Until I light up my outline

This is a story about Izumi, a proofreader who's too transparent-she can't lie, and her feelings are always written all over her face. Because she's so blunt, people at work think she's rigid and hurtful, leaving her totally isolated.

The only person who ever "got" her was her editor boyfriend, Minato. She latched onto him, hardcore. But then she finds out he's been changing authors' work to boost his own career. When she confronts him, he blows her off. Her intense love instantly flips to intense hate.

After losing her job and her relationship, Izumi starts working at a quiet library to figure herself out. She slowly realizes she wasn't just obsessed with "correctness" in her work, but in people, too. She discovers that everyone sees the world differently (a total shocker for her!) and that it's okay for people-and herself-to be imperfect.

She finally gains a little self-confidence, separate from anyone else's approval. When her ex hits her up years later, she's polite but makes it clear: "What I do now is for me, not for you." She's still awkward, but she's finally comfortable living within her own "outline."