POV (Point of View)

Chapter 58: The Flickering

Nothing stays permanent. Everything has a beginning and an ending.

Food stalls, merchandise stores, souvenir shops, and bookstores are found all around the huge activity center of Museum of Contemporary Art. What made this place more appealing right now is the displayed books and manga all around that could make any bibliophiles in love. And just as expected, books lovers, otakus, and cosplayers alike are gathering in the vast area all for one thing—to meet their favorite authors sponsored by Raito Calligraphy Publishing Company.

Gathered this Saturday morning are sixteen writers or mangakas who have been carefully chosen by Raito. Varying from fiction, suspense, supernatural, mystery, horror, and even romance-comedy, the company decided to entice the public with the opportunity to meet with the authors behind every fan favorite books and novels; to seek answers directly from the writers, to have a picture, or to simply meet the person who imagined and created otherworldly stories. 

Ranging from a million readers to ten, famous writers are here to meet and greet their fans and readers. Something Sarina will experience only today, a writer who managed to accumulate more than three million reads in all platforms with her first work, 'Insurgent' with a total of ten chapters for the first volume. 

Each author was given their own booth where they are free to entertain people given that they are orderly and well-mannered. It is, however, quite a challenge for her to be recognized by some of her readers because this is her first time attending. Compared to other authors who already have physical copies of their books and who are now starting to sign books and talk to their fans; Sarina is here, hiding at the main entrance, wondering if it's all right to walk inside or to go home.

"What are you doing here hiding like a cat?" She almost jumped upon hearing a familiar voice. When she turned around, she sees the smiling brunette workmate of hers, Nanase, with her is her boyfriend.

"Nana-chan, you came." The writer even held both hands of the newly arrived friend of hers.

"Of course, I would. I want to take a photo with Sasa Green." Nanase says with a grin. "But what are you doing here? Why aren't you going to your booth?" Sarina fidgeted on her eyeglasses for a bit.

"I-I'm scared. What if nobody came for me here? Or they find me weird?" The brunette being a meanie with a soft heart that she is, clicked her tongue and crossed her arms.

"Stupid. You're already weird to begin with. Will you stop overthinking things? I'm sure some waited enough to see you." Nanase even held her hand, ready to drag her away. But she just had to have a firm pair of legs.

"I-I'm scared, Nana-chan."

"Oh for the love Christ! Will you grow some courage and go already, Sarina Samidori?" Because Nanase said that quite out loud while still trying to pull the black-haired, plenty of people turned their way.

"Sasa Green-sensei!" With that, a part of the crowd turned quiet, discreetly looking for the source of the voice. "I have been looking for you." Now walking towards the main door where the hesitant writer is, is Sumire Arima, her editor, with an inexplainable expression.

"What took you so long? Come with me. People are waiting for you." Before the green writer could even respond, her hand is already pulled by her editor and they walked towards her own booth.

Help me out, Pops!

And how Sarina regretted that she came to this place. Her pair of green eyes kept looking back at the people who are now in front of her booth. She didn't even notice it earlier but looking at her exclusive booth, there are posters of her characters around. On her table, there are custom-made souvenirs such as calendars, keychain, ballpen, notebooks, and even shirts; and it all contains anything that is connected to her book. How fancy everything looked. How she wishes she dressed up better.