Ch. 7: Impact
Kagetora’s sharp gaze was turned on the editor.
Kagetora: “Picture books are for deceiving kids…?”
He spoke as his fists shook in suppressed anger.
Kagetora: “Don’t give me that crap. Kids are the ones we should NEVER be deceiving!”
Editor: “……!”
(Kagetora…)
The editor didn’t say anything as he hung his head in silence.
Kagetora: “OO… sorry you had to see that.”
OO: “No…-.”
(How can I tell him…)
Kagetora: “……”
Kagetora hesitated, then turned and started to walk back into the hall.
OO: “Are you going back Kagetora?”
Kagetora: “Yeah, I’ll talk to them.”
OO: “So you mean…”
Kagetora: “I’ll tell them everything. Then… I’ll apologize.”
OO: “!”
His expression didn’t waver as he pushed his way straight back into the hall.
(Why… Kagetora shouldn’t be suffering like this. I…-.)
I felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness as I chased after him.
Ch. 8: Responsibility
The whisperings of the crowd only served to stoke my anxiety…-.
(Kagetora…)
Margaret… the entire venue knew that it was really Kagetora and it seemed to be in complete chaos.
Kagetora: “…everyone, please, listen up.”
Kagetora stood on the stage and faced everyone with resolve as he spoke.
Kagetora: “I really am sorry… that you feel I’ve tricked you all by hiding my identity.”
As soon as Kagetora said it, the crowd started to raise their voices.
Boy 1: “Kagetora is Margaret…?”
Adult 1: “Seriously? I can’t believe it…”
Adult 2: “Did he do this just for the publicity? Doing that at a literary award is just…”
The venue once again filled with a commotion.
OO: “……”
I rushed over without thinking, but Kagetora just shook his head and I stopped.
OO: “Kagetora…”
He paused for a moment, then without looking away, he focused his attention on the audience.
Kagetora: “It’s true that this was done for the publicity… I wanted to get more people interested in picture books, so I hid my true identity. And on top of that, I revealed myself during this joyous occasion… I can’t apologize enough.”
(What?)
I turned to see the editor standing in the entryway, his expression shocked as well.
Kagetora: “Everything is my fault. I’m… truly sorry.”
To protect his editor, Kagetora took responsibility for everything.
(He can’t…-.)
And that Kagetora was mercilessly burned under the flashes of multiple cameras…-.
…
……
A few days after the incident…-.
(Kagetora… I wonder how he’s doing.)
The whole thing had spread throughout the newspapers as a big scandal and turned into a humorous story…
OO: “Kagetora, I brought you some coffee.”
Kagetora was smoking a cigarette as he watched the clouds drift by.
Kagetora: “Ah… thanks.”
There was no strength in his voice, and it pained my heart.
OO: “Are… you not going to draw anymore?”
Kagetora: “Someone who crushed the dreams of children has no right to draw picture books…”
A white wisp of smoke accompanied his words as he spoke.
After a moment, the smoke disappeared into the sky.
Kagetora: “I’ve quit picture books. That’s how I’m taking responsibility.”
(But…)
Kagetora: “The editor-in-chief at the publishing house is also giving up on picture books, and he’s going to try selling things that are more mainstream.”
As he said it, Kagetora extinguished his cigarette.
OO: “Are you going to write stories that aren’t picture books?”
Kagetora: “Once the heat dies down, I might…”
He picked up the coffee I’d poured for him, then walked off as if looking for somewhere to hide away.
(Kagetora’s picture books…)
I closed my eyes and remembered the gentle, colorful world of Kagetora’s drawings.
————————–
Kagetora: “…when she was in so much pain that she couldn’t sleep, I just copied what I’d seen my mom do and read her books, and it made her so happy… She was thrilled when I showed her the first picture book I wrote… So, after that, I kept goin’. I kept making picture books, which only have happy endings.”
————————–
The smiling faces of the children at the read-aloud and Ibuki’s expression crossed my mind.
(To think that he’ll never make something for them again… Kagetora always wanted to continue making picture books.)
I suddenly looked up at the endless blue sky overhead.
(I…-.)
It felt like the eager blue sky was giving me a push from behind, and I left the castle.
Ch. 9: Small Visitors
The next day…-.
The hallway echoed with the sounds of multiple feet.
Wanting to encourage Kagetora, I’d found the boys we’d met in town when I’d first arrived and brought them to Kagetora’s room.
Kagetora: “You…”
The visit was sudden, but Kagetora still invited them in, though he was a bit surprised.
Boy 1: “Hey, Kagetora, we’ve come to make a complaint.”
The second they entered the room, the boys pressed in around Kagetora.
Kagetora: “…sorry. I didn’t mean to trick you…-.”
Boy 2: “Huh? What’re you talking about?”
Boy 3: “What do you mean you tricked us?”
Kagetora: “Huh…? Didn’t you say you came to complain…-.”
The boys pulled on Kagetora’s hands, cutting him off.
Boy 1: “Because it’s boring! You haven’t come into town. I wanna ride on your shoulders again.”
Kagetora: “……! What are you…”
Boy 2: “You’ve got a scary face, but you’re a good guy.”
Saying as much, the other boys took Kagetora’s hand.
Boy 3: “But your face definitely doesn’t suit Margaret!”
The boys all smiled at each other.
Kagetora: “…you aren’t mad? I totally crushed your dreams.”
Boy 1: “What’s that mean? You said you drew those pictures, so there’s no way you crushed anything.”
Boy 2: “If anything, I think we kinda already knew!”
Kagetora continued to look at the boys, completely dumbfounded.
OO: “…nobody thinks you deceived them. Everyone loves the kind Kagetora… and the Kagetora who draws picture books.”
Kagetora: “……”
Kagetora didn’t say anything, but his eyes appeared to glisten.
Boy 2: “Hey, anyway, why’re you bein’ all quiet?”
Boy 3: “Like we said, we’re here to make a complaint.”
Kagetora: “So that’s what it was…”
Boy 1: “So gimme your autograph!”
Boy 2: “Me too! Me too!”
The boys all pulled out the picture books they’d hidden behind their backs.
All of them were Margaret’s… Kagetora’s picture books.
Kagetora: “You boys…”
A light returned to Kagetora’s eyes, after they’d been so full of darkness.
(I’m so glad…)
Boy 1: “Get ‘im!”
One of the boys wrapped himself around Kagetora’s legs.
Kagetora: “…geez. Alright, I’ll return the favor. I’ll sign all of the precious picture books you want!”
Kagetora took the books from the boys who had jumped him and started signing them with a quick hand.
Then…
Kagetora: “…thanks kids. And… thanks OO.”
A bright smile spread across Kagetora’s face, even though he seemed for a moment to be on the verge of tears.
Ch. 10: Unchanging Wish
One evening, after some time had passed since the children had visited…
Ibuki: “OO!”
Ibuki came up to me as I sat in the courtyard and read one of Kagetora’s books.
Ibuki: “Big Brother said to come to his room.”
OO: “Thanks, I’ll head there now.”
Ibuki grinned and started pushing me from behind.
Ibuki: “Hurry up!”
I had waited at the castle until he’d written a new book…
After Kagetora had asked that of me, I stayed the entire time in Wilhelm.
(I wonder if he’s finished.)
I was filled with anticipation as I hurried for Kagetora’s room…-.
…
……
Kagetora: “…you’re here.”
Kagetora stood by the open window, the setting sun shining in as he smoked a cigarette.
OO: “Did you… finish?”
After he’d set his cigarette down in an ash tray…
He thrust a picture book towards me.
Kagetora: “This is for you. It might be kinda boring but…”
The cover of the book said ‘The Shadow’s Adventures’ and it had the image of a colorful shadow stretching out from a rabbit.
Kagetora: “This one hasn’t been released to the public yet. You’re the first reader.”
As my heart was pounding, I turned the page.
The story was about a shadow that leapt from the rabbit and went on a journey to find a color of its very own.
(It’s so interesting…)
The purely black shadow was able to acquire a myriad of colors thanks to the magic of a color fairy.
However, during its journey, it noticed that no matter what color it wanted to change to, it’s own color remained black…-.
Kagetora: “I was hoping that kids might be able to gain some courage from reading this book…”
The deep red light cast Kagetora’s shadow onto the bed.
(To be yourself, just as you are…)
OO: “I think this is very like you Kagetora.”
Kagetora: “…you don’t have to hold back. I want you to tell me the truth.”
OO: “Then… I will.”
I saw myself reflected in Kagetora’s eyes, which filled with unease.
OO: “Your work isn’t about deceiving children, it really is all FOR the children.”
Kagetora: “……!”
OO: “This story… it says it’s ok to just be yourself. That’s what I feel like it’s trying to convey. That no matter what, try your best and just be you… writing something that helps children think that way makes it a wonderful story in my opinion.”
Kagetora: “OO…”
My heart was overflowing with feelings I wanted to tell him.
OO: “That you can write such tender stories… I love you for that.”
(This is wonderful… I was able to tell Kagetora my true feelings.)
The second I took a calming breath…
His large shadow wrapped around me.
Before I’d realized it, Kagetora pulled me into an embrace.
Kagetora: “…thanks.”
That whispered word tickled my ear.
Kagetora: “…from now on, I’ll continue writing stories for the kids. No matter what anyone else says.”
The faint traces of cigarette smoke drifted around me, and I felt my heart fill to bursting…
Kagetora: “I’ll write stories that can give courage, hope… and other feelings that sparkle like that. Then, when the kids who read them are all grown up… I think they can make a kind world where other kids can keep smiling.”
OO: “If anyone can do it… it’s you, Kagetora.”
As I spoke, Kagetora let out a huff of laughter.
Kagetora: “When I was drawing this, I thought it really might be better to quit. I kept going back and forth on it, but… As a prince in the Land of Literature, I want to write picture books that can bring happiness to all the children of the world. That was the answer I came to.”
OO: “Kagetora…”
Kagetora: “So… stay by me.”
There was such kindness in those whispered words as he held me tighter.
Kagetora: “When the kids smile, that gives me courage… and so does your warmth. I… love you too.”
I looked up at him while he was being bashful, and my heart overflowed with love.
I tightly wrapped my arms around his back…
OO: “…I will.”
Wrapped in the warmth of his large body, I closed my eyes.
Our two shadows became one as dusk quietly fell around us.
END