Chapter 1 (2/2)

But I’d never say so like that out loud I refused her offer in a s

“But everyone ant to read your book”

That was an undeniable truth Whenever news got out that someone finished their book, all their classmates would rush to the bookstore

By the sa to avoid creating a big fuss when their book came out

But to a large number of people, there wasn’t much difference between their personal book and a journal posted in the elementary school hallway at the end of summer break

If the cutest girl in school riting her book, I’m sure everyone would be interested

That is why Saki should just pick whomever she likes from the crowd Just don’t involve me

I stood up, intending to go home, but Saki didn’t back down

“But if everyone read my book there’d be no point”

“Books are made for everyone to read They are published, after all”

“But I want someone to read mine before I publish it Someone ill keep quiet about it and hasn’t written their own book yet”

“Oh, you want someone to proofread your manuscript?”

For all of us who have been given the obligation to publish, the governn, illustration, and revision

Up to age 18, the author is responsible for ten percent of these costs After that, the percentage changes based on age and incoood enough that is worth spending money on, and well as those who are satisfied with a half-ass result if they can avoid spending money

Getting detailed advice about things like plot structure will cost a certain amount of money

And I guess asking a friend or class is one option

But count me out

“You’d be better off asking someone else”

Even if the author was a sh a badly written novel

And even assu the book ritten, it will not necessarily mesh ith me

If the book was soht, I could si a classmate’s book there is some level of responsibility

I closed the atlas, packed it into , and quickly left my desk

As I headed for the door, I heard her voice from behind

“Your presentation in last year’s language class…“

Startled, I quickly turned around to face her

My reaction was because she had res that haven’t been directly asked of me”

Our eyes met

Her brown-colored eyes reflected the evening sun, giving thee

“I bought and read the book you presented in class: ‘Memories seen by a corpse’ ”

“No, it’s ‘Memories traced by a corpse,’ ”

I said, and immediately realized I’d been tricked

Saki grinned again She had purposefully said the title incorrectly I was sure of it

She repeated the title, clearly enunciating it this time

“I could really associate with ‘Memories traced by a corpse’ So I became interested in the one who had recommended it, you”

“That book didn’t sell at all Its author has long since been forgotten”

“I haven’t forgotten it Neither have you”

— I’ht to myself

I don’t want to get involved That’s not the type of thing I normally do

For expressing the things deep inside of h

Even for that single book, I want to reduce my words to the bare minimum, and not ruin it with unnecessary words

Because when soes irreversibly

She spoke, and once again it was as if she saw right through me

“Read my book, pretty please–just do that, and you’ll never have to write anything yourself”

It was a beautiful declaration–one completely devoid of waste

In response to her statement (which sounded more like an order than a plea) I frowned silently

Now you have some idea what a weird person Saki Mitsumura is

=== End of Chapter 1 ===