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

Chapter

Donkatsu literally means “pork cutlet.” In fact, no matter which term you use, it’s apparently impossible to express it accurately in Hangul. In Japanese, “ka” sounds like “kka” in Korean, and “tsu” is also heard as “sse.”

Typically, older words that have entered Korea use “kka” and “sse,” while slightly newer ones use “ka” and “tsu.” It’s like the difference between “tsunami” and “tsunami.” As generations change, it seems the way we hear pronunciations changes too.

Well, whatever. Whether you call it donkatsu or donkatsu, one thing remains: it’s thick meat.

With a crispy batter on the outside, the dipping sauce had a sweetness mixed with a tangy taste.

When I carefully picked up a piece of Japanese-style donkatsu with my chopsticks and took a cautious bite, the tender pork loin inside the crispy coating tore apart, releasing a burst of flavorful oil in my mouth.

And the taste made me shudder unknowingly; it was shocking.

In my previous life, and even after being reborn this time, I had never tasted such delicious donkatsu.

Actually, this was somewhat expected. For over two weeks, all I’d been eating was a hot dog bun that had nothing inside. I was so bored that I even added cooked bean sprouts and soy sauce inside or dipped it in salt. Still, it was impossible to completely mask the taste of that empty bread.

Oh, speaking of salt, there was salt here too.

Just like claiming “We’re so confident that even if we serve this casually, it will taste good,” they served a little plate with a sprinkle of salt alongside the sauce.

And this place was indeed confident enough to do that.

Even without the sauce, the meat didn’t have a strange smell, and the batter wasn’t greasy at all. Just a piece of perfectly crispy and savory donkatsu dipped slightly in salt made me feel blissful.

More than anything, what was excellent was that this place served a generous portion of rice.

Unlike the places that serve just a scoop with an ice cream spoon, this was a proper bowl—no, a proper plate?—and I really appreciated it.

I want to come here again, if I just had the money.

“…Is it really that good?”

While holding a half-eaten piece of donkatsu, tears welling up in my eyes, Sasaki, sitting opposite me, asked.

During the process of choosing our seats, we hesitated a bit.

It seemed my younger sister wanted to sit down for a meal facing her “older brother,” but she wasn’t keen on giving up the seat next to me, so she thought about where to sit. It was a classic case of brother complex, like a scene from a drawing.

In the end, she chose to sit next to her own brother.

In other words, the seat of the “couple” in “Couple and their friend.”

Well, I didn’t really care, so I just sat in the front seat left over. Yet, I still showed consideration by sitting between them instead of right in front of her brother.

After all, my target was this donkatsu.

“It’s delicious.”

I nodded and said firmly.

Fact is, once my situation stabilizes and I start eating a little richer food, I probably won’t taste this flavor anymore, but so what? Happiness is something that slips away if you don’t savor it in the moment. I just decided to enjoy this moment.

“So, uh… was it Kurosawa?”

Sasaki asked me again.

Ah, maybe she doesn’t know my name?

Well, since we were at the stage of merely introducing ourselves, the friend who mentioned me might have started the sentence with “Kurosawa—” and proceeded from there.

Of course, it’s very likely that I didn’t even have a proper name introduction with that friend.

Miura is quite popular. Fukuda and Yamashita, who sit at the back, are the same. They are the so-called “popular group.”

Of course, the three of them usually cluster together, but if they weren’t popular in the class, how could they be class president?

So, many kids in the class talked to Miura, and some of them would greet me sitting right in front of them.

However, there’d barely been any deep conversations. They were all too timid to continue the conversation since I responded too curtly.

If my appearance had been just a little brighter, I might have actually talked a bit more, but my usual look resembles “Sadako.”

Sadako with her hair tied up.

In that context, Sasaki was quite brave.

“Kurosawa Kotone.”

I introduced myself.

Since I had a meal, I might as well at least know names.

“I’m Sasaki Sota.”

I already knew his name, but upon thinking about it, this was the first time I was hearing it after meeting him today.

“And this is—”

“I’m Shii. Sasaki Shii. I’m his younger sister. Nice to meet you.”

At first, she seemed somewhat guarded against me, but seeing us sitting face to face, she looked rather innocent. That’s a relief. I had been trying to look innocent so far.

“What’s going on here?”

Sasaki asked.

Isn’t that a bit too personal? I thought, but on the other hand, that was the only question that seemed valid to ask.

Moreover—

“Tokyo Slayers” was a light novel closely following the popular “Boy Meets Girl” format at the time.

It’s a story where an ordinary boy meets an extraordinary girl. So, even if this moment is the beginning, it wouldn’t be strange at all.

And I could only bring that thought to mind after finishing off a piece of donkatsu.

…Indeed, one shouldn’t just go along with someone who treats them to a meal.

“…I’m looking for a part-time job.”

I said softly.

In truth, about 75% of it was mere selfish exploration of Akihabara, but my pride wouldn’t allow me to say that outright.

So this time, I presented the excuse I had made up as my main point.

“A part-time job? Out here?”

Of course, they would react that way. Damn.

Honestly, just because I attend Hanagawa High School doesn’t mean I have to live nearby. The housing prices near Tamachi Station in Minato Ward… um, I don’t know, but I’m sure they’re pretty expensive. At least much more expensive than the one-room apartment I live in Saitama Prefecture.

But because of that, looking for a part-time job in Akihabara, which is about a 30-minute journey away, seems inappropriate.

It’s saying that after taking the train for several tens of minutes from home to school, then again for several tens of minutes to work, which is clearly less time and money efficient than just finding work near school or home.

Even if they didn’t know where I lived, it was a story anyone could easily picture.

Yet that doesn’t mean I couldn’t think of another excuse.

“…If I work nearby, people will recognize my face.”

I said that while picking up my second piece of donkatsu.

“Oh, I see.”

This time they both had somewhat understanding looks on their faces.

There are many people in the world, and personalities vary greatly. Some enjoy meeting friends and chatting while working part-time, while others find such encounters unsettling.

If they think of the latter, isn’t that quite plausible?

“…”

And then silence.

Um…

I could carry on eating donkatsu in this state without a care, but still, it didn’t feel right to just nod along with the person treating me to a meal.

Honestly, shouldn’t a good person be someone who would buy a meal just for bumping into them?

Especially since I am the protagonist.

“Why are you guys here?”

“Oh.”

Sasaki’s face quickly morphed into one of delight.

It looked less like he was happy I was talking to him and more that he was relieved not to have to eat awkwardly anymore.

“Shii needed a computer.”

Ah, I see.

That makes sense.

But, I have to wonder.

Why is this almost perfect little sister, who usually figures everything out like an expert, suddenly clueless about computers? In the story, she seems able to handle word processing and all that perfectly on her own.

Well, obviously she’s created an excuse to hang out with her “older brother.”

Based on her constant anxious expression since earlier, she probably thinks there’s a chance I could tag along with her all day today.

Don’t worry, that won’t happen.

For reference, I also knew their relationship was quite complicated.

And not in that sibling way.

Their parents divorced.

And the father took Sota, while the mother took Shii.

For the record, neither side could exactly be called ideal parents, so both siblings were managing life through part-time jobs.

They attended school on scholarships.

…Now that I think about it, I heard that in Japan, you don’t just get scholarships; you have to pay them back.

Well, I figure they will manage just fine. They’re both the main protagonists, after all.

Thinking that, I popped another piece into my mouth.

It was absurdly delicious.

*

“I’m heading out.”

“Uh, uh…”

The girl in the sailor uniform, with hair and eyes as dark as her clothes, looked up at Sota.

The red ribbon on the sailor uniform’s collar was particularly prominent.

Kurosawa, that girl, turned and walked away, her steps appearing a bit steadier than when I first saw her.

“Older brother.”

Shii, who was next to me, asked.

“Do you know her from before?”

“No.”

Sota shook his head.

I’ve seen her before, but that doesn’t mean I’ve talked to her.

I’ve heard the stories.

Although Kurosawa might be unaware, she’s actually quite famous among our year.

She skipped school for a whole week at the beginning of the term.

And reportedly, she ditched school again shortly after. Yet she didn’t seem to care at all.

During lunch, she would apparently stumble alone down the hall, leaning against the corner of the shop, and only buy bread after everyone else had left.

The hairstyle must have made it hard not to gain attention. Her long black hair covered her back.

When she tied her hair back, it sparked quite a discussion. Her exposed face was ranked highly even in school.

“But why…?”

Shii tilted her head and asked.

“Right, why indeed?”

Truthfully, the rumors about Kurosawa weren’t particularly positive.

She was known for her gloomy atmosphere, always being alone during lunchtime. It seemed she might have friends, but they weren’t close enough to count.

Some kids even claimed she headed to the rooftop with some cream bread.

So that was how the rumor grew.

The truth was, she was poor, and it was assumed she was resorting to some inappropriate means to earn money.

After she revealed her face, such rumors spread even more.

“When I held her arm earlier…”

“Her arm?”

“Yeah. Her arm was skinny,” Sota said.

“I felt like I was back when I saw you after a long time, Shii.”

“…”

Shii silenced at his words.

Well, Kurosawa was probably older than Shii, so she likely had “more than” Shii, but that doesn’t mean she was healthy.

“So… maybe I shouldn’t have pried in. Should I have not intervened?”

“…”

Shii paused for a moment before letting out a light sigh.

“No, Kurosawa didn’t seem to show any significant rejection, so it should be fine, right?”

“Really, right?”

As Sota looked down at Shii while smiling, Shii turned her gaze away awkwardly.

Seeing Shii like that, Sota chuckled slightly.

*

I headed straight home from there.

I didn’t want to run into those two again if I lingered around Akihabara.

After all, I had said I was looking for a job. If I got caught staring at figures with my mouth agape in front of a used figurine store, that would be embarrassing.

Yet even so, I felt good.

Feeling my stomach full is a good thing. I had, of course, cleared the plate of donkatsu, as well as the rice and salad on the side.

With a slightly smaller stature and a thin build, that amount was more than enough to fill me up.

Regardless, in a pleasant mood, I was walking lightly towards home—

—I stopped in my tracks.

Someone was at the door.

Well, it wasn’t a particularly scary situation.

I already knew who it was.

“…Teacher?”

When I spoke to the girl sitting by the door, Suzuki-sensei looked up at me with teary eyes.

She was holding something like a bundle of wrapping in her arms.

Her surprised expression when she looked up at me, with tears in her eyes, was apparent.

“Kurosawa?”

“…What are you doing here?”

“Uh, ah, no.”

The teacher quickly stood up as she was sitting, trying to brush herself off, but she ended up dropping the bundle she was holding.

The bundle fell with a fairly soft plop sound.

I looked up at the sky over the railing. It was already darkening. Tokyo is further east than the Korean peninsula. Naturally, the sun sets much quicker. Having eaten dinner, this was to be expected.

Could it be that she had been waiting for me since she got off work?

“I see you weren’t home, huh?”

“…”

Seeing Suzuki-sensei smiling like that, I finally understood why her eyes were watery.

For some reason, she had stopped by my house, tried to call out to me, but since I hadn’t come out, she must have thought something happened or at least that I was rejecting her.

I pulled out my cellphone to take a look.

…No emails at all?

After observing my actions, Suzuki-sensei finally realized how odd her actions were.

Her face flushed red.

…Let’s ignore it.

After all, I have nowhere to go after school anyway.

I silently pulled out my keys from my pocket and opened the door.

“Would you like to come in?”

“Uh, um. Thank you.”

Responding to my question, Suzuki-sensei replied with a flushed face.

Although she is an adult, she’s still a novice in society.

Thinking back, I guess I must be older, right?

Going inside, I neatly took off my shoes and carefully placed my bag at the edge of the room.

No matter how minimal my space was, if it got any messier, Suzuki-sensei would unnecessarily worry.

Once I settled in my room, Suzuki-sensei also sat down in front of me, clutching her bag and the wrapped bundle.

“…May I ask what you came here for?”

“Ah, yeah.”

Suzuki-sensei carefully placed the bundle she was holding down.

“I was a little concerned after seeing you the last time I was here. I hope it won’t be a bother.”

Unraveling the sky-blue wrapping revealed a blanket.

…A blanket!

Moreover, not just a blanket, but also a pillow. My goodness.

“It’s not that thick, since it’s what I used at home, but I thought it would be better than sleeping on just the bare floor.”

It was indeed a thin summer blanket that could be used as both a cover and a sheet.

But what of it?

“Thank you.”

I immediately bowed my head slightly and said.

I wouldn’t reject it. I’m not sure if this is etiquette in Japan, but I won’t turn away gifts unless they’re some weird adult toy brought by some pervert. It will surely be a big help in daily life.

“R-really?”

Did she think I would refuse? Suzuki-sensei seemed a bit taken aback.

But then she looked somewhat relieved.

“Well then… where have you been today?”

“A little bit in Akihabara.”

I paused after saying that.

I’m not yet sixteen, am I?

Finding a part-time job at sixteen is one thing, but I’m not sure if the school would even allow it. Isn’t there a chance of some rule prohibiting part-time work?

I heard there are schools that restrict motorcycle rides at the age when one can get a license.

“Akihabara?”

“…I just wanted to check it out.”

So I said, hiding the fact I was planning to work part-time.

Suzuki-sensei looked pensive for a moment. Did she suspect I was hiding something?

“…I see.”

But did she understand me or not? Did she not think I did anything bad? She simply said that.

With nothing more to say, Suzuki-sensei slowly stood up.

“Anyway, it’s a relief nothing happened. If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know. I’m your homeroom teacher, after all.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

“You really don’t need to thank me.”

With that, Suzuki-sensei broke into a small smile. Her eyes were still a bit red.

What a genuinely nice person.

She was a good person in the original work, too. I remember her being even kinder than the protagonist’s homeroom teacher.

“Well, I’ll come by again next time.”

Suzuki-sensei said that while slightly bowing her head to me.

“Take care.”

I also returned the bow.

Once I confirmed she went down the stairs, I cautiously shut the door.

Then hurried back into my room.

Suzuki-sensei had left behind not only the blanket but also a pillow. There wasn’t even a reminder to return it. That must mean it’s hers to give, right?

I lovingly folded the pillow and put it in the kitchen sink drawer.

Then I returned to my room and spread out the blanket that had been laid out.

I wondered if she had at least washed it before giving it to me; with a slight exaggeration, it didn’t appear to have any dust.

Spreading the blanket on the floor, I brought the pillow over and lay down using it as a support, then threw the blanket on top.

“…Wow.”

My neck had been sore from carrying around that hard leather bag, but laying on a pillow that feels stuffed like clouds was pure bliss. How soft it felt.

And the blanket that settled on my body was soft too.

Tonight, I would fall asleep here more cozily than any other night since I came here.

What’s this?

Why do I suddenly feel so lucky?

Free meat and a free blanket.

“…”

A thought from the corner of my mind suggested that maybe this isn’t right, but the defense mechanism that took over my brain slapped the thought upside the head.

I felt at ease again.

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