Why does it have to be today of all days?

It's the middle of winter, and it's freezing cold.

The air conditioner of this place doesn't even work!

And there's a long line of people before me with books in their hands.

Until I sign all their books, I won't be going anywhere.

Why did I even agree to come at this time of the season?

Today I am at my local book store for my 5th book signing.

But even if this is my 5th signing event, I'm still not used to this kind of interaction with people.

Usually, I hole myself up in my room writing my novels.

The only time I go out is when I submit my manuscripts or buy food.

I do the rest online such as paying the bills.

Ever since I became a novel author seven years ago, this was my kind lifestyle since then.

When I write my novels, they're usually about mystery and suspense.

They're popular amongst older people.

I based it on my observations since I haven't seen any young people during my four signing events.

That's why I was in shock.

Because right before me, a teenage girl in a sailor uniform was getting her booked signed.

I wanted to ask her what made her interested in my novel, but there was still a long line of people, and it's almost closing time.

So, I overlooked it and went on signing the other people's books.

Ah, finally, I'm done! I can head back home.

That was exhausting.

And I'm starting to get hungry.

I'll drop by the convenience store to get something for dinner.

Hmm, but I'm still curious about that particular girl a while ago.

What led her to like my novels?

Well, I can't do anything about it now.

As I was on my way to the convenience store, I noticed a familiar figure.

It was her!

The one from earlier.

Those people around her must be her friends.

But it would be strange if a man in his late 20's approached them, and I'm not good with socializing, so I'd probably be considered a creep.

And so I continued to pass by them.

After gaining a decent amount of distance from them, suddenly, I felt something tugging on the sleeve of my coat.

I look back to see who it was.

To my surprise, it was the teenage girl.

[?]" Yato-san, please continue walking. I'll explain everything later."

What is happening?

Why did she suddenly cling to me?

Even with all these questions in my head, I still did what she said and kept walking until we arrived at the convenience store.

[Y]"So, do you mind telling me what is going on?"

[?]"Oh, yeah, sorry, Yato-san..."

[Y]"What is this about?'

[?]" Uhm, Yato-san. Thank you for saving me back there a while ago."

[Y]"Save? I didn't even do anything. What about the people you were with a while ago. Were they not your friends?"

[?]"No, they weren't."

[Y]"This isn't really a place to talk. How about we sit and talk at that restaurant since I also want to ask you something."

[?]"But I don't have money."

[Y]"Relax, I'll pay for it."

At first, she hesitated, but eventually, she ended coming along with me.

Well, this a weird turn of events.

But this is my chance to ask her why she took a liking to my works.

[Y]"Don't worry about the price. Just order what you want."

[?]"Is it okay?"

[Y]"Yeah, I'm the one who asked you to come here in the first place."

Immediately after we placed our order, she introduced herself.

She said her name was Miyazaki Umi (宮崎 海).

And apparently, she and her dad just recently moved in here in Tokyo a few days ago because of work.

She didn't know the place and got lost, so she tried asking for directions.

Then a group of people(mostly male) of the same age offered to show her the way.

She declined their proposal, but they kept on insisting.

No matter what she did, they wouldn't get off her back.

It seemed that they were planning something malicious, but luckily for her, I was passing by the area.

That's how she ended up here.

[U]"That's what happened to me a while ago. Sorry for imposing on you."

[Y]"It's nothing to apologize about, it's not your fault, and I also wanted to talk to you."

[U]"Me?"

[Y]"Yeah, I wanted to ask you a while ago at the bookstore, but I didn't have enough time a while ago."

[U]"What did you want to ask me?"

[Y]"I was wondering, what made you interested in my novels?"

She suddenly stood up and slammed her hands on the table.

[U]"Everything! Especially the way the characters interact with each other and..."

[Y]"Calm down, there are people around us."

As she realizes that people are staring at her, she sat down and shrunk in her embarrassment.

[Y]"Looks like someone's excited."

[U]"Please forget what happened."

[Y]"No need to worry. I'll burn it in my memories."

[U]"You're such a tease."

[Y]"Nah, I'm just an old man."

[U]"Very funny... But what did you ask me a while ago?"

[Y]"Well, It puzzled me how a teenage person would enjoy my works. Usually, the people that read my books are a lot older."

[U]"I mean, your works are fascinating. It has philosophical depth in it."

[Y]"You could understand it?"

For several minutes we continued to talk about the novels I wrote.

We eventually ended up having dinner together.

Wait, is this even okay?

I'm a man in his late-20's hanging with a teenager.

From the outside, it looks like I'm hitting on JK 女子高生(high school girl).

No wonder I felt gazes left and right for the past couple of minutes.

It'd be preferable if we wrap this up quickly.

[Y]"Shall we head out then? It's getting kinda late."

[U]"Yeah, I'm kinda tired with all that venturing a while ago."

We stepped outside the restaurant.

[Y]"Do you know the way back to your place?"

[U]"Uhm..."

I glance at her, but she avoided making eye contact.

[Y]"You don't know where it is, do you?"

[U]"Hehe."

Guess I have no choice here, do I?

If I left her here, she'd probably fall victim to another one of those scums.

[Y]"Fine, I'll walk you there."

[U]"Thank you, Yato-san."

At least with me accompanying her, I'd have a clear mind once I get back home.

When I asked for her address, I was surprised.

That's extremely close to where I live.

Maybe she got it wrong?

I tried asking her again to confirm if it is her place.

It's no mistake.

She was sure that it really is her address because she had written it down before she went out.

Well, that saves me the trouble from wandering too far, I guess?

After we arrived at her place, I told her that my apartment is nearby.

[U]"Really?!"

[Y]"Yeah, that's why I was surprised a while ago. I didn't expect you to live in this area."

[U]"That's great! I could visit you anytime."

I have a bad feeling about this.

[Y]"It may not look like it, but I'm a busy person. I need to write novels."

[U]"I mean, it's nice to take a break once in a while."

Thinking about it, I don't usually take breaks.

All I do is laze around my house or write my novels since I don't usually have a reason to go out.

[U]"Uhm, Yato-san."

[Y]"Huh, what?"

[U]"T-tomorrow..."

[Y]"What about tomorrow?"

[U]"C-could you perhaps give me a tour around Tokyo?"

[Y]"Eh?"

[U]"I don't know anyone else here, and I don't want to repeat that incident a while ago."

[Y]"What about your dad?"

[U]"My dad frequently takes overtime at his work, so it's not likely that he'll have free time."

I'm here with only two choices.

The first option, I help her out tour the city, so she won't have trouble navigating when she's alone.

Or two, I decline her request and proceed with my boring life as a Hikikomori(ひきこもり) novel author.

If you look at it from a moral perspective, the first option is obviously the appropriate answer.

But for me, I don't look at it that way.

The deciding factor for me is whether it is convenient for me or not.

The only reason I did what Miyazaki-san said earlier was that I only wanted to talk to her about something.

Of course, I'm not a rude emotionless person that only seeks what he wants in life.

I also have my values when interacting with people.

But at least I'm not like those extroverts who use a facade to appease someone.

I loathe people who fake their intentions to win the other person over.

[U]"So, what will it be? Yato-san."

Oh, right, I was talking to her.

I went deep in thought that I almost forgot about it.

[Y]"Sorry, but I'll pass on that."

[U]"Why?"

[Y]"I told you I'm busy."

Well, it's obviously a lie, but I don't want to go out without any merit.

Then suddenly, she kept pulling on the sleeve of my coat.

[U]"Please, I don't have anyone else who can help me."

[Y]"If I'll help you, what's in it for me?"

[U]"..."

[Y]"Then I'll be going."

[U]"Wait! I'll pay you!"

[Y]"I don't need the money."

[U]"Then I'll do anything as you say."

[Y]"Are you sure you should be saying that?"

[U]"Yes, I'm sure."

She probably won't stop even if how many times I decline her.

So, I think the best option here is to accept.

[Y]"Fine, but only this one time."

[U]"Yay!"

------------------------

On that day, I kept questioning why I accepted her request.

It caused nothing but trouble and grief for me.

Though, I was also glad that I did.

Because if I hadn't, I would still be the same miserable author on that day.

Thanks to her, I'm...