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

Looking back on somewhat hazy memories, Yuka in front of me seemed more rigid than the Yuka from the novels.

No matter how much I struggled with making friends and lived a life far from ordinary, the Yuuki and Yuka from the novels had at least a basic charm to them.

They were polite in front of adults, and when others talked to them, they’d at least respond appropriately.

At first, Yuka didn’t seem to expect to become close with others, showing a somewhat detached demeanor, but over time, as she spent time in high school, she began to adapt little by little.

She may not have been the absolute popular kid leading the whole class, but she did become an ordinary high school student, admired by some and happily chatting with others.

Of course, the person she talked to the most was Sota.

“…….”

However, Yuka, whose expression was strange in front of the ice cream, had a somewhat different impression from the Yuka in the novels.

First of all, she was younger.

It’s a rather obvious point. Just a few months ago, both Yuka and I were elementary school students. No matter how much a kid grows and develops physically, it’s difficult to completely hide that youthful aura showing on their face. There might be cases where they look much older, but at least Yuka didn’t seem to be one of them.

Her face was filled with wariness.

I sat across from Yuka, choosing my words carefully in my mind, finally pulling out a story I could share.

“Have you heard anything about me?”

“Hearing about you?”

“……Um.”

I asked that question, but when it bounced back at me, I wasn’t sure what to say.

Indeed.

What could Yuka have heard about me? My name?

I didn’t really know how much the government knew about me and Kagami. Maybe they knew more about me than I did myself. At least, they’d likely know well about my background.

“……I’ve heard about your family. Just your name, but if it’s what my grandfather says.”

“Really?”

I was a bit intrigued.

In the novel, the character Kurosawa Koto Ne didn’t make an appearance. But the fact that my name comes up in the background suggests that I at least existed in the story, doesn’t it?

…No, now that I think about it, perhaps that’s how reality works in this world. Just as not every single action of the characters can be shown in the novel, I could just be one of the unnamed “exorcists” or “exorcist families” that appeared as background settings.

“I don’t know the details.”

As soon as I showed an interesting expression, Yuka answered right away, as if worried that I might be asking.

“I just heard your name a few days before I met you.”

A few days ago, Yuka really wouldn’t have known anything at all.

Well, thanks to that, I could build a few hypotheses.

It’s a bit ambiguous to say this world is the “world of light novels.” Novels are just a collection of text, and it’s immensely lacking in data to create a complete world.

Rather, it’s more appropriate to assume that it’s a collection of “descriptions of certain parts of a world.”

Thus, it means this world is a “light novel-like” world.

Thinking further in that direction, I could assume that beyond the common sense Yuka and Shii know, “light novel-like” things are happening.

In the novels, there are exorcists dressed in nun outfits slashing Yōkai, so even if it’s not Sota or Shii, it wouldn’t be strange for characters experiencing something that a light novel protagonist or heroine might.

A girl opposing her family’s decisions, running away with her daughter or a much younger sibling, wouldn’t be too strange even if it appeared in a light novel’s opening.

That doesn’t mean Sota’s importance diminishes, though. The ‘future’ I know is only related to Sota.

“…….”

“Why?”

As I sank into deep thought, Yuka asked me.

“Just. I don’t know much about myself either.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

Saying that, I took a spoonful of the ice cream that was starting to melt. Yuka glanced at me with a somewhat bewildered expression before digging into her own ice cream.

“From now on, do you think we’ll meet often?”

“……Yeah, well.”

Yuka answered my question.

It seemed that Mako’s father didn’t intend to have me transferred to another school. I’m not really sure about the rules and how Yōkai appear… But honestly, if it’s a matter occurring in Tokyo, wouldn’t it be unnecessary to transfer schools?

Or perhaps Yuka would need to stay hidden for a long time while trying to catch that Yōkai. Since the novel mentioned that exorcists could instinctively sense when Yōkai were nearby, it might make sense.

“Well then, it’d be nice to get along.”

“……Get along?”

Yuka, who halted her ice cream eating, stared at me.

Her expression clearly hadn’t expected to hear such a thing.

“…….”

I hesitated for a moment.

Even though I felt a strange intimacy just because she’s the heroine of the novel, we were technically meeting for the first time today.

So, sharing personal stories isn’t really the smartest choice. I think Yuka wouldn’t misuse my information, but it could become a burden for the listener.

After a brief internal struggle, I decided to just say it out loud.

After all, since the government made this meeting happen, it’s unlikely we’d drift apart. Yuka isn’t the type to be irresponsible about things either.

So, making a little mistake in words should be okay.

“I’ve changed schools a couple of times since childhood.”

Yuka’s eyes blinked.

I wasn’t sure if that was a positive sign or not, but anyhow, I wanted to finish what I wished to say.

“I didn’t want to go, but every time, my friends changed too.”

It’s not that anyone was better or worse, but in my case, I hesitated to contact anyone. I consider the possibility of meeting again someday when I return, since the high school I aim for is nearby, there’s a chance it might happen.

As for Mako, she’s probably worried about her father’s opinion, and the other kids… I was somewhat scared about how they’d react if I suddenly contacted them after years without a word.

“Changing friends every time you change schools is tiring. So… I thought it’d be nice to have at least one friend who wouldn’t care about that.”

After finishing my sentence, I felt a bit regretful.

Even so, I’m not the type to talk like this. I’ve been trying to imitate Harumi to become popular in class recently, but that’s not really who I am.

“…….”

Yuka stared at me with her mouth slightly open. The spoon in her hand hovered dangerously, threatening to drop.

“If you don’t like it, that’s fine.”

I quickly added.

Right. I still haven’t heard Yuka’s story. I have no clue about what she’s thinking or feeling.

All I know is just what I read in the book.

Have I crossed the line too much?

But my worries didn’t last long.

“……W-well, that’s uncertain.”

Yuka said, shifting her gaze here and there.

“You’re already bringing that up after just meeting!”

Hearing those words, I let out a quick laugh.

“That’s how friendships usually start just because you’re sitting next to someone!”

That was how it was with Harumi for me. Just because we were in the same kindergarten, in the same class, she dragged me around when I was sitting in a corner trying to avoid mixing with others.

She showed me magical girl comics despite my indifference, sang the opening songs with me, and even gifted me toys.

It was the same with Yuuki. Harumi pulled the shy Yuuki next to her too.

For simply being there at the same time, Harumi, Yuuki, and I became inseparable friends for years.

Even with Mako, we were just desk neighbors, but before long, it became natural for us to visit each other’s houses. It was nothing surprising that in less than two years, we ended up camping as families together.

So, um…

Well, can’t friendships also form just because we were coworkers?

I’m not sure if it’s right to call it that, though.

“…….”

Yuka opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again, but paused.

It seemed she was looking for something to rebut but ultimately couldn’t find it.

Surely, she must’ve experienced this before. There must have been kids who talked to her every time she changed schools, and among them, there were likely those she clicked with.

In the end, they all ended up parting ways anyway.

“……Do you even understand? We might have to go fight.”

“I know.”

“We might be fighting for our lives, you know?”

“That’s why it’d be good if we could trust each other.”

Upon my words, Yuka once again wore a blank expression.

…Hmm, was I too far with that?

To be honest, if we look at it closely, neither Yuka nor I are in a positive situation. Kagami had despaired after hearing my story even.

But that doesn’t mean we have any reason to give up completely, that’s what I think.

If Kagami had given up on me partway, would I be here now?

I only wish for happiness even after everything is over, struggling away.

As I started to dig into my ice cream again, Yuka lowered her head once more.

Even though it was me who spoke, I felt embarrassed somehow, and in the end, the two of us didn’t say another word until we left the cafe.

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