I Became the Final Subjugation Target of That Era’s Light Novel

I have terrible writing skills.

It’s not like I’ve never written anything in my life.

I graduated from elementary school, middle school, high school, and even university without a hitch. Sure, there were subjects I barely scraped by in, but it wasn’t to the point where I would be held back.

Of course, it’s not like I’ve never written before.

As a child, I kept a diary, and during middle and high school, there were assignments like “creative writing time,” so I had to write something, even if it was forced.

But I didn’t particularly enjoy writing.

I mainly just filled the pages because I had to. I liked reading novels in my own way, and occasionally thought, “I want to write something like this,” but I never truly attempted it seriously.

As a result, when I received the request to “just write something,” my mind went completely blank.

Should I think of it as fortunate or a greater problem? It seemed that Koko, who was sitting right next to me, was in the same boat.

No, at least I’m better off holding a pen and trying to write something.

Koko’s gaze was drifting aimlessly in the air. By the way her mouth was ajar, it looked like she really wasn’t thinking about anything at all.

“…Ugh.”

And Uka, sitting on the opposite side of Koko, was groaning just like Koko.

She was deep in thought with a ballpoint pen resting on her forehead, but it seemed like nothing was coming to mind.

Swish swish.

In contrast, Izumi and Kaoru were skillfully playing with their mechanical pencils over the manuscript paper.

Izumi was originally from the literature club, after all. At least until last year, she had upperclassmen in the club, and from what I heard, they seemed to have written a fair amount as the literature club. So, she must have some skill in filling pages.

Kaoru had an expression of pure enjoyment as she wrote. Perhaps she was working on the piece about the woman with the torn mouth from last time.

Of course, I would cut out the details. Well, I decided not to worry too much about it. After all, I know no one would believe it was “true.”

“Why? Is it difficult?”

As the three of us sat together and idly passed the time, Izumi looked over at us and spoke.

“Um, that is…”

“Wah?”

Uka and Koko responded simultaneously from beside me.

Uka sounded a bit sheepish, while Koko still wore an expression of cluelessness.

Izumi, with a slight smile on her lips, put down the mechanical pencil she had been holding and said, “If writing is tough, how about starting with something really short? Like, a line.”

“A line?”

“Yeah. There’s haiku, right? It’s the shortest fixed form in the world, but people find rhythm and enjoyment even in that. There are people who purposely write them on both sides.”

Izumi was showing her senpai side after quite a while.

The senpai of the literature club, to be specific.

“Uh… but wouldn’t it be harder to condense meaning into a short piece?”

If it’s haiku, Uka should be somewhat familiar.

I should mention that this is just my own bias. Well, she hails from a priestess family. Not just any family, but one that really fights off evil spirits and expels yōkai.

I could understand enjoying a bit of the old-fashioned. I mean, Uka has been playing Super Famicom and exchanging emails with her friends on her cellphone since childhood.

“I’m not saying to write haiku.”

Izumi said with a smile.

“Start with a short piece. Hmm… how about this.”

Izumi closed her eyes and spoke as if she were appreciating music.

“Imagine the way to school. What’s the first thing that comes to mind?”

“….”

Uka didn’t close her eyes like Izumi but still replied readily to those words.

“…Sound. There are other kids who go to school at the same time as me.”

“How about uniforms? Are they all the same?”

“…There are different students, so some are the same, and some aren’t. I’m the only one wearing my uniform.”

Hanagawa High School is a school that’s usually difficult to enter. It’s not just grades; even the cost of attendance is quite something.

“Then how about starting with that?”

Izumi opened her eyes and suggested.

“Um…”

Uka looked down at the blank manuscript paper in front of her again.

And then, with a tilt of her head, she started writing.

On the way to school,

Kids in uniforms,

“Great.”

Izumi said with a smile.

“And? How about sounds?”

“….”

Uka tilted her head again but followed Izumi’s instruction to write another line.

The sound of the train tracks.

“On the way to school, kids in uniforms, the sound of train tracks. See, it’s a haiku, right?”

Satisfying the 5-7-5 syllables, it was indeed haiku.

And upon writing it, it actually seemed decent. I suppose this isn’t so bad after all.

“But… is this allowed?”

After nearly 30 minutes of groaning, it seemed Uka questioned whether the piece she wrote from following Izumi’s guidance was acceptable.

“It’s fine. Originally, creation is like that. There are pieces that come together after a long series of edits and reworkings, and there are works that just get scrawled down as ideas come to mind. We’re not trying to make money with this anyway, so just write as you want. Don’t worry about evaluations.”

Oh wow.

She really is like the head of the literature club.

Izumi seemed proud as she straightened her shoulders, her expression slightly reverent.

“Well, it’s good that we’ve finished a piece but…”

Kaoru, who had been listening to Izumi’s lecture, finally chimed in.

“Do you think a haiku will be acknowledged by the student council? There needs to be at least a minimal amount of content, right?”

“Ah.”

With Kaoru’s out-of-character sharp insight, we all snapped back to reality.

“…Then how about turning that inspiration into a slightly longer piece?”

Izumi suggested while trying her best to maintain a neutral expression.

In the end, Uka, who had returned to a blank state, crashed onto the desk.

*

Still, I somewhat succeeded in filling the pages.

Thinking I should at least write something, I cranked out something diary-like, and Izumi nodded in approval as she accepted it.

“Then next week, let’s refine this!”

She said with sparkling eyes, appearing deeply moved by finally doing something literature club-related, which made me nervous.

Well, to be fair, I wouldn’t be able to fill even one page of broken A4 paper with typing.

…Still, I’m glad to see her energized after witnessing that chaos yesterday.

It must have been a panic-inducing situation for an ordinary high school girl. Is it because it’s the world of light novels that the residents have such sturdy mental states?

Or maybe it’s because nobody died.

Though, she seemed more scared when being investigated by the police than seeing those yōkai.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Uka asked me, noticing I was lost in thought.

“Ah… Well, I’m just running late for my part-time job today.”

After going through a lot of stuff, I had completely forgotten that Kaoru was there to find material for the literature club’s booklet.

And that booklet had to be completed at least by the week before the cultural festival. Otherwise, the student council and teachers wouldn’t check it to see if there was anything strange in it.

So, we were indeed in a bit of a tight spot. Izumi wasn’t pushing us to fill the pages, but…

Since today was Saturday, I had already informed my boss I’d be leaving about an hour late.

…Actually, I wanted the time to organize my thoughts.

“I don’t think anyone would be mad about that sort of thing.”

“Yeah… You’re right.”

My boss is definitely a good person.

No matter how unfortunate the circumstances of the kids working at his shop might be, it’s almost unheard of for them to bring hand-made lunchboxes for the sports festival.

Just one encouraging word after hearing their stories is enough to be considered a good person.

“He’s very considerate.”

Yeah. I’m being cared for.

Not just by the boss, but everyone around me is looking out for Koko and me.

Sometimes I wonder if I’m taking too much advantage of those around me.

No, it’s more accurate to say that I’m exploiting them.

“….”

Uka wore a face as if she didn’t know how to respond to me for a moment. Maybe it was because my own expression had turned complex.

And this too was consideration.

Can I repay the people around me? Can I repay them all?

Especially Uka.

…I wonder if Uka could be okay after that incident.

“Is there really nothing going on?”

Uka asked, looking up at me, lost in thought.

I nodded.

“I’m fine.”

“….”

Uka didn’t seem to believe that too much, so I added a wry smile.

*

To explain a bit about what I couldn’t say yesterday, things ended up being a little less serious than I feared.

First of all, the police completely misunderstood us.

They saw four high school girls who had just come out of the bath at a bar guarded by yakuza and acted like they had hit a jackpot.

Before we even had time to explain, a warm blanket was thrown over our shoulders, and we became the “protected.”

That was until a suited man came to the police station.

“…Student. No matter how your mother works there, bringing friends along seems a bit much.”

Fortunately, it helped that the upper floor was a regular family home.

Of course, my own home was far away in Saitama, but still, it’s a home. One of the ways to get there passed through that underground bar. Of course, you could go straight up from the upper floor, but…

To put it mildly, it’s illegal, but if I was going to see my mother, it’s understandable.

It seems the police made that judgment after listening to the explanations from that suited man and my testimony, along with Kaoru’s and Izumi’s words.

To be precise, they were pretending to “decide” that way. I guess that suited man is someone of a similar standing to Miura.

The reason he didn’t come here… is probably because I was with Kaoru and Izumi. They both had seen Mako during the last training camp. So, there was a chance they could run into Mako’s father, Mr. Miura.

“However, you have to cooperate with our investigation.”

That suited man said it like he was pressuring me.

“I’m afraid our investigation may broaden.”

But, the guy, who was taller than Mr. Miura, didn’t feel as much pressure as Mr. Miura. Was it just my imagination?

Well, after all, it’s a person who likely lost his daughter and went on a rampage in his work, so it’s natural for me to feel pressured just for knowing of his existence.

Mr. Miura is undoubtedly scarier than an unknown suited man.

So, although we managed to leave within an hour, the problem was Miki.

From the situation, it seemed Miki was the boss’s younger sister, and from what the boss said, she seemed to be a minor.

And the fact that Miki was dragged in with us was the problem.

In Japan, there’s no citizenship like a resident registration card. In fact, besides Korea, not many countries actually have such things. But still, normally there should be means to check someone’s identity.

Miki would be no exception.

If they actually started digging into it, they might find records that she had been in a juvenile facility.

“No, I mean the name including the surname…”

Watching the police continue investigating Miki, I suddenly pointed at her with my finger.

And stared directly at the man looking down at me in a pressure-filled way.

“Just let her go.”

“What?”

“If you don’t let her go, I won’t cooperate either.”

The man’s mouth slightly dropped open at my words.

Does he think I’m making an outrageous demand?

Well, it seems much easier than letting go of a corpse that was discovered just two hours ago and likely created by a strong suspect.

After all, Miki appeared not to be disguised as an adult for the moment.

“Right now, you think you’re in a privileged position—”

“It would be better to let her go.”

Yawning while waiting, Kagami spoke up.

Her attitude was extremely light and rebellious, unlike the tone she used when she had been sharing information with us.

Sure, this was a police station just like before when they were watching me.

“And even if it seems that way, I tend to be quite stubborn.”

“….”

There weren’t many means to pressure me in this situation.

Uka is an exorcist. Of course, knowing Uka, she wouldn’t endanger anyone’s life for her own desires, but generally, those dirty adults tend to evaluate kids’ lives as if calculating for their own benefit.

So Uka wouldn’t fall under their calculations. She is someone they need.

After ruling that out, there really isn’t much else. Most of the students at Hanagawa High School come from well-off families. Messing with them isn’t advisable.

Kagami?

“Because of that stubbornness, I’m suffering all the consequences.”

On the surface, we were merely acquaintances, right?

No, it’s not like we’re particularly close, either.

At least, I have no intention of getting involved when Kagami is in a politically sensitive situation. And Kagami likely wouldn’t want to involve me either.

So, for sure my family member Kagami cannot be a target of intimidation.

As for Koko… well.

I wonder if Koko might actually be closer to being on my side in terms of blackmail? Of course, I don’t intend to use Koko like that.

“So hurry up and let her go. That kid is definitely capable; she just sometimes lacks awareness and often misses the right timing.”

With the man rendered speechless, Kagami smirked.

*

I still can’t be sure whether letting her go at that time was the right answer or not.

Would it have been better to turn her over to the police and return home normally?

But if I’m not careful, maybe she could end up back in a juvenile facility. I have no intention of sending the boss’s younger sister back to such a place.

But leaving her to work in a bar… felt a little off too.

In the end, after having a full hour to think while talking with my boss, I arrived at the cafe with no solid conclusion.

“Oh, did you write well?”

The boss asked with a smile.

In his usual laid-back expression and demeanor,

Seeing that made me rethink.

Why hasn’t Miki come to see the boss?

Is it because she doesn’t want to hear what he might say? Or is it because of her current situation? Or maybe she’s worried about being a burden on the boss because of some debts?

Or perhaps… she simply feels embarrassed?

“…Why?”

“Oh, nothing. I’ll change my clothes.”

I said that and quickly went to change.

As slowly as possible, trying to buy time, I changed my clothes while contemplating.

I want to repay him.

I have received so much from the boss so far.

Just like Kuro helped me simply for growing up, I want to help the boss in return.

If I didn’t know about Miki, I wouldn’t have thought this far. Back then, all I could do was work hard as a way to help.

…The boss is just taking care of me because he thinks I have a sister-like situation similar to his. In fact, it’s not like that at all. The same goes for my relationships with other kids; for the moment, I’m basically lying to the boss to win his goodwill.

That is nothing less than a debt.

“…Alright.”

I muttered to myself and nodded after changing my clothes.

I should directly ask the boss.

That seems to be best.

After taking a few deep breaths, I stepped outside and headed straight to the boss.

With a serious expression harder to come by in his usual demeanor, the boss looked at me with wide eyes.

“Boss.”

“Uh, what? Is something wrong?”

“…What if.”

I said.

“If, by any chance, I were to meet this sister of yours again… would you understand whatever situation she’s in?”

“…What?”

The boss looked stunned by my words.

“So if—”

But even before I could continue my sentence, he grabbed my shoulders tightly.

Pulling me close and saying, “Do you happen to know something?”

“Ah, um—”

I was a bit flustered, but I composed my expression and said,

“…Please answer first.”

“….”

He looked at me for a while, so close I could almost touch a nose. In the distance, Shii, who was working, glanced over worriedly.

If Koko had been there, would she have forcibly pulled the boss away?

“…What is going on?”

“….”

But I didn’t say anything.

The boss took a while to collect his breath and said, “Of course, I would understand.”

He said that and let go of me.

Then, with a slightly deflated expression, he sat down in his seat.

“…No, in fact, I might not be able to understand.”

He added in a somewhat uncertain voice.

“But still, I’d like to meet her. I want to meet her and apologize.”

“….”

I looked silently at the boss.

This… might be an act without considering Miki’s feelings at all.

It might also be naïve to think the boss is a good person. Since I don’t know what actually happened between the two of them…

But still,

I nodded.

*

After my part-time job, I usually eat with Shii and go home directly, but today I headed somewhere else.

Before I came, I had already contacted someone via phone. Email would also have worked, but I thought a call would be more certain.

I pinpointed Miki in advance. Miki responded a bit puzzled but said, “Then today, I won’t be late~.”

Seeing that I was heading to the bar, the boss looked like his spirit had left his body, but like promised before being here, he silently followed me from behind.

And—

“…Ah…”

I faced Miki.

Hoping that it wasn’t her, I felt anxious, but now I had the new worry.

Was it really too sudden? But if I said something, Miki might run away. I had already experienced that before.

“….”

The boss said nothing.

Miki stood awkwardly and silently, while the boss remained uncharacteristically expressionless.

The first to move was the boss.

He rushed towards Miki.

Before Miki could go anywhere, the boss tightly embraced her.

“…Ah…”

Miki let out that sound just like when we first met.

“…I’m sorry.”

The first words the boss spoke were those.

I don’t know what backstory the two share. But, I’m certain that those words melted away whatever there was between them.

Miki’s face was soon filled with tears.

Miki reached out and hugged the boss back.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I turned my gaze away and—caught eyes with Kagami.

Kagami merely shrugged.

The expression on her face looked almost like, “Oh, lost one employee,” which made me suppress a laugh.

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