The Love of My Childhood Friend, Who Has Overcome a Terminally Ill Diagnosis, Is Overwhelming
“Yeah. Sure.”
After thinking for a moment, I replied.
“Oh, really? Is that okay?”
“Yeah. No problem.”
I was a little flustered at first… but when I thought about it calmly, I realized there wasn’t really a problem.
“That’s a bit surprising. Akkun’s reaction just now, too. When I mentioned before that I was putting on a recital for Kanade, you looked a little displeased. I thought you’d be reluctant to get involved yourself.”
“……Well, it’s true that I don’t really feel great about being put on display.”
I looked down.
“But……if being put on display here here helps improve Auntie’s and Kanade’s financial situation, then it’s no big deal for me to be the attraction.”
“……Oh my.”
“If anything… I’m actually a little happy about it. The old me couldn’t do anything for Kanade. If I can do something to help cover her medical bills… it makes me feel like it was all worth it.”
“Oh my—”
“…I can tell myself that I was able to do something for her, after all.”
“Oh my, oh my—”
Kanade’s mother was beaming with the widest smile she’d shown all day.
“Akkun. Hehehe. Akkun.”
“Yes. What is it?”
“You really are… the best.”
“…? I’m not quite sure what you mean, but thank you.”
I went ahead and thanked her, just in case.
“Well then, Akkun. May I go ahead and start the interview right away?”
“Before that, there’s something I’d like to confirm.”
“What? Oh, are you talking about the honorarium? If that’s it…”
“No, that’s not it.”
I smiled.
“When are you planning to release your next book? That’s all I’d like to confirm.”
“My next book? …Let’s see. Research. Writing. Proofreading. Taking all that into account, probably in about half a year.”
“Can’t you get it out sooner?”
“…Hm?”
“These days, content is consumed faster than ever. The popularity of this book will fade in the blink of an eye, and readers will move on to another book—or some other form of entertainment. That’s why we can’t afford to miss the window of opportunity. If we wait six months, the book will be past its prime.”
“Huh…?”
“So, specifically… let’s aim to have the next book ready for release in three months.”
“…Hehehe.”
“I’ll help with both the research and the writing. So… can’t we somehow get the next book out sooner? It’s all for Kanade’s sake…”
“Hehehehe…”
Kanade’s mother… was smiling.
“Well, let’s work out the timeline from here, shall we?”
Kanade’s mother proposed a compromise… or rather, she tried to put off the issue.
Personally, I thought this issue should be resolved right away… but I wanted to avoid getting bogged down in back-and-forth haggling over the release date and wasting time, so—even though I was anxious—I decided to nod in agreement.
“Well then, let’s get started with the interview…”
“Mom!”
Just as I was about to begin the interview with Kanade’s mother, Kanade rushed out of her room in a panic.
“…So you’re already awake, huh?”
Kanade’s mother muttered regretfully.
“Moou! What did you put in my tea!?”
Kanade was clearly furious.
“Hehe. I didn’t put anything in it, though?”
“Liar! Liar! You’re definitely lying!”
“Oh my, well then, do you have any proof or something?”
“……Mmmph.”
After glaring at her own mother, Kanade looked at me with concern.
“A-kun. Are you okay? Do you feel sick?”
“Huh? I’m fine, though…”
“Really? You’re not feeling drowsy? You don’t suddenly feel like spilling your true feelings? Your heart isn’t racing so hard that you want to pounce on me?”
“Hahaha. It’s as if someone slipped me a drug or something.”
I laughed.
…Kanade looked away, looking awkward.
“Hehehe. Hehehehehe.”
Kanade’s mother was smiling suspiciously.
“…Mom!”
Kanade glared at her mother once more.
“I won’t let you get away with this one! I absolutely won’t!”
“Oh my. I wonder what Kanade is so angry about? I have absolutely no idea.”
“Acting all innocent won’t work!”
“Hehe. So? What exactly are you going to do to me?”
“That’s obvious, isn’t it!”
Kanade crossed her arms.
“I’m going to tell Dad!”
……Is that it?
If that’s all she’s got… even aunt wouldn’t be fazed by that.
“W-w-wait a minute, Kanade. Dad’s not involved in this.”
……She was totally flustered.
Maiasa