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

Not the fire-and-brimstone kind—no, this is so much worse.

This is the kind of hell where your childhood best friend is openly spying on you, smirking like she's orchestrating a grand scheme, while your assistant-slash-definitely-not-a-date companion is starting to look suspicious.

Miyuki sips her matcha latte, staring at me. "You look like you just realized your life is a poorly written sitcom."

She leans forward, eyes narrowing slightly. "Hikaru…"

(Narrator switch: Miyuki Hoshino – Putting the pieces together)

Hikaru's been acting weird this whole time, but right now? He looks like a cornered animal.

Sitting outside. Grinning. Holding up her phone like she just sent a very important text.

Hikaru's entire body tenses. He subtly glances at his phone, then back at her.

"Wait a minute…" I say slowly. "You knew she was watching us?"

"*Hikaru.**" I repeat, in the exact tone someone uses when they just found out their best friend is a serial killer.

I hold up a hand. "No. No excuses. Let me just confirm something."

I turn back to Hikaru. "*So. This wasn't just a 'friendly outing.' This was an *ambush.**"

(Narrator switch: Sakura Minami – The Wing Girl Wins Again™)

"AHA!" I whisper-yell into my straw. "The realization moment! The dramatic tension! This is peak rom-com storytelling!"

I watch as Miyuki slowly leans back in her chair, processing the betrayal.

I watch as Hikaru looks like he's reconsidering all his life choices.

(Narrator switch: Hikaru Sano – Defeated.)

"Of course I'm laughing," she says between giggles. "This is ridiculous! I mean, I knew Sakura was up to something, but this? This is a full-on, scripted rom-com setup."

She wipes a tear from her eye, shaking her head. "God. You two are unbelievable."

I slump back in my chair. "So… you're not mad?"

She smirks. "Oh, I'm furious. But not for the reason you think."

She leans in slightly, lowering her voice just enough to make my heart skip a beat.

"Because if this was a setup…" She takes a slow sip of her latte. "I didn't actually mind it."

I freeze, eyes wide. "Hold on. Are you saying—?"

She stands up. "Let's go, loverboy. We've got work to do."

And just like that, she walks out.

I sit there, stunned, staring at the empty space she left behind.

(Narrator switch: Sakura Minami – Victory is Sweet)

I watch Hikaru sit there, completely stunned.

"And that, dear audience," I say, slinging my bag over my shoulder, "is how you push two oblivious idiots in the right direction."

I take one last sip of my latte, then stroll off, leaving Hikaru to his existential crisis.

The Checkmate