted until now, bow so politely, Yuto also stopped without thinking.

He let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“So, what are you trying to achieve? Going to the trouble of creating a club and all.”

When Yuto asked, Kotoha’s serious expression softened, and she gave an embarrassed smile. The change in her expression unexpectedly made Yuto’s heart skip a beat.

“I really want to become an editor in the future. So, I want to build a track record while I’m in high school.”

“Track record?”

“Yes. I want to work with a writer, create a work together, and introduce it to the world. Any genre of story is fine. I love reading books since I was little, whether it’s pure literature, mystery, youth stories, fantasy, sci-fi, or horror, all of them. No matter what Senpai writes, I will do my best as an editor. So—”

Kotoha spoke passionately.

Yuto could feel that it was an important dream for her.

That’s why,

“Why me?”

Unable to bear it, Yuto spoke.

How much does she know about my true identity? Why did she come to me?

It was a doubt that had been lingering since yesterday.

“You could ask someone from the literature club. Why ask an unknown third-year like me who isn’t even in a club?”

He hoped his doubt was just needless worry, and that Kotoha would struggle to answer, even a little.

That would give him an opening.

A reason to refuse.

Someone like me, who has run away from the world of creating stories, isn’t suitable for her pure intentions.

“Because you are exceptional.”

Kotoha looked at Yuto with the same passionate eyes she had when she talked about her dream.

Yuto found himself captivated by her expression.

“I read your work, Senpai.”

Kotoha said, reaching into her school bag.

Yuto gasped.

“So, you really know about me—”

He was about to say, but quickly closed his mouth.

Kotoha tilted her head, looking puzzled.

What she held in her hand was an A4-sized yellow booklet.

It didn’t look like Yuto’s—Haruhiko Fuyutsuki’s novel at all.

But Yuto recognized its color and shape.

“Um… is that a collection of book reports?”

He asked, feeling deflated, and Kotoha nodded, “Yes.”

“It’s called ‘Rika.’ Did you know that this collection has a name?”

It was distributed to all students every fall as an assignment given during summer vacation.

Of course, Yuto had written in it too.

“I didn’t know… but that’s not the point. Even if you read it, there’s no way—”