Ero Manga Sensei - Volume 12 - Chapter 3

EROMANGA SENSEI VOL. 12 CH. 3

A Doujinshi[10] Group of people lead by Yamada Elf was formed upon sunrise.

We started our first meeting before 5AM and decided a rough outline of our activities and guidelines, and then went back to our normal lives.
This Doujinshi is serving as my hobby, me breather, and my training for growth.

“My job, my responsibility, and I have to do it right and proper.”

My main job is not only to create light novels and illustrations, but also to supervise media mixes.

It may be to get the job done as a student,
to get the job done as a hikikomori[2]
or to play games like a truant.

After finishing my daily classes, studies, and work, I started writing the novel for the doujinshi using what little time I had left before going to bed.

It’s not as though I just started writing.

I started making it.

Commercial Light Novel writing is so close to personal production that I often start writing without consulting anyone. But this time, it’s a group production. We all are making this book together.
“When I wrote the joint novel, everyone ad-libbed their parts and it was exhausting putting it together.”
I won’t make that same mistake again. This time, we have to proceed more carefully than usual.

So first of all, I’m going to make a list of things I want to write and not just propose.

I’m going to present it to everybody. Elf will do something similar, as will Sagiri and Armeria.

I needed some consultation though.

Our rivals this time around, though, was the dual pair EroManga-Sensei and Elf to which we will compare our works with. To make a better book.

“Well what kind of story am I going for?” I say outloud as I smack my lips.

This was a blissful time for Izumi Masamune(いずみマサムネ)[1]

The Day after Forming the Club, 5:30AM

When I got up, I did a quick face rinse and got my clothes on.
If you get up too early at this time, you won’t be able to be Elf’s mum.

Women’s voices and sounds of dishware and cutlery can be heard ever so slightly.
Apparently, the lessons have already started.

Entering the Living room, I head over to the kitchen to say hello.

“Good Morning”

“Good Morning, Masamune-kun”
“Good Morning, Nii-san”
“Good Morning, Masamune”

The cooking three return morning greetings.

Then, from over on the sofa in the living room.

“Yo, Morn’” She said in passing while reading a newspaper on your thighs.

“Oh, Armeria. You’re here— what’s up?”
“Hehe, I was invited for breakfast.”
“Ah I see.”

I sat across from her.

“It’s good that you’re here actually. Mind if we discuss after we have breakfast? I’m raring to start writing.”

“Oh really?” Army was good to get started.
“We have some time before breakfast is done, so let’s hear it.”

“Okay, lemme get my laptop. I’ll show you a list I made.

Bringing my laptop to the living room, I spun the screen portion of my laptop to turn it into a tablet and presented it to Armeria.

“Oh, it’s stuff written by Izumi-sensei, but you can actually read it.”
“That’s a rather harsh start!”

Armeria-sensei was in charge of our serialization from light novel to manga! I’m really sorry for the stuff you had to read! I did my best to make them better! Because I had to show my own material to a variety of people!

“Hm….Hm….Hm….”

Armeria slides the table screen and continued down the list.
She gave me back my tablet.

“Well, that’s it. I should ask Emily, but personally, any idea that Masamune wrote was fine.”
“That’s a shallow analysis! Do you have any preference or wants when it comes to the storyline?”
“I like to draw things that are requested. I mean, I’ve said this before, but I’m a huge fan of Izumi Masamune(いずみマサムネ)[1]. So I just want you to write the way you want to write, so in that way, I can draw the way you want me to draw. And my only hope is to draw them in a way that’ll exceed your expectations with how high quality it is. That’s what I want to come true.”
“Armeria-sensei is the best!”

What a great illustrator.

Armeria, who just got praised, looked a bit embarrassed and started massaging her should with her fingers on top of her tanktop.

“That’s right, Masamune! Have you fallen in love with me?”
“I do like you!” I responded, teasing her immediately.

I think everyone in this industry would have done the same.

“Oh, then whomst do you like better: Me or Emily?”
“I like Armeria-sensei!”
“…Really?”

Armeria suddenly started collapsing inwards when I tried my best to compliment her.

“I think I’ve earned over 8,000 points in Izumi’s favorability today alone.”

My eyes widened in surprise of that statement.
Suddenly, I heard a thumping noise—

“Hey rival pair over there! You’re having quite the ridiculous conversation right now!”

Apron wearing Elf came in.

“Amelia! How in just a few minutes are you overriding Masamune’s liking towards me, a liking which took me a long time to accumulate!”

“I love Emily, whose getting angry right now. Well, when I told Masamune, ‘I’m a big fan of you,’ and ‘I’ll draw whatever you want me to draw,’ my favorability skyrocketed.”

“How sly of you! I’ll end up falling for you too!”

“Nii-san! How should I react with you having an affair literally right in front of me?!”

Joining in on the fray, Sagiri came over holding a ladle.

“I always draw for you, WOW.”

Sagiri slammed the ladle on my head repeatedly.

It didn’t hurt at all.
Actually, it was adorable.

“Listen to me, EroManga-Sensei and Armeria-Sensei said that they will draw what every I requested and draw it to how I imagined it and then some!”

“Muuu, Alright already! I’m going to ignore Izumi-Sensei’s request now!”

Sagiri puffed her cheeks out like a squirrel in lovely protest.

“I thought you were ignoring it?”

“I’m doing it right now!”

I’m glad I’m aware of it.

“Instead of ignoring requests, EroManga-Sensei should just not draw anything according to his text or his requests.”

I mean, that’s not so much a problem since female characters often change their appearances. If she were to pull a stunt like that, I’d just correct the text to make it flow right on through.

“This is what makes them so cute.”
“I know. They suggested that the characters I wrote to be more attractive to match the illustrations. That why I wanted to discuss the character designs you made together.”

She was an illustrator who draws as perfect as you can expect.
An Illustrator who draws more illustrations than you’d think, but with each being slightly different to provide some

I’m sure that’ll be the case regardless.
It really doesn’t matter who is better than who.

Both Armeria-Sensei and EroManga-Sensei would work their best for me.

“I didn’t think about the differing ways it can be made. It’s kind of refreshing having Armeria as my partner.”

“That’s right, isn’t Armeria so wonderful? Hahaha— Masamune! I can get used to this real quick!”

“Hey now don’t be too suspicious!”

Elf was laughing, not being bothered by my retort. It seems she’s super happy to have her Armeria’s ability be praised.

“I want to feel fresh about my new partner’s work as well, right EroManga-Sensei?”
“I don’t know anyone by that name!”

Sagiri turns away from her.

“But I’m sure I’ll do a good a job as Armeria.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.”

Elf gave a friendly fist pound to Sagiri’s chest.

“Oh, Elf. I was talking to Armeria just now. Would you like to have a meeting with him after breakfast?”

“Sorry, I haven’t even started yet”

“This was your idea! I thought we were starting today so I felt like I needed to start writing!”

“Well, waiting for the work of each other is the real thrill of doing a production as a team, no?”

“If this is the thrill team production brings, I don’t particularly like it!”

“The quick writer is being impatient and troublesome.—Yes We’ll have a meeting, and we’ll have it as soon as possible, so just wait a few days.”

“I’m depending on you! I’m super eager to go!”

“You just suddenly go Tension MAX the moment you decide to start doing something. Haha, Do you like where you are now?”

“Grr…. Using that cute line? You can’t fool me!”

That’s how the days of production via partner exchange started.

Few Days Later, After School on a Weekday.

The stage remains the same, and the Izumi Living room is filled with the entire crew.

“Elf have you decided what you want to write?”
“I’ll let you know later!”

Elf walked out of her seat.

“—Hey guys, I have to tell you a very important story!”

In the center of the room, Elf talks as if she were giving a speech.

“I am right now working on two secret schemes.”

Come to think of it, this same-person activity started as part of the second step in Elf’s “Secret Plan.”

Yamada Elf’s first step for her secret plan to turn the tides was:

“I’ll train Sagiri into being a cute and attractive girl!”

And her second step in her secret plan:

“I’m going to make a Doujinshi[10] and participate in the winter comics!”

Until now, Elf has carried out various activities in accordance with her declaration. And it seems both are still active.

But I still don’t get the full scope of her intentions behind these acts. If you look at the progress of the secret plan… it’s seems like it’s going to fail. It’s like by Elf being closer to Sagiri makes Sagiri even cuter, and is actively encouraging her growth as a creator.

I have no complaints about it, this is beneficial for everyone—

Of course, this means my favorability towards Elf also has increased. —And yes, this is an overly complex, strangely roundabout angle of attack for Elf.

This isn’t the kind of direct attack I would think Elf would do.

This lukewarm attack was middling at best in spite of the boasting.

If you compare it to Elf’s normal style, it would be like a puzzle game where the opponent, who is such an advanced player, would launch a large-scale attack without causing any alarms.
Meanwhile, I, on the other side, can’t see what’s going on— the big chain of events happening before me.

But in this foreboding, Elf would exclaim something in her exaggerated manner that would set off a chain of events I couldn’t begin to imagine,

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

“I’ll cure Sagiri from being a Hikikomori!”

And thus, Detonation.

Sagiri, Armeria, and I responded with silence. No one so much as batted an eye.

This was a serious thing for us.

“Excuse me?”

The first person to speak was Sagiri.

“W…What?”

“If you didn’t hear me, I’ll say it again—I said I’m going to free you from being a Hikikomori.”

“How?” I asked in a straightforward manner.

How long have Kyoka-san and I been trying?
But here comes Elf, saying as though her affliction wasn’t a big deal.

“Well, I’ll open the door and you’ll walk out.

“…Huh…”

“Hey, Sagiri, it’s because… You’ve been practicing going outside.”

「 ……………… 」

I know. It’s been a long time. That’s why ever since I learned of her secret, Sagiri has been practicing going outside and overcoming being a Hikikomori.

And on that day, the first volume of “The World’s Cutest Sister,” was released.”

“Welcome Back, Nii-san!”

She came out of the room, went down the stairs, and greeted me at the entrance.

“Now you can open and leave ‘The Unopened Door’.”

Elf says in a gentle voice the path that Sagiri has taken.

“You’ve been able to talk to the people who have been protecting me for a long time, reveal secrets, and guided your classmates into the room while they were blindfolded.”

Little by little, one step after another, she was moving forward.

“When Muramasa went on the offensive, you went halfway downstairs before going back up.”

—I won’t give him to you!
—Never Ever!

That time, Sagiri screamed so loud, the house trembled.

“You played ‘School Play’ here to gain your aunt’s approval.”

“Yeah…”

I also started to look back on those days myself.

“Even if there were other people at home, if you’re a good friend or family member, you’re able to leave the room and stay where they were.”

“In addition, the other day… You called friends over and even held a sleepover party.”

“…Yeah…” Sagiri nods and looks at Elf.

I understood where Elf was going.

“That’s why, Sagiri. You—”

“Should be able to go out now…?”

I wonder if Sagiri was already free from being a Hikikomori.

That’s what Elf was implying. I think of Sagiri as dear as a family could, and I can say the lines because I can envision it.

“Why don’t you try it now?”

When Sagiri heard this,

「 ……………… 」

She looked down, looked at Elf again, and down again.

She placed her hand on her chest, took a deep breath and let out a heavy exhale.

“I’ll try.”

Sagiri leaves the living room and heads to the entrance. We follow her silently.

The corridor is quiet.

「 ……………… 」

As she approaches the entrance, Sagiri begins to walk slower.
I’m fighting the urge to run to her side.

Soon enough, Sagiri arrives at the entrance.

Her shoes, which have never seen the light of day, are set right at the front door.

Everyone knew what this meant.

「 ……………… 」

Sagiri bends over and puts her feet in her shoes.
Then she stood up and stepped out one or two step.

Slowly, slowly… reached for the doorknob.

And—

“Even after all that…”

In an instant, she pulled her hand back and stuck her tongue out.

“Isn’t this too easy to give up!?”
“Just stick to it, little by little”

“Give me a moment…”

Sagiri bits her lips, discontentedly.

“I’ve just practiced today, and I’m just tired of it. Even if you tell me, I can’t do it all of a sudden.”

She turned away, but then turned around.
She turned to me and extended her arms.

“Go out with me, please,”

「──────」

I couldn’t register what she asked and blinked blankly at her. Then Sagiri asked again,

“I don’t want to be alone… So if I’m with Nii-san…”
image

I rushed to her and I hugged her tightly.

“Oh W-Wow, Okay.”
“It’s because you called for me.”
“But… It’s embarrassing for me.
“For me as well.”

Even though the moment wasn’t right for it, we started to laugh at each other as we dared to do the big challenge.

I put on my shoes as quick as my body could

“Masamune!”

“I know— The destination is Elf’s house.”

Needless to say, I am full of anxiety now! My legs got so jerky that they started to tremble!

But at the same time, this was so thrilling— so exciting!
Not just because you are holding someone you like,
But because the two of us are moving forward.

“When it gets tough, let me know right away.”
“Okay”

With Sagiri in my arms, I took a step forward, opened the door with my free hand, and turned the knob.

“Here we go!”

It’s open.

The sunlight casted down on us. For me, it wasn’t as strong as it usually is.

「────!?」

Sagiri squints her eyes and grabs my clothes tightly. Instinctively, I began to turn around toward the house.

“NO!”

In that instant, a loud voice from Sagiri echoed.

“Go! Just Go!”

The grip on my clothes got stronger and Sagiri closed her eyes tightly.

Right then and there, I stepped outside.

“Haha..”

I look down, tears streaking down my face.
Sagiri, finally left the house again.

「 ……………… 」

She walked sheepishly as I kept my watch over her.

“Okay, I’ve passed through the gate.”

She didn’t reply. She just kept clinging onto me desperately.
Elf and Armeria ran past ahead of us.

“You’re Halfway Done!”

I walked a few more steps, and took a moment, and increased our pace.
She went through the gate and paced through several meters.

It wasn’t that far. But it was several meter distance that she couldn’t do up until a few moments ago.

“… We’ve arrived.”

We entered the entrance and gently eased Sagiri off. We weren’t out of the woods yet.

She gulped, still fighting her anxiety.

“Here we are, Sagiri. You’re safe. Open your eyes.”

“…………Okay.”

I watched over Sagiri, holding her gently one each of her shoulders.
Sagiri’s eyelids twitched and slowly began to open.

As they opened, I could see my own reflection from her now fully open eyes.

「 ……………… 」

Just in case, I’ll have to bring her home at once. I kept myself ready to bug out at any moment.

I wonder how much time passed. A few seconds… Minutes…? My sense of time went out the window.

Then Sagiri’s lips opened and a small voice broke out.

“I think I’m okay.”

“Really? You aren’t pushing yourself too much?”
“I’m okay………”
“I see.”

With a smile and hand in hand, Sagiri stood up and began to pull me around and around.

“This… is Elf’s house.”
“Yes. Welcome Sagiri, to the Crystal Palace, where we live.”

I haven’t heard of that in a long time, was it always called that?

I mean… Well… I mean she is a woman who ruins the moment…

Of course, the only thing I was thinking of Sagiri. I’m not 100% on it, but it really seems like this is okay.

“Good j—“
“You did it, Sagiri!”

The line I wanted to say was stolen from me by Armeria. She patted her younger sister on the back and laughed with a twistedly happy face.

She was truly on the verge of tears.

She’s really affected by this… She must have strongly cared about Sagiri and I.

“Armeria-chan, I want to go there.”

While expressing her dissatisfaction, Sagiri became embarrassed, but delighted.

“…Heh..Heheh… It’s still a long ways off…”
“Fufu… You’re right.” Elf replies in a good mood.

“It seems it’s impossible for now to take Sagiri to the Winter Comiket Venue.”
“Did you actually consider that?”

That would indeed be impossible.

“Huh? Oh, the higher the goal, the better. Well done Sagiri, I’ll compliment you.”

Elf gently reached out to Sagiri’s head and gave her a head pat.

Sagiri blushes shyly, but is definitely happy.

“…Thank you.”

After receiving the angel’s smile, Elf laughed like a king who had be stripped of his throne.

“Sagiri!”

“Huh, What is it, Elf?”

Elf, in a clear and loud voice, says to a bewildered Sagiri.

“I want to go to the sea with you.”
“—What…”

“Someday— I want to go to the venue with you and attend the event. I’d like to hold another summer training camp and take you to my island and travel alone. I want to take you to a fashion show overseas. There are so many places— So many things I want to do with you I can’t even begin to tell you about.

That’s why…"

Elf gave another friendly fist pound to Sagiri’s chest, this time, with more heart.

“I’ll look forward to that day,”
“Yes…”

Sagiri nodded slightly and clenched her best friend’s fist in her hands.

“Yeah!”

Just then, Elf pulls her fist and gently shifted gears.

“If it’s all the same to you, how about we take a break for the time being? Do you want something?”

“No no, I just want to lie down for a bit.”

“Okay, if you need anything, just let me know.”

And that was that. She was that kind of person.

“Heheh, then let’s go to Elf’s bed right away!”

“Hey wait a moment Sagiri!”

After that, we ending up witnessing Sagiri, who looked unhappy with the clean bed that had no scent left over from the beautiful girl.

The EroManga-Sensei seems to be unable to keep her pep up now.

Still—

Sagiri has further improved herself from being a Hikikomori and now she can go outside a little with me.

After everyone’s congratulatory emotions, Sagiri quietly laid herself on Elf’s bed.

Apparently it was obvious to everyone but me, but I think I was actually exhausted. I don’t seem to be sleeping, but I haven’t said a word for a long time now, and I feel like I’m a zombie.

“Hm…”

My little sister raised her upper body on the bed.

“Oh, did I wake you?”

“No no, I couldn’t sleep at all, really.”
“So you’re sleepy… Are you going home and to bed now?”

I look at the window. Through the gap between the curtains, you can see the sunset sky.

Sagiri shook her head.

“Yeah… Let’s go.”
“Okay then.”

After Sagiri rested on Elf’s bed on her own request, I stayed here and looked after her. I don’t intend on leaving Sagiri alone in this situation.

Elf, who was sitting in a chair, reading a Light Novel, looked up and said,

“You guys should stay at my place. Perhaps live here for a bit.”
“No, it’s a burden on Sagiri.”

I flatly refused. Then Elf responded,

“It’s going to be practice.”

「 ……………… 」

She peered at Sagiri. Sagiri smiled and said,

“As long as I’m with Nii-san, I’ll be okay.”

What a cute thing to say…
Hmm…. I love it…

I coughed in the attempt to recollect myself quickly.

“Elf, does this mean… that was also part of ‘Curing Sagiri’?”

“Yes, but not only that, it was also fun, wasn’t it? I enjoyed staying in Sagiri’s room. So we’ll be staying at home from today on. We’ll have another sleepover. And we’ll have fun again.”

This was as Elf of logic as Elf logic could get.
There was no room to deny her request.

“That’s right, Masamune, Sagiri. Actually I’ve been living here since last month, for some reason. It’ll make me really happy if you both can live with me.”

Armeria pushed me from behind.

Apparently, she’s stayed at Elf’s house for a long time. That’s how she arrived at my house within minutes after Elf’s call.

…To be honest, there’s still something left to be said about all this, and I’m curious about it. I’m thrilled about all this! I’m glad it’s clear that it’s not for any malicious reasons.

“Alright. As long as Sagiri is okay, I’ll be okay as well.”

Finally, I accepted her —

“We’ll be in your care, Elf”
“Yep yep, Welcome!”

And so the “Doujinshi Creative Alliance” at Elf’s home began.

I stayed at Elf’s house with Sagiri. It’s easy to put it into words, but this still required a lot of pre-planning and preparation.

In anycase, Sagiri’s staying at her friend’s house.

“First of all, here’s a report from Kyoka-san. It’s to bring clothes and daily necessities.”

As I prep, Elf interrupts proudly,

“Is this the only suggestion for staying at our castle? You do know that the necessities for Sagiri’s life has been investigated and prepared?”

She smiled and continued,

“You can just come, all you need to do is arrive.”
“ You sound as though you’re marrying her.”

“If you want to stay with Sagiri, you have to be this diligent, am I right? Even for a scary, yet gentle auntie.”

“That’s right.”
“That’s why I ask you to just contact your guardian.”

“Sure—Sagiri, is there anything else you need?”

Sagiri, who was still sitting upwards on the bed, began bobbing her head to and fro, probably from the exhaustion of today. But she still managed to respond to my question,

“Painting tools, my pillow, and computer…”

She wrote noted on the palm of her hand and raised what she needed.

Finally, she looked at me with dreamy eyes, and said in a wispy voice,

“I need you the most..”

“Of course. You have me”

AHHHHH! I want to pinch her sweet, fluffy cheeks!
Sleepy Sagiri, it’s cuteness overload…!

I put up with the urge by closing my eyes tightly and shaking my head.
Armeria then spoke in a dumbfounded manner,

“Well, if that’s the case, Masamune should stay with Sagiri. It’s been a long time since you’ve been in a place that not your own, right? I’ll bring over some tools and stuff.”

I thought about it for a brief moment and handed over the key, saying, “Appreciate you.”

Armeria, who is of the same sex and trade as Sagiri, would have been a better suite but she still left.

“Come off it now, Leave these things to me.”

Armeria exits the room, leaving behind Sagiri, Elf, and myself.
Sagiri seems to have reached her sleepy limit.

“Oh… oh.…”

And she laid back and fell asleep in an instant.

“She fell asleep”

Elf smirks and giggle softly.
Then in a lower volume and placing a finger on her lips, proceeded to shush me.

“I’ll wake her up when it’s dinner time.”
“Okay.”

It was Sagiri’s first stay and it’s been a while since I went out.

I’ve been watching with anxiety but… If she’s able to sleep with this much peace of mind, maybe everything really is fine. Still, I don’t intend on leaving this room by herself.

Elf probably felt the same way. She gazed at Sagiri, who was breathing softly, but peacefully it seems.

“… I’m glad.”

“Yeah.”

We didn’t need to say a lot to each other.

“Think this too much?”
“No, Thank you. Sagiri too.”

We exchanged compressed communication as always.

“You’ll say, ‘I don’t need it,’ but thanks truly.”
“Well, if you keep repeating, you’ll keep doing the same thing.”

“Even so.”
“I know.”

If I had heard this conversation from the outside looking in, it would be straight up garble. It’s because we omitted words that are normally necessary. It was like our own code.

We stood side by side, looking at Sagiri’s face.
At the corner of my eye, I saw Elf turn to me.

It looked like she was gonna say something, but I spoke first,

“Can I leave Sagiri in this room?”
“That’s the plan. There are more rooms, but I’d like to stay with Sagiri as well. You know, I’ve been staying in Sagiri’s room.”

“There’s only one bed.”

I asked her if she wanted me to go to another room, but Elf answered lightly,

“The bed’s big, so I don’t mind.”

“So, we’re gonna have a sleepover then?”
“… You must be very concerned that I couldn’t go to the last ‘Excursion’ because of my cold.”

“Is that wrong?”
“Well… I don’t mind. Where should I stay?”
“Well… Would you like to stay with me in this room?”
“What?!”

I turned my head to Elf and she shushed me angrily.

“S-sorry, I mean that was your fault for saying such a joke…”
“I wasn’t kidding— to answer you, your room is already ready for you, so don’t look at me like that.”

What kind of face did I make?

Goodness… That kind of thinking… It’s a bit bashful, isn’t it?

“You know, Masamune… Isn’t it a waste just to do this?”
“Huh? Are you bored with Sagiri sleeping right next to you?”

“…Sorry.”

The shorter the phrase, the more powerful it is!

“Well, it’s okay to feel uncomfortable— So? What were you going to say?”

“I made a note of her idea. Can you read it for me?”

“ ‘Oh, at last, I’ve been waiting for you.’ ”

“Sorry I’ve kept you waiting, but I’m quite confident.”

And right on cue, she stands up from her chair and heads towards the antique desk. Then, she came back with a bundle of paper.

“Yes, this.”

What was presented to me was an A4 size paper document.
It was fastened close by a small, black clip.

“Okay well, I’ll read it.”

There was no cover material.

“ ‘Yamada Elf and her Servants” Group – Work for Winter Comics’ “

The provisional title was written in bold.

“Didn’t you find a shared world in the list of things you wanted the other day? I thought it would be nice as well, so I thought about the best idea.”

I’m already used to her self-praise that randomly appears naturally.

Shared world refers to the creative world building shared between multiple authors.

For example, “Cthulu Mythos” is a kind of shared world. According to the list, I did suggest “doing a shared world!” The material I’m reading now is designed in response towards my suggestion to Elf.

In a nutshell – “I want to do this kind of shared world!”

“EroManga-Sensei and I, You and Armeria-Sensei are going to make a double pair and compete – You’ve decided haven’t you? Then why don’t you make it a shared world and set up a common theme?”

Elf explains, “Do you mean make it with the same view of the world with the same theme? – There’s a clear distinction between superiority and inferiority.”

It’s such an “Elf” comment.

“That’s not what I mean. A doujinshi brings a collection of ideas that have a grounded, agreed foundation—a “shared world” which is what you wanted to do, right?”

“What kind of theme do you want?”

“Let’s make it an Isekai[16]”

The conversation then goes into high gear.
I looked at the ceiling and thought about it.

“Isekai…”

Hm? What’s an Isekai?

Uh, it’s long and complicated, so I’m not gonna go into too much detail and will omit the definition of it. Apologies to those who are fond of Isekais, I just want you to read it with a calm heart and proceed.

“Well, which one would you choose, the heroine or the world?”

I turned to elf and gave a rough plotline.

“Yeah, that’ll work.”

It seems that was right on the money for her.

“A man and woman travelling in a dying world; If the heroine is sacrifice, the world will be saved.”

In a theatrical style, Elf begins to arrange the elements of the story one by one.

“You and I will write about the future of two men and women in very similar circumstances. But if Izumi Masamune and Yamada Elf wrote the same title…”

“I’m sure it’ll be quite different.”

“The character’s character, the nature of the conversation, what they are doing, where they will go, what they will do at the end of their journey – what choices they make at the end of the journey, and what conclusion are they going for?”

“The same subject, the same view of the world, will give rise to a completely different story! Readers will–”

“Read on!”

“Yes!”

Writers with similar abilities work together like table tennis to improve their ideas. We will create works that exceed each other’s original abilities.

It was such a fun time. The same kind of excitement that I felt when I was a young child was here.

“What kind of world view do you want?”

“Say on 3… 1… 2…3!’

"The post-civilization world (post-apocalypse)!”
“A different world fantasy of sword and magic!”

“Why! If you’re going to wrap it up in the middle, you’d better make it into a magical world!”

“If I were to do a shared world, I’d like to see the world! I’d like to create a world after the collapse of civilization!”

That’s too different from each other!

“Well… I’m sure… Elf, why don’t you share the pages with me?”

“No! I don’t wanna!”

Sometimes we get into a fight. We should have agreed to be quiet, but before we knew it, the volume of our voices had grown louder.

And before either of us noticed,

「…………………………」

Sagiri, who was supposed to be asleep, had awoken and was staring at us, listening into our conversation.

‘Wow’

As soon as we both noticed, Elf and I froze in place. It wasn’t as if we did anything wrong, per say, but the shock of her sudden appearance surprised us.

“Sagiri…”

“Sorry, We must have woken you up.”

「………………………………」

Sagiri didn’t respond and instead opted to continue watching us. Once again, I feel very scared when a fantastic, beautiful girl is silent with and expressionless. Sagiri finally moves her lips after making us bask in the silence a bit longer— With a look of caution,

“Elf can’t do anything about it.”

“I was just talking about what kind of story we were going to write together!”

I immediately apologize.
Nothing happened, but I felt as if I had been caught in an affair.

“Masamune is telling the truth, Sagiri. This isn’t my 'Secret Plan’ this time.”

“Yes, I know. Both Nii-san and Elf were just discussing the setting of the novel as per usual. I didn’t misunderstand.”

“Oh, right.”

Then why did she surprise us like that?

Sagiri, lying on the bed, stretched her arm and touched my cheek gently.

I was pinched.

“… Ow”

“I was just jealous because you was having fun talking to her.”

Sagiri tells figure that one out, takes his finger off my cheek, and turns to the other side.

“…Hmph”

She murmured slight but I couldn’t make out what she said.

Just then—

With Sagiri having woken up, and now that Armeria was back, she decided to prepare dinner. Just like the Izumi Household these days, Sagiri and Elf are in charge of cooking.

“Wow… there are a lot of machines in your kitchen that we don’t have.”

“I was inspired by a kitchen prepared by Masamune’s mother, so I bought a lot of things.Come here, and I’ll show you how to use it.”

“Yes,”

That is how Sagiri seems to receive a lecture from Elf.

——That’s good, Sagiri. I want you to tell me, too.
——I want to use the latest low-temperature cookers.

As usual, I was swiftly booted out of the kitchen, so I took the opportunity to call Kyoka-san while waiting for dinner. When she heard about the situation, 'WHAT!’ shouted through the phone, removing words to keep it family friendly.

“Well yeah… Sagiri is went out and is even staying at a Elf’s house.”

“I’m going home RIGHT NOW!” The call sounded like the phone was being chucked against something before it ended.

… Welp, we should all face each other and explain it to her properly.

While I was on the phone in Elf’s living room, I called out to the kitchen,

“Elf, Sagiri! I’ll order Kyoka’s food for dinner!”
“No need, I’ve made five servings from the start!’

"So prepared!”

“Cooking will take a bit, so, Masamune, you should choose a room to be in while waiting. Amelia, please show him around.”

“Hoi!”

Armeria appeared from the kitchen, peering her head around the corner. She walked over here, nibbling at some pieces of ham.

“Alright, all aboard the Army Bus. Oh and by the by…”

We started talking about random topics.

Elf calls her by her pen name and real name.
Is that against a rule or something?
Yeah, because I, too, am against Sagiri.
She’s called Sagiri or Eromanga Sensei, depending on the circumstance!
Calling me by my pen name makes me angry and happy since it’s my name…

I walk along with Armeria as we discussed, walking up the staircase in the process.

“Masamune was told je would be able to stay in his favorite room upstairs. But even if you say it’s your favorite room… I’ve had an Elf show me all the rooms before.

—So be honored! You’re the first guest of our castle! When I first came to this house, we had just moved in, and so most of the rooms were completely filled with cardboard boxes.”

　And so…

“We then created some fun attractions in our castle.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”

At this time, each room was decorated with some special concept, so it made it a bit difficult to choose a room to stay in. While I was free decide, I didn’t have enough information to make a decision. Having an inkling that might be the case, Armeria turned around and give me pointers.

“The rooms upstairs are Emily and Sagiri’s bedroom, Emily’s workroom, the room I’m staying in, and two other guest rooms.”

“Hmm”

“More importantly, the room that feels semi-Japanese is the one Muramasa uses when she stays over and the other is the room that Chris will use when he stays here.”

Armeria, as expected, knows the entire layout of the rooms in the house as if it were her own home.

“Wow… it’s quite different from when the last time I was here…”

“Ah, Emily went through a bit of a remodelling phase.”

I figured. Elf likes that sort of thing.

“By the way, this Amelia, me, is Emily’s special best friend, so I’m allowed to use the bigger and nicer rooms, just as an FYI.”

Armeria takes a mysterious stance.

…Now, based on the information you just told me, now I gotta choose…

If all things true and equal, I have to choose either Muramasa or Chris’s room.

「 I’d much rather prefer being in a Japanese-style room, but maybe I should avoid it if Muramasa uses it a lot. Maybe I’m just overthinking it, though 」

I asked Armeria just to be safe,

“What do you recommend for me, Armeria?”
“Why don’t you shack up with Amelia in her nice, spacious room? There are two beds in it, after all.”

Armeria points her thumb at her face.

“…Regardless if you’re serious, is there a reason for the invite?”

“Well, it’s because Emily and Sagiri live in the same room and create, yeah? Do you want to do that too?”

“Ah…Actually that makes a whole lotta sense.”

I wouldn’t say that I could make something good just by living together. Life is never that easy.

But… The change of environment may be good for me. It may be even fun. That’s what I think anyway.

“If you hadn’t been a woman, then it would have been a good option, too.”
“…That’s not a good reason to deny me!”

“Relax, you don’t need to care so much.”
“But I do care!”

Why is this going the other way around!?

“Why are women this much more enthusiastic?”
“Oh, Masamune, will you treat me as a girl?”

“Huh? Of course I will? Why you gotta ask?”
“Because babe, you don’t have any feelings of love for me, do you?”

“None at all.”

When I confirmed my true feelings, Armeria burst out into laughter.

“Look. It’s all good. Come right on in!”

Does she not get it? Armeria seems unable to understand my refusal and starts to turn her head in confusion.

“What’s wrong with you? What’s more important than creating?”

“You are.”

「………………………………」

The answer was the right one from a creator’s perspective, and I can see that my respect for her runs deep. But since she is a girl, it might have been a very troubling remark, and I strangled my own words mid-send, wondering why did I even start opening that can of worms.

“Okay look. This isn’t something I want to say but need to, so I’ll tell you all at once— I have never been nervous about Armeria, and I don’t have anything close to love for you. That being said, though, I think Armeria is quite beauteous, and when I saw you in those pajamas the other day, I was super surprised and it puts me in way too great of a mood! So I can’t stay in the room with you! That’s the truth!”

「……………………」

Armeria blinked slowly and blankly when she heard my long explanation.
And then,

“Oh, I see,"　She nodded, hugging her body with her arms. Cheeks blushed.
"Well… stay with me… in a great mood?”

“Yes,”
“…For my information…When?”

“Every time I see your thighs, your navels, or breasts when you’re wearing something casual and lightweight like the tank top you’re wearing right now.”

“Can I tell this to Sagiri?”
“No, You told me to tell you!”

“Yes, but is this not good? How often? I thought we were in a friendly-friendship-no-sexual-nuance status, but you suddenly stopped that and made me aware that you’re of the opposite sex!”

Armeria wriggles as if to hide herself from me.
I told my thoughts to a friend of the opposite sex while she was restless.

“We’re still in a friendly-friendship-no-sexual-nuance status.”

“That, by the way, makes me feel warm and fuzzy.”

“Hey! Those lines! There’s a contradiction before and after that!”

“I didn’t mean for that! I meant we can still be that way together! Boys should understand!”

What’s this conversation?
I’m not sure if I’m to blame for just refusing to stay in the same room.

…

Wait, why does it seem like I’m the one to blame?

“Well, it is what it is. I’m gonna stay Japanese-style room.”

“…The underwear in that room isn’t one that Muramasa left behind.”

Stop trying to make me an erotic character!
I didn’t do anything, don’t judge me like this! I’m a simple man!

“Hee, I’m joking.I’m sorry.”

Armeria smiles and shrugs off the topic.
It is now back to its original comfortable atmosphere.

It’s as if we didn’t have a previous conversation.
I turned around and started to head downstairs. While I was walking, I heard a call from behind.

“Hey, Masamune.”
“Yeah?”

“If I has to give you a rough reply for what you said, it’d be, ”`Come to my room after you eat.’“

Without turning around, I waved my hand in acknowledgment and continued downstairs.

…What just happened?… We just had a strange conversation, super unusual…

I was worried about whether or not I was even allowed to feel upset.

She tells Elf that she has decided to stay in her room and goes to our place real quick. The reason is to get Kyoka to join us. And to bring in work tools – or, say, PC.

"I just got here! Masamune! Sagiri!”
“…Right This way,”

Kyoka returns to Elf’s house after she comes home in a suit as fast as she could. While Kyoka is taking a break in the living room, I got their Wi-Fi password from Elf and typed it into my laptop in the room.

With this, the work environment has been created.

If you really needed to, you only need a piece of paper, a pencil, and brain- so a desk, a smartphone, a chair, or even a PC is not necessary.

It’s just that it’s more efficient and convenient.

In the end, I decided to stay in the Japanese-style room that Senpai often uses. It’s basically a Western-style room that was forced into a Japanese-style with Japanese-style furniture. Plus, the bed is also a bed.

I set up shop by the desk and chair.

“Muramasa must have handwritten manuscripts on this desk.”

Just thinking about it made the fan in me drool.

After setting up, dinner was ready. And so Sagiri, Elf, Armeria, Kyoka, and I will have Sagiri’s homemade dishes in the unusual kitchen. While we ate, I told Kyoka everything that happened today and what we had decided.

“… I see. If that’s the case, let’s respect Sagiri’s decision”
“Oh, you accepted it that easily?” Elf stops eating and looks at Kyoka.

Kyoka nods, “Yes,” and turns her eyes from Elf to me.
“Masamune-kun will stay with you? That puts me at ease really.”

“Yep yep! I got it!”

I didn’t know their trust in each other was this strong. Usually, I have to make decisions and be in charge.

“Well, I’ll be relying on you a lot then, Caretaker Elf”
“Thank you, Yamada-san.” “Thanks again, Elf.”

“Leave it to me!”

I think the reason why the this whole ordeal finished so smoothly was because Kyoka trusted Elf.

After dinner…

I came to her room as instructed.
I knocked on the door and just stood there.

This kind of behavior is very special to me.
It’s the kind of ritual I would do when I meet my sister…

I’m just thinking about it now…

And so, I have a strange feeling of treachery to do this in order to meet Armeria instead of Sagiri.

Armeria opened the door.

Like Sagiri, she wasn’t hesitant in opening the door, but rather she opened it in a powerful way. As I saw her, she was in the middle of letting her hair down again… or up.

There were many things I felt, but I tried to act as usual.

“Yo!” I raised my hand
And Armeria replied, “Yo.”

Just a friendly greeting between friends.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Masamune. Come in.”
“Oh,” She invites me to enter my room.

“Ah… the smell of the art gallery.”
“It’s your room. Don’t phrase it like that, It’s weird.”

“Booo.”

It was an Armeria room at a glance – such a place. In a word, it was a stylish studio. The tasteful, expensive-looking furniture must be a complete set from the Elf’s. At the same time, the kinds of materials that Armeria seems to have brought in are all unknown except easels. Many brushes and pallets are neatly stored on top of an unusually shaped cabinet. Digital tools like those seen in Sagiri’s room were lined up around the PC. And on a further, quick glance, there was some smocks, apron stained with paint, and so on.

“There are so many different rooms.”
“And this one’s my room”

Even though it is indeed a fairly large room, the amount of things here may make a creative person feel wanting for talent, tools, and basically everything. I ended up comparing it to my room. I ended up comparing work tools.

I feel a mixture of impatience, admiration, and sadness.

“So how can I help you Armeria-Sensei?”

The erotic delusions I had disappeared entirely because of this room.
I felt like creating and writing as much as I could.

Armeria spoke, “I want to show you rough illustrations for my fellow.”
“What? I haven’t decided what to write about yet.”

I just had a fight with Elf about my view of the world.
There’s no way to draw an illustration at this point.

With that in mind, when I looked at Armeria, she was like, 'What are you talking about?’

“A few days ago, Masamune showed me a list of things you wanted. So, I looked at it and then drew it. If you’re going with another plan, that’s actually okay. This was good practice anyway.”

“Huh…”

It was a line full of genuinity, but…

“Anyhow, will you show me?”
“Oh!”

Armeria happily holds out an illustration hidden behind her back with both hands.

There wasn’t a single piece of paper that wasn’t draw on a pencil.

「…………………………」

I look at the first illustration and turn the page silently.

「 ！ 」

She was watching my eyes for a moment as she explains and after a bit, quiets herself a while. Then she turns the page. She repeats it several times, and eventually returns back to the first page. I silently looked at the portfolio for a long time.

“What do you think, Izumi-Sensei? What are you thoughts?”
“…Where do I even begin?”

I meant that in a positive sense. Though… may have taken it differently since all I got was dry laughter. So, she may have some strong doubts.

“Hey, Armeria-Sensei…”

The first and second illustrations were of the hero and the heroine. They wore worn-out leather equipment over their worn-out uniforms. They were both young, high school students, but they had no time to spare. You can feel a strong vitality from their optimistic smile.

Multiple expression patterns, non-front view, up-and-explain use of accessories- They were painted and written to the extent that they can be used as they are in any anime setting.

After the third sheet:
- Group of collapsed buildings
- Weeds that run through asphalt
- Forests Recovering
- Beautiful, glittering rivers
- Cherry blossoms.

There was also an idyllic village where people who survived the time of ruin lived. A post-civilization world with a somewhat cheerful atmosphere despite the stage setting is dark.

“First of all, why did you draw these?”

“You wanted me to draw, didn’t you?”

What…? I can’t make my voice heard. I’ve been trying my best many times before finally squeezing my voice out.

“That’s right! I wanted you to draw it! There were a lot of ideas on that list! So why did you choose these and draw it? Oh! Did you hear it from Elf? Oh, no! I didn’t talk to her about the world view just a while ago!”

“Calm down, breathe.”

Armeria soothes me by patting my palms on both shoulders.

Then she said: “What you want to write the most about on that list, yeah? I understood that after reading it, and so I wanted to draw it. That’s why I drew it. Is that okay?”

「……………………」

I stare at Armeria eyes unknowingly.
She looks away, feeling uncomfortable;

“Maybe you’re going to write this. I don’t know what the result of the consultation between you and Emily was or will be, but you were going to write it because you wanted to, yeah?”

“Yeah, I-I think so, too.” She understood that very well.
“Cool, cool, cool, no doubt, no doubt.”

I didn’t need to know whose face I was talking to.

“As expected, I like Armeria-Sensei”
“I love Izumi-Sensei very much, too.”

「……………………」

“We love each other,”
“It’s a love affair.”

She laughed and asked teasingly.

“So who do you like better, EroManga-Sensei or Armeria-Sensei?

Sagiri or Amelia-chan?”

“I prefer EroManga-Sensei. I prefer Sagiri.”
“Ahaha,”

Aermeria-Sensei bursted into laughter
I laughed as much as I could.

“No, it’s going to be a fun project.It’s a good idea to exchange partners.”
“Maybe.”

“Write, Izumi-Sensei.”
“Okay, so it’s a night-time…”

Then- we started talking like we broke the dam.

Starting with my detailed impressions of illustrations, I then reveal some thoughts that are only exist in my brain, then we jumped into talking about art materials, and then we even began talking about the anime “"SekaImo”“ that I am currently working on.

All this talk about production…

"Hey, Masamune,”
“Yeah?”

“What do you think Emily is up to?”
“Do you mean the secret plan?”

“Yes,”

“To be honest, I don’t know. At first I was wary, but when I opened the lid, all of them were good for the Sagiri… Have you heard anything about it? Did you hear anything from Elf?”

“Well… I haven’t heard anything. I don’t know what you want out of it.”

“I see,”
“Yep, Sensei.” Armeria says

Looking at who she is, she had the most attractive and bright expression.

“Because I like Emily… And you like Sagiri. But she love her so much that you can’t beat her…

…So, I want to let you do whatever you want.”
That’s it,“

"What do you mean?”

I asked a vague question like that because I felt that there were multiple intentions behind it.

“Oh, my God. I’m not telling you to change your heart. Nor am I telling you to change who you like.”

I held my breath and waited for it to continue.
Armeria nodded and continued.

“I want Emily to do what she wants to do. So, so… Well… That’s it. If there is any chance that I can’t do that for her in the future–”

“I’ll help you. Of course, right?”

I don’t have to ask you all the way. I told her that and she rolled her eyes.

“You’re so cheeky, Masamune,”

She put his face close to me, smiled, and flicked my forehead with her finger.

Thus, the days of creation began.

As Armeria predicted, I wrote “A Story Set in the Post-Civilization World,” while Elf wrote “The Fantasy of the Sword and the Magic World,” which she wanted to do.

Maybe we should share the same world view?

I consulted with Elf about that later, and set it up to be compatible. We gathered in the living room and talked about it.

A Few Days Ago
“After the collapse of civilization, a large span of time passed- with the world is transforming itself into a world of swords and magic- what do you think?”

“Do you mean writing a changing 'world’ in separate chronological order? Then we can write whatever story you want to write about.”

“Since I’m here, let’s establish the novels in chronological order. Izumi Masamune writes about the world right after the collapse, and then Yamada Elf writes about a different fantasy world hundreds of years later.”

“Then I’d better give you a little bit of information about setting up a world view. It would be interesting if we can pull off shifting the understandings of the same world view as it adjusts to the climax of Elf’s writing.”

“Leave it to me. Also, what you write about the main characters, 'what you’ve done,’ is the catalyst for the transformation of the world.”

“Don’t do that. The hero will do something that affects the whole world to save the heroine. So you’ll need show them a plot that closes it up.”

“If this was for commercial work, I’ll definitely do it. But this time I don’t want to do that.”

What’s wrong with it?

“I don’t like it because it makes me look like I’m working together with you. Doing it blind will be more interesting way, so let’s do it that way.”

“How are we gonna do that?”

“We’ll read each other’s work without knowing each other’s information that’s outside of the work. Then we’ll make a more interesting again. Wouldn’t it be more fun in the end of the day?”

“It’s a woefully inefficient, time-consuming way of doing things"　

　
　But

"I’d like to to put my opinion in. That sound like an absolute pleasure.”

Read each other’s works and give comments with Yamada Elf’s work. In that, it’ll look like it can grow organically very well. In fact, I also read a lot of things regarding a professional playwright at an anime script conference.

As the original author, I needed to explain each scene in the original clearly, and Aoi Makina, the playwright, explained the script she wrote. When I asked him questions, he answered clearly.

What kind of thinking do people with more power than themselves think about making scenes? What kind of response will the playwright give to opinions and requests from various standpoints such as producer, author, director?

It’s a place where you can demonstrate everything in front of me.

When I think about it that way, I think it was too precious an experience. We were trying to do something similar for fun. Elf once said he would do his best because it was just fun. I feel the same way now.

“Well, Alright then,”
“Okay, now let’s go over some rough details and start writing.”

“Sounds good. Show the plot to your partner.”
“Oh, my God,”

It’s no different from having fun, so the tension is light.
Look at the illustrator group with humming.

Mr. Eromanga and Mr. Armeria are sitting right next to us and discussing the cover illustrations.

“So, on the cover, you call it two pairs of heroine and heroine.It’s like a package of games, and the background–”

“No, I only need girls on the cover.I don’t need a background either.Also, the composition is that my character is on the upper side… like this … OK, this is cute.”

“Hold on! No, I can’t do this! Let’s make my characters stand out! What’s up here? My legs are sticking out in my space!”

This side seemed to be struggling over here.

A Few Days Later

Then came the day I was looking forward to.

“Now I’ll start reading!”
“Okay!”

Elf’s living room.

Surrounded by fashionable furniture that I don’t have at home, I’m not the reader nor am I the editor. I’m showing my work to my friends first. The environment, the situation- everything are different from usual.

「 … 」

I can feel the sweat on my palms as I clenched my fists. It’s this level of excitement that I can’t convey well. If I had to somehow compare it:

Like practicing a real match-up game, raising all the monsters you’re proud of, and then participating in a peer-to-peer game competition.

Wasn’t it like you invited her for the first time to a club match that you’ve become super good at after practicing hard?
　
Okay, so it might be a little different, but it’s kinda like that.

Elf, Sagiri, Armeria, and I: All the members of the club sit around a big table.

Me and Elf face each other, and Sagiri and Armeria face each other.
Elf distributes the manuscripts in a good mood.A5 size paper with clips.

The format is the same as the actual format.
The illustrations are well inside.

Sagiri pointed to the cover distributed in front of him and said:
The illustrations there are black and white.

A joint cover by Mr. Eromanga and Mr. Armeria. The other day, the composition of the movie was a big mess, but it was completed without any complaints.

“I don’t have any color yet, but the cover looks like this.”

“I’d like to tell you how I feel about the cover – ”
“The commentary must be made after everyone has finished reading it.”

Everyone nodded. Armeria holds the manuscript in one hand and looks around everyone.

“I don’t know as much about novels like Emily or Masamune. You don’t know as much about the picture as I do or Sagiri, do you? But don’t hesitate to say anything. I’ll do that as well.”
“Of course,”

I’m sure everyone thought so.
Because the books we’re trying to write are always for people to read.

The impression of people who are not themselves and who are not professionals is what matters.

“Armeria and Sagiri are the ones who can tell me how they feel about the novels written by Elf and I.”

“Yes, I see,”

Sagiri swung forward from my rival’s seat.

“Let’s Do This.”

She said a line that one would not normally say and moved into place.

Everyone nods silently and picks up the manuscript. Then the reading began. The scene calms down. From the outside looking in, it seems quiet, but stressful. It’s a very exciting and intense time for us.

Because…

Now my work is off my hands and I’m on my first stage.

At the same time, I’m waiting for works like fresh snow created by respected creators to be read in my hands.

Such a blissful time is rare in my life.

「…………………………………………………………」

I read it in silence. Turn, read, and turn again.

I was so focused that I couldn’t understand, but I’m sure my friends are doing the same. The tense air. Only the sound of the clock’s second hand on the wall can be heard. If there was a third party here other than us, they would feel very uncomfortable. You might think it was a tense or scary place.
　
But… as a person doing it, It’s super fun to read through. I couldn’t help but grin. When I read my own work,

I thought, 'I’m still interested in this story,’
And I get scared, 'I don’t think it was good here,’
And I wonder, 'Here! I think it’s good, but I’ve never written so much’

I’m reading other people’s works, and I’m like,
“Wowzers!”
'Why, come on, why is this happening?’

I read it over and over again.

“I won this scene, didn’t I?”
“I would do this!” and “I would do that!”

I’ll say it again Today’s reading is so much fun. Feelings were conveyed, and the idea remained true.

“Huh,”

　
　
　
I finished reading. Maybe because I was tense the entire time I read, but I had tp take a deeper than deep breath. I stretched my arms high in the sky and relaxed my stiff muscles.

“Well!” said Elf, as if she had been waiting.

She opens the appropriate pages of the manuscript and thrusts them at me with a smile.

“Here! Good job!”

This is a compliment from a senior I respect.
Of course, I was happy -wait- no, I wasn’t.

“Why? What is it?”

The question came first, because for me, the part that Elf praised highly, saying, 'Oh, that’s good’ was neither a 'confident writing’ nor a 'writing that I was worried about might not be good enough.

When I wrote it, I did it in a very flat manner and made excerpts, making sure it read smoothly. To put it bluntly, it was a scene that had no affections on the author.

“Yes, here,” said Elf.

“I like this part of your novel.A scene that gives a casual homely metaphor, always found in Izumi Masamune’s novels.”

“Well, it’s not cool, the heroine doesn’t come out, it’s not a particularly good sentence… is it that good?”

“It’s so nice. A sentence written by Masamune”.
“Well, I see… nevertheless.”

I’m happy – or rather embarrassed.
I scratched my cheeks.

This is what happens to me when I get compliments that are different from what I expected…

“Then how was the last arc? I’m very confident in it!”

I asked such a question because it also meant to deceive my embarrassment.
Then Elf tensed up her lips.

“One-Dimensional. That’s it.”
“One-Dimensional!?”

It’s a scene where I read it myself and said,

'I love Light Novel, but I’m writing it!’

“It’s not interesting. Well, I mean, it’s interesting. When the 'world’ and the 'beloved’ are balanced, your protagonist makes no hesitation in making a choice to protect the 'beloved’ – knowing that the world is about to perish, he fights only for the 'beloved.’ It’s the hottest and most wonderful development.

"Right!?” You know, Elf-Sensei!

“This is the true essence of Izumi Masamune! This is the scene I wanted to write the most!”

As I emphasized with my fist, Elf smiled and said:

“But dear, the main character you write is not always like that. If I had a girl I liked, I would do my best and risk my life for her or break the limit.”

“That’s what I want to write, so there’s nothing I can do!”

“Well, that’s right. And this is what Izumi Masamune fans expect from you. They pick up Izumi Masamune’s book because the main character wants to read it.”

Write what you like and the person you like reads it.

Readers say it was interesting, and the author gets even more ambitious, wanting continue working hard.

This is the ideal relationship between the author and the reader.
That’s why we try to gather readers who can do it with us.

“But it’s not an exoneration to make a similar development every time. It’s necessary to keep up with expectations and surprise them once in a while- like, for example, being married to a daughter who wasn’t the original main heroine!”

“Well… it might not have been good this time, especially with the standard Isekai arc.”

“Even EroManga-Sensei!”

Come on… You can say whatever you want to say whenever you want.
But I can’t argue back because she’s right.

I was firmly criticized with harsh comments and just said,

“Then I’ll keep this development unchanged and make it more interesting.”

“Well, you say so,”
“I knew it,” said Elf, with a humorous shrug.

I said, in a tone of course,

“I mean, I can’t change it.”

This is the scene I want to write the most, and that’s why they have a “Hero” personality, and the stage and development are all this.“

Editors, readers, publishers, and so on, and so on. They say, 'Change this part only’ or 'Change the ending,’ but I really want you to hear my point.

"It’s almost impossible to change the detective by correcting the scene where the criminal is hit.”

“I understand very well. If you want to change it, but you can’t do it, I’ll rewrite it from the beginning- that’s what I think.”

Is that the case with Elf as well?

With the exception of Senpai Muramasa, Light Novel writers may have had similar experiences.

“So we’re going to keep developing.Instead, I write more interestingly.”
“How exactly?”

“I want to make the price of choosing someone I love more difficult.”
“See, that’s good. So let’s make it so that you’re not going to save the heroine under certain circumstances while also not hesitating in choosing the heroine. This isn’t a commercial Light Novel or a series, so take some risks. You’re holding it back it unconsciously.”

“I wasn’t aware of it, but… maybe… I’ll think about it for a moment.”

While I was in reflection mode with my hand on my chin, I was hit hard on the shoulder by the Armeria sitting next to me.

“Masamune! I thought it was very interesting!”
“No matter what you read, they say it’s very interesting.”

“I really think so, so I can’t help it.I don’t know if it’s a one-dimensional, but it was fun, so please accept my impression honestly.”

“All right. … Thank you.”

Because of this kind of person, words of praise may come into my heart.

“Hey, Izumi-Sensei,”

Apparently, everyone started commenting on my work, and EroManga-Sensei asked me the following question.

“Why did you write such a strange story?”

“Masamune always makes a single view line with 'characters’ in mind, but this time I made him do it with a 'worldview’ in mind– does that answer your question, EroManga-Sensei?” Elf supplemented.

“Yes,”

Sagiri nods and then blushes her cheeks.

“Also, you don’t have to call me by my pen name even if I’m reading things together… So what do you think, Izumi?”

“Well, I’m not a commercial runner, so I think I’ll write something that I can’t usually do.”

“That’s not all, is it?”

Oh, if I answer this incorrectly, EroManga-Sensei will be in a bad mood.

Even if you know that, you can’t change your behavior.

I was reading it through.
I couldn’t fudge about the work.
I answered honestly.

“It’s because Armeria-Sensia, not EroManga-Sensei, drew the illustrations for my novel.”

「 ！ 」

“That’s why I thought this time I’d try to develop a worldview more than usual and write a novel that makes use of it.”

“………………………… Hmm.”

“It doesn’t mean that the erotic manga teacher is bad at drawing backgrounds.”

“I know. I’m not good at it. Armeria-chan draws a worldview just like Izumi-sensei’s image, so you want to write a different story about the world, right?”

“Oh? Wait a minute, Sagiri. You’re usually good with backgrounds, aren’t you?”

“I’m talking to Izumi-Sensei right now, so I’ll look into the matter later.”

Get along with you guys.Don’t be mad.
“Well, what do you think of Masamune?”

Don’t swing it this way!
But I’ll tell you.

“I don’t know which one is better. But the illustration Armeria drew this time… especially… the spread background was amazing.”

She exhaled with all of her being.
I couldn’t help but admire and praise her many times more.

“The image of the world was perfect. I got an idea all at once when I saw the rough, and it was the first time I’ve ever had such a good time working with someone. It was like 'Another person with illustrator skills’ was drawing.”

“I understand,” Elf, who usually works with Armeria, nods deeply.

Armeria, who received our reaction, smiled broadly.
“Hehehe! Did you hear Sagiri?”

Stop using me to mount EroManga-Sensei!
Sagiri’s face is as red as an apple, isn’t it?

My sister is not very strong against such provocation!
“Well… I’m very sad,”

Sagiri stood up angrily and stuck her finger at me and Armeria with tearful eyes.

Elf also stood up and patted her on the shoulder, soothing her in an ineffably cute way. Then she looked at me and Armeria in turn and said in a flashy pose.

“Armeria-chan is always amazing, but against my EroManga-Sensei, she doesn’t stand a chance!”

“Is it the work of Elf and EroManga-Sensei?”

I turn over the manuscript I have and open the novel page written by Elf. Search for the target scene using a sticky note that has been stuck in advance.

“I have two things to say…”

“If there’s anything wrong, I’d like to hear it from you.”
“Really? Well… that makes me feeel a bit suspicious…” I said

“Don’t hesitate,”
“Isn’t this story written by Elf end kinda prematurely?”

“It ended where I intended”
“As I expected…”

I look down on the last page.

“But. there aren’t enough pages, and it’s not finished. Did you run out of time?”

“No, I simply didn’t dare to write it down”

“If you make that kind of excuse, the editor will send you a rather angry e-mail.”

“I would like to give you a piece of advice, with the kindness of an old woman.”

“It’s not an excuse! I wanted to read your novel before writing the last scene.”

“Ah… because Isekai is the subject, and the last one is a cover?”

“That’s not true,”

Elf shakes his head discontentedly.

“I don’t think there’s any problem with this kind of development and the choice of the main character. After all, you and I aren’t the same.”

Well, that’s right. Even if I wrote a story in the same plot, I and Elf would end up in completely different end. That’s what individuality is all about.

“If the development turn falls flat, I just have to write something more interesting.”

“It’s annoying to say it in front of you, but I think it’s the right stance.- And why didn’t you write the last scene?’

"I thought your novel would motivate me.”

「────」

“Yesterday I wasn’t writing in my best condition, but I am now.”

Elf fondly caresses the manuscript.
Then she turned to me and laughed ferociously.

“I can write a better last scene.”
“Well, then I’m looking forward to it.”

This great novelist is a person of words and action.

To that end, Elf gives me a grin.

“Please look forward to it. At long last I can hear the second `what you want to say’ …. So What was interesting about my novel?”

It was a question that I was completely convinced that my second “what I wanted to say” was that.

That’s true, so I have no choice but to smile bitterly.

“Well…”

I search the page again.

She interrupted as if she couldn’t wait for Armeria.
“I liked this place!”

“There? You choose unexpected places…”

“I think I am here…This girl, who always shows no emotion, gently grabs the hem of the boy’s clothes.”

“Sagiri liked the scene because she actively said, 'I want to draw an illustration of this scene.’ I think it was a very simple scene, but it became a very moving scene with an illustration.”

“…Because it’s a scene where the heroine expresses her thoughts with her gestures.I want everyone to know… I wanted to make it into an illustration.”

“This is the prime scene of this magazine, including my work.”

I regret it, but I have to admit it.

The scene was a quiet masterpiece that expressed the heroine’s subtle love in a polite way.

If it were just a sentence, it might have been skipped.

It has been sublimated into a famous scene that will remain in everyone’s mind through illustrations by Dr. Eromanga.

“Sagiri! I think we’re winning the charm of the characters!”
“Yes!”

It was a very ideal synergistic effect between novels and illustrations.
I was so jealous of my real partner.

“Hey, my heroine is the cutest! What do you think of Armeria?”

“You’re so brave to incite my sister even though you’re my sister’s apprentice…”

“Huh, I won”.
“Damn it..”

In contrast to before, the conversation was spreading.
Elf sticks his hand to the table and leans forward.

“Well! Where did you like Masamune?”
“I liked the main character.”

“Really? The heroine’s cuteness was important, but did you like the main character?”

“I always like Elf’s main characters.The main character in "The Dark Elf of Explosive Flame” is really strong and cool, easy to understand and attractive.

“The main character this time is not as good as "Dark Elf."It’s lightly flavored and hard to suggest for Yamada Elf’s commercial novel.”

“It’s a dark story about traveling in a dying world, but the work has always been bright. I thought it was great, but… that’s because of the main character. I don’t say, don’t do, and don’t think about it even though the situation is rather hopeless. It’s not written clearly, but he’s been paying close attention to the heroine. My stance is consistent so that I don’t have to have a hard time, so that I can have a good time.”

I told Elf that I like that kind of thing.

“Well… well… I think I’ll mark it off as 'strong protagonist’.”

Perhaps because she has been praised so much for her character, Elf turns red and turns away.

To hide her embarrassment, she says, “More than that!” and changes the subject.

“You’re all in a mess! And I’ll praise you for avoiding the fact that I’ve written with all my heart, 'I’m going to make this a very interesting scene!’”

Elf got upset.
She’s getting compliments, but still feels bothered.

I can fully understand.
The same goes for me.

“I understand. We want to convey what we think is interesting! So we want to make sure it’s delivered properly! Or we want to make sure it didn’t!”

“Yes! Isn’t it like 'answer-to-answer’ to have them read? I want them to praise me as they want, and if they want me to do as they worry! Of course, it’s so soft that I don’t get hurt.”

　
That’s a lot of requests from readers.
I can’t be this blatant, but I have that feeling, too.

“If my aim misses, my worries hit me, and they say it was boring, I can admit my mistake and reflect and analyze it. But when I get compliments for something unexpected… I’m very embarrassed!”

That’s what I want to say.
It’s kind of embarrassing.

I was so happy and strangely embarrassed –

“I feel like I’ve failed even though I’m being praised for being funny.”
“You must be arrogant to get that far.”

“I wonder. Wouldn’t it be frustrating to hear that a scene without a target is more interesting than a scene with a target written on it?”

“I’m frustrated. I’m happy, but I’m frustrated.”
“Right!?”

“But… isn’t that an unexpected impression really important?”
“Well, I know that,”

Elf is firm with her arms folded.
I was scared of her voice.

“My 'advantages that I don’t even know’ have to be taught by readers.”
After being taught by readers, the “advantages I don’t know” are changed to “advantages I know.”

Then, she will be able to write about the fun of it with her aim.
There are more and more things you can do.

Write, read, listen to your impressions, think and write again.
We’re going to repeat this set endlessly.

From the day I wrote my first novel to the day I die.
That’s why I always want to ask readers.

- How did you like this story?
- What did you like about it?

And then the commentary continued.

“It was a successful reading. It was a good interim result.”

We created and commented on each other’s works, and we got our desired impressions and unexpected impressions.

It is safe to say that the success is going well.

“It was my first time doing it outside of work… but I feel like I’ve learned it.”

“Isn’t it better to check out how you feel online?”

“If you’re a Light Novel writer, you’re the only one who recommends you go online.I’m looking at the book compiled by the editor, so please forgive me.”

“That might be enough for marketing, but don’t think it’s a 'reader’s voice’ just by looking at the big list of impressions.”

　
　
　
I felt the joke faded from her voice.
I listen honestly to my Senpai.

“I have more than five million readers now, but there is nothing to gain from "five million.”

Elf’s words have become a reality.
The result of today’s reading is probably a miniature of that.

If there are four people, there are four impressions, and there is something to be gained.

If there are five million people, there are five million impressions, and there is something to be gained.

But some will also get lost in translation.
Don’t take one person’s impression for granted.

You shouldn’t despise it just because it’s just one person’s impression.

“If you don’t like it that much, you don’t have to look at how you feel online.Don’t forget that 'one person’ of different tastes, sexes and ages is using precious time and money in life to read our books.”

That became the closing word of the reading party.
I nodded deeply and answered seriously.

“Do so. … I had a good time, and I’ll do this again and again.”
“Yes,”

The atmosphere in the hall is loosening. Armeria stretched out next to me.

“Why don’t you follow today’s results and fix your own work?”
“Let’s make a final decision.”

Today’s Sagiri is still active.

“If you’re not the leader, please”.
“Why can’t I do it! I wonder if I can’t manage my schedule so much!?”

“Nope. you can’t”
“Grr…”

Seeing this, her activities went smoothly even though she had a good time.

Everyone will submit their works once, give each other a review, and then make a second draft.

“I see quite a bit of improvement”
`I’ll improve the quality even further from here!’

Armeria and Elf are getting excited as they finish the documents.

That’s when it happened.

The sound of the intercom rang out as if to quell the floating noise.

「 ！ 」

Sagiri jumps back violently.

My sister, a hikikomori, was very bad at the sound of the intercom and the sound of the phone.

Elf laughed. “I ordered pizza. Shall we have lunch?”

She stood up calmly and checked the intercom monitor.

I saw the same thing as Elf.
It wasn’t a pizza delivery – it was a picture.

“………………Mother?”

“Oh, Elf’s–”
“Mom?”

Me and Sagiri exclaimed in bewilderment.
Well, Elf’s mother… didn’t she say she lives abroad?

But why did she suddenly come to Japan without even contacting her daughter…

An intruder suddenly appeared in a scene where there was a lot of excitement about making a personal magazine.

I was having fun with my friends when a family member I hadn’t met suddenly came back- just like that. Especially for Sagiri, who is one of the biggest shy people, it is not just a matter.

“Oh no Oh no no no Please oh oh oh”
“Calm down, Sagiri. Let’s go back to the room for now. Elf, will that be all right?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. First of all, please do so. … ”

“What’s wrong with your mother coming all of a sudden?”

Her voice contained the joy of meeting my parents for the first time in a long time.

Armeria’s grumpy tongue, however, foreshadowed the coming of a disturbance.

Everyone begins to move hurriedly.
I take Sagiri to my room upstairs.

Then, my sister asked me to do this.
“Brother… will you go and see how things go?”

“I don’t really want to leave you,”

This is not my home or my room.There is a person in the same house who has never met her.

The environment has just changed.I don’t know what kind of influence it will do to Sagiri.

“I’m all right. I’m more concerned about Elf-chan. I can’t believe her mother came all of a sudden without even contacting… What do you want me to do?”

“I’ve heard that the relationship between parents and children is not bad. I’m sure you don’t have to worry.”

“But…”

Sagiri seems to be worried about the appearance of Elf’s mother.

“All right. I’ll wait and see.”

I accepted my sister’s request. With a smile, I gently close the door and walked downstairs.

“But, you know–”

I’d like to take it on.

If you think about it carefully, this is the house where junior high school girls live alone – Chris seems to come back from time to time.

Isn’t it really bad for your mother to know that I’m staying here as a high school boy?

No, of course there’s nothing wrong with me, so if you explain the situation properly, I don’t think there’s any problem.

At this point, Elf’s mother shouldn’t see me…
Okay, let’s do that.

Out of self-protection, I sneaked down the stairs.
Half way down, I peeped into the hallway on the ground floor.

“Mother always does! Why don’t you understand?”

I heard a terrible loud voice.
It’s Elf’s voice.

“Take me with you,”
“Wow… hey! I won’t let you go.”
–yes!’

The disturbing deja vu moment.

Black-clad women grab Elf shouting in several languages including Japanese and pull it toward the entrance.

The scene was common between Chris and Elf as Yamada Elf approached the deadline.

However, there was no older brother (Chris-san), and it was a blonde woman who ordered the capture of Elf.

I could only see her back, but I knew it at once.
Elf’s mother… I guess.　Her posture is good and beautiful. From her curled hair, the image of his daughter is hidden.

When she gave a shout in a foreign language, Elf’s voice, who was screaming comically, stopped at once.

The Queen’s pressure is different from the snowstorm-like pressure released by Kyoka.

If I was discouraged, I might kneel down on the spot.
In the air that makes breathing difficult,

“Hello, madam.”

There was a sound of Armeria.

Her voice is very stiff even though she normally has a playful tone.
She confronts Elf’s mother directly.

“Then, 'I’ll let Emily do whatever she wants for a while,’”
“That’s enough, isn’t it?”

A short line but it sounds very important.

Yes, I’m sure she’ll talk like that when Elf grows up even more beautifully.

“It’s not up to you to decide,”
“No, I’ll decide, Amelia,”

Elf’s mother took off her sunglasses?
I turned around.

「 ！ 」

My eyes met. Knowing that I was here, I felt as if I had seen it.
Eyes of the same color as Elf.
image
They look like each other in a bullish manner.
She stared at me with a penetrating stare and suddenly turned back.

“I’m bringing Emily back home. So stop working and get engaged to the person I found.”

“That’s Too-!”

I rushed down the stairs at once. I reached out to Elf’s mother, who was leaving, but I couldn’t reach out.

Someone grabbed me by the shoulder and stopped me.

With a bang, the door closed in front of me.

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
9) Kouhai – Junior
10) Doujinshi – Original work done in relation to a source material. Typically not from the same group.
16) Isekai – …Transported to a faraway land Into the world where ____ rule. Play the game like an ace, but now we in this place to save the ____ from the evildoer