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

The teacher who entered the next class was startled when she saw me sitting in my seat. _Gasp!_

It seemed she thought I was some ghost sitting there.

Still, the class proceeded normally.

My mind was so muddled throughout the fourth period that I barely grasped what the lessons were about.

While conducting the class, the teacher seemed a bit scared since I was sitting right at the front, just a bit too close for comfort; thankfully, she didn’t throw any questions my way.

After the fourth period ended, it was lunchtime.

The class president seemed like she wanted to say something to me, but just then, a friend behind her struck up a conversation, causing her to turn away.

Well, if she’s nice and pretty, it’s only natural that she has lots of friends.

I thought it was a relief and quickly got up from my seat and headed out of the classroom.

Being mixed in with the crowd pouring out for lunch made me feel a little more alive.

Watching the girls in sailor uniforms and the boys in gakuran, it felt like my clothes should be straight out of the 20th century.

Well, it hasn’t even been three full years since we entered the 21st century. We haven’t even crossed half of 2004 yet.

In Japan… I’m not exactly sure what year it is, but was it called Heisei? I don’t really know which era is more commonly used. I think the last page of the light novel I once bought as a kid said something in kanji like “Heisei” instead of just “2004”.

Back then, I didn’t know such things well, huh.

While wondering where to go, I was reminded that I still didn’t quite know the structure of the school.

From the looks of it, it seems like a simple design, but the interior is quite spacious. Over many years, the building has been gradually expanded, so the hallways are probably somewhat complex as well.

Let’s just follow a random group of students moving around. I’m sure I’ll find either the snack shop or the cafeteria.

*

The group of students I followed ended up at the snack shop.

It felt less like a convenience store and more like a system where the items were inside, and you had to ask the cashier to get them for you.

“……”

Then, seeing the cluster of students gathered, I felt a wave of nausea.

Even the rich kids are still just teenagers.

I was too intimidated to even think about buying bread with all that overflowing energy surrounding me, so I leaned against a nearby wall and waited for them all to wrap up their purchases.

Surely, something will be left behind.

It didn’t take long for the students to clear out.
Unlike the cafeteria where they had to buy their meals and return the dishes, not many students were keen on grabbing a meal from the snack shop. After all, there were only two very small tables.

Most just buy snacks to head back to the classroom or go to a place they prefer to eat with their friends.

“Ah, it’s all been sold out again.”

I heard a boy from a group that bought the last of the bread grumbling.

“Hey, I told you to go to the bathroom later!”

“If I don’t go, I think I’ll burst! I told you to go first and buy it— I’ll pay you!”

“Do you even know that the money you haven’t repaid me is over two thousand yen?”

“Hey, hey.”

While those two were having a conversation that might be embarrassing to others, one of their friends lightly touched their arm to stop them.

The three boys’ gazes turned toward me, about five steps away from them.

The boy who had been grumbling about bursting turned slightly red and then cleared his throat loudly before leaving the snack shop, followed by the other two as they chuckled.

After waiting for them to exit, I slowly walked up to the shopkeeper.

“Oh dear, sorry! All the other bread has sold out, is that okay?”

The bread the shopkeeper showed me was a cream puff.

“I was actually going to buy that anyway.”

I said this as I handed over a coin to the shopkeeper.

*

The sky is really clear today.

Back when I was a high school student, the school rooftop was simply locked up.

No, in the ‘list of differences between Japanese schools and anime’ I’d seen before, it said, “In reality, they’re locked.” I guess this is the world of light novels.

However, rather than just being unlocked, they did take some precautions against accidents. A green fence lined the rooftop, similar to a parking lot boundary.

But why hasn’t a single person come up here even though it’s open?

There should be at least one loner like me here.

Well, no need to think too deeply.

I leaned against the fence meant for safety and tore open the puff pastry bag.

At first bite, I thought, what is this? But as I chewed, a subtle sweetness began to emerge. Well, carbs are carbs after all.

I still need to come up with a plan for fat and protein, though.

…Should I look for some bean sprouts on the way back?

Thinking that made a sigh escape me. If anyone saw me sigh while still chewing on this bread, they’d think I was reheating it. Thank goodness no one was around.

I chewed the chunk of dough in my mouth and started pondering again.

I had this thought throughout the fourth period, but I definitely remember that I had seen the name “Miura” in a novel somewhere.

However, the reason I could suddenly recall was that I had never actually seen the character with the name “Miura Mako.”

“She was the first victim to emerge from this school.”

That’s how it probably was.

Since I don’t watch the news or read newspapers, I can’t determine exactly, but there’s still a murderer on the loose, even now. A grotesque murder case targeting women in their teens to twenties. A total of five victims. Miura was the fifth victim among them.

In the midst of such a murder case, why is the world still so peaceful— ah, well, isn’t it always like that?

Even when serial killings occur and the culprit remains at large, it feels like it’s a story belonging to someone else for most people.

In the novel, the protagonist’s younger sister almost became the sixth victim, but she was saved by the heroine, and the story began from there.

“……”

Should I save her?

No, more importantly, could I even save her if I tried?

The novel, which I presume is the ‘original work’ that this world is based on, is [Tokyo Slayers].

It was a popular “new generation” novel back in the day.

The “ordinary protagonist” meets an “extraordinary being,” and their ordinary life gets ruined; you know, that kind of setup.

Here, the male lead is ordinary, while the heroine isn’t.

As is customary, there are unnecessarily shocking or cruel elements, with a distinct smell of a second grader’s syndrome.

As can be inferred from the setting where the heroine dealt with the murderer, they are not even human.

“After Miura’s death, the school students become more alert, and the protagonist worries about his younger sister in middle school, walking to school together… and that’s when they encounter ‘the demon’.”

I start piecing the story together slowly.

There are no specific dates listed. Even if they were, with 20 years having passed, I wouldn’t have been able to recall them now.

However, judging by the fact that the first month of the first semester has yet to pass, it means there isn’t much time left.

“……”

Once again, I ponder.

In this world, you can’t defeat yokai with a regular sword; they can only be defeated with the “Nameless” weapon held by the heroine.

The protagonist can, for reasons unknown, threaten and kill those yokai.

So…

If I just follow Miura, I won’t really be able to offer much help. Perhaps the best I could do is just go along and die with her.

“Haah.”

I let out a deep sigh once more and shoved the remaining puff pastry into my mouth.

I’m not super tall, but I feel skinny, or maybe it’s just my thin frame, but even this has filled me up for now.

“Seriously, what am I supposed to do?”

I don’t know who this “someone” is, but if you’re going to drop a person into another world, you should at least give them something to work with!

At least drop me into a work that I can remember clearly.

*

“Kurosawa.”

“Huh?”

In the end, I couldn’t come to any conclusion as the last class of the day wrapped up.

As promised, Suzuki-sensei introduced me to the kids once again during the closing remarks, and I had to recite my name in front of them once more, which was quite unpleasant.

The atmosphere of reluctance radiating from my face was so intense that Suzuki-sensei didn’t push me to do anything further.

After finishing a few simple announcements, the closing remarks concluded.

And while I was on my way home, Miura called out from behind me.

“Hey, where are you walking to?”

“…I’m heading to the station.”

“Is that so?”

After hearing my reply, Miura thought for a moment before turning back to her friends.

“Hey, everyone. I’m sorry, but can you let me go ahead with Kurosawa for today? I have something to talk about.”

After Miura’s words, the others nodded.

Now that I look at them, they all have distinct personalities.

I don’t know how to put it, but if Miura isn’t around, they all give off a “gyaru” vibe. Platinum blonde tanning, one with pale skin but long hair, wearing a short skirt. You can’t judge a person just by their appearance, but honestly, they look a bit like the party types.

“Well, if the teacher said that, I guess I don’t have a choice…”

“Harumi!”

Though Miura hurriedly interjected, the girl named Harumi simply shrugged her shoulders.

By the way, wearing a sailor uniform with that sort of appearance gives off the impression that they’d be riding motorcycles…do they actually ride them?

“Kurosawa, can we walk to school together today? At least to the front of the station.”

“…Sure.”

When I nodded, Miura let out a visibly relieved breath.

“Well then, good luck, Class President.”

The girl called Harumi patted Miura on the shoulder and spun around nicely, and the girl with long black hair beside her raised her hand slightly before following Harumi.

They didn’t even bat an eye towards me.

I actually felt more comfortable that way.

“Shall we go?”

As I quietly watched the backs of those two as they got farther away, Miura asked.

I nodded.

*

“Don’t mind what she said. She’s just the type to say what she’s thinking.”

“I’m not bothered.”

The teacher had said she’d take good care of me during lunch, which is probably why she said that.

Having been absent from school for a week, it’s understandable that she might be worried. Considering that teacher’s character, it probably is genuine concern for a student, but there is also the aspect of her own reputation at stake.

This is her first time as a homeroom teacher, and if there’s a problem child, it could ruin her future as a teacher.

“So… where were you during lunch?”

“On the rooftop.”

“Oh, I see.”

“……”

Ah, no, that’s not it.

It’s been so long since I’ve had a conversation with a girl that I forgot how to guide it along.

Plus, I’m also a high school girl right now.

“Is your home far from here?”

“Yeah. It’s about an hour by subway.”

I skipped the part about it being a 30-minute walk.

“Uh… where do you live?”

Okay, good, I managed to get the conversation going for the first time.

“In Saitama.”

“Saitama?”

Miura blinked in surprise.

“Oh, I see.”

Miura seemed to have gotten lost in thought for a moment.

“Um… this might be a bit personal to ask, but why didn’t you come to school last week?”

“……”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize…”

I paused for a moment.

However, it felt a bit awkward to say that I lived in an old style Japanese apartment.

I felt like I might receive some unnecessary concerns.

I think Miura was getting nervous, clasping her hands in front of her chest as if she thought she made a mistake by stopping my stride.

…

Alright, let’s save her.

Even if someone is a total stranger and I hear they died, it wouldn’t feel great, and if a kind girl who sat behind me at school died, it would feel even worse.

“Kurosawa.”

“Yeah?”

“When you’re usually hanging out with friends, do you have places you like to go?”

“Um? Well, there are a few.”

“Could you introduce me to some?”

“Uh?”

“I’ve barely ever been to Tokyo, so I don’t know anything about it.”

Truth be told, even living right next to Saitama, that’s not a conversation I should be having. Just getting by in Saitama is enough, but I’ve never taken the subway into Tokyo to hang out— that’s what I’m saying.

But, here’s the thing.

I’m technically a problematic student who’s been skipping a week of school.

Plus, I’m skinny and my hair is a mess.

Anyone would assume I’m a kid from a troubled family.

If I give off a vibe of ‘I don’t want to go back,’ a nice person will have a hard time turning me down.

And look, I have the reliable-looking class president here.

I guess I have to follow what the teacher said?

“Um… yeah.”

Miura seemed a bit taken aback by my suddenly active question.

*

“Kurosawa, you sing well!”

That’s what Miura said as we exited the karaoke place.

And I was surprised too.

I thought being able to speak Japanese without a hitch was a perk of crossing over to this world, but it seems my singing skills have improved as well.

Should I call it a youthful voice? It had a different vibe from my usual gloomy tone.

…Though, I only sang one old song that’s somewhat well-known in Korea.

At first, Miura seemed a bit awkward being with me, but after that, she became increasingly comfortable around me.

Now, she looks at me like I’m someone who’s somewhat okay, even though I might seem a bit unique.

Is it because my basic appearance is that of a pretty girl that added extra points?

“Oh, right.”

It was only after leaving the karaoke place that Miura clapped her hands as if she had just remembered something and dug into her bag to pull out her phone.

“Shall we exchange emails?”

…Thank goodness they still have cell phones.

I breathed a sigh of relief internally and pulled out my phone from my bag.

*

Wow, making friends with high school girls is surprisingly easy.

The most crucial preparatory item seemed to be the presence of a high school girl’s body.

On the first day, Miura seemed a little shy about talking to me, but from the next day onwards, she would call out to me without hesitation.

Of course, she would address me as “Kurosawa.” It’s unavoidable. But since I call her Miura, it should be fine, right?

And I even got to know the names of two gal friends who are close to Miura.

“By the way, why don’t you think about changing your hairstyle a bit?”

The tanned gal who asked that with a cream bun in her mouth was named Harumi, just like I’d heard before. Her last name was Fukuda.

I just call her Fukuda. Since she didn’t say anything against that, it seems to be fine.

“……It takes a long time in the morning.”

“That’s right. After all, for Kurosawa, it must take a long time to get to school.”

Miura chimed in.

“Wouldn’t cutting it a bit shorter be okay?”

“That’d be a waste.”

“Waste…?”

But truth be told, it was a little precious.

It’s a bit gloomy style wise, but my hair condition is fine.

“Doing a ponytail properly is also a bit of a hassle.”

Yamashita, who was sitting next to Fukuda while looking at her phone, chimed in.

Her name is Yamashita Yuu. Apparently, she writes it without the long vowel in hiragana as “Yuu.”
I’m not really close to her either, so I’m just calling her Yamashita.

Well, since it’s probably the case that I won’t get to call out their names very often, using their last names might be fine in my head.

“How about tying just the ends of your hair? It’s definitely going to be more comfortable than just letting it hang all over, right? It’s so voluminous anyway.”

Is that true?

Before I could respond, Fukuda suddenly jumped out of her seat and came over to me.

Before I even had a chance to dodge, she grabbed my hair and tied the ends with a hair tie she had on her wrist.

“Ta-da!”

“It doesn’t look much different though?”

Yamashita, who tilted her head slightly while looking at me, said.

“Not at all! It looks way cleaner! How about it, Mako-chan?”

“Won’t that just come undone quickly?”

“No, that’s not…?”

As Miura worried about a completely different thing, Fukuda scratched her head and let out a sigh.

…Anyway, that’s how our break time went.

In terms of energy levels, Fukuda was the highest, followed by Miura, and then Yamashita.

But the center of that group felt like Miura, for sure. Maybe it’s because of her positive energy.

However, hanging out like this during break time—that’s fine!

“Ah, Kusawa?”

During lunchtime, when I stood up from my seat, Miura called out to me.

“Shall we grab lunch together today?”

“Ah…”

“Even today, it’s a bit like that?”

“Hey, hey, leave her alone.”

Fukuda gave Miura’s back a light tap.

“She seems to be the type who savors solitude. She says she doesn’t want to.”

Not wanting to… it’s not that simple.

More like, I didn’t want to show myself eating a puff pastry.

Well, in essence, that could still mean I didn’t want to.

I left Miura, who looked a bit disappointed, and walked away from my seat.

*

While it’s fortunate to have gotten close with Miura’s group, there was one major problem.

Being friends with them drained my money.

It wasn’t anything extravagant. I’d say it’s just the typical wholesome activities a teenage high school girl can do after school.

The problem was, I didn’t have that much money for wholesome activities.

There’s no problem with ‘right now.’

But is that really true?

If a person living alone has about 20 million yen in their account, that should last them about a year, right?

However, on top of that, if you start adding costs for karaoke, or for expensive desserts in cafes, that’ll paint a different picture.

I had to pay expensive tuition too.

…I really need to look for a side job that pays well as quickly as possible.

“Kurosawa.”

Miura snapped me back from my thoughts.

We were sitting on a bench in front of the station.

The daylight wasn’t quite long yet, but the sky was already tinted with sunset colors.

Though we’ve been running around, in the end, we are still high school students.

After strolling around the shopping mall and hitting karaoke, there wasn’t really much left to do. Just killing time in a family restaurant would also feel a bit off.

But due to the kids saying they wished to hang out a little longer, we were sitting on the bench chatting.

Well, the talk mostly centered around Miura, and the two sitting beside her, Fukuda and Yamashita, exchanged words while I was sitting back and only listening.

“What’s on your mind?”

“……”

Well, I do have something.

I can’t exactly express the worry that she might die.

At first, I thought it might upset me that the girl sitting directly behind me got murdered, but now that we’ve grown close, it’s become about wanting to save her for her sake.

The problem is that I still haven’t managed to find a way to do that.

“…… I usually just have a gloomy expression.”

“That’s true.”

“You have a knack for self-objectification.”

Fukuda, who was slurping her iced coffee through a straw, responded, and Yamashita beside her nodded in agreement while Miura massaged her forehead.

“Shall we head home then?”

With a _puff!, Fukuda stood up from her seat.

“Yeah, nothing else to do anyway.”

Yamashita said that as she got up, and I stood up from my seat as well when—

—“Looks delicious.”

I heard those words.

Suddenly, chills ran down my spine.

I quickly looked around, but there were only average people in my vicinity.

However, the goosebumps on my body wouldn’t go away easily.

There’s definitely something nearby.

“Kurosawa?”

“…It’s nothing. I think I just misheard something.”

“Is that so?”

Miura tilted her head at my response, looking puzzled.

As I gazed steadfastly at her puzzled expression, I thought to myself.

I’ve finally found it.

---