Welcome back, Kazuhito-kun.
Hami? What are you doing here?
Hami... Osawa Hami?! Is it you, then?
You're Huzimaki Hotaru? You're behind all of this?!
D
Do
Dog
Dog &
Dog & Scissors
Chapter Ten
Time Flies Like a Dog
Library
Closed
Is someone there?
What's that?
The Forest of Kozu
Is this a novel manuscript?
Oh, no. I accidentally read the whole thing.
I just meant to check to see who had written it.
My manuscript.
Huh?
My manuscript...
Without that, I... I...
Hey.
Your manuscript's right here.
Hey, wait.
What?
Huh? Osawa?
Did you write that?
Yes.
Please, write the rest.
Write the rest of it, so I can read it.
What?
I finished reading it.
Hey, where'd she go? Hello.
Come on out.
If you don't come out, I'll read this manuscript out loud.
D-Don't do that.
If you read my manuscript out loud, I won't be able to go on living.
Surely you're exaggerating.
I don't want to hear anything, so I'll cover my ears.
I don't want to see anything, so I'll close my eyes.
But I'd hate to accidentally hear something,
so just to be sure, I'll kill myself.
Good bye.
I'm kidding!
I'm just kidding! Anyway, I finished reading it.
Calm down.
I am calm. I'm calm, I'm quiet.
If anything, my heart's verging on stopping.
Don't calm down that much!
Oh, sorry.
The sound of my heart pounding must have been loud.
I'll stop it, I'll stop it right now.
Enough about your heart. Look this way.
It's all right. I can hear you like this.
Yeah, but it's hard for me to hear you.
Maybe you can't hear me because I'm breathing too loudly.
You really are negative, aren't you?
In any case, let me share my thoughts on your novel.
Just how much of a fan of Akiyama Shinobu are you?
What?
I thought the same thing the first time I read your work,
but you've been far too influenced by Akiyama Shinobu.
This is just an inferior copy of Akiyama Shinobu.
I'm going to kill myself.
Wait, wait, wait!
It was really interesting, though.
What?
The influence from Akiyama Shinobu is clear,
but I could tell this is what you wanted to write.
Good.
You haven't properly finished that novel, have you?
What makes you say that?
There's no way someone who looks up to Akiyama Shinobu
would be satisfied with this.
Have you thought of what happens next?
Yes.
Then write it.
I intend to.
Really? I look forward to it.
By the way, have you thought about
submitting that manuscript to some new writer contest?
New writer contest?
Yeah. It'd be the first step in becoming a professional author.
No, no, no! There's no way! It's impossible!
I couldn't impose on someone like that.
Impose? On who?
On the judges.
Reading my manuscript would be a waste of their time,
and time is money, you know.
I'm not so sure about that.
I'd be imposing on the people at the post office, too.
Delivering my manuscript would be a waste of gasoline.
We should be prudent in our use of limited resources of paper and ink, too.
I'd be imposing on the planet.
Just how ecological are you?
I could never be an author.
You should be more confident in yourself.
There are people waiting to read your books.
Who? Who is?
Me. It's me.
"It's me" fraud?
No. It's me, Harumi Kazuhito. I want to read your book.
Really?
Of course. I hope you'll finish it soon.
Okay. I... I'll become an author.
You're feeling motivated?
Yes, so if I become an author,
I want you to be the first one to read my book.
I want you to be my first reader.
Sure.
It's a promise.
The pen name Huzimaki Hotaru is an anagram of your name.
I see.
That must have been what bothered me when I read that book.
It was because you had written it.
Wait, how did you know I was Harumi Kazuhito?
Can you hear me, too?
Sorry. I'm sure you're saying something,
but I don't understand you.
Oh, right. Of course.
But I can tell by looking at your face.
You're disappointed right now, aren't you?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for getting your hopes up.
I'm so pathetic, I might even wet myself.
You, too?!
Kazuhito-kun, you must be disgusted with me.
I shouldn't have said I would wet myself.
Correct!
You've got that right!
You're as difficult to deal with as you ever were.
Anyway, how did you know it was me?
Huh? Oh, you're asking me how I found you out.
Sakura told me.
She said there was a dog who would come to buy books every day.
That's how I knew.
I didn't actually believe it until just now,
but Kazuhito-kun and I were the only ones who
knew where that manuscript was hidden.
I had no idea you had become Akiyama-sensei's dog.
You're so mean, Kazuhito-kun. You went and died.
You said you would read my book.
Sorry.
I kept my promise. I became an author.
I didn't become an author with this manuscript like we promised, though.
Don't worry about it. You've done plenty well for yourself.
I did everything I could to become an author.
I had my father teach me
how to write and other skills to become an author.
I see.
I had my father use his influence, too.
Wait, you mean...
You did that to keep our promise.
But...
Since you died, I haven't been able to write the rest of this manuscript.
I wonder why.
Even though you're back, I still can't write.
It's probably because I'm not a real author.
I used a dirty trick to coerce my way into becoming an author.
I'm a fake.
Hami.
But if I'm a fake, I need only become a real author.
What are you saying?
To become a real author, I need to defeat the real author
inside me and surpass her.
That's why you attacked Natsuno.
I called Akiyama-sensei.
I called the person we loved to our special place.
This isn't right, Hami!
Let's make our promise come true.
Akiyama Shinobu!
I have your precious dog.
If you want him back, come to the roof.
You found the true culprit,
and she turned out to be someone you knew a long time ago...
So you switched to her side.
I didn't switch sides.
Oh, I understand. In other words, you want to die.
I didn't say anything about dying!
Making excuses for yourself is a crime.
Hami, help!
I won't let you hurt Kazuhito-kun.
You've got some guts.
Wait, you're...
I see, so you're Huzimaki Hotaru.
Kazuhito-kun and Hami, huh?
Call me by my given name!
I really don't understand what you're talking about.
I thought you would be more difficult to get a hold of, Akiyama-sensei.
Your slender body is physically difficult to hold, as well.
Huh? What did you just...
Akiyama-sensei, unlike your
large books, your breasts are rather small.
An author should not turn to violence so quickly.
It's not something a person should do.
You're right...
But you're not hiding it well enough.
You shouldn't read from a script.
We're authors.
Like true authors, let's settle this matter with this.
So that's how you want to fight?
Yes.
Very well. Let's settle this like authors.
With a writing contest.
A writing contest:
a contest to resolve disagreements between authors.
The core rules include avoiding violence
and demonstrating their skills as an author.
This ancient contest dates back to the Heian Period...
A writing contest? What IS that?
The first author to write a short story on 100 manuscript pages wins.
This will be a three pen charges, free entry, no option writing contest.
Very well.
Come at me with everything you have.
I'll take whatever interference or underhanded tricks you have for me.
I'll achieve a perfect victory on top of that.
Thank you.
Will you signal the start for us?
Come on, bark, you measly dog.
Okay, okay.
Ready...
Bark!
What?
Th-They're writing too fast!
I always watch Natsuno work, but she's writing even faster than usual!
Hami's fast, too,
but does she stand a chance against Natsuno?
Akiyama Shinobu
Huzimaki Hotaru
I'm not surprised by your performance, Akiyama-sensei.
However...
What?
Osawa Style Writing Technique, Double Driver!
Double Driver
Osawa Style Writing Technique
Sh-She's writing with both hands?!
Akiyama Shinobu
Huzimaki Hotaru
What?
I still can't use that ability for very long.
Then don't use it!
But I must not lose!
Hami's furious attack continued.
Keeping a steady rhythm with the point of her pen,
she lulls her opponent to sleep...
Osawa Style Writing Technique, Wake Up Canceler!
Osawa Style Writing Technique
Wake Up Canceler
Akiyama Shinobu
Huzimaki Hotaru
She continued to use other Osawa Style Writing Techniques, including...
Invisible Paint.
Osawa Style Writing Technique
Invisible Paint
Osawa Style Writing Technique
Noble Palette
Noble Palette.
Mark Whisper.
Osawa Style Writing Technique
Mark Whisper
Osawa Style Writing Technique Writing techniques developed by a young Osawa Shuzan while living in the mountains. Effects include interfering with a reader's consciousness and controlling their actions...
Just what the hell are these Osawa Style Writing Techniques?
Akiyama Shinobu
Huzimaki Hotaru
I can't believe she resisted the effects of
all the Osawa Style Writing Techniques.
Oh, is that all?
Yes, it is.
I see.
Will you tell me how you did it before I die?
Tell you what?
Did you read my novel, Celestial Romance?
Yes, I read it.
Will you tell me what you thought of it?
It wasn't bad.
I see. You read it.
What, are you saying you're satisfied?
Yes, I'm satisfied. It's over...
You are.
N-Natsuno?! What's wrong?!
There were several keywords scattered throughout my book.
Black Girl
They appear numerous times throughout the text and
Enemy
You Must Defeat Your Enemy
leave a message in the subconscious of the reader.
Red-Eyed
Scissors
"Your enemy is a red-eyed, black girl with scissors. Kill her."
You made a suggestion to your readers.
That's why I jumped on Natsuno,
and that's why those thugs attacked her.
of course, not everyone who reads my book will act exactly as I desire.
It didn't work on Sakura or my father.
Black Girl
Enemy
You Must Defeat Your Enemy
It was a gamble for me.
Scissors
Red-Eyed
Scissors
You Must Defeat Your Enemy
This is the finishing move of the
Osawa Style Writing Technique, Brionac.
Osawa Style Writing Technique
Brionac
Natsuno!
Just you wait, Kazuhito-kun.
Once this is over, I'll write the rest of that manuscript.
I'll keep our promise.
Hami!
Don't underestimate me...
Don't underestimate an author!
Three more pages.
Two more pages.
One more page.
Akiyama Shinobu
Huzimaki Hotaru
We have a winner!
The winner is Akiyama Shinobu!
Winner - Akiyama Shinobu
I'm going to kill myself.
Hey!
What are you doing?
Kazuhito-kun, I'm sorry. I couldn't win.
I'm not good enough.
An impostor like me isn't good enough.
I'm sorry.
I can't tell what you're trying to say
when you look like you're about to cry.
The dog's telling you to write.
He didn't use his influence to win you the new author award.
That's what your father Osawa Shuzan said.
What?
You became an author with your own strength.
Your novel is the real thing.
I can attest to it.
Nonetheless, I tried to use underhanded tricks.
I am no true author.
There is no such thing as a fake or real author.
We simply write because we want to write. That's all.
Anyone can become an author if they write.
If there's anything an author needs, it's the desire to write...
and the existence of readers.
Readers?
Authors write because there are readers who want
to read their books.
But...
If you still can't make up your mind,
why don't you try asking that dog?
Kazuhito-kun?
Isn't he your reader?
Would it be all right if I wrote?
I really do want to write.
I want to write
because I like to write.
Will...
you read my book someday?
Thank you.
Hami.
It's all right.
I'm just a little tired.
Are you sure? Are you really okay?
Aren't you going to worry about me, you mongrel?
I'm a delicate maiden, you know.
What? A delicate maiden? Who, you?
Stupid
I heard you have a manuscript you're working on.
Let me read it once you're finished.
This doesn't make sense. Natsuno's being nice.
Is it going to rain tomorrow?
But I caused you so much trouble.
If you're worried about the stalking, don't.
I'll punish the dog in your place.
Correction, it's going to rain blood! Right now, in fact!
So write.
That dog and I will read what you write.
Thank you, Akiyama-sensei.
It's nothing to cry about.
Besides, I don't like other writers calling me "Sensei."
Call me "Senpai" from now on.
Senpai?
If you'd prefer, you can call me
the Great Author Ultimate Akiyama Shinobu.
That's not "Senpai" anymore!
Let's go, Kohai.
Yes, Senpai.
Ah, the beautiful love between a master and pupil.
Anyway, it's time for me to read.
Akiyama Shinobu's new volume.
It's pretty good, but...
Huh? What?
My right front foot!
My right front foot is moving on its own!
It worked, Kohai.
I tried using the Osawa Style Writing Technique Brionac in my newest volume.
That's amazing, Senpai.
Are you sure it was a good idea, though?
Oh, sure.
If I don't do something like this, he'll never make a move.
Make a move?
Hey, my front left foot's moving, too!
Wh-What's going on?!
Come on!
My books! They're getting father and farther away!
Come on... come on...
Please, don't pull me away from my books!
I... I want to be with my books!
Come on!
My books!
Episode Preview
Kazuhito-kun, why did you become a dog?
If you had become a ghost, you could have read all the books you wanted.
I could've gone that route!
But if you were a ghost, maybe you wouldn't be able to turn the pages.
I couldn't have gone that route!
Oh, sorry!
A Dog by Chance is Preordained
I'm saying weird things!
Chapter Eleven
I'll become a ghost to make up for it.
Don't die!