Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 15 - Chapter 4.2

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CONSTRUCTION

“One of the Three Great Views of Japan, Amanohashidate, is visible over there.”

“Whoooaaa …….!!”

A spectacular view spreads out beneath me. A path of white sand covered in pine trees is running out over the water.

This is our last stop–––Amanohashidate.

It’s right up there in fame alongside Matsushima and Miyajima. Of course, it’s my first time here.

Since we can’t check in just yet, Machi and I leave our luggage in coin lockers and go to the aptly named observation deck: Amanohashidate View Land.

Machi takes a few pictures of me with that amazing scenery in the background as she says, “Amanohashidate has another name: Hiryukan. Viewing it like this from above makes it appear as though a dragon is flying through the sky due to the reflection of blue light on all sides. That’s how it got its name.”

“Yeah, I can see that. I guess this is the perfect place for finishing Kuzuryu’s Notebook, eh?”

“He-he. This spot may one day be part of the legend that is Yaichi Kuzuryu.”

I have to say, though, there are tons of couples on the observation deck.

Amid all the selfie sticks and couples trying to get the perfect picture, a normal guy like me getting his picture taken over and over by an absolute bombshell like Machi really sticks out like a sore thumb.

“W-We, um, …… are getting a lot of attention ……”

“Photographs are essential when making a book. They’ll be used for the cover and about the author page. We are working.”

Machi issues even more directions on what pose I should take and shoots another round of pictures.

That fleeting moment just before we got off the train when she called me Yaichi has already disappeared from my mind.

It might’ve been my imagination all along.

Just some wishful thinking while I took a stroll down memory lane ……

“Of course, there’s the observation deck right next to the station! It really hammers home that this is one of the Three Great Views of Japan! There’s even a souvenir shop and a small amusement park next door.”

“The inn is only a three-minute walk from here,” adds Machi as she looks down at her watch. “Let’s be on our way. It’s time to check in.”

“Whoa! Who would’ve thought a room this nice would be all the way out here in the countryside?”

Machi arranged a historical, traditional style inn right along the shoreline for me.

My cramming session will take place in the corner room on the second floor.

“This view of Amanohashidate is perfect! I could write tons of manuscripts in here!!”

“I see. Then I will proceed with construction.”

“C-Construction?”

Ignoring me, Machi flips open her suitcases.

She starts pulling things out one after another. A computer, electrical cords, tape, the works. None of them would show up on a typical girl’s vacation.

It’s no wonder she was late. Packing up all this stuff must’ve taken forever. No wonder her makeup is so light …… My train of thought runs rampant as Machi transforms the room into a writing studio before my eyes.

“Wooow …… It looks like the title match starts in here at any moment ……!”

“It takes more than a pen and paper to write a book nowadays. The authors of old didn’t have that problem,” Machi explains as she organizes the cords. “Additionally, many of the venues that host title matches have facilities that are just as dated as this inn. All Go and Shogi journalists must be able to do this much in order to do their job.”

In other words, the only reason I can have a cramming session in this rural area is because Machi has visited so many inns during her time working as a journalist …… It really drives home how lucky I am to have her as my editor.

“Okay! Time to get cracking!!”

I pull out my laptop, put it on the table and psych myself up to get to work.

“Ah, before I forget, I’d like to charge my phone. What socket can I use?”

“I will be holding on to your phone. It will only be a distraction.”

“HUH?! B-But ………… c’mon. How else am I supposed to check the latest match records–––?”

“I will find whatever information you need whenever you ask. This is a cramming session, Sensei. All of your means of communication with the outside world must be severed.”

“Yeah, but, um ………… Wh-what if someone tries to get a hold of me, but can’t–––?”

“Who would that be? Your live-in apprentice has left the nest and your girlfriend abandoned you.”

“Ow, ow, owwww.”

My living with Ai Yashajin is a secret, so there’s nothing I can say back.

“Whose fault is it that a cramming session was necessary?”

“M-Mine ……”

“Who was it that came crying to me saying they can’t write without me around?”

“Th- …… That was ………… me ……”

“Think of this as a title match and devote yourself entirely to writing, okay?” (grin)

She takes my wallet as well while she’s at it.

Huh?

No phone or money in an unfamiliar town ……? Am I a hostage?

The severity of the situation is finally starting to dawn on me, but Machi has one more shock in store.

“Next is …… oh, yes. We must have the futons removed from the closet in order to secure space for you to work. I’ll contact the front desk to–––.”

“Hold up! Where am I going to sleep?!”

“Eating and sleeping will be done next door. Doing so in here would only clutter the space.”

Oh yeah. She reserved that room, too.

Of course she did. We may be working, but that’s no reason for a man and a woman to share a room.

But I thought she would be sleeping in there.

“Th-Then ………… where are you going to sleep, Machi ……?”

“I plan on sleeping next door, as well.” She then takes off her glasses and lightly nibbles on the end as she whispers, “by the way …… there’s only one futon.”

“D-Does that mean ……?!”

“Yes, just what you think it means, Sensei ……”

Her airy voice makes my imagination run wild!

An inn in the countryside. An onsen hot spring.

A beautiful but pent-up editor, her childhood friend and writer-to-be.

Two people doing a cramming session in a single room to complete a manuscript.

But… a sudden case of writer’s block….…!

Desperate to stimulate him in any way possible, she peels back her inhibitions to become the ultimate muse–––.

“Sensei …… I won’t be letting you sleep tonight.”

And the two come together that night …… Uniting like the Amanohashidate land bridge itself!!

All this was just a figment of my imagination.

“I will be sleeping while you are awake, and I will be keeping you awake while I’m awake, Sensei.”