Godai 

My name is Godai.
I’m just your average college student, and right now I’m working part-time at a bookstore.
Why am I working at a bookstore, you ask?
Well, it’s because I want to become a picture book author someday.
Being surrounded by so many books every day just makes the ideas flow.

“Hey, Godai. Are you free?”
“Oh, Chubey. I’m not free, I’m working.”
“I know.”
“You knew?”
“Anyway, check this out.”
“Huh? What is it?”

What Chubey showed me was an illustration I’d posted on social media.

“Oh, that’s mine. See? I drew it really well, didn’t I?”
“I know it’s good. What I’m trying to say is that you only post illustrations. There isn’t any text or anything.”
“Huh? It’s an illustration, so of course there aren’t any text.”
“And that’s why. If you’re aiming to be a picture book author, you should post stuff with a story.”
“Uh, um… Right! Hey, hey, Chubey, do you know that story about the famous fortune-teller?”
“You’re changing the subject again. …So, what’s the story about?”
“You’re so curious!”
“Just tell me the story.”
“I heard this from a rabbit customer who comes here often. Apparently, there’s a fortune-teller nearby who can predict the future with pinpoint accuracy.”
“But it’s just fortune-telling. It’s not a prophecy.”
“Eh? You’re not interested?”
“No, I’m super interested.”
“Then let’s go together after my shift ends!”
“Well, I’m bored anyway, so I’ll tag along. I’ll go kill some time.”

After my shift ended,
I met up with Chubey and we headed to that fortune-teller’s place.

“Here? Seriously?”
“Yeah, that’s the place!”

We’re standing in front of the parlor where the fortune-teller is supposed to be, but Chubey doesn’t look too thrilled.

“It’s a bit run-down, but isn’t this exactly the kind of place where you’d find someone amazing?”
“I get it.”
“Alright, let’s go in!”

Chubey and I went inside.
There was a crystal on a table, and behind it sat an old woman fortune-teller.

“…What would you like me to read for you?”

She was wearing a hood, but I could somehow tell she was a donkey.
While I was still wondering what to ask about, Chubey went ahead and sat down in a chair.

“Hey, do you think I’ll become rich?”
“Hm. Let’s take a look…”

With that, the fortune-teller held her hands over the crystal and started muttering something under her breath.
After a moment, she withdrew her hands and began to speak slowly.

“You won’t become rich. But it looks like you’ll have a pretty good life.”
“Really? Lucky me. As long as I don’t have money troubles, that’s fine by me.”
“It’s my turn!”

Swapping places with Chubey, I sat down in the chair and asked the question I’d been dying to ask.

“I want to be a picture book author in the future. Do you think I can make it?”
“It depends on how hard you work, doesn’t it?”
“You didn’t ask Chubey that!”
“True.”
“Okay, okay, just wait a moment.”

Just like before, the fortune-teller held her hands over the crystal ball.
I was eagerly waiting for the result, but the reading just wouldn’t end.

“Hey, fortune-teller. Is it possible I won’t be able to become a picture book author?”
“…That’s strange.”
“What is?”
“I’m trying to see your future, but I can’t see anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is the first time this has happened to me, too. I can’t see the future one hundred… no, three months from now.”
“That’s super specific. Is there something happening in three months?”
“Hmm, I don’t have any plans, though.”
“You haven’t even decided on most of your plans for this week, have you?”
“True!”

While we were laughing like that, the fortune teller remained silent, staring intently at the crystal ball.

“All I can say is that you need to be careful three months from now…”
“You don’t know what’s going to happen?”
“I just can’t see it… for some reason…”
“Guess there’s nothing we can do about it. Let’s go, Godai.”
“Yeah. Thanks, old lady!”

Chubey and I left the fortune-telling parlor.
At that moment, I wasn’t really thinking about the fortune-telling.
There was no point in worrying about it, and besides…

“Predictions really aren’t reliable, are they?”
“You’re right!”

The day after the fortune-telling,
I was reading a book while working my part-time job at the bookstore, as usual.
Then, Chubey shows up.

“Hey, got a minute?”
“Nope. You can see I’m busy, I’ve got my hands full. So, what brings you here?”
“I came to see you.”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I was wondering if you were still worried about the fortune-telling. So, anything happen?”
“Nope, nothing at all.”
“I knew it.”
“You knew?”
“Well, three months is still a long way off, and there’s no point in believing in predictions when you dosn’t even know what’s going to happen.”
“You’re right!”

As we were talking, the shop door opened and a customer walked in.
It was Bunny-kun, the guy who had told me about the fortune-teller yesterday.

“Oh, Bunny-kun. I went to see the fortune-teller you told me about yesterday.”
“…How was it?”
“I didn’t really get it!”
“I see…”

After saying just that, Bunny-kun picked up a book and started reading.
I wonder if he was expecting a different answer.

“So, where are we going after work?”
“The arcade! Let’s go to the arcade!”
“Sounds good. I’ll beat you again.”
“Go easy on me for once, will ya?”
“No way. Games are all about serious competition, right?”
“Exactly!”
“So, shall we go tomorrow?”
“Okay! Oh, right! Hey, Bunny-kun, do you want to come play with us too?”
“…Huh?”

Maybe it was because I brought it up so suddenly, but his reaction was a little slow.
Bunny-kun looked flustered and made a troubled face.

“Idiot.”
“Ouch!”

For some reason, Chubey suddenly gave me a light tap on the head.

“Of course I’d be embarassed if a stranger suddenly asked me out.”
“But we talk at the shop sometimes, so it’s fine to ask him out, right?”
“…I’m sorry.”

Saying that, Bunny-kun bowed his head and walked out of the shop.

“Ah, he’s gone…”
“Well, of course. You need to be more mindful of the distance between you and others.”
“But I invited you the same way, and we became friends, didn’t we?”
“Exactly. You should be grateful for my kindness.”
“Ahaha, you’re right!”

After that, I finished my shift today while chatting idly with Chubey.
Bunny-kun will surely come to the shop tomorrow, so I’ll apologize to him then.

I had a day off from my part-time job today.
I was taking a walk, thinking I’d look around town a bit.
Actually, what Chubey said was still on my mind a little.
If I want to become a picture book author, I have to take some kind of action, right?

“I wonder if there’s anything out there that could be a good idea for a picture book…”

I went out, but I didn’t really have a specific destination in mind.
It was more like just writing whatever came to mind.

“Hm? Sniff, sniff, this smell is… bread!”

Lured by the hunger-inducing aroma, I ended up at Panta-san’s bakery, “West & East.”

“Godai-kun, welcome!”
“Hello!”
“Are you here to buy some bread today? Everything’s fresh out of the oven, so it’s delicious!”
“Um, I wonder what to do… Oh! No, no, I didn’t come here to shop today!”
“What do you mean?”

I told Panta-san that I was looking for a place that would make a good art for a picture book.
Then…

“In that case, how about my place? Don’t you think a bakery would be great for a picture book?”
“You’re right!”

With his help, I decided to draw the bakery.
Now I just had to figure out what kind of picture to make.

“Oh! It’s Bunny-kun!”
“H-hi…”

Just as I was about to start drawing, I ran over to Bunny-kun, who had just walked into the shop.

“Sorry about the other day, I scared you.”
“Nah, it’s fine. I don’t mind…”
“Oh, good! I’m glad!”
“So Godai-kun and Tosaki-kun know each other, huh?”
“We aren’t exactly acquaintances. We just run into each other at the bookstore I go to often.”
“Huh, so your name is Tosaki. I’m Godai, nice to meet you!”
“N-nice to meet you too…”
“Oh, right, Tosaki-kun. Godai-kun wants to draw a picture of the shop, so would you mind helping out? It’s a slow time right now, so would you be our model?”
“Huh, me?”
“If you help us out, I’ll give you some free bread!”
“I’m asking you too! I’ll make sure to draw you really well!”
“…Alright. Besides, the bread here is delicious.”
“Yay, thank you!”
“B-but, please finish up quickly.”

I started sketching Tosaki-kun and the bakery in my sketchbook.
Just then, other customers came in, and the shop started to get lively.
I kept drawing the scene as it unfolded.
My sketchbook gradually filled with Panta-san and the customers’ smiling faces.

“People’s smiles really are heartwarming, aren’t they? I wonder if I could draw a picture book like that.”

I don’t know yet if I can do it well, but I want to make something that warms the heart and makes people smile.
That’s the kind of picture book I want to create.

I’m walking home with Chubey today. I’m done with college and don’t have a part-time job, so we decided to take a detour.
We haven’t decided where to go.

“Not having a destination is a total fail.”
“So, should we just call it a day?”
“Nope. Let’s just go grab something to eat.”
“Sounds good.”

As we walked along chatting like that, Chubey suddenly showed me his phone.

“Your illustration is going viral, isn’t it?”
“Yeah! So many people are seeing it, it’s amazing, right?”
“That’s seriously amazing.”

Lately, the view count for the illustrations I’ve drawn has been increasing.
I haven’t added any text to them yet, but I post them with a comment.

“This is exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about.”
“I’m so happy you’re giving me such high praise!”
“I am praising you, but not that much. Still, I think you’re on your way to becoming a picture book author.”

As we were laughing and talking like that, we happened to arrive at an intersection.

“Intersections are places where accidents are likely to happen. Even if the light is green, don’t forget to look both ways.”
“Okay!”

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw Inspector Pendera teaching the kids traffic rules.

“Pendera-san looks like he’s got his hands full.”
“Why don’t you ask him for help, too?”
“…I’ve got it! I’m pretty sure I have a sketchbook… I’ve got it!”

I pulled out my sketchbook and ran over to Pendera-san.

“Hey, wait a minute!”
“Hello, Pendera-san!”
“Godai and Chubey, huh? I’m busy right now. Could you come back later?”
“I have a favor to ask. I want to draw a picture, so please be my model!”
“Be your model?”

I told Pendera-san that I was drawing various pictures for a picture book.

“A picture book, huh? That sounds great. It might make a good teaching tool for traffic rules.”
“Thank you so much!”
“Hey, hey, weren’t we supposed to go out and play?”
“Oh! Sorry!”
“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who egged you on. But don’t regret it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve gotten really good at this game.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it!”
“Well, I’m heading home first. Don’t be too late.”
“Okay!”

As I drew Pendera-san and the children, I thought about what kind of story this picture would tell.
It teaches traffic rules and is fun to look at.
I want to make it that kind of picture.

“Alright, done!”

By the time it had grown completely dark, I had finally finished my drawing.

“Are you done?”
“Thank you, Pendera-san. Sorry for keeping you so late.”
“It’s fine. I’ve sent the kids home, and I’m not busy today anyway. If you’re heading home, I can give you a ride.”
“I’m fine, I can go home by myself. I’m not a kid, after all!”
“I see. Well, that’s fine. Though, even adults can get into accidents. Be really careful on your way home, okay?”
“Okay!”

I said goodbye to Pendera-san and hurried home alone.

“I can’t believe it’s gotten this late. I want to get home quickly and eat dinner!”

I waited at the crosswalk for the light to change.
I was in a hurry, but since I was drawing a picture book about traffic rules, I had to make sure to follow them properly.
The moment the light turned green, I stepped onto the crosswalk.
The very next instant after I started running…

“Huh…!?”

A car was right in front of me.
The world seemed to freeze, just like a video being paused.
At that moment, I thought it was a shame I wouldn’t be able to show Chubey the picture I’d worked so hard to draw.
…And then, my body flew through the air.

A pitch-black world.
I couldn’t tell if my eyes were open or closed.
I had no sense of my body.
But I could hear sounds coming from somewhere.

“Hey, Godai. Why? Why did this happen?!”

It was Chubey’s voice.
Why does he sound so sad?
That’s right, I was supposed to show him my drawing.
I tried to sit up but couldn’t; I tried to reach out, but I couldn’t even feel my surroundings.

“I’m sorry. If only I’d walked him home…”
“Godai-kun, why…!”

It’s Pendera-san’s voice.
But who is the other voice?
It sounds familiar.

What is this?
It was a weird sensation, like I was having a dream or watching another version of myself.

“Hey, Godai. What are you doing?”

It felt like I’d been smacked on the head, and I jolted awake.

“Huh? Wait, Chubey?”
“It’s not about me. I heard you were in an accident, so don’t just be sleeping so casually.”
“Ah, oh!”

I was lying in a hospital bed.
That’s right, I’d been taken to the hospital and was getting checked out there…

“Are you really not hurt?”
“Yeah, I’m fine!”
“Man, don’t give me a heart attack like that. I was really worried, you know.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
“It’s not Godai’s fault. It’s because you wouldn’t listen to the end, isn’t it?”

Saying that, Pendera-san walked in.

“I was just about to tell you that Godai wasn’t hurt, but you hung up, didn’t you?”
“W-well…”

I don’t know what exactly happened between them, but for once, it seems Chubey jumped to conclusions.

“It’s nice that you care about your friends, though.”
“Yes…”
“It’s okay, Chubey. As you can see, I’m super tough. I’m not going to die from just a little bump!”

Since Chubey looked worried, I struck a victory pose to show him I was fine.

“That’s true.”
“Yeah.”
“But hey, I was just lucky this time. I only managed to save you because I happened to be following you.”

That was exactly right.
The reason I didn’t get hit by the car was because Pendera-san saved me at the last second.

“You appeared so dashingly to save the day, you were just like a hero!”
“…Ah, yeah, I guess so.”
“Is something on your mind?”
“No, I was just thinking about how coincidences happen. I was told today to keep an eye on that intersection because there are a lot of accidents there.”
“Huh, really?”
“So, since you headed there, I got curious and followed you, and that’s how I ended up witnessing the accident.”

I guess coincidences like that do happen.
Thanks to that, I was saved, so maybe I really am lucky this year.

“Speaking of which, was that bunny there to visit you too?”
“Bunny? You mean Tosaki-kun? No, I don’t think he came to the hospital room. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, I just ran into him there. I figured he was there to visit you.”
“Hmm, maybe he had other business? I didn’t tell him I was here.”
“I see. I guess that’s just another one of those coincidences.”

After that, I thanked Pendera-san again and stayed up late chatting with Chubey about nothing in particular.

“By the way, spring is almost here. Want to go flower viewing?”
“Of course we’re going!”
“Really.”

I’m able to have silly conversations like this thanks to Pendera-san, who saved me.
But I wonder what that weird dream was all about.

A promenade lined with cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Their petals had fallen onto the road, creating a beautiful carpet.

“It didn’t work…”

I picked up the smartphone lying on the road.
What I saw on the screen was a chat history of people happily messaging each other.

Where are you right now?
I’m on my way there.
You’re late.
Yeah.
Hey, check this out.

Attached to that message was a photo of cherry blossoms.

Cool, huh?

The conversation stopped right after that message.
To be precise, there was an unsent message left.

“I came all this way…”

I thought this would save him.
I thought I’d made it through those fateful three months.
Why does it always end up like this?

“Wait for me. I’ll definitely save you. You’re the first friend I’ve ever made…”

And then, time rewinds again.
Spread out before me is a world that might have been.

“Hey, Godai. Why? Why did this happen?!”
“I’m sorry. If only I’d walked him home…”
“Godai-kun, why…!”

Pendera-san is comforting Chubey-kun, who’s broken down crying in front of Godai-kun.
And right next to them, I was standing.

Time keeps flowing backward.
The next thing that came into view was Panta Panta-san’s bakery, West & East.

“Hey, Tosaki, be my model!”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll help out. But in return, you have to draw me looking cool!”
“Leave it to me!”

Inside the bakery, Godai-kun starts drawing a picture using me as his model.

All of them were moments from my past that I’d overcome.

“The arcade! Let’s go to the arcade!”
“Sounds good. I’ll beat you again.”
“Go easy on me for once, will ya?”
“No way. Games are all about serious competition, right?”
“Exactly!”
“So, shall we go tomorrow?”
“Okay! Oh, right! Hey, Bunny-kun, do you want to come play with us too?”
“…Huh?”
“Hey, if you just invite him out of the blue-“
“Ah, um, I want to play too!”
“Yeah, let’s play!”

Those were truly happy days.
We had a lot of fun together, playing games, talking about which picture books to read.

I always come back here.
The day Godai-kun and I first met.

“This time for sure…”

I clench the picture book, now worn and tattered with time, tightly in my hands.
I’ll change your fate, no matter what.
If that’s what it takes, I’ll start over dozens, even hundreds, of times.
And then, I opened the shop door.

“Welcome! Oh, a new customer. Make yourself at home.”
“…Thanks.”

It was getting warmer day by day.
As I walked down the street, I noticed the cherry blossoms starting to bloom.

“It’s cherry blossom season already, huh?”

Just as I was thinking that, I got a message from Chubey on my phone.
The message said that the forecast for full bloom had been released, so let’s go view the blossoms on that day.

“Sounds great!”

I was totally up for it, so I replied right away and suggested we invite a bunch of other people too.

Chubey positively replied, and we started discussing who to invite.
Names like Panta-san and Pendera-san came up – people who’d been really helpful to me lately.

“Oh, right!”

I told Chubey that there was one more person I really wanted to invite.
He replied right away that he knew exactly who I meant.

“Amazing!”

There’s a chance he might turn me down, but nothing will happen unless I ask.
For now, if he comes to the shop, I’ll just have a chat with him.

“That’s it! Since we’re at it, let’s finish the picture book by the time of the flower viewing!”

I’ve been saving up the drawings I’ve been working on ever since Chubey suggested it.
I’m sure I can make a wonderful picture book with these.
If I show him the finished book, Chubey will surely be surprised.
I’ve already got the story idea worked out, so if I start now, I’ll definitely make it in time.

“Oh… but I haven’t decided on the protagonist yet…”

It suddenly hit me that I hadn’t decided on the most important thing.
The single most crucial part was still up in the air.
What should I do? Will I really make it in time?

“…That’s it! I know who will be!”

I dashed off to the place where I knew I’d find the perfect candidate for the protagonist.
Since I’m asking him to be my model, I should probably get his permission first, just to be safe.
I opened the door to the bookstore.
There stood Tosaki-kun.

“Ah, there you are!”
“Wh-what!?”
“Hey, will you be the protagonist of my picture book?”

The day of the flower viewing had arrived.

“Yay, it’s done!”

I stared intently at the picture book I’d just finished.
The cover featured the rabbit protagonist, smiling and hopping around.
The model, of course, was Tosaki-kun.
I think it turned out perfectly. I’m really satisfied with it.
Just as I was basking in that sense of accomplishment, I got a message on my phone.

“Huh, I wonder what that is?”

I checked my phone and saw it was from Chubey, asking if I wasn’t coming yet.

“Huh!?”

I hurriedly checked the time and realized I was already a few minutes past the meeting time.
I’d been so focused on making the picture book that I’d forgotten to check the time.

“Oh, no!”

I hurriedly texted Chubey to say I’d be right there and quickly got ready to leave.
With him urging me to hurry up, I dashed out the door.

“They’re going to be so surprised when I show them this!”

Clutching my brand-new picture book, I headed toward the cherry blossom viewing spot, full of excitement.
Even on the way there, I couldn’t stop imagining how everyone would react.

“Whoa, close call!”

I’d been so lost in thought that I almost crossed the street without noticing the light was red.
Come to think of it, I’d nearly been in an accident at this very intersection before, and Pendera-san saved me.

“That was a close one back then. I’m truly lucky to have survived. Really.”

As I crossed the street now that the light had turned green, thinking about that, I got a message from Chubey.

“Is he rushing me again?”

I checked my phone, and sure enough, it was a message asking where I was.

I’m on my way there.
You’re late.
Yeah.
Hey, check this out.

“What is it?”

After a moment, Chubey sent me a beautiful photo of cherry blossoms.

“Beautiful! Um-Whoa!?”

Just as I was about to reply to Chubey, someone grabbed my arm from behind with a firm grip and yanked me backward.

“Ouch, ouch, what are you-“
“Don’t move!”

Startled by the shout, my body froze, but right after that, a car raced past me at breakneck speed.

“Whoa!? T-that was close!”

If I’d kept walking, I might have been hit by that car.
The thought made cold sweat break out all over me.

“Are you okay?”
“Wait, you are…!?”

It was Tosaki-kun who’d grabbed my arm.
Seeing me confused by everything that had just happened, he reached out his hand to me.

“Can you stand?”
“Yeah, thanks!”

I took his hand and stood up.

“Oh! My picture book!?”
“It’s right here.”

Saying that, Tosaki-kun handed me my picture book.
I checked it over. It was a little dirty, but it wasn’t torn.

“W-well, that’s a relief…”
“You should be worried about yourself more than the book…”
“Oh, yeah, you’re right. …Hey, what’s wrong? Did you hurt yourself somewhere?”
“…Huh?”
“I mean, you look like you’re about to cry.”

For some reason, Tosaki-kun looks like he’s about to burst into tears.
Maybe he felt self-conscious after I pointed it out, because he suddenly turned his back on me.
Just as I was about to wonder why, I realized there was something more important I needed to say.

“Thanks so much for saving me. And I’m really glad you came to the flower viewing!”
“I just happened to have some free time…”
“That’s right! It’s already past the best time for flower viewing. We have to hurry!”
“Wait, hold on a sec!?”

I grabbed Tosaki-kun’s hand and started running.
If we don’t hurry, Chubey is going to tell us to move faster again.

“Finally, I’ve saved you…”

I think Tosaki-kun said something, but I couldn’t quite make it out.
A few minutes later…
We finally arrived at the flower viewing spot.

“You’re late. Wait, did you two come together?”
“Yeah, we just happened to run into each other there.”
“I see. Come on, let’s get this started.”

There, Panta-san and the others we’d invited were sitting on a blanket.
We sat down there too.

“So, I’ve got something I want to show you too!”
“What is it?”
“That’s a surprise for later!”

I was nervous, wondering how they’d react.
I think I was a little embarrassed to show it, and my face was probably the same color as the cherry blossoms.

“By the way, what did you think?”
“Think of what?”
“Come on, take a look.”

The view from here was nothing but cherry blossoms, whether we looked up or looked around.
It was many times more beautiful than that photo.
Tosaki-kun seemed to be mesmerized by them, too.

“Cool, huh?”
“Yeah, it’s super cool!”

Chubey (チュウベエ) is one syllable away from Kyubey (キュゥべえ), the mascot character from Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Let’s just say that the reference is intentional.