The World's Least Read Sci-Fi Novel and the #7 Global Bestseller (Final Episode)

A Dixieland band was playing a cheerful rhythm on the aft deck of the steamboat.

"I heard you've been read by hundreds of millions of people."

"And you, how many have read you?"

The world's least read sci-fi novel and the global bestseller were talking. I was standing a little way off, watching the flowing river surface and the forests on the banks. Just below the railing at the stern, the massive paddle wheel was rhythmically churning the water, pushing the boat forward.

"I can still count them on my fingers."

"Then you can still remember each and every one of them."

"So, did you have a time like that too?"

"Of course I did."

"Hmm."

Occasionally, passengers would come by and speak to the bestseller. Most would hesitantly ask for an autograph and take just one photo as a memento.

"Hey, Takahashi says that we novels are completed every time someone reads us."

"I'd be happy if that were true. I'm sure it is."

The bestseller looked at me as he said this, but I pretended not to hear and kept looking at the scenery.

"I could imagine up to a hundred people. But..."

"But?"

"When I tried to imagine beyond that, I almost wet myself..."

Hearing that, the bestseller laughed merrily. It was a resonant laugh, fitting for a bestseller.

"I'm sure I would have wet myself too."

"Then..."

"I've never thought about it. I try not to think about it."

A little girl ran up to the Bestseller, holding up a bag of snacks and asking him to open it. The Bestseller crouched down with a smile that looked ready to burst, opened the bag with very careful movements, and handed it to her. Then, once the girl who had run off was out of sight, he let out a quiet sigh.

"You see, this world..."

The Bestseller said, staring in the direction the girl had run off to.

"It's made of things we don't know why they happened, and things we don't know why they didn't."

The Dixieland band finished their song. The rhythmic sound of the paddle wheel hitting the water echoed on the aft deck.

"We aren't here to solve those mysteries, but just to shine a little light on them."

The Bestseller stood up, leaned against the railing at the stern, and muttered, "Though, that's just something I heard from someone else."

"Hey, are you alright?"

The World's Least Read Sci-Fi Novel called out. The Bestseller looked up at the sky in silence.

"Have you met the author?"

I asked the Bestseller.

"I haven't seen them in a long time."

The setting sun illuminated the black smoke rising from the chimney. "...Do you think they'll see me?"

"Of course they will. Hey, Takahashi, that's a given, isn't it?"

"Yeah, if they start making excuses, tell me. I'll have a word with them."

"That's our Takahashi for you!"

The World's Least Read Sci-Fi Novel jumped up and down on the spot. Seeing him like that, the Bestseller laughed. It looked like a refreshing smile. Then the two of them talked for a while. Most of the topics were about this and that which the World's Least Read Sci-Fi Novel had seen and heard before arriving here.

"Oh, that's right, why don't the two of us go to the library?"

The Bestseller said.

"The library?"

"You haven't been yet, have you? I'll ask them to let you meet the rare out-of-print books. Let's go to the translators, too. I know quite a few of them. It's a bit of a parallel universe. And then... the printing press! Let's go see where words become books."

"Will they let us in?"

"Who do you think I am? Come on, what do you say?"

The bestseller said to me with a beaming smile. The world's least read sci-fi novel also turned back to look at me with a radiant smile.

"Of course. You should go and enjoy yourself."

The Dixieland band began their next song. Then, one member of the audience started to sing, and soon, voices began to layer over one another from all across the deck.

It was a song that blessed this world.

The End

Only Connect.

That is the title of the world's least read sci-fi novel.

Some Signals Stay.