Based on the song Stomach Book sung by Ritsu Namine.
I own nothing except the story.
I Ritsuko Aki, loved books. I always did. People rarely saw me without one in my hands. Today was no different. I was walking through the run down part of town with both umbrella, and book in hand since it was raining, and was trying to get to the city library when a boy similar in age stopped me to ask for directions. " Um excuse me Miss. Do you know how to get to the cafe from here?" He asked. "Oh it's just two blocks to the left" I replied. "Thank you so much" He went to shake both my hands. Both my umbrella, and my book is dropped in the process. "Hey! Back off a bit" I exclaimed. "Oh I'm sorry. Let me get that for you" He reached down, and grabbed the book. I hoped that the book isn't too damaged. It's a signed collectors edition.
"thank you. Now please give it back to me" I said, feeling a little bit annoyed. "This looks like a pretty expensive book. It would be a shame if I damaged it somehow" "Yes it is. Now give it back" "You know what...I think I'll keep it" Right after he said this he pushed me on to the ground, and ran off. "Hey!" I yelled. I quickly got up, and ran after him, leaving my umbrella behind. It was hard to catch up to him. Since the rain made it harder to see through my glasses, But I eventually closer to him. He went into one of the abandoned buildings in hopes of losing me. I followed, but the water caused by the rain made me slip, and crash into a nearby wall.
"Ack" I muttered. I shouldn't have ran so fast. I stood up trying to catch my breath. "I...have to...get my book back" I said aloud. "No matter...what" Why would people even steal books anyway? He should just buy his own. I started walking, and trying to search for him. He can't be far.
That's when I heard a bloodcurdling scream. I jumped a little out of shock. That sounded like...the book thief! I have to go help him. Even though he stole something of mine I wouldn't want something horrid happen to him, or something. That would be immoral. It sounded like it came from downstairs, so I went down one of the hallways, and down the flight of stairs.
Blood. So much blood, and his insides are spilling out onto the floor. I gasp at the sight of it all. Why? Who killed him? "Hello there" sounded an echoing female voice. "Who...who are you? Where are you?" I exclaimed. Feeling a little freaked out. "I'm the cat you seem to be ignoring" she replied back. Oh. There was a cat here. A blue exotic looking cat a couple of feet away from the dead body. Right next to it was a blood stained book that does not look like my book. "You're the cat? But that's...not possible". "Well it seems like the impossible just became possible, besides who else would be talking to you?" "You have a point, but how are you talking to me?" I asked. "telepathy" she answered plainly. "Oh. Who killed him?" "No one you need to worry about at this point" "Where's my book?" I asked as well. I still need to get it back. "Over there in the corner" she said as she pointed her tail to the spot.
I walked over there, and grabbed it. Relieved to find it not too damaged. Now that that's over with I walk towards the cat, and the bloody book. "What's with this book?" I said as I picked it up, and sat down. "It is his stomach book" she replied. "Stomach book?" I said with a confused look, and began to read it. "What's there to get confused about? It's a book that was inside his stomach". I was too engrossed in the book to reply, it's surprisingly good. One of the best books I had ever read. "I see you really like that book" she said as she pawed my face to get my attention. "Sorry I'm a little busy here" I said. She sighed, and waited for me to be done.
Once I was done a couple hours had passed. "Oh come on!" I exclaimed. "It ended on a huge cliffhanger!" "Yes I know" "You do? Where can I find the next book?" I demanded. "Why should I tell you? You're probably not even up for the task of getting it" "What? Of course I am. I would be willing to do anything!" "Anything? Anything at all?" "Anything" I said with a determined look on my face. "Even killing for it?" "What? Why would I have to kill for it?" "Well it's a stomach book, so it would make sense for the next one to also be a stomach book" she said calmly. "Oh. I...I see" I said conflicted. Should I? It's immoral, but...
"So, are you willing to do it?" she asked? I gulped, and tried to say in a steady voice. "Yes"