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Ero Manga Sensei - Volume 12 - Chapter 1




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EROMANGA SENSEI VOL. 12 CH. 1

I’m Izumi Masamune (は和泉正宗)[1], a 16 year-old sophomore high school student.

While attending school, I have a side job as a Light Novelist under the pen name Izumi Masamune (いずみマサムネ)[1].

For various reasons, I’ve been living with my hikikomori[2] sister for the past 2 years.

A year ago, my life changed in a large way.


I found about my sister’s “big secret.”


There was an illustrator by the name of “EroManga Sensei” who exclusively illustrated my novels and come to find out that this illustrator was my younger sister, Izumi Sagiri.


What was that?


Yeah, I know. There’s not a lot of ways to change up the same old introduction to this story.

The story of my sister and I— more or less, has passed its climax and so all there’s left is to finish the cycle…


Well, that’s what I thought at the time.

There’s no doubt the the end is near. If this novel was, “The Story of Sagiri and Me,” I’m sure it would have ended more gently and peacefully.

But…

This is “Our Story.”

And Yamada Elf appears in “Our Story.”


Eccentric and wild, she’s always a lump of energy and will not allow a loose and flat development.

So, this time—

It starts at the moment she appears with a plan to turn the tables.

“Masamune! Sagiri! You kept me waiting.”


“—Here comes the main lead!”


A thunderous voice roared in Sagiri’s room.

And stood on the open veranda was the beautiful blonde girl.
She was Yamada Elf.


A close friend of Sagiri and I, and Sagiri’s love rival – it’s not something I can describe in a single word.


Just moments before our first kiss, she, without fail, interrupted us, opened her heart, and cut off the moment’s charm.


“I came to turn the tables”


We were speechless for a bit at her confident declaration of victory.
The barely audible response was,


“Elf-chan.. Y-Yo-You—You…!”


The sentence couldn’t finish itself.

Elf grinned and opened her mouth,


“Fufufu~ What a nice expression! Masamune! Sagiri! If that were to continue for a bit more—I wondered if you two would have kissed just then?”

“Th-That’s not true!”

Sagiri’s face turned red as she quickly denies it.

“Well, what are you doing Elf-chan?”

“I told you already. Don’t—You—Know? I came to turn the tables!”

She crossed her arms confidently. Elf bent her back and brought her face closer to us as we were still sitting down.

“Masamune and Sagiri. You guys officially started dating and promised to get married. Meanwhile, Muramasa-san, who tried to play the game, was utterly destroyed.”


She grinned, showing the whites of her teeth.


“If this was a love novel, You wouldn’t be able to beat Yamada Elf anymore… She is so cute, beautiful, youthful, and the best girl in the world, but I became a sad, losing heroine. Sagiri wins, and the story ends. I’m sure your readers would think so.”

“Oh hooh… Once again, you lost me.” Sagiri puffs out her cheeks.

Of course, Elf should already know that this conversation would not be peaceful.

She looked straight at Sagiri and went on without worries.

“Don’t you think it would be very interesting if I won here?”

“Nope.”

“It’s called Yamada Elf-chan’s come-from-behind victory! What do you think?”

“The title is too straightforward—plain.”

“It’s simple and clean, isn’t it?”

“No one cares for a sudden reversal. The royal road is the best.”


Sagiri crawled and took up shop between myself and Elf. I don’t want to use this metaphor but… It’s similar to how a mother cat protects her kitten.

Looking at me, she stated,

“Because you’re mine. I will not give you to anyone.”


She then gave Elf a gesture of 「 Shoo… Go Away 」.


“You’re still very possessive. Fufu, you’re so loved, Masamune ♪ “

“Right? I’m so lucky, aren’t I?”

“… And it’s only Masamune who can give an answer like that without hesitation. You both really are an iron-walled couple. Oh, I’m quite jealous—truly.”


Elf said that, shaking her head with her arms outstretched.

Elf looked relaxed. Sagiri squints at her and asks,


“…So how are you going to turn the tables then?”
“Ah, you’re quite wary.”
“There’s no way I couldn’t be… My brother likes me the most, but…”


Sagiri said shyly.


Even I, who was just listening, was getting embarrassed.

Sagiri gazed at Elf cautiously.

“Elf-chan and Muramasa-chan never left let their guards down.”

“Yes. I’m glad to hear that. You think of me as a rival, ‘Even with a steel wall, if she looks around the wall—she might turn this around.’ That’s what Sagiri thinks, yeah?”


「 ………………………… 」

「 ………………………… 」

They silently stared at each other.


While Sagiri glared at her sternly, Elf smiled at her brightly.
It was such a contrasting picture.


Elf, closing an eye, goes,

“Well, Masamune, “Writing a Light Novel to me is a game,’ I said that right?”

“Yeah, when we first me.”

At that time, I didn’t agree on that approach to our work—I didn’t like it at all.

“It’s still the same.”

“…That’s right.”

Now, I’m sure Elf and I were thinking about the same scene.

She shouted in a mischievous manner.

“Right! Light novel writing is very similar to games! Koibana[3] is a puzzle game! I said this before, right?”

“Yes, I heard it before, though I’ve yet to hear how.”

“Masamune! This great senpai will teach you! The heart of romantic comedy! The human relationships of main characters dynamically change!”

Elf proudly proclaimed as she raised her index finger.
This situation is the same as when senior gave a lecture to a junior writer—

What’s more, it wasn’t a story that needed to be shoved into a scene between two people kissing.


This was something only Elf was capable of.


“As authors, we often think about it and draft the idea, organize the work, and detonate the good parts with well-timed bombs. Then, once the things stabilize, the relationship will fluctuate! –The ‘worst relationship’ turns into the most exciting situation – it will change. That’s the start of the puzzle game. That’s the most exhilarating part!”


She’s always like this.


“It’s the same for me as a reader! It’s super interesting!”


This is what I’m talking about when it comes to her.


“Well then.”


Sagiri’s voice went cold as if she held a knife against her throat.


“How would you turn the tables?”

“Good question, Sagiri!”

As Sagiri continued to glare, Elf responds to Sagiri, eyeing her back in a friendly manner. Although Sagiri seems to be quite upset, you can see that Elf is gradually reducing her negativity.

No matter how crazy she gets, you can’t really bring yourself to dislike it.

Yamada Elf was that kind of person.

“Koibana’s are very similar to puzzle games – I think so is actual love. Love is about changing relationships the way you want them to.”

“Neither Nii-san nor I are light novel characters. It won’t work the way the author intends to.”

“Aren’t the light novel characters moving as the author wants? That’s why it’s similar—“

Continuing, Elf goes,

“I will think carefully and build a puzzle even in a real love affair. I hope that it will lead to a future that I want.”

“Do… Do you mean a future in which Elf wins me over and marries you?”

“Until recently, that’s what I thought. But now—that’s not the case. I took Masamune from Sagiri and made it mine – Marriage. I’m married and living happily. That’s kind of different – isn’t it? I don’t think that’s the best future I could hope for.”


She muttered this as she placed a finger on her lips.


“Puzzles can’t be a good thing unless you make a good blueprint and build them from the ground up. I have to know for myself the best future I want. It’s only then that I can think, ‘What should I do for that?’”
She closed her eyes and said,

“It’s just like a project.”

Sagiri urged her with her eyes,

“And?”

“Will you listen to what I have decided and what I have to do to turn the tables?”


Sagiri and I nodded together after giving each other a glance.

It was kind of a strange story—It was just plain weird. We’re going to listen to “The Plan to Separate me and Sagiri.

Why were we looking forward to listening to Elf’s strange plot?


“Yamada Elf-chan’s secret plan to turn the tables…

Is to train Sagiri into a cute and attractive girl!”


When we heard Elf’s “Secret Plan,” we were taken aback and looked at each other. Then, turning to Elf who was currently proudly crossing her arms, Sagiri asks,


“…??? What do you mean?”


Being questioned, Elf begins her explanation with a smirk,


“Hmm… ‘I don’t understand her’ is what you’re thinking—“
“Sagiri is already the cutest girl in the world. What else can you do?”
“—That’s your siscon-ness talking! That’s to be expected! Please don’t draw a conclusion from just that, try again!”


Elf said this while shaking her hands violently as if to say 「 WRONG! 」.


After she cleared her throat, she began again, saying the first line again.


“Well, now I know what you’re thinking – ‘Why do you need to make Sagiri cuter in order for Elf to turn the table? I thought it would put Elf into a more disadvantageous position—"

Elf’s own questions accurately represented both mine and Sagiri’s thoughts. She smiles cheekily like a teacher.

“I told you I’m going to make this into a puzzle, right? It’s all to build a winning streak. It’s to reach the best future for me. It can’t be helped that it’s going to make a temporary disadvantage—Well, that isn’t what I think it is. For my route—it’s what I need to do!”


“Elf…. What is the best future?”


“Teehee~ You’re curious, right? You’re curious? You’re C-U-R-I-O-U-S?”

Sagiri seems to be irritated by Elf’s progressively approaching face.
Elf put her finger on her lips and closes an eye.

“It’s still a secret! But it’s not bad for Sagiri!”

“… I have a bad feeling about this.”


Sagiri looks up at Elf with narrowed eyes.
“I don’t trust you.”

She pats her chest with an exaggerated gesture.

“Has your best friend, Yamada Elf, ever done anything to make her best friend hate her?”
“A lot.”
“Yes?! What!”

“There was that time before when Elf-chan burned EroManga Sensei G, so I was in big trouble.”
“… Yes, that happened…”


The answer was immediate and Elf’s head started to sweat a bit.


“She always comes into my room from the veranda, even though I tell you not to.”
“T-That also happened!”

Don’t put it in past tense— You just did it just now, you know.

“… Elf-chan, although harboring no ill will, always gets into trouble.”
“OKAY! I’m sorry! But basically, you shouldn’t hate your friends!”

She looks rather proud of herself that she’s apologizing.


Or rather—Sagiri should just lock the veranda.


“That’s why,” Elf restarted, forcefully shifting gears,

“I’ll make Sagiri look super cute for me.

“I’m not sure, but do you think I’m going to say ‘Yes’ to you? You might get rid of me.”

“I’m not sure you will, but both Sagiri and Masamune are curious about my secret plan, right? It peaks your interests, huh?”

「……………………」

Sagiri and I fell silent.

She was right.

Then Elf continued,

“It’s not bad for Sagiri.”


Then it probably is? There’s something incredibly suspicious about Elf’s plot right now, but it doesn’t necessarily go against me or Sagiri.


It seems pretty aligned with our best interests, actually.

Sagiri must have had the same thoughts too.

“What are you going to do all of a sudden?”

She said, further diving into the discussion.
“Oh, that’s all for now!”

“No, keep going.”

“Fufu~ That’s enough for today. Firstly though, I’m going to stay in this room starting from today!”

“What!?” We say simultaneously.

We were surprised by the sudden declaration from Elf.


“Y-you’re staying at this house? That’s… that’s your move?”

“That’s not exactly correct. I’m staying in this room, not this house.”

“What do you mean…?”

“It means, ‘I’m living with Sagiri’.”

“That still doesn’t make sense! What are you going to do with that?!”

I felt exactly the same as Sagiri. Elf’s secret plan of “Making Sagiri Cute,” which was already unclear to begin with, now had the first step to live together with Sagiri…?


Both steps now make even less sense!


We were being loud but Elf insisted our reactions were within her expectations.


“Just hear me out until the end—Masamune, you were right enough to say, ‘Sagiri is already the cutest girl in the world. What else can you do?’ Well, here’s the answer.”


Elf points to Sagiri and says:

“Improve Sagiri’s womanly capabilities!”

“Oh, hoh…!”

For the first time today, Sagiri exclaims her impressed thoughts on Elf’s idea. She leaned forward with interest.

“Well, I think you know Sagiri… that’s she’s undeniably cute. Even if it will never be at my level, she’s still one of the best out there.“
“Objection!”

“Yep, there it is—the sister complex. Your opinion is important, but I’ve heard it before.”

「 ………… 」

“Let me continue. Sagiri is cute—some of the best there is, but not as perfect as Masamune claims. A good woman simply just her appearance. The inside must also reflect such beauty—Like Me!”

“Objection! I think Sagiri’s inner-side is the Most Best!”
“Stop that!”

Sagiri slaps me on the knee, blushing.
Wrinkles formed between Elf’s eyebrows when she saw this.

“Thank you very much. You interrupted my dialogue—Again! Just listen! The inner beauty of Sagiri I mentioned not only includes her personality buy also her concern and skill as a woman. It’s what we call ‘Girl Power’ in Japan.”


Girl Power… I use cautious when I write this.

It’s a word that’s become increasingly more difficult to use in recent times. It’s a beautiful, nuanced word.

Contrary to my own confidence.


“Yes—Girl Power! Sagiri! You lack Girl Power!”

Elf uses the term “Girl Power,” as if she knew it herself.

Sagiri, who was called out, adorably bats both eyes and goes, “Uhh…”

She’s uncomfortable.
Maybe it’s because I’m aware of that.


However,


“Objection! Objection! I think Sagiri is full of feminine power and motherhood these days because she already learned how to cook and do housework!”

“I know. Masamune taught you, didn’t he?” But aren’t you less feminine than your boyfriend in that regard then?”

“Er…”


Sagiri looked troubled. She leans back as if she’s been struck in the chest with a knife.


“M-My boyfriend taught me how to do housework and cook a little bit—but I’m not as skilled as my boyfriend. I haven’t changed my NEET temperament for many years. And, the pretty girl next door is an SSS-Ranked Super Goddess for Girl Power… As a girl, I wondered that myself.”

“That’s exactly correct! Ah, you’re adorable!”

If the future… Considering the second part… Would I even be able to understand the third part of the plan…?

At this point though… It seemed that Elf was trying to catch up on that “Make it up to Sagiri,” because of the cold she caught last time. If you had just said so, I would have been satisfied.

Elf says to me, “Sorry”

“So how about Sagiri? From today, will you have me live with you?”

“Well… Hmm, what shall I do?”

Sagiri seems quite lost. Living in the same room with her friends—that level of “difficulty” would have been unthinkable for the previous Sagiri.


I suppose this is a good thing.


“Only one day would be fine, but… you intend on staying for days, right?”

“That’s the idea!”

“If you have a friend who stays overnight, it’s a hindrance when you work.”

“That’s a non-issue!”

“And I’m a bit nervous as well. I’ve… I’ve never done that.”

“Didn’t Muramasa and I stay for several nights before?”

“I-It was in a separate room.”

“Well—I’m sure it would be even more fun if we were in the same room.”

“Well… I suppose.”

Sagiri nodded clearly,

“That’s… I think it’s…”

She must be remembering the sleepover held the over day. She’s smiling right now.

Elf, as usual, watches over Sagiri, then chooses her words carefully, and proceeds.

“Of course, I won’t interfere with your work—if you’re too distracted, I’ll leave at once. You don’t have to worry about that since I live next door.”

“W-Well then,”

She nods in agreement.

“That’s that! Teehee, I’ve got a lot of fun plans that I’ve came up with!”


And so—

Elf decided to stay at our house once more.


Only this time, she was going to be in the same room as Sagiri.
Well… I didn’t interrupt her because it was obviously a plus for Sagiri.


Yamada Elf’s secret plan was to capture Izumi Masamune… And to do that…

It was her first move, for me to be ostracized.


The Next Day—
“Masamune! Sagiri! I’m Here~!”

Elf came early in the morning. Sagiri and I, who were in the middle of preparing breakfast, greeted Elf at the entrance.

“Good Morning, Elf-chan.”

“Good Morning! Sagiri! I brought you a sandwich. Let’s eat together.”


Elf holds up her basket, closing an eye and snapping her fingers. Then—she took a look at our aprons.


“Oh! Have you made breakfast yet?”

“No, we were just about to start.”

“Well then, I’m glad to hear that. I forgot to tell you yesterday—I’m going to come early.”


Elf takes off her shoes and walks into the house.

Even though they lived together for only a little while, she was just like another family member. If she’s staying for a while, it’ll now be a family of 4, including Kyouka.

“Sagiri, call Kyouka-san. I’ll make some tea for you.”
“Nii-san, no green tea since it’s bread.”
“Yeah, right, so then hojicha[4] would be better.”
“…. I don’t get it. We usually have just juice, tea, or the like.”


It was going to be a lively breakfast.


Sagiri, Elf, Kyouka, and Me.
The whole family was sitting together at the table.

“Now, look at this! This is my ‘Izumi Family-Styled Breakfast Fairybread’!”

Elf opens the basket lid as if it were a cooking manga.

Colorful breads appeared inside. Fairybread is an extremely simple dish made by simply coating bread in butter or sweet sauce and layering it with sprinkles.

“Mo-Mother’s Specialty.”


Fairybread is my favorite treat.
… I think anyway.


“But this alone is not a good, nutritional balanced meal. I tried to arrange it in seven colors with a sandwich that mainly serves vegetables. It should appeal to the tastes of the entire family. Please, have a bite.”

“Itadakimasu.” Us three replied.

I reached out to the veggie sandwich first and took a bite.

“Well, what do you think Masamune?”

“It’s as expected.”

I took a sip of hojicha[4] and then clarified,

“It’s definitely a breakfast for the Izumi Family.”

“Ahhhh~~ Alright—!”

Elf smiled joyfully and gave a mini guts pose.


Explaining further,

“Sagiri is difficult to make a menu for because she’s very particular eater. You need to use a certain amount of oil and seasoning. If you use more or less than what she wants, she won’t like it and won’t eat it.”

“That right! Exactly right! I realized it when we lived together before!”

“B-Because I’m a foodie. I’m a recluse with a delicate palette.”

That’s not something you should say about yourself.

“Hilariously, Sagiri has a keen sense of taste, doesn’t she? I don’t even taste the carrots that I cut finely and put in. It was as troublesome as an infant in their teething period. With this kind of specified constriction, Masamune often makes three different menu plans a day, and only with the ingredients that can be bought at a nearby supermarket.”

“Ah no, It took me a year before I was able to make something Sagiri could eat.”

Even though I explained it when we lived together, I was more surprised that Elf had already made a meal plan to suit Sagiri’s taste. To be honest… I feel like I lost as a cook for the Izumi family.

“I’m as good as a professional chef, and you don’t have to think you lost. I told you to be confident because you’re already a first-class husband.”

“You’re reading my mind like crazy, aren’t you?”

The conversation could have concluded even though I didn’t say a word.

“Fufu~ I’ve been observing Masamune a lot.”

「 …………………… 」

I smile, glancing at Elf. Then Sagiri shouted,


“Ah!
Well, Elf-chan! I’m going to grab Nii-san’s stomach with my delicious meals! Just you wait!”

“What are you talking about now? This strategy has been going on for more than a year now!”

Please take care of Yamada Elf University’s spin –off manga ♪
image
Elf displays a cute, meta-promotional pose.


“More importantly, I’d like to hear how Sagiri feels. Do you like it? I think I’ve made it to your liking.”

“I don’t have to eat it to know that the meal you’ve made is very delicious. But I can beat you.”
When she took a bit of the veggie sandwich, she exclaimed,

“Hmm?!”

Sagiri’s cheeks turned red and had to look away.

“D-Delicious! It’s as delicious as Nii-san’s!”

“Yep, that’s right!”

image
Elf laughs earnestly.


“Fufufu~ Sagiri, you just ate a carrot sandwich that you typically would dislike, right?”

“Er… I was caught, huh?”

“It was delicious, wasn’t it? Fufufu… Yes! I’m filled with a strong sense of conquest!”

“Hnnn… I feel like I’ve lost…”

“Even if you hide carrots, you’ll be able to taste it. So, I tried front-loading it and have it taste delicious in a head-to-head match. I tried various methods like doubling down on seasoning. But instead of it being inedible, I adjusted the taste by combining multiple methods.”


“Give me the recipe.”

Any husband with a child who doesn’t like carrots would ask the same.

“Yes, I’ll give it to you later, but it may be difficult to use it for daily meals because it’s mixed with a bit of high-quality ingredients. I’ll add an alternative recipe, so please adjust it yourself.”
“That’s a relief”


Then Kyouka, who was quietly eating alone, said,


“Yamada-san!”

“Y-Yes?”


As expected, Elf’s reaction was weakened due to Kyouka’s powerful display.


Kyouka is a woman whose facial expression and voice are not synced with how she feels. I’m getting a little better at reading her… but I can feel the seriousness and respect from her frightening voice.

“Will you teach me how to cook?”


“E-e-excuse me?”


“…If I could make something that would please the kids, I think I could greatly ease the burden on Masamune-kun. If Masamune teaches me, then it’s no good.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t make much sense to put more burden on him in order to reduce his burden.”

“If that’s the case, then that’s okay. I’m still teaching Sagiri from time to time, and I don’t mind having more students. From now on, breakfast will be served by the women of the Izumi family. Let’s cook together!”

“Thank you”

Kyouka-san displayed gratitude this time with not only her voice and expressions, but also with her gestures.

“Is that alright with Sagiri?”

“Yes, I want to increase my cooking repertoire.”


It seems that I will no longer be allowed to participate in breakfast preparations for a bit.


I felt a complicated mixture of gratitude, joy, and a tinge of loneliness.


After the meal, Kyouka-san left early even though it was Sunday.
These days, I share the housework with Sagiri and began my share in the living room.

But today, thanks to the help of Elf, cleaning and washing was done in no time.

She still seems to be sticking to Sagiri and giving lectures on how to fold laundry. The sight of the two girls sitting down side by side in the room and folding their clothes is a sight to be seen.


— Somehow… You’ve been sticking to Sagiri all day, Elf.
There was a little bit of a whimper in my heart.


“Oh, Masamune—are you jealous?”

I was surprised because she asked at the same time I was thinking it.
When I turned around, Elf looked at me and put her hands on her mouth and smiled.

“W-why would I get jealous when I see you guys getting along?”


Contrary to my words, I was caught and found myself wanting. I thought about it and decided to admit to it quietly.


“Well, actually… Maybe. Yeah… I’m just being the bad guy.”

“No no, it’s a normal feeling, isn’t it? If a good friend gets along with another person, it can’t be helped. But—Fufu, which part are you jealous of? I’m curious.”

Well… “Sagiri” and “She talking more to Elf than with me” was the part I was jealous of.

…Right?


“Really now? Is it both?”

「 ………………………… 」

I didn’t say it outloud, did I?
I kept silent, but it might be meaningless for Elf.

“Ah!”

Sagiri suddenly cried out,


“Well Elf-chan! It’s a strategy to may Nii-san jealous by being close with me!”

“Teehee~ I don’t know about that.”

Elf laughs jokingly. Sagiri’s cheeks flared with anger.

… You guys seem even closer now.

When the morning housework was completed, Elf went home and rolled over a big footlocker back. As I went to the entrance to help bring her luggage in, I asked her,

“What is in this?”
“A lot of clothes and stuff.”

“…Isn’t this a bit much?!”

As I said to myself, her house is literally next door.


Whether it’s a small toiletries or clothes, there’s no need to bring this many things.


“Well, I’ll find out one of these days”

Elf said with a grin.

Apparently, she’s cooking something up again.


What’s inside the trunk? I’m curious, but I’m sure it’ll be clear in due time, so I’ll wait forward to it.

She looked up the stairs and said,

“Okay Masamune. Please carry my things to my room.”

“Hey.”

It’s too fitting to be given orders. I feel like I’m this lady’s butler. I lift the footlocker and carefully go up the stairs.

Elf seems to be following from behind.

Carrying her stuff to Sagiri’s room, I gently place her luggage down.

“Oof, that was quite heavy.”

“Thank you for your hard work— how about a reward from your master?”

Elf shows me a gesture of a kiss.

I consciously gave a curt retort,

“… Control yourself.”

“Oh my goodness—you lost your mid for a moment, didn’t you? Well, don’t forget that feeling!”


Damn it! Teased again!


“I’m going downstairs. Don’t ask for Sagiri!”


I ran back downstairs in an attempt to be driven to do something.

Masamune’s footsteps faded away.

I, Sagiri, gently opened the door to my room and called out to my friend who was in a good mood.

“Well then… this sounds fun, Elf-chan.”

“Yes, very much so… It’s fun to see you get jealous like that.”

“It’s not my hobby.”

“Really? Girl’s jealous faces are attractive—I think my readers love them.”

“… All of Elf’s readers are rom-com nerds and have terrible taste.”

“Hey! Stop cursing about my five million fans who love me! You’re so mean today!”

“Elf is to blame for that… because I’m doing strange things.”


When I turned away, Elf pokes me on my cheeks.


“What? I didn’t hear you well. Say it once again.”

“Elf is angry because I’m excited to see my boyfriend.
Masamune is mine, so don’t approach or make fun of him!”

“You finally said it properly. I won’t apologize, but let’s play a ‘mood changer’ game instead.”


I think ‘good willed arm pusher’ is a good descriptor for Elf.


I couldn’t help but ask her in a way that would satisfy her expectations.


“…And what’s that?”

“Well, it’s a game you’ll love very much.”

“…I have to work to do in the morning, so I can’t really play with Elf-chan at the moment… but I’ll ask anyway”

Something smells super fishy… Can’t put my finger on it, but my gut says something isn’t right!


I listened despite my feelings.


While I’m not particularly picky, I can’t help if it my friend’s suggestion. I won’t mind listening to it just once.


Elf patted her footlocker.


“I told you I’d train Sagiri to be adorable, right? I’ll coordinate your clothes and transform ehm!”

This was a cheap game.


But…


While the erotic excitement went away, this still piqued my interest.

“Oh…? What’s inside of it?”

“These are clothes I brought to put on Sagiri! Be prepared, I’ll change you. Of course, I’ll give you something you’ll like!”

“… I don’t get it.”


It’ll definitely be expensive since its Elf we’re talking.


“It’s for my own convenience, so please don’t hesistate to accept it! It’ll definitely suit you, so I’ll love to see it!”


“…Even so.”


It’s not that easy to receive expensive gifts from friends. Even if they are very close to you.


Elf doesn’t understand this because she’s rich.


What should I say? I don’t think I come from an average home.


But honestly, I want the clothes that Elf-chan did prepare for me.


I really want it.
Sigh…. What should I do…?


After thinking about it, I suggested this.


“Well… how about exchanging?”

“Do you mean Sagiri will give me something instead of simply receiving my present?”

“Yep.”


I nodded. Elf pretended to consider it.


“Hmm…”
“For example, on the terms of exchange, we have the right to meet in the middle, yeah?”

“No, you’re rejecting it on purpose, aren’t you?”

“I’ll give my clothes to elf as well. That’s way, it’ll be even.”


Good idea, me. It is my idea after all.

With this, I don’t have to have any moral qualms with this and I can make Elf wear my favorite clothes.

I can sketch her if I want to as well.


It’s the perfect strategy.

I smiled in earnest.


However, Elf looked a bit more withdrawn to the idea.

“I understand very well what you intend to do, but even if we ‘exchange’ right now… I don’t think I can wear anything, you know? I can’t wear Sagiri’s clothes.”

“Elf is indeed larger than me.”

“Stop manipulating information! My chest! My breasts! My breasts are larger than yours!”

“No, I don’t think so.”

We had a useless argument for a bit…

I shrugged my shoulders as if I didn’t care.
Hmm, Elf, you know… she doesn’t admit facts.


“Anyway… here.”


I pointed to the next room.
So I took Elf with me to the next room.


“Well, here it is,”
“Ohh….”

Actually, this is the second time I’ve put Elf in this room.


Izumi Sagiri’s room— which is referred to my brother as the “Unopened Room.”


A lot of my clothes are put away in the next room.

In addition to what I bought myself (on the internet), there are things like “Clothes I’m going to wear” and “Cosplay costumes” that my mother left behind.

Of course, my mother couldn’t predict how I was going to grow up.

So— it’s a bit strange, but there are many different clothes in many different sizes.

Parents seem to get really silly when it comes to their children.

I’m sure she was going to dress me up—sometimes show me off—play with me by taking pictures, drawing pictures, and so on with her daughter.

Mhmm.

I understand that feeling very well.
I understand very well.

“Some day, I too… heheh…”

“What kind of grin is that Sagiri?”

“No, it’s nothing…”

Oh my gosh, I almost thought of something super embarrassing…!
Ah, my face is so hot!

“Huh!”
“What is it?”

Elf should never be able to know!

“No, it’s obvious.”

“W-What?”

“'When I have a baby with Masamune, I’m going to buy clothes, take pictures, draw illustrations, and cosplay together!’ That’s what you were thinking, huh?”

“H-Ho-How did you know?”

“I’d like to say that, if nothing else, that I know my best friend. I’ve seen this kind of behavior for a while now.”

“Uh…”


Fearing intolerable shame, I raise my voice in a deceptive tone.


“Anywho! I have clothes for you to change into.”

“But is it okay? Aren’t these clothes your mum prepared for you?”

“You should know that most of the naught clothes that Muramasa-chan and Elf-chan wore were bought by my mum.”

“The ridiculous truth has been revealed… I wonder about the mother of Dr. EroManga.”


Elf-chan was stunned.


I insisted bluntly

“That’s why I’m not the perverted one. Everything I’ve done was for my mum.”

“You’re being unreasonably proud of all this… But… I’m not sure about these choices of clothing.”

“It’s fine. I’m sure my mother will be happy if she can contribute to my hobbies.”


I opened the closet with my clothes in it.


“Now then! Elf, wear this!”

“No, you’re going to change too. Tch… This may be my strategy, but you’re the one taking initiative.”

“Well… It got interesting! Are you not interested?”

“No! It’s not that! Then, as you suggested, we’ll choose each other’s clothes—then we’ll show them to Masamune ♪”


9AM—

I was working in the living room, but upstairs suddenly became noisy.
I hear a lot of stomping—or something like it.


Though I was used to it, I still couldn’t understand the kinds of stomping Elf makes.


“What on earth are they doing?”

Based on the noise, they weren’t in Sagiri’s room but in that room.


「 They’re probably in the unopened room with Sagiri’s clothes… 」

It’s nothing to be concerned about, however I am curious about it…

Usually, I don’t get this easily distracted, but… Since I managed to get a lot of work done, I couldn’t help but pay attention to the ceiling.

— So, my mind was racing something fierce.

Originally, Sagiri would have worked with me in this room.

And how sweet those days were.

—But now Elf… She’s monopolizing on all the time with Sagiri.
I now have this strange jealousy towards my female friend.


—Fufu, which part are you jealous of? I’m curious.
“Ergh…”

That memory hit me like a brick, and I felt the blood rush to my face.

Ah—what is this feeling. I feel sick… I’ve been feeling strange for a while. Why do I feel so… terrible?


If I was just irritated, I could understand why I’m jealous of Sagiri being monopolized.

But that’s not the case.
That wasn’t the case at all!

I was frustrated, confused, excited, amped up—

My mental condition as a creator has always been well maintained.


But now my mind was racing—In a good way!


My work is progressing rapidly and interesting scene keep coming beyond what I’d normally be able to generate.

Even now, when I look up in a daze, new ideas continue to flood my brain.

“Really… what in the world…?”

I let out a deep, hardy sigh.


Just then, the sound of footsteps rapidly going down the stairs popped up and the door to the living room popped open.

「 ! 」

I thought I was ready, but contrary to my expectations…


“Masamune-kun! I came to interrupt you!”

Tension MAX. They didn’t even come in yet, but instead, light BGM[5] started to play.


W-what? Is this an intro sequence?

「 ??? 」

I stretched my neck out and looked out the door.

The intro music finished and the song gets to get hype. A blonde-haired girl dressed in pure white appeared as if she was at a fashion show to coincide with the background music.


Let’s call it Yamada Elf-White Loli Version.

“W-wow…”

The voice of admiration accidentally leaked out of me.

The pure white princess made a turn in front of me. She curtsied, holding both ends of her skirt.


“Ah—”


I applauded the cute performance.
“Heheh~” Elf said shyly.
“It’s not over yet! Time for the real show!”


Then she finally raised her voice and hit the remote on her right hand. The background music changed over on the click and the song switched to a dark, atmospheric tone.

The song came on and—


「……………………………………」

「……………………………………」

…But nobody came[6].


“Hey”

“Uh—Wait a moment, please.”

Apparently it was an unexpected situation for Elf.
She quickly ran out of the living room


「 H-Hey! Why aren’t you coming out? 」

「 Because…! 」


There seemed to be sounds of a struggle from something. For a short bit, there seemed to be a tiny argument about things being “Shameful” and “It’ll be fine”—but before long,

“Okay! Here we go!”

“H-Huhh… W-Wow…”


Elf forced her into the living room.
When Elf entered the room, she once again clicked the remote and the background music started to play again.

The person that Elf pushed in—


She was a beautiful silver-haired lady in a jet-black costume.


“I-Uh—I—er—That—I.”


Too much, my voice stammered from my mouth.

—Sagiri… Sagiri… At Sagiri… The black Loli…

It’s a Gothic Loli!


In front of me, the closed eyed, rigid Sagiri is flushed and embarrassed.

“Ah… I don’t usually wear these things… P-Perhaps they don’t suit me…”

She tries to hide herself with her arms.


GASP.

The combination of her dark clothes and her facial expressions!


The stark difference with a sacred and inviolable image of Sagiri has cultivated within me!

“…Damn…”


It’s the best… It’s so precious… she’s gone even further beyond[6]!


God—No… This beauty is the devil’s territory…

It’s magical.

I don’t think I have such a fantasy, but…

I want her to kick me down and step on my body[7].

My blood pressure is crashing and I’m faintish. The world around me starts to get fuzzy.

“…Wow… Nii-san… A-are you alright?”

“No, I’m not alright. You just struck me in ways I didn’t think was possible.”

My nose is gonna bleed…


Tissue…

Where’s the tissue…!?

This is the taste of the kiss of death[6]!


“You seem to like it, Masamune-kun!”


The voice seems to sound playful.

As I sat limply on the sofa, I looked up weakly.


“Elf…?”

“The reaction was so different from when I showed my new outfit so I’m super angry… but for the time being… please tell me your impressions in words.”

“Elf!”</[>

Gah! I stood up and grabbed her by her shoulders.


“W-what??”

“I’ve seen your clothes, but today’s appearance on her is so different and gorgeous!”

“…Oh! Wow, you feel that way about my clothes! Oh, yeah… thank you…”

Elf’s cheeks dyed red and she looked down.

I was grabbing the blonde-haired girl by her shoulder… With tissues stuck in my nose… It must have been an absurd picture. But I was so surprised by the performance of the show that I gave a truly honest response.


“And Sagiri’s clothes! You’re the one who chose them! You’re the one who put makeup on Sagiri! Oh, I can’t believe I can see Sagiri wearing adult-like lipstick…! Thank you… I’m suck a happy person…”


“A-a-are Y-you’re Crying?!”


I took a knee and put my hand on the floor.
Uncontrollable nosebleeds and tears fell from my face.

“It’s so divine that I can’t even face it… I’m full of lust of wanting to be looked down upon from above…”


“Nii-san… you’re perverted.”

I gave my sister a prayer.


“Thank you, Sagiri-sama…!”

“I-I didn’t do this for you! Geez, stop worshiping!”

“Let’s call her Devil Sagiri-sama. Let’s take a picture and put it on an altar.”

“S-Shtop it!”

Sagiri was thoroughly upset with all of her being.

Elf simply shrugged her shoulders.

“Well… I’m honored to be the one who planned the project because you liked it several tens of times more than I anticipated. Sagiri, please tell us the concept of this fashion show to an idiot who has become our believer.”

“Well, Nii-san. Elf and I exchanged clothes. These clothes I’m wearing right now… are the ones that Elf brought.”

“And this dress I’m wearing was chosen from Sagiri’s wardrobe!”

They pose side by side.

I looked at both of them and was convinced.


“Oh, well… I don’t know. I thought the Elf’s clothes look like Sagiri and Sagiri’s looked like Elf’s. Just by reversing your clothings… I can’t believe the fresh take of this!”

“Right? I’m glad you got the message correct.”

“What the hell?”

“That’s not the end of the show—There’s more!”

She clapped her hands in the air.

“This is not the end of the Super Miracle Beautiful Fashion Show of Sagiri and I ! I hope you enjoy it a lot today!”


Before I knew it, I seemed to have turned into the audience.
After that, Elf and Sagiri changed their costumes one after another and showed me more beautiful setups.

It’s worth mentioning the clothes they wore daily were now being exchanged in accordance to the theme previously mentioned of “Elf-Sagiri reversal clothing swap”—Elf was now in a green hoodie and Sagiri wearing a pink sweet loli dress.

There was a sense of strangeness that became apparent, and the charm of the two beautiful girls were even further enhanced.


Of course, I was so moved that my vision became blurred with teary eyes.


Elf made cute poses with great pride.

Sagiri was very excited to have me take pictures and started to sketch on the spot. She was having fun, was happy, and was having a great time.

I can say with confidence even after the sudden excitement subsides.
Because Sagiri looked happy and Elf brought over some fun.


I was so excited about all this—
It was a joyous time for the three of us…


“The secret plan, I wonder, is this the way it should be day-to-day.”
Elf says after the festivities were over.


“I could have taught her makeup and made a new fashion line—showing her the new charm of Sagiri.”

“Y-Yeah, I suppose you could.”

“Yep yep. You were really impressed. I was so ecstatic by the insanely disgusting reaction, rest assured.”

“Yeah.. Thanks Elf-chan. Also let’s do make up… may you teach me?”

“Oh please, leave it to me. I want to try various things with the best materials, so I’m looking forward to it.”

“But… I don’t know. Did Elf really just support me? Is this really part of your ‘Secret Plan’?”

“The first bomb I set up exploded in a good place. Now then, let’s observe the effect.”


Elf gave me an adorable wink.

“Did you have a good time today?”


She was checking the expressions of Sagiri and I.

“Yeah, I did,”


She smiled with satisfaction.


Yamada Elf said before—it is said the heart of a romantic comedy is the place where, “The human relationships of main characters dynamically change,” depending on the work set.

It is said that even in real-life romance, puzzles can be assembled in order to obtain the desired future.

And so.

Today, now.


How did our relationship change because of the bombshell Elf detonated?
Sagiri’s Girl Power has improved and her charm grew even more.

The already cute Sagiri became even cuter.

Elf and Sagiri grew closer. The two of them started living in the same room.


So then—what has changed?


It could not be observed from the eyes of Izumi Masamune.

It could not be easily recognized.
The pounding, the haze, frustration, excitement—…

Only the sound of the heart played a complex tone.


Translation Notes

1) Name is in Kanji—Pen Name is in Katakana
2) Hikikomori : “Shut-in / NEET” usually from past trauma, mental illness, familial or societal pressures
3) Koibana : “Love Talk” – Term for talking about romantic affairs, typically (but not exclusive to) females
4) Hojicha : Roasted green tea. When roasted, bitterness is removed, leaving a smokey and sweet flavor
5) BGM : Background Music
6) Not the actual reference—but it still hit similarly. Think of it as a creative take.
7) That is the actual translation



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