Chapter 22: Big Sister, Little Sister
The Ruga giant made a gesture of "annoyance," then remained standing motionlessly in the main city—it seemed the player had also switched out of the game and started reading the forum post.
After waiting idly for more than ten minutes, Narumi, who had started playing a mobile game to burn stamina, noticed new text appearing in the chat box.
[Childhood Sweethearts' Great Victory: You kid... are your writing style and ideas really those of a complete novice? I don't believe it.]
[I want to eat your ahoge: Why would I lie to you? I stayed up all night writing this.]
[Childhood Sweethearts' Great Victory: You wrote a piece with ingenious structure and clever ideas all night long...? Are you perhaps an alternate account of some old procrastinator? Or are all newcomers monsters?]
[I want to eat your ahoge: Stop, stop, stop! No praising me to death!]
[Childhood Sweethearts' Great Victory: Hey, remember what I said before, that if your novel became popular, I would find an illustrator for you?]
It seems like… that's true?
[I want to Eat Your Ahoge: Uh, is it time to start selling me something now?]
[Childhood Sweethearts' Big Victory: We've been playing together for so long—do you think I'm that kind of person?! I already said I'd find you an artist for free. Don't you want something for free?]
The Ruga tribesman pounded his chest and stomped his feet, and the player controlling him also sent an angry emoticon.
[Childhood Sweethearts' Great Victory: Although your novel hasn't reached mainstream popularity yet, a little promotion and a decent plot can increase your readers dozens of times. What's more, the plot is about childhood sweethearts... Even though it's a tragic love story with a tragic ending, the pure love focused solely on the two of them, without any unexpected romantic entanglements, is eternally divine...! Based on that alone, I'm definitely helping you!]
For some reason, this guy gets particularly agitated whenever the topic of childhood sweethearts and newcomers comes up.
[Childhood Sweethearts' Great Victory: Besides, more exposure is a good thing. This isn't an era where good wine needs no bush, and I can't stand seeing good works buried in the corners of forums—hmph, just sit at home and wait for good news!]
After typing this line, the burly Ruga disappeared from the main city crystal, and the status of "Childhood Sweethearts' Great Victory" on his friends list changed to offline.
The curly-haired boy sitting in front of the computer blinked. He hadn't expected things to turn out this way—he had originally thought his online friend's previous words were just empty talk.
"No way, there really are such kind-hearted people in this era? I thought the internet was full of trolls crawling in the shadows, passionately debating creation."
However, Narumi Toru remained skeptical of the enthusiastic netizen's promise. Believing everything at face value only made one a naïve and easily fooled person.
After running several more dungeons in RR14, the boy reluctantly logged out just before lunchtime. He had planned to close all background programs and go cook, but stopped moving his mouse when he saw a small red dot suddenly appear in his forum private messages.
[Eri Kashiwagi: Hello, I read your work on a friend's recommendation and was deeply moved by its delicate descriptions. I would like to present this touching story to a wider audience through vivid imagery—I wonder if I could have your permission?]
Kashiwagi Eri… that name sounds familiar, but I can't quite place who she is.
Unable to come up with an answer even after racking his brain, Narumi simply opened a new webpage and typed Kashiwagi Eri into the search bar.
The massive amount of information and the black-and-white comic strips—many of which needed to be blurred—instantly overwhelmed Narumi's brain, causing him to freeze for a moment.
"A famous R/R/18 manga artist… wants to create fan fiction based on my novel…?"
Narumi then remembered Kashiwagi Eri's name often appearing in the adult comics section in the corner of the bookstore—after all, he rarely had the chance to sneak into the adult section without drawing the store manager's suspicious gaze toward minors.
Is that netizen really that resourceful? He even managed to invite a top figure in the industry like Eri Kashiwagi?
Narumi Toru, who had written a pure-love tragic story for high school students, replied to the fan adaptation request from the doujinshi artist of Spring Violence almost instantly.
Agreed.
After all, hesitating even a second longer felt like disrespect toward Kashiwagi-sensei's professional skill—and toward such a rare opportunity.
Almost a week passed since the doujinshi artist Kashiwagi Eri sent the invitation to adapt Narumi's novel into a secondary work.
During that time, Narumi continued his peaceful daily routine as usual—going to school and coming home from work. He knew well that creating art requires time, so he simply lived his life steadily and waited patiently.
The self-absorbed future simulation system didn't contact him again that week, which was honestly great—his mental energy was fully focused on novel-related matters, and he really had no time for another simulation.
But just when Narumi began thinking the simulation had been a mere dream, the "old acquaintances" from that experience came knocking again under various pretexts.
Yes, he was referring to Yukinoshita Haruno, who appeared smiling in the teachers' office of Soubu High School.
"Oh, Shizuka, it's been a long time—your skin is still so well-maintained, without a single trace of aging. Can you tell me your secret?"
Despite being used to Haruno's tap-dancing on her sensitive areas, Hiratsuka Shizuka suppressed the urge to throw a punch with the fist tucked in her pocket, and instead stubbed out her cigarette with her other hand.
"Hey Haruno, it's really rare—what wind blew you, such an outstanding graduate, here? If you're here to visit your sister's classmate, turn right when you leave, walk to the end of the stairs, and it's the first activity room on the right. Goodbye."
She pointed at the door and spoke bluntly.
"There's nothing I can do, teacher. After all, our place is small and full of evil spirits… well, I don't think that's the right way to put it."
The curly-haired boy carrying the class exam papers looked up and joined the conversation. Naturally, the conspicuous interruption earned him an eye roll from Hiratsuka.
"Narumi, you brat… if you can't speak properly, then don't."
Hiratsuka Shizuka's anger level had already reached 99—it was about to explode.
"Oh my, isn't this Toru-kun?"
When Haruno saw the boy with exam papers stacked on his desk, she opened her mouth slightly in surprise, then greeted him with an even brighter smile.
"I did want to ask Yukino how she's been doing lately, but being able to chat with Toru-kun is an unexpected bonus."
Whether it was truly unexpected or a planned scheme, no one could say for sure.
If beast transformation existed in this world, Narumi would almost be able to see a fox tail swaying behind Yukinoshita Haruno—after all, in the simulation, she always gave him the impression of a cunning, clever creature.
But Narumi had learned enough from his simulated "self" to know how to handle this unpredictable madwoman.
"Eh~ Yukinoshita-senpai, do you really want to see me that badly?"
The boy put on a harmless, innocent expression and ran up to Haruno. Using the image of a naïve high schooler, he returned Haruno's probing with a counterattack and regained the initiative.
"Or are you trying to extract some recent information from me, a club member, that Yukinoshita herself isn't willing to reveal?"
Narumi Toru's gains from the simulations weren't limited to writing skills. If the White House needed a temporary spokesperson, he felt he could absolutely step up right now.
No one understands the Yukinoshita sisters better than him…!
Haruno was slightly surprised by Narumi's counter, but quickly regained her smile—her gaze toward him now held even greater interest.
"Oh dear, being too smart can sometimes lead to delusions, Toru-kun. But with you by Yukino's side, she'll probably feel much more relaxed. After all, despite her strong will, she's actually a bit too much of a show-off for a club leader."
Haruno was still just like in the simulation; even in reality, she was quite adept at putting her little sister down. But however much she loved Yukino, this way of expressing concern was far from gentle.
"It's not a good idea to speak ill of the club president in front of the members, Yukinoshita-senpai."
Almost subconsciously, Narumi spoke up in defense of Yukino an instinctive habit left over from the simulations.
"Oh my, Toru-kun is really protective of his club president. I never thought Yukino would have such a devoted friend... Are you two friends? Or is it some other kind of relationship that makes my heart race? How did you meet? Come on, tell me~"
"It's too complicated to explain! Whatever kind of relationship you think we have, that's exactly what it is~"
"Huh? So can I take that as you two being a sweet and loving couple?"
"I'd love to, but... does Yukinoshita know that I'm her boyfriend?"
"Yukinoshita classmate might not know this, but Yukinoshita senpai's words might be worth considering~"
"Really? Then I'd be so honored. Senpai, you'll have to take responsibility for me!"
"...What kind of riddle game is this big fox and little fox playing in front of me?"
Even though she understood the atmosphere, Hiratsuka Shizuka had absolutely no idea what the two were actually testing each other for. Choosing not to interfere, she simply sipped her green tea.
As she shifted her gaze away from them, her sharp eyes caught sight of a figure leaning silently against the wall outside the office—the person who had yet to enter.
Yukino Yukinoshita, holding Yui Yuigahama's club application.
Naturally, she must have heard their entire exchange.
"...Why do I smell a battlefield forming?"
What did Narumi do to get himself caught between the Yukinoshita sisters?
Feeling a headache coming on, Hiratsuka rubbed her temples. After all, a school meant for education was definitely not the right stage for emotional warfare.
"Alright, you two. If you're going to continue this ridiculous wordplay battle, then get out. This is not the place for it."
"Okay, okay~ I don't want Shizuka getting angry. You're so stubborn, Toru-kun. I guess I'll go play with Yukino instead."
Haruno Yukinoshita stuck out her tongue playfully and walked toward the exit.
The subtle exchange between Haruno and Narumi came to an abrupt end under Hiratsuka-sensei's intervention.
"She's talking nonsense again about founders and destiny... I told you long ago that this woman is absolutely insane."
Narumi complained internally, but he stayed behind in the office to help Hiratsuka with more work, completely unaware of what was happening outside—
As Haruno stepped out of the room and brushed past Yukino—who had been holding her breath the entire time—she smiled and whispered:
"Just kidding. Toru-kun is actually super interesting."
The cheerful remark, delivered as if offhandedly, made Yukino freeze for a heartbeat.
"I think I'm starting to get interested in him. I hope you don't mind, Yukino? Hmm—though even if you did mind, it wouldn't change anything."
Even while dropping that bomb, Haruno didn't stop walking. She didn't even glance back at her stunned younger sister. Her gaze briefly fell on the metal whistle hanging beneath Yukino's uniform collar, then she turned the corner toward the stairs and disappeared.
"..."
Yukino inhaled slowly, straightening her posture.
Despite the fragile state of her relationship with her sister, she could tell Haruno wasn't joking.
Not even a little.
In the simulations, Haruno had clear feelings toward Narumi—feelings that had grown through shared experiences, conflicts, and moments too intimate to ever explain to anyone else.
Would those emotions bleed into reality as well?
Would her real self… start feeling the same way?
She didn't know.
And yet, she couldn't dismiss the possibility either.
The possibility that the two of them might rekindle something that had never truly begun.
Meanwhile, Narumi completely unaware of the turmoil he had caused continued his life as normal, attending club activities, going to work, maintaining a stable routine.
In his eyes, the person the Yukinoshitas were thinking about was the fictional novelist "Narumi Toru" from the simulation, not the ordinary, unimpressive high school boy actually standing in front of them.
Even though he retained the simulated memories and emotions, his simulated self had originally been somewhat emotionally detached, someone who didn't know how to love.
And now, removed from that environment, he didn't carry any lingering attachment toward either sister.
He had more pressing things on his mind.
Specifically, the story he had just posted online.
If more people read it, maybe just maybe—he could enter a writing contest.
"I'm going to be the king of new light novel writers. Women are such a drag."
(bushi)
And so, after a long stretch of anticipation, Narumi who had completely neglected his love life finally stumbled upon Kashiwagi Eri's new release.
A short fan comic.
Forty-eight pages.
Adapted from a random short story posted on a forum.
Eri Kashiwagi herself had pinned the link to Narumi's original work in the comments. The moment the comic dropped, likes and comments shot up at visible speed.
Is this the power of a top creator?
Narumi narrowed his eyes and read through the entire manga carefully.
Kashiwagi Eri's art and paneling surpassed most mainstream commercial titles. Even though the adaptation was something she did purely out of personal interest, her skill was overwhelming.
Most importantly she didn't insert any unnecessary adult content into his pure love tragedy.
A small miracle.
After finishing the comic, Narumi clicked on the pinned link. The page loaded for a moment before redirecting to his original thread.
Just yesterday the post only had a few thousand views.
Now, thanks to Eri Kashiwagi's adaptation, the traffic had exploded doubling within half an hour, then doubling again.
Comments poured in endlessly.
The discussion was lively, emotional, and deeply analytical completely different from the near-silence that had greeted the post when he first uploaded it.
His hands trembled slightly.
To have people read something he created…
To have strangers understand the emotions he embedded within each line…
To have them discuss it, cry over it, analyze it—
"This feeling is incredible… absolutely incredible."
The joy of creation surged through him. He grabbed a soda from the fridge, gulped it down, and returned to his desk with a lightness he never felt before.
Eri Kashiwagi's fan work had done more than just help—it had brought his story back to life.
By midnight, the original post had surpassed 100,000 views.
Comments refreshed faster than he could read them.
—
"Such delicate emotional descriptions…"
—
"The simple writing captures the essence of youth so well…"
—
"Why did I cry until my contact lenses fell out!?"
—
"Author, you demon! Give them a happy ending in a parallel universe!"
The comments continued endlessly.
Narumi read every single one.
This was the same boy whose previous 100,000-word submission to an editorial department had been rejected without ceremony.
Now, this same boy was receiving praise, analysis, and emotional reactions from hundreds of people.
The simulation he had once cursed…
had turned out to be a gift.
"…Yeah. If there's customer feedback, I might have to leave a five-star review."
Satisfied, he sent Kashiwagi Eri a private message thanking her. If not for her, none of this would have happened.
He also messaged "Childhood Sweetheart Victory" in rr14 to thank him. The enthusiastic netizen dismissed it as "just a small favor," but Narumi still carried him through several dungeons without complaining about his poor gameplay even once.
Narumi had no expectations of sudden fame or money.
He was simply happy genuinely happy with the sudden wave of support for his short story.
And so he continued creating quietly, planning to write whenever inspiration struck, taking each step forward at his own pace.