Chapter 6 Hikigaya is about to get on track

The scorching sun in Chiba in September has not relented, and Hikigaya is feeling particularly anxious. 

"I hate waiting the most," he said. 

Hikigaya has great confidence in the quality of the first volume of "Confessions." While there's always a chance that a strong competitor from the same year could suddenly emerge and snatch away his rookie award, he believes it is almost guaranteed that "Confessions" will secure a candidate spot.

The "All Reading" Newcomer Award receives around 2,000 submissions each year, with only one winning work receiving a prize of 500,000 yen. Typically, fewer than five works make it to the candidate list, which is published in the November issue of "All Reading" on October 22 each year.

While being a reserve candidate isn't completely unacceptable to Hachiman Hikigaya, losing the 500,000 yen prize would be painful since he was counting on this money to buy a good typewriter.

"Hikigaya-san, are you free tomorrow?" 

Hikigaya Hachiman, lost in thought, was startled by a sudden email on his mobile phone. The sender was Kaori Orimoto, someone he hadn't communicated with in quite some time. 

"What does she want? A date?" 

Hikigaya was taken aback. He had no interest in Orimoto or even in the opposite sex. His sole focus was on writing well; socializing felt like a distraction. 

"I'm actually quite busy lately. What's up, Orimoto-san?" 

Hikigaya swiftly replied to Orimoto Kaori's email within seconds. 

Soon, Orimoto responded. 

"Well, it's nothing serious. My friends and I aren't doing well in Japanese class, so we're planning a study session tomorrow, Saturday, and we'd like to ask you to tutor us. But if you're unavailable, that's fine." 

"Okay, let's talk about it later. Good night, Orimoto-san." 

He didn't want to engage too much, so he simply wished her good night. 

This small exchange didn't attract much attention from him. 

...

At the All Reading Editorial Department of Sakuraba Publishing House, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, the atmosphere was busy. 

"Given the numerous submissions for this year's Newcomer Award, the judges took quite a long time to review them. Now that the results are confirmed and will be published on October 22, we have only half a month left to sign contracts with the winning and alternate authors and discuss future collaborations," announced Matsui Koichi, the current editor-in-chief of "All Readings," during a meeting with several editors to discuss the Newcomer Award. 

"This year's situation is rather unique. Several judges voted unanimously for a mystery novel titled 'Confessions', which is quite rare. I believe it's a gem among the works awarded in recent years. Editor Imamura?" 

"Yes!" 

When her name was called, Naho Imamura quickly stood up. She is the new editor for "All Readings" this year, responsible for liaising with mystery novel writers, and she is also the only editor in the entire publishing house under 30 years old. 

"You are responsible for contacting Mr. Hachiman. After discussions with the judges, I believe there is significant potential in this chapter. If the quality can be maintained, it could become a classic. Our magazine, All Readings, has shown a track record of providing excellent mystery novels to Sakuraba. This task is now entrusted to you." 

"I understand, Editor-in-Chief. I will start the process as soon as possible." 

Naho Imamura took the file containing the manuscript of "Confessions," returned to her workstation, and began to read it carefully. 

Having just become an editor of "All Readings" at the beginning of the year, she is an avid mystery novel fan. During her college years, she aspired to become a writer of remarkable mystery literature. However, she recognized her lack of talent and accepted her fate by entering the publishing industry. With her high level of education and extensive knowledge of mystery literature, she officially became an editor at 28, focusing on her favorite genre.

As a proficient editor, Imamura excels in reading quickly yet thoroughly. She completed the 20,000-word manuscript in just 20 minutes. 

"Is this really a debut work?" 

Naho Imamura was taken aback. As a professional in the publishing industry, she quickly arrived at the same conclusion as the editor-in-chief during the meeting: the 20,000-word submission was merely the tip of the iceberg, and the author's story likely extended far beyond that.

"We need to get in touch with this writer Hachiman as soon as possible..." 

...

"Hikigaya-san, Hikigaya-san?" 

Hikigaya, who was taking a nap on the table after lunch, felt someone calling him, but he didn't want to pay attention. He had been deeply engaged in "Confessions" recently and was very particular about the words; he would stay up late reading if he wasn't careful.

Poke... poke...

Feeling a tickling sensation on his skin, Hikigaya jumped up from the table in surprise. Next to him stood a girl with short brown hair, who looked quiet and gentle. Hikigaya recognized her as a member of Kaori Orimoto's group; she was the one who rarely spoke and was usually in charge of listening.

"Excuse me, Nakamachi-san?"

"Ah! So Hikigaya-san knows my name! I was going to introduce myself to you."

Hikigaya had a good memory and could match the faces and names of all his classmates shortly after entering the second grade of junior high. However, some of his classmates would only acknowledge him with brief comments.

"Don't be so surprised. If you woke me up just to introduce yourself, I'm going back to sleep."

"Eh? Hikigaya-san, I came here with good intentions to return a personal item you lost, but you are being so cold and indifferent."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

As he spoke, Hikigaya instinctively reached for his flip phone to check the time, but then he was stunned. The pocket where he usually kept his phone was empty.

Meanwhile, Nakamachi looked at Hikigaya with a smile. She was holding a lanyard in her right hand, shaking the cell phone tied to it as if trying to hypnotize him.

"... Thank you very much, Nakamachi-san. Where did you find it?"

"It was at the place where you always eat your bento by yourself, Hikigaya-san. By the way, Hikigaya-san, you've been really absent-minded lately. Even after Orimoto-san rejected you, you weren't this listless."

"... Let's not talk about that. I just had poor sleep quality. Thank you for your concern."

Nakamachi seemed to continue speaking, but Hikigaya had no intention of listening. He noticed several missed calls from unknown numbers on his phone. No outsider would call a junior high school student like him for no reason. He began to realize something.

-----