Love, Eroge, Music & Other Craziness

by Geek Girl Naruru

Namikaze Naruto is a normal fifteen-year-old high school student. He has a distant relationship with his sister Naruko, who always treats him rudely. One Day in Spring, he encounters a foreign girl playing a piano on one of his travels to a junkyard and helps her in many ways as he discover that her name is Weiss Schnee.

18. My Sister's Novel -Part 2-

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New Year's Eve had passed, and a new year had dawned. It was the morning of New Year's Day. I passed my mother after going down the stairs, so I thought I'd wish her a happy New Year.

"Happy New Year's Mom."

"Happy New Year's Naruto, you're going to visit the shrine today with Karin-chan, right? Do you have enough time?"

"Plenty of time."

I waved off her worries with one hand, but when I tried to slip past her, she caught me by the wrist.

"Wait just a second, I still have something I want to ask you about."

"… What?"

"About that. That."

My mother opened the living room door a tad, and gestured inside. In there, in her usual position on the couch, Naruko was hard at work typing on her cell phone.

"Whenever she has free time, I see her playing on her phone. Do you know what she's doing?"

"Not really."

As I played dumb, my mother put a hand on her cheek and looked worried.

"I've told you right, that near the end of the year, she gets really busy? Even though school is on break, she has to go to track practice and has a lot of modeling work to do… it's nice that she's doing so much to make us proud, but it would be nice if she would at least take it easy when she's at home… it seems like she's not getting enough sleep too, and whenever I ask her about it she won't tell me… the other day, I saw her fiddling with her phone in the bath too! I was so surprised…"

Exactly. After that data collecting date, Naruko had begun walking around at home all the time with her cell phone. In the living room, the hallway, the stairs… at every break she could be seen tap tap tap tapping on the keys of her phone. She was basically like that up until New Year's Eve, so I'm not surprised that she was also writing her book in the tub.

"What's more, she seems to have had a cold for a while now. She felt warm even this morning…"

"Eh… seriously?"

"Seriously. Absolutely seriously. So I'm worried. I don't know what she's trying so hard to do right now, but she needs to think about her own health first and foremost. But no matter how much I tell her this, it's like talking to a brick wall. Haah, she really gets her stubbornness from a certain someone, I think…"

That certain someone is you.

… That idiot. She might not have told Mom, but I knew exactly where she caught that cold. In the cold of winter, she had poured water over herself like that… don't say I didn't warn her.

I peeked into the living room. If I look carefully, it really looks like she's having a hard time, that one. Her face looks red, and her breath ragged… and she occasionally falls into a coughing fit… she's definitely pushing herself too far.

It's just that… well… she had to go to track practice, worry about her modeling job, play eroge, and had various other things she had to do as well. "Well, I'll figure it out. After all, who do you think I am?" She had even said something like that… but it's already falling apart, isn't it?

"Naruto… do you really not know anything?"

"Yeah, I seriously don't know. And I mean, lately I haven't said a single word to her."

"Did you two get into another argument?"

"Nah it's nothing like that."

In short, our business with each other was already settled. Because she had wanted life counseling, I had went with her to Shinjuku and then to Shibuya, and that session had already finished. Yes. My role in this play was over, and the rest of it was her problem.

I watched my sister as she continued to type on her phone with a feverish looking face. Geez, don't go overboard, alright?

(◕ω◕✿)

"A cell phone novel?"

"Yeah… and she's really working hard at it."

Karin and I were walking together to our first shrine visit of the year and talking about my sister. My sister didn't seem to especially care about keeping her novel writing a secret from anybody, so I didn't hold myself back and used it as fodder for small talk with Karin.

Well, it's not like she was trying to write a huge hit, or something she could be proud about and hold dear, and on the other hand, it's not like it was particularly embarrassing either.

According to Naruko, those weren't the ways in which junior high school girls looked at cell phone novels. Sure, you could point out that cell phone novels have been made into movies and manga, and so they have to be absurdly prevalent. But it's not like that. Works like that one with a two word title… or that one, Deep or whatever… these rare works that exploded in popularity just made a temporary cell phone novel bubble. Well, to the very end, a magazine is a magazine.

When I stopped talking, Karin timidly began to speak, "Umm, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"… Well then…"

Karin picked her body up, clasped her hands in front of her mouth, and seemed a bit embarrassed. A blush appeared on her cheeks.

"I want you to tell me the type of girl you likes."

"Huh?"

What is she saying all of a sudden? Normally I would just evade the question and leave it unsettled… but this wasn't a situation in which I could just give some vague answer and get away with it.

"So… you just want to know the kind of girl I like?"

"Y-Yes… I want to know."

"Fine then, I like girls who look like you."

Karin pointed to herself and her eyes widened.

"M-Me!?"

"Yes, you. When it comes to the girls I know, I get along with you the best. We've been together for a long time, we really know each other, and I don't feel like I have to be reserved around you. It just feels comfortable when I hang out with you… so wouldn't it be reasonable to call that the type of girls I like?"

"I-I see… " Karin didn't seem displeased, but instead appeared to be somewhat happily embarrassed.

Putting on a wry smile at her actions, I rewrapped the scarf around my neck that had come undone. This scarf was something Karin had given to me Christmas night. She had passed it along to me when we had stopped by her house on the way back from our data collection trip.

Karin looked at me wrapped shyly in that scarf.

"We match, don't we…?"

Keh. Spitting that out, I quickened my pace and tried to leave her behind. Even though Karin was in a kimono, she was also wrapped in a checkered scarf that I had given to her on Christmas Eve. When I had gone with Naruko to 109, I had bought it as a present for Karin. And then something absurd happened. The scarf I bought for Karin and the scarf she had sewn for me had essentially the same color and patterning. Ugh, how embarrassing, it's as if we were a couple and I had been forced into a matching outfit. Even though that wasn't my intention at all…

Wearing it over her kimono even though it didn't match… walking together with matching scarves like this, we looked like nothing but two lovebirds. If I meet someone I know, what am I going to do? Geez.

"W-Wait for me."

Having been left behind, Karin half ran and caught up with me. I increased my speed even further and tried to run away, but right then I stopped in my tracks.

"W-What's wrong?"

"Ahh… look at that."

I pointed in front of me with my eyes half-closed. By the river were stopped a number of cars with tinted windows. I felt like I had seen similar cars somewhere before, when just as I thought, three or four girls dressed in kimonos came out from inside the vehicles.

"Ah, are they having another photo-shoot or something…? Hey, remember half a year ago when we were at the park…?"

"Yeah, it looks like that. From how they're dressed, I think they're doing it at that shrine over there."

"I see… H-Hey… isn't that Ayase-chan?"

"…!?"

Reacting immediately to that name, my back straightened and stiffened. Creases formed in my brow and I looked around frantically, when… there she was. She was right there. Wearing a blue kimono, her black hair tied up, and looking just as outrageously attractive as she always did…

I was terrible when it came to dealing with her. Call us natural enemies. After all, to her, I was a "Siscon hentai who loved my sister" and a "weird otaku who only collected little sister eroge and doujinshi." And what's more, every time we met, all she said were things like "I'll kill you" or "How do I report you to the police?" At any rate, I had no desire to meet with her face to face. Fortunately, she didn't appear to have noticed our presence yet, so let's take this opportunity to slip awa-

"Ayase-chaan!"

"D-Don't wave and call out to her!"

"Hm? Why? you gets along pretty well with that girl, doesn't you…?"

Well… that was before that sad affair happened! Ahhh crap, she noticed us! And she's hurrying over here…

"Hey, Karin Onee-san, it's been a while! Happy New Years!"

"Happy New Years. It really has been a while… almost half a year, right?"

This nerd-looking girl seemed to be overpowered and dazzled by the aura of beauty Ayase was giving off. Well, don't call her over then.

As I turned a resentful look towards Karin, Ayase greeted me suggestively.

"Naruto-kun, it's also been a while, hasn't it? Happy New Years! How has it been with Naruko lately? Ahahaha, you two have been getting along, haven't you?"

There was no doubt that behind her cheerful smile, she was preparing to kill me if I gave the wrong response.

"Ahh… we haven't been bad, I guess."

When I nervously sent her back a vague response, Karin stepped in to help.

"What are you saying, Naruto? Haven't you been really getting along with Naruko lately? For instance, during Christmas…"

D-D-Don't say too much, dammit!

"Christmas? Hmm, I'm quite interested in that. I want to hear the details!"

Her smile was damn scary! And her smile didn't reach her eyes at all!

"Ah. During Christmas they went out together, and went to a public bathhouse called 'Rabu Hotaru.'"

"… Hmm, a bathhouse on Christmas?"

Ayase stared at me, as if she wanted to say "what kind of a choice was that?" Noisy, isn't she!? But it's not like I could tell Karin that I went to a love hotel with my sister! So I lied to her and made up that story! I know! It was a pretty lame excuse!

"W-Well anyways. That kimono really looks great on you! As expected from a model! Hahaha!"

When I tried to prevent her from pursuing the topic…

"…"

An uncomfortable silence fell upon us. Her stare is so cold… she probably is still holding a grudge about having her Christmas invitation rejected by Naruko.

"Well, alright. Oh, right, Naruto-kun, I wanted to talk to you about Naruko… she's been in such poor shape lately, but she still…"

"Ahh, I know. But it's useless just talking to her about that."

"I know, but… heh, so not even Naruto-kun can do anything about it?"

"… I should be saying the same thing. So not even you can do anything about it?"

That exchanged allowed Ayase and I to form an unspoken agreement with each other. Karin, being the only one left out of the loop, cocked her head in puzzlement. From how Ayase was acting, it seemed that Naruko was acting the same way outside the house as well.

"It really is hopeless, isn't it? She said that such a little cold wouldn't have an impact on her work, and she definitely wasn't going to take a leave… of course, I respect her stance on work, and it's pretty amazing that she doesn't look sick in the least during the photo shoots. But it's clear she's working herself too hard… and she doesn't listen when I tell her to stop either… I'm seriously worried about her."

Ayase cast her face downwards while she spoke and looked at me through upturned eyes, biting her upper lip in frustration.

"… Please, look after her when she's at home too."

"I will. Thanks."

My sister was the kind of person who wouldn't neglect what she had to do no matter what kind of situation she was in. That's something I realized and has been ingrained into my mind since those tumultuous events that one time. How do I put it… no matter what, she wouldn't cut corners. You could call this side of her naıve… but she really was a troublesome girl. And completely stubborn to a fault. Once she set her mind on something, nobody could change it, so we had no choice but to just leave her be… but you idiot, don't make your friends worry, dammit.

(◕ω◕✿)

Naruko finished writing her cell phone novel a bit after winter break ended. It was around twenty days after our data collection session had concluded. I'm not sure if that counted as fast or not for writing a cell phone novel. But, I didn't have to read her novel to know that she had really devoted herself to finishing it. Even if I don't read it… all I have to do is look at what's in front of me.

"… Urgh…" Naruko was collapsed on the living room desk, grasping her cell phone tightly in one hand and fast asleep. On the desk and around that area were scattered a number of empty energy drink bottles.

Seeing my sister without her makeup on lying there with her face in that sorry state made me wonder how she could still do modeling work in this condition. I mean, there were huge bags under her eyes. That can't be good…

Well, from what Ayase told me, there was no modeling work to be done for a while, so she could probably forgive herself for looking like this. But even then, it was extremely rare for her to work herself to the limit like this, to the point where she would allow herself to be seen in this condition by me. Or rather, this was the first time something like that had happened.

"You really did your best, Naruko." I softly mumbled to myself while draping a blanket across her back.

It had been around a week after Naruko finished the manuscript of her cell phone novel, and it was the annoying morning of the opening ceremonies for the new semester. Having pushed herself so hard, just as I thought, Naruko's cold had taken a turn for the worse, and it seemed that she had been confined to bed. I say "it seemed" because Naruko's fever was at the point where she even took her meals in her room, so we didn't have any opportunities to meet each other.

I was in the middle of eating breakfast, and Mom spoke up to me while looking depressed.

"Naruto. That girl, she still has a fever but she insists on going to school."

"… At any rate, she probably has club activities or is grumbling about missing work."

"Yes yes, that's what she's doing… haah, she doesn't listen at all… Minato is trying to convince her to stay home right now."

I'm not surprised. That idiot, she's the only one to blame for how she is right now. Well, it's not like she can cure her cold with willpower alone, so she'll probably end up obediently staying home today after Dad talks with her. I'm pretty sure that whether tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, until her fever cools down she's going to just keep grumbling about wanting to go to school.

"We're worried, so we want to take her to go see a doctor today. The flu's been going around lately."

"Yeah."

(◕ω◕✿)

Having come back from school, I heard from Mom that Naruko indeed had the flu. Washing my hands more carefully than usual, I went up the stairs to the second floor. I knocked on my sister's door. She might have been sleeping, so I knocked quietly.

No response. As I thought, she was sleeping… I scratched my cheek and began to turn around, but right then, the door opened. Even though I was so used to seeing the door open forcefully in an attempt to bang me in the face, just today the door opened meekly. From the crack in the door, I saw the form of Naruko in pajamas staring back at me.

"… What?"

"Do you want some yogurt?"

I held up the plastic bag I had in one of my hands. On the way home, I had stopped by the convenience store and bought it.

"… Mmm, I'll have one."

Naruko's feverish looking head nodded, and she took the plastic bag from me. Her surprising sincerity was probably a result of her not being able to muster up enough energy to hurl insults at me.

"Have you taken your medicine?"

"… No."

"Hurry up and take it."

Right then, I noticed that Naruko was grasping her cell phone in her left hand.

"What are you playing with your cell phone for?"

It couldn't be that she was still thinking about her novel and writing, right…?

"Don't be an idiot. Go get some sleep."

"…"

At my light scolding, Naruko seemed depressed and cast her eyes downwards. Even though I understand she has a fever… this is… no matter how I look at it, she's just seems a bit too depressed here. And also, I could see faint signs of what looked like crying on her cheeks.

"What's wrong?"

"… Nothing."

That's obviously a lie. Making light of your brother that much hurts, you know? It's pretty easy to understand just by looking at you. First and foremost, thinking about this rationally, there's no way that someone with such a high sense of responsibility and professionalism like her wouldn't be trying with all her strength to recover when she's taking a break from school like this.

"Naruko, if there's something you're worried about, you can tell me."

Naruko gave a short sigh.

" … Well, okay, come in."

Having invited me into the room, Naruko sat on the bed and passed me her cell phone.

"This."

"What…?"

Having a phone suddenly handed to me, I had no idea what to do. Looking at the screen, I saw the homepage of the "Cell Phone i-Club" site on the LCD display. There was a huge advertisement shown with the following provocative statement:

Cell Phone novel new rising star's exciting hardcover debut! Picked up by Media Ascii Works! Full text open to the public now on the Cell Phone i-Club homepage!

It seems that this time, as a part of the sales promotion for this hardcover book that the Cell Phone i-Club was publishing, you could read the entire book from cover to cover on the net. And by how they referred to the author as a "new rising star," they seemed to have quite a lot of confidence in this work. And so, this means…

"Could it be that this rising star person is you!? That's amazing, really!?"

"…"

Naruko didn't respond. She stole back the cell phone from me, and coughing violently, pushed a few buttons and gave the phone back to me. I was now looking at the webpage for the cell phone novel this "rising star" had written. The title was My Wing.

"Well, there's no mistaking it anymore!"

I didn't have to read any of it to know that this was precisely the cell phone novel Naruko had written. The novel that Naruko had poured herself into was now sparkling in the spotlight. Under the title of My Wing, there was a button labeled "Look at this title's reviews," and when I pushed that, I was taken to a page where large numbers of reviews of the work were lined up in a row.

"Great story!"

"Made me want to cry."

"Pure love at its best."

"Coming from a real life girl, this was great."

Etc. etc. Even though the novel had been released to the public just recently, there were already over a hundred reviews. And what's more, they were all positive. From what I saw, the book had gotten especially strong support from the young girl demographic.

"… Well, this was pretty amazing, wasn't it?"

Although, I still felt like it was a bit difficult to fully accept that Riko and Ruko's relationship was being received as "pure love" like the author had intended…

"So, why do you look so depressed about this then…?"

Wasn't that strange? She had worked hard and her cell phone novel had been well received and was being hugely advertised and published, right? There was no reason to not be happy here… usually.

"… On the book"

"Hm? What did you say?"

"I'm not the author listed on the book!" Naruko yelled so loudly that she immediately fell into a coughing fit.

"H-Hey… are you alright?" She looked to be in pain so I rub her back, "What do you mean, you're not the author?"

"Cough, cough… L-Like I said, I was the one who wrote this book, but someone with a penname I had never seen before is listed as the author."

When I looked at it, certainly, right under the title the words "Author: Ruko" appeared. The penname was the same as the name of the protagonist in My Wing. This was a pretty common tactic in cell phone novels, where they made it seem like the work was autobiographical.

"So, because the book would sell better if the author's name is the same as the protagonist's name, they changed the author's name from your name to this?"

"No! That's not it…!"

Still painfully coughing, my sister made it clear that if that were all, she wouldn't be making such a fuss about it.

"When I sent the password for the manuscript storage site to the editor, he stopped contacting me… even when I called the phone number on the business card I just got the voicemail… and when I emailed him I didn't get a response… and then at some point this webpage appeared…"

Manuscript storage site? Ah, I see. Cell phone novels were things where the text was maintained on your personal homepage for the novel site you registered for, like you would do on a blog.

"There was probably just a misunderstanding… things like that happen occasionally, right? Should I call their editing department to ask?"

"I already asked! I asked them why they hadn't contacted me even though I was the one that wrote the novel… but they wouldn't listen to me at all! They listened to my complaints, but they get this type of claim often, so they didn't take me seriously… and they wouldn't transfer me to the head editor. What's more, the Cell Phone i-Club site where I was keeping all my data got its password changed, so I can't even login anymore!"

"So that means…"

It was a terrible chain of events. But if what I thought happened actually did happen, then it would be extremely cruel to make my sister confirm it out loud.

"So, your work was stolen? The editor you met with in Shinjuku before… he took your novel and put another author's name on it and published it like that…?"

"… That's what I think… rather, that's the only thing that could have happened." Naruko mumbled painfully while sitting on the bed.

Her face was red with fever, and her eyes were moist with bitter tears. Of all things that could have happened, to think she would meet with these kinds of troubles while being stricken with the flu… when it rained, it poured.

"So… what are you going to do about this? You're not just going to take this lying down, right?"

"I'm not going to do anything."

My sister's response was unexpected.

"… I don't feel like doing… anything about these problems. And I mean, I'm not really bothered by them."

"Why?"

That's a lie, isn't it? You worked so hard, and all that hard work went to waste, didn't it? Someone like you who can't stand to lose at all must be frustrated by all this.

"Why, you ask?" Naruko sneered at me.

"That's obvious, isn't it? The thing I have to do right now is to put my all into getting rid of this disease and get back to work and club as soon as possible. Even if I were tricked, in the end the only person that's going to get hurt by that is me, right? So, I don't have time to care about this good-for-nothing situation. This isn't the time for that. There are much more important things I have to worry about."

She spoke with a haughty tone, as if she were looking down on everything in the world. To me, her words rang extremely hollow.

"Cough, cough…" Coughing a bit, Naruko continued. "…I mean, it ticks me off that he was able to use me like that, so I really do want to kill that asshole. But at the same time, isn't this just proof of my brilliant genius? The only reason he stole my work is because he saw so much value in it, right? Hmph, if he steals it, fine, I'll just write another one. Something more amazing this time."

Naruko crossed her arms as always, and lightly laughed.

"And what's more… what's more… cell phone novels were just me playing around in the first place… I thought I could handle it along with everything else, but in the end, I collapsed and ended up causing trouble for everyone… so you could say my eyes have been opened. I definitely can't let something like this happen again. So actually, you could say I'm thankful that this happened."

If only it weren't for the tear marks on her cheeks, she would have sounded pretty cool just there.

You're seriously terrible at lying, aren't you? My sister was certainly pretty amazing. She had the talent, the motivation, and displayed an almost disgusting level of passion for anything she started to do. It was to the point where I could even think that there was nothing she couldn't accomplish. But that doesn't mean she doesn't have a weakness.

She was extremely weak when things went very contrary to her plans. She was thoroughly prepared for anything that could happen that came within the bounds of her imagination. But when she was attacked from a blind spot, when she was facing a problem she had not prepared to deal with, she became completely lost. I knew all too well about that weak point of hers from the problems I had faced with our mother and Ayase. And no matter what anyone says, she's still just a Thirteen-year-old junior high school student. No matter how much talent she had or how amazing she was, that's one point that I had to remember. I'm her brother after all.

… Alright, what should I do…? Biting my bottom lip. Well, in any case, all that I could do was ask more reliable people for advice.

(◕ω◕✿)

"Thank you for being so honest, Naruto-chi! I don't know how much I can do, but please allow me to help you with all my strength!"

Right in front of me, Rias spoke in an exaggerated fashion. As usual, she wear a flannel shirt tucked into her pants. She was the embodiment of otaku fashion.

"… I think I've gotten the gist of what had happened… to think that her rape novel could become something like that… honestly, I can hardly believe it. But seeing how hard of a time you're having telling us this, it must be true."

Also, next to Rias sat Kuroneko, who mumbled while sipping an iced coffee.

We were at a McDonalds close to Matsudo Station. I had sent them a message telling them I wanted to ask them for advice about Naruko, and just that weekend, it turned out that they were both going together to the Siscali qualifiers for the national tournament, so we ended up meeting that day. The qualifiers had taken place at the Tokyo Garibah game center near here and had already finished.

On Kuroneko's lap there was a bag on which was attached a huge badge that was awarded to the players who had passed the qualifiers (It was designed like one of the essential items in the game. And the words "True Little Sister" were carved into it with holographic lettering).

This Gothic Lolita girl dressed from head to toe in black was a monster when it came to games. Now that I think about it, during the fall, the arcade version of that game had been released. I hadn't tried it yet. No matter how I looked at it, playing something like that in front of other people would have been embarrassing.

I had recently gone with Sasuke and Isshiki to the local game center. What was up with the people who were openly playing those games, like that one where you raised up an idol, something-Master or something, or that other Academy Quiz game or whatever? Were they able to get over their embarrassment because they were used to it or something? I didn't really understand it at all.

By the way, the badge that was on the bag had her player-name carved in it, but… our District Representative "Matsudo Black Cat-sama"… was that a ring name or something?

"… Hmph, I see, this is why she didn't come to Winter Comiket…"

"Naruto-chi. The truth is, Kuroneko-chi was really worried about Naruru-chi. She was wondering if Naruru-chi would be alright if the cold was dragging on this long… and she seemed pretty lonely…"

"Hah, don't dramatize things like that please. It wasn't like I was really very worried. It's just this time my circle was accepted into Comiket, so we needed a girl to cosplay in front of our booth to help sell our books. In order to return the favors I've done for her before, right? But even then, she told me she had a cold and couldn't come. I was just pitying her for her misfortune…"

"I see…"

She wanted to go to the winter event with Naruko, didn't she…? And so, she had worked out a plan for the event… but then Naruko said she couldn't come, so Kuroneko was probably pretty lonely.

"Sorry about that… and thank you."

"… I have no idea why you are apologizing or thanking me."

Kuroneko grumpily turned the other direction. For some reason, whenever I praised her or thanked her, she ended up acting like this. I think she was just trying to hide her embarrassment, but if Naruko had her say, she would say otherwise. "Ah, no no. That black one doesn't do that because she's tsundere or something, but because of her resentment. When a rebellious gross otaku like that gets complimented by winners like me, she just finds it annoying, yeah? Ahh, geez, being envied by a lower being like this is pretty gross, isn't it?" She would say. I did not understand her theory at all, but that's what she said. But in either case, it was a terrible thing to say.

"Being able to get through the end of the year without meeting with certain pretentious girls who think they're winners is actually quite refreshing."

Honestly, there was no way I could think of it other than her just being shy. After all, I was not one of those "winners" she was talking about. Having heard Kuroneko's words, Rias also seemed to come to the same conclusion as I had.

"Hahaha, what are you saying, Kuroneko-chi? Saying things you don't mean like that. The thought of this Kuroneko-chi, who doesn't have a boyfriend, not being able to meet with Naruru-chi and spending the end of the year so lonely like that really made my heart sting."

"… Look who's talking. Please tell us, what exactly were you doing this Christmas?"

"Me? Umm, last year's Christmas, I painted my Gabthley and made an avatar for my Xbox Live profile. Hmm… the avatar really looked a lot like me, and I was really happy with it, so I uploaded a picture of it on SNS and boasted about it on Twitter."

What a sad way to spend Christmas…

"Hmm? Also, I seem to remember that the person I was talking to online then was Kuroneko-chi…"

"… I-I guess that's true…"

Kuroneko's proposed topic of discussion had completely backfired in her face. Having asked her opponent

"What did you do during Christmas?"

In order to make fun of her, she just got the hopeless answer

"Well, I was talking with you."

The Mastudo Black Cat, or should I say Kuroneko, cutely cleared her throat to try to smooth over the conversation.

"Let's get back on topic… that terribly titled My Wing cell phone novel might have been stolen… but I would like to hear a bit more of the specifics."

"You're… going to help… as well?"

"You're shocked, aren't you? Is your head alright? I'm just curious, that's all. Why would I do something so human as to help someone else cover up for their own mistakes? Please never make that misunderstanding again." In a cute little movement, Kuroneko sighed.

"… I see." To think that Rias and Kuroneko would gather like this and listen to my story to help Naruko out of her pinch even when the person herself wasn't able to come… not good, I really might cry.

"You're really a good person, Rias-san… and you too."

"You're the last person I want to hear that from. Don't just interpret my words in a way that's convenient for you, you masochistic siscon."

Kuroneko spat out that last line looking incredibly unhappy. When I had first met this girl, I really found her so unsociable… but at the root of it, that probably wasn't the case.

"Fufu, my my."

Having heard what I had said, Rias's mouth curled up into her ω shape and she butted.

"Now that I think about it, this is the first time we've met with Naruto-chi without Naruru-chi being here… so I want to take the opportunity to ask you something. Thinking about the first offline meeting you went to with Naruru-chi, or last year's summer Comiket… why do you go so out of your way to gallantly help your sister? At the very least… on the surface, it seems like a tremendous amount of trouble for you…"

That question… Kuroneko had asked me something similar before, and now Rias was continuing the tradition. But as always, it was a tough question to answer. At any rate, it was something I continued to wonder myself, and a question I couldn't give a precise answer to even now.

As I fell into thought, Rias quickly leaned her body forward towards mine.

"… As I thought, could it be that you two are involved in an unusual relationship?"

"What the hell does that mean!? Definitely not! Don't say weird things like that!"

And she said "As I thought," didn't she!? Dammit, she had always thought that about us, hasn't she…!? This is why erogamers are so…! Everything gets twisted into incest!

When I denied her accusations with all my strength, Rias pushed out her lower lip, and next, with a trembling expression…

"That's not it? T-Then, don't tell me… Naruto-chi is one of those so-called 'masochists'…"

"That's even more wrong!"

Why did all otaku think like this!? These two are horrible! I almost pulled out my hair, but the one who came to my defense was, surprisingly, Kuroneko.

"… It's not that unusual of a situation. Not being able to stand being so worried about your sister and going to great lengths to protect her… that goes beyond a matter of love or hate, and is a completely different class of emotion."

It was possible that she could say those words precisely because she had her own little sister at home.

"That's what having a little sister means, right? That's the one thing you can't do anything about. Spending your own time and effort and getting comparatively nothing in return… it's like taking care of a moody cat."

Summing it up like that, Kuroneko cast her eyes downwards. I'm sure that she was thinking about her own sister while she was talking. She spoke with the same fluidity and gentleness as she did when she was talking about doujinshi at summer Comiket.

Rias looked like she had just immersed herself into a hot bath.

"Hm… Kuroneko-chi is a good older sister, isn't she?"

"… It's nothing like that. I bully her every day."

As I watched Kuroneko sneer somewhat sadistically, I felt like I had been rescued. The hazy feeling in my chest didn't stop, but I felt like I didn't care about it as much. A brother's relationship with his sister. My relationship with Naruko. I could just take it at my own pace. I felt convinced.

"Alright… well, let's go!"

Bam! I hit my fist to my palm. Rias smiled and gave me a thumbs-up, while Kuroneko expressionlessly shrugged her shoulders.

(◕ω◕✿)

Rias and Kuroneko. I had chosen these two to go to for advice because they knew about Naruko's hidden side very well and cared about her very much. Naruko also had to worry about her public image, so I had to use caution in choosing who to go to for help, so they were ideal. I was honestly grateful to have them.

In reality, there were one other people who met the prerequisites I had just mentioned, Ayase. If I could add her on as allies in this matter, her help would be without equal, and she would go through hell and high water to help. But… I had an opportunity to talk to her just the other day… (She had call me when she heard that Naruko had collapsed from the flu. And for some reason, she gave me a huge lecture about letting things get this way even though she had told me to take care of Naruko…) And after that, she said this:

"Everyone here places great value on Naruko's work ethic, so it's honestly no big deal if she takes a bit of a break from work because she's sick… but I know Naruko, and I'm sure she's depressed about having to miss work because of something that was her fault."

And so, Ayase had talked with the office and magazines she belonged to, and had taken upon herself the modeling work that Naruko was supposed to do at the beginning of the year. She reasoned that if she did it, Naruko's sense of indebtedness would be minimized.

"That's why, I won't come visit Naruko."

"I got it. If she gave you the disease, you wouldn't be able to work in her place… how should I put it, umm…"

"Ah, please don't thank me. I'm just doing what I want to do."

Ayase was acting in her own way to help Naruko out of her dilemma, doing something only she could do. We weren't the only ones trying to interfere in this matter. So I'll leave that up to her, and as for this matter, we would do what we could from over here.

And so… I refilled Rias and Kuroneko's drinks and treated them to some fries, and once again began to talk about this cell phone novel incident.

"Uh huh, Uh huh…"

"Hmph…"

Rias and Kuroneko both sat there, listening to me quietly.

"And that's what happened, I really think that Kumagai editor is a pretty suspicious person."

"Hm. I understand what you're saying, but…"

While gathering her thoughts, Rias began to give her opinion on the matter in a heavy voice.

"Would a mere company employee like that do something so risky? No matter how much faith he had that Naruru-chi's novel would be able to sell, once the theft became public, his own position would become pretty precarious."

"… And also, assuming for a second that the editor was the criminal, I don't understand what his motives would be for stealing the manuscript. He didn't need to go out of his way to steal her work, but could have just sold it under the author's real identity… in fact, announcing her as an 'active model bishoujo high school student author debut' and whatever would be flashy and would make the book easier to sell, and she could have face-to-face interviews, and it would be pretty easy to advertise the book in that case, right?"

That's certainly true.

"But well… even so, it's pretty hard to believe that this editor person had nothing to do with what happened."

"Naruto-chi, if you happen to have his business card, could you show it to me for a second?"

"Ah, here you go."

Accepting Rias's proposal, I took out the business card the editor had given to Naruko. On the business card was written "MediAscii Works Second Editorial Department Mobile Division, Ryuunosuke Kumagai."

When I placed the business card in the middle of the table, the two girls leaned forwards and began to seriously scrutinize it.

"… Hmph, this 'Mobile Division' is the organization that manages the Cell Phone i-Club, right?"

"To be honest, I've seen business cards from this company… and this looks genuine. It really doesn't look like a forgery. Even if it were just a really good forgery, whoever made it would have had to know everything about what the real thing looked like, or else they wouldn't be able to make something like this."

Rias said something that resembled something Naruko had said. And Kuroneko was the next to make a comment.

"Did you check if this Kumagai actually existed in the editorial department?"

"Ah, I checked that personally after calling the reception desk so there's no mistaking that. They thought I was making a prank call though…"

"This is just hearsay, but every year there are many, many claims made to the editorial department by people who claim that their own work was stolen. Of course, in most cases, the claims are based on empty suppositions and assumptions… but the editorial department has to continue to listen to case after case of these things… Naruko's claim might have been treated like it was one of those claims…"

It was like the boy who cried wolf. Of course, it was easier said than done to tell them to separate the one genuine claim from the sea of false ones.

Kuroneko picked up the business card in her hand, and squinted.

"… Under the editorial department's contact information, he wrote a cell phone number and a mailing address with a ballpoint pen, didn't he?"

"… Is there something bothering you about that? He's often not in the office, so he was being thoughtful and gave her a direct way to contact him, right?"

"… How naıve are you? Please be a bit more doubtful of people's intentions. Isn't it possible that he wrote this separate contact information down because it would be bad if she called the editorial department directly? It's just… oh right… taking into account what Rias-san had said just now… in my view, this business card itself is genuine."

"So you mean…"

"The person Naruru-chi met in Shinjuku was a fake who used Kumagai's name and occupation to trick her… is that what you're saying? Kuroneko-chi."

"Yeah." Kuroneko nodded.

"Son of bitch! That asshole wasn't the actual editor himself!"

"That's what I think, Neither of the things you said is actual solid proof that he actually worked in the publishing company. I mean, the meeting place was the lobby of the publishing company, right? And the place they had the real meeting was a local cafe, right? It's not like the building is locked, so anybody can set up a meeting in the lobby of the publishing company's building. And then to convince the target that he's the real editor, he hands the target a business card he had received from the genuine editor and pretends the card is his… it's a relatively popular method for committing fraud."

"That person who was pretending to be Kumagai was probably connected to the publishing company in some way. If not, there's no reason he would have been able to get the manuscript he received published, and there would be no reason he would have had Kumagai's business card."

Rias took out her cell phone, and handed it over so everyone could see the screen. On that screen was the homepage for the My Wing novel.

"This is just a hunch, but this 'Ruko' person is probably the person who stole Naruru-chi's manuscript. I don't know what position he's in, but for now, it's wise to assume that he has a lot of influence at the publishing company. First, at the start, Naruru-chi's novel was well-received at the cell phone novel submission site, and having honed in on that, Ruko used the real Kumagai's business card and approached Naruru-chi, pretending to be an editor. Having received the manuscript from Naruru-chi, Ruko brought it in to the editorial department as something he had written himself, and successfully carried the book to publication… how does that chain of events sound?"

"… For me, what I can't understand is why that… criminal, was it? Why that criminal set his sights onto that rape novel is a mystery to me. How did he read that thing and reach the conclusion that it could sell…?" Kuroneko shook her head back and forth a number of times.

"It's because her cell phone novel reached first place on the monthly rankings, and in one month since submission had been viewed three hundred fifty thousand times. Even untrained eyes could see that Naruko would be able to write popular cell phone novels after this, right?"

"… That's what I'm saying I don't understand. The kind of people who would read that garbage and would like it seem to me to have to be inhabitants of hell."

That's going a bit too far, isn't it? It wasn't just Kuroneko's sense of rivalry with and jealousy of Naruko, but it also seemed that Kuroneko had a bad opinion of cell phone novels in general. She picked up the cell phone that had been placed in the middle of the table, and after putting the My Wing prologue on display (it was the scene where Kanji gets made into minced meat after getting hit by a dump truck. As always, the text was filled with line breaks), she calmly scrutinized the screen.

"… Hmph, just look at this giant pile of shit that starts right from page one. There's no way a dump truck would hit a person and then the sound effect would be 'bakawwn!' Ugh… I just have to glance at this and I can already see the author's smug smirk in my head, and I start to want to crush this cell phone."

"K-Kuroneko-chi!? That's my cell phone!"

Kuroneko grasped the cell phone tightly, causing Rias to cry out. Kuroneko clicked her tongue, and returned the cell phone to the table.

"… So, there are people who would actually unabashedly make this crappy piece of writing into a book and sell it? The editors and the readers… they all don't have any aesthetic sense at all, do they?"

… Why was she so hostile towards editors? Did she have a past history with them?

With a "come on, come on," Rias tried to calm things down. "At any rate, this Ruko is someone who really has an eye for things that could sell, and has an ability to deal with writers that would put real editors to shame. After all, he met with Naruru-chi in real life, gave her advice, and got her to agree with him easily. And then he got her work published… this is just the opinion of a novice… but from the outline of My Wing I can feel that it's going to be a huge hit."

"I guess. After the meeting was over, Naruko also seemed to have a lot of faith in him. She was really fired up about it, but it wasn't until they met in person that she believed everything he told her."

"… Hah, honestly, I want to say that it serves her right. I thought something like this would happen… do you want to know how much she bragged to me about this last month?"

… That's no surprise there. There's no way Naruko wouldn't go and brag to Kuroneko about this…

Rias, seemingly deeply interested, asked a question, "Yahaha, now that I think about it, you two have been battling back and forth on SNS too. What do you use for direct confrontations? Instant messenger or something?"

"'Kyahaha, that's why you'll never be more than a wannabe! You should learn as much from me as possible! Ahh, but you can't, can you? You don't have enough skill!' That went on all night long over Skype… I definitely will not forget how much I resented her that night."

"… Ah, that's… sorry about that."

Being stared at by those red eyes filled with malice, I could do nothing but be apologetic. And even though she went through that, she still came here and is helping me help Naruko… she really is a softhearted person.

And like that, even though we were just making educated guesses, we slowly began to form a solid picture of what had happened. But even then, it was very unclear what we should do from here.

"I feel like I can see exactly what had happened, but… what can we do now? It's probably best to get them to realize that this cell phone novel was actually written by Naruko, but…"

"… That's definitely rather difficult, right?"

"Yeah, we don't have any proof."

"What about the original manuscript data…"

"The site on which that was originally saved was hijacked by the other side. The minute she told him her password, the password was changed, and she couldn't get into her own site anymore or something."

So, there was no longer any evidence that Naruko had been the original author of the novel. Not seeming to want to admit defeat, Kuroneko spoke.

"Is the manuscript data still on her computer? As a backup or something…"

"Kuroneko-chi, even if Naruru-chi had left a copy on her computer as a backup, I don't think the situation would change much. The full text has already been made public on the internet. So even if we tell them that this is the original manuscript data, if they tell us that we had copied the text from the publicly available text online, we wouldn't really have a way to argue against that."

"… Hmph. Maybe he posted the text up as 'advertisement' but really intended it as insurance… he might have thought pretty far ahead as well."

He was one step ahead of us. If our reasoning was correct, then we were dealing with quite a sly opponent. Silence fell for a while. Myself included, we picked at the fries that had gotten cold and sipped our drinks, each gathering our own thoughts about the matter.

The first one who put these thoughts into words was Rias, "In the end, I think the only way to go about this is to explain the situation to the editorial department and get them to accept that Naruru-chi was the author. Of course, as Naruto-chi was kind enough to mention, if we try to explain this to them over the phone, they'll think we're making the same type of empty claim they get all day and won't take us seriously. So to avoid that, we'll need to directly contact the people involved with the publication of My Wing."

"… But, Rias-san, How are normal high school students like us going to get in touch with people in the editorial department?"

"… For now, I guess there are a few people I could talk to…"

"R-Really?"

I was surprised. Now that I think about it though, Rias did say something about having seen this company's business cards before… my natural human curiosity was piqued, and I began to ask about who exactly she was going to call, but… when I saw the look on Rias's face, I stopped myself.

Rias seemed a bit troubled and lightly scratched her cheek. It seemed like there was something that was hard for her to say.

"… Yeah. But, don't count on us getting too much help from my connections… I can't just go up to them and tell them that My Wing was plagiarized and that they should do something about it. Unfortunately, the best I could probably do is to get us an appointment with someone from the publishing company under some pretext. Kumagai belongs to the Second Editorial Department Mobile Division… but it would be difficult for me to get an appointment there directly… I mean, I don't actually know anybody who works in the editorial department…"

"No, that's plenty. Thanks, Rias-san. You're honestly, honestly a reliable person."

I extended my thanks from the bottom of my heart. I know it's pretty late to be saying something like that, but I felt bad about imposing on her so much. And they seemed like connections she didn't really want to use either…

As I deeply lowered my head, Rias stuck both her hands in front of her to get me to stop. "Haha… please stop that, you're going to make me blush." Rias embarrassingly rubbed the back of her head.

"Well. Assuming that I can get them to agree to meet with us, it's then just a matter of what we do from there."

"… I have some ideas in regards to that. Well, just leave it to me please… kukuku, if everything goes as planned, we'll have good enough reason to not only go to the editorial department once, but twice or three times…"

Hearing her words sent a chill down my spine. Because Kuroneko's ominous chuckle resembled the one my sister had that time she had handed me a box full of eroge.

(◕ω◕✿)

It was evening two days later. Together with Kuroneko this time, I once again headed for the publishing company in Shinjuku.

Rias didn't come. The reason seemed to be related with how she set up an appointment with the publishers for us through her connections, but it seemed to be a difficult topic so I didn't press the issue. And I didn't need to hear it.

"… So we should just head straight up to the second editorial department on the fourth floor…"

No response, as expected from Kuroneko.

… Well, how do I put it… she was fundamentally the type of person who didn't talk much. By the way, the last time I came here, Naruko had dressed up in a formal suit because she was meeting with the editors, but this time Kuroneko was dressed like usual, head to toe in her Rachel Alucard black Gothic Lolita fashion.

… Does she not have anything else to wear? That wasn't a question I should ask a girl even if I were wrong, so I didn't say anything, and she could have very well been wearing a different outfit with a similar design…

As those stupid thoughts were running to my head, I proceeded through the lobby and entered the elevator, going up to the fourth floor. Coming out of the elevator, I saw paths going to the left and right, with a telephone placed right in front of me. It seemed that this phone was connected to an inner line that visitors were supposed to use to call the editorial department. I used the phone while looking at the list that was on the same table as the phone.

"Hello, this is the Dengeki Books Editorial Department."

"This is Namikaze… I have an appointment at five."

"Understood. Please wait a little while."

"Ah, sorry, I also wanted to ask if this is the second editorial department?"

"Yes, it is indeed. This is the Media Ascii Works Second Editorial Department, Dengeki Books Editorial Division."

So, that means that in the Mobile Division here, there was an editor named Ryuunosuke Kumagai. Which means we managed to make it to the same department that person was in.

When I put the phone back, before long, a door opened on the left and a bespectacled man appeared. It seemed that he had come to meet us. Following behind him, we walked through a magnificent passageway you would expect to find in a through the innermost door that the man had come out of, we entered a ridiculously wide office space.

"Sorry for intruding…"

To be quite honest, the place was pretty jumbled. They were meticulous in their cleaning, so all the furnishings were spotless, but it was pretty cluttered. Over there were a large number of cardboard boxes, along with a bunch of bishoujo character posters and dolls for decoration. It honestly was an office that reeked of otaku. It's really differant compare to the publisher office Mom used to bring me when she hand over her work.

"Please come in and wait in one of these booths."

"Thank you thank you…"

On the left hand side after entering the office there was a corner that had been partitioned off, and in that section were desks that could seat four people. As advised by the person who had led us in, we picked the closest booth out of the three that were there and sat down.

I took off my jacket, put down my bag, and drank a mouthful of the tea they had prepared for us.

"Phew…" Finally, a single breath.

"Ahh… this is what job interviews must feel like."

I struck up some small talk with the girl next to me, but…

"…"

Kuroneko looked as pale as a vampire and both her eyes were opened wide. Cold sweat ran profusely down her forehead.

"… Hey, Kuroneko. Calm down. Are you alright?"

"… There's no problem."

There so is a problem. She looks like death. Even though she was the one who suggested this tactic…

"Well, I guess it's natural that you're nervous. Sorry about all this…"

"… I said there wasn't a problem, didn't I? Please do not apologize to me."

Kuroneko closed her eyes halfway, and took one sip of her tea.

"Also, this meeting is being held only under the pretext of us wanting to meet with an editor, so there's not a single reason to be nervous."

Kuroneko mumbled while maintaining an expressionless mask, but I felt she was just putting on an act. Yes, to make it perfectly clear, today we had come to submit an application. By application, what I mean is, for example, someone takes them a manga or novel he or she wrote and makes an appeal to try to get them to sell it. The editor reads the work and judges whether it can be used or not, and should the situation permit, gives the applicant advice on how to get the work published, or introduces him or her to another editorial department. Of course, if the work can't be used, the applicant might get verbally abused, driven away, laughed at… that kind of thing. Even though she had never submitted an application like that, Kuroneko had told me all that.

The office was quieter than I had expected. But, occasionally I could hear what sounded like editors having business meetings with authors over the phone. And the Mobile Division or whatever was somewhere around here… even though Rias had connections, we wouldn't have been able to get in here without at least making up a reason. So, we told them that we were submitting an application to get a work published and successfully infiltrated the office. In a word, we were on a scouting mission.

Let me explain it simply one more time. We had passed into the "Second Editorial Department, Dengeki Books Editorial Division." The place "Kumagai" worked was the "Second Editorial Department, Mobile Division." These two were different divisions that belonged to the same editorial department, and the one we were interested in was the latter. The genre of the work that Kuroneko created seemed to mesh relatively well with Dengeki Books, so under that pretext, Rias had been able to get us to the Dengeki Books Editorial Division. If possible, I wanted to ask the editor we were going to meet to allow us to have a meeting with Ryuunosuke Kumagai.

"By the way, you don't seem to have anything here, so what are you making your application with?"

"… I already mailed it in. My application this time was for a novel, so it wouldn't make sense to bring it in and expect him to read it in the same day, right?"

Ahh, I see. That's certainly true.

"So, which work did you send them…?"

"… Earlier, I had brought a black, bound doujinshi to your house, right? That."

"T-That one…?"

"What's wrong?"

"Well…"

That one… she was going to make a professional editor read that novel that Naruko had spent so much time bashing…? W-Will this really be alright…? And that… wasn't the only thing I was worried about…

"… Let me just say it. You're dealing with someone who's meeting with you as part of work. So don't treat this as if you're casually talking with a friend or something, alright?" Because your mouth is every bit as nasty as Naruko's.

"… Tch… you don't have to tell me that. I already know."

Kuroneko gently covered her face with one hand, and then suddenly flicked her arm to the side. When she did that… her red eyes had turned black.

"Devil Eye deactivated… Camouflage complete… is this character and tone of voice more acceptable?"

What was up with her attitude, as if she was trying to say "I have assumed a character that is more appropriate for human negotiations"? All she did was take out her color contacts very quickly, right? Pretty handy trick there.

"Do you really understand…?"

But there was no time to confirm that. A new person had entered the booth. It was a guy who had a white towel wrapped around his head in the style of a pirate bandana. He wore a warm-looking fleece hooded sweatshirt, and rather than seeming like a company employee, he looked like someone who would be working stage crew during a show.

"Ahh, I'm really sorry! The editor who's handling your case still hasn't come in today! I really do apologize, but would you mind waiting another fifteen minutes or so?"

"… I don't mind."

"Ah, really? I'm honestly terribly sorry! Feel free to leaf through a few of the magazines over there while you're waiting!"

From the time he came in, all he did was apologize. He seemed like an incredibly humble person. And then, even though he told us to read some of the magazines, he went and comfortably sat himself across from us.

"But nice to meet you, my name is Henkutsu. I'm just a lowly editor here."

"Ahh… Henkutsu-san…?"

"Haha, it's a strange name, isn't it? Our editorial department gives each and every one of its editors pet names… nicknames, I should say. It's become customary that we call each other by those names."

It was like a custom straight out of a secret evil organization in a superhero series. Alright, remind me to never apply here for a job.

"By the way, you two sure have some strange connections. Our department generally doesn't deal with applications made by amateurs. We only handle applications just occasion-ally from semi-pros or pros. And the work you sent to us was a doujinshi derivative of a preexisting series, so this situation is honestly quite unprecedented."

Wait, so this guy also read the doujinshi?

"Well, that company does help us out a great deal with our related goods. Like, for instance, those things over there are good examples."

Henkutsu-san vaguely gestured with one hand to the "things over there." Even if you say that… it's not like I know which things you're talking about. For Henkutsu- san, he was probably speaking under the assumption that we were well informed about "that company" or whatever, and so it was unavoidable that he would be difficult to understand.

Anyhow, I never asked him about "that company." Rias didn't seem to want to talk much about the connections she had. Kuroneko didn't ask anything either. Or rather, she hadn't said a single word since Henkutsu-san had shown up.

"So, after that we decided that we would just read your work and meet with you and see how things went."

Well, he was a pretty blunt person, wasn't he?

"This is just my personal opinion, but I thought it was pretty interesting. What you sent us was a so-called "time travel" Blazblue doujinshi, right? I'm personally a fan of Blazblue game, especially Hakuman, and I'm relatively knowledgeable about plot elements in derivative novels like "time travel" and "alternate universe," so I can't deny that I may be somewhat biased in my opinion here. There were certainly a lot of words you made up, and places that were difficult to understand. I had read your setup notes so I didn't have a hard time at all, but it would be good for you to remember that there will be many people who don't feel the same way."

Hey, pretty good, Kuroneko. He certainly added on a lot of annoying things at the end there, but a professional editor thought your book was interesting.

When I glanced at Kuroneko, she had a bit of a blush on her cheeks while still retaining her emotionless mask. She probably wasn't completely dissatisfied with his comments. Of course, our visit today was primarily concerned with contacting the people involved with My Wing, Kumagai in particular, and Kuroneko's application was to the very end just the pretext under which we came. But if Kuroneko could also get her work assessed like this, that was a good thing too.

"Ah, also, they never told me what kind of people would be coming, and I'm surprised at how young you two are. And what's more, I didn't expect two people to show up. Did you both have a hand in the project? The doujinshi you sent us had a manga and a novel portion. So perhaps one of you was in charge of the original story?"

"No, that's —" I'm just accompanying her… is what I wanted to say, but Kuroneko cut me off.

"— Yes. We're brother and sister and wrote it together."

"Wha-…!? Hey, you —"

In my surprise, I began to protest, but Kuroneko slapped a hand over my mouth. Her expressionless face and black eyes stared right up at me.

"Isn't that right… Naruto oniisan?"

"…!?"

When had we decided on this setup!? Nobody told me anything! I sent Kuroneko a resentful look, but we couldn't take back what was already said. Whatever may happen, we had to stick to this story. I turned my gaze back front.

"Yes. We wrote it together."

"So, who did what?"

Even if you ask that… honestly, Kuroneko was the one who wrote the entire thing, so how exactly should I answer? I scratched my head and hesitated, but Kuroneko nonchalantly answered.

"Nii-san thought of the setup. For example, the special move names and such…"

"So for example, this 'Divine Demonic Destructive Wave' ?"

"Yes. He said he had put his all into that name."

I definitely did not! That's just your own opinion about it, isn't it!? Kuroneko vaguely glanced in my direction.

"In truth, the manga and novel were written by me, but the setup notes Nii-san made were very important to the work. So, I can say that we both wrote it."

Dammit! What's with that haughty facial expression, as if she's bestowing some great honor on me…!? Thanks but no thanks! Also, wait… so I'm the person she claims wrote that thick set of notes? I hadn't read the notes at all, but didn't Naruko trash that thing, saying that it was embarrassing and jokingly comparing it to something like a book of sorcery? I don't know about this…

"Ah… I'm not too sure about that 'Divine Demonic Destructive Wave' line…"

See!? The editor looks completely bewildered!

Having been softly criticized, Kuroneko seemed displeased and scowled. But she still tried to smooth things over with her next question.

"… Well, Henkutsu-san, what name would you give to this special move?"

"Ahh, hmm…" Henkutsu-san crossed his arms and thought about it for a few seconds. "How about 'Pure Magic Destructive Killing Wave' ?"

… That didn't seem to be all that different of a name.

Afterwards, Kuroneko and the editor talked for a bit about the naming (even though all the names they came up with honestly sounded the same to me). The discussion didn't seem to be going anywhere (that was just my personal opinion though), so I wanted to suggest that we start looking into the My Wing issue before the other editor showed up, but Kuroneko seemed to have really gotten into her conversation with Henkutsu-san, so I couldn't get a word in edgewise and I couldn't really look around without her.

And then, the conversation stopped for a moment, so I took the opportunity to forcibly steer the conversation back onto something more productive.

"So what kind of person is the editor that will be meeting with us today?"

"Eh? A-Ahh… in this department we call him 'Puurin.'"

"Sounds like a pretty cute name."

It was probably a female editor, then. An image of a plump office lady (with huge breasts) came to mind.

"That's what it seems like, right? Hahaha, but that's completely off the mark. Once you see the real thing, you'll be really surprised."

"… How will we be surprised?" Kuroneko cocked her head to the side.

"Fufu, well…"

Henkutsu-san put up a finger and looked as if he was about to launch into a ghost story, and suddenly began to speak in a low voice. At the same time, someone appeared behind him.

"He looks just like Akuma from Street Fighter."

"… Sorry for being late. I'm Puurin. Nice to meet you."

He introduced himself with a deep voice. What incredible timing that was.

Having realized that his comment was overheard, Henkutsu half jumped with an "Uwaahhh!" and looked over his shoulder, quickly lowering his head.

"I'm sorry! I didn't think you would be behind me like that!"

"… No, it's fine, people always say that about me."

He was an elderly man. His white hair was arranged in waves on top of his head, looking almost like flames. Just like Henkutsu-san had said, he looked quite like the hidden character from the Capcom one-on-one fighter. It was a famous character even I knew.

He had deep-set eyes, his face was solemnly wrinkled, and his skin was dark. But unlike Akuma, he was incredibly thin. He was almost sickly thin, but his eyes were sharp, so he gave off quite a horrifying impression.

… And this might be really rude of me to say… but this person exuded an inhumanly sinister atmosphere from his entire body. To be frank, I could feel waves of killing intent coming off him. And even then, his name was Puurin. Puurin… what the hell? Who exactly would have attached that cute of a name to this person? It couldn't be that he thought of it himself, right?

"… Hello, I'm Namikaze. Nice to meet you."

"… Nice to meet you."

Both Kuroneko and I were a bit taken aback by this warlock with such a cute name, but for now at least we safely completed our opening greetings. And then Puurin-san responded with a heavy voice that surely emanated from the depths of hell.

"… Yes," he nodded.

Henkutsu-san stood up, switching positions with Puurin-san.

"Well, I'll just return to work then… good luck!"

With that final word of encouragement, Henkutsu-san hastily ran away.

Eh? Seriously? That just leaves us alone with… w-we're supposed to just talk with Puurin-san? Wait just a second! Don't just abandon us here! Why does it feel like we've been left on a sacrificial altar?!

"… Something wrong? *stare*"

"N-Nothing! *shock*"

The minute our eyes met, I looked away.

Uwah, this isn't good, is it? We were supposed to get information about My Wing and Kumagai out of this clearly reticent, difficult seeming person?

No way! We're done for! If I knew this was going to happen, I would have much rather have brought up the issue at hand while the good-natured Henkutsu-san was still here. Crap, what should we do…?

When I looked to the side in bewilderment, this time I met with Kuroneko's gaze. Probably for the same reason as I had, Kuroneko was also looking to the side. It seemed that even Kuroneko had a hard time meeting Puurin-san's gaze straight on.

"… We have to do what we came here to do."

Kuroneko mumbled, almost as if she was talking to herself. She then resolved herself, faced front, and nervously broke the ice.

"… Umm, did you happen to read the doujinshi I sent you the other day?"

"… I read it. As well as the setting notes."

Puurin-san's words were clear and concise. Kuroneko's manner of speaking was quite gloomy, so listening to these two talk didn't give me a cheerful feeling. I could almost see a black aura rising from the booth. In this case, two negatives did not make a positive.

"Here are copies of the manuscript and the setting notes."

Puurin-san stacked up bundles of A4-size papers onto the desk. There were three stacks of the thick papers, each held together by a separate clip.

… There was a stack for me too? But I really never read any of this.

I looked down at the bundle of papers that was passed to me, and felt just a bit awkward. It's a bit late to be saying this, but I really should have read this before coming.

Puurin-san began to read the memo that was on top of his desk. It was something Henkutsu-san had written and left behind.

"Brother and sister wrote it together… the main writer is the little sister, and her penname is 'Kuroneko.' …is that correct?"

"… Yes."

"Kuroneko-san, are you aiming to become a novelist? The doujinshi I received also had a manga portion though…"

From the start, Puurin-san barely looked at me, and focused his attention on Kuroneko. To a pro, it may have been obvious that I was just an extra here at this meeting.

"I…"

Kuroneko grasped the hem of her skirt tightly and hung her head. Even though she spoke a bit clumsily, she spoke from the heart.

"… I like writing stories and drawing. So much so, that if possible, I want to be able to do both as a job… but, today I'm making an application for a novel."

"I understand. So, would it be correct to say that right now, you are aiming to debut your work with our firm?"

"Yes."

"I see… well, allow me to speak with that in mind then."

His tone was completely indifferent as he continued talking. It almost felt like a medical interview.

"What amateur novelist competitions have you applied to?"

"I apply for your company's competition every year."

"How many years have you applied? Have you applied for any other competitions?"

"I've applied for three years. Other than your company, I've also applied for the MF and SD competitions every year, but I've never made it to the final round."

"… I see. That's quite impressive for someone so young."

"… Ah, thank you very much."

… This is uncomfortable. What was with this heavy, gloomy atmosphere? Henkutsu-san, come back, I'm begging you.

Feeling intolerably restless, I glanced around. The other booths were separated by a partition, the wall being made of cabinets and cardboard boxes, so I couldn't get a glimpse at what was happening in the office. The area we were in was in the dead center of the office, but felt more like a private room. Perhaps because our opponent looked so scary this time, I felt as if I was locked up in an interrogation room.

"It's quite unusual for someone so young to apply every year like that. Do you have any special motive for applying?"

"… It's like I said before, that I really want to write stories… but honestly speaking, I also want to earn money. Income from book royalties would be much higher than what I'm earning at my part-time job right now, so if I could make a good debut, I could make a good amount of money for my family."

This was the first time I had heard about Kuroneko's motivations. I remember she had told me at summer Comiket that she secretly had a part-time job, but… their family might not be very well off.

"… Do you think that reason is selfish?"

Kuroneko asked in a bit of a worried voice, and Puurin-san frowned in silence for a while before finally speaking.

"No."

And that's all he said. It really appeared to me that Puurin-san had seemed to be angry at something ever since he came into the booth. Was it because Henkutsu-san had said he looked like Akuma? Ugh, he really had gone too The talk continued in this stifling, heavy atmosphere… and at last we arrived at the main issue of Kuroneko's application.

"So… about the manuscript I read…"

Thump thump. I felt like I could hear the sound of Kuroneko's heart beating out her chest.

"We won't be able to use it for a publication."

Puurin-san denied Kuroneko candidly, with a tone of finality.

"This goes without saying, but you haven't been able to get through the rookie competition, so there's no reason we would be able to publish your work. The reason I'm speaking with you here in the first place is because I am fulfilling an obligation to someone who we are indebted towards. This may sound harsh, but just because you're well connected doesn't mean we can treat you any differently. If we did, then that would be doing a disservice towards the people who apply for our firm's rookie award."

"… I understand. I apologize for taking up so much of your time." Kuroneko apologized timidly.

Hearing her words, I felt a sick sensation in my gut. I mean, the reason Kuroneko was here was at my request, for the sake of Naruko.

I understand where Puurin-san was coming from for being a bit hostile thinking that Kuroneko had forced this appointment because of her connections, but that blame should have been placed on my shoulders. But I couldn't say that here. Because then, all Kuroneko's efforts might just go to waste.

"This is the last time we will meet with you because of your connections. Next time, please send your manuscript directly into the competition. Like everyone else… now, about what you have written…"

"… Yes…"

"… There were certainly some interesting points in the character dialogues. I especially thought this Naruko original character was good… after I read it, I really was turned on by this Naru-tan… she was very moe moe, yes."

This damn old man. What the hell are you calling moe moe at an age like yours? What exactly are you saying looking like that and sounding like that… although, I understood that it was his job. That character was modeled off my sister, you know. Dammit, and just when I thought I had forgotten… wasn't there a scene in which that character became a sex slave? Kuroneko, dammit, don't use my sister for that!

"…I don't really like that character though…"

"… I see. That's quite unfortunate. On the contrary, I found all the characters other than Naru-tan quite terrible. I also think you tried to jam too many elements into the setup. Working out a setup is definitely not a bad thing, but you don't seem to have gotten the hang of it. The organization was a mess and the descriptions were way too dense, and it comes off as a prototypical wannabe novel in a bad way… I'm doubtful a manuscript on this level could even get through the preliminaries. Even bearing in mind that this work is based off something else, the craftsmanship is just awful. It is not even close to something we could sell on the market."

As the severe criticisms rolled in one after the other, Kuroneko paled even further than she usually was. At first, she countered each of his points, with a "But, if I change that…" or with a "That's not right…" or with a "… The 'dark force' is a very important element of my original world…," but she was shot down each time with his relentless logic, with a "The only person who feels that way is you, and to the readers it isn't important at all. It's just something that makes everything difficult to read," or a "using your writing as a method of self-expression is perfectly fine, but aren't there things you should worry about before getting to that point?"… so her will to resist slowly vanished.

"… And those are my general comments on the work. Next I'll go into the finer details… if I may, I will start in order from page one, so please follow along in the copies you have."

This time, Puurin-san flipped through the doujinshi page by page, droning on and on about each and every little thing he found wrong with the book. The copy of the manuscript he was referencing had been marked completely red by a pen on each and every page.

Don't tell me that all that writing was there to mark out the "bad parts" of Kuroneko's novel… and if so, he was planning on going through each and every comment…? The fault-finding session continued for what seemed like an eternity. We were dealing with a seasoned professional here, so Kuroneko and I had no choice but to sit through this one-sided consultation.

… Ten minutes had passed, and then twenty.

… And then an hour… and then three hours… and finally…

Staring fixedly at the ground and listening to the harsh criticism, Kuroneko's expression, for the first time since I've met her, warped in frustration.

"… sob… hngh…"

"Don't make my little sister cry, you asshole! Isn't there a better way you can say things!? No matter how you look at it, what you're doing now is just too cruel, isn't it!? You're talking to a junior high school girl, you know!"

The minute I heard Kuroneko crying, I felt myself bursting with anger. I had yelled out half-unconsciously. I also stood up forcefully, and slammed a fist down vigorously onto the table.

"…"

But Puurin-san didn't seem the least perturbed by my yelling. Wordlessly, he began to wipe up the tea that had been spilled on the table by the force of my fist.

Seeing him do that, I suddenly came back to my senses. I had shouted quite loudly, so the people outside were probably curious about what had happened. I heard people chattering all around me, and the people having business meetings in neighboring booths were discreetly peeping in to see what was going on. I felt absolutely horrible. When the thought occurred that I might have made Kuroneko feel the same way, I really just wanted to vanish.

"…"

Ahhh crap, seriously… I had acted just like a child there, hadn't I? That's embarrassing.

What rude things did I just say to the person who had so kindly taken time out of his work schedule to meet with us? He could have probably put what he was saying differently, but it's not like I could tell him to not criticize things he thought were bad. It wouldn't be good advice if he were being lenient. I wasn't talking to a schoolteacher or my father here. I was talking to this man about business on equal footing, and he was telling us how to do things. He was being serious and sincere, and it was natural that we sit here and just listen.

… But how was I supposed to just bear with all that!? To be told with a single stroke that something you had lovingly crafted was not something they could use… even though I knew he had a point, it was just way too cruel. And this girl was the same as Naruko. She had worked out this thick set of setup notes, thinking about what characters would say what kinds of things, and I was certain that she had put her all into it.

To think that —

"Nii-san."

Still seething with resentment, I heard Kuroneko's kind voice admonishing me from the side. It was the same gentle tone she used when talking about her own little sister. As I stood there, she pinched my sleeve and tugged. It seemed she wanted me to sit back down.

Briskly rubbing the tears off her face with her sleeve, she looked up at me with wet eyes.

"… It's fine… thanks for getting angry for me."

"… I-I see…"

I was captivated by her teary face… o-oh right, I forgot that she's also pretty attractive. It's not something I'm aware of normally, so it had slipped my mind. Her half-crying expression was incredibly charming, so I couldn't help but think weird thoughts despite the situation we were in… ah! What the hell I am thinking she just a junior high school student for god's sake.

"… I apologize. When it comes to his sister, sometimes Nii-san's head goes funny."

"Umm… I also apologize. Yelling out so suddenly like that…"

Hey. My head didn't go funny at all though… even as I thought that, I followed Kuroneko's lead and lowered my head.

"… It's fine, I don't mind."

Fortunately, Puurin-san seemed to forgive us. Rather, he seemed completely composed.

"Shall we take a short break?"

… Puurin-san stood up from his seat, and spoke with a voice that didn't reveal an ounce of what he was feeling. He held a wet handkerchief in one hand, so he might be going to deal with that.

"… Um, I'm sorry."

Sounding more down than I had ever heard her, Kuroneko muttered. This was also the first time I had seen her act so sincerely.

"… Because of me, it's become very difficult for us to get any information regarding Ryuunosuke Kumagai…"

"No, I'm sorry too… it was my request that led to things getting like this… I apologize."

We exchanged apologies. We used words from the heart that would not have come out if it had not been for a situation like this. I felt strange. We had very seldom talked to each other in the past, but we had come to a strange sense of mutual understanding. What exactly was this weird feeling of camaraderie?

This awkward, unpleasant silence continued for a while. Finally, Puurin-san came back. For some reason, he was holding a tray. "Please." Concisely speaking just that one word, Puurin-san placed some new cups of tea and pudding on the desk.

"Please eat."

"… Ah."

What was up with him…? What exactly does he want to do…? Is he… not angry with us? While we sat there completely puzzled, Puurin-san calmly sat down in front of us. With his usual warlock-like expression, he spooned up a bite of pudding and sent it into his mouth.

Bite, chew chew, gulp. …he nodded, seemingly content.

"The pudding is good. It'll cheer you up."

… Huh? I turned and met Kuroneko's gaze. Could it be, that this person was…

"… Are you trying to cheer us up?"

"… Chatting really isn't one of my strong suits… sorry."

Griiinnnnn. A rather repulsive looking light smile appeared on Puurin-san's face. It was a look that could make children swoon… but I'll just interpret his actions as trying to cheer us up.

Yes… this person's criticisms were incredibly harsh, and he also looked absurdly scary, but he wasn't such a bad guy. He really wasn't a bad person…

"Haha… could it be… you like pudding, so they call you Puurin-san?"

"… Yeah… well, it's because pudding looks like breasts to me."

"…"

Well, he's just a pervert old man.

Puurin-san tapped on the plate with the pudding on it with a finger, and watched the pudding wobble back and forth, seeming fully satisfied.

"… Don't you feel at ease when you do this? Our company president has a policy, he recommends that you eat your pudding while tapping on the plate five times every ten seconds."

If this wasn't some ploy to get us to relax, this company was seriously deranged.

(Whisper) "… N-Nii-san… he's completely nuts…"

(Whisper) "… Shh, don't let him hear you…"

Kuroneko and I whispered to each other as we watched this almost cult-like hentai ceremony happening in front of our eyes.

To be honest, we were quite taken aback… but just looking at the results of what had happened, I could see that the previously incredibly heavy atmosphere had improved by quite a lot. So… I decided to interpret this as Puurin-san's way of being considerate, seeing as he wasn't great with words. Or should I say, that's what I wanted to believe.

Taking much longer than we had, Puurin-san tasted his pudding at a leisurely pace, finally clapping his hands together with a "Thanks for the meal."

"Well, before we continue where we left off, let's talk a bit about what you'll do from here."

"… What… I'll do… from here…?"

Kuroneko put herself on guard, and I understood why. She was probably worried about what he was going to say this time.

"Yes, from here… in other words, with regards to your next project."

"Eh…? Next?"

Kuroneko widened her eyes and repeated his statement as a question.

"Umm… but you told me you couldn't use what I gave you, and this was the last time we would meet because of my connections…"

"Yes. From what I read of your manuscript, I am unable to take you on as your editor. As I said before, if you really want to debut with our firm, get your manuscript through our company's rookie competition. Without using your connections, in the usual established way. Not doing that would be quite sneaky."

"… I understand."

It was the same verbal exchange as before… or so I thought, but Puurin-san continued with a "But…"

"I would welcome any additional manuscripts you send to me. Please understand that I would only be giving you advice on it, and I wouldn't help you more than that, and I wouldn't be helping you get it published. But if you want… or rather, before that, if you're not fed up after today's session…"

If you're prepared to get heavily criticized once more, please come again. That's what he appeared to be saying. Kuroneko took one deep breath, and nodded with an "… Alright."

"… I look forward to working with you."

"… Yes, me too. It's just that, to say the least, the way you are now, things would be out of the question, so please don't get your hopes up too much. I would ask that you do not neglect your schoolwork or other things and misunderstand this situation as your being accepted by an editor. There really are very few people who can successfully debut, and speaking from the experience I have with the authors that work with me… there are people who will take ten years between the time they are accepted by an editor and the time they actually debut their work. And then, even though they work so hard to debut like that, if their work doesn't sell they will just fade back into obscurity… so please, make sure your own life is your top priority."

Almost like he was warning Kuroneko, Puurin-san repeated his blunt words, and at the end even lowered his head.

… So… in a word…

"… So, you're trying to tell me that the probability of me debuting with your company is rather low?"

"Yes, exactly."

He said yes! Even though he had just made her cry a little while ago! It really seems like "subtlety" is not in this old man's dictionary!

"And… that's not the only thing I want to say. I don't know if this is putting it correctly… but, to so called "wannabes" like Kuroneko-san, debuting comes first and foremost. Of course, that's not an incorrect way of thinking. But, from our standpoint, debuting is the beginning. It's not the goal."

All in one breath.

"After you debut, things will be different than when you were an amateur. Deadlines spring up, new information and material pop up and you have to craft new stories using those. There will even be times where you don't even have time to absorb all this new information but you'll still just have to keep on writing. The one thing that you can depend on at times like those are the experiences you've gained through life. Even if you take a detour along the way… for example, if you found something else you wanted to do, and decided to pursue that for a while, the experience you gain there is definitely not useless. This probably sounds rather extreme and these might be words that would anger most novelist hopefuls… but you should pursue some other line of work until you retire, and then debut as a novelist with your wealth of life experience. Even if you did things like that, you wouldn't be late to the game."

That is certainly quite extreme. As expected, the old man suggested the easygoing route. Even though she wants to become a novelist now, he talked about doing something forty years down the line. And also, this is something I've been thinking up to now, not only does this guy sound like he's giving us a lecture, but he's terribly longwinded. But, he seemed to be honestly trying to be sincere and considerate, and I could tell that he was speaking seriously. This was also what he did as a job, so there wasn't really a reason he would be lecturing us. Well, annoying things are annoying, so I found myself almost wishing he would drop dead from a heart attack right now… but it might not be a bad idea to have some faith in him, I think.

Puurin-san looked Kuroneko in the eyes as he spoke onwards.

"What I just said… did you take it as me trying to get you to give up your dream of becoming a novelist?"

"Yes, I feel like you're lecturing and patronizing me , saying something like 'You should listen to my advice when I say that you should try doing something else. Because you have no talent.' It's quite unpleasant."

Did she just say "yes" straight out!? And what's more, she felt unpleasant because he was being patronizing!? Certainly, I sort of agreed with her, but that's not something you can say out loud! Why do you have to speak so aggressively no matter who you're talking to!? What happened to the girl who was sitting here and quietly negotiating with him!? Did she die or something?!

"Hahaha, patronizing and unpleasant, hm?"

At Kuroneko's tactless remarks, Puurin-san raised his voice for the first time and laughed. He looked seriously scary. Did her words anger him…?

"Ah, but I'm sorry. Certainly, I probably sounded like I was lecturing you. Looking like this and being this old, there aren't many people who would say something like that to me, so it's difficult for me to realize when I'm being that way."

"Not surprising."

Kuroneko's poisonous mouth just kept on going. She's completely returned back to her old personality, hasn't she?

"Yeah. Well, while I'm here lecturing and patronizing you, let me give you the punchline. Kuroneko-san, please realize that your time as a 'wannabe' is very precious. Whether or not you end up debuting with our company, it's good that you have things that would make you want to go and earn money. In your case, there are other things that you want to do just as much as this, right? You're still young, so go have various experiences, see various things, and enjoy your life. I think that's a good shortcut to becoming a novelist. You don't have to be in such a hurry. It's a matter of your own future, so please think about it slowly and carefully."

"… Thank you for your opinion. I will try my best."

She said that really sarcastically… well, that's fine and all, but it's not doing wonders for my nerves.

"Yes, please try your best. It's good to listen to the advice of those older than you."

Puurin-san didn't seem like he wanted to give up and replied to Kuroneko. And then…

"Well, let me give you this. It's my email address and cell phone number. Please use this to contact me."

He took a business card out from his bag. When Kuroneko took the card from him, her eyes widened.

"N-Nii-san, this is…"

"What's wrong?"

At Kuroneko's strange expression, I put myself on my guard and stared at the lettering on the business card. MediAscii Works Second Editorial Department, Dengeki Books Editorial Division…

"Eh…? Wait… t-this name…"

Swish! Swish! Becoming more and more bewildered, I looked back and forth between the business card and the editor in front of me.

"… Ah, sorry, did I confuse you?"

And then, Puurin-san, seeming to misunderstand why we were surprised…

"… Let me clear that up. My real name is Ryuunosuke Kumagai… nice to meet you."

He offered that simple explanation as to why the name he gave us was different from the name on his business card.

.

.

.