At Hokkaido University, I heard from Super Doctor Inada about the kind of talent required to become a veterinarian.
He said that social skills were what mattered most.
For Nanako, that was precisely the one strength she lacked. ”…………” She hung her head, trembling. This wasn’t going well.
“Thank you for your time, Dr. Inada. I really appreciated hearing your insights.”
“You’re welcome. Hey, why is JK-chan acting weird?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Sorry to have taken up your time.”
“Well,” he said, and Dr. Inada walked away from us.
I kept stroking Nanako’s head as she looked down at the ground.
An open campus tour… I couldn’t make her go through that in this state.
“Nanako. Let’s go out and get some fresh air.” She didn’t answer.
I took her hand and led her outside.
Nanako probably thought he was saying she had no talent, which is why she was so down. I could see how she’d feel that way.
I know what it’s like. I’ve been there myself.
The crushing weight of being told by others that you lack talent, when that field is all you ever wanted to do. ……That’s why. Precisely because I’ve felt it, I understand.
Exactly what kind of words can you throw at someone in that situation?
After a while, we moved outside the building and sat on a nearby bench. I handed Nana a handkerchief.
I spoke to Nana, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
“Nana. It’s not something you need to worry about so much.”
“But…… Sensei…… I…… don’t have any talent……”
I stroked her head as I spoke. “So what?” “Wh…?!” Nana looked at me, completely baffled.
I called out to her, who seemed on the verge of getting lost in her own thoughts.
“Sure, every industry has a specific talent that’s in demand. For light novels, it’s speed—how fast you can write. But… so what? Who decided that if you don’t have talent, you have to give up your dreams?” That’s right.
There are plenty of people working hard in the industry without that specific talent. “But……”
“It’s a lie that you can’t make it in the industry without talent. I’ve seen it… watched countless authors. That’s why I can say this with certainty: there isn’t a single author writing solely on talent.”
It’s the same for the Prince, it’s the same for Rushia, and every teacher I know falls into that category too.
All of them combine talent with hard work, push themselves to the limit, and write novels.
Kamimatsu-sensei from Digimas is…… well, she’s not human, so she counts as an exception. But let’s set exceptions aside for now.
Because there’s only Kamimatsu-sensei who pulls it off with pure talent alone.
Hitting home runs like that on nothing but raw ability.
It has zero reproducibility and strays too far from general principles to be useful.
“It’s not just the light novel industry, you know. Everyone suffers under ‘talent’ as if it were a curse, yet they clench their teeth, layer on the effort, and make their mark.” ”…………”
“Nanako, I’m about to say something harsh, but listen up.”
I looked her straight in the eyes and spoke.
“Don’t use the word ‘talent’ as an excuse to run away from hard work.” Working hard is painful. Honestly, it’s a drag.
Because putting in the effort doesn’t guarantee victory.
Even if you try your hardest, it’s not a 100% sure thing that you’ll be rewarded for it.
But everyone keeps pushing through, refusing to give up.
Because they have a dream they want to come true.
Only those who can keep putting in effort they know won’t pay off are the ones who manage to grab hold of glory.
Humans without God-given talent live their lives that way. So…
“If you’re only using the word ‘talent’ as an excuse because you don’t want to work hard… then from the very start, you don’t have what it takes to be a vet.” ”… …”
“But I might fail, and that’s okay, but I want to try. I want to become a vet. If that’s how you feel… then I’ll cheer for you, no matter how many times.”
I used to have big dreams myself too.
I was going to become a light novel writer and create works that people all over the world would love. But I couldn’t do it.
I… gave up.
I used the word “talent” as an excuse and ran away. …That’s why.
That’s why, I want young people with a future to keep trying hard. So they don’t end up like me.
“Nanako. I’ve known you since you were little. You’re a go-getter. If it’s you, you can do it. You can stack up efforts that bleed through the skin and prove them wrong when they say you lack talent.” This wasn’t flattery or anything.
I may lack talent, but I have confidence in my ability to read people.
I’ve seen enough light novel authors. ”……” Nainako looked up.
Her eyes shone with a flicker of determination.
“I’ll do it. I’m going to… try aiming for veterinary school.”
Nainako took my hand in hers. Softly, gently.
“I’m bad at talking to people. But… I’ll show you that I can overcome it. No, not just show you. I will overcome it.” “Nainako…”
“I don’t have much confidence in myself. But if Professor says so, I can believe it!”
Did she hear the words of encouragement I offered? Is she trusting me like that? That trust… felt good.
“I’ve made up my mind. Even without talent, even with my social anxiety, I’ll prove that I can become a vet through hard work!” …Ah, glad to hear it.
It seemed my words and feelings had truly gotten through to her. “Yo. Give it your all.” “Yes! I will try my best!”