CHAPTER 1
On the Road: A Story in a Book
So we meet again.
That’s right, it’s me.
Elaina.
Do you know where this is? Yes, that’s right, I mean my current location. Where do you think I am right now?
I’m almost certain you won’t be able to guess right away, so I’ll give you a hint.
From your perspective, this place looks packed with writing as far as the eye can see, and I’m sure it appears to be completely monochromatic. It’s also totally flat! As flat as a piece of paper, one might say. And though my world may appear a bit two-dimensional, I would say it suits me just fine.
That’s the kind of world I’m in.
Do you know where I am?
That’s right. I’m inside a book!
My, how fascinating! Right now, I am speaking to you from this book’s very pages!
…………
And so we meet again. Good morning to you, dear reader. Good afternoon. Good evening.
Can you see me waving? No, of course you can’t. I’m only text, after all.
I wonder if you’re even able to perceive the fact that I am here in this book, living and breathing on its pages?
All I can think about is what might happen to me if no one ever read about me. I’m a little frightened by the prospect, to be honest. So if you can, please watch out for me and never close this book, okay?
By the way, the world inside this book is a profoundly mysterious one. Sometimes, impossible things happen here, things that could never happen in the real world, and nobody bats an eye. Did you know that?
“Oh-hoh-hoh, my glasses are spectacular…”
I just said that. I put on a pair of glasses. By the way, I am dressed in the uniform for Latorita State University.
“Am I maybe…too cute in my cat maid costume?”
I look adorable. I’m enchanted by my own cute reflection in the windowpane. At some point, I changed into my maid café outfit.
“…………”
I was silent just then. Simply silent.
There are two other Elainas who look just like me here in this space.
I know this all sounds very complicated, and I’m very sorry for that, but basically, this is the situation I’m facing right now.
Let me explain it one more time.
I’m inside this book, and there seem to be two more of me in here as well. That’s my present situation.
“……”
I can’t help but sigh.
“What do you think about our situation?” I ask my broom, who is standing beside me, blankly staring with unfriendly eyes at the version of me who is dressed as a cat-eared maid.
She turns to look at me with a totally flat expression.
“I think it’s hopeless.”
“You sure don’t pull your punches.”
“It’s hopeless because you’re in control of all of us, Mistress Elaina.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I said exactly what I meant.”
I sigh again at our pointless exchange. I wonder if you can read our conversations as you gaze down at the surface of the paper.
And so it is time for me to venture through this book, accompanied by two more Elainas who look just like me, as well as my broom, who looks an awful lot like me but is not quite identical.
I’m not sure what awaits us on the pages ahead.
However…
I hope you will watch over us to the very end. That would make me very happy indeed.
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