Volume 4, 8: Only my friend’s little sister and I are skipping

Volume 4, Chapter 8: Only my friend’s little sister and I are skipping

The following day, and the first day of the Kokuryuuinkugetsu creation project. Arriving at the sandy beach a second time, it’s whiteness looked dull for some reason. Besides the sounds of the waves hitting the shore, nobody’s voices could be heard, making both Iroha and me feel like we were stranded on a deserted island.

“I really think it’s not going to work out though! —Here, toss!”

“No, it should be fine. That girl is a professional editor, you know? —Here, toss.”

Having finished our catering breakfast with everyone else, Kanaria took Mashiro, Sumire, and Ozu with her to the work room, whereas Iroha and I headed to the beach.

“She was boasting that she could get the illustrations during the deadline, but that has to be a lie. She’ll see how bad Murasaki Shikibu-sensei is, and will give up right away. —Toss!”

“Why are you getting angry about this? That’s not like you. —Toss.”

Iroha and I were having a conversation as we lightly passed the beach volleyball. If one thing reminded you of summer on a sandy beach, it’s playing catch ball, as the sound of the waves resounded.

“Aren’t you frustrated, Senpai? Making the new character was supposed to be a joint operation of us! And now this person just took it out of nowhere—Toss!”

“I mean, I do think it’s a shame. But, Kanaria-san’s planning was perfect. Not to mention that Ozu, Murasaki Shikibu-sensei, and even Makigai Namako-sensei were all on board, so it would still be three against two. Personally, a NO as an answer was not an option— Here, toss.”

Together with Iroha’s aggregated voice, the ball flew towards me a bit faster. Anticipating that, I moved accordingly.

“Hmpf. But, my voice counts for a hundred, you know? Especially this whole romcom-sense is ridiculous, don’t you think—Toooooooss!”

“I always plan to take the best possible choice wherever, whenever. And this time around, I wholeheartedly feel that it was the most efficient thing to do— Oi, how far up are you tossing now.”

Angry, and with her selfish attitude, Iroha shot the ball upwards. Up high in the sky, the ball looked like a black dot, as the sun shone down behind it. Narrowing my eyes at the radiance, I started thinking.

—I do feel bad for basically ruining her determination, but to think that she’d be this angry about it.

To remind you, it was just Iroha and me on this sandy beach. At first, she tried to stir me up with a ‘It’s just the two of us now, huh~’, and while I was yet again reminded of what happened at Village Kageishi, having complicated feelings about this, after 30 minutes had passed without a retort from a member or some sideways glare, we started to speak less and less.

Since things got more and more awkward, we decided to pick up the ball we used yesterday, and started some 1-on-1 beach volleyball, but…maybe because the adrenaline rose while we played, Iroha’s tone of voice became gradually extreme and rough. Even though we played without serves, spikes, and receives, nothing that could heaten up the situation.

“Iroha, do you think that this [Kokuryuuinkugetsu] character is no good?”

“…I don’t.” Casting her face downward with no confidence to it, she muttered.

No matter how much she wants to deny it with the reason of feelings, she can’t lie to herself in the end.

“Then there’s your answer. If we don’t come up with a character better than her, then we don’t have a role to play right now.”

“…Hmpf.”

“If you don’t like it, then carry out the plan at full force. Both you and me, that is. This time it might be cancelled, but we’ll have countless other chances to create a new character in the future. You have a great ability to learn, with a beneficial sense of things, so we’ll surely be able to create an even better character soo—”

“That’s not what I’m frustrated about.”

“Eh?”

With these unexpected words leaking from Iroha, I lost my thought process. The ball came soaring down from the sky, hitting me on the head, and rolled towards Iroha’s feet.

“Why are you not angry at this, Senpai?”

“Why…I mean, if there’s a way that the [5th Floor Alliance] can profit more, even if it took me out of the equation, I would obviously take that one.”

“But, that’s…! The way Kanaria-san said it…made it sound like you weren’t needed at all! How could I accept that!”

“…You’re overthinking it.”

“Then, just hypothetically. What if Kanaria-san says that she’ll take Onii-chan and Murasaki Shikibu-sensei from the [5th Floor Alliance], creating a media mix team with Makigai Namako-sensei, what would you do, Senpai?”

No annoying behaviour was found in Iroha’s words, as she gave me a stern gaze.

…What I would do? I don’t even have to think about it. That very fact will never change. My own creed will not change.

“That’s fine as well. If it’s the best possible situation for the [5th Floor Alliance].”

“…!”

“If Ozu’s and Murasaki Shikibu-sensei’s talent can be improved even further, and even adds a benefit to Makigai Namako-sensei, then that’s perfectly fine. All I would have to think about was how to reveal your true identity, so that you can be a part of this…assuming Kanaria-san would really take over the role as producer, that should be fine. If it’s her, she’ll surely use your talent to its fullest—Woah?!”

In the middle of my monologue, the ball flew towards me. In the spur of the moment, I stopped the ball with one hand, and threw Iroha, in her ace striker position, a dubious gaze. It was a wonderful shot, to be honest. And that relieved me, seeing that her injury on her foot was all better now.

“Senpai, your self-evaluation is way too low!”

“What are you on about?” I calmly returned the ball to the obviously pissed Iroha.

“You’ve just decided that Kanaria-san was a better choice from the very beginning, right? Even though you might be so much more valuable than her.”

“…The only people who would think that they could beat someone who has shown these many achievements like her, a member of society, are pretentious little bastards.”

“Why not be pretentious from time to time?”

“Not happening. I keep telling you that, right.”

“That’s…”

With a deep voice, confidence filling it, my words silenced Iroha. I told Iroha the same thing before. I don’t desire to be acknowledged by someone. Humans are helpless beings, immediately stopping their desire for growth as soon as they receive a high evaluation from others, deeming themselves omnipotent, developing highly unhealthy arrogance, and eventually lose their path.

Even the prosperous inevitably decay, is the norm of this world. Unraveling the history of everything, the amount of businesses and people turning out like this are far too many to count. Telling oneself that you won’t end up like that is ridiculous and a void desire.

“I have no clue what Kanaria-san is really thinking. She might not even have any desire to take over the [5th Floor Alliance]. And if she really wants to, then that would be all for me.”

“…So you’re saying we should just watch in silence as we twiddle thumbs?” With an irritated expression, Iroha was about to throw the ball at me—

“No, that won’t do.”

“Eh?”

—However, my words had her surprised to a level where she stared at me blankly, throwing the ball off somewhere else.

“Just lazing around is the apex of wasting time. We will do what we can do.”

“What we can do? Meaning?”

“I don’t doubt Kanaria-san’s actual skill, and I think her idea is something great. But, no matter how much of a super skilled professional producer she is, it’s her first time working on [Black Goat]. There might be a hole she falls into.”

“T-That’s right! It has worked out this well so far because of Senpai!”

“I don’t think I did anything great.”

“Again with your low self-evaluation…”

Can’t help it, this is my nature.

“I’m just preparing in case there’s a need for it—That should be fine, right?”

“…Well, I guess~ But, what will we be doing?”

Running after the ball she had kicked away, and picking it up, Iroha slightly tilted her head as she turned around to ask.

“Preparing an insurance in case the creation of Kokuryuuinkugetsu ends up in a stall.”

“…!”

“Though I don’t think that will happen with a super idol editor like her, though…”

Just in case, preparing something. Normally, with the resources we have to deal with, creating a buffer is always out of the question. But now, in this situation, it’s a must.

“Let’s bet on that! A life insurance option together with a rich insurance on top!”

“Creating an insurance is highly inefficient though, so I can’t really recommend it.”

“Ehehe, it’s fine. They get the insurance, so let’s steal the handling fee from them!”

Iroha had her eyes dazzling in joy, as she threw the ball up high into the air. Just when I thought she was in a bad mood, that’s how it turned around. Thinking about it, whenever I would show a low self-esteem, Iroha would be the one to immediately deny that. She would never forgive me when I would blame myself.

…Really, I can’t tell if she’s kind or annoying, but…no, I’m actually fully aware of which one it is.

—Now then, in order to respond to Iroha’s expectations, I have to think of what kind of follow I can provide in case the production of the new character gets stalled. What kind of follow-up should I do.

First, I have to see the tendency of the first day. From today onwards, Murasaki Shikibu-sensei should be working on the character design, but I’m a bit doubtful if Kanaria can really get that coward to work this early. And depending on that, I have to adjust—

Or so I thought, but…

“Happy creation~ The pretty cool character design is finished, chirp!!”

Having returned to the Kanaria Residence after playing a bit on the beach, these words greeted us, together with the (self-proclaimed) 17-year old girl, a tablet in hand.

“Finished…Eh?”

“No no no no, that’s way too fast! We’re talking about Murasaki Shikibu-sensei, right! You won’t deceive us with a weak attempt like that!”

“Really, just assuming that Kanaria-chan would be lying like that, chirp. Here’s your proof~” Said Kanaria as she turned the screen of the tablet towards us, revealing a goth loli girl with an eye patch.

“She’s right…And the quality is insanely high.”

“So Murasaki Shikibu-sensei was all up for this…Grrr…”

The eye patch who hid one eye had a detailed embroidery on it, and the eyes were drawn with great attention. Known for her ‘at the last moment’ progress, Murasaki Shikibu-sensei would never put so much detail into the work. Because that’s a subject I have no clue about, I let it stay as such. As for someone like Murasaki Shikibu-sensei, who truly loves her characters, I imagined that, once it came to the actual drawing for the implementation, she would add something with high quality.

However, the design of Kokuryuuinkugetsu was different. You could visibly see how refined even the rough design was, using up all of her skill.

“…This is amazing. The users of [Black Goat] would surely love these looks.”

“Right right~ The eternal middle school second-year’s Kanaria-chan is as good as ever, chirp~”

“This is the skill of a charismatic editor…”

“Fu fu fu. Praise her more, chirp. She can never take enough praise~”

“But, how did you manage to do that?”

Considering the fact that getting even a rough character design out of Murasaki Shikibu-sensei, which I, as her longest producer, knew the most, this should have been an unclearable mission. Just what kind of methods did she use to have things go her way?

“Nothing much, you know? Kanaria-chan just brought her into cus—gave her a working environment where she can’t help but get motivated, chirp.”

“I feel like you were about to say something scary there…you didn’t do anything horrible to Sumire-chansensei, right?”

“Could you show us this place? I want to take some notes on it.”

“Ok, ok. Kanaria-chan will guide you to her magical workshop, chirp.”

Feeling that something was definitely wrong with how Kanaria spoke, Iroha and I still followed her, as we moved to a different location. At a place even deeper inside the residence, away from our guest rooms, an irregular scenery opened up in the corner of the hallway.

“A digital lock…?”

Standing in front of a snow white door, I spotted an ashen-grey machine on top of the door knob. With swift movement of Kanaria’s hands, an electronic sound rang out, followed by the door unlocking. Did she use a fingerprint lock?

“A room with no lock on the inside to open it, it’s a classic trick of an editor, chirp.”

“So it wasn’t some magical workshop.”

“Non non. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Rather than that, time to reveal it~”

With the usual tension, Kanaria opened the door.

“Wha?!”

“This is…”

The scenery opening up in front of our eyes completely silenced Iroha and me.

“Doodling is soooo much fuuuuuun. Ahahaha, fufufufu~”

White, white, white. White white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white white.

It was quite the wide room with around 30 tatami mats1 of size. A space big enough to invite a lot of guests for a sleepover or the like.

—Using it normally, that is.

The irregularity of this room was that the floor, the walls, even the ceiling, it was all drenched in a single white color. The only reason that led me to deduce that this wasn’t a room in a research facility, but a space for creators to work in, was the desk in the dead center of the room, with a PC, tablet, and small tools like design figurines.

Besides those few objects, the room was completely empty, only Sumire sitting at said desk, happily moving her pen. Shown on the PC monitor were rough drawings of Kokuryuuinkugetsu in a standing position, as more and more lines were added. She’s moving along smoothly…? The normal Sumire would play around before her next drawing session, with the argument that she just finished submitting one design. And yet, Sumire right now is drawing like her life depended on it.

“S-Sumire-chansensei, are you okay?”

“Ahahahahahaha—Ah, Iroha-chan? Yeah, this is really fun.”

“You’re scaring me! Please come back to your senses. Something is definitely weird with you!”

“Oh my, what are you on about? I’m just doodling, and it’s fun.”

“You sound like a zombie! Pull yourself together, Summire-chansensei!” Iroha softly shook Sumire’s shoulders.

With her head bobbing back and forth, she had the innocent expression of a child as she was spacing out, only to quickly move her pen again.

“Kokuryuuinkugetsu-chan is cute. I want to draw cute things. I’m having fun!” She muttered in a daze, moving her pen at high speed.

Watching Sumire’s expression, with eyes turning like I’ve only seen in some married woman hypnosis eroge CG gallery, I felt a shiver running down my spine.

“I see. A prison with zero other entertainment.”

“Ding-dong, correct~”

Checking on my smartphone, I was certain of the fact that there was absolutely no internet connection in this room, as I didn’t even get one bar.

“Completely sealed off the internet, and I’m sure that this PC only has the editing software on it, right.”

“Exactement. Murasaki Shikibu-sensei has the tendency to procrastinate, right?”

“…So you knew.”

“Kanaria-chan heard something like that from Makigai-sensei before. Though, she could tell right away after talking with her for a bit.”

“Just after one meeting?”

“Kanaria-chan hasn’t been an editor for so many years for nothing.” Kanaria delivered a wink and peace-sign.

Every single action of hers hurts, is tough on my nerves, and a pain to deal with, but even so, her entire work and job ethic shows how much talent and skill she possesses, not even allowing me to complain about that.

“She’s the type to run away to pleasure and safety whenever she can, chirp~”

“That is the usual Shikibu.”

“That’s why it was no big deal to control a small chick like her, chirp. If she runs away like that, you just have to make her think that drawing is the most enjoyable thing to do in this situation.”

“Very logical…Though I can imagine it must be difficult to guide her thoughts like that.”

“Maybe? Kanaria-chan went ahead to create a place for her, and that’s all of it. She hasn’t used anything else to alter Murasaki Shikibu-sensei’s motivation.”

“Yeah…I can see that.”

“With the smallest amount of time, produce the greatest result. Eradicating waste into efficiency, this is the field you arrive at.”

“………I see.”

I couldn’t say anything towards Kanaria’s shit-eating grin. All I thought was that this turned into some great studying. I always thought that the illustrations were leaving some useless time during the production and updating of [The Night The Black Goat Screamed]. But to think that she would be able to spot it this early, and immediately come up with a countermeasure to solve a problem of the [5th Floor Alliance]. The idol editor, with a guaranteed 100% reprint on her novels, Kiraboshi Kanaria, truly is someone to be afraid of.

*

The following day, and the second day of the Kokuryuuinkugetsu creation project.

“Here, open wide, Mashiro-senpai.”

“…Mm. Delicious…”

When I headed to the dining table in the morning, I was greeted by Mashiro, her back resting against the chair, together with Iroha, who fed Mashiro like a small bird with a spoonful of yogurt.

“Elderly care?”

“Ah, Senpai. Good morning.”

“…Good night…”

“Ah, Mashiro-senpai, no nodding off! At least finish the yogurt.” Iroha shook Mashiro’s shoulders.

“Is it that tough? Revisioning the manuscript?”

“Mmm…Yeah…it is…”

Sitting across the table, and calling out to them after taking a sip on my black tea, Mashir nodded towards me. And who could blame her. Being forced to check over the manuscript she barely finished one day ago, the job called author sure is tough. At the same time, I yet again realized how amazing and equally scary Kanaria is.

Having finished going through Makigai Namako-sensei’s manuscript, she equally checked Mashiro’s, and is taking care of the scenario fo [The Night The Black Goat Screamed]. Just her job with Makigai Namako-sensei and Mashiro should be enough to keep her busy.

“Don’t overwork yourself, okay. You finally made it to the beach, so if you ever feel like you need a break, then let’s enjoy ourselves.”

“Right right. I haven’t heard Mashiro-senpai’s 100 snippets of marine knowledge yet.”

Hey, I wanna hear about that as well. Especially the fact that she has 100 of those.

“How about it, Mashiro. Go all out today and then take a break?”

“Mmm…Did that…yesterday.”

“Ohh, really?”

“Yeah. Finished…the plot of…the scenario…”

“Eh?”

Together with Mashiro’s sleepy words, a shiver ran down my spine. She called the novel a scenario? —But, that doesn’t matter. The plot? From what I know, Mashiro got Kanaria as her editor after the newcomer’s contest, and is now aiming for a debut of her own. During her imprisonment in Village Kageishi, she safely finished the manuscript, and she should currently be working on fixing the mistakes that Kanaria pointed out. The plot is something needed in a novel, something you have to come up with before actually writing. So why did she just finish the plot?

The possible answer to that question led me to a fearful conclusion. Redoing the plot of the novel—in other words—

The initial plot was rejected.

Was that maybe it? If so, then that must be rough on Mashiro, who was chasing her dreams. And because of that, I was unable to say anything to her anymore.

“Hello Exciting~ The world’s most intense emo scenario is done, chirp!”

As I spent my time eating breakfast while being slightly worried about Mashiro, Kanaria once again arrived in front of us, tablet in hand.

“With scenario, you mean the character scenario for Kokuryuuinkugetsu?”

“Of course, chirp. It’s the best possible plot, created by Makigai-sensei~”

“The best possible plot…! Um, could I read it as well?”

“Of course~ It’s the right of the producer to read Sensei’s new plot first, so go ahead~”

Being handed the tablet, I quickly ran my eyes over the screen. Since he’s a fellow member of the team, and even if I took that out, I personally was a fan of the author Makigai Namako, always looking for new works of his. I’m always excited to read the special short stories he gives us for [The Night The Black Goat Screamed], and of course that wouldn’t change about Kanaria’s specific character scenario.

No, even more than that. Most likely because this is the first time I’ve read a scenario of [Black Goat] without personally being involved in it. All ideas around the story have originated from Makigai Namako-sensei. However, he often comes to ask advice on it via LIME, so most of the things about it all I already know about before I get the scenario in my hands.

Right now, I can enjoy it as a lone reader, like the first time I had read through [Snow White’s Revenge Classroom] back at the bookstore. Now, what kind of story is waiting for me this time—

“………”

Sentence for sentence, I carefully read through it.

The encounter with the character called Kokuryuuinkugetsu. In the beginning, where she is hard to deal with, acting oddly, and just incoherently leaving the protagonists in confusion. However, as they go to challenge the mystery in the residence, their bounds deepen, where they start to understand her as a human being, which makes the player see her depth, and sympathize with her. In the later half, we get her past, as well as her forging connections with existing characters. With gimmicks to tickle the player, it delivers passionate development and a tear-jerking ending.

As the story of but one individual…not to mention in the sense of a mobile game, and not a novel, was absolutely perfect, and wonderfully constructed—

“A-Aki. Close your mouth. Giving impressions out loud while reading it…is the worst…”

“…Apologies.”

Apparently, I was blurting out everything I thought. But, why did Mashiro react to that, not to mention with a flustered expression? Is she playing [Black Goat] as well, and was looking forward to playing it herself? I guess she didn’t want to get spoiled. Sorry, Mashiro.

“And, what do you think, chirp?” asked the eternal 17-year old Kanaria, as she grinned.

I can tell just from what face, alright. It’s like you’re recommending a movie to someone while knowing that they’ll definitely like the ending, just wanting to hear the impressions. And to be honest, there was only one response I could give.

“It’s good…”

I didn’t need many words. I had the desire to write an entire book of 100 thousand words, consisting of my impressions, but I lowered it to these for now.

“Right right~? It took Makigai-sensei’s 120% to create it, chirp.”

“Grrrr…Why are you just being lulled in, Senpai. This is the same quality as always of course!”

“No, it’s even better. You have a read as well, Iroha.”

“H-Hmph. Fine. I’m not that much of a teary-eyed wimp like Senpai. I won’t give in that easily.”

With a slightly annoying retort, Iroha accepted the tablet from me, and started running her eyes through the scenario—and then, she burst out in tears.

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! Kokuryuuinkugetsu-chan is too much of a good girl!!!”

“Right?”

“This is even more emo than the usual Namako-style!”

“For now, wipe away your tears.”

“Ah, thank you very much…But, why is this suddenly so different from the usual Makigai Namako-sensei.” Iroha voiced a doubt as she wiped away her tears with the handkerchief I handed her.

That is also what I was wondering about. Maybe it was Kanaria’s doing again, pulling out the author’s true talent?

“Fu fu fu. You see, this heroine setting actually resembles Makigai Namako-sensei pretty well.”

“Resembles…?”

“Exactly. On the outside, she sticks out with her darkness attribute, but on the inside, she’s a maiden! This gap in personality totally fits Makigai-sensei, so she probably had no trouble whatsoever writing this.”

“Maiden.”

Makigai Namako-sensei is a male though. But, now that she says it, albeit being a man, Makigai novels have a lot of females with detailed personalities, and are often very well written. Most likely, the author himself has a soul fragment inside of him that awfully resembles that of a woman—or in other words, his heart has tits.

“The characters the author can write the most proficiently are the ones who resemble said author the most, chirp. Being able to see through that and use this in the novel is also a part of what an editor has to be capable of, chirp~”

“I see…that turned out helpful.”

This is the work of a professional, huh.

“Hmpf…”

“What are you acting all grumpy for. It’s perfectly fine to truly admire skill like that.”

“That’s true, but…!” Iroha showed no signs of admitting it.

And for some reason, Mashiro was equally puffing out her cheeks in a pout, poking at Kanaria’s sides.

“The worst. Why always….attack at the bare limit.”

“Ah, stop…not Kanaria-chan’s sides…Stop…”

“What are you doing, Mashiro?”

“Nothing at all?”

With me calling out to her, Mashiro stopped all movement of her fingers at once, just giving me a calm smile. Be it that reaction, or Kanaria’s expression like she wanted to say something, I had no idea what to make out of it.

*

“But, how do I say it, I still have to admire it.”

Breakfast had ended, this happening after I had seen off Iroha joining Mashiro in the working office to change into their swimsuits. Together with the sounds of the dishes being washed, clanking in the process, someone next to me spoke up.

“Hmmm? Who was it that just praised Kanaria-chan’s genius? I couldn’t properly hear, chirp~”

“No, you seriously are a genius.”

“Ehehehe, if you tell Kanaria-chan this straightforwardly, even she’ll get bashful, chirp~”

The one doing the dishes wasn’t just a maid responsible for the residence, but the very landlord herself, the 17-year old Kiraboshi Kanaria. She had her long, golden-hair bound together with a ribbon, wearing a normal household apron.

“…You’re taking care of the household yourself? Why not hire someone?”

“Cuteness to get everyone jealous. A goddess at her work, a woman of success with a lot of money—What aspect would get Kanaria-chan’s popularity even higher?”

“Being good at household chores as well?”

“Yes~ Like this, Kanaria-chan is prepared to show off whenever the media might come visit her.”

“So you’re going to keep that character even in private, huh…Can’t imagine that.”

On the side of being an editor, she’s an idol and self-producer at the same time. It might look like she got on a high horse from the popularity of the author. As it turns around, when I went to look her up online, she also had a big fraction that was against her. However, Kanaria had seen that, and responded to them in a special video on her Ytube channel.

「Are you haters watching~? Thanks for the views as always, chirp~ It’s your mammonist idol, Kanaria-chan~ She’ll keep selling the novels of the authors, aiming for the happiness of everyone, chirp~」

That very video had around a thousand dislikes, and around 100 thousand likes, so it was received overwhelmingly good. And that is the really amazing part of Kanaria. A normal business man would fear the idea of being awfully hated by people. Good PR means good money, and by hiding one’s true intention, putting on the mask of the victim and asking for sympathy, you get the hearts of the people. Just safe, and secure, calmly most importantly. Not causing any waves, no comment on the topic.

However, Kanaria wasn’t hiding anything. If asked why she started acting as an idol, then she would say it was to raise the sales of the author. She openly states that she earns necessary money with advertisement strategies, earning the money for the media mix, and the fact that she earns quite a bit on the side herself.

If there was one thing she lied about, it would be her age. That however clearly is part of her acting. Openly revealing her desires, ambitions, at the root of it all, even creating this character, you can see the passion and love towards being an editor. Though, I’m fairly certain that this painful character is not her true personality…

“Well, Kanaria-chan has continued to create [Cute girls] after all. Now she only has to use it on herself—Ahh, abuse of authority~”

“I see…That consciousness of branding. That’s why you managed to create a charming character like Kokuryuuinkugetsu.”

“Hmmm? Are you admiring Kanaria-chan?”

“Yes. So much that I want to steal you.”

Hearing my coercive words, Kanaria stopped her hands which were washing the dishes, and gave me a heartful grin.

“You also want to try debuting as an idol, chirp?”

“I’ll hold off of that for now.” An immediate response.

“Ehh, what a shame. Kanaria-chan thought she managed to score a successor.”

“I personally think that the reason you can use a selling technique is because you went to the outer limits of the basics.”

Continue a martial arts-sourced thrusting technique for years, and you’ll become the best at it. If you just had the outer appearance of her, you’d probably just end up as someone exceptionally annoying.

“I still haven’t arrived at that level. Not like I would know even if I did though.”

“Ohhh~ So you actually can look at your pace…How great.”

The last part sounded like her character disappeared, her normal voice leaking. After thinking for a bit, she poked me on the tip of my nose like she popped a bubble.

“Okay, okay, Kanaria-chan will teach you, chirp. What exactly you’re lacking~”

“…Is that really fine?”

Feeling the tickling sensation on my nose, I returned the question. Receiving advice from a professional would be unbelievably lucky.

“Kanaria-chan has always watched over the workings happening in [The Night The Black Goat Screamed], chirp~”

“Because we’re technically a rival for Makigai Namako-sensei’s releases, right.”

“Non non. Because Kanaria-chan likes the game in itself.”

“That…is an honor.”

“After all, it has very interesting contents to it, chirp~ However—”

Kanaria showed her typical rhythmic movement as she returned to the sink to pick up one plate. Unlike one side, which was sparkling white, with some bubbles on it, the backside of it still had stains of oil on it.

“You’re averting your eyes from the dirty business parts of being a producer, chirp~”

“Dirty…parts…?”

“Exactly. Treating the creators with utmost kindness, having them move forward with only said kindness is already first-class. That being said, with just this, you’re far off from the works that Kanaria-chan has created, chirp. Trauma, hatred, resentment, all these emotions sleeping deep inside one’s chest, bringing out these curses and spells, is what a producer can do…The only question is if you can take a veneer off of that, or not.”

“I’m pretty sure I was working towards having the creator’s negative feelings be born in their own works though.”

“But, you won’t take a step in there yourself, right?”

“…!”

What a sharp point, I thought.

As of right now, I was always conscious of keeping the balance in the [5th Floor Alliance]. I’m aware of the various psychological problems in the heads of the members, and with just one small misstep, it could revert to a situation not reversible, so I always carefully, very carefully, and efficiently moved along. But does this mean that I averted my eyes from the [Malediction] in there?

“For example…are you in love?”

“Eh? Um…h-how is this related to our current conversation?”

“Since you can’t answer immediately, Kanaria-chan will take that as a YES~”

“Wah, wait a second. I just don’t really know myself just yet…Ah.”

The second I tried to frantically deny her assumptions, I realized my misstep. I basically confessed just now. Saying that I wasn’t sure about this hazy feeling inside my chest reveals the fact that I have some sort of doubt of my romantic feelings. And, as expected, Kanaria gave me the gaze of a married woman who asked her son about his relationship with a certain girl.

“Who is it? Mashiro-chan? Or Iroha-chan?”

“So just these two from the very beginning?”

“Murasaki Shikibu-sensei is out, right. She’s older than you, basically a criminal, and although Kanaria-chan likes her character, she can’t see her as your girlfriend.”

That actually was quite the rough evaluation. I mean, even I think she’d be enjoyable as a girlfriend? Of course, if one actually had any sort of interest in her, which I don’t. But I’m sure there’s someone out there for her. Someone who’d beat her ass whenever she can’t move it to draw some more illustrations.

“Well, looking at my circle of friends, I guess it’d be the two of them.”

“Chirp chirp~ Both of them are cute after all.”

“Cute…I wonder about that. Well, from a general point of view, I guess they are.”

The same thing I said to Iroha before.

“You never gave it too much thought about what you feel, right.”

“…Well, yes.”

“Exactly, that’s what it is, chirp~”

She pointed her index finger at me, showing a wink.

…Annoying.

But, she quickly returned to normal, as her gaze dropped down to the dirty plate.

“You see, because you’re so kind, and tolerant on top of that, you are someone that can be relied upon, and be spoiled by.”

She gave me a quick glance. It was a lonely, and acceptful gaze, as she smiled.

“You’re not someone that can be shown one’s filthy parts.”

“Because…I’m not reliable. That nobody could put trust in me.”

“Non non, it’s the opposite—Because you’re too perfect, probably.”

Who are we talking about?

Everyone but me in the [5th Floor Alliance] is overflowing with genius and talent. And even I can see that they are far from perfect. Be it a lack of communication skill, or other traits that make them annoying and difficult to deal with at times, they still have a certain level of perfection to them.

But, I have nothing. That’s why I have to work my way up to them with effort and efficiency. And yet, this self-proclaimed 17-year old is telling me what now?

“Not bothering anybody, not bringing in any personal feelings, always at an appropriate distance, you walk the path that will bring you the most benefit as a producer, a perfect superhero.”

“Who? I’m really not—”

“How you feel, and how others feel, is a completely different problem, chirp. At the very least—Ah, technically speaking, that girl isn’t part of the [5th Floor Alliance]. Iroha-chan right. Looking at her actions, it becomes awfully apparent.”

“Iroha’s actions? What else is there besides being annoying?”

“She won’t show her swimsuit, right? Even though she came to the sea.”

“Huh…?”

Kanaria’s words left me in a state of confusion, as several question marks appeared on the top of my head. What was that about Iroha’s swimsuit? I’m pretty sure that was just to get my hopes up, and then crush them, teasing me about it?

“Your face shows you have no idea what Kanaria-chan is talking about~”

“I mean, of course I don’t. Why did we suddenly get to Iroha’s swimsuit now?”

“So naive, chirp~ That’s exactly what you don’t get.”

Clicking her tongue, Kanaria showed a fed-up expression.

“For someone who has no confidence in her own style, one’s swimsuit figure is the biggest flaw, don’t you think?”

“Has no…confidence…?”

Seriously, what is this self-proclaimed 17-year old talking about. Kohinata Iroha is regarded as a beauty above beauties by everyone at school. Whenever she wants to tease me, she uses her own charming body and appeal to do so. Why would she do that if she had least didn’t have confidence in her cuteness and charm.

“No no no, I can’t see that happening. It’s the opposite. She’s brimming with confidence.”

“Alright there, you virgin, chirp. Cute girls hiding their breasts has been happening ever since the Kojiki2, chirp.”

“Not happening. Stop putting out blatant lies.”

“Well, leaving aside the Kojiki, Aki-kun. Just think of the breasts for now. Did you ever—see Iroha-chan’s breasts?”

“Ha…?! No, why would I ever!” I panicked a bit.

Seriously, what is this person talking about now. You can’t easily look at a girl’s chest like that, especially of someone who is close to you. That only happens in shounen harem romcom media.

“And why do you think you never did?”

“You normally wouldn’t.”

“Why do you think that way?”

“Because it’s embarrassing for her…?”

“Exactly. Basically, Iroha-chan is embarrassed. This is what Kanaria-chan meant with [No confidence]. The only women out there who wouldn’t be embarrassed to show themselves naked would be the Goddess Freya, or Venus de Milo3, or even Kanaria-chan, chirp.”

“So you’re putting yourself on the same pedestal as a goddess. I have to admire that strong mentality you have.” I said with a wry smile.

“But, enough of this social standing aspect, chirp.”

Putting away the now clean plate, Kanaria spoke up.

“Basically, it’s all a mental problem.”

“Mental?”

“Kanaria-chan is something like a goddess. Any human below her basically looks like an insect, and who would get embarrassed at being seen naked by an insect?”

Ouch.

“That would mean that you wouldn’t even be embarrassed to show me, because you only see me as a lower life form?”

“Should Kanaria-chan show you right now?”

“Wahhhh, stop stop stop! Don’t just start stripping right away!” I rushed to stop Kanaria who already started lifting up her clothes.

To think she would ignore my joke and just earnestly started stripping…

“Well, an idol can’t just show her nude body for nothing, so Kanaria-chan wouldn’t have fully stripped anyway.”

“Seriously…I mean, you seem serious, but…”

Giving me no room to doubt, I just accepted this reality in front of me.

“This is what Kanaria-chan meant with [Embarrassment], chirp. With people being lower rank than you, doing something embarrassing would still leave you with no damage, but the exact opposite is the case if it’s someone equal to you, or someone who doesn’t show any openings. The hurdle just becomes so much higher, chirp.”

Though it was ridiculous logic, I found myself finding reason inside of it. If that was because of her skill in conversation, or actual truth, I couldn’t perfectly judge.

“In order to hide your dirty desires, so that you don’t overstep your boundaries. That self-control is related to the self-control of the other members—And your biggest weakness as a producer, chirp.”

“My…weakness…”

“Well, you might not be able to understand it immediately~”

Right after her words, she turned around. Giving me one last glance over her shoulder (the one you often see from that one anime studio), she winked at me.

“You finally get to play around with Iroha-chan, so how about you enjoy more of this adventure, chirp~”

Leaving only these words behind, Kanaria made her way to the living room. Maybe because she finished washing the dishes, maybe because she said everything she wanted.

“Averting my eyes from any indecent desires, huh…”

After Kanaria had disappeared out of sight, I stayed seated in my chair, and reflected on what she had told me. The main essence of entertainment is desire. Being a professional editor, even I can tell how deep she looks into things. In reality, talking about the creation of [The Night The Black Goat Screamed], I was aware of Makigai Namako-sensei’s desires and feelings, always working to implement them into the game.

Be it anxiety, fear, jealousy, anger, and love—

The desire of safety and approval that humans hold, as well as the desire for possession, or even sexual desires, by stimulating these, you can move the hearts of the users. However, those were the desires of someone else, not my own.

Love—A story passed down ever since the creation of the world. The greatest desire a human can hold.

“Ahhh…now that she says it.”

Unable to understand that might have actually been nothing but inefficient. This emotion I had towards Iroha, sleeping inside my chest ever since this ridiculous ceremony at Village Kageishi.

Just by seeing her face, I can feel my pulse accelerate.

Just by receiving her annoying behaviour, my face would get hot.

Just by having her voice reverberate next to my ears, just by smelling the scent of her shampoo, just by, just by, just by, justs by—

Like bubbles building on the surface of liquid, disappearing equally fast were [Her] special traits, and what kind of reactions I would have towards these. Looking down on these from a third-person view, I spotted something.

Kohinata Iroha. My friend’s little sister, who is only annoying towards me.

Comparing the desires inside of my body, how do I feel about her? How do I want to feel about her? If I can’t overcome this hurdle, will I really be able to overcome Kanaria?

What if I can’t have Ozu, or Murasaki Shikibu-sensei, or Makigai Namako-sensei, or the [5th Floor Alliance] in general, choose me in the end?

That would mean throwing away love and my own adolescence, the choice I had taken and sprinted towards at full speed, was a mistake. If I had ended up hooked on that, I wouldn’t be able to catch up with the others, I thought. I have to become even more amazing. I told myself. But, if I don’t face my own desires and emotions, I won’t be able to ever reach their genius.

What a horrible dilemma.

And, what if [Love] is needed for my own goal. Having mustered up her courage to face [Love], here I was, having treated Mashiro’s confession this lightly. If I were to change my view now, would my answer towards Mashiro change? Or would it stay the same, unrelated to my goal.

I don’t know. I don’t know what is correct here, and where I should head towards. The difficulty of this game is way too harsh. At least set it so an average human with average intelligence like me can beat it.

“Seriously…what am I supposed to do…”

*

「It’s the easiest possible answer, and yet it’s so Aki-like that you can’t choose it」

「………」

「As a hint, I recommend love and adolescence to you, Aki」

「…That’s because you’re a good guy」

「That you won’t be spoiled by a good guy like me, I take it?」

「………」

「That’s exactly what I’m saying, Aki…But then again, that is just like you」

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1 Around 50 square meters

2 Early Japanese chronicle of myths, written back during the 8th Century