CH 55

7-9 minutes 27.01.2022

Translator: Soafp

It’s been a long time since I’ve gone out alone on a holiday.

Most of the time I’m either at home with Anri, writing a novel, or at the shopping center writing a novel. The time we spend together goes by so fast.

Not long ago, being alone was a part of my daily life, but now I feel lonely without Anri next to me.

…… I didn’t expect to run into Dojima and Nanako by the way.

Dojima is still the same, but Nanako has brightened up a lot. There was still a hint of sadness in her face, but I guess she’ll be fine with Haruka.

I pulled myself together and headed towards the KADOWA headquarters where the editorial department was located.

The illustrator seemed to be an unusual person and I needed to interview him.

I honestly didn’t know what to say. Anyway, I wanted Mitobe to draw it for me, as it perfectly matched my image of the novel.

It was my first time to have an interview, so I was nervous.

But I’m reassured that Saeko-san will be by my side.

As I entered the lobby of KADOWA’s headquarters, I was approached by a voice.

“Y-you, wait a minute!　That’s right, you there with the sullen face!　Nyanta, it’s me, it’s me, Hamumi Kanzaki!”

Kanzaki-sensei in her school uniform was sitting alone on the sofa in the lobby.

It was soothing to see a familiar face in a lobby full of adults.

I was going to wait in the lobby until our meeting time anyway.

“It’s been a while. Kanzaki-sensei. How are you?”

Kanzaki-sensei had her hands folded in front of her and her cheeks puffed out.

“Yeah, you’re the same age as me, you should talk in a more relaxed tone!　Oh, by the way, where’s Anri today?”

You talk in a broken tone ……. She’s my senpai, but we’re the same age, so I guess there’s no problem.

“A-Anri has a meeting at another publisher, so she’s not with me today. What are you doing, Kanzaki ……?”

“Hmm?　I’m waiting for an editorial meeting for an upcoming anime.”

I was shocked as if I had been hit on the head. Despite being the same age as me, her own work was being made into an anime. I was once again reminded of this fact.

“Anime huh ……, Kanzaki-san is still amazing. The brave Tetsuro is a really interesting work–“

“Haa?　What are you talking about? Your Mikey Saburo is also super interesting. If that one doesn’t sell, the editor is a complete idiot. This Hamumi here gives you my seal of approval. You’ll need some luck, but you’ll be on the same level as me in no time.”

What a nice word of encouragement. I’ll take her word for it.

“I still have time, can I sit here?”

“Of course!　I have a lot of questions for you, Nyanta!　First of all, how did you and Anri get to know each other?”

Kanzaki-san continued to talk like a machine gun. She talked about her novel, Anri, and my school life.

She asked more and more questions before I could answer them.

Kanzaki-san was a cute high school girl of her age.

“Ah afterall, ……. I’m always like this. When I’m with people who have the same hobbies as me, I just talk about it ……. I’m sorry, it’s boring, right?”

“No, no, I’m having a great time right now. Kanzaki-san, don’t worry about it, just talk.”

“Ehehe, Anri-chan …… Anri-chan is nice. I wish I had a friend like Nyanta-kun at school. …… I always feel lonely at school because I’m always alone. ……”

“Alone at school?　You seem to have a lot of friends because you are cheerful. ……”

Kanzaki-san smiled, looking a little troubled.

“There are many things that come with being successful at a young age. …… Jealousy is one thing, and people who approach me for money. People who think that being with me is a status. It’s …… a pain in the ass, so I’ve decided to be alone.”

“I see, you’re alone for a different reason than me and Pomeko. …… I wonder if Puggy is okay.”

Being alone is lonely. It’s a natural thing, but you don’t know until you experience it.

Anri and I were able to get through it together. I can feel my wounds healing little by little.

Puggy says in her message that she’s okay. I think she’s okay because Dojima is by her side.

But I still feel uneasy because I can’t see her.

“Puggy?　That’s Ranka, right?　Do you know that person too?”

“Yeah, she’s one year younger than me and I message her frequently.”

“What the hell!　How lucky……, I want a writing buddy too . ……. I don’t feel comfortable contacting Anri all the time. …….”

“You can contact me if you want. Just drop me a line anytime.”

When I casually smiled back, Kanzaki-san’s face turned bright red.

“You, what was that!?　Wai, is that what you did to Anri!? Uu……. That’s why Riaju’s are….”

“S-Sorry about that, Kanzaki-san.”

“Hamumi ……, you can call me Hamumi ……. That’s all right with me.”

“A-Ah, Hamumi-san.”

“Hamumi! J-Just Hamumi”

“A-alright I get it, H-Hamumi ……”

I didn’t know what was going on, so I just listened to what she said.

It’s true that calling her by name is more friend-like.

Kanzaki-san lets out a big sigh and says to me.

“Well, that’s okay. It’s bad for Anri if I message you ……. Haa, maybe I should just transfer to Anri and Nyanta-kun’s school …… Hmm?　I see. That’s a good idea. I hadn’t thought of that at all. But I don’t want to get Anri in trouble. …… Yeah, I’ll talk it over with the editor…”

Kanzaki-san mumbled to herself and pondered.

“Ha-Hamumi?　Come back to reality.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I talk to myself when I think. Yes, we need to discuss this matter further. By the way, ……, W-W-W-Would you and Anri like to go see a movie…… next time?”

Hamumi is squirming, which is a change from her boldness earlier.

She looked like a cute hamster.

“A movie?　I don’t mind at all. I’m sure Anri will be fine too. Oh, the movie of Tetsuro!　That’s the movie I’m really looking forward to for my summer vacation!!”

“Ehehe, it’s a really good movie. …… I’ve seen it many times when reviewing it…… , but I wanted to see it in a proper cinema, and …… with friends…. W-Watching….alone is… lonely.”

When I saw Hamumi saying that she was lonely, I really thought that she was a girl of her age.

I answered with a smile.

“Hamumi , let’s go see the movie together. I’ll meet Anri later and we’ll make plans.”

“Y-Yes!　Thank you!!”

Hamumi nodded, her face reddening slightly in embarrassment.

There was still some time before the interview. I continued my conversation with Hamumi .

Suddenly, Hamumi made a surprised face.

“Huh? That’s unusual. To have Mitobe-sensei come to our headquarters.”

There was a very tall man in front of Hamumi’s eyes.

Even though it was a holiday today, he was wearing a school uniform. The aura around him makes you think he is a model. …… According to the information, he should be the same age as me. However, his dignity seems to be over 20 years old,…….

The illustrator I’m going to interview today, Hayato Mitobe.

Mitobe-sensei turned his attention to Hamumi and came towards us.

“Fumu, Kanzaki-san. Thank you for taking care of me on this occasion. Kaede also wants to meet Kanzaki-san. Hm?　That guy over here is ……”

“You and Kaede are as lovey-dovey as ever, Mitobe sensei. This guy here is…”

Hamumi followed up Mitobe’s words.

“……You’re Nyanta-kun I’ve heard so much about you. Can I sit on the couch with you before the interview?”

“S-sure”

I’m about to have an interview and I’ve just met the man himself. How can he know about me?

He’s so soft-spoken, kind and calm. He really doesn’t look his age.

“Well, I have a question for you. Explain the emotion in the line [Wrong, I’m not broken–] in episode 45 of the novel Mikey Saburo.”