CALMING DISTRACTIONS:


Saturday again, It's been a whole week...


Nothing works, nothing just nothing stops me from thinking of that night!


God I really messed things up! She'll never talk to me again, let alone return to our club.


I've tried everything to distract me. From playing my keyboard to reading literature novels.


I can't read any comics, play any games or watch any idols. Because they remind me too much of her!


Politician...hmph. I'm still not going to let that go.


*RIIIIIING*


Hm? Oh!


AKI: "Hello, Hanamaru?"



HANAMARU: "Hello, zura! How have you been?"


AKI: *Sigh* "Not good."



HANAMARU: "Oh, did the novel not work, zura?"


AKI: "D-Don't worry, I borrowed it and blew through it. It was really interesting!"



HANAMARU: "Really? I'm glad you liked it! The author's actually written a lot of books. You should read some of the others too, zura!"


AKI: "Oh, I do remember a lot of other books on that same shelf. It's great that they have the books at the school. I'll borrow some more the next time I go. Maybe they'll help..."



HANAMARU: "What happened between you was bad, but you can't keep blaming yourself, zura."


AKI: "I'll try... Say, do you mind if I call you again after I'm done reading? To share my thoughts."



HANAMARU: "Of course not! I can't wait to hear your opinion."


AKI: "Enough about me, what about you? We haven't talked one on one like this for a while.
Did they remove the library anthology from the featured corner?"



HANAMARU: "Yes. There's a new special feature going on now, so there are different books on the shelf. They'll still bring it out for you if you ask for it at the counter, though."


AKI: "That's a relief. There were so many beautiful works in it; it'd be a shame if no one could ever read it again.
I really wanna get everyone else to read it at some point, so I'm glad it's still avaliable."



HANAMARU: "By everyone, do you mean all the Nijigasaki girls?"


AKI: "Yep, all eight of them."



HANAMARU: "Zura..."


AKI: "I remember when I told them all about my adventures in Numazu, I mentioned how you wrote one of the short stories featured in an anthology. They were all facinated!"



HANAMARU: "They were, zura?"


AKI: "Everyone was! They were saying how they want to read it, and even Setsu-..."



HANAMARU: "What did Setsuna say?"


AKI: "Who?"


HANAMARU: "...Never mind, zura."


AKI: "I felt so excited and enthralled reading your story. It went straight to being one of my all-time favorites."



HANAMARU: "Wh-Whaaat?! My little story doesn't warrant such high expectations!"


AKI: "Aww, don't say that. It's why I want more people to read it, the same way you give recommendations for books. I will recommend the anthology."



HANAMARU: "Wow. Thank you. I really appreciate you saying all those nice things. It really makes me glad I wrote it, zura."


AKI: "Hanamaru, are you gonna write more stories at some point? It feels like such a waste for the great author Hanamaru Kunikida to only write one tale for the library anthology."



HANAMARU: "I-I'm not a great author, zura! But...I actually have been writing some more."


AKI: "Really?! Whatever it is, I wanna read it!"



HANAMARU: "Oh, I mean, I've only been writing little sketches. I haven't structured then properly like I did with the library anthology piece.
I've honestly just been writing whenever I feel like it, zura. I haven't written anything worth showing people yet."


AKI: "Aww, really? Well, that's a shame. Still, I understand. Some authors choose to work really hard on something before they show anyone. It's so they can feel fulfilled when it's written without it being rushed."


HANAMARU: "It's true. Some writers are usually their own biggest critics, zura."


AKI: "Yeah."



HANAMARU: "But the experience of writing with you and Ruby there to help is something I've come to treasure.
Now, I find just writing stories really fun. No matter how short or light the content might be, it makes me excited to see the worlds in my head take shape on paper, or rather...on-screen, zura."


AKI: "I see. I can still remember how energetic you were while you were while you were writing for the anthology.
*Sigh* Hearing you say all that makes me want to read your stuff even more. Is there anything I can say to convince you? Can't you let me read a tiny bit?"


HANAMARU: "N-No, zura! When I want you to read my work, I'll make sure it's something worth reading!"


AKI: "Really? Yes! I've got dibs, then. I'll be the first person to read the great author Hanamaru Kunikida's next work! That's a promise."



HANAMARU: "I told you, I'm not a great author, zuraaaa!"


AKI: *Laugh* "Sure, keep telling yourself that. But you know it's true."



HANAMARU: "Oh? C-Coming! I've got to sweep the temple floors. I'll talk to you again soon."


AKI: "Sure, I look forward to it!"



HANAMARU: "One last thing, remember to be happy, zura!"


AKI: "I'll try, thank you, great author Hanamaru."


HANAMARU: "Stop, zuraaaa!"



That was a great call!


But now I'm just alone with the thought of what happened again...


Hmm...


Should I call Ayu?


No, I don't want to make her even more worried.


What should I do?


I'm not in the mood to walk to the school, what if it's night when I get there? Too many bad memories.


Hey, now that I think about it. At the surprise party, Mari was talking a lot about a place called Awashima.


I haven't visited that part of Uchiura yet, so maybe some new surroundings and the sound, sights and smell of the ocean can really distract me from what happened.


Tomorrow's a Sunday, so a day off is the perfect time to visit.

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