Ero Manga Sensei

vol.9 - Sagiri's New Married Life

by Tsukasa Fushimi

Novel Updates
Translation Group: eromangaweb
Epub: Trollo WN/LN EPUB
Chapter 1
— Nii-san. I…have someone I like.

That was the first time we had a straightforward conversation.

“Nii-san…”

“Can I…stop calling you Nii-san?”

“Can I…stop being your little sister?”

“I don’t …I don’t want…I don’t want to become family….”

Seeing my little sister cry, I made a decision —

“Sagiri — marry me.”

I proposed to her.

Hearing my sudden proposal, Sagiri —

“Ah?”

She raised her head and looked at me like I just said something unbelievable.

“Ah…that…”

Her eyes were still teary. She couldn’t say anything.

“…What…did you…just say?”

She must think that she misheard me. But even while my little sister was
confused, I wasn’t.

I met her eyes and repeated myself:

“Sagiri, marry me.”

“Ahh….”

She nearly fell backward as if I just shot her with a gun.

“Wh..wh…what…what are you saying?”

“I was thinking that…I like you as a man.”

“Hah….”

Her mouth was trembling.

“I don’t want to give you to anyone else. Even if there is someone else that
you like, I will not accept defeat until the final moment…So I had decided
that after 「 our dream 」 was completed, I would propose to you and ask for
your hand in marriage.”

“…Ah….Oh…”

Hearing my words, Sagiri was caught off guard. She was unable to say
anything back. Her face was deep red; she looked like she could faint at any
moment

I have a hunch that I was the same as her. I could tell that my heart was
racing nonstop, like it was about to blow.

“Sagiri.”

She doesn’t want to be my little sister.

And I want family.

In that case, I want her to be my family, but not as a little sister.

“Let’s get married, and then stay together forever.”

“~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”
Her face was getting even redder. Then, like she couldn’t take it anymore, she
covered her face.

“Wait…wait a second! Please wait!”

“Ah, fine.”

Seeing her reaction, I realized my situation too. I took this chance to propose,
but maybe there should be a limit to what I say.

Is it alright for me to propose now? Or should I have waited until we had

made our dream a reality?

Maybe I screwed up…but I had no regrets.

In the end, the difference was how soon I said it to her. At least it would be
better than letting my little sister endure this pain.

We were sitting in front of each other. From behind her fingers, Sagiri looked
at me.

“Umm….”

Then she dropped her hands, and said in embarrassment:

“….Nii-san.”

She still called me that, like always.

“Marriage…is no good.”

“I…see.”

So it’s not possible huh — After hearing Sagiri’s past, hearing about how we
met before, hearing how Sagiri doesn’t want to call me Nii-san, I – thought
that, maybe the one Sagiri likes — is me.

It would be a lie to say that I didn’t have such a hope.

But…

So that wasn’t the case? Was I mistaken? Aside from me, there is someone
else Sagiri likes?

“No, it’s not like that.”

Sagiri quickly said, like she knew what I was thinking. She pulled herself
forward, and continued:

“It’s not like that…! I mean…I mean….oh…it…it’s too soon!”

“Soon? You mean…?”

“I, I can’t marry you now….because…! I, I…I’m only 13 years old…! So…
we can’t…marry…right?”

“Eh?”

Now it’s my turn to be speechless.

Can’t marry now, that means…

Before I reach a conclusion, Sagiri continued:

“Be, besides…you…you skipped so many steps! Marriage….why do you

immediately jump to the end! I have my plan too! You scared me! Idiot!”

“Eh..ah…sorry.”

“Don’t apologize if you have no idea what I’m talking about.”

Bull’s eye. I couldn’t say anything back

Strange…I was asking my little sister to marry me a second ago…why am I

being lectured now?

“Phew….pff…”
Sagiri took a deep breath to calm down. She leaned forward, putting both of
her hands on the floor.

“Okay, Nii-san, listen carefully. I didn’t…make myself clear just now. I will
say it again.”

“Sure…”

Sagiri’s attitude disappeared; she looked at me with an honest expression.

She breathed out, and calmed down.

Izumi Masamune used a 300 page love letter to confess to Izumi Sagiri.

Now, our roles were reversed.

“I..have someone I like.”

Those were the words that she used to reject me.

But there is a difference now.

“That person is –“

There was a follow up.

“You.”

She smiled.

“I like you.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“Ever since our first meeting…I have always liked you.”

I could hear her, but my mind couldn’t keep up.

“Unlike two years ago, now, I like you even more.”

Tears were falling down my cheeks.

I know that I must not look away, that I have to keep my eyes clear, but
everything is getting blurry.

Seeing me like that, Sagiri began to cry too.

“Thank you for loving me.”

“…Ah.”

“It made me…happy…knowing that you want to stay with me forever.”

“Um!”

I wiped my tears away, raised my head and saw Sagiri’s smile under her tears

“…I don’t want to be your family…so…”

Sagiri’s response was another proposal to me.

“Please stay with me. Then…someday, make me your bride.”

— Please take care of this child for me.

I remembered the moment when mother asked me to take care of Sagiri.

Since that day, I was always thinking about how exactly I should “take care”
of her.

I don’t know if this counts as an answer, but…

“Sure. I will…definitely make you happy.”

I swear with every fiber of my being.

And so.
I became a couple with my non-blood-related little sister.

I proposed, I was rejected, I was proposed to, I accepted.

All’s well that ends well — but both of us remained in our positions, facing
each other. We don’t know what to do.

“Umm…Sagiri……what, what next?”

“Even if you ask me….”

We rigidly looked at each other.

Both of us are authors, or similar, so we understood how a love scene would

go in a comedy setting. But in real life, we don’t know what the next step is
after becoming a couple.

— If this was a romantic comedy manga or light novel, next would be a

peaceful day or time skip.

However, since it’s reality, it’s not like we could skip to the next part. It’s
still morning: even in a novel, the author would have a hard time skipping to
the next day.

“Just now…didn’t you say you have a plan?”

“If I became your girlfriend…I planned to do many things…”

Girlfriend – that word made my heart race.

“Is, is that so? Like what?”

“It, it’s not something erotic!”

“I know that!”

There was a moment when I was optimistic, but I still denied it.
“So…er…go ahead, Sagiri.”

Sagiri nodded; then looked at me:

“First…is how we address each other.”

“Meaning?”

“Since we just began dating…I want to change what we call each other…
Like…a nickname or something.”

…Oh?

In a romantic comedy setting, changing the way characters address each other
is very important.

“Give it a try then. Well, I can’t exactly think of something entirely new
though. How about Sagiri-chan?”

“… It felt strange when you called me that.”

She looked disappointed.

“Then…what would you prefer?”

“Just call me 「 Sagiri 」 like usual. I only wanted to change what I call you.”

“I see. Then you can call me whatever you like.”

“Ok..then…I’m calling you…”

Sagiri coughed and —

“Muu-kun ♡”

“………..”

“Because you are 『Masamune 』…so I used Muu-kun…how is it?”

“…………”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Because it was more embarrassing than I thought. I was too shocked!

“Eh, Sagiri? I know that you were really trying…but can you please not call
me Muu-kun?”

“Don’t wanna!”

“Please!”

What is going on? She likes it?

I knelt on the floor and begged her to change it until she agreed.

“Mwu…in that case…”

She pouted and made another choice:

” Maa-chan♡”

“Don’t address me in such a cute way!!”

If she did, then I would “Ahhhhh” anytime she called my name. It made me
happy, but still…

“Mo ~ you are already complaining..”

“I have to!”

I firmly rejected her choice of words.

“How about…Muu-tan ♡”

“Rejected!”

“Masamasa ♡”
“NEXT!”

“Alright alright, let’s go back to Maa-kun then.”

“I told you that’s no good!”

It’s almost as bad as your previous take!

“Mwu ~ so what nickname would you prefer?”

“Can you pick something more normal? From 「Nii-san 」 to 「Masamune 」 —

I think that’s good enough.”

“It’s not a big change for me. Because in my mind, I always called you
「Masamune 」.”

“…I see.”

My face was getting hot.

“You mean: you always saw me as a member of the opposite sex…”

“No, no. It’s not like that!”

Sagiri interrupted me.

“No?”

“That…it’s not wrong…but it’s not right either.”

So what does that mean? Both not right and not wrong?

Sagiri didn’t answer me; she muttered:

“Soo….I’m calling…Ahh—“

“Ma… Masamune.”

“——“
That simple word has unexpectedly high destructive power.

Am I dreaming? I’m dating Sagiri…I’m so happy, I can’t believe it

Sagiri’s eyes began to water, she repeated “Masamune… Masamune…”

again and again. Then, she put both hands on her cheeks:

“Ha….I…I felt so embarrassed.”

I think it’s a wonder that most people with a girlfriend don’t die of shock. I
was at death’s door just now.

Sagiri continued talking:

“Masamune…this time…can you…can you listen to my most important

request?”

“Go ahead, anything is fine!”

There is no way I could say no to her

As soon as I say that, Sagiri told me her “request”

“Since you are my boyfriend now, cut off your relationships with other
girls.”

“……………..”

I broke into a cold sweat.

What…what should I say? Cut off relationships…I thought those words only
appeared in drama movies.

“…May I ask what you meant by that?”

I ask politely. Sagiri answered with an honest expression:

“Elf-chan and Muramasa-chan.”

“………”

“Cut off.”

It’s scary how dangerous those words are.

Seems like my girlfriend is the jealous type.

“No, everything’s fine. I will cut them off!” I accepted her request ” I already
told them that 『I have someone I like, so I can’t go out with you 』.”

I swore that I was telling the truth, but my back was covered in sweat.

“…When did you tell them that?”

“During our beach trip.”

I told Elf those words more than once already.

“You said 『 I have someone I like, so I can’t go out with you 』…like that?”

“Yup.”

“That means….you were confessed to? By Elf-chan and Muramasa-chan?”

“E…Yeah…that’s right.”

Even now, I couldn’t believe that so many girls would like me — especially
Sagiri.

“…Phew ~ ah.”

Sagiri narrowed her eyes, and glared daggers at me. After a moment, she
muttered.

“You didn’t completely cut them off.”

“No, it’s…complicated….”
“Totally not completely cut off.” Sagiri coldly repeated herself

“You have to make it clear to them. Tell them that you have me…as a
girlfriend…so you will not go out with anyone else.”

She said it aloud, but started feeling embarrassed halfway through so her
voice started getting quieter.

But I still heard her. So I immediately stood up.

” — You are right. I got it. I will go — right now – and tell them both.”

“Bring this with you.”

She threw a phone at me. What a paranoid girl. I already said that I will tell
them, didn’t I?

Anyway, I put the phone in my pocket and went to meet Elf and Muramasa-
senpai. Both of them were on the first floor and preparing a meal.

“Hi there, Masamune. The food is almost ready.”

Elf said while cleaning the table. Seems like today was Muramasa-senpai’s
turn to cook. I could hear the sound of fish being fried. What a good smell.

“Actually, I have something very important to talk about with Elf and
Muramasa-senpai —” I poke my head into the kitchen, and said.

“Yes, Masamune-kun.”

Muramasa-senpai turned back to me, still holding a knife and wearing an

apron.

The knife gleamed in the light.

“What is it? What do you want to talk about?”

“………..”
Should I say it to a knife-wielding Muramasa-senpai? But that knife really
looks like it belongs in her hand.

“Ah…it’s about…”

Before I could say more, Elf interrupted “Wait a moment”.

“It’s important, right? How about leaving it until after we finish lunch?”

She is very sharp, so there is a chance that she already figured it out.

We finished lunch. After that, I cleaned up the table and told them both:

“I’m dating Sagiri.”

No more words were needed. Directly to the point.

“That’s why I’m not going to go out with anyone else.”

…………

I’m waiting for their reactions.

For now, they — didn’t react at all. No, wait. It was small…but there was a
reaction.

Muramasa-senpai looked at me with disbelief in her eyes.

Elf looked like she was deep in thought

Several seconds passed. Then Elf said with a gentle smile:

“Did you confess? Or did she?”

“I did. I asked her to marry me….She said she couldn’t marry me for now…
but yeah, we are dating.”

“That’s very like you – so, first, congratz!”

She said it so clearly that I couldn’t help but blink a few times. Seeing that,
Elf laughed:

“What’s with your reaction? Did you think that a pro of the romantic genre
like me couldn’t foresee this?”

She wasn’t wrong. Before I opened my mouth, she probably…no, she

probably predicted it much earlier.

“Of course, I already figured out that you two still have some sort of trump
card. It’s a surprise that you could keep it hidden until now. If you played it
sooner…eh, well, I have prepared myself. I know that the current situation is
extremely disadvantages for me.”

Elf said it like everything was just a game. She continued:

“As a genius author of the romantic genre ~ I don’t really like to end my
story with a confession scene. By the way, I hate to write something like 『 I
will not give up 』. If it was my female lead, she would stand her ground and
say —”

With a loud bang, Elf slammed on the table, stood up, and shouted:

“Listen well! My plan will not change. I will turn this around and make you
beg for my forgiveness.”
Then, she turned around and left.

Before she left the room, Muramasa-senpai said while drinking tea:

“Is it that much of a disadvantage?”

“…………..”

Elf paused mid-step.

“……..What did you just say, Muramasa?”

“It’s nothing…because I confessed to Masamune-kun once already; he

rejected me because he had someone he likes. Now, he was telling us about
the girl he likes.”

“Yeah.”

“So, is it such a big change?”

“Of course it is! 『I have someone I like 』 and 『 I have a girlfriend 』 are
totally different!”

“Is that so? How?”

“For example, in a romantic novel —”

Muramasa-senpai cut Elf off.

“You always use novels as a reference, but reality is different.”

“…Kuh.”

“I forgot the name of your romantic novel, but after the final scene where the
two main characters get together, maybe they will break up for some
unknown reason. Or maybe one of them will die.”

“Wait a second, what are you talking about? Don’t add a horror ending to my
masterpiece that I spent blood and tears to write! Those protagonists will live
together in the memory of the readers! They will definitely not break up or
die or something! Because I will never, ever write a sequel like that!”

“I fully agree. The author has the right to stop the story whenever they want –
so that it will stop at a happy ending. They could expand it by writing some
short story or after-ending, showing how the characters live.”

That’s why it’s interesting. Senpai said so.

“But reality doesn’t work that way. It’s not like love will disappear after
getting rejected – that’s why people call it a burning love…I…recently, have
noticed it myself.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m saying that I will win.”

Muramasa-senpai didn’t raise her voice: she said it with a calm tone.

“Right now, he likes Sagiri. That’s all. I don’t care who Masamune-kun
dates, as long as he will live happily with me as family it’s fine – I have
confidence that that will be how it ends. Because –”

She smiled at me.

“You…must like me even more than before, correct?”

I couldn’t deny that.

“Senpai, you are my savior, my friend, my opponent — but those words

aren’t enough.”

However —

“The one I like most in the world is Sagiri; I don’t think my feelings will
change.”

After that conversation was over, the next one occurred in the locked room.
“Kuh ~~~~~ Yahhhhhhhh~~~”

My cute girlfriend is making a fuss. She is shaking her ass, yelling non-stop.

“Calm, calm down. Sagiri!”

“Shut up! Muramasa-chan is so hard to deal with. Elf-chan is so cool. And

Masamune is….is an idiot!”

Sagiri bit my hand, her eyes turned into a >< shape.

“What the heck? I clearly said it properly!”

“You did! But, but that…that line… was so embarrassing! So embarrassing! I

almost yelled when I heard you say it on the phone!”

I don’t know if she was trying to hide her embarrassment, or if she was truly
angry, but Sagiri kept attacking my right hand.

I replied:

“Sorry, but I’m an honest man! I don’t know how different reality and novels
are, but I would do it again if I had a chance!”

I took her hand and drew closer:

“I like you! I will like you from now till the end! Do you got a problem with
that?”

“…………No, I don’t.”

Maybe because I shouted at close range, Sagiri was shaken.

After she calmed down, I asked her in a serious tone:

“What about you?”

“Huh?”
“What do you think?”

“…Do you want me to say it out?”

I nodded.

“Trying to force me to say it alone…you are so sly.”

“…That…”

Sagiri trembled. Then, she glanced at me

— Do I have to say it out?

— Yes.

We communicated with our eyes. Then..

“…L…L…”

Because she was so nervous and embarrassed, her whole body trembled.

…Is she okay?

I was getting worried when my girlfriend finally managed to say it out:

With great difficult, she said —

“Achoo*”

“………………………..”

Pfffffffff….!!! No no no !!! I can’t laugh! I have to hold it….!!

If I break into laughter now it will be a disaster!

“Me…I…I also…*achoo* Masamune too!”

She did it again!

Crap, I don’t think I can hold it….Pfff…My stomach hurts…! I can’t…

But I’m happy too! Very happy!

I pressed a hand on my stomach and leaned forward a bit.

“Kutsu….Oh ~~ Thank you, Sagiri.”

“You…you don’t have to cry…”

Seeing that I was crying, Sagiri was moved: she blushed in embarrassment.

“…I didn’t expect you to be that happy…Fufu.”

I was happy. But I felt amused.

“Well, how should I put it…”

Now it’s my turn to blush.

“Just now, our conversation…thank god that no one heard us.”

“~~~~~~”

She lightly knocked on my head, before turning away. But Sagiri quickly
turned back:

“…Alright, now it’s time for the next part.”

“Eh? You mean…. finishing 『 what you want to do now that we are dating
』?”

“Correct.” She nodded. “Next is Masamune’s turn.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Only doing what I want to do is not exactly fair for you…”

“It’s fine. As long as you are happy.”

…I think my father said something similar before. He probably was thinking
the same as me now.

I was speaking honestly, but Sagiri didn’t seem to accept it. She repeated
herself:

“No. Next is your turn.”

“Okay.”

I smiled and began to think about it.

“Um ~ what I wanted to do with my girlfriend huh…let’s see.”

“You don’t have to hold back. You have fulfilled two of my wishes.”

“In that case…”

I tried to rearrange the words in my head. But what came out of my mouth
was —

“I want to do something like what husbands and wives do.”

“Like husbands and wives…Kuh!!!”

Sagiri immediately raised the tablet and prepared to slam it down on my

head.

“No, no. That’s not what I meant!”

It has been a while since I was attacked like this. I believe I have told her to
reduce the amount of violence. Maybe I should have made myself clearer
back then.

“I didn’t mean anything erotic. How should I put it…?”

How should I say it so that she can understand…?

“Right, something like a newlywed couple!”

“…For example?”

“Er…I mean…how about….thinking of a name for the unborn baby?”

“Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! It’s hundreds of times more embarrassing than I thought!”

She covered her face with her hand.

“But that’s my dream! I told you, I don’t want to go out with you! I want to
marry you!”

“I can’t marry at my age!”

“I mean in the future! Because we can’t marry right now, so I want to do

something like a newlywed couple! Do you have a problem with that?”

“I have a lot of problems with that!”

She rejected me in anger.

Why are we arguing immediately after we became a couple? I can’t

understand her.

Sagiri glanced at me from behind her fingers:

“If it was Izumi-sensei, I bet you would give your child a light novel style
name.”

“Hey, I wouldn’t use a light novel character’s name just because it’s cool.”

“I bet you would name your daughter Izumi Accelerator; then she would hold
a grudge against you for decades.”

“Don’t say something so scary!”

That future is too horrible!

For a child, this is very important. I have to pick a name carefully.

With the same care I use when I pick a protagonist’s name.

“So…what name would you like, for example?”

Sagiri asked. I immediately replied with a name that I had thought of.

“If it’s a boy…then Kirimune.”

“It’s like a light novel character. Rejected.”

My son’s name was merciless slashed.

Like a novelist whose manuscript was rejected, I tried to explain:

“But that name came from his mother and father…”

“I get it, but it feels like a light novel character’s name, so I don’t like it.”

“… It feels like a light novel character’s name?”

“Very much so. I will say it before hand, but 『 Shana 』 is out of the question
too.”

“You can read my mind?”

I think that I should use a character from the mother’s name to name my
daughter.

“I already know the way Izumi-sensei named your characters, so it’s better to
not let a light novel author name a child.”

“You are way too harsh to light novel authors.”

Well, of course she would understand me. She knew me even before I made
my debut.

Sagiri folded her arms together, and said in a serious tone:

“We don’t have to over think the child’s name, for now, I —“
Suddenly, Sagiri blushed madly.

“You, you, what did you trick me into saying ~~~~~~!!!”

Idiot! Pervert! Hentai! Sagiri kept punching me. It didn’t hurt, but I felt like
my heart was dying.

“Now it’s my turn.”

Until Sagiri calmed down, I was kicked out of her room. That was the email
she just sent me.

“Ok, fine!”

I replied. Then she dropped this bomb on me:

“Then let’s go on a date.”

“……………”

I was shaken to the core due the double meaning of that sentence.

First, because “I’m going on a date with the girl I like.”

And second —

“Are you going to go out?” I yelled to the room.

The reply email came immediately:

“No, I’m not.”

As expected.

Er, then…how will she go on a date?

After I emailed her my question —

“I have a way to go on a date without going out. I have a plan.”

“Is that so…?”

Hope she has a plan…

“You only need to do as I say Masamune!” She said with confidence.

I have a feeling that since we started dating, she will always dominate me.

“Today is your last day off, right?”

“Yeah…?” I replied

“Starting tomorrow, you might not be able to take a day off for several
months.”

I think that I can still ask for a day or two, but to get a day to ourselves would
require both of us to have our work finished.

“Then let’s go on a date today.”

With a *crack*, the door opened. Then, Sagiri appeared in a new outfit.

“Sorry for making you wait.”

Exactly what a girlfriend would say.

She wore summer clothing. My eyes were drawn to her revealed shoulders
and pure-white neck.

“…This…this is?”

“Really…didn’t I say that we are going on a date?”

So I changed – that’s probably what she meant.

Sagiri said in embarrassment:

“…Ma, Masamune…how does this… look?”

“Ah….very cute. It suits you.”

Sagiri looked very cute in the new clothes, plus her embarrassed look stunned
me. But somehow, my praise didn’t seem to make her happy.

She raised her head:

“…Masamune, you would say that no matter what I wore, wouldn’t you?”

“No, but…what else could I say? How about 「 your shoulders look delicious
」?”

“Wh, what are you looking at? I can’t believe you! You are a light novel
author, but you can’t think of more colourful words?”

“Kuh….”

“Can’t you say something more?”

“Guh….!”

Fine, I will do it!

“Okay…don’t look down on a light novel author! I will use all of my writing
skills to describe how cute you are!”

After saying that..

“Well, that’s what I want to do, but I can’t. Even Senjyu Muramasa-sensei
couldn’t describe the cutest person in the world.”

Ah ~ I sighed and dropped my head. But when I looked up, Sagiri seemed to
be very embarrassed. Her hands were trembling.

“Uuuuuuuu ~~~~~”

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know!!”
She turned and marched back in to her room. I hastily followed.

After closing the door, my girlfriend angrily folded her arms together and
glared daggers at me.

“So….let’s go on a date.”

“Sure…”

Since she was so scary, I meekly accepted.

“What exactly are you thinking about when talking about dating? Please give
us your answer, romantic-comedy light novel author Izumi Masamune-
sensei.”

Like a MC, Sagiri pushed the topic to me. I was caught off guard.

“Er….Kissing?”

Sagiri blushed, trembling.

“Nii…Nii-san, can you only think of perverted things?”

Now it’s “Nii-san” again. She’s probably used to it by now.

“I can’t help it! This is the first time in my life that I get to go on a date with
my girlfriend! Even the main character of Sekaimo only did some small ecchi
things!”

“But that guy was thinking about his little sister!”

“I only want my little sister!”

“Don’t say that with a proud expression! Pervert!”

I think both of us were already misunderstanding the other —

“That’s not what I meant! What I was trying to say is that I’m even more
honest to my girlfriend than the main character in my story!”
“Are you seriously comparing yourself to a light novel character?”

“Kuh…!”

The first thing we did after we became a couple was argue.

“So, in your opinion, what would you think of when talking about dating?
Please give us your answer, the erotic illustration specialist, the illustrator
Eromanga-sensei!”

“I don’t know anyone with that name!”

“Yeah yeah – so, what is your answer?”

“Kuh…fine.”

Sagiri raised her chest in confidence. I wonder what her answer will be.

She licked her lips, and said:

“I will tell my boyfriend to strip.”

“Can you only think of perverted things?”

As expected of Eromanga-sensei!!

“No!!”

I thought that she would blush and angrily deny it, but unexpectedly, Sagiri
calmly gave her counter argument. She gave an “everyone calm down” hand
signal, said:

“It’s not something perverted…if we are dating, of course I would have to

take care of my boyfriend’s clothes….So a girl can strip her boyfriend to do
anything she wants.”

“Don’t say something so outrageous with such a calm tone!!!”

That’s definitely not something a girl should say. Besides, if our roles were
reversed, I would be hated. It’s so unfair!

“Fufufu…!”

Sagiri’s breathing became faster and faster.

“That’s why, Nii-san, you should strip. Right now. So I can see your entire
body to draw my illustrations!”

“Sa..Sagiri…are you only interested in my body?”

Terrified, I used my hands to cover my body. I never thought that someday I

would say that line.

“Ah ~ you speak in such an erotic way all the time ~ Masamune is a pervert.”

“You have no right to say that! No right, you hear me?”

Sagiri gave a cute *yahh* and leapt toward me. I used my hand to hold her
forehead back, and said:

“Even if what you said is true, this part should only be done at the end of the
date! There is no way I could strip at the beginning of our first date!”

“Kuh…!”

Sagiri paused. She was half-way done with undoing my belt.

“You are right.”

“See?”

Phew, I’m saved.

I escaped from Sagiri, tightened my belt, and said:

“What else do you want to do? Aside from stripping your boyfriend, I mean.”

As her boyfriend, I shouldn’t have to tell her that.

And why is the girlfriend – Sagiri – taking care of the planning? Normally
it’s the boyfriend’s role. I can’t believe it.

Sagiri thinks for a moment then raises a finger.

“How about…. a walk.”

So, it’s decided

A walk and shopping – it’s a common dating strategy. But of course Sagiri
can’t go out.

“Come sit next to me, Masamune.”

“Sure.”

When Sagiri said “a walk” she meant “online shopping”. Thus, we opened
her laptop and began to check the Internet.

Sometimes, our shoulders touched…it didn’t feel so bad…good date so far.

“Today…let’s look for clothes for Masamune.”

“Me? Not you?”

Normally, during a date, the couple would go check out clothes for the girl
then the boy would pay, right?”

“Um, I will pick out clothes for you.” Sagiri said with a smile

“You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s okay, it’s my present. Because it’s our first date!”

“Is, is that so?”

Damn.

What the heck?

First she made the plan, and now she is leading me…

“I think this will suit you, Masamune.”

“Will it?”

“You would look very handsome if you wore this.”

She gave me a present…and she also praised me. Today Sagiri-nee-chan is

so cool.

I’m a male, but my heart was racing.

“See this ~”

Sagiri took her drawing book out and quickly drew me in the clothes that she
had just picked.

“You would look like this. If we order now, it will arrive tomorrow – I can
see it with my own eyes.”

“Sure…Got it. But you seem to be so good at ordering online…yeah, that

should be expected.”

“Just leave it to me! I’m really used to it!”

“You are…so trustworthy…ahaha!” I laughed

“Did I say something strange?”

“It’s nothing – I just feel happy.”

We are just sitting together, why am I feeling so happy?

Why is my heart racing so much?

Maybe…this is just how we roll.

“It’s just a start…but I think this is how a date should be.”

It doesn’t matter what you choose to do, as long as you are together.

“……..”

Suddenly, Sagiri poked me in the stomach. I returned the favor and asked her
what she wanted.

“Who knows”? She turned away.

“Fine, is it my turn now?”

“Your turn?”

“My turn to pick clothes for you – to celebrate our first date.”

“Ah? Based on your tastes, Masamune?”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“Yeah, because Izumi-sensei always had your female protagonists wearing

boring clothes.”

“Hey wait a sec! Do you really think so? This is the first time I have heard
about it!”

“Every time, it’s my imagination that helps create cute clothes.”

“You can talk to me directly! I always thought that Eromanga-sensei just

didn’t really read my descriptions!”

When that happened, I had to change the clothes description to match the
illustration.

…But the end result was that my characters got cute clothes, so I let it slide.

“Anyway, so…How about you pick clothes and I pay for them?”

“Um, that sounds good. There is a website that I visit frequently, let’s try it
out.”
Sagiri pointed forward. While we didn’t leave the room, I had fun.

And that’s how our first date went…

Sagiri sighed:

“We can’t do everything.”

“Of course. If we did, it would actually be very awkward.”

Since we are living together.

“Er…yeah, I guess you have a point.”

“I had a wonderful day.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“I have to go back to work tomorrow – thank to these past few days, I feel
like I’m recharged.”

“…Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I know.”

I’m not the only one who is busy. Sagiri has her job too.

She said:

“Don’t get full of yourself just because our dream is almost here or because
you have a girlfriend.”

Hearing her warning, I laughed:

“It’s impossible for me to not get full of myself.”

“Really…”

“But I will try.”

It would be fun.

Because of our conversation, our worries were blown away.

“After our work is finished, I have something to ask you.”

“Ask me?”

Sagiri pointed at herself while looking confused. I nodded.

“Yes. I planned ask this after our dream became reality along with my
proposal. But I think I could make it happen earlier.”

“Um.”

Hearing me mention the proposal made Sagiri blush.

“I really want to ask you this.”

“…When you put it like that I don’t want to hear it anymore.”

“Ahahaha, really? But please do. Though I will give it up if you say so.”

“Fine…so, what do you want to ask me?”

Suspicious — Sagiri’s eyes said that.

And I told her:

“I have to say this beforehand: it’s as important as my proposal.”

Chapter 2
“Izumi Masamune’s days off”: second day.

August, 8th. Monday, 23:30.

In my old room, I went to sleep. After a long period of hard work, now the
room was more or less the same as it should be.

Elf was the one who came up with this idea. I agreed with her because living
together in a single room with my new girlfriend would be bad.

So, Elf and Muramasa-senpai returned to living in Elf’s home starting today.

“My own manuscript is in danger too.”

“I will stay at Elf’s home this summer; call me if you need help.”

They said that before leaving. I’m so moved.

They still acted like everything was normal — but I know that that is
impossible. Though if I were in their shoes, I would probably act the same
way.

— Tomorrow I have to get back to work. I need to do my best —

I know what I’m supposed to do, but it’s hard to actually do it.

Just recently, I confessed to the girl I loved…and we started going out….

“Yahhh….”

Every time I think about that moment, I feel like I could faint.

I wanted to scream Sagiri’s name. I wouldn’t be able to stop myself if I sent a

message to Sagiri right now.
“Dating a girl…what should I do…Maybe I should ask someone for tips…!”

Suddenly, Kusanagi-senpai sent me a message.

“Izumi, come to my home tomorrow.”

“Huh? What’s up?”

“I have called Shidou too.”

“Did something happen?”

“Do you have to ask that much?”

“Well it’s suspicious.”

“I helped you once by writing the collaboration story of Pure Love and
Sekaimo, so it’s your turn to pay me back.”

“Huh? But those are two completely different things! You are just trying to
get on my good side!”

“You were so busy recently, right? Come out and play.”

“Kuh…”

Why should I go out and play with a man instead of my girlfriend?

But…it might be a good chance for me to talk with my same sex co-worker.
And Shidou-kun would probably be there too.

I thought about it then replied:

“I have to go to the editorial department at night, so I can’t stay for too long.
Is that okay with you?”

“Great! Then come to my home at 1 o’clock.”

*Buzz*. He sent me his address.

..Wow, Kusanagi-senpai lived in a really high class area.

That’s why, the next day, I went to the Shinjuku area where Kusanagi-senpai
lived.

It was a very modern area, designed by a famous architect. If I hadn’t gone to

Makina-san’s house before I would feel really pressured.

I buzzed Kusanagi-senpai from the front door of the apartment building.

Kusanagi-senpai opened the automatic door for me.

I went to his room and saw him at the door.

“Yo, you made it.”

Low and grumpy voice. Black clothes. Blond hair. The guy who looked like a
FF XV party member is Kusanagi Ryouki. He is my senior; his famous novel
is a romantic comedy named “Pure Love”

His hair was a mess, so I guess he just got out of bed. He said in a sleepy
tone:

“Come in. Shidou hasn’t arrived yet.”

There were a lot of shoes at the entrance. He clicked his tongue for some
reason and re-arranged them so that I had somewhere to put my shoes.

I put my shoes down and followed him further into the apartment. There was
something suspicious on the way. It looked like a cloth-covered shelf.

“What is that?”

“My figure display shelf. It would be troublesome if a girl saw it, so I usually
keep it hidden.”

“………….”

Then what would you do if she asked about it?

I think it’s a problem for all otaku: that it’s difficult to bring someone of the
opposite sex to their own room. It’d be great if my girlfriend is an otaku too!

“There were a lot of shoes at the door. Is someone in here?”

“More or less.”

More or less…suspicious…

But my suspicion was quickly answered.

In front of me, Kusanagi-senpai suddenly said “Hey!” and opened the door
like a loan shark who was coming to collect his money.

Behind the door, indeed there were several people that I don’t know. They
were boys, probably in high school or university.

Some were reading manga; some were playing video games, one was
assembling a garage kit by himself.

Their looks ranged from short bodied and baby-faced to tall and muscular –
in short, there were a lot of boys with different looks.

“Ah, Nii-san. Is that your friend?”

The boy who was making a garage kit looked up and asked. He probably was
Kusanagi-senpai’s younger brother’s friend.

The rest of them greeted Kusanagi-senpai with “Sorry for troubling you” or
“Pleased to meet you”. Looks like it’s pretty typical for Kusanagi-senpai to
yell at them, none of them reacted more than that.

Seeing how they acted, Kusanagi-senpai kicked a nearby trash can:

“Get out! You brats! Don’t just gather in my home!”

“But there is an event nearby.”

“It took us a long time to come here ~”

“So ~”

“I don’t give a damn about your reasons! Get! Out! It’s summer break, but
you are still students! Go home and read a book or something!”

“But Nii-san, aren’t you a NEET too?”

“I told you that I’m not!”

“Then you must be lying when you say that you are a light novel author.”

“I will only believe you if you let me meet Yamada Elf-sensei.”

“Can’t be helped then. Let’s go home.”

“Yeah yeah.”

One by one, they left the room.

On the other hand, I have a good understanding of the situation. It was —

“Go to your friend’s home during summer break, but get chased out by his
scary elder brother.”

It was something typical during summer break, but I never thought that I
would be on the elder brother’s side this time. It…pained me.

“Damn..those brats…they made a mess and just left.”

Kusanagi-senpai muttered and began to clean up. I lent him a hand.

Taking a look around, I saw that this was a nice room. It even had a cool-
looking lighting system.

However…there was manga/light novel shelves, guitars, bass, figures, gunpla

etc… everywhere. While they were temporarily hidden away, it’s clear that
there was no way the owner could invite a girl into this room.

(EN: Gunpla = Gundum plastic models)

“Not bad.”

“Yeah. I moved here when my anime started.”

He said something similar to Elf.

That’s right….after my work was adapted into an anime….I had to move

around a lot. Going to the publishing company, editorial department, anime
company… It would be difficult if I lived too far away.

“So, why are we gathering today? You said it’s because you want to play
something, but what’s the real reason?”

“I will tell you after Shidou arrives. Want some coffee?”

“Please”

Not long after that, Shidou arrived. I raised a hand to greet him.

“Long time no see, Shidou-kun.”

“Long time no see, Izumi-kun.”

This bright-looking young man was Shidou Kunimitsu. He is my elder junior:

currently a university student. His story was mainly about sweets.

“Looks like the anime made you very busy.”

“….I managed to get it done; now it’s up to the anime’s production team.”

“…I see.”

“Yes.”

While I could help out somewhat during the weekly meeting, now there
wasn’t much that I could do.

I could only entrust everything to the anime’s production team and prepare
myself to assist them if needed. For now, I could satisfy myself with the
thought that I did my best.

We gathered around the sofa and drank coffee while talking.

“So, how have you been recently, Shidou-kun?”

“Eh? Izumi-kun doesn’t know? I’m going to publish a new story at the end of
this summer.” He said with a prideful expression.

“Eh? Is that so? Congratz!”

“Ahahah, thanks!”

“Shidou, is your new story the same one you wrote during the World’s Light
Novel Tournament?”

“Right right! Finally ~~~~ I can publish it!”

It has been a long time since he started writing that one. During that time, he
has had to endure having his manuscript fixed numerous times, and deal with
the occasional writer’s block.

….But in the end, he succeeded. This is a new type of novel for him, so it’s
not easy to write. That’s why he is so happy.

“Please take a look you two! Take a look at the cover page…see, this is it!”

He used his smartphone to show us the cover page for his story.

Both I and Kusanagi-senpai turned to the phone’s screen and judged the
drawing that we saw.

“Oh ~ nice drawing! Very cool! I think it will sell well.”

That’s what Kusanagi-senpai said. He is not someone who would sugarcoat

his words, so that’s probably what he truly thinks.

I nodded too.
“Shidou-kun, is your story still the same as the short story before?”

“It changed a lot. My manuscript was fixed many times. But there are still a
lot of delicious sweets in it!”

“I see.”

Still smiling, I asked carefully.

“After looking at the cover page and the novel’s name, there is something
that I’m curious about…may I ask you a question?”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Shidou-kun’s new story — is it a Loli Light Novel?”

“That’s correct!”

Shidou-kun immediately gave me a lengthy explanation.

“After enduring the harsh reality…I found out that a small girl saying It’s
okay, it’s okay is super moe! So I gave my female protagonist that
characteristic! In other words, I changed her from a female university student
into a loli! Just like that, my story immediately became interesting! I no
longer have to fix my manuscript over and over again, everything comes out
so naturally! That’s how I wrote a super powerful novel…!”

He praised lolis with a carefree smile.

“Ah! Is this what they call discovering a new self? Anyway, I found new
meaning in my life!”

Is this guy drunk again!?

“What should we do, Kusanagi-senpai! Our junior is walking down a path

that you can’t return from!”

“Don’t talk like it’s not related to you! All of this happened because you
introduced him to an elementary school girl!”
“I did?”

“Of course!”

Kusanagi yelled and pointed at my face. He grinned:

“But it’s not a big deal, is it? Based on Shidou’s style and a loli female
protagonist, I could say that this is a wonderful combination even without
reading.”

“Izumi, a novelist can greatly benefit from awakening a new interest.”

This guy is beyond saving.

“Hey, why are you backing away with a this guy is beyond saving expression
on your face? Making a judgment from the cover page alone isn’t something
you usually do.”

“It’s not because of the cover page: it’s mostly because of what Shidou-kun
said after that.”

Should I say that he might be a lolicon? But that’s so disgusting!

“Listen to me, Izumi-kun. My new novel is maternal.”

“But it’s a loli light novel!?”

“Here’s why. You can think of it this way: I don’t know if I could get along
with an older girl….”

Since it’s very troublesome, please allow me to skip this.

Shidou-kun said:

“Don’t you think it’s wonderful when a smaller girl suddenly asks you to
spoil her or to be spoiled by her?”

“I do, actually.”
That’s something I like about Sagiri.

But with Sagiri, it’s more of “a trustworthy person” than “maternal”.

I raised my right hand.

“You understand, right!”

Shidou-kun took my hand. We shook each other’s hand.

“…It’s wonderful.”

“…It is.”

I think this is the first time I agreed with him about our taste in girls.

Seeing that, Kusanagi-senpai narrowed his eyes.

“Shidou….er…I understand your enthusiasm…but this cover page…did it

come from the famous loli manga artist?”

“Awesome isn’t it? I have bought and read manga drawn by him!” Shidou-
kun said while looking full of himself.

“That wasn’t my point. What I’m trying to say is, it’s the same as asking the
author of D*agon Ball to draw illustrations for a fighting light novel. Is that
okay? Unless your story is especially good, people will say 『 It’s better to let
the illustrator write the story instead 』, you know?”

“This one is especially good, don’t worry!”

Was he this confident in the past?

Kusanagi-senpai put his arm over my shoulder and whispered:

“I haven’t read it, but my gut feeling is telling me that…..this one will sell
really well.”

“I think so too.”
“I can’t accept that, so before Shidou comes to his senses, let’s make things
worse for him. How about publicising the fact that he is a lolicon in an online
news article?”

“I have the same editor as him, just leave it to me.”

“Good, I leave it in your hands…!”

Er…that is how we seniors care for our junior. We are advertising for his
novel. We don’t have any other motives. While this shameful past might
bring him hardship in the future when the media knows about it, what he said
will become good interview material.

By the way, real lolicons have a way to know who is a fake lolicon.

“What are you two talking about?”

“It’s nothing – oh, right. Since Shidou is here too, let me tell you the real
reason why I called you both.”

“I knew it!” *2

Both I and Shidou-kun said at the same time.

“And…well, have you mentally prepared yourself for what’s about to come?”

“It’s something that requires us to mentally prepare ourselves?”

“You can treat it like a ghost story. Very summer-like, isn’t it?”

“Ghost story, huh…”

“*Gulp*”

Both I and Shidou-kun were surprised.

With his usual low voice, Kusanagi-senpai slowly began to speak:

“This happened a few days ago to me…”

“Wait, you mean it really happened?”

He said “Yes, it’s totally real.”

“….Please, don’t tell a story that will end with a curse on the audience.”

Maybe he was afraid of ghosts, but Shidou-kun was already pale. To think
that this is the same lolicon who doesn’t like older girls

“Let me continue…That night, at a certain bar in front of the Shinjuku

station, I met a girl who claimed that she was 24 years old. Based on my
scanner however, she was actually 27. She had big breasts and a black bra.”

“Do you have to describe that part so carefully?”

“Yes, because it’s super important. Then…after we shared a few drinks, our
conversation continued…until I managed to ask for her number.”

“Yeah yeah.”

“After that, we said goodbye. I returned here alone.”

“Meaning that you failed to make a connection with her?”

“No I didn’t! The fight has just begun! My ability shines only now!”

Really?

“So, what part of this story is horror?” Shidou-kun tilted his head and asked.

“Be patient will you! I’m going to talk about the main topic now. Ready?”

We nodded at once.

Kusanagi-senpai coughed once, and then continued:

“After I got back home…it wasn’t even midnight yet. I was a bit drunk, but I
still thought that I should contact that girl before going to sleep, so I sent her
a message.”
I was beginning to wonder when he would get to the main point…

“And that 27 year old girl’s name is 『 Aya 』”

“Ah….” *2

Suddenly I felt a chill down my snipe!

“Could…could it be…that you sent your message to the elementary school

girl 『 Aya-chan 』?”

“You sent your message to the wrong person!?”

“…Yes.”

“SCARYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!” * 2

It’s the first time that I have heard such a horror story.

“You, you, what kind of message did you send?”

“I have a screen shot saved here.”

[GVN.Chaos: I’m still trying to read the conversation included in the text, but
the resolution was way too low for me. Anyway, just know that Kusanagi
asked to see Aya-chan’s bra.]

I took a look then made a conclusion:

“You are done for.”

“You think so too?” He forced a smile. “I found out the next morning what I
had done. I think that I’m dead meat.”

Next to me, Shidou-kun asked:

“Picture? Did you get the picture?”

“If she sent a picture, I would be laughing right now.”

Thankfully, Aya-chan had common sense.

“So, did you solve that misunderstanding?”

“No, not yet.”

“What the?”

Kusanagi-senpai showed me the message that Aya-chan replied with.

“Then, I will come over tomorrow.”

“………….”

“…………..”

Ah…now I see…. So it is a horror story that will curse the audience.

Suddenly – the door bell rang. Both I and Shidou-kun were forced to endure
the same horror that Kusanagi-senpai had at that moment.
Then the culprit – Kusanagi-senpai – right in front of us, he —

“So you sent that message to the wrong person? I got it. ♪”

Two girls in elementary school uniforms stood in front of Kusanagi-senpai,

who was kneeling on the floor.

It seemed like Aya-chan asked her classmates to come with her. It’s not like
an elementary school kid could come to a 20 plus year old man’s home alone.

“Hm, anyway, I already knew that that would be the case! Oh ~~~”

The girl who was angry with the situation is Aya-chan’s friend, Megumi. She
is a girl with glasses and a wide forehead. Even now, she is still prepared to
pull her emergency alarm at a moment’s notice. Scary.

“I’m so sorry.”
Kusanagi-senpai could only keep bowing and apologising. At the same time,
Aya-chan was yelling “Muh! Mwu!” and kept hitting his head.

The situation was very bad. A single misstep would turn it into a wild fire,
and we risked the police’s involvement too. Their way of handling the
situation was already relatively gentle.

“I’m so sorry.”

Still, it’s so shameful to see my senior kneeling to an elementary school girl.

Megumi turned to me:

“What are you doing here, Onii-san?”

“Kusanagi-senpai asked me to come – he said something about wanting to

meet me.”

“He knew this would happen, yet still called us here. It’s too much!”

Even Shidou was angry. Understandable, since now it’s extremely easy for us
to get drawn into this storm.

While I could understand that Kusanagi-senpai hoped for a third party to be

present, it still troubled me a lot.

“By the way, Megumi, I didn’t expect you to come too.”

“It’s fine. I have a lot of friends at Shinjuku too ~”

Megumi took her phone out and put it to her ear:

“Okay, guys, are you there ~ it’s Megumi ~ Thank you, I’m fine — you can
disperse now. There is no need to stay near the entrance anymore ~ Um ~
let’s hang out together again later ~”

She hung up and smiled:

“That’s how it is ♪”

“…I understand.”

Turned out her friends had already gathered right outside, ready to burst in…
scary. I think it’s normal for a current generation light novel to have a
character like her.

“Okay, I forgive you, but…”

During our conversation, Aya-chan’s lecture came to an end.

“I have a condition!” She raised a finger.

Now it’s becoming more and more interesting

Still kneeling, Kusanagi-senpai looked up in fear:

“C, condition?”

“………”

From her brand name handbag, Aya-chan took out a light novel and put it in
front of Kusanagi-senpai.

“Anata ga Naku made Fumu no wo Yamenai! (I Won’t Stop Stepping On

You Until You Cry!, I Won’t Take My Foot Off Until You Cry!)”
Author: Eiji Mikage. Illustration: Nyanya

Dengeki Bunko

“You, you…! Are you trying to crush my pride…?”

Kusanagi-senpai began to tremble.

“…How much will she abuse him? I feel so excited…!”

Shidou-kun looked like he wanted to be in Kusanagi-senpai’s place.

On the other hand, seeing how he reacted, Aya-chan blushed:

“It’s not like that! Wh, what are you thinking about! It…it is…”

She took out another light novel and quickly showed it to Kusanagi-senpai:
“Ro-Kyu-Bu!”

Author: Sagu Aoyama, Illustration: Tinkle

Dengeki Bunko

“Hey, the girl who wants to become a light novel author over there, can you
please stop with your metaphor?”

“Um, I’m showing a girl’s feeling with light novels…”

“But no one can understand you!”

Please use an easier metaphor. That’s what Kusanagi-senpai was asking.

“Hm, looks like a romantic comedy novelist can’t understand me. Then…”

For the third time, Aya-chan took out another light novel and put in down.
Room No. 1301. Otonari-san wa Artistic (Room 1301 – Otonari-san’s
artistic)

Author : Arai Teru. Illustration: Sacchi

Fujimi Shobo

“Don’t show high value information so suddenly!”

“But you told me to use an easier metaphor!”

“I feel an instinctual fear toward it. What part of it is easier or simple? Just
tell me frankly! With your mouth!”

“Ku, Kusanagi-sensei, please take responsibility!”

“…………..”

Kusanagi-sensei froze and turned deathly pale. He was slightly trembling.

Seeing that, Shidou-kun slowly said:

“I see….Room No. 1301 huh”

“Do you understand, Shidou-kun?”

“Please tell me.”

Both I and Megumi asked at the same time. He replied:

“It is a novel written by Arai Teru-sensei published by Fujimi Mystery. I

can’t give you a short version of the content…but I can tell you in this novel,
in a later volume, every time a new female character was introduced, her
name will get a pink H-Mark.”

“Good, I got it. Thank you very much.”

“Wow, Aya-chan is so bold.”

“No, it’s not like that! I, I only meant that I want him to take responsibility
for sending me a strange message!”

Did this child really just say something so unbelievable?

“………….”

Even Megumi was so shocked that she couldn’t say anything back. Shidou-
kun was still talking, but no one paid him any attention anymore.

“I told you it’s not like that!” Aya-chan became flushed and was nearly
screaming.

Kusanagi-senpai averted his eyes, like he wanted to run away from reality.

“Taking responsibility – this is the second time in my life that I have heard
it…but it’s still as scary as ever.”

“How did you solve it the first time?”

“I asked Arai Teru-sensei for help.”

Arai Teru-sensei’s image became something very impure.

While Kusanagi-senpai was talking nonsense, Aya-chan continued her

onslaught:

“Listen to me carefully! Will you take responsibility? Or will you not?”

“What…do you want me to do…”

He said with a pained expression. Aya-chan gave him a final light novel
“Ryuuou no Oshigoto! (The Dragon King’s Work is Never Done!)”

Author: Shirow Shiratori. Illustrator: Shirabi

GA Bunko.

“Please make me your apprentice.”

At least I think he can understand her this time. Kusanagi-senpai breathed a

sigh of relief.

“I don’t know if I can help you or not.”

“I understand your point.”

“I’m just a romantic comedy novelist.”

“That’s why you are suitable.” Aya-chan hung her head low and muttered
“Actually….the next novel that I want to write is a romantic comedy story
too.”

“…Okay. I don’t think I can be your teacher…but if you need my input about
your story, then I can do it. When I have free time, of course.”

“That’s enough! Thank you very much!”

Aya-chan smiled brilliantly. At the same time, her teacher fell on the floor in
a 大 shape

After that “getting a master” incident —

Shidou-kun stayed behind at Kusanagi-senpai’s home while I went back to

the Shinjuku station with Megumi and Aya-chan.

Once I saw the station I realized something.

“Ah crap. Too many things happened and I forgot to have a talk with
Kusanagi-senpai.”
Still, I doubted I could get any useful answers in that atmosphere anyway. It’s
not like my situation would get better. Megumi turned to me, and asked:

“Do you need to talk with him about something?”

“Yeah.”

I was muttering to myself, but somehow she overheard me.

It’s not hard to see where it will lead, yet I answered her question anyway:

“I need to talk about love.”

“Onii-san is going to talk about love? What a charming story!”

Megumi’s eyes were shinning. Even Aya-chan looked interested. Seems like
girls their age like this topic.

“In that case, let the romantic master – me – listen to your problems.”

She sounded like Elf for a moment. Who is better, a romantic comedy master
or a romantic master?

……….Megumi. Maybe.

I’m going to ask her about real life, not something in a novel, after all.

“Should I talk about love with Megumi?”

“Of course you should! Ahaha ~ I really want to listen ~ about Onii-san’s
love ♡”

“You just think it’s fun, don’t you?”

“Yes I do. But I will give you proper advice as thanks.”

“Hmmm…”

What should I do? Should I…ask Megumi? She knows about our family’s
situation, and she is a self-claimed romantic master…Maybe she is a good
choice.

While she is only a self-claimed romantic master, compared to me, who

hasn’t gone out with anyone before, she is still a good choice.

“Ano…Sensei! Megumi has listened to everyone’s love problems before…!

She is very trust worthy…! So….”

When I was hesitating, Aya-chan gave me a little push. I smiled slightly and
replied:

“In that case…I will be in your care.”

“Ehehe, leave it to me! Then let’s go somewhere quiet to talk!”

Megumi pulled me by the arm. We followed her to a nearby karaoke

building.

“Okay, Onii-san, go ahead and tell us.”

“Sure…”

First, she let me sit down. Then after quickly communicating via eye sight,
they both sat down next to me: one on each side. Hm, while they were only
elementary school girls, I bet some people would be jealous of my current
position.

‘We will not let you get away’

That was what I felt coming from them.

After Megumi ordered some drinks, she immediately got to the point:

“So? So? What do you want to talk about?”

“Um, actually…”

Both of them were staring at me with sparkling eyes, so I got right into it.
“I have a girlfriend now.”

“Wah!”

Aya-chan was so excited that I thought she was the one who got a boyfriend.
On the other hand, Megumi put a hand on my knee and leaned forward:

“Ah? Ara? Not someone you like, but a girlfriend already?”

“Yeah. We are dating.”

“Wow ~~! This…is unexpected! I’m so excited!!”

“Don’t say that while touching me in an inappropriate place!”

“Ah, cheater! You can’t cheat on her!”

But Megumi showed no signs of letting me off. She even drew closer,
smiling happily.

I will say it again – girls really like talking about love.

“Me, Megumi, you can’t! It’s unfair to Sensei’s girlfriend!”

“It’s fine, Aya-chan!” She said and put her other arm around my neck “In my
book, only kissing counted as cheating, so this much is fine!”

This is NOT fine at all!!

“I, I it counted as cheating if you spent more than ten seconds alone with
another girl in a room!”

Nope. That is way too harsh!

Following your own logic, I’m already a cheater!

Really…what’s with kids’ common sense nowadays? They went overboard so

easily
“So, so, who is your girlfriend? Tomo-chan – probably not. Is it Elf-chan? Or
Muramasa-chan? Or – could it be Army-chan?”

“I will tell you, just release me!” I nearly begged her.

“Fine ~”

Megumi meekly let me go, then she took her shoes off and kneeled down on
the sofa. Her arms were slightly raised toward me.

“Then, tell me, tell me!”

“*Gulp*”

Aya-chan also swallowed hard, looking at me.

Suddenly, the room was quiet. I looked at Aya-chan again…coughed once,

and said:

“My girlfriend is —“

….This is the only way I could tell them

“Eromanga-sensei.”

“Ah – ah ——————!!!” *2

Girly screams nearly popped my ear drums.

While I was covering my ears in pain, both elementary school girls asked
question after question:

“Eromanga-sensei ….is…”

Aya-chan was blushing madly; she said my partner’s name with difficulty.

“You mean the girl from the Sekaimo event – the very beautiful–“

Ah, yeah.
To Aya-chan, Eromanga-sensei meant Kyouka-san.

“Very beautiful female pervert, right!”

“…………..”

I smiled vaguely while thinking —

Thank heavens Kyouka-san is not here.

During that event, Kyouka-san (in her twenties) entered the stage as
Eromanga-sensei. Then, per Eromanga-sensei’s orders, she wore an erotic
sailor uniform, and was forced to shout Eromanga beam. It was so hard for
her, but thanks to that the anime’s marketing is much easier.

Still, it’s clear that most people see her as a female pervert. I have no idea
how I could tell her that, nor what I should do about it.

But one thing is clear: for us siblings, Kyouka-san is our most beloved family
member.

“Onii-san…Eromanga-sensei…you mean…”

Unlike Aya-chan, Megumi knew the truth. So I nodded.

“Correct.”

“I see ~~”

Megumi looked like she was arranging her thoughts. Then she slowly smiled

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Her sincere congratulations felt like a fire inside my chest.

Megumi looked fidgety; she continued:

“Actually, this morning, Sa…Eromanga-sensei sent me a message, saying
that she 「 had something she wanted to talk to me about 」.”

“Huh…?”

But that means that Megumi didn’t know about me and Sagiri going out until
just now?

“I don’t know all the details. See, because of Aya-chan’s situation.”

“Oh…”

“I told her 「 I will call you as soon as I get home 」…But after hearing it from
you, I got it. This must be what she wanted to talk about.”

“Yeah, probably.”

So…now that we started going out, Sagiri has her troubles too?

“It’s okay.” Megumi sounded like she was comforting me.

Aya-chan, who still doesn’t know the full picture, said with eyes full of
admiration.

“To think that an older woman asked you for advice, Megumi–chan is so
cool!”

“Ahaha ~ somewhat ~”

Megumi smiled wryly and nodded before turning back to me:

“Cough cough! Tell us a bit more then! What troubles you after you just
gained a cute girlfriend?”

“ – This is my first time dating a girl.”

“Even though you are in high school?” *2

“Yes! So what!?”
They both spoke at the same time! And what’s with those pitying eyes? There
is nothing wrong with a boy having his first date in high school, right!?

“Izumi-sensei is scary (><)”

“Ara ara, Onii-san, what are you getting angry for?”

“I’m not angry! Anyway, that’s the problem. Since this is the first time I’ve
had a girlfriend, I don’t know what to do! I’m so confused! We had a date,
but I don’t know about anything beyond that, so I’d like some advice from
you girls.”

I said that all in one go. Megumi said “Um” and began to think.

“I need to hear about the details of the date from her – How about giving her
a present?”

“If you meant a present to celebrate our date, then we already gave each other
one.”

“Of course I mean something else. You just started going out, right? Then I
think that one present every time you meet each other would be okay. Just
treat it like a small, simple gift.”

“Really?”

Is that okay?”

“Is it normal for a couple to do that?”

“Not really. That was advice based on what I know about the two of you.”

After we began talking about love, Megumi felt like a strategist.

“Izumi-sensei, there is no such thing as 「normal love 」.”

Now even Aya-chan was lecturing me.

But…they were right. I didn’t ask for normal advice, I asked for advice that
suits me.

“You are correct. So…presents…Do you recommend anything?”

“Of course it must be something that would make the girl happy. Onii-san
must know better than me.”

“You got it.”

If I don’t know, then I’m not worthy of being her boyfriend, or her brother.

“A present that would make my girlfriend happy…”

I have given her many presents before, so it would be better if I got

something different this time. Hm ~ what should I pick then….

“Come! Onii-san, stand up!”

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Megumi took my hand and forced me to stand up.

“Practicing! I’ll play the role of your girlfriend: treat me like your super cute
girlfriend!”

“Is that so…Okay, let’s give it a shot.”

I knew that unless I practiced, I would freeze up when I had to do it for real.

Megumi happily added:

“To make it more realistic, there is something I need to know…Onii-san,

what does your girlfriend call you?”

“Muu-kun ♡”

“So sweeeeeeeeeetttt!!” Megumi yelled. “Really?”

“Nope, I was joking. She calls me by my name.”

“Can you stop teasing me! I was imagining her calling you 「 Muu-kun ♡ 」”

I think I would die immediately if she did call me that.

“She just calls me Masamune. Actually, inside, she has been calling me that
for a long time.”

“I can totally believe it! So cool!”

“Yes! Yes!” Aya-chan shouted while blushing.

Megumi raised her head and looked at me again.

“Um um! Calling each other by name directly is a good start! Then I will do
the same! Let’s begin our 「giving a present practice 」!”

“Go ahead.” I tapped my chest in confidence.

Megumi took a step away from me then began to “role-play Sagiri”

“……….”

First, she closed her eyes. Then when she opened them again, her bright and
cheerful personality became calm and gentle.

Next, she raised a hand and made a door-opening motion. It really looked like
she was opening the locked room.

Finally, “Sagiri” appeared from the door. She said in a small voice:

“Masamune…? Yes? Do you….need me for something?”

Wow! It’s so real!

She is already cute, but acting like Sagiri made my heart race even more!

I swallowed hard, and said:

“I..I have…a present for you.”

“For…me?”

“Um, it’s not a special day or anything — I just want to give it to you.”

“Is, is that so…”

Sagiri (Megumi) flushed in embarrassment.

Her acting skills are top-notch!

Suddenly, Megumi returned to normal.

“Stop, Onii-san. You need to be more relaxed. What you just said is a bit too
heavy.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Just now, what you said is only suitable if you plan to give her something
worth around ¥10.000” (~ $90)

Damn! Is there a template for what kind of present I buy?

“Aya-chan, do you feel the same?”

“Ah, um …just now…I think…” Aya-chan said in embarrassment “It

sounded like you were about to kiss her then say, 「I’m the present 」”

“I’m not going to do that!”

Even if she is my girlfriend, she would slap me immediately in that case.

“Ah ~ anyway, I don’t think what you said is ok ~”

“I think you should kiss her when saying those words”

Both of them were in agreement. I feel a bit uneasy now, wondering if I can
really count on them.

Megumi turned back and pointed a finger at me:

“Listen well! In ~ short ~ what you just said was too serious. Again, okay?”

“Sure.”

“Then, one more. Good, start – Masamune…yes? Do you …need me for

something?”

“Yes, I have a present for you.”

“ – Ok, that’s good – Really? What is it?”

“Be happy! This is your favorite porn.”

“Wonderful! Thank you, Masamune – wait, no. What the hell?”

“But she is Eromanga-sensei, you know?”

“I know, but for a present from a boyfriend, this is the worst possible choice.
If you gave her porn, how could you continue with a sweet and romantic
conversation?”

“We will talk about how this pose is erotic, or how she could draw an
illustration based on it.”

“Sounds like you two get along very well! But no!”

Megumi put her hands in a cross.

“No?”

“No ♡” She rejected while laughing.

Next to us, Aya-chan said:

“She really is a slut.”

Her misunderstanding is getting worse.

“But there is no present that’s easier than that.”

“Ah~ I’m thinking that maybe we should change tactics.”

“Meaning?”

“Since your relationship is close, you understand each other very well. And
your financial situation is not too bad either…”

She paused for a moment.

“…Maybe it’s better if you give her something valuable.”

“Uh – huh.”

I nodded and urged her to continue.

“I am only speculating, but – since your relationship turned from close 「

family members 」 to 「lovers 」, you don’t know if your relationship can
change that quickly – that’s what troubles you.”

“That’s it! Totally correct.”

“In that case, I think you should do something 「 as a lover 」so you can get
used to your new relationship. I thought that a small present might work, but
in your case, it might set you back to square one.”

Totally right! Megumi really understands us!

“In that case! We need to confirm the new relationship!”

She clenched her fist, and shouted:

“Just give her something big and valuable!”

“Valuable!”

“Yes. Valuable! Jewelry, for example!”

“Ano, Izumi-sensei! If I were you I would buy a pair of matching key rings!”
Aya-chan excitedly gave her opinion

Because Megumi suggested a realistic present, this was not surprising at all.

“Aya-chan, if you want a key ring, I will buy you as many as you like!”

Megumi hugged Aya-chan then turned to look at me.

“So, Onii-san? A present for your beloved girlfriend – do you have any
ideas?”

“…Two, actually.”

“Wow, two!?”

One of them is something I decided to give her when our dream became
reality. Now, the most suitable present for Sagiri is — that.

“**********”

I whispered to Megumi. She nodded in satisfaction and gave me the green

light.

“Wonderful, Onii-san. Do it.”

“Ah ~ Tell me! Tell me!”

“Fufufu ~~ I will tell you later ~~” Megumi told Aya-chan.

I wonder if I made the right choice, asking an elementary school girl for love
advice

“Thank you both for your advice.”

“You are welcome ☆.”

We went back to the train station again. I said goodbye to both of them and
got off at Iidabashi station. Next, I have a meeting with the editorial
department regarding volume 6 of Sekaimo.
During the first part of the meeting —

“Um, I think this part is good –“

After reading my manuscript, Kagurazaka-san said:

“But it’s a rare chance to publish while the Sekaimo anime is being aired,
how about adding a big development in the original novel?”

“Yes?”

I agree, but maybe you should have told me that before I finished my
manuscript, don’t you think? I don’t want to have to rewrite everything
again.

“In order to be a huge success, there are five major points that you have to
remember.”

Kagurazaka-san raised five fingers and began to count them:

“First, when you have the public’s attention, make sure you have prepared a
high number of products to sell. Second, aside from the anime, you have to
continue selling other merchandise to the public. Third, in order to keep the
original author’s image, make sure to participate in other related activities.
Fourth, take advantage of public events to advertise. Fifth —”

She closed her final finger:

“Matching the timing with your anime, create a big climax in your original
novel! Make sure to add 「 to be continued 」 right after the most memorable
part.”

“While doing so may create tension, the readers will get super mad!”

“But it will guarantee that the anime will sell well until the next volume, so
it’s a good plan ~”

Since she usually gave her opinions this way, I quickly added my thoughts:
“I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, but I hope that every volume will not end with
a cliff hanger – however, it might be possible to add a big climax in time to
match it with the anime.”

“Do you have any ideas?”

“I will make the two main characters into a couple.”

“A very typical route, but not bad! But, Izumi-sensei, this is the first time you
have written a romantic comedy story, have you written that kind of scene
before?”

She meant “are you confident that you can write something interesting?”

I said with a hint of pride:

“I have a girlfriend!”

“…What?”

“So I have an unlimited source of references for writing about this topic –“

“Whatttttttttttttttttt —!???”

Kagurazaka-san yelled at the top of her lungs. Having never seen her act that
way before, I was caught off guard.

“What’s wrong?”

Why are you mad? I hope that it’s not because she actually likes me…

“Wait a second…Izumi-sensei…your girlfriend – who is it? Could it be that

it’s one of the authors I was tasked with….could it be that it’s Muramasa-
sensei!?”

“Nope, not her.”

“Phew…”
She wiped the sweat on her forehead, like she just dodged a bullet.

…I don’t get it.

“If it’s not Muramasa-sensei…then, Yamada-sensei?”

“It’s Eromanga-sensei.” I answered honestly.

Kagurazaka-said with a small smile on her face:

“Please break up.”

“Ehhhhhhhhhh?”

What the hell are you talking about?

With a look of utter disgust on her face, Kagurazaka-san explained:

“A one sided love provides a motivational boost for writers, but when your
love blooms it will have negative effects. Like Muramasa-sensei and
Yamada-sensei, authors are the sentimental type – In my experience, once
they got a lover, many authors’ writing skills went down, and their
motivation went down; sometimes they even totally gave up on writing. The
anime project is on the way and you decided to get a girlfriend? Can you stop
doing something so suicidal?”

That’s why you want us to break up?

“I can’t accept that reasoning.”

“A Dengeki Bunko editor will listen to their author’s love story and quietly
influence their love so that it doesn’t go anywhere. “

Really? Is Dengeki Bunko really so low?

“Kagurazaka-san, have you done that before?”

“No way, of course not.”

She denied it, but I highly doubt her.

“Actually, there was a couple among the authors that I was tasked with.
Doesn’t that prove that I’m the best editor?”

“……….”

Are you sure it isn’t because don’t have enough influence? Based on your
reaction when I told you about my girlfriend…

“However…”

With a teasing tone, Kagurazaka-san spoke:

“In contrast, a broken love will bring lots of enthusiasm. So encouraging the
author to pursue someone that you know is out of their reach – right before an
important task begins – is a risky but effective bet.”

“That is not a reason!”

I don’t want to raise my enthusiasm that way.

“That’s why – Izumi-sensei, please break up with Eromanga-sensei.”

Kagurazaka-san repeated her request again. Her eyes weren’t smiling this
time, meaning that she wasn’t joking.

“I refuse.”

Of course I answered her like that. But she didn’t listen to me.

“The truth is, even I’m hurt by this, causing you so much pain – but there are
only eight months before the anime airs! You still have enough time! The
light novel author and the illustrator, if you both are heartbroken then I’m
sure the anime will be amazing!”

She looked like she was saying something cool, but her words were just trash.

I bluntly said:
“No matter what you say, I have no intention of breaking up with her.”

“I thought so ~”

Kagurazaka-san sighed, like she half-expected my answer.

“Um…anyway, at least remember what I just said. It’s better if nothing

happens because of you two, but in case something does happen and it causes
a negative effect, make sure to come and talk with me.”

Yeah, I know.

Our meeting ended pretty late. I left the Gotanno station and walked toward
the Takasago bookstore.

— Damn. What the hell…That really pissed me off.

It was so hard for me to ask Sagiri out, but she said “break up” so easily. It
felt like someone just poured a bucket of cold water on me.

Although, about what Kagurazaka-san said, I…understood her reasoning a

bit…but there is no one in the world who would simply say “I got it”, and
then really break up with their girlfriend.

I can’t accept that.

Authors’ writing skills went down, and their motivation went down;
sometimes they even totally gave up on writing

That was what she said. She even said that for a novelist, love blooming will
have a negative impact.

“It will not only bring a negative impact.” I muttered to myself

Falling in love, having a girlfriend – there must be something good that will
come out of it. I will show her.

The book store’s door was in front of me. I entered.

“Welcome.”

A bookstore employee greeted me in her cheerful tone.

Takasago Tomoe. An apron-wearing girl, also one of my good friends. There

were no other customers aside from me.

That should be expected. It’s about 21:00 already.

“Dear customer, we have already closed for tonight.”

The closing music was playing through the store’s speakers.

It was “Farewell waltz” – also known as “Light of the fireflies”

In my opinion, this lonely atmosphere doesn’t suit Tomoe at all.

“Sorry, am I causing trouble for you?”

“Um? Who knows? It’s not like we have any customers, and I’m done with
checking today’s sales – so, what’s up?”

Tomoe came out from behind the counter and came to me.

“It has been a long time since I saw you looking so down.”

Same as the time when I was beaten black and blue by Muramasa-sensei and
she asked about my injuries.

“Today, I met something annoying at work.”

“Eh? You met something annoying? Un, in other words, because of that you
came to my store to meet the cute Tomoe-chan?”

Noticing my mood, Tomoe cheerfully said.

She is that type of person – when you meet her, she can brighten your mood
no matter what.
“Well…maybe?”

I didn’t give it too much thought anyway. I just thought that talking a bit with
Tomoe might be good. Maybe deep down – I was hoping that meeting with
her will be good for me.

“Besides, your store?”

I believe it’s your father’s store.

Tomoe didn’t answer. She just smiled in embarrassment.

“Oh, is that so…ah…ah, so….er….Today, if you were a light novel

protagonist who is tired of battle then am I a childhood friend female
protagonist?”

Now you are playing with that setting, huh?

“Nah, for example, if I were a worker who is complaining about his work
then you would be a bar’s mama-san.” [TL Note: mama-san is a woman in a
position of authority, especially one in charge of a geisha house or bar or
nightclub in Japan and East Asia]

“Don’t force my character toward that kind of image!”

Tomoe protested a bit, but she quickly stopped.

“So, what happened?”

She folded her arms across her chest and asked me. She had a stern
expression, like she was angry – but it only looked that way. She wasn’t
really mad.

I don’t know whether we are childhood friends or not, but we knew each
other well enough for me to understand that gesture.

Ok, where should I start then….after a moment, I said:

“I have a girlfriend now.”

“!”

Tomoe’s eyes widened in shock.

Seconds later, without changing her expression, she asked:

“Are you going out with Yamada Elf-sensei?”

Everyone asked the same question. So in people’s eyes, Elf and I look like a
couple?

It’s Elf’s fault, she keeps lying about our relationship.

“No. It’s Eromanga-sensei.”

“Eh…Wow.”

Tomoe put her right hand over her chest, blinking. Her breathing was getting
heavier: she looked like she had trouble keeping a clear head.

“Eromanga-sensei…was the woman on the stage during the anime’s

promotion event, right?”

“……….”

I looked into her eyes. It would be very simple to say “yes”…

But it would be a lie. However the situation required Sagiri’s permission for
me to say it, so I was a bit confused. I thought about it and then —

“Tomoe. I believe that you are my trusted friend, and I think that you are very
tight lipped. You are also someone who thinks before acting, someone who
knows what’s right and what’s wrong.”

The truth is: she was the one who has been keeping the secret about me all
this time.

“Wh, why are you talking about this now?”

I asked Tomoe in a very serious tone:

“Please keep what I’m about to say a secret.”

“…Got…got it – I promise!”

Tomoe firmly nodded. I also nodded with her and told her the big secret.

“Tomoe, the Eromanga-sensei that you saw is actually a body double.”

“!…You mean…”

“The real Eromanga-sensei — is my non-blood-related little sister.”

“———–“

Tomoe’s hand firmly grasped her chest.

“Her name is Sagiri.”

“But you said – you have never seen Eromanga-sensei before.”

That’s right.

There was a long time when I didn’t know that I was working with someone
nearby.

But I had a chance to change that.

“It happened last year, during spring. After Izumi Masamune’s autograph
event, Eromanga-sensei posted on her blog that my writing was bad – I was
so mad.”

It was the start of everything.

“After that, you told me about Eromanga-sensei’s video streaming, which I

followed. Then, I saw the dinner that I had just cooked right behind
Eromanga-sensei…”
“– So your little sister is Eromanga-sensei…that’s what happened?”

I nodded without saying anything. Tomoe took a few deep breaths, then
smiled wryly:

“…Is that so…what a coincidence.”

“Yeah, it is. The illustrator that I worked with was the little sister living with
me…”

Even for a light novel, this is not something that could happen easily.

“But…it’s not all a coincidence. It’s a coincidence that Izumi Sagiri became
Izumi Masamune’s little sister, but there was a reason that Eromanga-sensei
became Izumi Masamune’s illustrator.”

Eromanga-sensei has a teacher who is also an illustrator. She also had a

connection with a publishing company.

And the most important thing is, we have met before. We have known each
other for over a year via the Internet.

I told her to read my badly-written novels. She showed me her poorly-drawn

illustrations.

Sometimes we discussed our opinions. Sometimes we had arguments.

Sometime we talked about our families. Sometime we encouraged each other.

And we made a promise regarding our dream.

Our relationship is like that – we are each other’s most precious friends.

“I was the one who gave her a start. I told her 「 if you become a professional
illustrator, make sure to help me with my novel 」. Then we went our separate
ways and didn’t contact each other again.”

“And she …is the one who is living together with you –“

“My little sister.”

I answered. Tomoe smiled slightly.

“Our promise came true…both of us take care of one side of the job…”

“And the one you made the promise with is a cute girl.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you confess?”

She interrupted. Somehow, talking with Tomoe made me feel at ease.

I shook my head.

“I proposed.”

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Tomoe coughed intensely

“Wh, what did you just say?”

“I said I proposed to her. I have liked her since our first meeting…I like her
even more now that I know that she works in the same field. Then, learning
that she is the one that I made that promise with, it made me very happy…
there were other reasons too….”

Wah! Every time I talk about love, I find it so embarrassing. I couldn’t stop
mid way, so I told her everything starting at the beginning.

“So I said, please marry me.”

“Are you a light novel protagonist!”

Now even Tomoe is using those words to curse me!

“Is she the one destined for you!? How could it be? There is no way this
world actually exists within a light novel!” Tomoe yelled
“What was her answer?”

“Eh?”

“Her answer!”

“Er…she said no.”

“Excellent!”

She made a victory pose!? She made a victory pose when she heard that my
proposal was rejected?

“She rejected me because she is too young for marriage.”

“Hm? Ehh? Too young?”

“Then she confessed to me and asked me to go out with her.”

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

What the heck? You scared me!

Tomoe was shaking me back and forth, and I began to tell her about the
reason I was upset.

“Then I started going out with Sagiri, but my editor told me that love will
ruin our work and asked me to break up with her.”

“I don’t know!”

“E ~eeee ~”

“I don’t know ~ who cares ~~~~”

Suddenly, Tomoe spoke in a rude way.

Aren’t you supposed to listen to my problem?

“Everything that happened ~ how is that is my problem ~~ who cares ~~~”

Then, she grabbed her head and began to tremble.

“What is with this sudden development! I feel like I’m in a crappy trading
card game with serious balancing issues, and someone used a dirty trick to
beat me!!”

What should I do now!? She is clearly angry.

“And the most important factor is: if this part was made into an anime, then
the scene where I am screaming my head off under “Farewell waltz” would
be seen by otakus! They will laugh their asses off!”

I wanna cry ~ Tomoe ~ was crying silently.

Then, she glared daggers at me:

“Izumi Masamune!”

“Yes!”

“Disgusting! Do you want happiness?”

She punched me in the chest.

“…..”

Slowly…

I felt a burning emotion coming from her fist. All of my worries were crushed
under it.

“Of course I do.”

I calmly answered my best friend.

My smartphone’s screen told me that it was 21:30 when I get back home. I
opened the front door and said as usual.
“I’m home ~”

“Welcome back.”

I thought I was seeing an illusion. Sagiri, wearing an apron, came to the door
to greet me like a newlywed wife.

It was so sudden that my voice began to tremble.

“Sa…Sa..Sagiri?”

“Because there is no one here today… I came down.”

She look flushed, her face was blushing.

“Is, is that so? Then, this is…?”

“Because you said you want to do some husband-wife stuff.”

So she greeted me like a wife. Probably.

I’m very happy because she thought about me, and the apron really suited
her, but due to this unreal feeling I had no idea how to react.

“Ak…then…again…I’m home.”

“Um….welcome home….darling.”

I died. My legs gave up and I fell on the floor.

How..how….

“Wa, wa, wa…. Masamune, are you okay?”

“I’m not okay, but don’t worry.”

I was on the verge of dying, but I forced a smile.

Sagiri pulled my hand and helped me get up.

“Ah…oh…don’t scare me like that…Have you eaten anything for dinner.”

“Um, I have.”

“I have prepared the water, do you want to take a bath?”

“Thank you. Please.”

I removed my shoes. Now that I can think properly again.

“….”

I looked at the apron, at Sagiri. She flushed:

“Wh, what is it?”

“Nothing. Just, it felt like we really are like a newlywed couple.”

“!I, idiot!”

She turned her head away.

I couldn’t help but smile. This is my dream. A conversation with my family.

This same scene once happened in this house, long ago.

Family.

I’m home. Welcome back. Good night. Good morning.

The same, normal, usual greeting is my treasure.

Now, I finally got it back.

I will not let it go.

I looked at Sagiri, my mind full of chaotic thoughts.

And she said in a gentle tone:

“Masamune, I heard from Megumi…where is my porn?”

“Nope, there is none.”

And…it’s still so messed up.

Chapter 3
It has been a few days since I started going out with Sagiri. There have been a
lot of changes in the Izumi household.

First, Elf and Muramasa-senpai moved back to Elf’s place and no longer live
with us. And – surprisingly – they haven’t come back even once since then.

Because we had all been living together for a while, I felt a bit lonely.

Also, about the fact that both of them were not currently involving
themselves with us, Sagiri said:

“…Suspicious.”

She always seems to be on guard, but I think she is over thinking it.

Elf told me that her manuscript’s deadline is approaching, and senpai is

probably busy with her work too. Since they both helped me a lot lately, I
need to repay them appropriately.

That was what I thought.

Another change is about Kyouka-san.

After I started going out with Sagiri, I planned to tell her immediately, but —

“Sorry, Masamune. I won’t be home for a few days —“

But she sent us that message before I could. Her reason was “work related”.
What exactly does she do for work? She has never told me.

Anyway, for now, we are unable to tell her.

In other words, right now, it is only us and Makina-san at home. That’s our
situation.
But, one day, when the living room’s clock announced that it was now two
pm…

“Masamune-san Masamune-san Masamune-san Masamune-san!!”

Makina-san yelled my name and rushed inside.

Allow me to reintroduce her once more.

Aoi Makina – she is the scenario writer who is working on our Sekaimo
anime project.

Since she ate a lot of Elf’s delicious cooking, she became more and more
developed recently. I don’t mean her personality, of course.

“Masamune-san! Something terrible happened!”

Every time I see her well-developed chest, I feel something burning in my

chest — I have an urge to grab her body.

“Makina-san? What’s up? I haven’t seen you since this morning –“

I took a handkerchief and walked up to her.

“My guess is that you took a step on the scale and became aware of the
horrible truth, huh?”

“Right right, my weight increased – no wait! I told you not to talk about a
girl’s weight!”

“To tell the truth, I really hope that your body and strength won’t be
negatively affected because you lived here, so can you lose some weight?”

“You were so blunt…! Both of you are so cruel to me!”

She cried. It seems that she took a heavy blow.

The truth is, while she can be called “developed”, she isn’t fat.
I pulled her back to the original topic while ignoring her protest.

“So, in that case, what’s so terrible?”

“Spring anime! Spring anime!”

It’s still summer, but Makina-san said something unexpected.

“Spring… that’s when Sekaimo is scheduled to air.”

“Yes! I told you that there is an anime that I wanted to beat with Sekaimo!”

She did.

“But I hope you don’t turn our work into your weapon to fight with your
opponent.”

“I refuse! To me, my highest priority is seeing that girl crying in frustration.”

Are you a child?

…Still, it doesn’t matter.

It was a joke conversation anyway. I have already known Makina-san’s

objective since I went to her apartment.

“I don’t really care, as long as you do your best for our grand project.”

“I will do that even if you don’t tell me!”

She raised a fist, full of spirit.

Me. Sagiri. Director. Makina-san. And other members. All of us are working
to make an anime.

Each of us has our own motives.

Someone wants to see his little sister smile. Someone else wants to beat her
rival.
And maybe – there is someone who just wants to have a good result to show
off.

Every one of us has our own dreams and wishes. But all of us want to make
an interesting anime.

Because of that, even if we all live very different lives, we can become trust-
worthy coworkers.

Even if the goal each of us has is different, none of that matters.

Let’s all make the anime with whatever goals give us the most motivation.

That’s what I thought.

“And then!”

Makina-san continued:

“Today, I went to see her! I was half reporting, and half spying on her,
though.”

“So?”

Elf, Muramasa-senpai and I have all done that before.

Makina-san replied:

“It’s scary!”

Too short to understand. But if she is so restless…

“You mean 「 it looked good 」?”

“Yes! Way more than I expected! We were talking while eating, and then she
began to boast about her anime! She was gathering talented team members!
Um, her anime is Elf-chan’s best seller…err, its name is…explosion
something?”
“The Flame of the Dark Elf?”

“Yes! That’s the one! She is making the anime of that novel!”

“Well – seems like it’s worth looking forward to.”

It will probably be an interesting anime. The original novel is a famous

comedy series; now they are getting a talented group to work on it too. They
will turn the reader’s imagination into reality.

“I’m now interested. I’m going to read the original manga of it.”

“That is our enemy!”

Makina-san threw an Edomondo ***** style’s karate chop at my head. (TL

Note: Edomondo Honda is a character from the street fighter series)

“Ouch! What are you doing?”

“Don’t praise our enemy’s work!”

“She is your enemy, not mine.”

I have said it before, but other novelists are not really my enemies. It’s true
that we are competing against each other, but my primary objective is “my
dream”. I won’t get into a pissing contest with others.

If someone like Elf or Muramasa-senpai is in the way of me reaching my

dream, then I will face them head on.

In short, I hope that “even my rival’s work will be successful”. I want to read
more interesting stories.

My opinion was the total opposite of Makina-san’s.

“Ah ~ damn it ~ she looked so full of herself that it really pissed me off ~~~!!
I will have to do something about her director! If I can stab her in the
back….!”
My trusted coworker is complete trash. What a pity.

Makina-san emitted a black aura, and glared at me:

“The scenario was written by the original author themselves, so it’s super ~
interesting! All of their members are professionals, which made me jealous!”

If even Makina-san said so, then they must have real talent working on that
anime. A talented anime making team plus the original author wrote the
scenario. I see. A strong opponent.

“She told me that all of the scenarios are finished! Even though they are
planning to air in the spring!”

“Is that fast?”

I’m not sure if that counts as fast or slow.

“Super ~~~~~~ fast! Normally I need until winter to finish writing all of the
scenarios.”

“And that speed is considered…”

“Normal! That’s a normal speed! Don’t look at me with an 「It’s because you
work too slowly 」 look!”

Even if you said winter – does that mean November or February? There is a
three-month difference in those cases.

I could already guess what her reply would be…but I’m not worried.

Because…

“So, Masamune-san, sorry, but I’m staying at the company from now on! I
have to beat her as a professional scenario writer!”

She is motivated now.

She can’t do it alone – no matter how hard she tries. But that’s fine, because
she is not alone. There are coworkers who will help her make an interesting
anime.

“This is such a nice place. I have good meals every day; my room was
cleaned every day. I have people who care for my daily needs…”

A very hikikomori-like response.

Then, she put a hand over her chest and said in an unusual tone:

“More importantly, this place gave me so many moments of inspiration. I

have taken every bit of material I can from you two. All I need to do now is
make good use of it.”

“Makina-san…”

“Eh, don’t say something like 「 see you later 」. I will feel lonely.”

Makina-san turned around and was about to walk out of the room. I called
after her:

“I proposed to Sagiri.”

“Eahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!?????”

Makina-san jumped in shock: she clearly didn’t expect that bomb. What a
pity, she was about to make a cool exit.

“Hey, did I scare you?”

“I almost died! What the hell? No, seriously, what the hell? What do you
mean, you proposed to Eromanga-sensei? Are you guys going to get married?
That’s totally different from the plan I heard! Tell, tell me more!”

Makina-san was fired up by this news; she rushed to me and grabbed my

collar, demanding answers.

“Didn’t you say that you got all of the material you needed from us already?”
“Don’t be such a bully! A marriage between brother and sister would be very
interesting! I’m fired up even more than the moment when my rival taunted
me!”

She totally forgot that she was about to make a cool exit and pressed me for
answers.

“I, I will answer your questions, please release my collar!”

I spent the next 30 minutes telling Makina-san (who was excited) about what
happened since I proposed to Sagiri.

So, when she left for work, she said this with a smile:

“I never thought that this would be my farewell present…! It’s not just my
victory…now I’m going to get this victory for both of you too!”

We are on the same boat, but each of us has our own part to play.

“Then I’m going on ahead! If there is a development in your love story or

something interesting happens, make sure to tell me!”

It’s now August.

There are only eight months remaining until the Sekaimo anime airs.

Inside the locked room, I spoke with Sagiri about how Kyouka-san and
Makina-san won’t be here in the near future.

“ – So, starting today, it’s just the two of us.”

“I see…so we are…alone.”

Sagiri said from under her hood. Even when facing me, sometimes she makes
such a hard to read expression. Her eyes were dancing around, her face
reddening.

Considering her attitude, I think she felt a bit lonely and — embarrassed?
Thus, I decided to eliminate her loneliness first.

“Recently, it was so lively here. Everyone gathering, eating, and talking. It

would be lonely if they suddenly don’t come anymore.”

“…Um.”

Sagiri slightly nodded. I tried to continue in a cheerful tone:

“Still, it’s okay. We just return to how we used to be. We used to live
together: just two of us.”

“…Um…but.”

This time, she shook her head instead of nodding.

“But? What’s up?”

“…We…are not how we used to be…ack…because…we are…going out…”

“..Ah.”

Now I understand the reason Sagiri is acting strange.

She looked totally different. Her lips look like they’re inviting me!

“This is the first time we will be living alone together…since we became a

couple.”

“————“

Lighting struck my body. I could feel all my blood rush to my head.

I forcefully pushed those abnormal thoughts down, and answered in a normal

tone:

“Yes. Yes it is.”

“Um…what to do.”
“What —“

You asked me what to do? Are you asking me what to do? What do you want
me to do? Am I over thinking this?

“What…do you mean?”

“Since we are alone now, there are many more things that we can do now….”

“……….”

Since what she implied was a bit ecchi, I could only freeze and say nothing.

“…So, I want to try that.”

“..And 「 that 」 is?”

“…Practicing!”

Sagiri clenched her hand into a fist and said with conviction.

“…Practicing….*Gulp*…”

What exactly does she want to practice while we are alone in this room? I
swallowed hard, awaiting her reply.

She said:

“Because we are alone, I…want to try… going out of this room.”

“Oh —“

“Try to live a normal life…to go out…”

My impure thoughts disappeared.

“So that’s what you meant when you said 「 practicing 」.”

“Um, because there are only eight months left until the anime airs… I want to
practice…so…” She paused, “And then, when our dream comes true, we will
go out together… outside.”

“…Ha ha…”

Ah, it really is – the best prize.

Even though online dating is fun too, just thinking about how I could go with
Sagiri to a hot spring, to a beach, or to a park made me happy.

Bring Sagiri out of her room and watch our anime in the living room. That is
our dream. What Sagiri suggested just now will happen afterward.

While I was focused on reaching our dream, Sagiri has already started
planning further into the future.

“Then let me think of somewhere I want to spend time with you.”

“Um! First, we need to make a successful anime.”

“That’s right.”

We wanted to make an interesting anime. We wanted to watch it together.

We wanted to be able to laugh without worrying. We wanted to forget all of
our misfortune.

That’s how our dream began.

We did our best in making our anime for that purpose.

We will practice for it.

That’s how it is.

“So…how should I do it?”

Sagiri asked again. This time, I don’t misunderstand her.

“Let’s see…asking you to 「 go outside 」 would be difficult…so how about

we began with 「 a normal lifestyle 」?”

“Um.”

Sagiri’s eyes shone. Seeing how motivated she was, I raised a finger:

“First, come here.”

I brought Sagiri to the living room. Just seeing her slowly walking down the
hallway, and slowly coming down the stairs, made me want to cry.

“..Wh, what are you looking at?”

She pouted in embarrassment. I said:

“…It’s just, I’m so moved. Seeing you can come out of the room, I mean.”

“Eh? But it’s not like I’m some sort of special animal or anything. Didn’t I
come here once in front of you?”

“But that was a special case. When we were living together, you only come
out in some very special cases.”

She never walked around the house this much before.

“….You can come out of your room now – it’s great.” I sighed, my emotions
running wild.

Opening the living room’s door, Sagiri entered.

“….Are you that happy?”

The sound the door made when it opened almost made me unable to hear her.

We stood face to face in the living room.

“Let’s practice living a 「 normal lifestyle 」.”

“Sure!” Sagiri said, full of vigor. “So what should I do?”

“Let me see your own 「normal lifestyle 」 for now. You can just act like I’m
not here. ”

“Sure.”

“Yes. Just act normally.”

“…Is that enough?” Sagiri blinked.

I nodded.

“Yes. I’m interested in how you act when I’m not around.”

“……………You pervert.”

“Eh?!”

Wait, was it something I said?

“When I’m not home, do you do something perverted?”

“That’s not what I meant!” Sagiri blushed and refuted me.

“So what did you mean then?”

When I asked that question, she meekly looked down.

“…If you went outside…I would take a bath.”

“Oh – I see..You took a bath huh…”

“You, you are thinking of something strange!”

“No no no, I’m not!”

Don’t make it harder for me! Of course I would be thinking about something
strange.

I coughed and tried to change the topic:

“I don’t need to see you take a bath. But what would you normally do after
you took a bath?”

“Un ~”

Sagiri put a hand under her chin, deep in thought. Maybe she couldn’t think
of anything, so she sat down on the sofa.

Then, after a while, she looked up:

“Er…cleaning up, I guess?”

“Um ~ yeah, sometimes you helped me clean up the house too.”

I was so surprised to see the house cleaned up while I was gone. There was a
time when I got worried when I saw something that was not where I had left
it

“But after living together with Elf-chan…I realized something.” Sagiri said
“What I was doing before…was meaningless. Those things…can’t help
Masamune at all.”

Well…she was right. Regardless of whether Sagiri cleaned up or not, I still

had to clean the house every week, so my workload more or less stayed the
same.

“I felt happy though. I got the feeling like – Ah; it’s good that Sagiri helped
me with the housework today.”

“…I think that’s the relationship between a kid and a guardian…not an

equal.”

She looked into my eyes.

“…Starting today, let’s split the housework between the two of us.”

Just like when Elf-chan was here. As an equal. That was what she meant.

I nodded
“Got it – I’ll leave it to you.”

“I hope you can show me how to clean up properly.”

“Of course. Still, I have already finished cleaning for today, so let’s try again
tomorrow. We can clean up together.”

“And…if possible…teach me how to cook.”

“Cook? You want to cook?”

“I want to…cook for my boyfriend.”

She glanced at me while answering. Her reply made my heart skip a beat.

“…Can’t I?”

“Of course you can. I will teach you everything I know.”

“Awesome!”

She clenched her hand into a fist, and made a victory pose.

“Actually…I want to practice in secret…then surprise Masamune…”

But I’m the only one she can be with when she is out of her room. So she
can’t exactly ask Muramasa-senpai or Elf.

“This is good enough for me. I’m lucky that you decided to ask. Because
cooking together will be very fun.”

“Is…that so?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

So, we decided to start our cooking lessons while making dinner tonight.

“Normal life style practice sessions” – began one by one.

“After cleaning the bathroom…what next?”

I asked a question. Sagiri said, a little full of herself:

“Exercising.”

“Exercising?”

That…took me by surprise.

“By exercising…you mean…like, physical activity?”

“Of course…Why are you so surprised?”

“Because you are Sagiri. I didn’t think you and physical activity would
become friends.”

“…How rude” She pouted. “You…really don’t understand hikikomori at all.”

She glared fiercely, and said:

“Exercising is necessary in order to make sure I can stay as a hikikomori as

long as possible.”

“Oh?”

“Since I spend all my time inside the house, if I don’t exercise my body will
weaken over time.”

“Who knows? I’m not a hikikomori.”

“It’s common sense for a hikikomori. Remember that.”

Who would need that kind of common sense?

“Not only hikikomoris, even illustrators are the same! Anyone working from
home has this problem. If you don’t exercise, sooner or later you will get
sick.”
“Sick?”

“Like diabetes, arthritis…”

“So an adult-like sickness?”

Are you an old man?

“But…those things…isn’t a bit too early for Sagiri to worry about those?”

I don’t want to have to worry about those!

Sagiri gave me a meaningful gaze:

“Besides, if you don’t exercise….*whisper whisper*”

I didn’t hear her very clearly, but I can guess what she said. That…must be
her real reason for exercising.

I said carefully:

“I see. If you don’t exercise, you will turn into that person.”

“Yes. You will turn into Makina.”

It might be rude to say it, but she means that she “will become fat”. And,
because recently Makina-san was so rude to us, I don’t say anything.

“Now that you mentioned it, I think that last year, during autumn, you got fat
too.”

“Ah!”

She had a “this guy still remembers” expression on her face, but she
pretended like she didn’t know what I was talking about.

“I, I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Have you forgotten? Because you ate too many of Elf’s snacks, you got fat.”
“Wah wah wah!”

She yelled, trying to end this topic. But I’m the only one here, so that tactic
won’t work.

Seeing that her plan failed, Sagiri made a fuss.

“So what of it! That’s why I have decided to exercise.”

“Fine fine, this is a good thing after all – okay, now, let’s exercise.”

I stood up and got ready.

“Eh? Right here, right now?”

“I have said – 「 try living normally in front of me 」– haven’t I? Besides, I

wanted to exercise too.”

“Um ~ it’s true that Masamune doesn’t exercise enough.”

“Yeah.”

It’s too soon to worry about those illnesses, but exercising is not a bad thing.
In order to write a good novel, a good body is required.

Sagiri thought about it for a moment before agreeing with me. With an Elf-
like-voice full of pride, she said:

“Got it! Izumi Masamune! Welcome to my training camp!”

“Yes! I’m in your care! Captain Eromanga!”

“I don’t know anyone with that name!”

And so —

Eromanga-sensei’s boot camp began.

“BGM – start!”
The music started. Sagiri stood in front of me in the living room. She had
taken off her hoodie and was wearing a short T-shirt instead.

“Welcome to my boot camp! Today we will be doing heavy, intense

exercise!”

“Sir! Yes sir!”

Looks like it’s going to be a joint-training session.

While it’s clear that she is copying from a certain movie, Captain Eromanga
is really cute. To tell the truth, if she sold a Blu-ray disk of this training
exercise for ¥50.000 (~ $450), I would gladly buy one.

“Are you ready!?”

“Sir! Yes sir!”

I stomped my feet and responded to her.

“We should be using a rope to work out, but a hikikomori couldn’t possibly
use one, so we will skip that part.”

“Sir! Yes sir!”

…Didn’t you just say it would be a special, difficult program a moment ago?

The training continued without my question being answered.

“Raise both of your hands above your shoulders! Clap your hands together!”

“Sir! Yes sir!”

“Ugh…what an extraordinarily hard exercise! But don’t give up!”

I didn’t tell her that it’s not hard at all. If this were a movie, then we would
have only barely started the warm-up.

“Good! Keep it up…hah…phew….”

“Sir! Are you okay?”

“Ah…hah….phew…!”

Captain, you get tired too fast!

Captain Eromanga suddenly started getting slower. Then, she finally came to
a stop, breathing hard. Raising a hand, she said.

“Stop. Ten minute break…!”

“You can only last for a minute?”

It’s way too bad no matter how you look at it.

“Ha ha…Impossible….I knew it, it’s still too early for intense exercise…”

Sagiri fell to the floor. Now I see. So that’s her definition of “intense
exercise”.

“Ha ~ ha~ I’m gonna die ~ I’m dying…give me a sports drink…”

I think that compared to the energy that your recent “exercise” burned away,
a sports drink contains even more calories.

“Here.”

I gave a towel and a can of a sports drink to her.

“How about we just do normal exercises instead?”

“Yeah, let’s go with that.”

And thus, we gave up on our boot camp and returned to “Sagiri’s normal
exercise”

I couldn’t believe it myself, but Sagiri managed to do one sit up. How
impressive.
After that, we took turns taking a bath before returning to Sagiri’s room.

Because we were practicing a “normal lifestyle” – after exercising is working

in the room.

Yup, it’s the truth. It’s Sagiri, after all.

Today, I brought my notebook to the locked room and worked in there. By

the way, I was fixing the anime scenario, making changes to volume 6, and
supervising the games…

Some of you might ask: didn’t I finish all of that already? But those things
wouldn’t be completely finished just because I worked on them once. They
will come back a lot.

Write a manuscript => Fix it => Change it => Write it anew from scratch.
That’s how it usually goes.

It’s not like I can be lazy just because I have a girlfriend. Nor would I be
distracted by seeing my girlfriend in pajamas after she took a bath.

“What are you doing, Sagiri?”

“I’m supervising the anime’s character designs today.”

“Ok ~”

While I, Izumi Masamune am the original author of Sekaimo, the one who
takes care of character design is Eromanga-sensei.

From the beginning, this is how we have worked: Izumi Masamune writes the
novel. Then, he gives it, and the basic character descriptions, to Eromanga-
sensei, so she can create the first sketches of the characters.

After that, the author, the editor and the illustrator hold a meeting to finalize
the character designs. Then Masamune will fix the character descriptions in
the original novel.

Above is how a character is “designed”. And now, Eromanga-sensei is

supervising the “anime’s character designs” based on the “original novel’s
character designs.”

From behind, I looked at Sagiri.

“Director Amamiya just emailed me asking a question. She asked what kind
of underwear this girl is wearing under her pajamas. I just sent her a reply.”

Hopefully it would not be something impure.

“So you have to check even that too huh.”

“Of course. Otherwise, there would be some angle where you can’t draw the
character.”

“Oh, is that so? So, what’s your reply?”

“Nothing!” She said with pride

“An answer like that means that there is no angle where you can’t draw her?”

“Nope. She just wears nothing.”

Eromanga-sensei wouldn’t lie. As the original illustrator, she will stand her
ground on this part: no underwear.

“The figure maker also asked about this issue many times, — but she wears
nothing under her pajamas. I will absolutely not allow her to wear
underwear.”

“How troublesome. But I can understand your feelings!”

Everyone has something that they won’t yield on no matter what.

“I know, right!”

“While I do understand… what about the others?”

“Ah, the director just emailed me again.”

She opened her email. There was a new email plus an image attachment. It
showed the female lead in pajamas.

“I understand, Eromanga-sensei – is this what you meant?”

“Yes! Yes it is! This is how it should be!” Eromanga-sensei clapped furiously
“As expected of director Amamiya, she totally understands the truth about
underwear!”

“…Even if I have read the script regarding this part, I still have no idea what
the truth about underwear is.”

Even if she didn’t wear underwear, she still had her pants on.

“Hm….an outsider won’t be able to understand …”

Sagiri massaged her temple, and continued:

“Let me give you an example. Thankfully I’m wearing light pajamas right
now.”

She got off the chair and got down on all fours. Then, she pointed her ass at
me and explained in a serious tone:

“You can understand like this: If my character doesn’t wear underwear, there
would be noticeable difference outside…And since she also wears light
clothing, you can clearly see her curves, right?”

I took another look at Eromanga-sensei’s example:

“Yeah, I understand that wearing underwear would be problematic.”

So that’s what the truth about underwear is.

“That’s right! In order to make the female character purer, I make sure she
does not wear —“

Still lying face down, Sagiri turned to me and caught a reflection of her own
image in the mirror. She blushed immediately

“What pose are you making me make?”

“You are the one who made that pose on your own!”

Sagiri didn’t listen to me and hastily got up, hid in her blanket and spoke to
me from it.

“Forget what you just saw! Forget everything!”

“That’s impossible.”

“Then you have to make an erotic pose too! I’m not getting embarrassed
alone!”

“Don’t speak nonsense!”

And so —

We continued our work

Some time passed. We both worked in silence without noticing the other.

Even if my lovely girlfriend is next to me, I still maintain my focus. Inside

the locked room, there was only the sound of my fingers on the keyboard.

Do you remember that a few days ago, Kagurazaka-san asked me to create a

big climax in my novel to coincide with the airing of the anime?
What I am doing is adding that “big climax” into my manuscript. I have to
rewrite about 40% of the story – but when I actually get into it, it doesn’t take
a lot of time.

I’d like to say “my fingers already know how to fix it”, but the truth is it’s
just my habit. I was so focused on my work that I only noticed the time when
my phone vibrated, showing me that it was now 5:00 pm.

“Wow, it’s so late. I should go buy something for dinner.”

Since Elf and Muramasa-senpai weren’t here anymore, I have to cook myself.

Oh, and I also had a promise with Sagiri.

And, if possible….teach me how to cook.

“Sagiri, do you want to cook with me?”

I looked up and glanced around, trying to find her.

“I’m going to buy something for dinner —“

Is there something you would like to eat? I was about to say that, but I
stopped myself.

“ —-“

Because she was …sleeping. On her bed. Seems like she fell asleep while I
was working.

“Zzzzzzz…”

Her breathing was slow and steady.

“What a girl. She doesn’t even have her blanket on.”

I smiled and watched her. In that moment, my heart felt warm. I can feel that
what I was chasing after in the past is right in front of me now.
….I want to be with you for eternity. It would make me very happy.

When I came back to reality, Sagiri’s lips were inches away from my face.

“…*Gulp*”

Wake Sagiri up, then go buy food for dinner.

That’s what I should do, but my eyes refused to move.

“………..”

Slowly, I drew myself closer to the sleeping girl.

“……….”

My heartbeat was getting faster and faster. I could almost hear it in my ears.
She is my girlfriend. We are going out. There is nothing wrong with it – a
devil is whispering to me.

There was less than an inch left until I touch her lips —
“Wow —“

I managed to force myself backward, away from Sagiri.

“Wow, wow…dangerous…so dangerous.”

Because Sagiri is “my little sister”: this was a barrier in my heart before. But
now, she is my “girlfriend”, so my lust is getting harder and harder to control.

Still….

“I have to keep myself in check. 「Now 」 isn’t the time for me to do that.”

I hugged my head in shame. From an outsider’s POV, what I almost did is a

crime.

Thankfully there was nobody here aside from me and Sagiri —

“I saw it.”

“Yahhhhh!!!”

A girl’s voice came from behind me. I nearly jumped out of my seat in shock.

Turning back, it was – Elf. She must have come here via the balcony again –
wait, now isn’t the time.

“You, you…since when did you…”

“Since the moment you spoke, right before you almost kissed her.”

She said so with a grin, her smartphone clearly visible in her hand.

“What a pity. I would have gotten a good picture.”

“Hey!?”

“It was a joke. I planned to stop you too. But you moved too fast so I’m not
sure if I could have made it in time.”

“I…I…Sorry for acting that way.”

I got off the bed and stood in front of Elf. She glanced at me:

“Yeah right. Even if both of you like each other, you shouldn’t do that. If you
really kissed her – I would really look down on you.”

“….I don’t have anything to say.”

Looks like she is mad. Elf’s tone was unbelievably cold and harsh

There was a moment of silence, and then I took a breath. The atmosphere
relaxed a bit.

“Still, I trust you. Even though you hesitated… you won’t do something like
that to a girl you like.”

I don’t know how I should respond to that. Anyway, I was so embarrassed.

It’s like my girlfriend found out about my porn stash – no, it was even worse
than that.

“Elf…you…why are you here today? I haven’t seen you recently, and now
you suddenly come via the balcony like this.”

“Why am I here? Hmmm~” She smiled “Can I tell you only half of the
reason?”

“Do you really have to ask me directly like that?”

If I said yes, does that mean I’d like to be lied to?

“I meant that while I won’t lie, I won’t tell you the whole truth either.”

“Okay, fine.”

Hearing my answer, Elf nodded:

“The reason I came here…well, it’s like this…” She said without a care in the
world “I came to disturb your love nest.”

“Simple and easy to understand. Wonderful.”

“Ara, don’t you feel angry?”

“No: because it’s you. I always thought that you will definitely come. Since
you didn’t, I was feeling down lately. I thought that you didn’t worry about
me.”

Of course, about that, Sagiri said “No way. Suspicious.”

“Of course I will come. Since…the one I like is staying with his girlfriend
right next door…that makes me unhappy.”

Elf looked a bit down, she was muttering to herself. It was rare to see her
talking without meeting my eyes directly.

She looked down and said in a tired tone:

“It’s painful.”

“………….”

I – the one who rejected her confession, the one who decided to go out with
Sagiri – said nothing.

I don’t have that right. So, all I could do was listen.

“There was something that made me unable to come here for the last few
days…I don’t want to talk about it. Simply put….”

She glared daggers at me:

“I and Muramasa got into an argument. Because of you.”

“……..”
“You don’t want to hear it, do you? You don’t want to know the details.”

“Yes I do…if there is anything I can do to help, then I will listen…”

“There is nothing you can do, so I won’t say anything.”

“……..Is that so?”

“How should I put it…Muramasa…that girl’s way of thinking about love is

totally different from mine, so we couldn’t agree on anything. As a master of
comedy style light novels, I planned to trick her with words, yet this time she
managed to resist me. How troublesome, Senjyu Muramasa-sensei.”

Whatever was said between them left a bad taste. I can see that Elf is very
displeased.

“That girl has her own way to deal with this situation, but she wants to use a
wait-and-see method for now. I can’t accept that, so I made a move on my
own – that’s why I came here.”

Elf made a *bang* sound, and made a shooting motion with her right hand
and showed an evil smile:

“Masamune, you owe me one, correct?”

A critical hit. There is no way I could ignore it.

So I answered her:

“Not one. In the recent months, you and Muramasa-senpai helped me a lot.”

“Right, right.”

Elf nodded. I told her what I truly thought:

“Not just helping me with the anime: before that you were a source of
positive influence on me. It’s thanks to you that I can be here right now.”

“…Wh, what? That much?”

“Yes.”

We bet on Eromanga-sensei and decided on the winner

She showed me a different method of working, a different point of view, and

allowed me to work with motivation.

After my parents passed way, Sagiri became a hikikomori…that was the most
difficult period of my life. It’s her light novel that made me laugh again.

And then…

She likes me. She never stopped showing her affection toward me.

“No matter how many times I thank you, it wouldn’t be enough. Thank you
very much.”

“Er..Hm, I have heard your thanks to the point it became boring.”

She always told people to thank her, but whenever I do, she gets flustered and
clearly embarrassed.

Elf is that kind of girl.

“Oh damn! You made me strange again! Why don’t you say something
idiotic? Like a certain light novel main character?”

“I have told you before; I’m not a light novel character.”

How many times have we had this conversation before? More than once,
that’s for sure. But I don’t hate it.

“So, what’s next Elf ? You must have had something in mind when brought
this up.”

“Yes.”

Elf looked very displeased. She probably doesn’t like it when I take control
of the conversation.
“Please listen to a single request of mine. Then, consider everything you owe
me fully paid.”

“Got it.”

“Hm, of course you won’t say yes before hearing what my request is – er?
You accept?”

Looks like it was outside of her expectations. She yelped, which made me
nearly jump in shock too.

“…Don’t be so surprised. If it’s for you, I will do anything.”

“…Will do…any…anything?”

She was the one who said it, but Elf asked with a hint of fear. I nodded again.

“Yes. No matter what it is that you ask. I owe you that much.”

“…You….don’t say something so stupid…what if I…make a weird request?”

“Will you make a weird request?”

“How could I! If you trust me that much, then I won’t make such request.”

“Is that so? That’s good to hear.”

“Kuhhhhh!! Today you are so strange.” Elf glared, then pointed her finger at
me “Anyway, prepare yourself! Because I will ask for a grand repayment!”

At that moment, her smart phone vibrated.

Without a word, she looked at the screen – probably an email – then

continued:

“Wait until my manuscript is finished. I will tell you then!”

Seems like it will still be quite a while until it is time for the “grand
repayment”.
And then —

The sun has set. It’s now night. I was sitting in the living room after eating
the meal I cooked with Sagiri.

Nearby, Sagiri was smiling.

“…You look like you are having fun.”

“You noticed?”

“Yup…so, what’s up?”

You know the answer already.

“Because 「 cooking together with Sagiri 」 is something I’ve always wanted

to do but couldn’t.”

“…..”

“That’s why I’m having fun.”

“…Is…that so…then we should have done this sooner.”

There was more than one meaning to those words. I nodded with her.

“Next time…together with Kyouka-san…let’s eat a meal together.”

“Um.”

“Today Kyouka-san….is not coming home?”

“She just emailed me and said she is on her way back.”

“Is that so…then..ack…”

Every time we mentioned it, we felt our faces getting hotter.

“Let’s tell her. Tell Kyouka-san…that we are going out.”

“…Okay.”

Sagiri flushed, her body squirmed.

“…What will Kyouka-san say… once she knows that we are dating?”

“She will feel happy for us.”

Maybe…she will give us her blessing with a smile.

“Because for us, she is like another mother.”

She is like Sagiri’s second mother, and my third mother.

“…Um.” Sagiri nodded.

Then, silence fell in the room.

Neither of us is very talkative, so sometimes our conversations stop.

We aren’t bothered by it. Rather, we feel…safe and comfortable.

But for a couple, it should be an obstacle. Still, I don’t want to lose this
moment of calm.

“Un…”

Sagiri opened her mouth to say something. I motioned for her to speak.

“Before Kyouka-san comes back…I want to give it a try.”

Without needing to ask, I already understood what she meant.

“You mean – try going outside?”

We both walked toward the entrance.

“….*Gulp*.”

Standing in front of the Izumi household’s main entrance, Sagiri took a deep
breath.

We had a very typical front door. You could find it on any home in the city.
But for her, this door is a big, huge wall.

It has been two years since she became a hikikomori. During that time, she
has never left the house. She couldn’t even open this door.

“…Are you alright?”

So, it’s safe to say that I’m more scared than Sagiri. I think that if it is too
hard, she shouldn’t force herself to try it.

“Um.”

She smiled at me, her face a little pale.

“I…have practiced…many times…so, Masamune…you stay here…and

watch me.”

“…Got it.”

I got Sagiri’s shoes out. I bought her new shoes every year – each year, a
different kind.

Just seeing the shoes, Sagiri broke into cold sweat. She turned white as a
ghost.

“Kuh….”

Her whole body trembled; she couldn’t even take a single step. It’s like she
saw something horrible in those shoes.

— We are going out.

— We will come back after buying some gifts.

Did she remember them?

I covered her eyes, and gently said.

“That’s far enough. Sagiri, you have done enough.”

“…Ha…ha….ha.”

She dropped to the floor. It took a while for her breathing to stabilize again.

Looks like…she is fine. For now.

“…I can’t do it.” She muttered “When I practiced by myself…I could touch
the door.”

Probably because today she honestly wanted to go outside. That’s what

scared her so much…maybe.

I put a towel on her head.

“But this is already an improvement.”

“….No.”

“It’s okay.”

She couldn’t even leave her room before. But now she can come down stairs
with me. If this doesn’t count as an improvement, what does?

Sagiri simply is not ready yet. But she is trying. For me, that is enough.

“Alright, we should go back to your room —“

And rest.

I was about to say that when the front door’s handle moved.

“!”

With a crack, both I and Sagiri turned back. Kyouka-san, in her Western style
clothes, entered.
Izumi Kyouka – my father’s little sister; also our guardian.

She probably didn’t expect to see anyone at the entrance.

“I’m home– —“

That’s all she managed to say before pausing.

“…Ah? Ma, Masamune? And…?”

She blinked, took another look at me, then at Sagiri; her eyes widened.

“Sagiri?”

Of course she would react that way. To see the super hikikomori Sagiri at the
entrance isn’t something you see every day.

“Welcome home, Kyouka-san.”

Anyway, I should greet her.

Sagiri also slowly moved behind me and greeted her as well.

“…Wel, welcome …home.”

“Um…I’m home.”

Kyouka-san’s jaw dropped in shock. She rarely shows any emotion, but it’s
clear that she was very surprised.

She looked at me, asking for help:

“Masamune…this is…?”

“Recently, Sagiri can come down even if I’m home. Just now we were trying
to see if she can go outside.”

“Sa, Sagiri wants to go….outside?”

“She can’t do it yet, but she was trying to – right, Sagiri?”

I asked Sagiri. Still hiding behind me, she nodded furiously.

She is not exactly afraid of Kyouka-san, but meeting someone else outside of
her room is still too much for her.

On the other hand, Kyouka-san is very moved.

“…Isn’t this great….!”

“It is.”

I answered in Sagiri’s place.

“Ah…I couldn’t….you guys praise me too much….”

Sagiri was embarrassed, but she has a reason to be proud.

Kyouka-san still couldn’t calm down yet; she said:

“Oh, right right! If that’s the case, we have to celebrate! I’m going to buy a
cake!”

“Ah, Kyouka-san, wait a moment!”

Before she could go out again, I grabbed her hand.

I can understand that our relationship changed since we solved our

misunderstanding, but is she, I don’t know, like us?

“You can’t. You are tired after working all day.”

“But, but Sagiri tried so hard! I…I should do something!”

Kyouka-san flushed, but didn’t give up. Seeing how cute my aunt was made
me smile.

“How about I go instead?”

She immediately took out a ¥10.000 note and gave it to me.

“Masamune, please buy the best cake you can with this money!”

“Do you want me to buy a wedding cake?!”

I highly doubt any nearby bakery sells such an expensive cake.

“I don’t need this much money…er…is a simple cake fine?”

“Don’t forget a chocolate card that says 「Congratulations, Sagiri 」.” Kyouka-
san still kept talking.

“I understand.”

I smiled. Sagiri pulled on my sleeves.

“Um, yes, Sagiri?”

“…Tell her…”

“Oh right —“

There is something else much more important than buying a cake, so I spoke
in a somber tone:

“Kyouka-san…there is something important we want to talk with you about.”

“With me?”

“Yes.”

“..Wh, what is it?” She looked a bit scared.

…Probably because of “that”.

Eromanga — beam!!!!

She must be remembering that time. Because of our request, Kyouka-san was
put into a very embarrassing position.

“Ah, no. We are not asking for anything strange, don’t worry.”

“I’m fine! Just tell me if you need anything! As long as it’s for you two, I
will become Eromanga-sensei any time.” She reassured us.

What a trustworthy person! Considering what she went through, I realized

how much she loves us.

“Thank you very much. But we don’t have a request this time. There is just
something we want to tell you.”

“Tell me?”

“Yes. Well, er….We are – going out.”

I told her the truth. She….

“ —–Eh?”

Froze.

“Er…Eh? Did I …mishear? I think I heard you say something about going
out…”

“You are not mistaken. I’m going out with Sagiri.”

“———-“

Her eyes widened. That reaction was outside of my expectations, so I was a

bit taken back.

Anyway, she must be very surprised, right?

With an expression that screamed “I don’t get it”, she said:

“From the beginning. Explain everything to me. Clearly.”

“Okay okay.”

She did not hate us. She is also not angry. I know that she is a very gentle
person, but her aura still scares me. I was trembling while I explained
everything.

How I and Sagiri love each other.

How I fell in love with her at first sight.

How I confessed with my novel, then she rejected me – how it was a

misunderstanding.

Sagiri also liked me.

How I and Sagiri knew each other even before our parents remarried.

How we are fated for each other.

And —

“I proposed to her. I told her — please marry me.”

“…………..”

Kyouka-san’s expression didn’t change. She just listened to me silently.

“…What was her reply?”

Sagiri answered her question:

“I said…I can’t marry him now. Then, I confessed to him. I said…please go

out with me…and then I asked him to…someday in the future, please make
me his bride.”

“That’s how – we are going out.”

I finished. Kyouka-san closed her eyes without saying anything, likely

thinking about what we just told her. After a few minutes, she opened her
eyes, and said:

“In other words…you two are going out as a man and a woman…and you
want to get married in the future, correct?”

“Yes” *2

“And you are telling me…because you want my approval?”

“Because you are the only one I can ask to 「please give me your daughter 」.”

Sagiri has long cut off her relationship with her biological father.

So, her only parent now is Kyouka-san.

Likewise, she is my only parent left.

So “getting Kyouka-san’s approval” is a very important step for us.

I understand. I will give you my blessing.

That’s what I thought she would say. But…

“………NO.”

“….?”

What did she just say?

Kyouka-san said; her voice trembling.

“I can’t accept either – that you two are going out or you two getting
married.”

She glanced at us, her face pale.

“………….”

Our jaws dropped. Both me and Sagiri. We didn’t expect that she would
object.

— After hearing what Sagiri said, reading your novel…I have a feeling that
letting you two continue living alone together is very dangerous.

It’s true that she was being cautious about our relationship, but…I didn’t it
would be that extreme.

The Ice Queen’s aura covered both of us in fear.

— Now is not the time to be afraid.

“Can I ask you…the reason?”

I tried to stop my body from trembling and asked.

Why did she object to us going out and getting married?

Unless we know why, there is nothing I can do.

“…………”

Her gaze became sharper: Her eyes fixed on me, deep in thought. After a
moment, she finally said —

“…………The reason —– I cannot say”

“…What?”

Now it was my turn to be surprised.

“Cannot say…that…what’s that mean?”

“Exactly how it sounds. I will object to you going out with her, and I will not
say why.”

“How could I accept that –“

“I know.”
Like she was suppressing her emotions, Kyouka-san continued:

“You two are still children. Just listen to the adult.”

“What…”

“ — If it was me from before, I would say that.”

“Eh?”

Suddenly, the pressure lessened. I’d say that she looked tired.

She, tiredly breathed out, and said:

“You two….sorry, but there is no way that I can give you my blessing.”

“…Why?”

Sagiri asked, like she was talking to a small child.

But Kyouka-san tiredly shook her head.

“…I don’t want to say it.”

“…………” *2

Both Sagiri and I looked at her. We already realized that there must be a
significant reason for all of this.

We felt that we had touched upon something that Kyouka-san was trying to
hide.

“Kyouka-san…what do you mean, 「I don’t want to say it 」?”

“Masamune…I love you two…very much. After what happened, to see that
we have a normal life again, talking, living together…. 「all of this」, it makes
me very happy.”

“We feel the same too, so we hoped you could…”

“That’s why I cannot say it.”

She interrupted me.

“That’s all I can tell you.”

“…………..”

Does she mean that if I push this, I would be risking 「 all of this 」 ?

“…Masamune.”

Sagiri looked in my eyes.

“…I got it.”

Mine and Sagiri’s thoughts about Kyouka-san should be the same. So I spoke
in the place of my clumsy sister.

“We both like you very much, Kyouka-san. Living together every day…we
are very happy.”

“…Masamune.”

“So we should make you happy too. We don’t want to be just going out or
just get married. We want happiness.”

I took a step. If 「all of this 」 is destroyed because of it, then fine.

“Please tell us what you are hiding, Kyouka-san.”

“………”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she looked at us with pain in her eyes.

Izumi Masamune, Izumi Sagiri, Izumi Kyouka.

This family. This three person family.

“Our current relationship” is about to end.

She looked down, and slowly said:

“Masamune…you once asked me — Why did I decide to take care of you

two.”

“….Yes.”

“The reason that I can’t give you my blessing, and the reason that I take care
of you two, is the same.”

“….You mean —?”

That was unexpected. Our eyes widened.

Kyouka-san began to speak like she had given up on everything.

Meeting my eyes, she said:

“Because I killed your parents.”

Chapter 4

I – Izumi Kyouka – hated my (much) older brother the most.

My brother – Izumi Kotetsu.

Even thought he isn’t alive anymore, I still don’t plan to let it go.

“I hate you, Nii-san!”

How many times have I said that in front of him?

…Probably around a hundred times.

When I was in elementary school, I used to have to wear old clothes.

But he gave me new clothes. He said he wanted me to take part in the

opening ceremony.

He was still going to school, but he worked part-time late at night. He always
said he wanted to be independent, so he was saving up money.

“…W…what expensive clothes….”

Seeing my puzzled expression, Nii-san smiled:

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience, so you have to wear something good.”

Then, he took me to a salon and got my hair done. That was the first time I
looked that nice.

He gently patted my head, and said:

“See. It suits you! And it’s cute! It’s the best!”

His actions made me very mad, so I threw a fuss. I slammed my head into his
stomach. I don’t know if I hurt him, or if I hit something “important”, though.

“…! Ouch, what are you doing?”

Then, I leaned forward, and told him:

“Nii—! Hate!”

Back then, I even pulled my cheek sideways to show that I “hated him the
most”.

If you asked me why I got angry, even I couldn’t answer. All I knew was that
I felt my face getting hotter, then felt something stir inside my heart – in
short, I wanted to hit him. I wanted to break his carefree, looking-down-on-
his-little-sister attitude.

It’s hard to put that feeling into words, but it stayed with me for a long time.
Even now.

It must be that “something Nii-san did” or “everything he did” made me

angry.

— A little sister who has an elder brother much older than herself will
become a brocon – someone might say that, but it’s a deniable lie. “The little
sister who hates her brother” Izumi Kyouka is the proof.

By the way, after that I – Izumi Kyouka – still kept the hair style that Nii-san
praised: Even when I entered middle school.

Why?

Hm, of course it’s to make sure I will not forget how much I “hate my
brother”.

“So it’s not because you are happy that he praised you” – you asked?

Of…of course not…that’s impossible.

“Ouch ~ that really hurt. Why are you so violent?”

Facing his arbitrarily violent little sister, he just kept smiling, and never
raised his voice.

If you only looked at my conversations with him, then when I was small, I
was quite a rascal.

It’s not like I am trying to make excuses, but when talking with anyone who
was not my brother, I think that I was a very polite child.

Trying to act tough, watching the adult’s expressions yet appearing to be

polite on the outside.

Looking down on kids who acted like kids, and making people hate me.

— That was me.

Very similar to Masamune, with some critical differences.

Because this child is “trying to act tough” for the sake of others.

Since my earliest memories, my parents weren’t with me anymore. We

siblings lived with our relatives. Since Nii-san was busy with work and
school, most of the time I was living alone with my relatives.

Our treatment wasn’t exactly caring, but it wasn’t bad either.

After I changed schools a few times, my personality slowly became hard to

please. Every few years, all of my connections at school and with my family
would be reset: For a small child, that’s not exactly healthy. So I don’t think
there is anything can be done about my (somewhat) twisted personality.

…It was all excuses anyway.

During all that time, there was a relationship that never changed.

That was the one between Nii-san and his girlfriend.

Yes. Nii-san had a girlfriend from “the beginning”. He had her even before I
was born.

Yes! That’s why I said I hate my much-older-than-me brother.

Unlike me, changing schools or resetting connections wasn’t such a big

obstacle for a pair of high school students like them.

“Ah, Kyouka-chan ~ Onee-chan came to play with you today!”

“…You didn’t come here for me. You came for my brother.”

Crap – this woman came here all the way from Tokyo. If only our relatives
lived abroad, it would be much better. She couldn’t come so easily.

I was very mad on the inside, but I tried to remain calm and just stared at her.

But she just patted my head, and said:

“What are you talking about ~ I want to see you too.”

“Don’t try to get too close to me. There is no need for that. And don’t touch
me.”

Honestly, since the first time we met, I have hated her.

The reason?

It’s because….because I hate her. Anyway, I hate her. That’s all there is to it!

….You said “I hate her because she is my brother’s girlfriend?”

It’s not not not not not like that….! I don’t know what you are talking about!

“Of course I want to get closer to you ~ because Kyouka-chan is like a little
sister to me! Come on, call me Onee-chan!”

Kondou Shiho.
A bright, cheerful girl.

Normally, she is very mature. Her cooking skills are a match for any
professional chief. She is also very gentle and has many friends; even my
hated relatives like her —

She is such a wonderful girl.

Totally unlike me.

Back then, no matter how tough I tried to be, I couldn’t beat her. Even now,
she is a woman that I can’t beat.

She is also Masamune’s mother.

***

We returned to the Izumi household’s entrance.

I listened to what Kyouka-san had just said and reached a conclusion.

“In other words…Kyouka-san is a big brocon little sister, so you hated 「 your
brother’s girlfriend 」, right?”

“Of course not! Why why why why did you reach that conclusion!”

“Well…because…that’s how I see it. Right, Sagiri?”

“Yep. Kyouka is a brocon little sister.” Sagiri nodded.

“E..even Sagiri..!?”

Kyouka-san was shaken, but she coughed, and continued:

“It’s not like that…what I wanted to express was…how complicated my

feelings toward my brother and his girlfriend were…”

“I don’t think it’s complicated at all. Or rather, I think it was too

straightforward. Even current-gen light novels wouldn’t have something like
that.”

“This…this is really complicated! How…you shouldn’t talk like it’s just a

part of your work!”

Suddenly, her voice became dangerously low

“Besides…Masamune, and Sagiri too…How can you be so calm? Did you

not hear what I just said?”

— Because I killed your parents.

“We did. But we wanted to finish listening to your story first. My aunt is a
person who easily gets misunderstood.”

“You always make it out like you are the worst, so we want to hear you out
now.”

Sagiri is right. There is no way we could hate her just because she said that.

Unless she really is the murderer or was somehow directly involved in our
parent’s death… – but that was another matter.

For now, she is an important family member of ours. So there is no need to

change our opinion of her.

Seeing how we reacted, Kyouka-san looked at us with confusion on her face.

“…You two…why?”

“I don’t want any more misunderstandings between us. Kyouka-san is very

gentle, but it took us a long time to figure that out. We should have used that
time to be a family instead. Don’t you think…it’s regrettable?”

It was hard for us to become family, so I don’t want to lose this again.

“Masamune…you are just like the type of person that I hate the most.”

“But you are so nice to me.”

“That was…”

She didn’t answer my question and averted her eyes.

“…Let me continue.”

***

My feelings toward Masamune’s mother – Shiho-san – are similar to an

inferiority complex.

It was a mix of hatred, anger and envy. I wanted to surpass her in her field, so
I began to learn how to cook…you can guess the result.

“Kyouka-chan, you have no talent in cooking. Even if you did, you are no
match for me.”

“I know that already! You don’t have to remind me of that.”

“School activities and studying are Kyouka-chan’s strong points. Why did
you choose my field to challenge me?”

“I hate you the most! So I want to beat you!”

“Really? I like you a lot, because you are my favorite little sister.”

“Kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh!!!!”

Back then, Izumi Kyouka couldn’t stop herself from challenging her
brother’s girlfriend.

Remembering it now is so embarrassing…what a dark history.

But they are also my precious memories.

I always tried to go against Shiho-san, but it was all one-sided. She returned
my hostility with nothing but goodwill.

She made it harder for me to forgive myself, I became more aware of how
childish I acted…I was surrounded by those complicated feelings.

Those feelings reached their peak the day my brother married Shiho-san.

Even though I had known that this day would come eventually.

“…Nii-san…Shiho-san…con…cong…congra….fueeeeeeeeeeeee ~~~!”

I cried for an hour. Unexpectedly, it was the first time I managed to shake
Shiho-san.

“Don’tttttttttttttttttttttttttt!! I don’t want Nii-san to marry!!!!”

It was the most humiliating moment of Izumi Kyouka’s life. I never planned
to talk about it with anyone, even Masamune.

Really, it was something to be celebrated, why am I crying! I don’t

understand it myself!

Besides, because my brother got married, my situation got worse.

The Izumi family doesn’t have many relatives, and as an elementary student,
I couldn’t live alone by myself…

So, I had to endure hell: when I was forced to live together with the
newlywed couple.

Those times…those times…I don’t even want to think about it anymore!!!

Ahhgghghhhhhh!!! Just thinking about it makes me mad. Is there any little

sister in the world who could stand it? No! Absolutely not!

Cough cough.

Okay, because of a variety of reasons, and because I interpreted Shiho-san’s

good intentions in a negative way, I hated her even more…But there was
something that made me calm down a bit.

That was the birth of Masamune.

Seeing that child with such an innocent smile on his face, I —

“Isn’t he cute?”

“Yes he is.”

Something changed inside me.

It’s like…something that had troubled me for a long time had disappeared. I
felt…relieved.

My newborn nephew took my fingertip with his small hand.

Just watching him made me realize how meaningless all that stuff I did in the
past was. I also knew that showing hostility towards his mother in front of
him should never be allowed.

“Shiho-san…I’m sorry.”

“What is with you all of the sudden?”

“Sorry for everything. You were my savior, but I always acted with so much
hostility towards you…I will soon leave this place.”

“Are you sick or something? It’s disgusting.”

“What….! I…I really still hate you!!”

“That’s better. It would be strange if Kyouka-chan acted any other way.”

Although we resumed our typical daily conversation, starting that day, our
relationship began to change.

Or rather – I had accepted my defeat.

My first love ended that day.

***

I still couldn’t exactly manage to live “with a newlywed couple”, so after I

entered high school I moved into the school dorm and lived on my own.

If I had some consecutive days off, I would go visit them. Sometimes I would
scold my brother, sometimes I argued with Shiho-san, and sometimes I would
just quietly watch Masamune.

It was such a simple, yet happy time.

Kids really grow up fast: I could barely recognize my nephew.

Thankfully, he seemed to like me too. Until he was three, he still called me…
“Auntie.”

He also stayed near me a lot.

“..A…a…auntie?”

We were speaking the same language, but since I was only a high school
student back then, what he said hit me hard.

I began to tremble in shock. Behind me, my brother said:

“Oh! Auntie is playing with you huh! Isn’t it good ~ Masamune.”

“Niiiiii-san!! You must be the culprit! Did you teach Masamune that weird
word?”

“Uwo? What are you doing? Masamune will hate you if you yell at me.”

“Kuh…”

I shut up and snuck a glance at my nephew.

….Thank heavens, he was not scared.

“Auntie.”

“Yes, yes! What do you need?”

“Breast.”

“Auuuuu!”

I will say it again. Back then, I was a pure high school girl, so while I knew
he didn’t mean anything erotic, I was still shaken.

With a very innocent expression, my nephew continued:

“Breast.”
“Mwu au au au ~~”

Wh…what should I do?

I looked at my brother, silently asking for help. He just watched us with an

amazed expression on his face.

“Masamune…you are so brave.”

“H, hurry and help me!”

“Do you want to try breastfeeding him?”

“I don’t have breast milk!!”

I can hit him, right? Anyone would agree that that would not be domestic
violence, just righteous judgment, right?

***

“Masamune…you were a pervert even when you were small.”

“But but but that was very long ago! I was too small to have any impure
thoughts. And I don’t remember any of this!”

I quickly tried to explain. Sagiri looked at Kyouka-san with clear interest:

“So…Kyouka?”

“Yes?”

“Did you try breastfeeding him?”

“I didn’t!”

Still with her usual innocent expression, Sagiri asked without shame:

“Really? Not even once?”

“…………………..No, I didn’t.”

Kyouka-san blushed madly and turned away. Seeing that, Sagiri shouted:

“That reaction! Could it be!!?”

“No no no! I didn’t.”

“Maybe inside Masamune’s childhood memories, there is a moment where he

was breastfed by a high school girl!”

“Sagiri, calm down! Why are you so excited!?”

“Because, ahahaha!!!”

She took her smart phone out and showed me:

“If it exists, then the scene where this super cute little sister was breastfeeding
her nephew would be an amazing discovery!”

“Why do you have that too —–!?”

Kyouka-san screamed in embarrassment.

Sagiri just showed me the picture of Kyouka-san when she had her hair in
twin tails. I took a long look at it and muttered to myself.

“….I wonder if hypnosis would work on me?”

“You don’t have to remember it!”

“But when she puts it that way, even I want to know.”

“Do not try to remember it! Got it!?”

***

Let me continue!
Cough cough…Anyway, I will take a moment to say what I normally can’t.

No. I don’t really need to. Masamune was old enough to remember the next
part, so he knows it as well as I do.

If I had to add my point of view…then I…was hated by Masamune.

To him, I – Izumi Kyouka was a stranger who —

Routinely yelled at his father.

Routinely argued with his mother.

That alone is enough for him to treat me like a bad person.

I myself also know that I’m not good at explaining things. So I gave up on
meeting him and tried protecting him from a distance.

For example, I secretly gave him presents.

Or sometimes, I asked my brother to show me his picture, so I could see how

he was growing up.

“Wow…just like a father who lost custody of his child.”

“Sagiri! Don’t say that!”

………………

“See!? Kyouka was hit badly! Hurry up and think of a way to calm her
down!”

“Er…my previous father never cared about me that much?”

“You used such a depressing story?”

Masamune was trying to cheer me up.

“Kyouka-san, sorry for interrupting you. Please continue.”

You couldn’t imagine the situation back then even if you tried. Even I feel a
pain in my heart when I think about those days.

Shino-san passed away due to an accident. The Izumi household lost its light.

My brother was hit the hardest…and seeing him like that, Masamune tried to
act tough and didn’t even allow himself to be sad.

He tried to act like Shiho-san and began learning to cook. He took care of the
house. In order to keep his father from worrying, he became a good student at
school and stopped acting like a normal kid.

For me…seeing him like that hurt so much.

Masamune hated me, so I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t replace his mother.
From his point of view, I must have been a terrifying, useless, old hag who
just made people angry. That made him hate me even more

***

What Kyouka-san just talked about is the darkest period for my family. I had
experienced all of it first hand, but I still almost cried when she talked about
it.

She gently said:

“After you began writing…sometimes, I saw you smile.”

“…Yes.” I nodded “I was saved by novels…and the friends that novels

brought me.”

“…I see.”

There was a long period of time where it was only me and my father living in
this house. I had somewhat recovered, but the root of the problem wasn’t
solved. Every day, I waited for my father to get home from work.

This…I think this wasn’t something Kyouka-san could accept. After we

solved our misunderstanding and became family, I understand Kyouka-san
better than before —

“Actually, I didn’t feel lonely at all. Because I dreamed of becoming a

novelist. When I was writing, I didn’t think about anything else…besides, I
think it’s a common problem in many families today, haha….”

***

Masamune was laughing, but I knew that sometimes he cried when he was
home alone.

A family without a mother – this is, indeed, a common problem in many

families.

Some might say “so what?”

There are a lot of children like him in the world: many in much worse shape
than him. Is it strange to feel lonely? Is it strange to be embarrassed? Is it
such a big deal?

Don’t say that. If a family member passed away, even adult would cry. No
one can completely cut their emotions off, much less a child.

When a mother passes away, it is a very serious matter. For me, it was way
more important than everything else in the world.

Because my beloved nephew was lonely.

I knew it. But I had no way of solving the problem.

— This child wouldn’t want someone like me to be his mother.

I had no choice but to feel my levels of frustration and worry increase every
day.

“That’s when…Nii-san…introduced me to my sister-in-law.”

“Pleased to meet you, Imouto-san! Eto….I’m an illustrator! My

penname is Eromanga, please take care of me!”
“….Is that…my mother?”

“Yes.” I nodded to answer Sagiri’s question.

By chance, I met my brother when he was with another woman – that was
our first meeting.

“She was very beautiful, but I felt she was kind of funny. Her appearance was
different, but I can say that she was just like Shiho-san.”

A familiar feeling.

The way of talking that showed how intelligent she was.

Someone who can loudly announced herself as Eromanga.

All of this nearly made me break down crying. They were different people,
but…

“Um…I can understand that. Because I had the same feeling too.”

“You too, Masamune?”

That meant she was the polar opposite of me. The kind of woman that I hated
the most.

Which also meant that she was the type of woman that my brother liked.

“At that moment, I was thinking that maybe she was my brother’s new
girlfriend….but turns out, they were just talking about work.”

“…. Father….used to work with my mother?”

Masamune answered:

“I remember that Mother’s work included drawing illustrations for a game

too.”

“Yes. But she didn’t use her penname Eromanga-sensei at work.”

“Then it might be true, because my father worked at a publishing company.”

“I don’t know…maybe it’s true?”

“Yes. While he didn’t exactly work with the light novel section, from a
certain point of view, what I was working on was similar to his work.”

Masamune looks like he is having fun. His smile is exactly like his father’s.

Someday in the past…

“Nii-san….do you like her?”

When I asked Kotetsu-nii-san that question, he showed the same embarrassed

expression as Masamune’s.

“E? Wh, what are you talking about?”

“You like her, don’t you? Hm, I knew it…she is your type.”

“I haven’t confessed to her and we aren’t going out. It’s just our situations are
very similar.”

Young child. Lacking a partner. Hearing him say that, I agreed. They did
have some similarities.

— But she had divorced, so she isn’t someone suitable to be Masamune’s

mother.

First thing I learned about her and I already gave her a negative mark.

“Kyouka-chan! Let’s go see a movie next week!”

But somehow, after that she began to invite me out.

That day, when she invited me to go see a movie – that was the third time we
“coincidentally” met. We had a long talk with each other.

When I purposely added words like “parasitic”, “ATM”, and “otaku”… into
my conversation with a woman who might have interest in my widower
brother, she suddenly made the invitation above.

“E…Eh? What are you saying so suddenly?”

“Actually, I don’t have any female friends.”

“So?”

“Let’s go watch a movie together! It’s very good one, so you must have heard
about it! It’s the most popular recent anime! I hear it’s very moving!”

“I don’t remember being your friend.”

“Okay okay, it’s fine either way.”

“So this is your plan huh, 「a preemptive strike 」? Hm, it’s useless to flatter
me. I’m not going to let my brother step on such an obvious landmine.”

“Okay okay, it’s not what you think! I just think that Kyouka has talent! I just
need to teach you a little; then you will be my perfect partner for visiting the
Anime shop.”

“I’m not going to such a place.”

In the end – she forcefully pulled me along with her.

But it didn’t make me like otaku-related stuff. If anything, those things

disgusted me even more.

“I do like Kotetsu-san…but I don’t plan to go out with him.”

“…Eh?” I paused “What…do you mean…by that?”

Aren’t you aiming for my brother?

If not, why did you come to me in the first place?

“Because each of us already has a child, and I have also married once…”
“So you like him, but you want to give up?”

“It’s more like I was trying to keep myself from liking him.”

“Are you thinking that by telling me this, you will get me to tell you a secret
or something?”

“Nope.”

I threw a curve ball, but she just laughed it off. I glared:

“First things first, I hate you.”

“Um, I know.”

“So what are you laughing about?”

“First things first, I like you.”

“You…you —“

In this aspect, she was totally different from me.

Maybe if she became his mother, Masamune would no longer be lonely.

That was what I thought.

***

Hearing me say that, Sagiri suddenly interrupted:

“Kyouka…are you….mom’s…friend?”

“No.” I shook my head “I hated her. She was too close to my brother.”

“…I see.”

“There is something I have to apologize to both of you for.”

Finally – I will tell them the thing that I swore to myself I would never
reveal.

Maybe they sensed it too. Both Masamune and Sagiri tensed up.

“It was low of me. There was something that I hid from both of you.”

“…….”

My brother and my sister-in-law were very similar even before they got
married.

I heard something similar from both of them: That both of them were
interested in each other, but neither wanted to push it further.

I’m the only one who knew.

— I don’t want to give my hated brother to anyone.

My first love, which died a long time ago, was now burning again.

When he was alone in the house, Masamune was crying silently. During
those times, I was troubled a lot. I kept asking myself lots of questions. My
whole life until now had just been a series of cases where my effort didn’t
pay off and nothing turned out well.

But this time, I can’t afford to fail.

With a smile, I hid my feelings and told him:

“– Nii-san, have you ever thought about remarrying?”

I said it with a pain in my heart. But that was also the push both of them
needed.

“ — Thank you, Kyouka.”

“ — It’s thanks to you that we can get married.”

A year later. During their honeymoon, my brother and my sister-in-law

passed away.

***

“I killed your parents.”

Kyouka-san repeated again.

“……………..”

“………………”

Both Sagiri and I froze, unable to say anything. What she said hit us like a
sledge hammer.

“That’s why I took care of you both.”

“………….”

It was her. Kyouka-san was the one who secretly led our parents to their
marriage.

How…could it be? I always thought that Kyouka-san didn’t like my mother,

but that wasn’t the case?

And… that if it wasn’t for her…then our parents wouldn’t have gotten
married, wouldn’t have gone on their honeymoon…and wouldn’t have died.

That’s why she took on the responsibility of taking care of us?

That’s why she couldn’t tell us about this?

— I cannot say.

— The reason is?

— Because it will hurt me.

…Is that so?

…I got it.

“I’m a curse.” She said “Every time I tried something, it turned out for the
worst. Someone like me cannot give you my blessing….for your marriage.”

She said that without changing her expression. I couldn’t tell what she was
thinking.

“You two probably don’t want to see me again…Don’t worry, I won’t come
again. Though I will continue playing the role of 「 your guardian 」.”

With a click, the front door closed.

Kyouka-san had left us.

“……….”

“……….”

Both Sagiri and I couldn’t say anything. That was how hard it was to hear for
both of us.

I knew that I had to think of a way to solve this…but I couldn’t move. Not a
single muscle.

***

I turned my back toward Masamune and left the house.

The Izumi’s household’s door closed behind me. I kept walking.

My heart was full of shame and regret… but hopefully, they didn’t notice.

Only at that time did I feel lucky for my cold, emotionless appearance.

Maybe I should have done so…from the beginning?

Maybe I should have told them the truth earlier and let them hate me?
No…back then, both of them had just lost their parents and wouldn’t be able
to take it. Only I could be their guardian and take care of them at that time.

That’s why…No. That’s not it. I wasn’t lying, but it wasn’t the whole truth
either.

The biggest reason I hid it was because I didn’t want those children to hate
me.

I both hate them and like them. I’m the reason they are in this situation, yet I
want to help them. Not only that, I had hoped that I could become closer to
them.

“…I’m the worst.”

Thinking back, I hate myself so much.

Why didn’t I keep hiding it?

I didn’t hold it in hard enough and was forced to tell them – now, everything
is gone. Such critical timing, yet I made it harder for them both.

I always make the wrong choices. Nothing happens the way I want it to.

So it’s better if I stay away from my loved ones. Stay as far away as possible.

Now, I won’t make the same mistake anymore. I will return to our previous
relationship, the non-family relationship.

I made a mistake, but I must not let that mistake affect those children.

“…………”

They called me Kyouka-san, Kyouka.

They asked me for something important.

Living together.
The feeling that I help them.

— It was short, but it was a good dream.

That was enough.

My steps became faster. I was slowly getting further away.

“Goodbye. Farewell.”

I muttered and was about to take another step —

“Kyouka, wait!”

A voice that I didn’t expect suddenly came from behind me. Someone…
grabbed my hand.

“Wh…”

I turned around and saw the person who was trying to stop me… it was
Sagiri.
I thought I was dreaming.

“Sa, Sagiri?! You can…come outside?”

“…Ha…ha….ha….”

I was only about ten meters away from the door, yet it should be impossible
for her.

Sagiri had been a hikikomori for two years and only started come out of her
room recently. But now, she was standing “outside”, looking at me

She wasn’t wearing her shoes: her feet were bare. Her breathing was ragged.
She was sweating, her face was pale…But her hand held firm.

“Ha ha… Ha ha… Kyouka… Cough cough!”

She began to cough, unable to say anything. But, amidst the chaos, I heard
something.

“Please don’t leave us!!”

“———–“

“Idiot! Why….! Just deciding on your own…! I…!”

Sagiri was shouting something, but I couldn’t hear her properly. I must not
get my hopes up: I must have misheard her.

“Sagiri!”

Masamune also ran towards us. He only took a few seconds, but it felt like
hours to me.

“Are you okay!?”

“…Kah…ha…ha…”
Sagiri turned back toward her brother.

“I’m …fine…so…please.”

“….”

Masamune nodded, like he already understood. He turned to me.

“Kyouka-san.”

“…Yes?”

For a split second, his appearance turned into a certain somebody.

“Just leaving after saying your story is unfair. Please at least listen to our
opinions too.”

“…! You are….right.”

Both of them have the right to blame me. No matter how hard they curse at
me, I have the duty to listen. Before I leave, I have to accept it all.

“I understand. Go ahead. Speak your mind.”

I breathed out. He carefully picked his words and said:

“E…Actually….what I want to say is – at first, I was very surprised. Because

your relationship with my mother was totally different from what I imagined.
And I didn’t expect to hear that you were the one who urged them to get
married.”

Totally opposite from what I expected to hear – that was what he said.

“Did you think that I was against it?”

“That was what I thought. But after listening to your story, I understand now
– Kyouka-san, you thought it was your responsibility, so you took care of
us.”
“Not exactly. It’s not just my feeling of responsibly or shame… Part of me
thought that if I took care of you, if I could help you….then I could become
your family, and stay with you.”

I told them my shameful secret. I thought that I should let it out.

“Still, back then, Kyouka-san didn’t want to be our family yet, right?”

“It’s closer to 「 I wanted to get familiar with you 」.”

“……….”

Masamune didn’t say anything. Maybe he was surprised.

He returned to the main topic:

“I understand the part regarding 「the reason you took care of us 」. But I
cannot accept your reasoning regarding 「 why you can’t give us your
blessing 」. That, and the fact you are blaming yourself for my parents’
deaths.”

“Like I said —“

“I’m not saying that it wasn’t your fault.” He interrupted me “Both Sagiri and
I agree that …we do blame you a bit. If it wasn’t because of you, maybe my
father would still be alive.”

“…Yes.”

It hit me right in my heart. But he continued —

“My father was the one who decided the date of their honeymoon… but it
was because we wanted him to choose that day. During those times, we
would be left alone for a week.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“I was to blame too. I…think that Sagiri feels the same…she must feel like
she killed our parents. Just like you, Kyouka-san.”
“What…!? How could that be?”

“That’s how it is.” He smiled at me “That’s how we feel.”

“~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”

My face suddenly felt so hot. I grit my teeth and tried to hold it down.

Even Masamune looked embarrassed.

“Also…there is something I only noticed just now. Without Kyouka-san, I

wouldn’t have met Sagiri.”

“Yes! Yes!”

Sagiri (dying) agreed. She took a few breaths, and said:

“Kyouka brought us a miracle. You brought us what we like the most, what
helped us forget the things we hated the most. You always…always worry for
us…”

“Both Sagiri and I thank you.”

“Um…you are my favorite… other mother.”

“Oh…oh…”

I began to weep. My eyes couldn’t see them clearly anymore.

“So…so…”

“From now on, please continue living with us.”

The scene of my brother’s wedding. My brother’s smile. All of it reappeared

in front of me.

“…You…you two…really…. I can’t even….”

Izumi Kyouka’s list of her greatest shames…increased by one that day.