Kono Monogatari O Kimi Ni Sasagu - Volume 1 Chapter 1.7

Kotoha stared silently at Yuto. He expected her to rush to convince him, so her quiet demeanor surprised him.

“You said I have talent, but I don’t.”

“You do. I’m an aspiring editor, and I’m sure of it. Trust me.”

“That’s quite the confidence,” Yuto chuckled bitterly. “But you’re wrong. No one knows me better than myself.”

A breeze blew across the bridge.

The summer evening’s warm wind tousled Kotoha’s hair.

“Besides, what’s with this editor thing anyway?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re just a high school student not affiliated with a publisher. What can you do? Maybe give feedback on a manuscript you get, but what about planning? Proofreading and coordinating with the printer? Managing the publishing process? Marketing?”

Yuto knew he was being harsh. But he thought he had to be, or Kotoha would never give up.

“It’s just a hobby, right? I don’t have time for that. I’m a college applicant.”

He was sure his words were tough. However, Kotoha didn’t get angry or cry. She just kept staring at Yuto. Eventually, she slowly opened her mouth.

“The writing I read from you felt like it was screaming.”

“Screaming…?”

“It felt like it was protesting, wanting to write stories.”

His head grew hot. No way.

He stopped writing because he realized he had no talent. No regrets—no way…

“…Don’t change the subject.”

Yuto barely managed to keep his composure as he replied. Kotoha nodded slightly.

“…You’re right. I’m not affiliated with a publisher or an editing company. I’m just a high school student with limited capabilities.”

“Then…”

“But!”

Kotoha shouted.

“I want to support writers. I want to stay close and create stories together. I can help brainstorm and improve plots. If I get a manuscript, I’ll read it all night and desperately compile feedback and suggestions for improvement. If a writer gets stuck, I’ll work to resolve it. I’ll have discussions for hours if needed. If a writer needs research, interviews, or promotion—I’ll do anything.”

Her passion was almost painful. But Yuto couldn’t back down here.

“Anyone can say that. What if a writer asked you to jump off this bridge for a scene? What would you do?”

Yuto thought it was absurd, dropping his gaze to his feet. She might laugh it off. He needed time to think.

But in the next moment, Kotoha’s bag fell to the sidewalk with a thud, interrupting his thoughts.

Looking up, Yuto was speechless.

Kotoha was standing on the bridge railing.

Bathed in the beautiful sunset, she slowly turned to face him, standing on the narrow railing. Her eyes were unwavering.

“I’d jump.”

It was an unreal, terrifying sight, and Yuto was captivated.

He couldn’t move. His mouth felt dry.

“What are you doing…?”

Yuto asked, feeling his heart pounding, as he looked at Kotoha standing on the railing.

“What? This is my answer.”

If asked to jump off the bridge for a novel scene, what would she do?

This was Kotoha’s answer.

“Idiot, get down! There are rocks, and if you hit them wrong—”

“It’s okay.”

Kotoha smiled against the backdrop of the sunset.

“If you really write a novel, I’m willing to risk my life.”

And still smiling, she began to fall backward.

The event, lasting less than a second, felt like several seconds or even minutes.

Yuto’s legs froze.

Kotoha disappeared from view, and the sound of a heavy splash echoed.

Yuto snapped back to reality and hurried to the railing to look into the river.

There was no sign of Kotoha on the rippling surface.

Yuto ran to the riverbank and climbed down the embankment.

Looking where she had jumped, he couldn’t see her.

Imagining the worst, he heard splashing from the riverbank under the bridge.

Kotoha was trying to climb out of the river.

“Hey, Natsume! Are you okay?”

Relieved, Yuto rushed to her side.

He reached out and pulled her up.

“Thank you.”

“Are you okay? No injuries!?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, will this scene be useful for your writing?”

Yuto was dumbfounded by her question.

He couldn’t comprehend what she was saying right away.

Useful for writing—a reference?

He had underestimated her, he thought.

She could have been injured, or worse, but she didn’t care about that.

She was entirely focused on writing the novel.

It felt like her determination was being shown to him.

He had to acknowledge it.

At the very least, Kotoha Natsume’s passion rivaled that of any professional editor Yuto had worked with.

Yuto forced out words with a groan.

“…I underestimated your resolve.”

“Then!”

Kotoha’s face lit up, and she stepped closer to Yuto.

“You’ll write it!?”

Being so close, Yuto couldn’t help but avert his eyes.