Chapter 8

As Hanako prepared for her college entrance exam, she juggled her time with studying and writing her second novel. After her first novel, 'The Lost Bud', they released three more books, but they were all short stories. They did it just so Hanako's penname wouldn't die down and be forgotten by people.

"...Aaaannnddd, the end! Second novel, done and dusted!" Hanako leaned back on her computer chair putting both her arms up in the air, as she stretched her strained body by sitting for too long. "Now, for the title..." She put a finger on her chin as her arms were over her chest making her swivel chair turn from left to right.

"Hmm... Oh! Right! This should do!" She exclaimed after she thought of an appropriate title. She gets back to her computer desk dragging the chair with her still sitting on it. "I should send this manuscript to Chieko-nee for editing and proofreading, so we could publish it as soon as possible." She then send it to Chieko as she said, before she got up and move on to her other chores.

The editing took one whole week along with proofreading and printing. Chieko was stunned for a brief moment and took a deep breath after reading the finalized book. She just finished editing all the errors she could've found on the manuscript and of course she had read the story along the way. This one's also filled with tearjerker scenes that it made Chieko think that Hanako was a master of the drama genre.

"I can't believe this is written by an eighteen year old girl, just how did she come up on these situations? I'm sure this will be another bestseller. Dad really have a good eye for authors huh?" She took another look at the edited manuscript before informing Hanako that the printing would proceed as planned.

It only took two days for the printing to be done, since, just like her first novel the copies were only printed for a limited amount of copies. And just like that the copies were distributed to all their affiliated bookstores.

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At a certain bookstore, a line of buyers would be seen. There weren't that many of them but it's still a little eye-catching, as all of those that lined up on the cashier was carrying the same book. If you look closely the book only have a simple cover— It's a plain royal blue cover and the only design was a picture of a little blooming flower inside a small shelter that's made of transparent glass. On top of the shelter were the words, 'The Shelter', and at the bottom was an italized word 'Rose' in golden font, probably the author's penname.

"Is that a famous author?" A young college student said as he passed by the bookstore. Before he walked past the bookstore he saw the poster of the book that those lined up people were buying and he couldn't help but be curious. The book looked plain and ordinary, nothing special, and yet people were lining up for it? He read the poster. "Second novel of the new rising author 'Rose' on sale for limited copies only! Buy now and you'll get a free box of tissues." He read as he observed the picture of the book on the cover once again.

"Why tissues though?" His eyebrows scrunched as he looked inside the store confused.

Someone came out from the store, it's one of those people who bought the book on the poster. The girl looked at him then at the poster, before she smiled at him. "If you want to get a copy you should grab one now, it'll be out before you know it." She advised him to, probably thinking that he's also here to buy the same book.

"Uhm... I'm actually not here to buy. But I got curious about the line of people," he scratched his face with his index finger awkwardly.

"Oh, so you're not a fan! I'm sorry!" The girl then bowed to him as an apology, and he waves his hands at her to stop her.

"No, it's alright! You don't have to apologize, but... Can I ask why the freebie, was a box of tissues?" He finally asked about the thing that confused him the most about the poster.

"Ah, that! *Chuckles* Rose's first novel was actually filled with lots of tear-jerking scenes, and the publishing house that's partnered with her gave an advice that readers should prepare tissues, because this second novel was the same." The girl answered and he finally gets it. He thanked the girl and went inside. He decided to buy a copy himself just to satisfy his curiosity.

"Let's see, what's with the hype," and he took one copy of the book before lining up.

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**Two weeks later**

At a quaint and quiet coffee shop, Hanako was sitting at one of the tables beside the glass wall, sipping her coffee as she watched the people and cars passing by the busy street. She just finished taking her college entrance exam and she's now waiting for Chieko, because she wanted to meet up about Hanako's books.

Hanako didn't have to wait too long as Chieko came in stealing glances from the other customers at the shop, as she strode with her button up shirt that's tucked in her high waisted trousers that reveals her shape.

"Sorry, if I made you wait Hana-chan!" Chieko apologizes as she took the seat in front of Hanako.

"Oh, no, Chieko-nee. I just got here myself," Hanako pressed the button on the table to call for a waiter so Chieko could order a drink.

The waiter came over and Chieko told him her order before she replied to Hanako. "I'm glad if that's the case."

She looked at Hanako's face then gave her a wide grin. "Your book was a huge success, again."

"Yes, I actually keep tabs on it this time around. I didn't expect that we'll have another sold out. The copies we made this time was more than the first one right?" Hanako replied holding her cup with both hands.

"Why not? It was a good story. But I noticed something, these two novels..." Chieko paused as she observed Hanako's expression. "Were they connected? You didn't indicate it and the novels were completed even if you just read one, but if you pieced together, it's quite noticable that they're connected. Probably a continuation?"

Hanako's grip on her cup tighten making her nails white but she immediately calmed down, "...yes," she took a sip of her coffee. "It's some sort of a series? Or something like that," she said unsure.

"Well, it's good on its own but it somehow felt amazing if you could smoothly continue to complete this series right?" Chieko took a bite on the cheesecake she ordered.

"Well, we can talk about that on a later date. I actually wanted to meet with you, because we're thinking of making some kind of service for your readers," Chieko went straight to the main agenda of their meeting.

"What kind of service Chieko-nee?" Hanako curiously looked at Chieko.

"Your fans suggested that we should hold a book signing event. You don't have to show your face if you don't want to get your real identity exposed," Chieko swirled her tea on the teacup before looking at Hanako.

"Even if I want to hide my real identity, everyone who follows my writer account, probably knows me already." Hanako sighed as she remembered that one of her classmates posted her picture and put her name on the post once, tagging her writer account and real personal account.

"Oh, right, I forgot about that!" Chieko laughs, "So? Will you do it?" She asked.

Hanako contemplates a little, staring at her unfinished coffee as if the answer would come out from that cup before she leaned back on her chair, "Yeah, sure. I think that's a great idea." She said her voice was enthusiastic but her expression was saying that she really didn't want to do it but she doesn't have a choice.

Chieko laughs as she finished her cheesecake before getting up. "Then, that settles it. I'll make a schedule for the book signing. I'll contact you later for the specifics. Take care Hana-chan!" She then leaves the shop with a happy bounce on her heels.

Hanako heaved a helpless smile as she shakes her head by how childish Chieko acts whenever she's excited. She then settled their bills before going out of the shop.

"Then I guess I should prepare myself for the upcoming event."