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

But that negotiation didn’t end there.

“Alright, alright.”

Kaoru said as if she had backed down to a place where she could never retreat.

“Summoning a demon requires a lot of effort. We have to clear the desk and draw blood on the floor.”

Was she thinking of drawing blood?

…

Um, but somehow, this world seems like it could actually work. It’s a world where Yōkai exist, and we can create barriers or use talismans to fend them off.

Moreover, the place where Koko was sealed wasn’t just a refrigerator. Under the plastic wrapping around the room, there were various things drawn in a dark red color.

We simply broke the ceiling, causing the barrier to disappear.

And in fact, there was a being in this room that could perform something similar right now.

That being is me.

My wrist has some sort of summoning or magical circle etched into it, and if I just decide to cut it with a knife… a new sword would spring forth. Perhaps I could summon something other than a sword. Of course, at the moment, I have no intention of summoning anything but a sword.

Out of curiosity, I glanced at Yuka, but she didn’t even flinch at Kaoru’s words.

…Well.

If it were that easy to summon them, this world would be a lot more chaotic than what I’m currently witnessing.

“Then, how about summoning Kokkuri-san instead? That should be fine, right?”

Kaoru said with a smile as she pulled out a piece of paper from her bag. Apparently, she was ready to try it regardless of who would refuse, as it had already been written on: Hiragana.

…And the Pentagram, YES, NO, and numbers.

Isn’t it usually a shrine instead of a pentagram? Since it’s ‘Kokkuri (狐狗狸, fox, dog, raccoon)’?

I just watched from the side, but I’ve seen people do this before. Kids in high school, middle school, and even elementary school are interested in ghost stories. Naturally, there are kids who love to cause a stir with eerie rituals.

For elementary school kids, even seeing a ghost becomes a bragging point.

“Why is there a pentagram instead of a shrine?”

When Izumi asked incredulously, Kaoru shrugged her shoulders.

“I thought we could summon more kinds of spirits by harmonizing Eastern and Western styles. A passing demon might answer us.”

I looked at Yuka again.

Yuka looked at me as if she didn’t understand why I wanted that kind of response. It seemed her words held no ground.

Still, Izumi ultimately didn’t stop Kaoru from laying the paper on the desk.

It didn’t seem like the negotiation of closing the door worked on Kaoru, and doing this wouldn’t rearrange the furniture much, so it was close to just letting it be.

It was a state where I was too lazy to argue anymore.

Unlike Izumi, who slumped her shoulders in weakness, some of the other kids in the room did show interest in Kaoru’s words.

“It sounds fun!”

Harumi said that as she grabbed Yuuki’s wrist, who was still sitting in the corner, pulling him towards us. Yuuki had an expression that said she was being a bother.

Mako had a slightly curious look on her face. Looking back to her memories from elementary school, Mako always seemed to be a bit interested in topics that her peers were into, even if she appeared quiet.

…I think she was also a bit interested in romance stories.

In subcultures, it’s often a setting where characters who seem to enjoy playing around openly have no boyfriends, while those who cutely look shy have rich experiences. Mako, while not to that extent, indeed liked stories about romance and ghost tales.

“Right? It’s just for fun.”

With the support of her juniors, Kaoru excitedly continued.

Kaoru rummaged through her pockets and took out a 10-yen coin, placing it on the paper.

“Okay, then, Koto Ne, lend me your finger.”

“Huh? Me?”

When I asked, Kaoru nodded.

“Yup.”

“Is there a reason?”

I wasn’t questioning to be annoying; I was genuinely curious.

Kaoru had liked me and Koko quite a bit from the moment she saw us. Was it just because of our looks?

“Um, somehow, I thought you would fit well.”

But I was at a loss for how to respond to that answer.

Should I say it’s intuition or just coincidence?

…

No, thinking about it, among those who engage in Yōkai-related activities, there were four of us: Yuu, Yuka, Koko, and me— a ridiculous situation.

Mako’s father was involved in such things, and Harumi also had a weird connection.

So, even if Kaoru chose someone else in this setting, it would have seemed plausible.

I glanced back at Yuka.

Yuka shrugged as if it didn’t matter to her.

To Yuka, it seemed Kaoru’s paper held no magical power.

Well, if that’s the case.

I nodded and leaned slightly forward.

“Alright, place your finger on the coin.”

Kaoru said this and took my hand to place it on the coin. I just followed Kaoru’s lead obediently.

To be honest? It was a bit fun.

Because this was what I wanted from the club. Not to be too rigid, but sometimes engage in meaningless activities, yet still pursue small bits of joy that could become memories as we spent time together.

That was the reason I dragged all my friends along to join.

“Next, let’s all chant the spell together.”

Kaoru said.

“How?”

“Just follow me. Alright, Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, please come~”

Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, please come~

Harumi, who seemed to enjoy the situation, and Mako, who was watching us with interest.

Me, sitting in front.

Including Kaoru, the four of us recited the incantation.

Nothing happened—

—No, it shouldn’t have happened.

Suddenly, the atmosphere turned cold.

Shiver ran down my back.

I recognized this sensation. It was the feeling I got whenever I was in front of a Yōkai’s nest.

“You called her.”

“…”

Um, no, I didn’t expect to meet her like this.

My fingers felt frozen and wouldn’t move. It was as if I was holding the coin tightly, like a kid trying to manipulate something during a game of ‘Bunshin-saba.’

But it wasn’t just the coin that wasn’t moving.

The sounds of this world had also stopped. All I could hear was a whisper in my ear.

“It seems you’re not glad to see me.”

But it was a voice that showed no regret at all.

“It’s strange. I am always here to help you.”

“…Anyone would react that way upon hearing your voice in such a situation.”

I responded.

Did my mind stop? Did time in this world actually stop? I couldn’t tell. But strangely enough, in this seemingly frozen time, my mouth could still move.

I forced myself to look around. Unfortunately, my gaze was fixed on the coin, so I couldn’t see much.

I could only see Kaoru’s face, but it didn’t seem serious. Just like the usual Kaoru.

But it was eerie. I felt like her skin was just that, a lifeless shell.

After that, I had a few more exchanges with ‘her.’

Even after chatting a few more times, she was still the same. An unknown entity that radiated a certain transcendent aura.

That’s why she always felt suspicious.

“What a pity. That you would regard her suspiciously.”

I didn’t say anything, but given my behavior until now, it was a given for her to react that way.

She had saved me multiple times, and without that sword, I wouldn’t have been able to fight properly either.

Still, every time we spoke, I felt a strong sense that this being was hiding something from me.

“Is that so.”

‘She’ replied.

“Then, it would be wise to ask her something. If she answers, perhaps your little lamb might trust you.”

But at the same time, it was a voice that seemed indifferent to whether I believed her or not.

That voice was, how should I put it?

Just, it felt like creating a sense of enjoyment. An attitude that everything was just fun to watch.

“…”

“You called me, didn’t you?”

I did call.

But Kokkuri-san isn’t that kind of being. A weak being summoned by a weak spell; not an exceedingly transcendent existence.

Who would have imagined something like this would pop up?

But at the same time, she seemed to have an aura that suggested if I didn’t answer, we’d remain stuck in this situation, so I said something.

“…How did you get here?”

“What a shame to waste your question on that. But since you asked, I must answer.”

She said with a smile.

“The act of calling isn’t important; what’s important is the answer. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

I couldn’t think of how to respond to that.

“I’ll give you one more chance.”

She said.

“This time, I hope you ask a more interesting question.”

It was also a self-centered remark.

I pondered for a moment and asked something that genuinely piqued my curiosity.

“…About the murder cases appearing on the news. Is that the work of Yōkai?”

“Oh.”

She laughed.

“I see. That’s a good question.”

She said—

“…Huh!?”

Yuka gasped, jumping up in surprise.

“Koto Ne!?”

It wasn’t just Yuka who was shocked.

Koko also froze, her eyes wide open.

“…Huh?”

Kaoru reacted too.

Her gaze was on the tip of our fingers, so I turned my gaze back to that direction.

The coin was at ‘YES.’

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