Chapter 1: Shipwreck day
I open up the publishing company door I work in. There were the two receptionist forcing a smile to make a good aspect to the company. How cute. How cute this lie is. Well, whatever I guess I'll just make my way into my team's office, where there awaits me a yely boss, that is going to make his way into scolding me about taking 3 more minutes than normally in my way to work.
"Takumi ! How many times do I have to tell you…", he yelled at me.
I knew already that small talk all along. He's just mad that he hasn't been raised this month. That, or probably, his wife cheated on him because he isn't able to be a good husband. Poor you.
"Leaving that aside, today there is a novelist who sent us a manuscript. He's coming over in 10 minutes.", he said, leaving the rage aside. He probably expects much from this author.
The boss left to probably either get well treated by one of the ladies of the office or eat a donut to fill that huge belly of him.
"By the way Takumi, it's a romance.", one of the editors of the team said, right after boss getting out of the team's office, hiding a grin in his face.
"You know what that means, rejection.", another one tagged along.
I felt angry. I wanted to yell at everyone there. Also because today it was what I call the shipwreck day, because it's 22 of April. But I guess I'll be polite and slap them with words.
"Never judge a book by it's cover, it's not because it's romance that I will reject it.", I said.
"You say that, but almost all romance edited by you were never published.", he wanted to fight with me.
I am even more angry now. Who he thinks he is. At least the boss as authority enough in this office to yell at me when he wants to, he doesn't!
"They just need to be good to pass…", I held back the anger I had in my chest.
Either way, I was thrilled to see what kind of a romance that novelist was going to show me. My boss expects a lot from him. I am not a benevolent reader, though.
Well, I guess, in the meantime of him coming, I will start working in some corrections of some novels I received yesterday.
I got a call, It's from the receptionist. Probably it's him.
"Takahashi Takumi, please come and see the novelist your chief has told you about.", she said with a monotone voice, that probably meant she is tired of being there and wanna go home.
"Okay."
I made myself downstairs.
Well, he looks like a teen who probably passes 90% of the time reading novels, instead of being with friends and making "valuable memories", as the other teens say. I think I will get along with him. He looked very anxious, and trying to not show it.
"Hello, I'm Takahashi Takumi, I'm an editor at this office, pleasure to meet you.", I said to break the ice.
It looked like he enjoyed hearing that. I could tell it's a dream of him to do this.
"I-I-I'm No-No-Noboru Seri-Serizawa, looking forward into-into working with you.", his mask fell off, showing him off at possible worst moment.
What should I do… Should I say to him to calm down, or should I just move on, and he eventually won't be stressed. Sometimes telling someone to calm down is the worst thing, I'm sure I read something about it in a article, no that I'm sure of, but I guess I'll stick up the second option.
"Well, Noburo-san, come along to my office to talk about your romance.", I said.
"Y-Yes.", I see he gradually getting used to this office.
I got his bio paper from the receptionist. It says:
Noboru Serizawa, 17 years of age, male, reads novels since 8 years of age, loves romance but it's able to do any genre.
Bang! Jackpot. Looks like something meaningless has made me less depressed today, winning this bet.
He gave his manuscript. I take I quick glimpse at it, reading in "editor style".
He has loads of inconsistencies in the novel, one or two grammar errors, and a really not good romance at all. I guess it will be better if I tell him the truth, reality makes you a stronger person.
"Noboru, I liked the concept and the soul you gave to this romance, but… There are loads of inconsistencies here, the climax was slow, small and not impactful, and the ending doesn't match up with the climax you created. The ending was good, but you have to work in the climaxes to get a good ending.", I did my analysis.
He looked shocked. But quickly has understood that he had to better to make it up here. He nodded at me, and was about to go out.
I didn't wanted him to feel like he was being rejected, he was a good author, even though he needed improvement, so I invited him to have a coffee with me.
"Noboru-san, don't go yet. Have a coffee before you leave, I'll pay. And also, there is a mail card", I invited him.
"It's okay, I don't really wanna drink coffee. Thank you.", he politely rejected my offer.
"When you have another novel, feel free to bring it up to me."
"Okay."
It kinda feels bad to reject him, but that's how the market works, natural selection. Only the best must survive. But I do feel like he is going to make a better one next time. How can I put it, «intuition»?
My boss comes back to my team's office. Was he gonna scold me for not accepting that guy… I really didn't wanted to argue with him. Surprisingly he was in good mood...
"Oi, Takumi, I ordered something, I need you to go to the receptionist and get it.", he said, in a low and gentle tone.
What is in that package that makes him so happy. A discounted bargain of donuts, large size? I'm really sure it's that, but he is my superior I guess I'll have to get them for him.
"Okay, I'm going."
In the way to receptionist I took the longest route to kill some time. In that route I pass in the archive. Where there is contained any novels, manuscript, anything related to this company, really.
*Pum*, *Pum, pum, pum, badum* (boxes falling)
"Shizuka, they will hear us!", I heard a voice coming from there, after the boxes fell.
That's kind of funny. Shizuka can mean silent, in japanese. I guess I'll go see what's going on.
I open up the door of the archive. There was two girls, one in the top the other, in their underwear. They looked like sisters, judging by their faces. At first I thought I was going crazy and that my man's genes were striking me now. But then, I blinked and they were still there. They started to blush and be embarrassed.
"Calm down, Shizuka, I got this.", one of them said.
"First of all, get out so we can get dressed.", she was really diligent.
I heard them getting the clothes on, not that I was really trying to hear that, though, this walls are just too thin.
"You can enter now", the diligent one said.
That's what I did.
"Before anything, I'm Yuuka Nakashima, and she's Shizuka Nakashima.", she introduced herself, why, though?
"I am Takahashi Takumi, pleased to meet you.", I guess I'll throw a joke in there to loosen up the tense atmosphere.
"You did saw that, but…", she was about to negotiate to keep that a secret?
��Can you please not tell anyone…", her negotiator mask fell off.
"What would I win if told anyone…", I said.
"That's a good point, but…", she was still worried.
"I can not tell anyone if you tell me the reason why keep it secret.", I negotiated.
I was really thrilled about this, a real life office romance. It's good to break the tedious days.
"Okay…", both of them said.
"Well,",I could see it was hard for them to tell me that.
"Our family doesn't really approve our relationship…", Yuuka Nakashima said.
"So we use our work to, you know.", Shizuka Nakashima said.
"Okay, deal done. You can go on, but be careful with the sound.", I didn't wanted to interrupt anything, to be honest.
But how admirable that is, to be honest. Neither of them seem to hold back in terms of romance, they don't see the lack of approval to be a restrain to their love, admirable. I think if that was the romance that Noboru showed me, I would approve, as long as he would do the climax.
I guess, I'll go get the chief's donuts, or he will be mad at me.
I went to the receptionist, she greeted me with a smile, once again.
"Hello, are you here because of your chiefs, «package».", she asked.
Her voice in the phone really contrast with her big smile and happy voice here, tricky.
Nevertheless, she knew what was the package for sure, but would be a invasion of privacy if I asked, so I refuse myself to ask what it was…
Instead, I smiled at her and took the box to my chief.
"It took you too much time, well whatever, thank you…", he said.
I came back to my writing desk. There were some manuscripts I had to correct today. I was taking care of the production of 15 novels. That's not really much trouble, to be honest, although it really do is a tedious job. But, I'm happy that I can help someone into being happy.
Really why did I choose this job. After she died, I didn't was able to come back to writing again. I myself was a novelist. I loved romance, a lot. But since she died, I wasn't able to start anything. I could've chosen any job, but why did I chose this one? I guess I never had the courage to quit this path…
That wasn't the only thing that was shattered, I'm meaning the novelist path, I was also planning my whole life with her, I guess it's natural, I loved her and she loved me. I was planning into have two children, a boy and a girl, I would let her choose the names, though. Only remembering that makes my tears come.
The chief was coming back, he looked at me.
"Takumi! Come to my office.", he said.
What is it? Are the donuts spoiled, or something. I didn't made them, if he wanted to complain he would have to go the pastry shop where he bought them. But looks like he is serious, what's going on, am I getting fired?
"Takumi, you're getting changed of team.", he said.
Good thing, I was getting tired of seeing his face ever and ever again.
"Go to this office, *points at a paper he'd been giving to inform him*., he completed.
Well the office wasn't far away from this. And what it meant is that I didn't had to see him again, I'm happy.
"Okay then, I'm going.", I said, bursting a smile in my face without realizing.
"Look, it's the first time I see you smiling, do you hate me?", he asked.
Of course, I do! Of course I could slap that face every time and get amused. But I can't show it, so I stopped laughing and put on a fake serious face.
"Not really, it was fun working here…", I said, covering up my smile.
He turned his back to me and went enjoy is donuts that were in the package. So it was really a donut pack… But they weren't spoiled.
Either way, my break time was coming, so I am going to enjoy it, before going to work, again in the new office.
I got a coffee and went to the break room. Everyone was talking. I felt displaced. I felt I didn't belong here, I was sitting by myself. I looked at the phone again.
10:30 am
22 April
So it was 22 April. For some reason, each time I opened up my phone, I felt it was the first time I saw the date.
Without me noticing that anybody was coming to me, two girls sat close to me and started to talk to me.
One of them said,"So it is you.", then added, "I was told about a good editor in a bad team, with a bad boss, I needed talent so I called you over to my team, and it's you…".
It looked like she new me. I was facing my phone so I didn't see her head, but I did recognize that voice from somewhere. I looked up. It was them…
The girls I found in the archive, Yuuka Nakashima, and Shizuka Nakano.
"I am the chief.", said Yuuka Nakashima.
"I am the sub-chief.", Shizuka Nakashima said.
It's weird. But i guess I'll tag along with it.
Speaking of which, the chief and the sub-chef are alone in a separate office from the editors. Do they do it in their own office?
"Before anything, we don't do it in our office.", Yuuka looked like she was reading my mind, scary.
I guess I won't mention that I said nothing.
"Secondly, if you keep our secrets to yourself, I will help out with your work."
Well, to be honest I could use a little hand in my work, but I feel like I wouldn't like to someone be helping me, to be honest. So I made up my mind,
"I can keep your secrets, but I don't really need a hand.", I said.
"That's surprising…", she said.
And again, I thought, when they looked again at each other, how beautiful would that romance be, if it was written in a novel. But then I remembered I didn't had the courage to write it.
"I hope we get along to work with each other", said Shizuka.
"Me too", I said.
I was looking forward how their personalities were while leading a bunch of tedious, not wanting to work editors.
I made my way into my office.
It was a little bit more inviting.
Everyone greeted me, It was actually fun to meet everyone there, they didn't looked the jerks that were in my team, but that could be the first time they would be polite to me, though. Everyone is polite in greets, but when problems appear, shouts and disorder comes.
I continued editing the novel I had stopped.
I finished it, I looked to my phone to see what time is it.
2: 32 PM
22 April
Again, I got reminded it was 22 April.
My boss looked at me.
Am I going to be scolded because I was at my phone in work?
"Ayy, why are you doing looking at your phone!", she said.
I was thinking of a justification. There must be something…
"There is a grammar error here.", she said pointing out the error in the screen.
"You must be carefull, with those!", she said.
"Sorry…"
"Well, you didn't even left to eat something, it must be that.", she said, "It's important to eat, too!"
It's true I was deep inside that novel that I even forgot time and space completely. But she is completely different from my old boss, she saw the error, scold me, but still found the reason why I did the error, and made a tip for me to avoid. That's the difference between a good boss and a bad boss.
"Revise the last 50 pages, and for now, go eat something", she said.
"Thank you."
"What do you mean?", she seemed confused.
I grabbed my wallet and went to the caféteria.
I got something that I could eat fast, 2 bars of energy and water. It tasted nothing, to be honest.
I got a coffee, to at least feel something. The bitterness of that coffee really hit the spot.
I made my way back to the office.
Everyone seemed focused in their works. Everyone seemed to be giving their best, it wasn't really a team full of tedious and not wanting to work brats. This team was different. It looked like they would shape the novels in a more sweet away, to be honest.
Someone of the team looked at me.
"Takahashi-san, I need help in something here.", she said, calling me over.
"Here should I tell the writer to develop better this idea or should the novel be how it is, as it's more easy to read?", she asked.
I read it, it was getting denser, so I thought it would be better if she loosen up a little that writing.
"In my opinion, loose up that story.", I recommended.
"Thank you, Takahashi-san."
I didn't mention, but everyone here in this team was more close with each other, than the other I was in.
I went to see my email. It's impossible that Noboru made up it's mind, though. I looked in the email, 1 unread. No way…
Mail from: Noboru Serizawa
Thank you for reading my novel, and thank you for the tips, I already made up my mind about the next thing I will write, it will take me approximately 35 days to write, but after it please read, if I don't make it up in time, don't even read it and forget about me, because I wouldn't really deserve to be a novelist.
Wow, that kid has guts. That's what makes a good novelist. I guess I'll write back to him.
Message :
I look forward to it.
It was like waiting for the next volume of a great novel, that feeling. I hope he doesn't disappoint me.
I went back to rediting the 50 pages. I found out I bypassed 10 grammar errors. What a dummy I've been, I guess it's something for me to remember, no working without eating.
My boss was behind me, again. What was the deal, now.
"It's time to go out now. Good work, you too.", she said.
Now that she mentioned everyone went home.
"Wanna go drink somewhere with me and Shizuka?", she asked.
I had something to do today, it was 22 April today, the day I called "Shipwreck day" so I didn't was able to go in that day, my darling was more important than them. Even though i go to her every week (talking about the cemetery she is in). Today it's her day, not only the day she died but also her birthday. Really what a terrible way to die, in the worst day possible, her own birthday. It almost looked like her present was death.
"Well I have something else to do, so another day, I guess.", I said.
I couldn't really go with them, it's Shipwreck Day so I must wreck my ship, making water flow through my eyes again, and making me drown in tears, like it happens every year.
"Well, no problem, what about tomorrow, after work?", she suggested.
Well I see no problem, she will probably pay out for the booze, I don't see a reason to not go.
"If you want to, no problem.", I said.
She seemed happy for some reason.
But then, she stopped smiling,
"Good thing it was you that saw us", she said.
"Why?", I was confused, why she was relieved.
"Well, if it was anyone else, it could be more difficult to hide this up.", she said.
"I'm just a normal person, I have nothing different of the others."
"I don't think so, but I guess I'll explain the details of our relationship, you don't seem the kind of guy who would tell anyone.", she said.
"Well, I couldn't tell anyone even if I wanted, because I have no friends…"
She grinned.
"Well, me and Shizuka, we are sisters, we fell in love during high school years, in the last year. We were having this feeling for a while. We are fake twins. During the last day of high school, we let it out, both of us declared what we felt to each other, it was the same «I love you», we cried it out. Since then, we do this kind of stuff, every now and then, but we have the willpower to hold ourselves while living in the same house. ", she said.
"That's a nice plot for a novel…", I commented.
"It is.", she said, with a grin in her face.
"Well I must go", I said.
"Hmm, okay, good work today.", she said.
"Bye."
Well, I guess it's time, finally, to visit her.
I went to the train station to catch a train to visit her new home.
As always she was waiting me…
I grab a bucket to clean the tombstone.
Hello, Darling how've you been… I know right, I feel the same, I miss you a lot. I only think about how things would've been if you were here… With me. Don't start crying, i don't wanna leave your home crying. What? Someone is behind me?
I cleaned up my tears.
There was a girl more or less my age calling for me over and over again.
"Oi, you there. Oi you there!", she repeated like 3 times.
"What?", I asked, with red eyes and tears that escaped my eyes.
"What are you doing there, crying?", she asked.
Wasn't it obvious? I mean, what do people do in cemeteries, have parties and barbeques?
This girl is probably nuts i guess I'll not bother about her.
I turned my back to her, cleaning again the stone.
She started helping me.
"What are you doing?", I asked.
"I'm helping you.", she said.
"Don't you were supposed to do something here or something?", I asked, there must be a reason for her to be here, surely.
"Well, my sister died three years ago.", she said.
"Wanna go see her with me?", she asked.
"Why?"
"I helped you, why don't you help me?"
"I don't think that's fair…"
"Please?", she was almost begging.
I guess it won't hurt, probably she doesn't deal well with this kind of stuff…
"Okay, sure.", I said, sighing.
"Yay!", she yells in excitement.
"Ayy, your voice, have some respect, we're on a cemetery, you look like a kid…", I said.
"I'm 25, though.", she said.
To be honest, she didn't look like it. She looked like she was 16. But let's not say that to her.
By the way, I'm curious about something…
"Do you work?", I asked.
"I'm a novelist."
"Where?"
"Sometimes in my home, other times I write outside, in a hotel, I do what I please."
She is dumb, for sure. Of course I didn't ask where she writes, I did asked what company she was in!
"What's your company, I mean."
She looked like she was thinking.
After 30 seconds, she remembered.
"It's close from here, like 3 kilometers.", she said.
"That's probably the one I work in!", I said.
"I'm an editor there.", I said.
"What's an editor?", she asked.
She is dumb, she is dumb.
How can you be a novelist without even knowing what's an editor. I am getting angry.
"The one who you send the manuscripts to.", I said, with anger.
"Oh, that guy!"
"Well I am getting transfered of editor.", she said.
To be transferred of editor, you really did something that you shouldn't have done, young lady! Wait, she is the same age as me.
"This is my sister…", she said pointing at the photo on the tombstone.
"It looks like you…", it was almost impossible to differentiate them.
"What if I told you I am her!", she said wearing a creepy smile.
"Are you a ghost, then?", I asked.
"I am going to curse you!"
"Not really, I am her twin sister.", she said, with a sad face.
It was the first time she showed a little bit of emotion. She seemed emotionless, but now I see that losing her sister was a difficult thing.
"She was really a good sister…", she said starting to cry.
She started crying. I know your pain, it's like losing a part of you. Seeing her cry made me remember my darling. How much I miss you…
She hugged me and cried out loud.
I couldn't really stop her, I didn't had the courage to do so.
What a different Shipwreck Day today was…
I went home and get some sleep to be ready for tomorrow.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone