The setting sun reflected the words "Hayami Study" on the window on the floor, pulling out a long shadow.

At the end of the shadows, Toru Shimizu leaned back in a swivel chair, waiting for Masaaki Kishida, who was next to him, to review the outline of his novel.

Perhaps it was because of the expectation or because the materials accumulated before had been turned into inspiration after a period of brewing, Toru Shimizu spent the rest of the Golden Week in retreat for several days, and finally came up with this outline that seemed far away.

Thinking about what still needs to be revised, I heard Kishida yawn.

With the help of his colleagues and seniors, the protagonist spent thirteen years almost single-handedly compiling a dictionary called "Dadu Hai". So it's a dictionary story? ”

Withdrawing from his own thoughts, Toru Shimizu turned his head to him: "That's right, but compared to relying on the protagonist alone, I want to write it as the result of the joint efforts of these people." ”

"Oh," Kishida leaned back in his chair crookedly, rubbing his swollen eyes, "It sounds like an inspirational story, and the main plot isn't a big deal." But did you kid make that mistake again and forget to write the heroine? ”

"Heroine? Is it necessary? ”

"Tsk", Kishida took out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket, lit it with a snap, and sighed twice before continuing: "You can't see any big ups and downs in the plot of this book, so you plan to take the path of moving people with emotion, right?" ”

Toru Shimizu nodded.

"But now there is only the interaction between the protagonist and the dictionary editorial department, and this problem is big."

"How?"

"In order to compile a dictionary, I don't want to be treated by the company, I just work overtime all day, and I can't even find a girlfriend. What do readers think when they see it? Isn't it a madman who sacrifices his normal life for his career? How can the feelings of a madman move a normal person? ”

"Hmm..."

Inexplicably, he felt that what he said made some sense, and Qing Shui Toru crossed his arms and thought about it.

However, Kishida will not let him go because of this, and then said: "It's not the era of Showa, and working soldiers have long been out of fashion. So let's arrange a heroine and make the protagonist look like a normal person. By the way, it can also add a lot of emotional space, and you can also get a little more manuscript fee. ”

Toru Shimizu smiled bitterly, "Kishida-san, it's not appropriate for you as an editor to take more manuscript fees, right?" ”

"Stinky boy, I'm not thinking about you."

The joke was enough here, and Toru Shimizu seriously considered his suggestion. After thinking about it for a while, I felt that it seemed that the heroine role should indeed be added. But before that, there is a problem that needs to be solved.

"Kishida-san, you know, I'm not very good at this kind of emotional description..."

"Stop. You, a writer, should know the solution better than us editors, and no point is to observe and experience. Feelings are such a thing, and you will only know if you have experienced them. So..."Kishida took out another cigarette and lit it, slowly spit out an eye circle, raised bloodshot eyes to look at him, and said earnestly, "You should find a girlfriend quickly." ”

Seeing a sudden burst in Kishida's eyes, Qing Shui Toru had a vague idea in his heart, and subconsciously erased it, his face still pretending to be calm: "How can it be so simple, it's not that you can find it." ”

"Here we go again. With your appearance, it's only a matter of minutes to find a girlfriend. I really can't do it, why don't I take you to the drinking club in Ginza to feel it? I'm telling you, there..."

The more he spoke, the more interested he became, and he was about to describe something in detail, when he was interrupted by a soft voice not far away.

"Kishida-san, don't take Shimizu-kun with you."

Toru Shimizu turned his head and saw Aya Uei who made a sound. She sat in front of her computer, her round-rimmed glasses in her hand.

"Ah, sorry, sorry."

Kishida seemed to realize her existence, and hurriedly snuffed out the cigarette in his hand while apologizing repeatedly.

Aya Uei nodded with satisfaction, and let him smoke in the office as soon as he was gone, and said, "Since you're done talking about the novel, then bother Shimizu-kun to come to me." ”

Ignoring Kishida's subtle gaze, Toru Shimizu stepped over directly.

Speaking of which, Aya Uii is a rather mysterious person in the publishing house. She is not only outstanding in appearance, but also warm and kind to others, and her every move is full of the charm of an adult woman of twenty-eight or nineteen. In his career, he was even more eye-catching, and at a young age, he served as the editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine issued by a publishing house, and also made quite good achievements. In addition to having a special penchant for gossip news, he can't find any other shortcomings.

But this is such a person, when Toru Shimizu saw her for the first time, he was warned by Kishida Masaaki that "it's better not to make her angry".

Although Toru Shimizu felt that he didn't have any need to anger her.

A few steps to Aya Uei's side, I saw her pointing to a place on the computer screen.

"Qing Shui-kun, please take a look here."

Shimizu looked at the past, and the screen was filled with the contents of the magazine scheduled for next month.

With her care, Toru Shimizu got a good job. As part of my work, I went to some of the most popular shops for young women and conducted interviews in pictures and text for the columns of fashion magazines.

In order to take care of him, the shop where he was interviewed was contacted in advance by Aya Uei, and all expenses were reimbursed by the publishing house.

"After the layout, there is a blank space here, can you find some photos and text to fill in."

"I see."

In a way, Aya Ukai is his boss. Since the boss spoke, Toru Shimizu, a subordinate, had no reason to refuse.

"Then I'll leave work first."

Shaking his head at Kishida's inquiring gaze, Toru Shimizu sat down in front of the computer, ready to get to work.

I rummaged through the stock library on my hard drive for a while, picked out a few photos for comparison, and before I could finally decide which one to use, I heard the door of the publishing house suddenly opened, followed by Aya Uei's playful voice.

"Shimizu-kun, someone is looking for it, it's a female high school student I haven't seen before."

------

Seeing Nengnian Reina, dressed in uniform, standing in front of him, Toru Shimizu was really a little surprised. In my impression, the intersection between myself and her was only Dongbao, and the identity of the writer was not exposed at that time.

With doubts, Qing Shui Toru looked at Reina Nengnian on the other side.

Although she said that she was looking for herself, she didn't say a word at the moment, her hands behind her back, and her eyes drooped to look at the lines on the floor.

In the end, I can only speak first.

"Neng Nian-san, huh? Are you sure... Did you come to me? ”

She shook her head up and down, her eyes still downcast.

Aya Uei next to her had an interested expression, staring at the two of them curiously with wide eyes, and her pupils were full of "You guys go on, leave me alone".

Qing Shui Toru felt a little headache, thought about it, and said, "Then can you wait for me for a while, I still have some things to deal with, and it will be fine soon." ”

Nengnian Rena didn't say anything yet, but Aya Umii on the side was a little unhappy.

"How can you make a girl wait? Hurry up, I'll do that for you." ”

Before he could react, the door to the publishing house slammed shut behind him.

Looking at Nengnian Reina, who was still hanging her head, Toru Shimizu felt that her headache symptoms had worsened a little.