Chapter 3
Hanako walked through the bustling hallways of her school, heading toward her classroom now that classes had resumed. As she stepped inside, she was immediately surrounded by her excited and enthusiastic classmates, crowding around her near the doorway.
"Oh my gosh, Hanako! I saw it! You're the author called Rose, right? The book sold out in an instant!" one of them exclaimed, barely able to contain their excitement.
"I know, right? I couldn't believe my eyes! I waited until 3 PM to check the bookstore, and it was already too late—I couldn't get a copy," another chimed in, sounding disappointed.
"Well, I dropped by early and was lucky enough to grab one," a classmate said, practically beaming with pride. "But even then, there was already a line outside the bookstore," he added, shaking his head in amazement.
"Of course, there was," a girl pointed out knowingly. "It was announced on her account that her very first novel would hit stores at that time. Her readers must've seen the post and immediately lined up to get a copy."
Throughout the commotion, Hanako could only manage a smile and a few grateful nods, murmuring her thanks to the flood of praises. She silently thanked the heavens when the teacher finally arrived to start their lecture, providing her with a much-needed escape from the overwhelming attention.
Although Hanako was elated by her book's warm reception, she remained grounded, determined not to let the early success go to her head. Staying humble, she reminded herself, was key. Fortunately, by lunchtime, her classmates were fully engrossed in their meals and had moved on from the topic, giving her some peace.
---
Weeks later, autumn had long passed, giving way to the biting chill of winter. The freezing wind swept through the air, marking the arrival of the holiday season. Hanako, brimming with excitement, was packing her belongings for the Christmas break. She would finally return home to her mother to celebrate Christmas and welcome the new year together.
Her gaze lingered on a painting she had bought from a street artist some time ago. A warm smile spread across her face as she thought of her mother's loving and gentle expression. "I can't wait to see her reaction when she sees this painting," she murmured to herself. She knew just how much her mother adored flowers and felt confident that her gift would be cherished.
Just as Hanako was zipping up her bag, her phone buzzed, interrupting her train of thought. Glancing at the screen, she saw Chieko's name flashing as the caller ID. She promptly answered, her tone bright and affectionate. "Hello, Chieko-nee?"
"Hey, sweetheart," came Chieko's cheerful greeting. "Just checking in! What are your plans for Christmas break? If you're free, how about spending it with me?" she asked, her voice light and inviting.
"I'm sorry, Chieko-nee... I'll be heading home for the break to spend time with my mom," Hanako replied apologetically. A soft chuckle echoed from the other end of the line.
"No worries, darling. It's more important to be with family, after all," Chieko said warmly. "But, actually, I had another reason for calling. What are your thoughts on writing another book? No pressure—I'm not rushing you! I just want to know if you're still planning to keep writing. Send me your storyline whenever you have one."
Hanako hummed in agreement, adjusting her luggage near the door of her apartment. "I'm actually planning to focus on school for now. Graduation is just around the corner, so it's my priority."
"Of course, I understand," Chieko said, nodding instinctively despite knowing Hanako couldn't see her. "By the way, have you checked your account? I've already deposited your share of the sales profits from your book. That's your hard-earned money—treat yourself to something nice and maybe pick up a gift for your mom, too!" Her playful tone drew a laugh from Hanako.
"Thank you for the advice, Nee-san. I'll definitely do that," Hanako said, her voice tinged with gratitude.
"Alright, that's all from me," Chieko said with a chuckle. "I'm sure you're busy with packing or shopping. Take care on the road, Hanako."
"I will. Thank you! Happy holidays in advance. Bye, Nee-san." With that, they ended the call.
Setting the phone aside, Hanako opened her e-wallet to check her balance. The amount wasn't extravagant from insignificant. A smile of pride crossed her face. She could now ease some of her mother's burdens by contributing to their financial needs—a thought that filled her with quiet satisfaction.
---
Before leaving her apartment, Hanako took a final walk-through to ensure everything was in order. She methodically checked for any forgotten tasks—unplugging devices, switching off the stove, and locking windows. Satisfied that everything was secure, she locked the door behind her and stepped outside.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Hanako felt the weight of her responsibilities lift, if only slightly, as she flagged down a cab to take her to the train station. She was heading back home to see her mother, a journey she hadn't made in a while.
Once on the train, with her luggage stowed and her seat claimed, Hanako finally allowed herself to relax. She opened her laptop, its screen glowing faintly in the dim carriage. It had been weeks since she last checked her writer account, too anxious to face her readers' reactions after the release of her debut book.
The notifications were overwhelming—hundreds of comments, private messages, and interactions awaited her. Intrigued and a little nervous, she began to read the comments on the picture of her book cover. Her heart raced as she scanned through them:
> **@iamnotageek:** I hate you, Rose!! Why'd you have to hurt me like this?
> **@lovereads:** Upstairs, I feel you! This story gave me so much pain... I actually used three—maybe more—boxes of tissues.
> **+1**
> **+1**
> **@roseisagoddess:** It's really good, but it's really painful...
> **@tearsareforever:** Too much drama!!! But I can't stop reading it. I advise all future readers to prepare lots of tissues before reading.
The comments went on, a mix of heartfelt praise, emotional outbursts, and the occasional critique. While a few negative remarks lingered in the threads, they were overwhelmingly outnumbered by glowing reviews. Hanako exhaled deeply, her initial worries about disappointing her readers beginning to fade.
For the remainder of the train ride, she immersed herself in the messages, replying to as many as she could. She thanked her readers for their support, their kind words, and their dedication to her story. It felt like reconnecting with old friends, a rhythm she had missed since the whirlwind of her book release.
Before she knew it, the train slowed to a halt, and her destination was announced over the intercom. Hanako closed her laptop, the faint hum of ideas still swirling in her mind. She took a deep breath and stood, ready to step into the next chapter of her journey—a chapter she imagined would begin with her mother's welcoming smile. Or so she thought.
The familiar sight of her mother's coffee shop came into view, the sign above the door reading 'Sukuinote' in soft, elegant script. Hanako's lips curved into a smile as she paused for a moment, taking in the comforting warmth that the shop had always represented. Gathering her excitement, she pushed the door open and called out in a bright, ringing voice, "I'm home!"
The echo of her words hung in the air for a brief, unsettling moment. Instead of being met with her mother's beaming face and outstretched arms, Hanako froze in surprise as she saw her mother crumble before her eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks—not the joyful kind Hanako had expected, but tears heavy with worry, sadness, and something else she couldn't quite name. Regret? Pity? Apology? It was all there, entwined in her mother's trembling form.
"Mom?" Hanako managed to whisper, confusion prickling at her chest. Before she could say more, her mother closed the distance between them and pulled her into an embrace so tight it felt like she was trying to shield her from an unseen storm.
Between sobs, her mother's voice cracked, "It's all fine now, Hanako… I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again…"
*Notes:
+ Sukuinote - means helping hands