Sluggish Symbol, Inane Illusion Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Graduation

There wasn’t anything particularly memorable about our high school graduation ceremony.

Any important memories would surely be made now, after the ceremony.

A pair of two books: one blue, one black.

Once I reached the top, I sat next to Saki and picked up the volume that listed me as the author.

Saki spoke, her eyes fixed on the first volume published under her name.

“The same person would have to read both books to realize what we did. The character and place names are different too.”

That’s why the character and country names are slightly different. It’s like one book was written with English pronunciations and one with German.

“If you look at the big picture, just about everything is like that.”

However, by now they were probably staring to realize what had happened.

It was clear that many students had already figured it out. Rumors could be heard all over about our books.

“I guess you could call them considerate.”

We didn’t ask for college recommendation letters; it was the least we could do for the school.

And yet, out of what I guess you could call a societal obligation, we still made an effort to study for college entrance exams.

A lower class girl holding a blower bouquet walked restlessly around the campus, as if searching for someone.

I glanced at her briefly, but she was still deeply absorbed in her book. Maybe she was searching for typos. Did she actually expect there to be a second printing?

I showed it to Saki.

“Take this.”

Saki looked down at the book’s cover, her large eyes wide in surprise.

“Is this manuscript…”

A story never likely to reach the bookshelves, never likely to be seen by others.

I held nothing back, putting my entire heart and soul into it. One book, one life.

“I want you to read it.”

In this day in age, was it commonplace to dedicate a story to someone, or was I just deluding myself?

Saki had tried to write a story that I would fall in love with. Or at least she hoped it would turn out that way.

That’s why I wrote this for myself. And for her.

And the only person to ever read my story would be her. That’s why I wrote this story.

Straightening her posture, she began to slowly flip through the manuscript.

To be honest, having someone read my manuscript right next to me was extremely embarrassing. I found myself practically jumping at every little breath of hers.

Nevertheless, I’d done my best. That alone was certain.

Quite a long time had passed, but Saki hadn’t looked up from the book even a single time.

As if we had been discovered, I could see a group of several people pointing towards the water tower and speaking amongst themselves.

“Saki, this isn’t looking too good.”

We had locked the door to the roof on our way up, but I got the feeling it was only a matter of time until someone reported us, or broke down the door.

But she caught my hand midway.

Staring at me, she brought her face close to mine.

Her long eyelashes gently caressed my face.

Her face slowly pulled away from mine.

“I love you, Sakizaki.”

Still dangerously close, her beautiful face stared openly at me. For some reason, I didn’t recognize the person reflected in her dark eyes.

“…Saki, so you’ve finally lost your mind?”

“I won’t survive the fall, so please don’t.”

What’s with her all of a sudden?

But if she said it wasn’t for that reason, but rather because she had read my novel and––––

“I have no memory of writing something which is supposed to blur the line between the story and the author who wrote it.”

“Then why?”

I knew she couldn’t lie about this sort of thing.

But then she smiled––––a smile so bright that it put to rest all my doubts.

“I love the one who wrote this story–you.”

“It tells me who you are.––––And what else is there to love about a person besides who they are?”

Her hand took mine.

A kiss of breath, of words.

Even in this world of limitations, she would live her freedom to the fullest.

“That’s why Sakizaki, you are the one who will change my life.”

On the verge of tears, Saki grinned at me shyly.

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How should one confront the single book of their life?

But neither Saki nor I desire such a thing, or consider it to be just.

As it should be. As we create our own worlds, in defiance.

From up on the water tower, I looked down at the school grounds.

A large crowd of students had gathered below. Soon the negotiations would begin. We might also be questioned about our publishing violation.

“Sure did. And I remember every single thing.”

I looked down at the manuscript in my hand. I gripped it tightly, nothing but a bundle of printed papers bound by a black string.

I glared at the result of all my hard work with an expression part pride, part irony.

I raised my voice so all the students around would hear me.

“If each one of us has the capability to produce a single work worthy of being called a ‘masterpiece’ in our lifetime…”

I removed the string which held together the story.

This is the freedom I’ve chosen.

And if she truly loves my story––––as an author, I couldn’t be any happier.

I could see a bunch of students starting to move around and collect the falling pages.

“If even a single person reads one of the pages and wants to see the rest of the story, they’ll go around collecting all the pages.”

“Not nearly as much as you.”

Up until now, I’d been surprised many times by her and lost many battles.

I offered my empty hand to her.

As always, a special girl, my girl.

　　　　　　　　【End】

Chapter end