What You Are Looking for is in the Library

by Michiko Aoyama

“You managed to find employment, you go to work every day and you can feed yourself. That’s a fine achievement.”

My dream is to quit this job and open my own shop. I’d fill it with the things I like, and never have to talk with anybody except customers who are like-minded antique lovers.

pick it up and once again see the photo of the cat bookshop. According to the article, it stocks only cat-related books and donates a portion of its sales to cat-rescue organizations. Rescue cats are also members of staff.

“Everybody is connected. And any one of their connections could be the start of a network that branches in many directions. If you wait for the right time to make connections, it might never happen, but if you show your face around, talk to people and see enough to give you the confidence that things could work out, then ‘one day’ might turn into ‘tomorrow.’”

“You pointed me at that shop, didn’t you. I want to thank you. I’m going to try and get started on doing something now, not just wait for one day to come along.” Her head tilts ever so slightly to one side. “But you’re already doing something.” I swallow. “I didn’t send you there,” she continues. “You noticed that shop by yourself. You decided to go there, and you made the effort to meet Yasuhara. You’ve already begun.”

“Yes, trust. Anything you do—borrowing money from a bank, commissioning a piece of work, sending or receiving a parcel, making a plan with friends, ordering food at a restaurant—all those things can only happen because of mutual trust on both sides.”

But then, if I’m absolutely honest with myself, I simply might have been pretending not to notice all along. Deep down I’ve always known: Hina’s head is not in the clouds. It is only my stupid pride at being a man, and ten years older than her, which got in the way of my acknowledging her for who she truly

How many times have I read these words? More than I can count. I sometimes I carry this book about with me like a talisman—a colorful array of sticky notes poking out from its pages, contrasting starkly with the whiteness within. Something else that appeals to me.

“But I read it too quickly, skating over parts of it, so I’m going to buy it. I think it’s a book I want to own.” Ms. Komachi shifted and leaned back slightly in her seat. “I’m happy to hear that. It’s nice to know I was able to connect you with a book you not only wanted to read, but want to have with you always.” “Yes. I want to try and change. Thanks to this book.”

“Things change, even if you want them to stay the same. At the same time, you can try to change, but you will still remain the same.”