Kono Monogatari O Kimi Ni Sasagu - Volume 1 Chapter 2.12

“Going to Gifu on a business trip—is it to see that boy writer?”

Inamura Kaho, who had been fiddling with her smartphone in the office past 10 PM during a break from editing work, looked up at the somewhat mocking words.

A colleague, holding a coffee cup, was standing there, looking at her. Behind him was a whiteboard with the team’s schedule. Under tomorrow’s date—September 15—it simply said “Inamura, all-day business trip (Gifu).”

“Yes, I’m going to see Fuyutsuki-sensei.”

Inamura only said that, then returned to her work.

“Oh, Fuyutsuki-kun. You’re still hung up on him? He’s a washed-up writer. Wasting time and money—”

“He’s not washed up.”

Inamura interrupted without even looking at her colleague. She continued, as if convincing herself,

“We can’t let him be washed up. As someone involved in book-making, I can’t stand by and watch such talent go to waste. Fuyutsuki-sensei’s novels give people the strength to live.”

I’m one of those people, she whispered to herself.

Though she had landed a job at a major publishing house after graduation, she was overwhelmed by the workload, cried over unreasonable bosses and authors, and had increasingly morbid moments when she found herself staring at the train tracks while waiting for the express train. It was during that time, amid a mountain of submissions for a new writer’s award, that she found Fuyutsuki Haruhiko—Hiiragi Yuto’s novel.

That story saved her worn-out heart, and she was shocked to learn he was a middle school student. As a newcomer, she insisted on being Hiiragi Yuto’s editor and won the position. That experience thickened her skin in a good way, making her less fazed by unpleasant work incidents.

“…You have a lot of faith in him. But didn’t he quit writing because of some trouble on social media? Besides, wasn’t that incident with a book from another publisher? You don’t have any obligation to him.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s another publisher. Everyone involved in his book’s publication should have protected him. He was a precocious genius, but he was still a middle schooler unaware of the world…”

“And now, you’re trying to make up for that mistake.”

“Say what you want.”

Her colleague took a sip of coffee, wearing a bitter expression mixed with mockery and helplessness.

“So, do you think you’ll succeed? You’ve been in touch, but it hasn’t worked, right?”

“…I don’t know yet. That’s why I’m going.”

Inamura said, then glanced at her smartphone. The messaging app was still open.

『We have a performance at the upcoming cultural festival. Just to let you know—』

***

From inside the school bathroom stall, Yuto could faintly hear the bustle outside.

He let out another sigh, losing count of how many times he had done so.

The uncomfortable sweat running down his back wasn’t just due to the September heat.

Today was the cultural festival. The drama club’s performance was scheduled for right after lunch.

Despite this, Yuto had been hiding in the bathroom since he arrived at school this morning.

His stomach didn’t hurt.

His script was being performed. He thought it was good. The drama club members had said they liked it. But the idea of it being seen by uninformed students and outsiders made him more nervous than when his novels were published. The thought of his story being judged by others terrified him.

“But this is the end…”

He had written the drama club’s script. After today’s trial performance at the cultural festival, it would be time for the actual competition. All that remained for Yuto were minor adjustments; he had mostly let go of it.

“Finally, with her too…”

The face of his editor, who had pushed him into writing the script, floated in his mind.

Yuto hadn’t seen Kotoha in nearly a month since their visit to the aquarium.

By then, the script was mostly finished, and both had reduced their visits to the drama club, as there was no longer a need to discuss revisions. That was one reason they hadn’t met, but if it were the old Kotoha, she would have still pestered him to write a novel.

However, she hadn’t contacted him.

After hearing his story at the café, she must have given up.

He felt relieved but also a hollow sense of something missing.

“This was the right thing to do.”

He told himself. Kotoha should find someone else who would write novels, rather than wasting time on him..

Just then, someone knocked on the stall door.

Yuto flinched but responded with a knock. After a few seconds of holding his breath and listening, he realized it was just someone needing the bathroom. He felt guilty but then—

A loud bang echoed as if someone kicked the door.

“Ah!”

Yuto couldn’t help but scream.

“Senpai? Are you in there? What are you doing here when the drama club’s performance is about to start? Come out.”

A familiar yet slightly nostalgic voice called out.

Yuto, confused, opened the stall door and stepped out.

“Kotoha… this is the men’s bathroom.”

“The editor goes wherever the author is.”

Kotoha said knowingly. Despite not seeing each other for a month, she acted as if nothing had changed.

“Even if we assume editors go anywhere, they don’t enter the men’s bathroom… And author? You…”

Yuto realized the implication of her words.

Could it be, she still—

“Not now. We don’t have time.”

Kotoha cut him off, continuing,

“Let’s go. The play is about to start.”

Yuto looked away, then slowly shook his head.

“No… You go without me. The play can go on without the scriptwriter…”

Kotoha smiled slyly and peered at Yuto.

“Ah, so you’re scared? That’s why you were hiding here.”

“I-I’m not scared!”

Kotoha stared at him, then suddenly grabbed his hands.

Her unexpected action made Yuto’s mind go numb as she watched him up close. The faint scent of her perfume only intensified his disorientation.

But a certain sensation from her hands helped clear his mind a bit.

“Kotoha, you…”

Kotoha smiled sheepishly, like a child caught in mischief.

“My hands are trembling, aren’t they?”

“Y-yeah. And they’re sweaty—”

“You didn’t need to mention that!”

Kotoha protested but didn’t let go of his hands.

“…I’m scared too, about today’s performance. It’s purely about whether the play is entertaining. It’s more nerve-wracking than the upcoming competition.”

“Surprising. You get scared and nervous too.”

“Of course! What do you think I am? And this bathroom is scary with all the bugs with too many legs!”

Yuto thought she was being childish. Not Kotoha, but his own attitude of trying to obscure his feelings with light banter. He chuckled at the thought of her being scared of bugs, perhaps centipedes.

“What do I think about Natsume? Well, she’s pushy, doesn’t listen to others, and is very stubborn.”

“That’s harsh!”

“But she’s full of passion for creating stories and has the skills to do it. She’ll definitely become an excellent editor.”

He didn’t call her his “担当編集” ( tln : tōnin henshū, editor-in-charge).

He couldn’t say it.

But even so, Kotoha smiled innocently.

“Give me more compliments! Like genius, ace, oh, and the cutest editor ever!”

“Don’t get carried away.”

Yuto sighed lightly and looked at Kotoha.

For now, let’s forget all the complications and see how the story we created together turns out—her smile conveyed that intention.

“Shall we go?”

When Yuto took her hand, Kotoha nodded, “Yes.”