For one reason or another, I have this belief that the amount of writing a person is capable of in a lifetime is decided from birth. Assuming that there is a predetermined set amount of words, then the more you write, the more that amount will depreciate. That would forecast the eventual loss of your ability to write. In practical application, let’s say someone wanted to fill up 300 pages of paper with 400 words crammed onto each sheet in one day. Since there’s no precedent of that ever happening, I may actually be right. Of course, if I did want to write 120,000 words in one day, the fact that typing at the speed of one word per second would already take thirty-three hours would mean I could never do it. But there might be someone out there who can accomplish the feat, so I can’t be totally sure.
Speaking of things I can’t do, I’ll change the subject to how cats are nice. They’re cute and soft and they meow. You’re probably wondering where I’m going with this. I don’t really know myself. Not sure how to explain it. I’ll be quite happy if you can accept the “it is what it is” explanation.
Incidentally, I believe that this book was only able to see the light of day after receiving the incredible and very appreciated Sneaker Award. When I was informed that I had won the prize, I was questioning my ears, then my mind, the telephone, reality, and whether or not the earth was rotating. Eventually, the thought it’s apparently true crossed my mind, so I began dancing around swinging my cat for no real reason, when it suddenly bit me. I remember that as I stared at the scratches on my palm, I thought that if humans had a predetermined set amount of luck, then I had already used up all of mine. I don’t remember much of what happened after that. After all, the shock to my mind created some gaps in my memory, so I can’t be sure. Though I get the feeling that a lot happened.
Which is why I concluded that the effort put in by the people who had to do all the work and make decisions to get this book published was probably over twice that of the actual author. If I were to attempt to express the gratitude I feel right now, I would probably be unable to find the words to convey how thankful I am. I am especially at a loss for how to show my appreciation to the members of the selection committee. In fact, I’m in the process of devising a new expression, but since it would be my own creation, it would probably end up being interpreted as nonsense. In any case, I am truly grateful. Thank you very much. From the bottom of my heart. I truly mean it.
Right now, I feel like I’m standing at the starting line, not knowing if I’ll trip when the starting shot is fired and not knowing which direction the finish line is. I might be on a track without any water stops. Even if I stray off the path, I just deeply hope that I can keep on running. Except this isn’t the time for me to be talking about this stuff like it doesn’t concern me.
To wrap things up, I would like to express my boundless gratitude to all the people of the publishing company who were directly or indirectly involved and all the people who read this book. That’s all for now.
Nagaru Tanigawa