Mid-summer
It was the season that was welcome by students, koshien, part-timers, festivals, and fireworks. The season where many youthful memories are made. The memories of having fun with friend at the beach, summer festivals, playing fireworks, the ghost stories, courage test and to top it off the confession made. Yes, that was what summer supposed to be.
The heat outside was awful plus the humid air, it made anyone doesn’t want to go out. The sun was scorching even though it hasn’t reach noon. When there’s a breeze, it only make thing worst. The terrible heat made even the supposed to be cool breeze to feel like the discarded heat from air con.
Just by going to the convenience store that only need five minutes the clothes will be drench in sweat. The sun was has yet to shine above the head, no, never mind that, just thinking about it already made it worst for the mind and body.
A woman was walking carrying a plastic bag in one hand, wearing a simple shirt and short. Her straight black silky hair fell to her lumbar, some sticking to her back because of sweat. White skin with slight pink shades was wet and sticky because of the heat. Walking at a pace that couldn’t be said as slow or fast and sometimes staggering like a zombie.
Minazuki Sayori was regretting not tying her hair when she went out. Because of the empty fridge she went out to. Unfortunately she underestimate the heat and now suffering the consequences. After arriving back at her apartment she quickly put on her slippers then went to the kitchen and put her groceries to the refrigerator. Checking the ice cream that was just bought half melting, she put them inside the deepest part of the cooler thinking about the time to eat them will arrived faster.
She walk to her bedroom, a room about six tatami length. Once the door open what came into view was a working desk that always has a laptop on top surrounded by pencils, pens, papers on the right and a wooden bookshelf filled with books on the left of the desk. Sayori turn the air con on, took a change of clothes then leave the bedroom to let it cool down. She went to the bathroom, took all of her sweat drench clothes off then throw them with the laundry into the washing machine. She went to take a shower, washing off all of the sweat then took a long soak in the tub filled with hot water. She took her time while waiting for the laundry to finish. Sometimes she mumble some word with a serious expression.
“Ray will realize that Maika was leaving him that letter to let him know that she want him to find someone that could fill the hole in his heart that she couldn’t… That should work for the ending.”
What she muttered just now was the scenario to the novel that she’s working on. Minazuki Sayori is a twenty four years of age novelist with the alias Kai Arata. She’s been writing as one for four years with two bestselling books. One of the best seller was her first published book, which was also the reason she start working as a novelist. While she was concentrating on how to end the story the ringing of her phone could be heard which startled her to run out since it’s the ringtone to her editor.
Jreng∼ jreng∼ jreng∼
“Oh no… Wait I’m coming.”
Once she slide opened the door the steam and heat from the bath got out at the same time as she run out to her phone wet from head to toe leaving droplets of water in her trail. She quickly pick up her phone.
‘Uwah… I’m really dead if the manuscript aren’t sent to her today,’ while thinking what excuse she could come up with to calm the demon on the other side of the phone. Since last week was her original deadline and she only need to write the ending before sending the manuscript.
“Hello, Reika-san. Is something the matter?”
A crisp voice of a woman could be heard from the other side. The tone the owner of the voice Touno Reika, doesn’t seems to be angry. Rather it one could detect the person on the other side was smiling.
“Good afternoon sensei, I’m calling to tell you that two weeks from now you will be a guest at a night radio shows. I’ll send the time and location later. You might want to make preparations for this show.”
Touno Reika has been her editor since her debut and always helped Sayori adjusting her schedule when she’s stuck with her manuscript. When the deadline was killing her, Reika would try to stretch it for her. She also helped dealing with other external communications and socializing.
Sometimes in the worst case scenario, Reika has to run around searching for her because Sayori got a writer’s block near the deadline and she decided a change of scenery could helped. The nearest was five stations from her home, the farthest was Jeju Island. In other world Sayori owes Reika a lot and she’s also the one holding her life and death (Deadline). She always watch her behavior around Reika so she wouldn’t get a new editor.
Feeling that it was save, Sayori felt relieved since it was not about the manuscript. She began to reply cheerfully. But some question surfaced about the last sentence from Reika so she decided to ask since the other wasn’t angry.
“Okay, but why should I need to prepared? Isn’t it only a radio program, I don’t need to prepare a script since the other side would always asked the same questions like every other.”
What Reika said next make Sayori doubt her ears.
“You should thank me since host of the radio is your beloved Aoi.”
“Eh! Are you serious? You’re not joking right. Wait, you never joke about job so this might be a dream.”
Sayori reaction made Reika a bit helpless. Then she remembering the girl she felt restless enough to give her some warning.
“It’s real. You should be grateful that thanks to my hard work, I could put you in as a guest to promoting your new book. That’s why I called you right after I made the deal, so you have two week to make preparations before meeting them. Since you finally can meet them face to face.”
Hearing the confirmation she wanted, Sayori said in a serious tone while smiling ear to ear and fantasizing her encounter with her dream guy.
“Thank you. Thank you so much Reika-sama. I will not let this opportunity that you make go to waste.”
“Just don’t be creepy. Sometimes you act like a stalker and it will be bad if the promotion failed. Worst will be rumor going on.”
“Oh, sorry. But you don’t have to worry. I always know how to put on a facade in public.”
After successfully soothing the cheery girl and herself, Reika decided to give her a dose of reality.
“And, sensei…”
“Yes.”
“Please sent the manuscript. The deadline has already been prolong so we won’t give you another one.”
Getting a bucket of cold water to her splash to her head, Sayori’s smile disappear. Feeling dejected, she obediently reply before the other hang up.
“Ah… I’m sorry. I’ll send it immediately.”
After the phone call Sayori heard the beeping sound from the washing machine. Feeling cold she realized that she’s naked and wet. Scared of getting a cold and wasting a couple of days in bed, she hurries to warm herself in the bathtub.
After getting out of the bath, with fire in her eyes she hangs the laundry then went to her room. She sit down in front of her laptop, typing her manuscript with more focus than normally. Finish sending it hours later it was almost the evening. She took the dried laundry, folded them then starts making dinner. After done eating and doing the dishes, she went to take a quick bath. She went to her room, stand in front of the mirror while cupping her face with a hard to depict expression. After less than a minute she lay on her bed.
‘Giggle∼ tomorrow I have a lot of shopping for preparations to do.’
Thinking about her schedule tomorrow she fell asleep.
♢♢♢
At the Kiku Publishing Company
Touno Reika has just finished reviewing the manuscript she received from Sayori. Too her surprised it doesn’t need much editing at all.
‘That girl only done something nicely if there’s a reward in it. This time the motivation has been boost over the max since it’s a once in a life time reward. Why can’t it always be like this?’
Sigh…
After making a hard and soft copy of the manuscript, she gather her stuff and went to the printing department. After this she could go home earlier than normal. On the way someone called out to her.
“Ah, Touno-san∼ “
From the voice she knows that this day aren’t going to be a peaceful one. Dreading this interaction, she greeted the other with a somewhat force smile which the other could see and was delighted from her reaction.
“Good evening, Miu-sensei.”
The other was Shimizu Aiko. A twenty two year-old newcomer novelist with bright future. She goes by the alias Nobu Miu. The company use everything to recruit her. Half a year ago she began to notice Reika as a capable editor. She thought that Reika should be assigned to her, so she was unsatisfied. Since then she starts making her moves so Reika would want to be transferred to her.
But unfortunately Reika was a responsible person. Since she was in charge of Sayori since her debut, she wouldn’t abandon her when it’s already this long. That and also no one in the company beside Reika that could find Sayori when she went who knows where. So it was always a rejection that was given.
“Touno-san what a coincidence. Are you by any chance going to the printing department?”
‘If you could see that than why asked? And what do you mean coincidence, it’s obvious you’re waiting for me to come.’ was what she wanted to say.
“Yes. I need to give them the manuscript. Looks like you’re heading home. Thank you for your hard work.”
Seeing that the other was trying get away Aiko turned a blind eye to it and followed them.
“Touno-san, do you have any plans after this?”
Knowing where this is going Reika quickly reject the other then speeding her pace, which makes her regretting why she wear high heels today. Unfortunately she underestimate the other’s persistence.
“Yes, I already have. It’s quite late so I hope you get home on time.”
The other still keep on putting a small smile on her face that’s kind of creepy for Reika. Not as creepy as Sayori’s, but still creepy in a sense. This makes her remember why the two girl didn’t get along with each other. People with the same personalities tend to get along with each other, or the opposite. For Sayori and Aiko it’s the later. That and also since Sayori’s personality is twisted than Aiko, much to Reika’s dismay.
“Speaking of on time. Touno-san, isn’t it hard being in charge of someone that never on time, and running away all the time. Wouldn’t it be easier if you just change to someone else? If it was me, you would have a much more flexible time. No need to put up with so much trouble like this.”
The feeling of irritation keeps piling up with every word spat out from that girl’s mouth. If the other wasn’t a colleague and remembering that she was almost the same age as Sayori. Reika would really like to punch her in the face. What worst is remembering that Aiko was seven years her junior. Remembering her age which was twenty nine, makes her mood worst. She accidentally snaps.
“Miu-sensei, every author affiliated to the company are assign to editor that suited each other. Whether it’s in their capabilities or personalities. Ozaki Rin, the editor that was assign to you has done a great job handling you since the beginning. Or have they did some mistakes. No, maybe have they hindered the progress on your work.”
The smile on Aiko’s face disappear and a slight frown was formed on her brow. She tried to counter but Reika cuts her word.
“No, Rin-chan didn’t, but…”
“If they didn’t then you have nothing to be dissatisfied about. Rather knowing Ozaki-san has an experience in this field for twelve years. She’s capable, kind, and will watch over you since you’re a newcomer. Also, remember that many novelist may always be late at handing their manuscript and went to some god knows where their location are without notice, but their final works are a finish product that fulfilled and satisfied the readers. And do please remember that the person you’re talking about is a senior at work and older than you. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
After giving the younger girl a piece of her mind, Reika walks away leaving the stunned girl. After handing both the hard and soft copy of the manuscript to the printing department, Reika went home. She called a taxi since her apartment only a couple blocks away.
When she arrived at her apartment she took a quick shower and ate preheat convenient store bento. Remembering what happened earlier made her mood low again. Especially when she was made to remembered her age.
Ting∼ ting∼ ting∼
When she heard the ringtone of her phone rings, her mood shoots up in an instant. She quickly pick up her phone and answered.
Amatuer Writer 
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