What You Are Looking For Is in the Library: A Novel

“Now I actually have a life. A decent life. I eat properly, sleep, and enjoy reading books and magazines because I don’t have to think about them from a work point of view. I’m fit, healthy, and every day is a new beginning.”

had no time to eat and my health was shit. I used to rely on nutrition drinks and supplements. Then one day I was looking at them lying all around my desk when I suddenly thought—what am I working for?” He tosses the last of the rice ball into his mouth. “I was working in order to eat, but I never had time to eat because of work—that seemed crazy.”

If ‘one day’ are magic words that keep a dream alive, what do I need to say to make it real?

“You have to turn that ‘don’t’ into a goal.”

Catching sight of the emergency exit, I wonder if it even opens.

“Well, I mean... Anybody can do it. It’s not like it was my dream job or anything I desperately wanted to do. I just kind of fell into it. But I live on my own, so I have to work to support myself.” “You managed to find employment, you go to work every day and you can feed yourself. That’s a fine achievement.” Nobody’s ever summed up my life in thi

“Only ever a dream...” She tilts her head to one side inquiringly. “Is that what you think? That it will only ever be a dream? As long as you continue to say the words ‘one day,’ the dream is not over. Maybe it will simply remain a beautiful dream. It may never come true. But that is one way to live, in my opinion. The days go by more happily when

So there I am, the budding career woman and local girl made good, crying and shaking with anger. This is not how I ever want Saya to see me.

After twelve years she looks completely at ease in her coral-pink blouse. She’s amazing, I think, from the bottom of my heart.