What You Are Looking for is in the Library

by Michiko Aoyama

“Before I had this place, all I ever used to think about was quitting my office job, but now that job is what gives me the means to enjoy running this bookshop. If the bookshop was all I did, however, then I’d have to spend a lot more time thinking about sales strategies and so on. Which would be far more demanding. And I don’t really want that.” He strokes the cat along its body. “I believe that a job secures you a place in society. So if you have a parallel career, you can have two places. With neither a side business.”

“I don’t have anything. Not enough time, money or courage. I always think that one day I’ll do it, but I never do. I don’t have what it takes to get started.” Yasuhara stares at the mackerel tabby in silence. I worry that I have worn out my welcome with all my negativity. Then he turns to face me and I see he is smiling. “The moment you say ‘don’t,’ you’re done for.”

“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.’”

It’s weird how ideas keep springing into my head now, as if a stopper has been removed. Yet when I had all the time in the world, I never had a single idea. I didn’t even feel like drawing.