The Youth Life Maze

1 May (Friday)

Today is the day I decided to go to the race directly. For almost a week, I really spent writing my novel. Not to mention, I had to help Aithan to learn IPA, she wanted an increase in her grades. But, the additional study sessions with Aithan did not go well. Sometimes there are so many reasons that Aithan makes to avoid additional learning sessions. But overall, there was progress for Aithan in this additional study session.

I have also written about 2 chapters for the novel that I will join, although I still have not got an idea for the title. Therefore I tried to go directly to the place of the race to see firsthand what the place was like. I was curious about the place, besides wanting to take a look, who knows in this place I can get an inspiration for the title of my novel.

I was in place for the collection of novels to be included, I tried to ask if there could be novels that did not have a title, what could be included. And yes... The answer of course can not, it will only complicate the party who made this race if there is an untitled novel is included just like that. But, for the author of his own novel can register first. I've registered, and I'm trying to get back around the race.

After traveling around for quite a while, my head was filled with questions, such as, whether I should write his novel directly at the race venue, whether I could write his novel at home. Does the novel to be included in the race have to be in physical form or can it be included by e-mail?. And, what the participants of this race have limits. But, if I see it on the poster, there seems to be no limit of participants. After I looked at the list of participants, there were roughly 90 people. If seen directly at this race venue, there were only a few people writing directly at the race venue. Well at least, some of my questions may have been answered.

In addition there is a race for novels, there is also a competition to make comics, in the same place of course, which organizes them also from the same person. The author of the Japanese novel and comic book Akira Haruko. Akira Sensei has many famous novels and comics around the world. I am one of the millions of fans in all over the world. I didn't even think that Akira Sensei and his team were the ones hosting this race. The race place is in Plaza Indonesia, where it will be very crowded on weekends, so I came here on this Friday, because today is a holiday as well.

I saw a lot of people writing their novels here. After feeling quite tired, I looked for a place to relax for a while. Near my seat, there was a vending machine that sold several types of drinks. I decided to buy orange juice. After buying the juice, I returned to my seat. The atmosphere at the current race venue was really crowded. When I came here, it wasn't this many. There are so many people who come from all directions, some come to the race, some are just passing this race place.

After I felt that it was enough to relax for a moment, I tried to find a title for my novel. I thought, if I think of an idea for the title of my novel at this race venue I managed to get the title. Apparently after thinking long enough, the idea for the title of my novel did not come. And I just gave up.

......................

Since I was in this mall, I decided to go around before going home while looking for some references, who knows what is needed for my novel. I was now right in front of a sushi restaurant that was very crowded with people. Now that I was approaching lunch time, I was hungry, I finally decided to go inside and order 1 set of sushi which was quite expensive, along with my favorite avocado juice. In the middle I was enjoying my sushi, from a distance I saw a familiar face. "That's Aithan?"

After I observed it again, it turned out that it was Aithan. "He's with a girl?" I thought he didn't like real women because he loved fictional women more. Aithan is dating well, who would have thought on a day like this I even met Aithan who was dating. Well I really didn't expect that an Aithan would go with a woman on a holiday. I thought Aithan would just spend all his time playing all day and not spend time with someone. Is that girl his girlfriend? But he never said he had a girlfriend. Out of curiosity I tried Aithan's chat.

'Again where?' Without further ado I immediately asked.

'Huh.. Tumben chats on gini holidays. I'm again in Plaza Indonesia.' Well, to be honest it turned out to be him, and again he replied to my chat quickly.

'Ohhh... Same who?'

'Wow wow... Al, what's wrong with you? Healthy right? Tumben really nanyain things that do not matter to you like this.' Well.. Aithan's reply was correct. Well.. I better not meddle in his affairs. Everyone has privacy or something they don't want to talk about.

I decided to eat and go home soon. After I finished eating and paying, I was about to get out of the restaurant and suddenly, "Ahh... The al? You're here." Aithan's face looked very surprised when she saw me who had been nearby all this time.

I try to look indifferent, "Hahaha... Yes, I'm here because I think taking occasional walks here is good..."

Aithan looked really happy, "Yepun why didn't you tell me that Al was here... Then I would know my sister."

I was a little silent and surprised at the same time, "Eh... Your sister?"

"Yes, my sister. It's there." Aithan's finger pointed towards where she had eaten earlier.

Walahs.. Apparently, his sister. I'm sorry Aithan accused you of having a boyfriend. I thought you were going to betray me as a man who never felt the love of a woman and your fictional wives.

"Oh.. Oh, that, your brother, yeah." My answer is a bit stammering.

"Hmmmmm. Let's go over there." Aithan then pulled my hand.

"Oii... Eli, know my bestfren. Alvaro Nagiru." Aithan immediately introduced myself without further ado.

"Al, this is Elina Kaelyn Airani." What kind of brief introduction was given by Aithan. Elina, a woman who has short brown hair, white skin and smooth, she has a slim body, yes it might be ideal for a woman.

I extended my hand towards Brother Aithan, "I'm Alvaro Nagiru, greetings yes."

He stretched out his hand and we shook hands, and he smiled, "I am Elina Kaelyn Airani, greetings." He looked very polite, very different from Aithan.

"Huh... How good." Elina answered the strange statement from Aithan with an indifferent tone, and with an annoyed facial expression.

"Haha... I think it's you, Eli. Btw, Eli is about the same age as us, so just relax with him." Aithan seemed to have gotten used to Elina's nature.

"Btw, really tumben well you come out on holidays like this. Don't you usually just spend the whole day at home and don't do anything?" I'm still wondering why Aithan is at the mall on a day off like this.

"Hm.. Wellh, I took Eli for a walk in town anyway, he's only here for the first time, so yeah.. Why not." Aithan.

"Well that's how it is, after all, here is the National level novel race. I'm here too and you want to see the place directly.." Elina answered with her face.

Wait for... So this is the first time he's been here, and he's also going to the race. I didn't suspect it.

"Oh.. You're in that race? It's a coincidence, yeah.. I'm also in that race."

Elina looked a little surprised, "Huh.. Yes timing? You're in that race too?"

"Yes.. I followed the race out of curiosity just the same skill to make my novel. That's it anyway, if not winning it's okay haha.." What I've actually said.. I feel weird about what I just said. Well whereas Elina didn't seem to ask me why I was in that race.

"Well.. I'm actually just like you, too, Alvaro" Elina doesn't seem to care much about it.

"Btw, what kind of novel are you going to make for that race?"

"Hm.. Well I've finished it anyway. Here, if you want to read." Elina said as she gave me a book, it seemed like it was a copy of her novel.

After about 35 minutes of reading the novel, I was impressed by it. His selection of words, his character, his story, his plot, were all pretty well packed. I feel like he's already written some novels.

"This novel, can I borrow it? I want to use it as a reference." My toot.

Elina nodded and slightly smiled, "May, just make you. I have a lot of copies of the novel, too. I deliberately brought 1 copy, who knows if anyone wants it haha."

"Thank you very much, Elina." Answer me with a smile.

"Well, I'd love it if someone liked my novel." Elina smiled with a slight blush.

"Heh... Kaliana.. Very familiar." Aithan suddenly interrupted a good moment.

"Dh.. Just bother me." Elina was seen staring very sharply at Aithan. Aithan was just laughing.

After almost 1 hour of talking, I finally decided to go home and continue writing my novel. I've got Elina's contact. And also Elina asked a lot about the world of traveling. Elina also asked about what novel I made to participate in this race.

......................

15:17. I finally got home, I immediately headed to the room, putting Elina's novel on my desk. I went downstairs and looked for some snacks. After getting a snack, I immediately went back upstairs and read on from what I read earlier.

17:22, I finished reading the entirety of Elina's novel. The story is really interesting, about a person who has to fight against his cancer. And well at the end the protagonist managed to win against his cancer. This novel by Elina contains a lot of elements about this very meaningful life. I love this Elina novel. Overall, this novel is good. And reading it made me think. I have to fight 90 or so people, who might be among those who can make a story this interesting. This makes me have to think about how to win the 3rd place. I had to think of an interesting storyline, excellent character development. I have to be really serious here, in addition to starting Monday there will be a test, I also have to think about how to make my novel win 3.

Btw, why well lately, I so often meet with girls. Freaky... But I haven't been able to fall in love with any of them at all. Suddenly it crossed my mind such a trivial thing..