After the two left, Takasago Tomoe returned to continue her work, but after the peak period, there were already far fewer people.
A few more minutes passed.
She suddenly noticed a girl peeking in from the doorway and immediately became interested.
"Could it be a newcomer who wants to 'get into anime' but is too shy?"
Takasago Tomoe thought this because she had indeed encountered such situations before.
At this time, it is necessary to give the other party a little courage, and then one can successfully recruit them, allowing them to experience the beauty of the world while also gaining a new customer. Why not?
"This customer, are you interested in manga or light novels?"
She used her signature smile.
Shiina Mafuyu was slightly flustered when she heard Takasago Tomoe's sudden approach, but after realizing it was a girl, she immediately felt much more relaxed.
After she came to Tokyo for high school, her previous stable supply channels were naturally gone, so she had to search everywhere. However, the first few bookstores she visited had men handling affairs, which deterred her.
"Mafuyu wants to buy the sixth volume of Izumi-sensei's Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World. Do you have it here?"
Shiina Mafuyu asked directly.
"Oh, you're a fan of Chi—…Izumi-sensei. We just got Izumi-sensei's new volume released as soon as it came out, so of course, it's no problem."
Takasago Tomoe thought to herself, 'That was close,' and quickly changed her address.
"Then, Mafuyu is counting on you!"
Shiina Mafuyu clasped her hands together, immediately showing a joyful expression.
"Hoo hoo hoo ~"
After getting the item, Shiina Mafuyu happily turned and left, humming a little tune all the way.
She paid no attention to the interesting conversation behind her.
"Sawamura Student, long time no see."
"Cut the small talk, give me the sixth volume."
"Don't be in a hurry. I just want to ask Sawamura Student a question. Which attribute is more powerful: 'heaven-sent childhood friend' or an ordinary 'childhood friend'?"
"You, you…! What do you know? You've already met Shiina!"
"That's right, you still haven't answered my question."
"Well, well, does that even need to be asked? Since it's a childhood friend, of course, the length of time spent together is the most important! A heaven-sent childhood friend? That's just a fake childhood friend!"
"Ho ho, here comes the customized childhood friend ~"
"Why are you laughing?!"
Finally, Eriri left in a huff, but of course, she didn't forget to take the sixth volume of Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World with her before she left.
…
After returning home, the book lovers immediately started reading, even locking themselves in their rooms to avoid being disturbed.
When Izumi Chihiro and Mashiro returned home, although he was already very familiar with this part of the story, he still read it with Mashiro in the same way as before.
Although Mashiro's curious-baby-like demeanor was quite taxing on one's patience.
But with such a beautiful girl like Mashiro reading light novels with you, what more could you be dissatisfied with?
Mashiro calmly opened the first page of the light novel.
The story of the sixth volume didn't immediately rush into the plot; instead, it flashed back to a memory, revealing the true core of the White Whale subjugation battle.
The touching story of the Sword Demon and his wife, the previous Sword Saint, also gradually unfolded during the battle as their emotions deepened.
At such times, mere passion and excitement are not strong enough. It still relies on his gradually improving empathetic writing ability to portray this battle through dialogue and action, making it not feel boring.
The readers' hatred for the White Whale also increased.
After a hard-fought battle, relying on the information provided by Natsuki Subaru, the White Whale was finally subjugated!
Looking at the sun rising in the sky, he finally grasped that ray of light named hope.
This part of the story can be said to be quite touching. Although on the surface, it's just a story of a white-haired old man avenging his deceased wife.
However, the simpler the story, the more likely it is to move people.
If described in four words, it would be: good writing conquers all!
By setting the White Whale as a target, whether it was the hatred for its obstruction, the hatred for previously killing Rem, or the Sword Demon's hatred, its death created a feeling of great satisfaction.
…
"Why am I feeling a bit moved? It's clearly just a very simple story. Has Chihiro's skill unknowingly reached such a level?"
After returning home, Eriri immediately forgot her recent unpleasantness upon opening the light novel and instead fell into an even more 'sad' emotion.
Compared to the more straightforward descriptions in similar stories before, in this flashback, Izumi Masamune surprisingly did not use any seemingly emotionally manipulative words. Instead, he moved people through simple descriptions.
Undoubtedly, this was because a part of Izumi Masamune's stagnant ability had subtly grown again.
However, this alone could not bring about a qualitative change in the work.
…
With the obstructing White Whale dealt with and the temporary strong assistance of the Sword Demon, the situation was looking very good.
Next was to head to the Roswaal Mansion and thoroughly eliminate the Witch Cult.
Relying on the advantages accumulated through Return by Death, he finally thwarted the Witch Cult and slain the Sloth Archbishop who had previously driven him mad.
However, just when everyone mistakenly thought the battle was over, as Natsuki Subaru was about to step forward to comfort a crying Emilia, an ominous premonition surged over him.
It turned out that he had been possessed by the Sloth Archbishop, Petelgeuse!
He had no other choice but to choose destruction again, but for everyone else, it was a difficult decision.
In the end, only a reluctant choice could be made.
When the sword struck the hero's head…
Emilia looked back blankly, gazing towards the forest, a sudden panic in her heart.
…
This was the final scene of the sixth volume, and he had Sagiri emphasize this most vivid scene even more.
This time, the death of the protagonist, Natsuki Subaru, brought about a very noticeable change in people's perceptions compared to before, even making them feel heartache.
What kind of pathetic person was Natsuki Subaru before?
He had many flaws, selfish and arrogant. Even after facing death multiple times, he lacked the heroism everyone expected. In one death, he thought he could finally rise up and directly kill the Sloth Archbishop, but he still ended up making a fool of himself.
However, in this volume, Natsuki Subaru's actions had been handled to the best of his ability as a 'normal person', fully utilizing his 'Return by Death' ability in the battle to defeat the White Whale.
As a result, Natsuki Subaru, who worked hard to save everyone and almost earned the MVP of this battle, could only end his life by suicide, a heroic sacrifice.
At this moment, many readers realized that Natsuki Subaru had truly grown.
This bittersweet ending to the volume also marked the official beginning of Natsuki Subaru's reputation reversal.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter