CH 17

I’m in trouble this time…

I’m being stared at even more than usual.

Karen’s eyes sting me a lot, probably because of yesterday.

I feel uncomfortable in the classroom, so I go to the hallway.

But still, this time is a bit too serious.

It’s not realistically possible, so I guess I’m just going to have to keep my head on a swivel.

Yesterday, I was sure she called me Renya.

Well, to be honest, I’m aware that I’ve made a few mistakes myself due to the side effects of switching.

But is that enough to make her suspicious that Renya was me?

I thought Karen’s intuition was keen, but I’d never seen her this sharp before.

Am I doing something wrong that I don’t even know about…?

Anyway, as I was thinking about this, I found myself in front of the library, the evacuation shelter.

…No. Yeah, Nah, let’s not.

There is a high possibility that Sayaka is here.

It’s not as bad as Karen, but it’s also not a good idea to meet her now. It is dangerous in many ways.

We need to change direction now.

At this time, the rooftop is…It’s still not open.

“Oh, I wonder if you’re coming in.”

This, this voice…

I hear a very familiar female voice behind me.

I quietly turn around and see a beautiful woman with beautiful black hair.

“Sayaー, Saionji. Yes? Well, I just remembered something else.”

Why, why is my timing so bad these days?

“Heeー, Is that so? Right, speaking of which, I have a little favor to ask you.”

“What? A favor…you say?

What the hell? Out of the blue.

I have a very bad feeling about this.

“I’m sorry, I have to go now.”

“It won’t take long. Take this.”

With that, she pulls out some papers from a B4-size brown envelope she is carrying.

This is…

“Uh, let’s see. What is this? “

“Well, I know you will ask. Maybe, this may come as a surprise to you, but I’m an aspiring mangaka.”

I know.

That’s why I had a bad feeling.

She likes books. Surprisingly, this category of books includes comic books.

Or rather, she is more interested in comics than normal books, although she doesn’t seem to show it at all.

But why did you tell me that?

“Oh, Is that so?”

“Uh, that’s right. But then something troubling happened.”

Troubling…

“There was only one person in the world who knew that I wanted to be a mangaka, and he gave me a lot of advice. But that person was irresponsible and suddenly disappeared.”

“Huh, that’s unexpected. That Saionji-san creates a manga…”

Yes, that’s right. She loves manga so much that she draws them herself.

She draws very serious manga.

I was very surprised at the gap when I first found out about it.

She is aiming to become a professional.

I remember I was always amazed at the quality of her work, even though she said her parents didn’t even let her read manga at home.

And I remember that I used to give her some advice or opinions.

“So, what does that have to do with me …..? “

Well, I thought you’d ask me to replace him.

But why? Why all of a sudden?

“Um, I’m sorry. I don’t understand why. I don’t have a relationship with you…”

Why are you doing this?

Sweat naturally drips down my forehead.

“Well, if I may say the reason. I’m a little bit discerning at seeing through people. And you seem very tight-lipped. I have a feeling that you have been keeping a big secret for a long time without telling anyone. That’s just my impression. I think you are the right person for the job.”

And then she looks me in the eye with those all-seeing-like eyes.

“Besides, I happened to catch you buying a comic I liked the other day. I thought we’d hit it off.”

No, this is weird.

“No, but I don’t think I can help Saionji’s…No, I can’t. I may like manga, but I can’t advise someone like that…”

Maybe, she is also suspicious.

“Now, now, you should read it first. I’ve been feeling that something interesting has been happening around me lately. I tried to draw a picture of it. Thanks to you, I’ve received an honorable mention before, but this time I’m going for a higher award. Please give me feedback for sure. And don’t ever, ever tell anyone about this. “

With that, she forcefully pushes what looks like a manuscript into my hand with a tea envelope.

Something interesting…

“No, wait…”

And then I find myself looking at her backside.

How did this happen?

And now, if I’m not mistaken, she just said “Thanks to you”…

This manga !?

Time stopped silently as I fearfully checked the manuscript in the envelope.

It’s all quiet now.