Ero Manga Sensei - Volume 10 - Chapter 1

EROMANGA SENSEI VOL. 10 CH. 1

== Chapter 1 ==

My name is Izumi Masamune. Second year high school student. Sixteen years old.

I’m a novelist even though I’m still going to school. My penname is Izumi Masamune. For a lot of reasons, two years ago, I began to live together with my hikikomori little sister.

But one year ago, something big happened. I found out about her 「 secret 」.

My novel’s illustrator, 「Eromanga-sensei 」 is also my little sister, Izumi Sagiri.

After that, many things happened —

It’s now September. Our novel, 「 The Cutest Little Sister in the World 」, is being made into an anime.

「 Have Sagiri come out of her room and we watch our anime together」.

That was our dream. It’s becoming reality.

There are about seven months until it’s finished. Slowly, day by day…our dream – is coming. By our own two hands. Everyday has been so busy.

By the way —

I forgot to tell you the most important detail.

We became a couple.

We got engaged.

“….Ehehe.”

Sitting on the sofa in the living room, Sagiri looked at her engagement ring and laughed happily.

Seeing her like that made me feel so surreal. Our happiness is just that simple. I was thinking about what happened after I proposed. But as it turned out, it didn’t go as smoothly as in a light novel.

Well, it’s not like my story began in a normal way anyway.

From a novelist’s point of view, I’d say my situation is near the climax. If we were in a light novel, I think the author must be out of ideas.

Like, he doesn’t know what to write next.

Ahaha….well, just, you know.

Who cares anyway?

As long as everything is okay.

Because Sagiri is waiting for me.
That’s enough for me.

I’m not a character in someone’s story.

Even if I were, I wouldn’t just do as he likes.

Right…If I have to write my own story — then it would continue as a normal, happy, romantic comedy story.
Yes, my wish – is just that Sagiri is happy.

Summer break is over…

There are seven months and one more day until “The cutest little sister in the world” is finished.

“I’m home.”

I returned from school. Sagiri came out of the living room and ran toward me.

“Welcome back, Nii-san.”

“Oh ya.”

I hugged her small body and repeated myself:

“I’m home, Sagiri.”

“Ehehe.”

She laughed.

Her smell made my heart race.

“What’s up?”
“It’s nothing.”

“Is that so?”

I let go of her. I don’t want to, but I can’t enter the house at this rate. Then, she took something out of her pocket and gave it to me.

“It’s for you, Nii-san.”

“Um?”

Wh..what is this? A delivery notice?

From AmuAmu, 「Demon Blade figure 」.

“Wow, you pretended that there was no one home again? I feel pity for the delivery man.”

“Because I can’t come out…”
“Well, but…”

Can’t be helped…

While Sagiri did improve a lot, she still can’t go out of the house. She did manage to do so a few days back, but that was an emergency. Now, even if I am in the house, she can come downstairs. Recently, we could even eat meals together. It was such an amazing improvement —

And that’s all.

For now, that’s Sagiri’s limit.

No need to rush.

We can take it slow.

Even she said it herself, that she 「 wants to go to school in the future」.

“So, Nii-san — make sure to call him again.”

“….I’m so embarrassed. I bet he already noticed that you just pretend not to be home.”

“Tell him to come tomorrow night, when you are home. I can’t come out and take it.”

“Yeah yeah, I know.”

I lead her back to the living room. I used to go straight back to my room as soon as I returned home, but recently I usually take a detour into the living room.

– Together with my lover.

I put my bag on the sofa.

“What did you do today, Sagiri?”
“Um, a lot. I have a rough stretch of a new character.”

“Can I take a look?”
“…Do you want to see it? Eh ~ what should I do ~?”

“I want to. Please.”
“ — Sure. Here.”

“Ah ~ nice! So cute! I already have a new idea for her.”
“Really? That soon?”

“Ahaha, no need to rush. Oh, by the way, I planned to go shopping after I finished changing. Is there anything you want for dinner?”

“…Anything, as long as it’s something you want to eat.”

By the way, Sagiri still calls me 「Nii-san 」 instead of 「Masamune」. She said she felt morecomfortable that way.

I do understand how she feels, and it does save me a lot of headache. But…what if she still calls me 「Nii-san 」 after we get married?

No! I myself like it! I feel very happy!

Yes! That’s how I feel!

But others probably wouldn’t take it well…
- Masamune, you let your wife call you 「Nii-san 」?
- Ugh…I can’t believe it…what a siscon.

I wonder what Elf’s gang would say.

No, I was getting distracted.

“「Something I want to eat? 」 so, you are asking me to cook something that I like?”

“Yes…We promised, didn’t we? That you will teach me how to cook.”

“Ah…”

Indeed, we did.

“Then let’s do it today – cook something that I like.”
“Un! Ehehe…cooking with Nii-san…would be a precious memory.”

Recently, we are just like this.

We are very happy – like we are living inside a romantic story. By the way, after I bought ingredients for my favorite 「Garlic Chives Hotpot 」, Sagiri had a weird look on her face.

What’s with her?

The next day, Sunday, we planned to hold a hotpot party.

Someone called me early in the morning. It came from Muramas-senpai’s landlineI thought it came from Senjyu Muramasa – real name Umezono Hana, so I took it with a cheerful heart.

“Yes, Muramasa-senpai?”

But I didn’t hear her voice. Instead, it was a low, male voice.

“It’s me.”

“Eh….eh…you, you are…?”

“I’m Umezono Rintarou. This must be Izumi Masamune-sensei’s phone number.”

“————–“

I froze, swallowed hard and shook my head. Then, I managed to understand the situation.

Crap crap crap ~~~!!

Umezono Rintarou is Senjyu Muramasa-sensei’s father, and he is also the famous novelist 「 Umezono Rintarou 」.

“U, Umenozo-sensei! It’s been a long time! How are you?”

“Hm, you don’t have to call me sensei.”
“Then…. Muramasa-senpai….’s father?”

“Huh? Step-father?”
“No no, the other kanji!”

Please don’t make that simple mistake!

“You have no reason to call me father. I don’t care what kanji you used – use something else. You can use Umenozo-san, Rintarou-san or even Rin-chan.”

Rin-chan is too much!

“….Why are you calling me, Umenozo-san?”
“It’s something important – come here now.”

He must mean his home…that’s very far.

“…..Right, right now?”
“Right now.”

“Actually, I’m very busy….”
“I know. Come here. Now.”

He isn’t even going to explain. I gave up and said:

“…I understand. May I ask something?”
“What is it?”

“….Are you angry right now?”
“I’m VERY angry right now.”

“I knew it! Now I really don’t want to go!”
“Stop messing around and come here.”

“Yes yes! I will come as soon as possible!”

And so…

I was called by an angry novelist, and rushed to the Umenozo household.

A few hours later, I have arrived at the Umenozo household. It is a samurai’s settler, which gave it an ancient atmosphere.

I stopped in front of the main door, which doesn’t have a doorbell or an intercom.

– Really, what would a delivery man do in this case?

Thinking back about the last time I came here, I shouted:

“Anybody home ––!?”

It’d be great if Muramasa-senpai opened the door.

A few minutes later, the door opened…. Contrary to my hopes, a man in a kimono appeared.

A dignified appearance, a face covered in wrinkles, a pair of sharp eyes. That is Umezono Rintarou. He is Muramasa-senpai’s father, and also the one that called me here.

He looked at me for a moment, then said:

“Come in.”

He turned and left without waiting for a reply. I had no choice but to follow him. Then, we stopped in the living room.

“Sit down.”
“Yes yes….”

I sat down in front of him. There was no chess board, but it felt like we were going to play a game.

He didn’t bring me any tea. That was expected: he did say that he was
「 very angry 」.

The man in front of me, for some unknown reason, is very angry with me. That’s why he called me to his place.

Of course, I had no idea what I did that pissed him off so much. It’d be great if it was just some kind of misunderstanding.

Ah, I’m so nervous. The tension is so thick that I could cut it with a knife. My stomach began to hurt.

“So, er…”

I couldn’t stand it anymore and opened my mouth.

“Eto…by the way, Muramasa-senpai is…”

“She went to the editorial department. That’s why I called you today. I don’t want you to see my daughter.”
“I, I see…”

He doesn’t want me to see Muramasa-senpai?

So, whatever the reason is, it must be related to Muramasa-senpai in some way. By the way, why did she go to the editorial department? She never went there before….Wait; I remember Kagurazaka-san said that Muramasa-senpai met her at work once not long ago…

She didn’t speak more about it, though.

Did Muramasa-senpai meet Kagurazaka-san for 「something aside
from work 」?

Why?

— While I was trying to ignore reality, suddenly Rintarou-san said, “Um” loudly.

I hastily recollected myself in a panic.

“So, the reason I called you here…”

Here we go…

“Do you know about Hana-chan’s newest novel?”

The 「Hana-chan 」 that he spoke of is Muramasa-senpai

“Huh? No…this is the first time that I have heard about it.”

“Is that so? I only found out about it yesterday. Last night – Ayame-chan – no, my daughter’s editor, Kagurazaka-kun, called us. She said she wanted to publish Senjyu Muramasa’s newest big hit, and that it will be a best-seller.”

I see. While Muramasa-senpai is a famous novelist, she is still a middle school girl. Of course she would need her guardian’s permission to publish something. Just like me and Sagiri.

Besides, I heard that Kagurazaka-san is his savior’s daughter…that’s how she could read Muramasa-senpai’s script before anyone.

But “big hit”? What exactly is it? Even for Muramasa-senpai, claiming it will be a best-seller at this point was unusual. Where did Kagurazaka-san’s confidence come from?

Rintarou-san continued:

“I told her that 『 I can’t give her an answer without reading the manuscript. Bring it to me. 』.”

Ah, so he has read it too, huh.

With a *swoop*, he showed me a stack of paper. Not hand-written; but printed on A4-sized paper. Because senpai never uses a computer when writing, it must have been typed by the editorial department.

“This is the one. They brought it to me yesterday.”
“Ha ha…and…have you…read Muramasa-senpai’s newest novel?”

“I did. It only has about a hundred pages. Clearly she hasn’t finished it.”

“What is it…about?”

I’m afraid that THIS is the reason that he is angry with me.

“Before I answer your question, Izumi Masamune-sensei, I have a question for you — what is the relationship between you and my daughter?”

“E? Eto….partner, senpai and kouhai, good friends…?”

“That’s all?”

He glared daggers at me.

“That…is all.”

There is no way I could tell him that 『 you daughter confessed to me, but I rejected her 』.

“..What are you…trying to say?”

Rintarou-san lowered his voice:

“I will be blunt. Are you my daughter’s lover or not? Did you two do something impure?”

“No, of course not!”

What the heck is he talking about!? Even though I’m a high school student, what he said is the same thing as sexual harassment.

“Is that so? But I have a reason to doubt you, Izumi Masamune-sensei. If you have any proof you can show me, now is the time.”

“I am engaged! I will not do anything with other girls!”
“….HMMMM.”

…Crap? His eyes clearly changed when he heard me mention my 『engagement』.

This is bad…

I’m trying to explain myself, what the hell?

Facing the ice-cold glare of Rintarou-san, I slowly gave him my cell phone. Its wallpaper was a picture of Sagiri. It was taken not long ago, when she was wearing an apron and making a meal.

“This is my proof! She is my fiancée! She is very cute! If, if that’s still not enough, I could call her and have her speak with you!”

Rintarou-san’s only reaction was a “this guy is disgusting” expression.

“There is no need for that. I believe you. You have cute fiancée – is that so? I see.”

“Wh…what is with your reaction…?”

This is terrifying.

“By the way, in my daughter’s newest novel…the main character is a first year high school student.”

– Ah, that means Muramasa-senpai used herself as the base for that character.

“The story is about a love between that character and an older man who already has a fiancée - a forbidden love.”

“Senpai —!”

What the heck did you write? No wonder he is mad at me!

“It, it it it is a misunderstanding!”

“I haven’t finished yet.”

“I totally understand it now! I know why you are mad, Umezono-san! Why did you call me here!?”

“Hm, it’s good that you understood so quickly. Then, go die.”

“Kyahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! When did you prepare that sword? That’s illegal!”

“I was joking. It’s just a copy of a real sword.”

“But the blade looks very sharp! And…your eyes weren’t laughing at all!”

“It was a joke…for now at least.”
“Don’t add that afterward!”

“Don’t yell. We can’t talk that way.”

The great novelist returned his blade to the scabbard. Then, like a swordsman, he put it near his hip and continued:

“Well…you said you 『understand 』, but I highly doubt it. So, take a look. Read it; then you will understand what I meant.”

“Sure, sure…”

He gave me the manuscript. Doesn’t look like I have any other choice.

—Senjyu Muramasa’s novel. No name.

I swallowed hard and began to read. The only sound in the room was the sound of moving paper. With my eyes, I began to read Senjyu Muramasa’s words.

“————————”

Until I finished reading, I said nothing. Even after I put it down, my eyes still stared into empty space. It felt like I had just watched a wonderful movie.

I recovered and asked:

“the next part…”
“There isn’t one. I told you she hasn’t finished it.”

“But, but the editorial department brought it here last night, right? If it was Muramasa-senpai, then she must have finished writing it by now – the finished manuscript must be hidden somewhere…”

“Looks like you think it’s interesting.”

“…!”

I was taken aback for a moment. It took me a few seconds before I could reply.

“Yes, it is.”

That’s how Senjyu Muramasa’s story should be.

“But…but…I feel very conflicted. I don’t know how to say it…”

I wanted to say what I thought about this novel, but I couldn’t find the right words.

The great novelist said in my place:

“It’s no good.”

It’s very strange to hear it. But I totally agree.

“Yes! It’s no good! I can’t believe it!”

Why am I having such a stupid conversation with Umezono Rintarou?

But that was all I could say. Because the newest novel of Senjyu Muramasa – is totally no good.

In short, it’s not a light novel. It’s also not a romantic story.

It’s an abomination.

“………”
“………”

The room became silent again.

After some time, Rintarou-san said:

“I want to hear your opinion. There is no need to mince words. Just tell me what you think as a simple reader, not as a novelist.”

“…It’s super erotic.”

That was the first thing that came to mind.

“…I…when I was learning how to write, I read a lot…But this is still the first time that I have read such an erotic story…To think she could write such a detailed description of…that steamy part…I have to say…the author of this novel must be a huge pervert!”

“Ha ha ha, the author is my daughter. Do you not want to live, kid?”
“But you told me to not mince words?”

“There is a limit to everything!”

“But this is something only a huge pervert could write! Like, 『 I want to sit down on the same chair as the one I like 』!”

“I don’t deny it, but can you not compare my daughter to Japan’s number one pervert? And? Now do you understand why I am angry?”

“Yes.”

I was about to have a nosebleed! In this novel, the female protagonist was based on Muramasa-senpai and the male protagonist was based on me, and they both love each other….

So they did a lot of erotic stuff! Not to mention she wrote it in a super erotic way!

I have a fiancée already – but even I have to admit that reading her story made me blush. I can totally understand the character’s feelings. It felt like they were my own feelings.

Ohhhhhhhh… So dangerous.

“… I don’t believe that after reading this, you will believe me…”

No wonder he misunderstood.

If I were a father and my middle school aged daughter wrote something like that….I would tear the boy apart with my bare hands.

As long as I am alive, Rintarou-san will be mad.

“But…my relationship with senpai is not the same as the one in this novel.”

“Is that so…Then I believe you. Seems like I misunderstood.”

“Huh?”

“What? Did you think that I wouldn’t believe you?”
“…Er…Actually, yes.”

Rintarou-san sighed.

“I know how good my daughter is as a novelist. That story just now was written totally based on her imagination. Plus, seeing your reaction confirmed that. I just wanted to make sure. Now, I’m at ease. Looks like I won’t have to spend the rest of my life in prison.”

“………Phew.”

I’m relieved.

In short…I won’t die…yet.

“However.”
“Ho, however?”

Are you kidding me? Do you want me to scare to death?

“The content of this story is just her imagination. But there is another problem.”

“…………”

“The male protagonist of this story — is based on you, correct?”

“…………….”

I broke into a cold sweat.

“…Yes. I believe that is true.”

“Hm. I see. Then…”

Then? What do you have in mind?

“…Maybe I shouldn’t let her publish it.”

Is that all you have to say?

I almost said it aloud. Still, our conversation continued.

“By the way…did Kagurazaka-san really plan to publish this novel? So that kids can read it?”

“So you are against it?”

What a difficult problem. Such a good novel: it’s wasteful to not publish it. But…

“Recently, I have seen many people that gave bad reviews to light novels…I thought it was because they were not well-written.”

But this is unacceptable.

It was too much. Not only teenagers, even adults – would be badly affected. This is totally against Japan’s morals.

"I know what you want to say. This story is very interesting…but it will affect the readers too much. It will change their way of thinking, leading them to think that a 『 forbidden love 』 is beautiful. Sooner or later, this power won’t be controlled by Umezono Hana anymore. In short…this story will brainwash the readers.”

“Brainwash…. I think all light novels are the same.”

“It’s the same for any commercial product. Brainwashing the consumer and make them think the same as the in-story character — from a certain point of view, it’s just like that.”

This great novelist was so blunt: he didn’t mince words at all. I think he should look on the bright side a bit.

Like…how I was saved by Yamada Elf-sensei’s light novel. That novel is one of those stories that has a good effect on the reader.

In that novel, I could see the author’s hidden message.
She said
“I hope my readers can feel better after reading my story. I hope my readers can laugh out loud.”

Of course, I wouldn’t deny that she wanted her readers to 『 keep buying her novels 』, but considering my situation back then, her story allowed me to recover.

I don’t want to call it brainwashing.

Rintarou-san had asked my opinion. He wanted to know if he should he allow Senjyu Muramasa’s newest novel to be published, knowing that it will badly affect the readers.

But then he said,

“This novel does lead the readers to a bad moral ground, but I think that is also the proof of its value. There is no reason to refuse publishing it. I bet it will be a big hit. Maybe it could even win a prize.”

“But…”

“What you are worried about won’t happen. I take my previous words back: its power is not as great as you think. While it can affect some readers, and it can cause chaos, and maybe it will be remembered for a long time; there will be only one person that have a change of heart because of it.”

“…Me, huh.”
“Yes, you. This novel was written by Hana-chan to brainwash you only.”

That’s why he called it brainwashing.

“You are the one she wrote it to. You are the one that she was trying to brainwash. Other readers won’t have that experience when reading that story.”

But this is still a great novel.

“That’s why I said it’s fine to publish it. But…”

Suddenly, with a *creak*, the door opened.

“Ma, Masamune-kun.”

A black haired beauty appeared. She was Senjyu Muramasa, real name Umezono Hana, daughter of Umezono Rintarou.

The next person was her editor, Kagurazaka-san.

Did they both come back from the editorial department?

“Sen, senpai…?”
“…Ah! That manuscript!!!”

Seeing what I had in my hand, Muramasa-senpai panicked. The reason is as clear as day. She – likes me.

“Ahh….ah…..”

To her, the current situation is 『 the one I like is reading my erotic novel (which has main characters based on us) 』

She immediately blushed, trembled and rushed into the room, yelling
“DON’T READ IT!!!”

A few minutes later, inside the Umezono household’s living room, Muramasa-senpai was crying and holding the manuscript firmly. There was only me and Rintarou-san present.

Kagurazaka-san was waiting in another room.

“…Oh…oh….”

With cautious eyes, she took a look around. I couldn’t take it anymore and asked:

“Eto…Muramasa-senpai?”

“…Read it?”
“Eh..?”

“This novel…have you read it?”
“Ah….I…yes I did.”

“….Oh…oh…”

She blushed even harder. Understandable, considering that she wrote an erotic novel with a female lead based on herself.

…The atmosphere was unreal. My head automatically replayed the scenes in the novel I had just read and merged it with the girl in front of me.

“…Gulp.”

Looks like she understood just from seeing my reaction: She yelled at me.

“Wh, what impure things are you thinking about!”

“But, but I can’t help it! After reading something like this…! I can’t help but imagine a girl based on you and a man based on me …doing THAT kind of stuff.”

“Ah…ah! Don’t say it ~~~~!

She hugged her manuscript tighter and waved her hand. Rintarou-san added:

"Hey kiddo, you are very brave, aren’t you? You dare to say that in front of me?”

“But, but I didn’t say anything wrong? By the way, I’m the victim here! This is sexual harassment from a senpai!”

“I, I didn’t plan to let you read it yet!”

Said the sexual harasser, crying the whole time.

“And, and why are you here! And why did you read my secret novel!?”

She was totally in at-home mode. Her normal, strict persona isn’t fake, but I have a feeling that when she is at home, sometimes she likes to get spoiled.

I explained:

"Umezono-san – your father, I mean – called me here. He seemed to have a misunderstanding regarding our relationship due to your strange novel…then I read it too…And…well, you know.”

“Papa!”

Senpai turned to her father.

“But as your father, I’m worried.”

“Senpai, anyone who read that novel would think the same.”
“Oh….”

Muramasa-senpai facepalmed. I want to do the same too.

“By the way, I think Kagurazaka-san is at fault too.”

“Yes. If she didn’t ask me to publish it, then I wouldn’t have called Izumi Masamune here today.”

“Um…Umezono-san…can you please change how you address me?”
“Then I’ll call you Izumi-kun. Or do you want to be called Masamune-kun, just like Hana-chan?”

“Izumi-kun is fine. Thank you.”

While Muramasa-senpai is still flushed, both Rintarou-san and I have recovered.

To get a clearer picture, I asked:

“Eto…senpai. It’s hard to say this, but may I ask…why did you decide to write that story?”

“In…in front of…my father?”

I could understand her hesitation. But..

“Hana-chan…sorry, but I want to hear you reason too. As the guardian of Senjyu Muramasa, father of Umezono Hana, I can’t act like I haven’t seen your story.”

That’s right.

“Senpai, sorry, but…”
“…I, I understand.”

Muramasa-senpai nodded. Then, she looked at the manuscript in her hand and began to speak.

“…Where should I begin…right…my aim…Masamune-kun, this novel was written for you only.”

“…………”

Senjyu Muramasa is a novelist who writes only for herself. She didn’t plan to publish anything, nor does she care about her fans.

But this novel was written for Izumi Masamune to read.

“Before I finished, I didn’t plan to let anyone read it. And I certainly didn’t expect you to read my unfinished manuscript.”

Senpai once said a sneak attack was too low for her.

Seeing how she is still in her at home-persona, I couldn’t help but notice that she is really cute.

"Wait a second senpai. If that story was meant for me…in other words…”

She was still talking, but I have to ask:

“Muramasa-senpai, you want…to do THAT…with me?”

“Mwuuuwuuuw!?”

Steam came out of her ears. At the same time, a fist slammed onto my head.

“Ouch!?”

“You perverted kid! Don’t forget that I’m right here!”

Rintarou-san is clearly mad. But I have to say something back:

“But this is very important! It’s true that what Muramasa-senpai is about to say is important too, but there are some things that she won’t say unless people ask her. If I don’t ask, she could avoid that topic entirely!”

“True. There are many details that I wanted to ask about myself.”
“I know, right. For example…”

I glanced at Muramasa-senpai. She was hiding behind her hands.

At first glance, she looked just like an innocent girl, but I won’t be fooled. She was the one who wrote the most erotic story in Japan.

“…Oh…Uhg…”

Seeing Muramasa-senpai trembling in embarrassment, my voice became harder.

“Ah…for example…um…it’s hard to put it into words…well….what the girl said to the boy in those H-scenes…should I say that you are very knowledgeable…or is that your special skill?”

I said again. I carefully picked my words

In her story, there are some strange words that I have never seen before (which only appeared in the ecchi scenes).

Like 『 Mozuotoshi 』 or 『 Kamaitachi 』

See? What does that mean? Of course I would want to know.“

Rintarou-san said in a very calm tone:

"You call that carefully picked words? You really want to die, don’t you?”

“But but, I have never seen them, either in ecchi manga or anime.”

Just like Eromanga-sensei, the way she described that kind of information for me is very un-academic, so I couldn’t understand. But unlike Eromanga-sensei, Muramasa-senpai …she looked like a pure, introverted girl…but somehow, ever since middle school, she knew about many things that even a boy in high school didn’t know…

“Worry not, Izumi-kun. I have lived for more than 40 years, but even I haven’t seen those words.”

“How could it be? She is even more knowledgeable than a great novelist?”

“Made up!”

Hearing my conversation with Rintarou-san, Muramasa-senpai turned to me, and shouted.

“I made them up! Do you have a problem with that?”

“….No, I don’t.”

No need for a special skill in an ecchi novel - I thought. Seeing something she totally made up, I didn’t know how to react. If I continued my relationship with her, maybe someday I will encounter that 『Mozuotoshi』 too…crap, now I was becoming stupid.

Like she could read my mind, Muramasa-senpai knocked on my head, and said

“I, idiot.”

Just like Sagiri.

“What an insult! Did you have to ask if I want to do this with Masamune-kun? I can’t answer that right now! I can’t. Just listen to me carefully.”

“…Sure.”

She coughed:

“An, anyway, for the moment, an answer for your question 『 why did I decide to write this novel 』.”

“Yes.”
“This…is because of my argument with Elf.”

“Huh?”

That was unexpected. But Elf did mention it before.

I had an argument with Muramasa. Because of you.

She also said:
“While this girl probably has a plan, I do not plan to act for now.
I will do it my own way.”

So because of that argument, Muramasa-senpai wrote 『 a novel for Izumi Masamune to read 』.

“I didn’t plan to do anything to Masamune-kun and Sagiri, but Elf seemed to be worried about how I would act – she said that unless we act, we had no chance of winning.”

Muramasa-senpai smiled, likely because she was remembering her friend.
“Strange, right? I should be her rival. But she always helps me out: Because she wants both of us to be free
of regret.”

If she loses, she will cry a lot. She will probably regret that she poked into other’s business.

Elf herself knew it.

Yet, she still helped her rival.
Yamada Elf is a cool idiot like that.

“That’s why, Masamune-kun. I will follow Elf’s footsteps. I did consider doing nothing…but she helped me a lot, so I couldn’t just not do anything.”

Muramasa-senpai looked at her manuscript.

“All I could do was write. This is what I could do in order to closer to you. So…I wrote 『 my story that you will love 』.”

So, in the end, she apologized to me.

There was a time when she wrote a novel based on herself in order to confess to me. Looks like she did that again.

However…

“This is not the same as before. Back then…in the 『 World Light novel tournament 』, what I wrote was a story that I liked. But now, my aim was to write something 『you can love 』 - that’s why I wrote it.”

She stopped, looked at me with a knowing look, and muttered:

“I haven’t finished writing it…but you have read it, yes?”
“Er…”

“How is it? Did your heart…race?”
“…………”

Crap…

This…is…unexpected.

Thankfully I have only read an unfinished story. If I read the finished novel…I can’t predict how things would turn out. When I imagine the girl in front of me as the girl in the novel…my heart feels like someone grabbed it. Right now…I was facing the same destructive power that Elf once used.

“Senpai,…I…”

“I understand, you don’t have to say it. But – it worked, didn’t it?”

She laughed. What a witch: everything I did was within her calculations. And the scary part is she did that all without a plan. She had her own way of declaring her love. By attacking me in both rational and emotional methods, she is on the same level as Elf.

I couldn’t keep looking at her – so I averted my eyes.

“Masamune-kun, after I finish this novel…will you read it again?”

“…………”

The reason I didn’t give a reply immediately was because I don’t want to read it. But my answer is already set in stone.

“Of course I will.”

I have someone I like, so I can’t return her feelings. That’s why I have to give her a proper answer.

That’s what I thought.

“That’s good to hear. I knew that you would say that.”

“I’m looking forward to it…Even without the other unnecessary details, that novel is still very interesting. It’s hard not to read it till the end.”

She blushed in embarrassment when I secretly pushed her to write more.

“…I’m so happy. But…in order for me to continue writing… there is a problem.”

“Problem?”

“Yes, actually….”

Right before she told me the problem, the door opened. Kagurazaka-san appeared.

“Everyone, the meal is ready! It’s time for lunch!”

We still sat in the Umezono household’s living room, surrounding a table.

I sat in front of Rintarou-san; next to him was Muramasa-senpai. Next to me was Kagurazaka-san.

There was a very delicious-looking sushi dish on the table.

“By the way…why are you here, Kagurazaka-san?”

Since this wasn’t an important matter, I waited until now to ask that question.

Kagurazaka Ayame, the editor for me and Muramasa-senpai. It seemed like she is Rintarou-san’s savior’s daughter. At the moment, she was eating happily.

She swallowed, took a sip of tea and answered me:

“Good question, Izumi-sensei. Actually, I was giving Muramasa-sensei a lesson in love.”

Senpai yelled.
“Kagurazaka-san….I told you to keep it a secret.”

“Well, it’s better to let the cat out of the bag now; don’t you think Muramasa-sensei? Do you remember, Izumi-sensei, during the congratulations party of the 『 World Tournament light novel 』, you asked me 『 please tell me how to contact Muramasa-sensei 』 –”

“Yes, I did.”

Back then, for some reason, senpai was right next to Kagurazaka-san and took the phone very quickly. I was thinking that was strange… could it be…

“You have probably guessed, but she came to have a lesson in love with me.”

– I see. A secret that was hidden for a year was finally revealed.

“By the way, if it wasn’t because of that, Muramasa-senpai wouldn’t come to the editorial department. You helped me a lot. I used that lesson in love as bait to trick her into coming and working.”

Do you have to say it aloud? I really think you shouldn’t have.

“Today we met for the same reason, but I talked with her about publishing a hard-cover novel.”

“Hard cover novel?”

“Yes, it’s rare to have such an opportunity. Besides, this is no normal light novel.”

Yeah, that story is no light novel. Even Rintarou-san said it might win an award.

– I think it really might win an award.

“And then, we came here to get her father’s permission.”

Maybe because the food was good, Kagurazaka-san was in a good mood.

“About that …” Raitarou-san said “I’m against the publishing decision.”

“Eh? Why? It’ll be a big hit! Umezono-sensei, didn’t you say 『 no problem, publish it 』 a little while ago?”

For the first time, Kagurazaka-san panicked. Raitarou-san just folded his arms and stared back.

He told me before:

– I don’t mind publishing it. But…

Now was the time for the second part.

“..I can’t let the whole world see my daughter’s love letter.”

This is not the opinion of a novelist, but the opinion of a father.

“That makes it even more interesting! This is literature! I can’t believe you would say that, Umezono-sensei!”

She was bold. She never showed that much passion when my work was at risk.

“Listen, Umezono-sensei! This novel —”

Suddenly, Kagurazaka-san stood up and thrust her finger at Muramasa-senpai’s face.

“In the near future, this novel, which tells the sad story of a girl with an unfulfilled love, will become Senjyu Muramasa’s best story!”

Muramasa-senpai retorted
“Kagurazaka-san! What did you just say? I can’t accept that!”

I see…

Love itself will have a negative effect on the story, but pain from a failed love will become a novelist’s source of power – because Kagurazaka-san thinks so, she agreed to meet with Muramasa-senpai.

In other words – that woman firmly believes that Muramasa-senpai will lose in love.

That’s why she accepted Muramasa-senpai’s request. She knew that she had nothing to fear.

Very correct decision. Because I already like someone else. As long as Sagiri is still around, Muramasa- senpai’s love will go unfulfilled.

Kagurazaka-san knew that. Maybe even better than we did.
– I felt that there was a fire burning in my heart.

“What do you mean, Kagurazaka-san? Didn’t you agree to help me!? That’s why I let you read the novel meant for Masamune-kun.”

Kagurazaka-san answered immediately
“Of course I’m helping you! I’m a novelist’s friend! I’m your friend, Muramasa-sensei! Just now I picked the wrong words, don’t pay it any mind… Still, right now Muramasa-sensei is, indeed, on the losing side.”

“……………”

Muramasa-senpai didn’t look like she could agree to it. Kagurazaka-san continued:

“That’s why! In order to turn the tables around, you have to publish this novel!”

We have been working together for years, so I knew that she had a habit of using this forceful tone to end the discussion.

Rintarou-san still maintained a clear mind, so he said,

“I don’t understand your 『 that’s why 』 part. I understand if Izumi-kun wants to read my daughter’s story, because that’s her wish. I want to respect that wish too. But I don’t think there is a need to publish it. A love letter should be for Izumi-kun’s eyes only.”

“Kuh…it’s so hard…If this was Izumi-sensei he would have taken the bait.”

Am I that easy to lead?

“Then, then! At least after Muramasa-sensei’s story is finished, Umezono-sensei, please read it too!”

“…I have read part of it, but I’m not very comfortable reading my daughter’s love letter.”

“But you want to know too, right? A love letter for such a plain boy!”

Hey, I can’t let that slide. I’m standing right here!

“…Of course I want to know.”

“Then you must read it! You will change your mind after reading it! You can’t just seal it away like that! It will be this century’s big hit!”

“..I still won’t change my mind. Just wait until it is finished and maybe we can discuss it again. "I got it. Let’s stop here for today.”

Kagurazaka-san sat down.

“However, there is something else.”

“Something else?”

“Yes. Thankfully, Izumi-sensei is here too. This is not about Umezono-sensei; it’s about Izumi-sensei.”

“Huh? Me?” I pointed at my face.

Then, Muramasa-senpai said:

“Let me tell you about it. I haven’t told you that – while I’m writing, there is a big problem.”

She coughed and blushed.

“I want to write romantic story…but I…have never…dated a boy before.”

“Ah…”

I understand.

If there were a hero who had dated Muramasa-senpai and then broke up with her – he would no longer be in this world. That’s the price he would have to pay.

“Masamune-kun, I know what you are about to say. It’s because I have no dating experience that I was able to write such an unreal love story – something like that. Just like how in the past, you wrote romantic comedy stories even when you had never dated a girl before.”

“It’s not the same!”

I could write it even without real experience! That’s why I’m an author!

“But listen, Masamune-kun. What I wanted to write is 「 an imaginary love 」 and 「realistic love 」. I planned to write the first half as「 an imaginary love 」 while the second half, with the climax, is 「realistic love 」.”

“…I see.”

The part that I read was the first half, so no wonder it has so many made up words: including 「 Mozuotoshi 」.

“「My current self 」 is the only one who can write the first half, while 「 my future self 」 is the only one who can write the second half. I could only write this kind of story once in my lifetime.”

Muramasa-senpai was talking, but her breathing was getting hard. She put a hand over her chest, and tried to calm her breathing.

Then she said this:

“I want to convey this feeling to my readers. I, and my future self, will cooperate – to write the only love story of my life.”

Her passion shocked me to the core. My soul was almost taken by her

The novelist with a precious goal, Senjyu Muramasa.

The girl in love, Umezono Hana Both of them will give me their most powerful attack. What I felt right now was just their preparation.

It’s just their power leaking, not their real attack.

I wonder what would happen to me if I was hit by the real attack.

“………”

I want to read it, but I also fear the power of her love. I was caught in a pincer attack.

“………Looks like….it will be a very good novel.”

I barely managed to speak it aloud.

The truth is: there wasn’t anything else that I could say.
The novel that Senjyu Muramasa will only write once in her life.

Maybe…for her…this is 「the mostinteresting novel in the world 」.

“…Masamune-kun, can you help me write it?”

“You mean…doing ecchi things with you?”
“You aren’t married yet, are you?”

“But it’s still ecchi.”
It’s against my morals.

“…….”

This is a chance for Muramasa-senpai to fulfill her wishes. But…

“I will say this before hand, even playing make-believe is a no. I’m going out with Sagiri, and we are engaged.”

That’s all I could tell her. Instead of getting hurt, she just smiled and shook her head.

“That wasn’t what I planned to say…but I do have a request. If you can do it, I’m sure that I could write a wonderful novel.”

“As long as it’s something I can do.”

I can’t do anything that will harm Sagiri’s happiness.
That’s what I meant. She nodded.

“I know. My request is —“

Her request – which will allow her to write a once-in-a-lifetime novel.

“ – A festival is coming up. Can you go there with me?”

A very girlish request. Just like a romantic comedy story.

But…

“…Is that all?”

I thought she would ask for something more.

How should I put it…I was a bit…disappointed. Going on a 「 date 」…will it really allow her to get her references?

Based on this experience – will she really be able to write it?

“That’s all…please, Masamune-kun.”

“Got it, senpai. I will do my best.”

If that’s what she said, then I have no reason to refuse.