July 31
That damned teacher, I pulled myself to school with great difficult today, only to have a bloody free period?
I complained in my thoughts as I looked out the window.
It was finally the summer holidays but apparently I needed extra classes. Somehow, I managed to force myself to come and there, waiting for me on the blackboard was ‘something important suddenly came up, study whatever you want today’.
If that’s the case, there’s absolutely no point in studying! I don’t know what a normal high school teacher would consider important, but I for one, also have something important to do! I have to read!
Free periods were fun but suddenly I had more free time than I imagined and I ended up finishing all of the books I had brought with me to pass time during summer class. I even finished the books I had planned to read on the train home and my emergency stack of books. Having said that, why do they have summer classes anyway? Though I’d say changing it to a free study period is one real tragedy.
Sigh, if I knew, I definitely would have gone to the library before coming here.
To be honest, I don’t like buying books outside Occhan’s place since he’ll probably cry if he saw me at another bookshop. Yes, he may be a fully grown adult, but he will still cry.
Can’t do anything about it, I’ll just read the junk mail.
By the time I had finished reading the advertisements of the moving services, printing press and the gynaecology services, the train had already arrived at Shininaba station.
The moment the train door opened, I flew outside and rushed down the stairs. I ran through all the security checks, ignored the sign post and paid the train fare…… I didn’t bother looking at the scenery, ran through yet more security checks and out the southern door of the station. I was gradually picking up speed, like the wind was on my back and by the time I had walked out the southern door, I was already running for Honda Bookshop.
I burst through automatic door and the familiar bell rang.
No one was at the counter, only a sign that read “Business All Good”, which proves that Occhan is buying rubbish again. This shop was pretty much doomed since it started, since Occhan has no brains for business.
“Welcome, Harumi-kun.”
Honda Fumio, the person I usually called Occhan, came out from behind the shop. His face was friendly and one would feel relaxed at the sight of him, besides he suited the pink colour of his usual clothing. He heard the bell, but he was still way too slow coming out.
“This isn’t good, Occhan, you should be coming out immediately upon hearing the bell. If you continue to be like this, you’ll attract thieves sooner or later.”
Occhan stuck out his bottom lip and confidently replied.
“Don’t worry, no one here is bad.”
How could you say that? These days, people are just getting wilder. Never mind that, what would you do if it actually happened? I wouldn’t be able to buy books then, remember that.
“These are the only books today, what do you think of them?”
Occhan took out a couple of books, a selection of novels, manga and magazines, all of them published earlier today. Seeing the bright covers almost made me drool in delight. Yes, yes, that were good, that’s why this shop is the best. As expected of Occhan, he knows me too well.
“I want all of them.”
I had just gotten my paycheck and therefore, I had plenty of money to spare.
Occhan replied “yes” before opening the counter. While he was at it, I took another look around the bookshop. I was browsing through some of the titles when my sharp, hunter’s eyes darted towards something, perhaps my prey.
……Oh, this book wasn’t bad. The title, ‘Hell Zousui’, suggests a story that not many people would like to buy, but I was a little curious, so I decided to buy it.
“Occhan, add this book.”
I held out a copy of ‘Hell Zousui’ to Occhan, only to realise that he was holding the same book.
“Sorry, I forgot this book. It’s written by a new author but it’s pretty interesting, I bet you’ll enjoy it.”
Occhan must be gloating over the fact that he was a step ahead of me, for he was smiling sweetly and innocently at me. Oh well, it’s good that he knows what his customers prefer to read.
“You can have this one for free. Have a read of it.”
As expected of Occhan, he really has no brain for business.
Who would give a book, which they spent some money buying, away for free? But I accepted it anyway, because I bet he will be criticised by his wife again. His wife is truly scary when she is angry and she resembles Amazon warriors when she is. She once knifed through a thick stack of magazines, which is something not many normal people can do.
Including ‘Hell Zousui’, I had bought a total of ten books.
I said goodbye to Occhan before leaving. Honda Bookshop was only ten minutes away from home, though it wasn’t very far, I still felt a little tired today.
Harumi Kazuhito is a bookworm.
I love books, I love them so much that you could say I’m one real book-loving idiot.
As a bookworm, not reading books makes me feel uncomfortable. As I had no book to read on the train today, I realised that I had significantly read less than usual. At least I didn’t live with my parents, so I live a pretty free life, as I can concentrate on reading at home.
What should I do? Read now? Which book should I read while walking today?
The angel in my heart tempted me with an evil smile. My Angel, this isn’t your work right? Do I have no conscience to stop myself?
But time is precious, walking home would take ten minutes, during this time how many pages can I read, how many words will I read! ‘Addiction’ is perfect for describing me.
When I was five, Mother told me to ‘focus on the road while walking’. Back then, she already knew that I always read while walking.
No, I can’t resist the urge to read. Sorry, Mother, I can’t listen to you this time.
Mother and Father are both normal people and the education they gave their son was flawless, but unfortunately their son himself is flawed. This is what they call a stupid kid right?
I’ve lived in Shininaba for a year now and I have to go down this street every day. Even if I closed my eyes and tried to walk home, I wouldn’t have to worry about bumping into anyone as not many people went down this road.
I made up my mind and slipped a hand into my bag.
The one I got was ‘Hell Zousui’, I stared at its bright covers.
Ah, I’ll start with you, don’t be scared, come here!
I casually muttered a couple of words while I turned over the colourful cover, reading the blurb on the inside cover. I see……seems interesting. Now, let’s begin.
I was just about to jump into the book’s world when I suddenly felt something squish under my shoe.
I think I stepped on something——dog poo.
Sorry, Mother, your wise words were right after all. In the future, I won’t be reading while walking anymore.
……Maybe for the next three days at least.
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[The following names, terms, expressions explained by author]
[Harumi Kazuhito] Bookworm. Born in Tokyo, Area-K, living alone in an apartment of Sumiya Residence in Area-K. His father’s name is Kazuki, mother is Rio and his sister, Madoka but they all live in Okayama due to his father’s work. His hobby is reading and he specialises in reading. Wears glasses. Virgin. He can find a bookshop within five minutes, even in an unknown place.
[Shininaba Station] Both normal and express trains stop at this station. The next stop is Nobui station.
[Honda Bookshop] A bookshop located within thirty seconds of Shininaba station’s southernmost gate. Centuries behind the rest of the world, though no one knows whether the cause is the rapid development of technology or the shopkeeper himself.
[Honda Fumio] Owner of Honda Bookshop. Also born in Tokyo Area-K. Lives together with his wife, Youko and his daughter Sakura and someone else called Yayoi. Hobby is photography, specialises in kneeling techniques. Considerate to others, weak personality, probably has metabolic syndrome and is terrible at owning a business. The Honda family literally lives off what Youko earns from teaching at a local high school.
[Hell Zousui] Hamada Youichi’s debut work. Explores the world’s spiciest dishes. (Translator’s Note: Zousui is a Japanese dish, check it out!)
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Going straight home didn’t seem such a good idea, so I headed towards the park to wash my shoes.
How should I put it? I felt pretty sorry for myself.
I finally cleaned it up, most of the smell was gone but there were still some faint brown stains. Was rinsing not enough to clean it? I don’t know if there’s still any soap left.
Oh well, who cares about my shoes, the most important thing is to read now.
I must read all ten books I bought today. More books will be published tomorrow, today’s books must be read tomorrow, I must absolutely not delay the reading or else I will violate the seven deadly sins.
I have to go home as soon as possible and concentrate on my reading.
I picked up my book and took off into a sprint, pretending that this was just my reading warm-up.
I finally arrived back at my beloved place, Sumiya Residence.
This apartment, located in a small alleyway, was like my fortress, like my treasure trove.
I looked at the mailboxes, number 101, 102, 103, 105, 201, 202, 203, 205, all of those mailboxes were stuffed with pizza flyers and electricity bills. These electricity bills should have been paid automatically through the Sumiya Residence internet account, but as the housekeeper, I still had to store away a physical copy of each of these bills.
When I was a third year in middle school, because of Father’s work, all of my family had to be transferred to Okayama but only I firmly opposed moving.
Father eventually heard my request to stay in Tokyo alone, but he set a condition, that is, to get into that super-difficult, prestigious school in the very centre of Tokyo.
At that time, my grades were average and therefore my parents and my sister assumed that it was impossible for me to get in. However, they were too naive, as I slowly but keenly strode towards my goal despite the many exams.
Though my results weren’t exceptionally high, in short, I managed to squeeze into that school. My parents got the results and they just had to let me stay in Tokyo alone.
After that, I began to live with my grandmother’s younger brother’s daughter’s husband’s friend’s daughter, the most distant relative possible——in Sumiya Residence.
Hmm, there seemed to be something else in 102’s letterbox.
It was a postcard, from Madoka.
Flipping it over, it was a photo of her eating dried Udon noodles in front of Kurashiki Station. Madoka had also written ‘Kazu-nii, Okayama is a cool place!’
What does that mean? A plot to trick me into going to Okayama? Impossible Madoka, Kazu-nii will never go to Okayama because the books there come out a day later than the ones in Tokyo.
No no no, it’s definitely a no.
How could I possibly delay my reading? Even if it’s just a day later, it would seriously disrupt my plans. If you could get the new books there to release faster, I might come, but that’s something impossible for you to do. Wait until you get older before deciding what to do.
But why was the postcard in 102’s letterbox? I live in 101……that’s right, I had forgotten to tell my family about the room change.
During spring this year, my room was about to burst from books, when the original landlord came back to Shininaba.
At once, I begged the landlord ‘if you have any spare rooms, could you lend them to me for storing books’ and to my surprise, she excitedly replied ‘you can have all the rooms if you want’.
Had this landlord hit her head? That was my first impression, until I saw the spare rooms myself, each room was filled with books. She had been using the spare rooms of Sumiya Residence as storage space for books. That’s how the colliding sound that I occasionally heard in my room came to be.
Sumiya told the stunned me, “Kazuhito-chan, if you agree to look after these treasures, I’ll give you every room, including the 102 room you’re currently in. You don’t need to pay the rent either.”
The proposal was just too good to be true.
Of course I agreed immediately.
That goes without saying!
Sumiya heard my reply, answering “ok! Then you’ll be the housekeeper of Sumiya Residence! Dong-Dong-Dong-Ba-Ba-Ba! Woah!” With that, she ran out of the room. I decided that it wouldn’t be a good idea if I tried to remind that she was already well past the age of being funny.
Back then I had concentrated all of my energy on my facial muscles, pulling them forcibly into a sweet smile. Anyway, I was to have the entire residence and therefore, this wasn’t too much of a sacrifice.
Having said that, why was she wearing cat ears? She wore rabbit ears once too.
I remember that her profession is a lawyer, but can she really pull off debating in court? The plaintiffs, defendants and judges are unlucky enough but Sumiya is even more pitiful. Though I suddenly had a thought that maybe she could be pretty good if she took the defensive side of things.
In conclusion, as the housekeeper, I have to clean all of the rooms and tidy the stacks of books. Tidying these piles of books was not necessarily work, but a hobby. It is just the dream of those who love books, like me.
At that time, I had a thought that I should move to room 101, as it was the largest room and the closest one to the door. I could use all of the rooms anyway.
But I forgot to tell my parents, what should I do……
No, it’s better if I don’t tell them. If I told them that the rent was free, maybe they’d send me less money for living expenses. As a result, I would get less money to buy books and what good can come to that!
I don’t care if they call me a ‘rice worm’ or ‘eating off family’. Work? What’s that? Is it tasty? Even buying books to read was sometimes a waste of time. Father once taught me that one should be spending money with friends, club activities or reference books but I found this very hard to believe.
Listen up, the Earth spins because of books!
Just like that, Sumiya left me this beautiful place, calling out ‘the world is still waiting for me!’ before running out and to this day, she has never come back.
I really don’t understand idiots, but it’s not that bad that she hasn’t come back yet. Let the sea call her.
This way, one day, this place can be renamed as the Harumi Residence.
When the time comes, I’ll be making this the finished plan of mankind.
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[The following names, terms, expressions explained by author]
[Sumiya Residence] Where Harumi Kazuhito lives in Tokyo. Concrete building, built two decades ago, two floors and one kitchen. Rent approximately forty-five thousand yen a month. Separate bathroom.
[Sumiya Yuiki] The landlord of Sumiya Residence. Born in the Shizuoka Prefecture, current whereabouts unknown. Family members unknown. Hobby is observing others, specialises in getting herself cornered and making a comeback at the last second. Lawyer. Acts like a young girl, wears different animal ears every day.
[Grandmother’s younger brother’s daughter’s husband’s friend’s daughter] If you think carefully, she’s actually a complete stranger.
[Paycheck] At the end of each month, Harumi Kazuhito receives ten thousand yen.
[Finished Plan of Mankind] Unknown to this moment. Check for new updates.
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-----☆-----☆-----☆-----
August 10
At nine fifty-eight, the sky was gray, I went to Honda Bookshop. Occhan always opens the door at exactly ten o’clock, but there was still two minutes left. I thought those two minutes took forever to pass.
Akiyama Shinobu’s new book was going to come out today.
Last time it was suspense, what would be the theme this time? Sci-fi? Non-fiction? A thriller? Could it be a sweet romantic comedy?
Ahh! I can’t take it anymore!
Akiyama Shinobu was a talented author, my favourite one too. I would always mention that name long before someone actually asked me who my favourite author was.
The date of Akiyama Shinobu’s new book’s release date had been marked as a major event on my calendar. Luckily it was summer, so I didn’t have to school. In fact, even if I did have school, I would have no choice but to have the day off.
To enjoy the fun of this moment, I never read the book’s description. I had gotten the release date from Uncle and not knowing what kind of book I was just about to encounter made me bubble with excitement.
The door opened at exactly 10:00. In front of me was Occhan’s smiling face and book he was holding.
“Morning, Akiyama Shinobu’s new book is here, including tax, that would be a total of one thousand two hundred and fifty yen.”
This extraordinary reaction rate……I told you so, Honda Bookshop really was the best!
Well done! Occhan! That pink apron really suits you today.
Seeing his bruises, I knew that he had punished last night.
The word ‘wife’ only looks good in text form. When it forms into a human, it is truly terrifying.
Never mind, I took the long-awaited book of Akiyama Shinobu, hands trembling slightly.
“Thank you, thank you! I don’t need a receipt!”
I handed him a one-thousand yen note and two one-hundred yen coins, then dropped a fifty-yen coin into his right hand, not forgetting the points card.
Then I turned and ran, the weight of the book feeling comfortable in my hand.
What the hell? It was just like a bento box! I can’t believe she wrote such a thick book!
I didn’t buy any other books today, hers was enough!
Run, run, run, must get to Bright Sun Cafe.
I’ve decided to read Akiyama Shinobu’s new book at Bright Sun Cafe today.
If anyone tries to stop me, I will thwart them, even if it is the demon king himself!
I finally arrived at Bright Sun Cafe.
I was breathless, but my spirit was stronger than my body as I did not feel tired at all.
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