Chapter 8

"Shuu-kun, you don't seem to be in a good mood today, do you?"

"Huh?"

Shuu let out a surprised exclamation at the words spoken from close range.

"No, I think I'm around 36.5 degrees," he replied.

"Who's talking about your body temperature?"

"But if you keep staring at me like that, I might hit 40 degrees soon."

"Ah..."

Rin quickly pulled away from him.

"Don't suddenly say weird things. Are you feeling sleepy after lunch or are you just being an idiot?"

"Rin, you're as energetic as ever today."

"My well-being is not the issue. So, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong...?"

What's wrong, indeed. But now that she mentioned it, he did feel a bit more restless than usual.

"My eyes can't be fooled."

Rin stared at him intently.

"You don't sound as energetic as usual, and your creepy comments lack their usual edge."

"My usual comments are already creepy and sharp."

"Anyway..."

Rin, with a serious demeanor, spoke in a completely unsharp tone.

"I'm worried. If something's bothering you, I want you to tell me."

Worried. Shuu felt a part of himself warm at her words.

"Could it be..."

Rin clenched her fists and asked.

"Is it about your novel?"

It felt as if a cold hand had gripped his heart. For some reason, Rin looked very certain.

"You're amazing, Rin."

"Did I hit the mark?"

"Yeah, you did. No, you're really amazing."

"I didn't become your childhood friend for nothing."

Rin's lips curved slightly. She seemed a bit proud.

Scratching the back of his head, Shuu opened his mouth with a feeling similar to when his mother confronted him with his hidden report card.

"Actually, this morning, I skipped an update for the first time in five years."

"…Why?"

"Because a reader was put off by me."

"Put off...?"

Rin's eyes widened.

Of course, she would react that way. Since she hadn't read his works, she wouldn't understand.

He explained the situation, omitting the elements from their childhood rivalry in "Let's Make a Living with Novels!"

"Five years ago, when I started posting my novels online, there was a reader who has been following me ever since, always leaving comments whenever I updated."

"Okay, and?"

"This person left a comment on Twitter yesterday for the first time... I got carried away."

"You sent a hair-raising, disgusting reply, right?"

"Is that what 'disgusting reply' means?"

"Those are slang terms. It's a waste of time to seek a definition. Anyway, you don't deny that it was hair-raising, do you?"

"Indeed, it was a content that could be seen as such."

"If you're aware, that's a start."

"Huh?"

"Don't worry about it. So, what happened?"

"Well, I was shocked that I did something to distance myself from my biggest fan, who has been with me for five years..."

"You were overwhelmed by self-loathing and guilt, and couldn't update, right?"

"Rin, you really understand."

"And you were also driven by the fear that you might never receive comments from that person again."

"You really get it!"

"Of course, we're childhood friends."

Rin puffed out her chest as if to say, "Of course."

Thanks to Rin pulling out the feelings that had been gnawing at him,

"I'm incredibly grateful to that person. I've been waking up early every morning, writing, and updating without fail, all because of them."

His thoughts about Nira spilled out.

"That's why I was scared. The thought of never receiving comments from them again made me feel like, 'What have I done?' That person is a significant presence in my life."

So engrossed in his words, he didn't notice the deep joy in Rin's expression.

After pouring out his heart, he took a breath. At that moment, Rin spoke with a slightly high-pitched voice.

"I think it'll be okay."

With a confident expression, she took a deep breath and continued.

"That person has been following your work for five years, leaving comments consistently. They are undoubtedly a big fan of your novels. I don't think they would give up on your work just because they received a creepy reply once."

Pausing to catch her breath, Rin continued.

"That person is probably sad that your update didn't come this morning. They might even be worrying that it was their fault."

Rin clenched her fist tightly. The kind-hearted Rin was probably empathizing with Nira.

"So, what you should do now is write and update, I think."

Her words were convincing. It felt as if she was speaking on behalf of Nira. Listening to Rin, he felt a certainty that she was right.

"Besides..."

This time, she pointed a finger like a stern teacher scolding a misbehaving child.

"Your readers aren't just that one person, right? There are many other readers who are eagerly waiting for your work."

He was struck by this. He understood what Rin was trying to say.

"You should write for them, too."

Rin was right. There were many people who had bookmarked his work, left comments, and given ratings.

"Thanks, Rin. I was being narrow-minded."

"I'm glad you realize it."

Rin's eyes narrowed, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"You still lack confidence in strange areas."

"You know, I look confident but my self-evaluation is really low."

"Huh, I know. We're childhood friends. ...Actually, fundamentally..."

This time, she spoke with a firm voice.

"Shuu-kun, you're going to become a writer, right? If so, you don't have time to stand still. I won't let you forget the promise we made that day."

– Ah, right.

He and Rin had made a promise.

To become a novelist and have Rin read his work first.

They had made a promise.

"Alright!"

No time to mope!

"I'm awake. I'll update, Rin."

Thinking about Nira and all the readers who have been following his work. There are many reasons, but as long as the core reason remains, he shouldn't stop writing.

He writes for no one else but Rin.

Rin, who taught him the joy of creation.

"Yes, that's the spirit."

Rin showed the happiest expression he had seen in a long time. A delicate, loving smile that made him want to hug her.

"Thanks, Rin."

"You're welcome."

Gratitude and affection. Feeling overwhelmed again, he patted Rin's head.

The texture was like sand dunes. A sweet, gentle scent wafted. A gentle breeze from the window stirred her delicate hair.

He expected her to say something like, "Not again, you pervert. Stop it."

But surprisingly, Rin leaned into his touch.

"Mmm..."

A somewhat seductive, unguarded voice. She looked like a child sleeping soundly on a terrace on a cool spring day, completely at ease. She narrowed her eyes in pleasure and purred like a contented kitten.

He hadn't expected Rin to act so affectionately, and he was genuinely flustered.

"…You're not angry?"

"I'm in a very good mood right now, so it's a special case."

"Then, I'll take this rare opportunity..."

"I'll get angry if you get too cocky."

"Got it, I won't get cocky."

"Huh, that's good."

A gentle smile appeared on Rin's face. His heart raced at her delicate smile, and he continued to pat her head for a while.

It was a very warm and relaxing moment.

They both turned bright red when the bell signaling the end of lunch break rang, but that's another story.

◇◇◇

After lunch break, back in the classroom.

Pirorin♪

His phone notification sounded, and he looked at the screen.

── Nira has replied to your tweet.

Seeing the message, he tapped the notification bar.

"Next update, when? I'm looking forward to it."

...You're really amazing, Rin.

After school, he updated two chapters, including the one he missed that morning.

The restlessness was completely gone.