The story we started

[After a long while, Zaimokuza raised his head and looked at Hikigaya, his round face full of frustration. ]

[“Although I was inspired to write a story that can wipe away others’ tears and protect their smiles after seeing them cry, I don’t know how to write it.”]

[“Because…even I can’t imagine why the protagonist I wrote likes to laugh so much and wants to protect other people’s smiles. I can’t imagine why he would do this. Maybe it’s because this is a story I came up with on a whim, so even I can’t explain it.”]

[“And the reason why I feel so uncomfortable writing now is perhaps… because I don’t understand the protagonist I wrote about at all? Because I have never seen such a person in real life, and I can’t imagine what such a person is like, so naturally I can’t write about him.”]

[“This story… probably went wrong from the beginning, right?”]

[Zaimokuza said dejectedly, his expression visibly depressed.]

[“…So, you don’t want to write this story anymore?”]

[Hikigaya Hachiman looked at him quietly, and asked after he finished speaking.]

[“There’s nothing I can do. Even if I wanted to write, I don’t know how to write it… I don’t understand the protagonist I wrote at all, and I don’t understand the meaning of his behavior, so how can I continue writing?”]

【Zaimokuza gave a bitter smile and muttered in a low voice.】

[“It has always been like this. I keep writing and writing, but what I write always seems to be just to move myself. There is no way to get recognition from others. In the end, the stories I write can’t move anyone.”]

[“Perhaps… I really don’t have the talent to be a novelist?”]

【Zaimokuza looked down at the manuscript in his hands, his eyes, which had always been full of energy, now showed a rare look of confusion and loss.】

[Are the stories you write yourself really good? 】

[In fact, he is not without self-awareness, he just doesn't want to admit it. He doesn't want to admit that he doesn't have this talent, and he doesn't want to admit that he has no possibility of realizing his dream. ]

[Because if he admits it, Zaimokuza Yoshiki might lose all motivation to pursue his dreams, and never recover from it, spending his life in a daze.]

[So Zaimokuza is unwilling to admit this obvious fact in the eyes of others, because he once promised his grandmother that he would become an excellent storyteller and write the best story in the world, and Zaimokuza has always believed that he can do this. ]

[But even with the strongest determination, after facing failure again and again, one will inevitably doubt oneself. ]

[Zaimokuza is also a human being, so naturally, his belief in pursuing his dreams has always been unwavering, but when faced with countless failures, he occasionally feels confused in his heart and begins to question himself.]

[My dream has rubbed against the cruel reality so many times, and has been worn away and crushed by the wheel of reality time and time again. It is impossible for Zaimokuza to not doubt himself.]

[Failure after failure is like a quantity accumulation. As long as we wait for a certain opportunity, a qualitative change will occur, which will overturn everything we have believed in so far.]

[Zaimokuza likes stories and has a deep love for them, but no one has ever stipulated that one has the ability to create something just because he likes it.]

[And today, the truth revealed by his best friend once again forced Zaimokuza to face his own heart and the truth that he had been forcibly ignoring all along. ]

[——Do I really have the ability to write a story that can move others? ]

【Snapped! 】

【"?"】

[Just when Zaimokuza was doubting himself once again in his heart, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder, causing him to look up subconsciously with a puzzled look on his face.]

“What are you thinking about?”

[Hikigaya Hachiman took back his hand from patting Zaimokuza's shoulder and said nonchalantly.]

[“You are doubting whether you have the talent to become a light novel writer, right?”]

【"……Yes."】

[Zaimokuza opened his mouth, but finally nodded with a somewhat gloomy expression.]

[Hikigaya Hachiman has always been very accurate in seeing through other people's thoughts, and he has basically never made a mistake, so Zaimokuza, who knows him well, knows that he can't hide it from him, so he directly acknowledges his statement. ]

[“It’s not that I don’t know that the story I wrote is not good, I just don’t want to admit it. I don’t want to give in to reality and I don’t want to disappoint…”]

[“But, after so much time, I can’t help but wonder… is my persistence really meaningful? After all, I’ve failed so many times, and no one can read the stories I wrote. I always feel like I’m wasting my time doing something that is doomed to have no results.”]

[“Should I listen to my parents…give up this unrealistic idea, study harder, and strive to get into a good university and find a good job in the future?”]

[“I, probably really——”]

[“You can do it.”]

【"……well?"】

[Zaimokuza looked up blankly, looking at Hikigaya Hachiman who said this calmly, and wondered if his ears were wrong.]

[“Um, Hachiman, you just said…”]

[“I said—you can do it.”]

[Hikigaya calmly looked at Zaimokuza, who seemed a little incredulous, and continued without giving him time to react.]

[“From the first time we met, I knew that although you have many shortcomings, there is only one strength that I never need to doubt—that is your pursuit and persistence in your dreams.”]

[“In terms of pursuing your dreams, I can feel that even though you may have doubts and suspicions about yourself at times, you will always overcome them, get up from where you fell again and again, and continue to move forward on the path you have chosen.”]

[“Although you are clumsy and dull, your pursuit of your dreams is undoubtedly the ‘real thing’.”]

[“So, I believe you can do it and realize your dream one day.”]

[“You may - you may not have the talent to write novels, but no one says that you must have the corresponding talent if you love something, right?”]

[“If it doesn’t work once, try it a second time. If it doesn’t work ten times, try it a hundred times. If it doesn’t work a hundred times, try it a thousand times. Just keep going over and over again. Even if you still can’t realize your dream in the end, you will definitely find something that makes you proud along the way, something that belongs only to you, your ‘real thing.’”]

[“So… huh?”]

【Hikigaya let out a long breath, opened his eyes, and spoke to Zaimokuza who was dumbfounded.】

[“Since I still believe in you, why do you still need to doubt whether you have this ability? In this world full of ‘fakes’, don’t let the ‘real thing’ that I have worked so hard to find be left in the dust, understand?”]

【"Zaimuza Yoshiki."】

【“——”】

【Faced with Hikigaya's true words, Zaimokuza's expression was stunned.】

[He opened and closed his mouth several times, but could not utter any words. Finally, he could not help but lower his head, his whole body trembling slightly.]

[“Hello? What’s wrong? Are you crying?!”]

[Hikigaya was a little embarrassed about what he said, but after seeing Zaimokuza's expression, worry replaced the awkwardness, and he frowned and asked.]

[“Zaimokuza, you——”]

[“——Hahahahahaha?”]

[Just as Hikigaya was preparing his next words of persuasion, Zaimokuza suddenly raised his head and laughed exaggeratedly.]

【“!?”】

[“——As expected of you, you are my close friend!”]

【Hikigaya was startled and subconsciously thought that Zaimokuza had suddenly gone mad, but he suddenly stopped laughing and lowered his head to look at him.】

[Zaimokuza's face was once again covered with his usual unpretentious smug smile. He placed one hand in front of his body and raised the other hand to the side of his face, posing. The lenses of his glasses emitted a strange white light. He smiled smugly at Hikigaya, his teeth gleaming in the light.]

[“You are able to see through the endless potential hidden deep within this general. Your vision is truly admirable! You are worthy of being the only close friend I recognize! Meeting you is truly like a thousand-mile horse being like a horse trainer, and Liu Bei being like Zhuge Liang. It is a match made in heaven!”]

【“From this! I have decided!”】

[Zaimokuza stretched out his right hand, and an index finger with a clear swirl fingerprint popped out and pressed it against the forehead of the stiff-faced Hikigaya Hachiman. His posture was very similar to that of Phoenix Wright, the protagonist of Ace Attorney.]

[“Next time, when I create a masterpiece that will make you cry, you will definitely be the first person to appreciate it. Feel happy, my dear friend!”]

[Hikigaya Hachiman: “…”]

[Did I say it too gently, causing this fat guy to get carried away again? ]

【"well……"】

[Looking at Zaimokuza, who was grinning with both rows of teeth showing, Hikigaya's eyes twitched a few times, and he helplessly covered his face with his hands and sighed.]

[——But, I finally solved this guy's psychological problem. ]

[“So, do you plan to continue writing this story?”]

[Hikigaya put down his hand and raised his eyes to ask, while Zaimokuza gave a thumbs up affirmatively. ]

[“Of course I have to write it!”]

[“Although I cannot write this story now, I believe that as long as I persevere, sooner or later, I will be able to write a story that will make me proud and move others.”]

[“I promise that by then, Hachiman, you will be the first reader of this story!”]

[“…Is that so? Then I’ll keep looking forward to it.”]

[Hikigaya nodded nonchalantly, and turned towards the door as Zaimokuza smiled, preparing to leave. It was almost time for class.]

[“That’s right.”]

[Hikigaya stopped just before reaching the door, as if remembering something, and turned back to Zaimokuza.]

[“It’s just a little suggestion from the readers to the author after reading the story. Of course, it’s up to you to decide whether to adopt it or not.”]

[“Oh!? How come you have a new idea so soon? Please present it to me quickly, my dear friend?”]

【Hikigaya rolled his eyes and said to Zaimokuza.】

[“It’s not really an opinion, just some small suggestions on character creation.”]

[“Generally, when creating characters, light novel authors always give the protagonist certain specific characteristics in order to distinguish him from other characters, such as unique appearance or habits of speech and behavior, that is, settings such as catchphrases.”]

[“You can also give the protagonist a similar catchphrase to enhance the character’s distinctive features and leave a deeper impression on the reader.”]

[“Oh? I see… Then Hachiman, do you have any opinion?”]

【Zaimokuza crossed his arms and nodded seriously, but soon he looked up at Hikigaya with hope on his face.】

[“…Can’t you try to come up with one yourself?”]

[Hikigaya took the strawberry 100% drink he had bought and placed on the table, and said speechlessly while looking at Zaimokuza.]

[“But when it comes to inspiration, I really can’t compare to you, Hachiman?”]

[The fat guy scratched his hair in embarrassment, and said to Hikigaya with a shy face. His pitiful eyes made the other person's skin crawl with goose bumps.]

[“That’s enough! I can help you think about it, okay?”]

[Hikigaya crossed his arms over his chest with a look of disgust on his face. At this moment, he caught a glimpse of the can of drink in his hand from the corner of his eye.]

[There is a slogan written on the packaging of the drink: 100% sweet, summer day, one thread, smiling face, one smile, one line?】

[A flash of inspiration flashed through Hikigaya's mind, and he suddenly came up with an idea. ]

[“Smile—smile, just use smile.”]

[“You can set the protagonist as a person who likes to say smile as his catchphrase. This is much better than saying “Smile! Smile!” to everyone you meet. At least it won’t make people feel too embarrassed.”]

[“Smile… This is such a great idea!”]

【Zaimokuza muttered this word, his eyes becoming brighter and brighter, and finally he happily opened his arms and rushed towards Hikigaya who was staring at him with wide eyes.】

[“My dear friend! You are so amazing! Awesome!”]

[“Gua! Don’t rush over and hug me all of a sudden! You’re hugging me too hard! My ribs are making strange noises!!!”]

……

【"Oh?"】

[Listening to Zaimokuza's laughter and Hikigaya's screams in the Service Club, Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was originally going to ask why Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui both took leave today, couldn't help but smile. 】

[“Smile? These two guys are quite interesting.”]

[She withdrew her upper body from the door and eavesdropped, and left here secretly before they found out.]

【“…”】

【Watching Hiratsuka Shizuka leave his sight, Zaimokuza, who was kneeling at the door, turned back to look at the door of the Service Club in a daze.】

[“Really? So that’s how it is…”]

[Once upon a time, Shizuka Hiratsuka made a promise to him on that rainy day, and that catchphrase has been used by him ever since, becoming one of his unique personal labels.]

【Zaimokuza originally thought that it was Hiratsuka Shizuka who came up with this idea, but until today, he finally understood when this sentence originated.】

【“Hachiman——Ugh!”】

[——Something’s wrong. What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so bad? ]

【Zaimokuza closed his eyes tightly and breathed heavily, sweat continued to flow down his face and drip onto the floor.】

【And because he closed his eyes, he didn't notice one thing. 】

[When Zaimokuza was in pain, his entire figure suddenly became vaguely transparent, just like the shadows under his feet began to gradually dissipate.]