Ghostwriterr

At 18 years old, Hikaru Sano is a published novelist on the brink of a breakdown. Struggling with deadlines, a writer’s block that feels more like a writer’s mountain, and a growing pile of unpaid bills, Hikaru’s life is spiraling out of control. That is, until he’s forced to hire an assistant—Miyuki Hoshino, a no-nonsense college freshman who dreams of something more than just being another cog in the system.

Miyuki is organized, sarcastic, and the complete opposite of Hikaru. She walks in ready to help him get his life together—if only he’d get his act together long enough for that to happen. Between surviving last-minute rewrites, chaotic deadlines, and an editor who could break a man just by typing in all caps, they find themselves stuck in an unlikely partnership.

As the two spend late nights working together, an undeniable connection begins to form. But there’s a problem: both Hikaru and Miyuki are too shy, too awkward, and way too stubborn to admit their growing feelings. Add in some dark humor, a touch of romance, and a lot of writer’s angst, and you get a comedic ride through the unpredictable world of book deadlines, creativity, and finding love where you least expect it—between the lines.

Between these Lines

Sitting at a table that's way too small for two people, sipping drinks that definitely don't make me feel any less awkward, with zero escape routes.

Miyuki, on the other hand, is completely at ease. She's laughing at something I said about a ridiculous plot idea I had for my novel, which, by the way, was a disaster, but she's pretending it's funny.

Meanwhile, I'm over here, having a full-on identity crisis.

"Are we having fun yet?" I ask, trying to break the uncomfortable silence.

Miyuki smiles, clearly enjoying herself. "I'm honestly just here for the matcha latte."

She doesn't know it yet, but I would literally sell my soul for a smooth exit from this situation.

(Narrator switch: Sakura Minami – Watching from afar)

I can't help but grin as I watch Hikaru struggle. It's almost like he's forgotten the basic rules of human interaction. Step one: Don't freeze like a deer in headlights when someone speaks to you. Step two: At least pretend you have a shred of confidence.

"Watch this," I whisper, as I lean closer to the window for a better view. "Miyuki just said she's here for the matcha latte. This is either going to be the perfect opening, or the worst missed opportunity of his life."

I take another sip of my latte. "Come on, Hikaru. Don't mess this up. You've got two options: Make a move or make a fool of yourself."

Miyuki's smile is too genuine. It's like she doesn't know how much my entire soul is collapsing under the pressure of this... this... moment.

"You know," she says, breaking the silence, "this place is kind of romantic, don't you think?"

I choke on my drink. "Romantic?" I sputter. "It's just a café!"

She raises an eyebrow. "You say that, but you're sweating like you've been locked in a sauna with no exit."

"Shut up," I mutter, trying to act like I didn't just have a mini panic attack.

"This is the part where you need to let the tension breathe," I whisper dramatically, as I stare at my phone. "Is he going to confess? Will he make a move? Or will he spiral into more tragic, self-inflicted suffering?"

I lean forward, clutching my phone like it's a treasure map. "C'mon, Hikaru, if you screw this up, I'll never let you live it down."

The Unspoken Truths