Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai Volume 5

Written by : Tsukasa Fushimi

Illustration by : Kanzaki Hiro

English Translation by NanoDesu Translations

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translation or upon request by the original copyright holders, please stop
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(Bottom Right)

New Character Introductions

(Narrator: Makabe Kaede)

Hmm. if I were to describe that person in one phrase, I would probably say he
was an eccentric weirdo. Yes, you can already see that hes a weirdo, but on
the inside hes an even bigger hentai. And even more than that, hes an idiot.
A huge idiot. And whats more, the types of girls hes into seems to be limited
to 2D lolis. Honest to God, I have no idea what hes going to do in the future
if hes like this Im being too mean? Ahaha, its alright, senpai. After all, Im
usually the one who suffers the most from all the bad jokes he pulls. So just
1

let me complain a little. Oh, right right, just recently, he brought a Makaizou
figure and put it in my room without me knowing about it, and because of
that, my sister came face to face with a completely naked Hatsune *ku while
she was cleaning my room. Even now, my sister blushes every time she sees
my face, but what can I do about it?

Ahem. Well, that might be true, but if you ask me if I hate that person, then
I would have to say that I dont at all. If I hated him, I wouldnt have stuck
with him for over a year. But how should I put it that person might be an
idiot, but hes still a good person, and hes almost abnormally forwardlooking. Maybe its because he always just wants to enjoy life but for better
or worse, he doesnt spare any effort when it comes to achieving his goals.
For the same reason, if it comes down to finding different ways to enjoy life, I
wouldnt be surprised if he would gladly put his own life on the line. At any
rate, he seriously is funny in the head.

_____________________
1

A figure company specializing in figures that you shouldnt Google if youre at work.

But, for that reason, even while everyone shrinks back at his eccentricities,
everyone follows him, becomes an idiot like him, and tries to have lots of fun,
dont they?

(Top Left)

This girl,

Shes a pretty cute girl, isnt she?

Hm? Ahh, right, if were talking in terms of appearance, I guess you could say
she looks pretty mature. And her chest is also pretty big, I guess? Ahh, no,
its not like that I was talking about her personality there, her personality.
Shes really serious and unwilling to compromise and she tends to
stereotype everyone around her. Considering all that, she has quite a few
flaws and gaps too, and the fact that she cant live up to her own ideals
irritates her to no end you could call it unwavering diligence, I guess. She
tries to push herself too hard and follow unreasonable expectations and I
think that side of her is pretty cute. When I see her like that, I just cant help
but want to cheer her on or I should say, I just begin to feel like I cant leave
her alone. But if I try to help, Im sure that she would just scold me and tell
me to mind my own business. Hm? Ah, hahaha well, that is yeah, its
just as you think. Umm well, I guess I can say it now, but when I first
decided to talk to her, much of it was because of personal reasons like
that

Ah, what am I saying? Haha, how embarrassing.

 Well, the truth is, thats what the situation was. So I really do apologize for
that time I asked senpai that rather mean-spirited question ah, you didnt
mind? Well, alright, thats fine then.

Hm? What do I think of her now, you ask?

Umm Ummmmmmmm. hmm

Thats really hard to say a-ahahaha

Table of Contents
Contents
1. Chapter 1.

2. Chapter 2.

75

3. Chapter 3.

194

4. Chapter 4.

338

5. Afterword.

423

6. Translation Credits.

425

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Part 1

A month had passed since my little sister had disappeared.

However, dont think that her vanishing impacted my daily life in any way.

Even when I take into consideration every instance up until now, the only
times my sister and I really interacted were the times she came to me for life
advice.

Outside of those sessions, we lived our separate lives, not talking to each
other, and not even trying to make eye contact.

My sister being home, my sister not being home; it wasnt like my life was
better one way or the other.

Alright, Ill be honest with you.

I was actually relieved that I wasnt getting wrapped up in strange situations

now that she was gone.

Honestly, only good things came out of her leaving. She wasnt using the
living room as her own personal fort anymore, she wasnt calling her friends
over and chasing me out anymore, and given that shed been using the room
next door, I didnt have to worry about bothering her with loud music or by
shouting from my own room anymore.
1

Chapter 1
But, well its just that I thought it was pretty anticlimactic to have that
thing back then as our last life advice session and I mean in the very, very
end, maybe I did think to myself that she had a slightly cute side too

But no. I had spoken too soon.

That asshole. She left without saying a single damn word to me.

Goodbye, aniki.

Hmph, do whatever the hell you want.

Chapter 1

Part 2

And I lived with that attitude for just about a month, feeling refreshed
through and through.

Whats more, there was definitely a small something that had happened in
my life too.

It was the first day of the new semester.

Good morning, senpai.

She had turned around and said that.

Said that with a hint of a boastful look on her face, slightly flushed cheeks,
and stiff shoulders.

I could tell by how she was acting right then that she was probably in quite a
complicated state of mind.

She was a girl I was used to seeing in Gothic Lolita fashion, but she was now
wearing my schools uniform
______________________
1

Senpai is an honorific reserved for people senior to you in school, while kouhai is reserved for people

junior to you.

Chapter 1

Y-You.. uhh Kuroneko?

H-Hmph, why are you making a face like that?

Even though she was flustered, she still managed to choke out a haughty
remark. And from that, I was now sure who this person was.

It was undoubtedly none other than Kuroneko in the flesh. My little sisters
otaku friend, and one of my own precious friends as well.

She now faced me fully, and gently placed a hand on her chest, over her
brand-new uniform.

Is it that surprising for me to be here?

Thats not well

I began to deny it, but I changed my mind.

Yeah. Its pretty surprising. Umm so this means does this really mean
youre enrolling in the same high school as me?

Yes.

Chapter 1

Kuroneko nodded, looking pleased with herself, but then something suddenly
seemed to occur to her, and her expression tightened.

But, dont get the wrong idea and think Im here because youre here.

Well, yeah, I know.

That much was obvious. She didnt have to say that.

I heard that you lived nearby, but I had no idea you would be going to the
same high school. Also, if you were planning to do that, you could have at
least told me. You really surprised me.

Thats my choice, isnt it? Even if Id known we would be going to the

same school, how does that have anything to do with you?

Well, I mean I guess it does make me pretty happy.

Kuroneko shut her mouth tight. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly
buried her emotions and returned to an expressionless state.

But, now I understood.

Chapter 1

When she had said In two months Ill start to call you something different,
this is what she meant.

She would go from calling me niisan to senpai.

I couldnt help but smile. I was usually pretty self-conscious, but for some
reason, when it came to her I felt strangely open with my feelings. You could
say that the less open she was, the more open I became.

Well, kouhai, Im looking forward to going to school with you. Haha, you
know, its pretty refreshing seeing you in a uniform.

Looking forward to it, senpai.

She responded in kind with a whisper, turned right around, and began to
quickly walk off. I could faintly hear her mutter what an idiot as she went.

Whats wrong with her? She got really moody really fast. I thought I had
come to be able to read her pretty well through her emotionless mask, but I
had to admit that this time, I was a bit stumped.

Is she just nervous about the entrance ceremony or something?

I began to chase after Kuroneko. But then I heard a voice coming from behind
me.

Kyou-chan come on, answer me Kyou-chan~~.

Chapter 1

Nnn o-ohh

Manami was standing right next to me.

Tamura Manami. A plain-looking girl, who was both my classmate and my

childhood friend.

Sorry sorry, I completely forgot about you.

OooOOoo

Manami whacked me on the leg with her school bag.

So, let me fill you in on what was going on. When I was going to school with
Manami like I always did, I saw the uniformed form of Kuroneko, and
completely left Manami behind when I ran to catch up with her.

Manami probably saw that I had started talking to Kuroneko, so she stayed
on the side and waited for us to finish.

That girl you were just talking to, shes a new student, right? Someone you
know?

Chapter 1

Yeah, I guess.

A good friend?

Yeah.

At least, I thought that. And I wanted to believe that Kuroneko thought that
too.

Well, the simplest way to put it is that shes a mutual friend of mine and
Kirinos. She may seem pretty unfriendly on the surface, but shes actually a
really, really good person.

Manami gave me a soft smile. Seeing her smile like that really put me at ease.

Introduce me sometime.

Yeah.

Manami nodded deeply, and then tossed out a casual question.

By the way, that girl, whats her name?

Kuroneko.
8

Chapter 1

Fweh?

Manami cocked her head to the side. I could almost see a question mark
floating above her head.

Kuroneko-san? Umm is that her last name? Or her first name?

Ahh, right right. I had introduced Kuroneko in the most natural way, but I
forgot that Kuroneko was just her handle name. And its not like Manami
would know that if I just introduced her as Kuroneko.

I didnt respond to Manamis questions, so her imagination began running

wild by itself.

Ummmm Kuro Neko-san? Ku Roneko-san? Kurone Ko-san?

Dont separate it like that, dammit.

None of those. Sorry. Kuroneko is actually just her handle name. Here,
werent you the one who told me that I should try to find friends on SNS?
Thats where I know her from.

A-Ahh so thats what happened.

Seeming satisfied, Manami clapped her hands together.

9

Chapter 1

Well, its quite true that if you meet someone on the Internet, you call
them by their handle names, so often you wont even know their real
names.

Yeah, exactly like that.

So, Kuroneko-sans real name Kyou-chan doesnt know it?

I dont.

Manami had asked me that question lightly, but for some strange reason her
words reverberated deeply in my chest.

Thats true

Take Kuroneko, or Saori I really thought of them as good friends.

But in reality, I didnt know anything about them. Their real names, their
addresses, their schools I didnt know any of that. Well, I guess I could
deduce Saoris address from the mail label from that package she had sent
me, but its not like I could confirm that with certainty. It was an unwritten
rule that you didnt pry into those things, so I had never dared to ask.

But now that Kuroneko was attending the same school that I was, the
situation had changed.

10

Chapter 1

A friend that I had met online and had always called by her nickname was
now a kouhai at the same school. Even if only a little, that had to mean that
our relationship with each other was going to change. I might be overthinking
this, but I felt just a bit hopeful.

Ah, no no, its not like I meant that in a romantic way or something.

Its just that, if one of your friends from outside started attending the same
school as you, wouldnt you be excited?

Were going to have lots of fun from here on out that was my firm belief.

Hmmm

I stared off into the direction that Kuroneko had run off to, and muttered to
nobody in particular.

Kuronekos real name I wonder what it is

11

Chapter 1

Part 3

Gokou Ruri.

Kuroneko averted her gaze slightly and muttered quietly.

That is my name in the human world.

Gokou?

You write it with the kanji for five, and then the kanji for getting late, as in
its getting late into the night.

Gokou Ruri.

Hm Gokou Ruri, huh?

Hmm

Awesome.

I got Kuronekos real name!

Good job, me! I got it out of her really easily too!

12

Chapter 1

Creepy. Why are you smiling like that?

Dont worry about it. Hmm, although thisll take a bit of getting used to.
Ive been calling you Kuroneko all this time.

I suppose thats true. It also feels strange to me. I never thought I would
1

see the day where you would call me by my human name. But you should
continue to call me Kuroneko outside of school.

Yeah, Ill do that.

I gave a deep nod

. And also, I should probably ask. Why exactly are you two in my
room?

I finally let out the question I had been holding in for the longest time.

_____________________
1

She actually calls it her over here name, but I liberalized the translation a bit to improve flow.

13

Chapter 1

Just so you know, the first day of school had ended. And we were, of course,
all gathered in my room.

Hah hah hah! Kyousuke-shi, what are you saying all of a sudden?! Isnt that
something you should have asked the minute we came into your room?
What kind of gag are you trying to play, waiting until weve talked for so long
before going smoothly into that question?

Well, its because I was so shocked that I just couldnt react properly until I
could pull myself together, alright?! Okay Ill ask then. Ill ask, you hear me?
What the hell were you trying to do on that sheet you laid out on my floor?!

Well, obviously, I was doing a rough assembly of a Gunpla .

..

No, not obviously. Ugh, this is bad I could feel my blood vessels bursting
Saori seemed to realize that I was getting annoyed, so she fixed her attitude
and tried again.

Well, obviously, I was doing a rough assembly of a Gunpla of Sazabi .

_________________________
2
3

Gundam model. Some assembly required.

Some specific Gundam. Do I care? Probably not.

14

Chapter 1

Im not getting annoyed because I wanted to know what kind of Gunpla you
were working on!

Why the hell did it seem like every once in a while, this girl stopped
understanding Japanese?
This girls name was Saori Bajeena.

She wore swirly, thick eyeglasses, dressed like an otaku, and was another of
my and Kirinos mutual friends.

Let me explain the situation again. When I came back to my room, it was
already like this.

Kuroneko was still in her uniform, and was lying on my bed reading a manga
magazine.

Saori had laid a sheet down on the floor, and was fiddling with a Gunpla
model.

I couldnt even react to that spectacle, and was left there standing in shock.

And then I opened my mouth to say something, but I was so stunned that I
ended up asking Kuroneko for her real name instead, something I had been
thinking about for the entire day at school.

And that brings us right up to the verbal exchange we just had.

15

Chapter 1

Ugh

I massaged the bridge of my nose, and tried one more time to get my
concerns across in an easily understood way.

Lets try one more time. Why exactly did you two come into my room,
uninvited, and why are you now here occupying it without a care in the
world!?

. Hmph. If you get worked up over every single little detail, people are
just going to think youre a grouch. More importantly, you have guests, so
why arent you bringing them some tea?

Well, Im sorry I didnt realize I had guests!!

Sorry for my incompetence! And also, dont just go and lie on top of someone
elses bed like that!

Although, after Kuroneko made those outrageous demands, Saori casually

followed up with a statement of her own.

Actually, Kuroneko-shi invited me to come over. She thought you would be

lonely, so she wanted to come and check on you. Isnt that right, Ruri-chan?

If you would be so kind, please stop making up ridiculous things from thin
air. And who the hell is Ruri-chan? Do you want to die?
16

Chapter 1

Ku Ku Ku Ruri-chan is just so shy. Werent you the one who wanted to visit
today so you could show Kyousuke-shi how you looked in your uniform?

A-Are you an idiot? Absolutely not. Anyways, he already saw me in a

uniform this morning

Hm? Hm Hm Hm? So that means haha, so its like that.

Saori looked at Kuroneko as if she could see right through her.

And when you showed him your uniform, Kyousuke-shi complimented you,
didnt he? He said, its pretty refreshing to see you in that, or something like
that, right? And then Kuroneko-shi probably shot back with something cold,
but she was happy about it on the inside, and so then she suddenly wanted
to come and show Kyousuke-shi her uniform one more time, yes? Fufu, I
hit the nail on the head, didnt I? Precisely on the head, didnt I? Because
theres no other reason Kuroneko-shi would suddenly decide to stop wearing
her trademark Gothic Lolita outfit.

Saori began to give off a creepy-sounding laugh. Certainly, I had

complimented Kuroneko on her uniform in the morning, and she had said
something cold back to me, but Saori was over thinking the rest, wasnt she?

The real Kuroneko also immediately denied that idea. She jerked up from her
prone position on the bed.

Didnt I tell you that you were wrong? I just didnt feel like going out of my
way to go back home and change.
17

Chapter 1

She quickly turned the other way.

Ah, and now shes in a bad mood.

But hm, now I see it was like that Kuroneko had a sister too, if I recall
correctly, and because these two people were kind at heart, when they
remembered that Kirino that my own little sister wasnt here anymore, they
were worried that I would be lonely. So, they came over, and my mother let
them up into my room.

Hmm but their worries were seriously misplaced.

I was pretty relieved that my annoying little sister was gone.

But I really, honestly appreciated how they worried about me, so I was really
happy.

Nodding with satisfaction, I saw Kuroneko give me a displeased scowl.

And this one over here is just making up his own mind by himself I give
up.

Kuroneko sat up in bed, and buried her head into her knees.

18

Chapter 1

On the other hand, Saori was busily working on the floor, and picked up the
vivid red plastic model she was working on. She closed one eye and seemed
to be inspecting it, until finally, she blew lightly on her handiwork.

Well, I guess thats fine for now.

Saori stood the plastic model right-side up on the floor, her mouth curling up
into a shape, and she gave me a cheerful smile.

Kyousuke-shi, even if Kiririn-shi is gone, that doesnt mean our friendship

has changed at all. Isnt that right?

Hah.

Feeling completely lured in, I broke into laughter.

Yeah. Youre completely right.

I didnt even have to say it.

I really, really loved these two.

19

Chapter 1

Part 4

And thats how, just after the new semester started, I found myself with two
high school girls in my room.

From an objective standpoint, you might think this was a pretty envious
position to be in. But in reality, with Saori looking like the way she did, and
with Kuroneko doing nothing but spitting out insults, it wasnt like this
situation was going to go down any romantic paths.

But now that Kirino was gone, from here on out I would probably have more
and more opportunities to hang out with these two like this. That wasnt bad
at all.

I straddled my chair backwards and looked back and forth between Saori,
who was still sitting cross-legged on the floor staring at her plastic model, and
Kuroneko, who was hugging her knees on the bed. I was thinking about what
to do next.

It was at that point when I suddenly realized that Kuroneko was staring at my
crotch.

Kuroneko where exactly are you looking?

Over there.

Kuroneko pointed between my legs, at a spot under the table.

20

Chapter 1

I stood up to take a look at the place in question, and I saw an eroge box
under there.

Sister x Sister Siscon Love Story~. A title that should never be found in the
room of a guy who actually had a little sister.

That name rings a bell.

Ahh this? Uh, first off, let me just say: I didnt buy this. Kirino was the one
who gave it to me you remember, right? It was that time you wore a maid
outfit to cheer me up

Ahhh, so this was the present she gave you back then. Hahaha, that sure
brings back memories.

Saori burst into shrill laughter.

Did you beat it?

Ahh, no, I havent played it at all. Kirino took her laptop over to America
with her and its not like I can just use her desktop whenever I felt like it.

Yes, I hadnt played eroge even once since then. I wasnt even an otaku to
begin with. I had considered trying it since it was given to me as a present,
but until I got a new computer for myself, I just couldnt motivate myself to
play it.
21

Chapter 1

Well, if thats how it is, then just leave it to me! If youre fine with something
a bit older, then I can give you a computer.

Ahh, no, its fine. I dont really use computers that much.

Fufufu, you dont have to say that, Kyousuke-shi. Just say thank you and
accept it. Getting rid of a computer takes quite a bit of time anyways. So if
you take it off my hands Id be pretty grateful.

R-Really? Well, then, Ill take you up on that offer Ill take the computer.

Alright then! Ill send that to you later on, so next time lets set it up
together.

Ah, thanks.

I thanked Saori, and stared at the eroge box I had gotten from Kirino. A smile
crept naturally onto my face.

It seemed like the otaku in me hadnt vanished just yet.

Although that bastard, she left without even telling you guys

Hmph, you could figure it out pretty easily by just reading her SNS profile
updates but that was it. Even after she left, I never heard from her.
22

Chapter 1

Me neither.

Saori agreed with Kuroneko and nodded.

So what are you saying? She never tried to contact either of you even once
after that?

Yes. Precisely.

Huh? What the hell did that girl think she was doing?

Huh. So its like that

Hmm granted, I had a bit of a feeling that things were like this

I mean, that girl didnt even say anything to Ayase before she went off.

She honestly didnt tell anybody besides our parents before she went abroad.

And then after that, she ceased all contact with everyone over here.

To be quite honest, I had no idea what my sister was thinking.

I let out a long, deep sigh.

23

Chapter 1

Geez, what a heartless thing to do I know it doesnt mean much coming

from me, but I apologize. Sorry, and to think you guys have been such a help
to her so far

Its not like I really mind. Hmph, this is exactly what Id expect from a
friend I made online. I was getting tired of that girl anyways, so its actually
pretty convenient that she decided to leave.

It was a pretty sad sight to see Kuroneko sulking like that.

She was acting like a guy who had just gotten dumped by his girlfriend.

On the other hand, Saoris attitude was the complete opposite.

If I may be allowed to speak freely Im fairly angry about it.

Saori frowned and crossed her arms. It was a pose you would expect from
Kirino.

R-Really?

I was incredibly surprised. This was the first time I had seen Saori being angry.
It might sound silly, but up until now I had been under the illusion that the
only two human emotions Saori possessed were happiness and joy. I could
only really remember seeing her laughing gleefully, to the point where that
had seemed completely plausible to me
24

Saori spoke in a tone slightly different from what I was used to.

Chapter 1

Of course, I do admire Kiririn-shis ambition, and I fully acknowledge that

there are opportunities for her overseas. Also, this is not that unusual of a
situation. I have friends at school who did something similar, and went
somewhere far abroad to study, so I understand. However no, I guess I
should say, for that very reason even if I can understand the logic of it, no
matter how hard I try I cant understand the feelings behind it.

Saori cleared her throat.

I I thought of Kiririn-shi as a friend, and I believed that Kiririn-shi felt the

same way about me. So, the fact that she didnt discuss her plans with us at
all before leaving frustrates me, makes me sad but most of all, having a new
friend not be here anymore is difficult to deal with. I feel lonely when I think
about the possibility that we wont be able to enjoy each others company
anymore and I dont know what to do.

Saori

And then, I dont get calls or emails from her anymore, her blog hasnt been
updated in a long time, she no longer signs onto twitter or IM Im just
getting more and more annoyed everyone ends up disappearing at some
point or another, so doesnt she know that Id definitely forgive her for that?

..

25

Chapter 1

I was at a loss for words. To think that she thought of Kirino like that I see.
She had thought Kirino had finally warmed up to her and opened her heart to
her, but Kirino ended up leaving without a word. She probably felt betrayed.

I didnt think Saori was being narrow-minded.

Rather, she truly felt close to Kirino, and so she could also feel resentment
towards her too.

I dont know how to put it, but she was a human being with human emotions,
and most of all, she was a girl.

This all just made me renew my affection for Kuroneko and Saori.

Alright.

I clapped my hands.

Then, lets just not think about that idiot today and just hang out. And you
two, write what you feel on your SNS blogs. Im sure that if Kirino reads them
later, shell feel bad about it.

Hm, that is a good idea.

Roger that. Well then, what should we do now?

26

I saw a bit of cheer seep back into their faces.

Chapter 1

My, my. Even putting me aside for a second, what was my sister thinking
when she decided to abandon such good friends as these? Was there really a
good reason for her to stop all contact with the people that she knew here?

Inwardly, I let out a deep, deep, deep sigh.

27

Chapter 1

Part 5

And well, thats how my days have been going more or less.

I had otaku friends, I had eroge in my room, and my little sister was gone.

It was nothing like how I was living a year ago, but it also wasnt a bad way to
live.

At some point, things which I had once considered highly unusual were now
natural parts of my daily routine.

This was, in its own way, the extremely normal, peaceful life I had always
wanted.

And so

I had gained a new kouhai, gotten a year older, and was seeing another
spring

And the new scenery I now found before me would eventually become a
natural element in my life. And later as that went on, I was sure that I
would have just as much fun as Id been having up until now or possibly,
even more fun.

Hah. Take that, world.

28

I spat that out at nobody in particular.

29

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Part 6

It was the second day of the new semester. The bell signaling the end of the
day chimed, and the classroom stirred to life.

At that moment, Manami ran lightly up to me as she usually did.

Kyou-chan, lets go home?

Ah, yeah.

Fortunately, Manami and I had been put in the same class again this year.
Granted, even if we had been in different classes, the only difference would
be that the time between homeroom ending and when we had this
conversation would have been slightly prolonged.

I had gone up a grade, and my class had changed, so most of the faces
around me were unfamiliar, but what was strange was how, because Manami
was still there, I didnt really feel that anything major had changed.

Hmm, it really feels like the same old thing

Hm? What does?

Nothing at all.
30

Chapter 1

I swung my schoolbag over my back and stood up. But just as I was about to
exit into the hallway, I spoke up.

Hey Manami, theres somewhere I want to drop by first

Thats fine. Where?

The first year classrooms.

Ahh, to where Kuroneko-san is, perhaps?

Yeah, I told you I would introduce you, right? Lets go.

Alright.

I began to walk briskly down the hallway, with Manami pitter-pattering

behind me.

The day was no different from any other day. We went down the stairs and
headed for the first-years rooms.

By the way, Kyou-chan.

After we had walked for just a little while, Manami brought up a rather
unpleasant topic.
31

So you still cant get in touch with Kirino-chan?

Chapter 1

Nah. But its not like I care. Its just because her friends are starting to worry.
Last night, I tried to reach her by phone, but as I expected, she didnt pick up.
I sent her an email too, but I havent gotten a response yet.

It was a rather obvious outcome. After all, if she wasnt responding to Saori
or Kuronekos messages, then theres no reason she would respond to mine.
What in the world did that idiot think she was doing?

Manami hung her head upon hearing my words.

I see. You must be lonely.

Huh? Not really.

Come on, Kyou-chan. Youre not being honest. You were planning on
trying to call her pretty often, werent you?

As if. Who the hell would want to talk to her that much?

I spat that out and started to walk more quickly.

And it was right then.

32

Chapter 1

I caught sight of the back of a female student in the first-years hallway,

quickly walking towards the stairs.

Ah Kyou-chan, thats

Yeah.

I chased after the girl who was heading down the stairs. I left the slower
Manami behind as I broke out into a run, and caught up with her near the
1

shoe racks . And as the girl began to change her shoes, I called out to her.

Hey hey, why are you about to leave?

..

With her street shoes in one hand, she that is, Kuroneko turned this way.

She looked even more emotionless than usual. I couldnt even tell what she
was thinking right then.

Although I was a bit frightened by the dark aura she was giving off, I still
asked her the question that naturally sprung to my head.

____________________
1

Which, if youve ever seen the stereotypical layout of Japanese high schools, are near the front door.

33

Chapter 1

You got my email, right? That I would be coming over after homeroom was
over and that you should wait for me in your room.

Kuronekos response was curt.

Oh, is that so? I dont remember.

H-Hey, you

W-What the hell? And I thought yesterday especially, I thought that wed
been getting along pretty well.

Was it just me, or was she really cold at school?

At that point, Manami caught up to us.

Pant. pant. Kyou-chan, wait for me~~..

Manami panted as her shoulders heaved up and down, and when she raised
her head, she seemed to sense the rather strange atmosphere that was
permeating the space around me and Kuroneko.

Wha-? Whats wrong?

..
34

Chapter 1

The silence stretched on for a few seconds. During those few seconds,
Kuronekos gaze darted back and forth between Manami and me.

At last, she spoke hesitantly.

Senpai, whos this?

A-Ahh. To be honest, this is someone I wanted to introduce to you.

Im Tamura Manami. Nice to meet you umm, Kuroneko-san. Or maybe,

would you prefer it if I called you Gokou-san?

Manami introduced herself in the friendliest way imaginable. And then she
gave Kuroneko a warm smile.

In response, a terrified expression leapt onto Kuronekos face, as if she were

staring at the devil himself.

Ah, and so shes finally appeared Belphegor

Huh??? Belfeh

Of course, there was no reason Manami would know what Kuroneko was
talking about, and my bespectacled childhood friend turned and looked
behind her.
35

Chapter 1

Sorry, Manami.

Unfortunately, Belphegor-san isnt standing behind you.

The Belphegor that Kuroneko had mentioned was a character that had
appeared in a manga she had drawn. Belphegor was the true demonic form
of Manami, a character based off the real-life Manami.

It was just a huge jumbled mess.

And, speaking of the manga Kuroneko drew

It was strange how Kuroneko had managed to pin down Manamis

personality, considering they had never met in real life before.

I really should have asked her about that but whatever, thats not
important right now. I have to deal with the present situation.

Hey, Kuroneko, get a hold of yourself. Come back to Earth. This isnt the
world you created for that manga, remember?

____________________
2

I probably mentioned this in a footnote in the previous volume, but the Manami in the manga is written

in all katakana, while the Manami in real life is written with the appropriate kanji. It makes them easy to
separate in the Japanese, but a bit more difficult should everything be translated to English.

36

Chapter 1

I know that.

She said that as if it were obvious, but when it came to this girl, I was still
suspicious of whether she really did know that or not.

37

Chapter 1

38

Chapter 1

Once before, Kirino had talked all about how Kuroneko was jakigan, how she
3

was chuunibyou, how all her characters were Mary Sues but in general,
she was the type of person who tended to get way too involved with the
settings she created.

Dont get 2D confused with 3D, geez.

That was what my sister had said. My sister was fully aware of the differences
between 2D and 3D, and whats more, she could love each of them
separately. On the other hand, Kuroneko sometimes wasnt able to fully
define where one ended and the other began.

Thats probably why she would sometimes act as though whatever happened
in some anime was actually happening in the real world. I didnt think that
was necessarily a bad thing but it could be dangerous sometimes, so it
made me worry.

Kuroneko looked back and forth between Manami and me.

Manami gave Kuroneko another smile. Seeming to have recollected herself,

she tried once again.

Hello, Im Tamura Manami.

________________________
3

Both are derogatory terms for someone who is way too into overpowered characters and fantasy settings.

39

Chapter 1

At that, Kuroneko finally seemed to ready herself, and she gave a reluctant
bow.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you too.

Manami returned the bow.

And she gave Kuroneko a smile, almost as if she had already forgotten all
about Kuronekos weird behavior at the beginning.

The rather strange atmosphere broke, and a feeling of calm spread through
the air.

When that happened, Kuroneko did something unexpected.

Well then, Im going to go

Wait wait wait wait. Kouhai, why are you still trying to head home as if
nothing happened?

I grabbed hold of Kuronekos collar from the back as she tried to run off.

40

Chapter 1

I apologize, senpai. Unfortunately, I have to go to work today, so I cant

stay.

Didnt you tell me once that you would never go into work on Thursdays?

. Maschera is on television today, so I have to get back quickly.

Maschera already ended with the twelfth episode of the second season, and
they arent going to be airing anymore, right?

Dont say it as if theyve cancelled it or something, dammit!!

Uwaah?!

Why the hell was she getting pissed there?! Also, her tone and way of
speaking just changed, didnt they?! Who the hell was this person?!

This mustve been the first time Ive seen an exclamation mark at the end of
anything shes said!

In any case, it seemed that I had just incurred her divine wrath. Terrifying.

S-Sorry. I meant, the sequel to Maschera just hasnt been made yet.
Alright?

41

Chapter 1

As long as you know that. Just remember, there isnt a single fan whos
given up on it yet.

I see.

Well then, why in the world was she lying to us just so she could go home?
She still hasnt given us a reason.

Its not like I was going to forcibly restrain her, but now I was curious.

Manami seemed deeply interested in this cute kouhai, and she took that
opportunity to speak up.

Umm, should I call you Kuroneko-san then?

Do what you wish.

Okay. Then, Kuroneko-san hows school? Are you still nervous?

Im fine.

I see. Do you live near here?

I see no reason to tell you that.

42

The conversation was just not getting anywhere.

Chapter 1

In one corner, you had Manami, who was going to cheerfully try to strike up a
conversation no matter how coldly she was treated. In the other corner, you
had Kuroneko, who was going to just cut down any attempts at conversation
no matter how friendly the other person was being.

I was feeling a strange sense of dj vu.

Certainly I remember something like this also happening before

Ah now I remember.

Hey, Kuroneko hey, I need to borrow you for a second.

? What do you want?

As Kuroneko reluctantly came closer, I put my mouth close to her ear.

I gave a quick glance at Manami, who was standing off to the side and staring
at us blankly.

Umm, could it be I dont know if its true, but do you hate Manami?

Not really.
43

She gave the same exact response that Kirino had given.

Chapter 1

So what the hell was going on then? Why did it seem like you two were just
so incompatible with each other?

This was the first time you two were meeting each other, right? So why did it
seem like your relationship was starting off from something less than zero?

Haha, so, was it Kirino then? Kirino told you something didnt she.
Something about Manami. Thats why Manami showed up in your manga
too.

Kuroneko just responded with a hmph. Well, she didnt deny it.

So Ill just take that as agreement.

You know I already know just how much you care about Kirino. But dont
swallow every story she feeds you. Youre meeting her in person now, so you
should judge her with your own eyes.

Didnt I already tell you that I dont really hate her?

Kuroneko grumbled quietly. But it didnt seem to me that she was speaking
completely honest.

44

Chapter 1

It really seemed I had hit the nail on the head. That is, she had been fooled by
some story that Kirino had fed her, and so when I had told her that I wanted
to introduce her to Manami, she immediately tried to run away.

Still, it just didnt make sense.

No matter what Kirino might have told Kuroneko, when Kuroneko saw just
how friendly of a person Manami was, she should have realized that
everything Kirino told her had been a lie.

So why was she still intent on walling herself off to Manami?

To me, Manami was a childhood friend who had been with me for a long
time.

And Kuroneko was a very important friend to me, and a very, very cute
kouhai.

And all three of us were finally going to the same school.

If possible, I wanted these two to get along as well

Of course, those were my own selfish hopes, and I couldnt force them to do
anything.

Alright, fine.
45

Chapter 1

Eh?

Kurneko shrugged.

I said fine senpai. You want me to stay here for something, right? Im not
happy about it at all, but Ill play along with whatever you want. Just stop
looking so pitiful. Looking at that is just making me depressed.

Looking so pitiful?

This girl was seriously every bit as relentlessly foulmouthed as Kirino.

But, what she just said it was pretty hard to understand, but it was a
response to when I told her to judge Manami with her own eyes, right?

And from what I could tell, she was being considerate of my feelings when
she saw that I was feeling bad.

This girl was seriously every bit as softhearted as Manami.

And if I just stay here and argue with you, Ill just end up wasting a lot of
time. So if you need me for something, lets just get it over with quickly.

Ah, well, Ive already done half of what I came here to do. I just wanted to
introduce you to Manami. Umm yeah, and then
46

Chapter 1

Lets all go home together. Thats what I was just on the verge of saying,
when I heard someone call Kuroneko from the stairs.

Gokou-san~~.

A group of first-year girls came pitter-pattering down the stairs (I could tell
their year from the color of their school shoes).

They were most likely Kuronekos classmates. One of them spoke up in a

cheerful tone.

Are you free right now? Everyones planning to go for some karaoke, so if
you want

Im not free.

Instant response. Kuroneko cut down the proposal with a single emotionless
stroke. This wasnt good. That wasnt an attitude to take towards classmates
you had just met. Even if you really were busy.

Manami came right to the rescue. She turned to the first-years, clasped her
hands together in front of her, and shut one eye.

Sorry~~, I invited her to come with us first.

Umm, senpai did that?

47

Chapter 1

Yeah. So, maybe next time okay?

Alright, understood. Theres no use arguing if its like that. Well, Gokou-san,
see you tomorrow at school, alright?

Her classmates waved and went off, but Kuroneko just silently watched them
leave.

Manami faced her not-so-friendly kouhai and gave her a slightly awkward
smile.

Was I out of line there?

Kuroneko remained absolutely silent, but just looked back and forth between
Manami and me. After a few moments, she shook her head. It was just her
incredibly roundabout way of saying thanks. I thought I would translate that
for Manami, but

I see. Well then, Im glad.

It seemed a translation wasnt necessary. Manami was honestly a kindhearted person to her core.
48

Chapter 1

And then, because I was stalling for so long, Manami even stole the words I
had been meaning to say all along.

W-Well then, do you want to walk home with us?

Whatever. Do what you want.

Having finished changing into her street shoes, Kuroneko began to walk out
alone.

And that was what had happened during Manami and Kuronekos first
meeting.

I think it definitely could have been worse.

49

Chapter 1

Part 7

So, for that reason, the three of us ended up leaving school together.
Kuroneko was still acting incredibly stiff towards Manami. Seeming to sense
that, Manami didnt try to force a conversation, but rather seemed to be
determined to improve her relationship with Kuroneko a bit at a time.
Kuroneko ended up walking home between Manami and myself.

But seriously, considering what Kuronekos personality was like, was she
really going to be able to get along with her classmates?

From what I had seen just a little while ago, it was doubtful. Her classmates
seemed to still be friendly with her, but if she continued to act that way,
sooner or later they would begin to avoid her.

When we exited the school building, I was treated to an unfamiliar sight. In

the corners of the space between the school building and the main gates,
there were groupings of two or three desks spotting the grounds.

Whats that?

Theyre club recruitment tables. Come on, this happened last year too,
remember?

Ahh, so its already that time again.

50

Chapter 1

When the first semester started at this school, all the first-year students
attended an assembly in the gym, during which they were told about all the
clubs at the school.

And the day after that assembly, all the clubs began to try and recruit new
members.

School had just ended a minute ago, so I still couldnt see many students
around.

It would still be a bit of time before the club recruiters started going at it in
full force.

As we walked by the tables nearest us, I took a glance and saw that they
were occupied by the Literary Club.

They had two tables placed side by side, and there was a paper sign with
Literary Club written on it in magic marker hanging down in front of the
tables.

And they also had handmade pamphlets placed on top of the table.

Hmmm

I was suddenly reminded of the booths in the doujinshi market at Comiket.

Geez, those otaku were really having a bad influence on me
51

Umm, wont you consider joining the Literary Club?

Chapter 1

Sorry, Im a third year, I responded, moving on quickly.

Looking at the other tables in front of me, I saw there were other clubs that
were trying to do the same thing the Literary Club was trying to do. All the
clubs were trying their hardest to recruit some promising first-years. Granted,
Manami and I had never joined any clubs, so all this had nothing to do with
us.

By the way, Kuroneko, are you going to join a club?

No. I have a lot of other things I need to do

Ah, yeah, you also have a part-time job, right?

Yeah, something like that.

Ohhhh what kind of part-time job do you have?

When Manami came in on the conversation, Kuroneko suddenly turned the

other way.

Why does it matter what it is?

52

Chapter 1

A-Ahh

Faced with Kuronekos cold response, Manami managed to respond with a

smile, but then seemed close to tears as she looked at me. I could almost
hear her voice in my head going Kyou-chan, what do I do~~~?

I loved seeing this flustered side of my childhood friend, and usually in this
situation I would tease her a bit, but because Kuroneko was here right now, I
restrained myself.

I shrugged, trying to tell her to calm down, and that the only way to get close
to Kuroneko was to take it one step at a time.

Alright.

Manami gave me a deep nod.

It was a method of communication that only worked between friends who

had been together for as long as we had been. At that point, a new person
entered the scene.

Yo, Tamura-san, Kousaka, you headed home?

Akagi. Akagi-kun.

53

Chapter 1

We turned around to face the person who had called out. And we saw
member of the soccer club standing there, wearing a soccer vest.

His name was Akagi Kouhei. He was also my class.

Yeah, were just about to head home~~.

Ah, I see.

Akagi faced Manami and gave her a bright smile. He was as good-looking as
ever. Tch, that annoyed me to no end.

I was almost tempted to just let out what I knew about that time I caught him
buying homo games, but considering we had a pact that we would never tell
anybody about how we were buying eroge, I stopped myself.

Instead, I butted in forcibly when I saw that Akagi was about to start talking
to Manami.

Wait, so did club activities already start for you?

Ahh, I guess. Gotta recruit members.

Ah, right. He was also part of the group that was recruiting first-years. For the
soccer club. Well, hurry up and go about your business then.
54

Chapter 1

Uh-huh. So, hows that going then?

Not that great ah, whos this?

Akagi noticed Kuroneko, and seemed a bit surprised. It was probably because
he wasnt used to seeing someone else mixed in with Manami and myself.

In response, Kuroneko took a quick glance up at Akagis face, but she didnt
seem interested in talking, so she quickly turned away. It was similar to how
she was acting towards Manami.

It really might be the case that she was just really shy with strangers.
During their first offline meeting, I remembered that she and Kirino ended up
being isolated from the crowd. It took her a while to warm up to myself and
Saori as well.

If that were the case, I really might have misunderstood when I thought she
hated Manami.

Its a new student. I actually know her from before, so we were about to
walk home together.

Kuroneko didnt seem like she was going to answer anytime soon, so I
answered for her.

At that, Akagi gave me a suggestive look.

55

Chapter 1

Ohhh? Know her from before? I wonder how you know her from before

He gave Kuroneko a single glance before turning back to Manami what the
hell are you trying to imply, you bastard?

Manami also didnt seem to know what was going on, and she cocked her
head lightly to the side.

Hm? Whats wrong, Akagi-kun?

Ahh, no, its nothing, Tamura-san. I was just thinking about how sly this
Kousaka guy over here is, to have two cute girls following him around.

Ugh, what the hell are you saying

Completely dumbfounded, I couldnt even bring myself to sigh, but the

simple-minded Manami seemed to be pleased with what was obvious
flattery. She put a hand on her cheek and blushed.

Oooo, Akagi-kun, you hey, Kyou-chan, did you hear that? He said that
youre being sly by having two cute girls following you around~. H-Hes
including me in that, right?

Hmph, whatever.

56

Chapter 1

I snorted. My mouth warped into a sour expression, and I gave Akagi a sharp
glare.

Hey, you, Mr. Soccer Club Representative, dont slack off. Get back to
recruiting those first-years. If you keep on dozing off like this, I might
accidentally spill the title of that game you bought.

Wow, youre pretty quick with that temper of yours youre pretty easy to
read, you know.

What the hell do you mean?

I said that with quite a bit of anger in my voice but contrary to my

expectations, Akagi seemed to ignore it.

Nothing, nothing. Also, Kousaka, Im not slacking off. I got permission from
the club president before I came over. I promised my little sister I would
meet up with her.

Little sister?

Yes, little sister. You see her around here somewhere? My little sister, that
is. Shes a new student.

Are you an idiot? How do you expect me to know what your little sister
looks like?
57

Chapter 1

It was the natural response, but then Akagi said something quite astonishing.

Its alright, shes the cutest person in the world, so youll know her when
you see her.

..

I was incredibly put off.

T-This guy is seriously a huge idiot of an older brother! He looks like hes
being serious too!

To be honest, I had an inkling that something like this was going on ever since
I had met him during that late-night sale in Akihabara.

After all, his sister might have asked him to do it, but this guy still went out of
his way to line up in the middle of the night in Akihabara to buy homo games.
Hell, he was even the only guy in the line he was standing in.

That just wasnt normal. There was definitely something wrong there.

Granted, I shouldnt be talking here! I was the one who went to Akihabara to
buy two little sister eroge because my little sister had asked me to, and then
ended up pedaling home like crazy for thirty-two kilometers on a bike with a
huge anime character painted on it!

58

Chapter 1

From an objective point of view, if you asked yourself who was being stranger
here was it me?

W-Well well, lets forget about me for a second.

Come on, Akagi is seriously a hentai! Hes just crazy!

So Akagi-kuns little sister is really that cute~~~?

I guess. Shes pretty slender and she wears glasses. She sort of looks like
Tamura-san, actually.

She looked like Manami, and she was still the cutest girl in the world?

Akagi, exactly what kind of warped sense of beauty do you have?

Could you please tell me what part of Manami comes off as slender to you?

Geez, being a siscon was really a serious disease

What an embarrassing guy. There was nothing more disgusting than having a
real little sister and still liking little sisters.

I just couldnt believe it. I could feel my entire body itching, and I just couldnt
stand talking about this anymore.
59

Chapter 1

Also, Kuroneko had started briskly walking away, so I had to hurry up and
catch up to her.

In any case, I havent seen someone as pretty as that. See ya later.

Ah, h-hey

I gave Akagi a light wave and turned heel. I didnt pay Akagi any more
attention as I chased after Kuroneko.

Keh.

If were only talking about physical appearance, then my little sister is much
cuter than yours.

60

Chapter 1

Part 8

Manami and I chased after Kuroneko together.

And then, we saw Kuroneko suddenly stop in her tracks.

I caught up to Kuroneko, and spoke up to her right when I was by her side.

Sorry. Were you waiting for us?

No response.

This was what I was talking about this was seriously, seriously weird I
thought we were getting along pretty well too as of late

Why was it that if I met her at school, she would behave the same way I
remember her behaving the first time we met?

So? Why exactly did she stop then? It looks like shes looking at something

I traced her line of sight to where she was looking, and saw the recruitment
table for the Game Research Society.
61

Chapter 1

The Game Research Society, huh?

So there was a club for that too

I see. Kuroneko liked games, so her interest was drawn to that club.

The Game Research Society had six tables put together, and on top of the
tables they had placed three laptops. There was a game running on each
laptop, and it seemed that any passerby could play those games freely.

It was a way to attract newcomers. It was like how the soccer club was
juggling soccer balls, or the wind ensemble was putting on a musical
performance.

If you would like, feel free to play a game.

One of the male recruitment members of the Game Research Society called
out to us, probably because we were staring at their tables. He had black hair
and a young-looking face I didnt recognize him, so he was probably a
second year.

When I looked down at the display, I saw that a demo movie of a shooting
game was playing.

62

Chapter 1

It looked like a vertical scrolling shooter (even I knew enough about games to
know lingo like that). The characters you played were girls, and every once in
a while the action broke and there was an event where the characters talked
to each other.

This game did the club make this game?

Yes.

As I thought. After all, the characters were drawn too poorly for this to be
actually sold on the market.

So you have a doujin game here

Yup. This clubs primary activity is making these types of games and then
participating in events. I guess it might look like were just spending our
budget on fun and games, but I mean, this is also just another way to
contribute to the modern culture.

He gave me a mischievous chuckle.

Putting games on the table like this attracts people, and I get the feeling that
if they play these games, theyll start to understand more about us.

He explained the situation to me good-naturedly.

63

Chapter 1

By the way, I feel like the minute I mentioned the words doujin game, this
club member began to take to me instantly. He probably thought that we had
a common interest here well, its not like he was too far off the mark.

Hmph, this is a bullet hell game, isnt it? If you ask me, the difficulty level
is a bit too high to attract people.

I suddenly noticed that Kuroneko was staring at the display from a very close
distance away.

Kuroneko was an amazing gamer, and I remember that she had said
something about wanting to make a doujin game too.

Ah, nice catch. Well, to be honest, thats a game our president made to test
newcomers. The president said that theres no need to let people join the
club if they cant even clear that game. But to be honest, I dont think thats
something you should say. Its not like there are that many core gamers here
at school, so if youre picky about it you wont be able to get many people to
join the club.

The club member scratched his head and gave me an awkward laugh.

So the demo movie might seem incredibly difficult, but theres also an easy
mode, so please try it on that.

Ah, no, thats

64

Chapter 1

The club member offered a controller to Kuroneko, but she didnt move to
take it.

She looked at the school building, and then at the school gate, and then at
the controller she seemed completely lost.

Hm? I could have sworn she had said that she wanted to get back home
quickly

While I sunk into puzzled thought, Manami urged Kuroneko on.

Kuroneko-san, were already here, so why not try?

But

Kuroneko watched the game display with a sour look on her face. She really
seemed to be incredibly interested in trying the game. It was a look of
longing, reminiscent of a child who wanted to play the goldfish game at a
festival but didnt have enough money.

And given that her attention was elsewhere, she even managed to respond
to Manami in a sincere, normal way.

But it seemed that she really did want to get back quickly. It seemed that she
really had some plans outside of her part-time job. So thats why she was at a
loss for what to do. Geez, what a troublesome person.
65

Chapter 1

Cant you just beat it really quickly? Considering its you were talking about,
you can demolish that game in no time at all, right?

When I goaded her on a bit, Kuroneko seemed to finally steel her resolve.

Well, I guess theres no helping it then.

She gave a nod, took the controller, and sat herself down in front of the
screen.

The Game Research Society Entrance Test Bullet Hell STG: Divine Vengeance
of Angry Righteousness, Megidoraon.

Thats quite an incredible name you have there.

Im so sorry.

The club member looked ashamed. It seemed that this incredible naming was
the work of the club president alone.

Alright Im starting.

_____________________
1

The game is pronounced Megidoraon, but is a title comprised of five kanji, which mean destruction,

justice, anger, God, and resentment. I tried my best >_>.

66

Kuroneko had to choose her difficulty.

Chapter 1

Of course, she didnt choose Easy Mode, but went with the very difficult Hard
Mode instead.

Ahh are you sure? Thats really, really difficult, you know?

Ill be fine.

Kuroneko briskly responded and started the game.

Well then, itll probably take Kuroneko a bit of time to finish the game. So Ill
kill some time chatting with Manami over here.

Kyou-chan, is Kuroneko-san really good at games?

Really, really good. Well, just watch shell probably clear the entire thing.

Ah, no, I dont think that will happen to be honest, the person who made
this game couldnt even clear it on this difficulty.

Wait a second

What the hell do you mean? Even though this game was being used as an
entrance test, the president who made it couldnt even clear it?
67

Chapter 1

That was just a failure, in every sense of the word.

Hey if thats true, isnt this a pretty shitty game?

Hahaha umm, senpai, its not good to just label every game thats difficult
as a shitty game, you know. If you play enough and become good enough,
2

even games like Mystery of Convoy and Spelunker become playable what
the hell?! She already cleared the first stage?!

On the display, I could see a huge enemy exploding with a thunderous boom
while being engulfed in flames. It seemed that Kuroneko had cleared the first
stage in the short amount of time I had been looking away.

If you just stick to him and keep on firing at him from close range, this is
what you get. Its nothing to be surprised about.

Kuroneko briskly responded.

Also, I agree that a game being difficult doesnt make it bad. However,
this game is difficult to the point of being annoying, so it is a genuinely
horrible game. In good games with a high degree of difficulty, sometimes
death can motivate the player. Games like Wizardry or Demon Souls, for
example. On the other hand after playing a terrible bullet hell game like
this, which just oozes with the bad personality of its maker, all I can get from
it is a sense of irrational annoyance and discomfort.
__________________________
2

References to The Transformers: Mystery of Convoy and Spelunkers, both games which are known to be

difficult.

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Chapter 1

And yet, even though she said that, she hadnt lost a single life yet. I would
expect no less.

Y-Yeah, I know I mean, you have those low-speed homing bullets that stay
with you until the end of the level even if you shoot them with a bomb, and
stages where your characters speed triples but the controls are inverted it
doesnt do anything but piss the player off. I already told the president that
this isnt a Famicom game, so it wasnt necessary to program in these crazy
game mechanics hey, but youre getting through it pretty well. Youve
barely died.

The club member also seemed to be surprised by how good Kuroneko was at
the game.

A few minutes passed, and I slowly became tired of waiting.

After watching Kuroneko play, the club member sighed and seemed
impressed.

Sigh. Although, you know, there are some really amazing first-years who
have been coming to this booth

So, you mean you saw someone else who was good at games?

Yeah, to tell you the truth, there was another girl who came by earlier, who
also cleared hard mode without a sweat.

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Chapter 1

And she joined the club?

Yeah, somehow we managed to convince her to join.

Hmm. So there was even another amazing gamer here and she was a firstyear like Kuroneko?

A fellow gamer I wonder if youd get along with her.

Oh yes, I wonder.

Kuroneko responded, sounding somewhat annoyed. She really seemed to be

in a bad mood today.

Right then, Kuroneko set the controller back on the table with a clatter.

I cleared the last stage.

No way!!

The club member stood up in shock.

I understood that the difficulty was so high that it might warrant a reaction
like that. But
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Chapter 1

Arent you a bit too surprised? Wasnt there someone else who cleared hard
mode too?

I-I mean thats true, but

But what?

The club members jaw dropped in amazement, and he slowly muttered his
response.

Thats well, she got a high score. The old high score was completely broken
just a while ago too

And thats something impressive?

Its way more than just impressive! Hey, umm, you

Even while completely shaken, the club member began to reach out towards
Kuroneko.

But Kuroneko lightly dodged his hand.

Hmph. From start to end, that was just a crap game through and through.
Please go tell whoever made the game to die.

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Chapter 1

Spitting out that harsh insult, Kuroneko twisted around and looked up at me.

Well, shall we hurry back?

Y-Yeah. Alright, lets go, Manami.

Okay.

Well, thats how it is. Sorry.

Leaving that message with the club member who still had his hand
outstretched, I began to leave that place behind with Manami and Kuroneko.

Umm well, Ill try to find you some other day then.

We heard that from behind us.

It seemed that the Game Research Society hadnt given up on getting

Kuroneko to join.

But Kuroneko didnt turn back, and just continued to walk away.

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Chapter 1

Feeling an odd sensation in the face of Kuronekos stubbornness, I began to

walk and chased after her.

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Chapter 1

Part 9

And thus began my new life without Kirino.

It was a peaceful life, albeit a slightly boring one.

However

Even without my sister here, the flames of turmoil were already beginning to
sputter to life.

Sputter to life all around me.

END CHAPTER 1

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Chapter 2

75

Chapter 2

Part 1

Well, how time flies. Before I knew it, it was May. And my situation hadnt
really changed. More precisely, nothing worth mentioning had happened.

Some days I studied for my exams in my room, while other days I went to
Manamis house and helped with the shop.

And some other days, I hung out and chatted with Manami and Kuroneko,
while on still other days I got help with schoolwork from Manami at the
library. And just the other day, I spent a day with Saori setting up the
computer I had gotten from her.

And Of course, I no longer heard annoying chatter coming from the room
next door, I didnt have to worry about being forced to play eroge anymore,
and I was no longer dragged along to events.

These were perfectly normal, peaceful days.

However, they werent the same days as before, when I could just spend all
day looking up at the clouds thinking about how nice life was.

I mean, Kirino still had not contacted us, and I was getting really worried for
Kuroneko and Saori.

Well, whatever. I didnt care about that.

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Chapter 2

There was one other thing that was a bit on my mind or rather, I should say
that I just had no idea what to do about it

And that was

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiighhhhhhh.

I propped up my chin with my hands on my desk, and let out a huge sigh. I
was just way too fed up with the lecture to listen.

We were in the middle of class. The world history teacher was writing on the
blackboard with a ferocity that rapidly filled the entire board with chalk, so
everyone was desperately trying to take notes. My arms were already so
damn tired.

Alright I think Ill take a little break and rest my eyes for a bit.

Quite a few people had basically reached the same point that I had, and
every single boy with a window seat was gazing out the window, down into
the schoolyard.

The first-year girls were in the middle of PE class. I think any boy whos been
through junior high school knows this already, but if you let your attention
drift in a situation like this, an entire hour could fly by in a single minute, so a
bit of care was necessary.

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Chapter 2

Although, what I was looking at werent the PE uniforms of the numerous

girls below.

Rather, what I was staring intently at was Kuroneko in her PE uniform doing
calisthenics, with her belly button flickering in and out of visibility. People
might misinterpret that, so let me just clarify that I wasnt looking at her with
only wicked intentions.

The first years had grouped into pairs and were doing their warm-up
exercises, but one girl didnt have a partner, and was doing her exercises with
the teacher instead.

.. What the hell

Who, you ask? Kuroneko, of course.

Unlike the other students who were chatting with their partners as they
exercised, Kuroneko was just going through her exercises with her usual
indifferent, emotionless expression. I watched her from the window.

Ugh whaaaaaaat the hell does that idiot think shes doing??

Annoyance rushed to my head, and I felt pangs in my chest.

Not even her pale thighs, so pale that I wondered if they just refused to
absorb sunlight, were enough to lighten my mood.
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Chapter 2

And this wasnt an isolated incident.

When I saw her walking down the hallway during breaks or in between
classes, it was never with a group of friends, but just alone by herself.

When she had walked home with Manami and me, her classmates had called
out to her, but they didnt call out to her anymore. Even though I had often
seen her classmates try to approach her just a month ago.

To be frank, there wasnt any way out of this situation. She was just too
antisocial, and way too rude.

And during breaks, she probably just never dropped that expressionless,
unfriendly attitude of hers.

So its no wonder nobody liked her. She was just reaping what she sowed.

I knew how bad she was when it came to dealing with people, but couldnt
she try to do just a bit better?

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Chapter 2

Part 2

So, hows it going at school? Made some new friends yet?

Hmph, that has nothing to do with you.

It was after school. When I asked her directly what I had wanted to ask her,
she responded just how I had expected her to respond.

As the leading researcher in the field of Kuroneko-nese, allow me to

translate. Friends? As if I could make friends. Asking about it is just going to
make me grumpy, so just dont ask, is what she meant what a poor girl.

She sat on top of the bed hugging a pillow, and quickly turned away from me.

In case you were wondering, we were in my room, and Saori was also
present. These days, these two girls would occasionally come over to my
house. Saori was wearing her usual getup, and Kuroneko was in her uniform.

My predominant mental picture of Kuroneko was slowly shifting from her in a

Gothic Lolita outfit to her in a uniform.

Just like how she had shifted from calling me niisan to calling me senpai.

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Chapter 2

No, it has everything to do with us. Come on, that time before, your
classmates invited you to hang out again, but you declined and just came
over to my house, didnt you? Thats exactly why you cant make any
friends!

Hmph, how tragic. But someone like me does not have the time for the
likes of them. Doing things like that makes them dislike me? Well, thats
perfectly fine. I hate them too.

You know, you

Geez. She was just pretending to be strong here, but from her tone it didnt
even sound like she was aware of it.

Even though she looked really lonely, not being able to fit in at school.

At that point, having heard what Kuroneko had said from her position on the
floor, Saori let out a chuckle.

Fufufu no no no. Kyousuke-shi is quite a sharp one, he is in other words,

what Kuroneko-shi wanted to say was, I would rather be with you than
play with my classmates.

?!?!

Uwaah, she was really good at doing a Kuroneko impression.

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Chapter 2

I almost imagined that Kuroneko had indeed said that, and I felt my heart
jump a little.

Bam! Suddenly, I felt the pillow Kuroneko was holding collide with my head.

D-Dont jump to any strange conclusions

I didnt say a single word!

Throw the pillow at Saori, dammit.

But you were thinking it, werent you? Your face suddenly had this ugly look
on it and you seemed pretty happy youre disgusting.

I was born looking like this. Sorry about that.

Well, all jokes aside

Lets get back to the original topic. I honestly dont think letting things go on
like this is a good idea.

Hmph and whats the issue, exactly? I already told you, I am the one
who is deliberately isolating myself. The Organization might send its people
after me at any time, so it would be reckless of me to become intimate with
anybody.
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Chapter 2

Liar.

Kyousuke-shi, that was pretty blunt.

But it was obviously a lie. I mean, if she was being serious, how was she going
to explain her friendship with us?

Kuronekos eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint scowl formed on her face.

Its not a lie. And also, having to care about human customs, having to be
cautious about offending anyone, having to be shrewd and pay attention to
the small details just conflicts with who I am.

Really? But werent you the one being careful and shrewd that one time you
cheered me on?

Seeming to guess my intentions, Kuronekos mood now seemed to

completely sour.

My goodness. Arent you pushy? You think that I have no friends, so you
want to do something to help? You really should get a dictionary and look up
the word busybody.

Ugh

She nailed it. Thats exactly what I wanted to do.

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Chapter 2

Granted, she wasnt too off the mark when she called me a busybody. Even if
she was just pretending to be strong, it was pretty presumptuous of me to
tell her to fix something she said she had no problem with.

At that point, still listening to our conversation, Saori curled her mouth into a
shape and chuckled.

Fufufu no no no. Kuroneko-shi is quite a sharp one, she is in other words,

what Kyousuke-shi wanted to say was, I want to look good in front of my
cute little kouhai. So Ill solve all her problems and then ask for ecchi things in
return!

How can you look so proud of yourself, interpreting it like that?! Do you
seriously see me as the kind of person whod think that way?!

Impossible Kyousuke-shi, dont tell me you didnt have any ulterior

motives

No no, whats more shocking is that you can be so surprised that I wouldnt
have any ulterior motives when I want to help my kouhai.

Well, I admit, I was used to Saori making these kinds of jokes.

Also, Kuroneko, dont sit there looking like a frightened animal wanting to
escape.

Y-Y-You what did you intend to do to me?

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Chapter 2

I already said I dont have any ulterior motives! Dont start covering up your
legs with that blanket! Its not like Im trying to catch a glimpse of your
panties or something!!

Kyousuke-shi, how do you even know that you can see Kuroneko-shis
panties from that position?

That was the lowest, most evil retort Ive ever heard!

Dammit, why did she decide to be so sharp now of all times? Just because I
pointed out that I might be able to see them from this position doesnt mean
I was looking. I ended up throwing out a response somewhat nonchalantly.

Alright, yeah yeah yeah, youll be happy if I admit it, right? Well sure, I had
a bit of an ulterior motive! I was really happy hearing her call me senpai, you
know. So, I guess I would be lying if I said I didnt wanted to help her deal
with one of her problems and that I didnt want for us to become better
friends from that. However, just so you know, I also am worried for her, and I
just want to do something for her that part is definitely the truth.

I hmphed and turned the other way. When I glanced back at the two of them,
I saw Saori nodding and smiling as if she had been enlightened, while
Kuroneko was still on the bed with her head resting on her knees.

Ufufu, you know, I quite like Kyousuke-shi when he bursts out like this.

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Chapter 2

Its quite incredible that he can just stand there saying that with me
right in front of him and still not seem embarrassed at all a bit of an
ulterior motive I wonder if saying those words by itself counts as sexual
harassment

Kuroneko whispered that to herself, while her cheeks flushed crimson.

Lately, Ive come to realize that calling Kuroneko shy was a complete
understatement.

After all, the very thought that a game character who looked like her couldve
been shown naked was enough to paralyze her and throw her for a loop, so it
wasnt an unreasonable description.

Its ironic, considering she draws erotic doujins. Speaking of which, there was
also a certain someone who played lots of eroge, but still transformed
1

completely into a demonic Asura when she heard that I was going on porn
sites.

Women were just complete mysteries to me.

In. Any. Case. Thats what were here to discuss today.

________________________
1

Something something Hinduism something something.

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I was deliberately keeping my language vague.

Chapter 2

After all, putting myself in Kuronekos shoes, it would be pretty unpleasant to

meet with your friends just to talk about how to deal with the fact that you
werent getting along with your classmates.

She might even be tempted to call us busybodies.

But Kuroneko looked quite openly annoyed about this. I said I had an ulterior
motive, but at this rate, even if I solved her problem, it didnt seem like her
affection points for me would increase at all.

Still, even then, I didnt mind. After all, I was trying to do this out of my
personal sense of righteousness.

So if she disliked me for it, that was perfectly fine.

Well then, if I may be so bold, I have a proposal or rather, an idea.

Oh, please go ahead.

What if Kuroneko-shi joins a club? I learned this when I set up that online
community, but its much easier to get along with people who share your
hobbies. After all, thats how we came to meet each other in the first place.

I see your point.

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Chapter 2

Ten months ago, I tried to help Kirino make friends with the same hobby, and
I recommended that she try to join the SNS community Otaku Girls Unite!

And Saoris suggestion here was basically the same. She wanted Kuroneko to
join a club that had otaku with similar hobbies, and thus to find people who
shared her interests.

Thats not a bad idea.

Unlike Kirino, Kuroneko wasnt trying to deliberately hide her identity as an

otaku.

What do you think about that plan, Kuroneko?

I can guess what youre thinking. Youre thinking about that Game
Research Society from before, arent you?

Something like that, I guess.

Bingo. For some reason, Kuroneko kept rejecting their repeated invitations,
but considering how persistent they were in recruiting her, Id bet that if she
actually joined, they would treat her incredibly well. Also, I would assume
that the club was predominantly male, so having a cute female gamer was
probably a plus to them.

Wait, that might be a problem. Kirino also said something before about male
otaku being scary
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Chapter 2

What if I joined too?

I wonder what twisted path of logic you followed to arrive at that

conclusion.

I suddenly realized that Kuroneko was watching me with an astounded

expression.

Well, I mean, I wouldnt want you to feel helpless if the club is just all guys.

You sound like an overly-protective idiot of a father, you know.

Saori burst into laughter.

Shut up, you. Leave me alone.

Do you really believe that I would be relieved if you were there with me?
How presumptuous. You seem to be quite confident that I like you. What
filth. Please refrain from underestimating me.

Hearing that really puts me at a loss for words. Dont you remember that
time before when I went with you to the publishing company?

And what of it?

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Chapter 2

Just having you there with me was pretty reassuring, that time so I
thought that maybe the reverse case was well, Im not saying I can do
much, but it would probably be at least a bit better if we stuck together and
went uhh well, Im sorry.

I tied my tongue in a knot, and then apologized.

Hmph.

Kuroneko swiftly turned her back to me.

Also, are you not preparing for tests right now?

Well, yeah, thats true, but

Fufufu. Kuroneko-shi, why dont you just give it a try? If you go and dont
like it, then you dont have to join.

Saori backed me up.

She really was pretty good at this. She had managed to come up with a pretty
reasonable middle ground.

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Chapter 2

For a while, Kuroneko seemed to be thinking silently on the bed, but she
finally gave me a sweet smile and a threatening stare.

Alright, then. Letting this conversation drag on any further would be

annoying, so I will go just once. In return, of course, I expect you to come
with me. After all you said you were worried about me, correct?

Sure. Got it.

I nodded without a second thought.

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Chapter 2

Part 3

Around an hour after the two of them left, I got a call from Saori.

Whats up? Its usually me calling you, and not the other way around.

Now that you mention it, I guess thats true. But I wanted to talk to you
about Kuroneko-shi.

What about?

Its about the reason why no matter what, Kuroneko always refuses
invitations to join a club. This is just my own theory, but I think its the
same reason why she always refuses invitations to go somewhere with her
classmates.

And what in the world is that reason?

Kuroneko-shi probably just doesnt like anything taking away from the
time she can spend with us. She has a part-time job, she writes doujinshi
and although I havent heard any details, she also seems to have a lot of
other obligations after school. If she added any more to her plate, then that
would mean that she would have to spend less time with us. So-

So she doesnt join clubs, and shes antisocial when it comes to her
classmates?
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Of course, she was never very good in social situations in the first place.
But, I do believe Kyousuke-shi had hit the nail on the head back there. It
has everything to do with us, you said and I think thats exactly right.
Precisely because our friendships are so important to her, shes isolated
herself from her classmates on purpose.

I see

I let out a soft sigh.

That girl ever since Kirino went away, shes been coming over more and
more often.

I think I can understand what shes feeling. I I feel the same way. Up until
now, us four Kiririn-shi, Kuorneko-shi, Kyousuke-shi, and me weve
become a pretty inseparable group. And that group naturally evolved into
something special, and our days were filled with lots of joy. But then one
person disappeared and I got scared. I became frightened that at this rate,
our relationships would all start to fall apart.

Saori was talking about her own state of mind, and inferring that Kuroneko
might have felt the same.

Did Saori really think about it like that? Was that why after Kirino left, she
started coming to my house quite a lot?

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Chapter 2

Also this is something Ive thought for a while, but how was she so good at
figuring out what Kuroneko was thinking? Something just felt off about the
situation. Its almost as if

Hey, Saori. You have a lot of friends, dont you?

Not at all. I dont have many at all, Kyousuke-shi. Of course, I consider

all my community members as precious friends even close friends. Having
fun with them at offline meetings, having great chats with them online,
those are all really important to me. But, in terms of real friends I can hang
out with often, in terms of people I can go to with my own personal
problems I only have that deep of a relationship with three people.
Kiririn-shi, Kyousuke-shi, and Kuroneko-shi.

She spoke in a tone of self-derision that I would never expect from someone
like Saori.

Friends are not meant to last forever. Theres graduation, or going

overseas, or arguments, or accidents, or school transfers, or illness, or
misunderstandings its nave, optimistic. Friendship vanishes at the
smallest opportunity. I knew that from the start. So what is this? What is
this anxiety, this fear Im feeling?

I felt as if I had just managed to take a glimpse into Saoris mysterious inner
self.

I think I understood just a bit what she was feeling. Thats why she was such a
kind person.
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Chapter 2

In the limited time she had with her friends, Saori wanted to do as much for
her friends as possible, precisely because she knew that friendship wasnt
something that lasted forever. She wanted to treasure the happiness that
came out of the times they could be together.

Thats probably how she was thinking.

The joyful life of the party, or the fragile, weak Saori they were both one
and the same person.

I knew that now more than ever.

Kyousuke-shi. I beg of you, please take care of Kuroneko-shi. If there is

anything I can do, please dont hesitate to ask me to do it. It would make
me really happy if you could do that for me.

Yeah. Leave it to me!

I gave her a firm, reassuring response.

Its truly been quite a while since Ive felt so pumped up.

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Chapter 2

Part 4

The Game Research Societys clubroom was on the second floor of the Club
Building. As its name might suggest, the Club Building was the building that
housed all the clubrooms, whether the Literary Club, the Wind Ensemble, or
the Humanities Club.

Is it here?

We stood around the end of the hallway on the second floor, and looked up
at the nameplate on the door.

The name Game Research Society was written on the plate.

Alright then shall we go?

I looked over at Kuroneko, and saw her give me a nod.

I pushed the door open.

When we went inside, a bizarre sight greeted our eyes. What was the best
way to put this into words?

Well the first thing that caught my attention was the bunch of black wires
wriggling their way across the floor.
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Chapter 2

There were also a bunch of long tables stuck together to form a larger table.
And there were around three of those in the room.

On top of the tables were monitors, various gaming consoles, and laptops.

The desktop CPUs were placed under the desk, probably to save space. It was
spring, but the air conditioning was on, probably to offset the heat the
computers likely gave off. This strange neither-hot-nor-cold atmosphere
permeated the room.

There were around four or five people in the room. Everyone was male. Each
person in the room was handling a keyboard, or a mouse, or a controller, and
was busy doing their own things. But the few people closest to the door
noticed our entrance, and turned their eyes in our direction.

The male student sitting closest to us immediately stood up and walked

towards us.

Welcome, Ive been looking forward to meeting you.

Ahh, hello.

Kuroneko showed no signs of talking, so I was the one who responded.

This was the same guy who tried to get Kuroneko to join the club in the
school courtyard that other day. He was also the person I asked when I
decided that we wanted to come take a look around.
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Once again, my name is Makabe, and Im a second year.

Chapter 2

Im Kousaka, and Im in my third year. This is Gokou, and shes in her first.

When I said her name, Kuroneko gave a slight nod.

Its very nice to meet you.

Its very nice to meet you too.

Makabe-kun definitely was a pretty polite person. He looked quite young,

and he carried a rather serious air about him. When it came down to it, he
did look like an otaku, but he didnt seem like the type of guy that Kuroneko
should be afraid of.

Please allow me to thank you, Kousaka-senpai. Im really grateful you

convinced Gokou-san to come.

You really dont need to thank me. She was the one who decided she
wanted to come here, and its not like shes decided to actually join yet.

Even then, just having her being interested in our club activities is enough to
make me happy. Well, let me introduce our club president right away.

Hm? Youre not the club president?

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Chapter 2

He was a second year, and it was pretty rare to see someone who was so
dedicated, so I thought that he was surely the president. But it seemed that
the president was someone different.

Ahaha, no, Im just an underling. Umm, please, this way.

Makabe led us inside the clubroom. And the farther we walked into the
room, the more messy things became. And whats more, there were eroge
boxes and figures publically displayed on top of the desks. Yet, this person
was also the club president he must be a pretty huge otaku.

And then, I saw the game sitting at the top of his mountain of eroge.

Isnt that Onipan?

And, isnt this figure Fana, the Onipan heroine?

Hm? Did you say something?

Ah, no, nothing at all

Why have I played the same game that this through-and-through otaku club
president has?

Not good. At some point, I might have honestly crossed over the bridge of no
return
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Hey Prez. Kousaka-san and Gokou-san are here.

Chapter 2

Makabe-kun stopped in the deepest part of the room and called out to
someone.

The person in question was hunched over and busily working away at
something, but he sluggishly stood up.

Ah, nice job.

Giving Makabe his thanks, this person turned to look at us.

You know, I get the feeling that Ive definitely seen this person
somewhere

I narrowed my eyes and stared at the president. His hair was pitch black, he
wore glasses, and he was pretty thin

What was it? Where have I seen him before? I tried racking my brains, but
I came up empty.

He greeted us.

Im Miura. A third year. Im the Game Research Society presi-

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Chapter 2

Once he caught a glimpse of my face, he cut off his words mid-sentence.

He frowned, looking puzzled and then in the next moment, his eyes opened
wide.

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102

Ah! Y-You! I thought Id seen you before!

Chapter 2

Huh?

You were the one who borrowed my Fana-tan bike at the late-night eroge
sale, werent you?!

Ahhh!!

You, youre that guy?! The one who had that otaku jacket?!

Its no wonder we have the same game! I remember now! So this is what you
looked like?! And youre a student and were in the same year?! But you
look so damn old!!

As the president and I pointed at each other, Kuroneko stared at us as if she

were looking at something dirty and spoke up.

A friend of yours?

Huh? Uhh, no, not exactly a friend

How exactly should I explain this to her? While I tried to find the right words,
the club president came at me. What the hell are you playing dumb for?!

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Chapter 2

Give me back my bike, asshole!

Gyahh!! Sorry!

Clap! I clapped my two hands together in front of me and apologized.

I went back to Akiba Station a lot of times after that to return the bike! But I
couldnt find you!

Ah, really?

All signs of anger vanished from the club presidents face. He began to
scratch the back of his head.

Ahh, well, if you tried to get it back to me, then its fine. I dont know the
details, but your little sister was in trouble, right? And I mean, I was so busy
trying to look cool back then that I forgot to even give you my name and
address! So I guess its no wonder you couldnt get my bike back to me!

Im really, really sorry.

I bowed my head over and over again in shame.

Ugh, a sense of guilt just filled up my chest.

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The only reason wed gotten into this mess was because I promised him I
would return the bike Im the worst.

And then, the president spoke in a tone you would expect from a newlywed
husband worrying about his wife.

Its fine, its fine but more importantly, my Fana-tan bike are you treating
her well? She hasnt caught a cold or anything, right?

Please dont worry. Shes in our garage, covered with a plastic sheet.

I went all the way to a bike shop in the next town, and even got some
maintenance done on her. After all, she was an important item I was
entrusted with. And please, just try to imagine my dashing figure handing
over this otaku bike to the girl who ran the bike shop.

Alright. Ill come by today to grab it then.

Got it.

The other club members occasionally glanced over at us while the president
and I were talking.

Ummmmm prez. How do you know Kousaka-senpai?

Makabe-kun took the initiative and asked that question.

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The club president, the same person I had met at that late-night sale wearing
an otaku jacket, stood straight up, and put his arms around my shoulders
without a care in the world. He gave a huge smile, his canines showing as he
did.

As a matter of fact, were comrades who loved the same woman!

Dont put it in a way that might get misunderstood!

See?! Kuronekos stare is just getting colder and colder!

Makabe glared at the president, his eyes half-lidded, and his cheek twitching
in annoyance.

Dont worry, Kousaka-senpai. The president always makes terrible jokes like
this. Were all aware of it. From context, he was talking about eroge, right?
That is, that Kousaka-senpai and our president both love the same 2D girl in
an eroge, right?

Wrong! You still got the most important part wrong!

This guy how he could misinterpret things in the worst possible light was
really pretty irritating.

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Oh? I thought you were both interested in the same thing, and collect
1

dakimakura of characters and things like that. Am I wrong? He said you

were comrades, so I thought that Kousaka-senpai also seriously falls in love
with 2D girls like our president does.

I like 3D girls, thank you very much!!

What the hell are you making me say?! Also, what the hell am I saying in the
middle of the damn school?!

Kuronekos sub-zero glare pierced me straight through.

Lets stop there, if you please. This is disgusting and an earsore. But please
give us a simple explanation. Exactly how do you know this person?

I met him in line at a late-night eroge sale.

Finding no other way out, I just told her the truth. Kuroneko should be able
to guess that I was there only because my little sister asked me to be there.
By which I mean, please God, I hope she guesses that.

The club president quickly nodded his agreement with my explanation.

___________________________
1

Hug pillows.

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Ah, right, I promised myself that I would ask you if I ever met you again.
What happened after that? Did you get that eroge to your hospital-ridden,
terminally ill little sister?

So suddenly I have a terminally ill little sister, huh?

Getting eroge to a terminally ill little sister what on Earth are you two
talking about?

I had no idea how to respond to Makabe-kuns icy-cold interruption.

And I guess if you count little sister moe as a terminal disease, it wouldnt
be too much of a stretch to say that my little sister was terminally ill.

But I can imagine how it would be incredibly confusing listening to me and

the club president talk as a bystander.

Also, I guess I never went into details with the president either, that night of
the sale.

Umm its a bit hard to explain, but yeah I got it safely to her. Miura-san,
please let me thank you again. Im really grateful for what you did for me
back there.

I bowed, and the president shook his head. Ah, no, it was nothing.

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He gave me a friendly chuckle and patted me on the shoulders.

Chapter 2

Well, anyways, this Kousaka, was it? Were great friends.

Youre great friends, but you didnt even know his name? Well, whatever

There was a feeling of resignation in each and every one of Makabe-kuns

words.

I got the feeling that these two have had this type of exchange countless
times before.

Also, Kousaka-senpai. Im sure youve had this on your mind, so please allow
me to explain. This person has been held back a grade quite a few times.
Thats why he looks so old.

Ah, so thats why.

He can throw in a snarky response when the occasion arises, but hes also
good at explaining things Makabe-kun, youre a great mediator, you know
that?

Hey, Makabe, dont just go and blurt out other peoples personal histories
like that. Youre making me blush.

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You dont have to blush. Just show some shame and graduate already.
When I was a first year, you were already president, werent you? Arent you
tired of it?

You know, Ive always thought this, but your little retorts are always so dry.
You really should learn from Kyousuke here.

The club president finally took his hands off my shoulders, crossed his arms,
and gave out a booming laugh.

He certainly laughed pretty often. Also, even though we had just met, he was
already calling me by my first name only.

Not only do we have our new star player here, but to think I would be able
to meet with my comrade again today is indeed a good day.

Im glad I met you again too.

This was my lucky day.

The Game Research Society president, Miura-san, was my savior and was
every bit as weird as he looked

But he was a very good person. If you trust my opinion that is.

And for now, I guess I could trust him and leave my cute kouhai in his care.
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Although, the Kuroneko in question had been standing there, giving me and
the club president this icy stare for this entire time.

W-What?

Nothing youve become quite the otaku when I wasnt looking, havent
you senpai?

I couldnt say a word in response.

I wonder what my past self would say if he saw me today. He probably

wouldnt believe that who he was looking at was the same person.

Allllllllrighty then.

The president gave a huge, extravagant stretch and pushed his glasses up.

Welcome to the Game Research Society, you two.

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Part 5

Next, the club president explained to us exactly what the Game Research
Society did.

Ummmmmm where should I begin? Makabe, how much have you told
them?

Well, I told them that we make doujin games and participate in events.
About that much.

I see, I see. By the way, you two, do you know what we mean when we say
doujin and event?

He had directed the question at me, so I answered for myself and for
Kuroneko. Yeah, we understand. More or less.

Have you gone to any?

Ive only been to one. This girls been to quite a few, though.

Ah, then Ill just skip the explanations for those. Thats good. It makes the
conversation easier. Umm, well, our main activity is making doujin games.
Though, on paper, were technically a club that engages in cultural
activities.

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The president looked around the room.

Chapter 2

And, in terms of making these games, its not like every club member
participates in that. Actually, we have a lot of ghost members in this club, and
besides us, the only other people who come every day are the two over
there.

Hey. Yo.

Two chubby-looking people in the room working on their PCs looked at us

and raised their hands.

The club president looked back at us.

Were going to have a welcoming reception for all the new members, and all
the club members will be here. Ill definitely introduce you to everyone
then.

Sure.

They have lots of ghost members this was a pretty half-assed club, wasnt
it?

Seeming to read my mind, Makabe-kun explained further.

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You could say our club is pretty free, or flexible. But its not like were doing
things half-heartedly. Each and every club member finds a game they want to
make and tries their best to make it.

And you can even make an eroge if you want. Right, Makabe?

Prez, please be a bit more tactful. Im trying to get them to know a bit about
our clubs good points, but youre spoiling all of it. Also, dont I always tell
you that playing eroge inside the clubroom isnt allowed? So why do you still
have to go out of your way to play them here? Play them at home, please.

Dont ask such tasteless questions, Makabe if you have a woman you love,
wouldnt you want to always be with that woman? Im not proud of it, but
sometimes I even play in the classroom during break times.

This guy was seriously crazy. Im so glad we arent in the same class.

Prez, even if you try to act cool about it, that doesnt make it any less
creepy. There are girls in your class too, so please have a bit more respect.

Ugh, shut up. You my mom or something?

Just watching this exchange was enough to understand what roles the
president and Makabe played in the club.

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Also, trying to make it sound better isnt going to work. No matter how you
look at it, our club is pretty half-assed. And theres no point in trying to get
someone to join without having them understand exactly what theyre
joining. Right?

That may be true, but even then, theres something to be said about
choosing the right words. Umm Kousaka-senpai, our president might put it
that way, but there are definitely people who are serious about making
games here. Of course, there are also people who only talk about games, and
there are also people who only show up every so often.

Yeah, I get the feeling that this club is pretty laid back. But there are also
more motivated people who work hard?

Yes.

So, that means well, Im a third year, so I have to take exams. So its alright
if I join as more of a ghost member? Or rather, its alright if I only show my
face occasionally?

Wed welcome you with open arms. After all, if youd allow me to speak
about it from a more financial point of view, even the ghost members pay
club dues.

If thats how things worked, then if Kuroneko joined the club, Id go with that
option.

Kuroneko hadnt said a word for a while, and I turned to her.

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Come on

..

Kuroneko sunk deep into thought with her head facing downward. She then
glanced around the clubroom, inspecting the club members, before finally
looking up at the club president and muttering.

Then youre saying that you arent that interested in making games?

Absolutely not! Im making games with all my strength!

The club president puffed out his chest. I could not sense any lie from his
words.

Kuroneko continued her questioning with her emotionless tone.

And what genre do you focus on? STG, am I right?

Nah, Ill make anything.

What tools do you work with?

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Chapter 2

We should have all the necessities. We have the equipment, the software
and also the books. Technical books. All the books in that shelf over there are
free to be taken out by any of our club members.

When he said that they were free to be taken out, Kuroneko seemed
slightly surprised.

But you couldnt have covered the cost of all of those with your club
dues alone.

Well, thats true. I paid for them all myself. I mean, think about what its like
being in junior high or high school. You dont really have enough money to
1

buy technical books that cost a few thousand yen , and when it comes to
expensive software like Photoshop, there are plenty of people who wouldnt
be able to use those programs even if they wanted to. I was like that too.

The president spoke like an adult, even though he was also a high school
student.

Exactly how old was he?

___________________________
1

The current conversion rate is around 100 yen per dollar. Holy hell thats cheap. GO USD!

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Chapter 2

I mean, if someones really motivated, they could get a part-time job and
prepare all the tools they would need to make games. But its frustrating
when you have to pay for your education too. When I was a first year, I
thought about this all while I was working for a moving company. I thought,
wouldnt it be nice if there could be a clubroom that had all the tools you
needed to make games, and a bunch of fellow people who wanted to make
and study games?

The president showed us his teeth and gave us an eerie chuckle. And he
readily made his next statement.

So I tried to make that club.

. I see.

Kuroneko fell into silence once again. She slowly looked around at the
equipment in the room and the bookshelves.

I didnt know what Kuroneko was thinking after hearing about the history of
the club.

But, I was pretty sure I knew what she wanted to say, so I said it in her place.

This girl is interested in making games.

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Chapter 2

Oh? So, what can you do? Can you code? Can you draw? Compose music?
Im assuming youre not saying that you just want to write scenarios because
thats all you can do, right?

Babble babble babble babble. The president let loose a string of words I
didnt really understand.

Kuroneko gave her response without hesitation.

All of those.

All of those you can do all of those things?

Well, Im not too certain what would qualify as being able to do those
things but at the very least, theres no need to teach me everything from
square one.

Kuroneko spoke timidly, but the president seemed really impressed.

Hey hey Makabe. Shes quite a lucky find, isnt she?

I told you, didnt I? That shes a great addition to our club.

Makabe-kun looked pretty proud of himself. Well, sorry to burst your bubble,
but I think I need to remind you of something.
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Hey, remember, she hasnt decided to join yet.

Chapter 2

Kuroneko picked one of the technical books close to her up, and began
flipping through it.

What do you think? It doesnt seem to be that strict of a club do you

want to try it out?

It seems they have software and equipment I dont have here. And it
seems that to some extent, Ill be free to work on what I want. It could be
slightly better than working alone at home so it may not be a bad idea to
spend some of my game-making time here

The president and Makabe exchanged glances and smiled broadly.

I chuckled internally. After all, I could imagine exactly how Kuroneko was
going to respond in the next moment.

Please dont look so happy. If I find that this club is no use to me, I will quit
I dont have that much free time, you know.

See? Shes blushing.

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Chapter 2

Part 6

For that reason, Kuroneko and I began to go to the game club around twice
every week.

Kuroneko seemed pretty busy lately, and I had to study for my exams, so it
was the very best we could do to make it to club twice a week. And yes, the
original first priority was to get Kuroneko into a club in order to find her
friends who had the same hobby but at this point, I didnt really know how
well that would go.

After all, at quick glance, it seemed that the game club had no girls in it. And
in the end, it would be best if she ended up making friends with people of the
same gender, and in the same grade. Ideally, she would make friends with
her classmates. I mean, if she didnt do that, she would just continue to be
left out during PE class when people got paired off, you see? And it was
because I didnt want that to happen that I tried to help in the first place.

We left the clubroom, and we began to walk down the hall when I tried to
get some information out of Kuroneko indirectly.

Are any of your classmates in the club?

Who knows? Its not as if I remember each and every one of my

classmates faces.

Just look at this. This is why she cant make friends.

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Well, looks like Im out of options. Im going to have to go with my usual

fallback option.

And what is that, you ask? Well it was time to beg others for help.

In fact, the face of the person who I thought could help me out the best in
this situation had already clearly appeared in my mind.

Soon, it was lunch break the following day. I began to walk all the way down
to the second-year rooms to meet with that person as soon as possible.

Huh? Youre asking me if my club has first-year girls as members?

Yeah. I figured youd know.

Yes. The person I had gone to for help was the game club member, Makabekun.

He cocked his head to the side and tossed me back a question.

Why exactly are you asking? You looking to seduce one of them or
something? Even though you already have a pretty cute girlfriend.

Huh? Girlfriend?

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Gokou-san, of course. Am I wrong?

Chapter 2

His words threw me completely off-guard, so I hesitated for a moment before

answering.

Nah were not like that. Umm, do we look like we are?

Yes.

So it seemed we did. I see. So we looked like we were like that hmph.

Well, thats fine then. So why exactly are you asking me that?

Ah, well, its just that when shes only surrounded by boys, I think its
difficult for Gokou-san to be there.

Makabe-kun seemed to be the type to want to stay on topic. Not that I didnt
like that.

Well, if thats the case, then we do have an Akagi-san in the club, whos a
first-year girl.

A-Akagi?

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Yes. She wears glasses and her full name is Akagi Sena. The other day, I told
you that there was another new student that was really good at games, I
think that student was Akagi-san hmm? Is something wrong?

Ahh no nothing at all.

Hmm t-thats quite a familiar-sounding last name

Was that girl in the clubroom when we were there?

No, she wasnt.

Hmm. Well, is there anybody else? It doesnt have to be someone in her

class, but any other first-year girl would be fine.

There arent any more. The girls do tend to join the manga club more, so

I see.

So, it looked like my only option was to make sure that this girl with the
familiar last name and Kuroneko got along really well.

By the way, what kind of girl is she?

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Chapter 2

Akagi-san, you mean? Well I guess from just a glance, she really doesnt
seem like an otaku.

Hmm. But, I guess in the end, she is an otaku, right? After all, you tried to
recruit her into the game club because she was really good at games, right?

Yeah I guess thats what you would expect.

Makabe-kun gave me a dry chuckle.

That girl is amazing at games, but she never talks about them at all. Even
when she comes to club, all she does is read technical books or stare at the
computer screen I havent really even talked to her much. Honestly, I still
dont know exactly why she chose to join the club.

Is she hard to get along with?

Hmm well, I mean, we barely have any other girls in the club. So I guess its
not a surprise that she feels a bit hard to talk to

Ah, so its like that. Its really pretty tough to be the only girl in a crowd of
boys

Yes, it really is. So it was really a godsend for Gokou to also join our club. We
also have a few second-year girls in the club, but they barely ever show up.

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I see. I feel like I understand a little better about why exactly Makabe-kun
was so desperate in trying to get Kuroneko to join the club.

It wasnt just because he wanted to recruit a really talented female gamer,

but probably because he wanted to do something for the kouhai in the club
who tended to isolate herself.

If thats the case then I think our goals were one and the same.

Itd be nice if Gokou and that Akagi girl could become friends, wouldnt it?
For both of them.

Yes, definitely.

Information gathering complete. We faced each other for a while and fell into
thought.

After a while, Makabe-kun hit his fist into his open balm.

Ah, right. In that case, how about this?

Hmm?

Do you know about our new member welcome party?

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I think the president might have mentioned something about that.

When it gets to this time into the semester, all the clubs have something of
a party to welcome their new members. Our club plans to have ours this
weekend. So, if we can get Gokou-san and Akagi-san to sit close to each
other, thatll encourage them to start talking and theyll become friends,
right?

Probably not. I think Makabe-kun was giving Kuronekos communication skills

way too much credit.

If we used a plan like that, we would have to be close by as safety nets.

I see thats not a bad idea at all.

Then lets do that.

Yeah. Ahh, but Im really sorry, imposing on you like this even though weve
only just met.

I dont mind. Its all for the sake of our cute kouhai, right?

Makabe-kun gave me a gentle smile.

Geez. It really seems like there are a lot of younger, reliable people around
me these days.
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Chapter 2

Part 7

After school that day, I was walking out of school with Manami as usual. On a
side note, we never really made plans to meet with Kuroneko after school,
but if we did meet her on the way we would end up walking back together.

That girl usually tried to get back as soon as possible, so if I headed straight
for the shoeboxes at the building entrance after the last homeroom, there
was a good chance I would run into her.

And so, when I hurried towards the shoeboxes today, I saw Kuroneko on the
landing between the first and second floors. But she didnt seem like she was
on her way out of the building.

She stood there without any expression on her face, sweeping the floor with
a broom.

Ah, its your turn to clean up today?

.. Yes it is.

Kuroneko paid us a single glance. Even while she looked as us, her hands
didnt stop moving as she swept the broom across the landing.

She was pretty good at that. I imagined that she must be used to doing this at
home.
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Where are all the other people who are supposed to sweep the stairs?

Manami tilted her head and asked that question.

Kuroneko completely ignored her question, and just continued her work.

Hmm. I thought about it hard for a moment, and then turned to

Manami.

Wait just a second.

I went down the stairs, walked right down the hallway, and headed towards
the other set of stairs in this school building.

I walked up those stairs to the very top, walked down the hallway on the top
floor, and then headed back to the first set of stairs.

Walking down those stairs, I finished the loop and returned to where
Kuroneko and Manami were.

It was exactly as I thought.

Whats wrong all of a sudden, Kyou-chan?

Nothing. Lets go.

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Taking Manami with me, we left that place and Kuroneko behind.

Chapter 2

Once I had put enough distance between us and Kuroneko, I spoke up again.

Hey, Manami.

Hm?

The territory the first years had to cover for cleaning the stairs was the
staircase the Kuroneko was working on, as well as the staircase on the other
end of the building.

I took a look at the other set of stairs too but there was nobody there.

Ah, I see.

She seemed to guess what was going on just from that, and a tinge of
sadness crossed Manamis face.

All the other people charged with cleaning the stairs had left it all to
Kuroneko alone and had all gone home.

This wasnt that uncommon of an occurrence, and it wasnt serious enough

to be considered bullying.

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Chapter 2

They might have just left because they thought it was too annoying, and even
if they really were doing it out of ill will, they probably just wanted to play a
mean joke on their unsociable classmate who always left the earliest.
Compared to the sudden death eroge and ero book traps that a certain brute
had set for me, this was completely, utterly tame.

And I might be repeating myself, but Kuroneko was the one who chose to be
antisocial, through that crucial period right after one enters a new school. So
she was to blame for some of this, and she was reaping what she sowed.
There wasnt any room for me to feel sympathy. There wasnt any room,
but

Alright, Kyou-chan. I brought brooms and dustpans.

H-How thoughtful

Sometimes I honestly thought this girl could read my mind.

The two of us started to sweep the stairs, starting with the staircase opposite
to Kuronekos.

When we were mostly done with the cleaning and just collecting the trash on
the staircase landing, Kuroneko showed up.

The minute she found us, her eyes widened for a moment. And then her
expression sharpened.

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Chapter 2

What exactly are you doing?

Were doing exactly what we look like were doing. Were cleaning the
stairs.

I gave her a nonchalant answer, and poured the contents of my dustpan into
the garbage bag Manami was holding open for me.

My casual attitude seemed to get on her nerves. Kuronekos tone became

even harsher.

This does not please me at all. Are you trying to take pity on me?

What do you mean?

Dont play dumb. You couldnt stand watching me cleaning alone, so you
went off to do this, correct? It is none of your concern. Do I really have to tell
you that every time?

No. Thats exactly what I thought you would say. Thats why we started on
the other set of stairs.

Well, sorry then. But, weve already pretty much finished up here. So, I
guess youll have to forgive us today.

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Kuroneko fiercely bit her lower lip. Her pride made it very difficult for her to
accept our kindness at a time like this. But wed known she wouldnt like
what we were doing, and we were forcing our kindness onto her even
knowing that. Saori probably wouldve been able to figure out some better
way to do this without getting her angry, but I didnt know any. I apologize
for that.

But even I didnt know she would get this angry.

Dont expect any thanks for this.

Of course we dont. We just did this because we felt like it.

At that, Kuronekos eyes narrowed. There was an awkward silence. Then, she
spoke in a heavy tone.

You said once before that you werent lying when you said that you worried
about me, right?

Yeah. I wasnt lying.

Ah, is that so? Yes, I understand now. That you certainly, certainly,
certainly, certainly were not lying. However I wonder, have you ever
thought about where exactly those feelings come from? Or rather have you
realized it, but youre just pretending not to know?

What exactly is she trying to say?

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Chapter 2

Feeling pinned down by this pressure, all I could do was keep looking at her.

I thought I would spare you the pain and not say this to you, but having
things like this happening so often is very troublesome, so I will tell you
exactly where those feelings come from.

Standing above me on the staircase, Kuroneko looked down at me haughtily

and pointed a finger right at me.

The reason you seem to care about me is because the sister you used to go
out of your way to help so much has left. And I am your junior, a girl, and
seem to have my own set of problems. I seem to be the kind of person that
would rely on you, and that is the only reason you care.

After that, Kuroneko turned sharply on her heels.

I am no substitute for your little sister. So do not take me for an idiot,

please.

And after spitting out those final words, Kuroneko strode away and left.

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Chapter 2

Part 8

And then, it was Saturday. It was the day of that new member welcome party
or whatever.

Right after classes ended, I went all the way to Kuronekos classroom to meet
her. After that exchange we had the other day, I was afraid she would decide
not to go to the party.

Yes. For the few days since that exchange, Kuroneko and I had not looked
each other in the eyes even once.

Not a substitute for my little sister, huh?

It sounded like a line right out of one of the manga she liked.

However, to be honest her words hit home. They really, really hit home.

I mean was she completely right? Was the reason I wanted to meddle in
Kuronekos business because I was just using her in place of my now-gone
little sister?

I really believed that the first few months right after you entered school were
important months that decided the direction of your entire life at that school.

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You would pick the club you belonged to, the social circle you belong to it
was a time where you determined your position within your school (or
rather, your class).

And if you failed to come out strong during those first few months of battle,
then you might find that your school life has suddenly taken a turn for the
worst. School wasnt as rosy a place as adults might imagine it to be. Well,
there were definitely rosy parts and maybe even the majority of school life
was rosy, but there were definitely cruel, severe parts of school life that only
the students themselves were aware of.

Even someone like me who prized peace and tranquility above all else knew
that much about school life. I went through elementary and middle school
myself, after all.

Thats why I couldnt help but be concerned for my cute kouhai. That wasnt
a lie; it was the honest truth.

But was that all? Was that the only reason?

No, it probably wasnt.

There was a reason I went so far out of my way to interfere in Kuronekos

business

There was a reason I always wanted to do something for her, even though
she didnt want me to
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Chapter 2

Probably

It was probably because seeing her standing there looking lonely made me
think about a certain someone else from a certain time ago.

That person was no longer here, but that feeling about being able to do
something for her back then

That feeling still remained in my heart even today. I was happy that she relied
on me, but those occurrences were no more.

Thats why thats why

. Ugh, Im being way too gloomy today.

And whats more, I was completely found out, wasnt I?

Even I could admit that I didnt look too cool back there. But, even so, that
didnt change what I had to do.

Just because I had found the rather tasteless motive I had for wanting to help
her didnt mean I suddenly didnt want to help her. I also had that promise
with Saori to think about.

Saori had entrusted me with Kuroneko. I couldnt get rid of these confused
feelings in my heart, but I knew exactly what I had to do.
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And I knew what I myself wanted to do.

Chapter 2

Well, I guess I have to do what I have to do.

I muttered to myself and then pulled myself back towards reality. I found
myself standing right in front of the first-year class one classroom.

Homeroom was already over, and I saw a few students coming out on their
way home. I peeked into the room, with the fear that Kuroneko had already
headed straight back.

She wasnt there.

Crap

I smacked myself on the forehead. I had to act quickly. Maybe I could catch
up to her if I ran.

I turned sharply on my heal, and then

Uwaah!

I was completely taken aback with surprise and almost jumped up. Because
when I turned around, I saw Kuroneko standing right in front of me. She was
as expressionless as usual, and was staring up at me from point-blank range.
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Looking all around like that in a first-year classroom really makes you
seem like a pervert.

Oogh..

She was still angry with me, wasnt she? Granted, she always insulted me like
this, so its not like I could tell the difference

Umm

What should I say? I had gone over a lot of ways to apologize and invite her
to the party in my head, but once I had her standing in front of me I couldnt
remember any of it anymore As I struggled to find the right words to say,
Kuroneko silently turned away from me. She then turned her head towards
me and gave me a cold, sidelong glance.

Hmph. Lets hurry it up, please.

Kuroneko began to walk away quickly. I chased after her while scratching my
cheek.

It seemed that we were headed in the same direction as the new member
welcome party.

I had been under the rather arrogant belief that our friendship had grown
stronger, but right now, I had no shot in hell of figuring out exactly what
Kuroneko was thinking, or what she was feeling about me.
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Chapter 2

Part 9

The welcoming party didnt take place in a classroom cramped with

equipment and parts, but in an AV room that the club had been given
permission to use by the school. It wasnt that formal of a gathering, but
rather one where they provided snacks and beverages and we would have a
good time while we ate and drank. Well, it was what you might expect from a
high school club.

When I said what you might expect, I mean that with a sense of
disappointment.

But that feeling as probably because I was so used to the flashy gatherings
that Saori usually organized.

So my scale of what counted as normal was completely out of whack.

I chased after Kuroneko as she walked away so fast that I wondered if she
was trying to run away from something.

Umm Im honestly relieved. I really thought you were going to hate going
to this welcome party.

Yes I am already very, very reluctant to go. Honestly, there isnt anything I
hate going to more than parties like this.

Kuroneko faced forwards and spoke without even looking in my direction.

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Chapter 2

I timidly began to ask her why she was going to a gathering she found so
unpleasant. But before I could, she spoke first.

The tools they have in that clubroom well, its certainly much more
convenient if I can just use them there, rather than going to a part-time job
and buying them myself. So even if I find it a bit unpleasant, I thought I would
come here to see everyone today. There isnt another reason.

Oh, I see then.

Half of what she said was probably the truth.

However, that wasnt all in fact, I believed there was another reason.

Hmmmm I dont think that Kuroneko-shi is really that angry. If you just
put yourself in her shoes, its no wonder at all that she would say
something nasty. Its alright, if you give her a proper apology, Im sure shell
forgive you.

I had gone to Saori for advice about what had happened that other day, and
that was her response.

I didnt really know how I was supposed to put myself in Kuronekos shoes,
and its not like Saori told me how, but in short when it came to girls, and
not just Kuroneko, there was always another reason.

Thats how it probably worked.

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Chapter 2

The minute Kuroneko arrived in front of the door, she stopped, and gave me
an emotionless order.

Go in first.

Got it.

Kuroneko took a step back and I took her place in front of the door. And then,
I pushed the door open.

There were already club members inside the room, preparing for the party.
The preparations themselves werent that fancy; they were just lining up a
bunch of long desks in a circle and pouring drinks into cups. We gave a light
bow and entered, and even though they were already halfway done, we
started helping them out.

And because this was a new members welcoming party, I saw a few faces I
hadnt seen before.

The ghost members of the club were also here.

The preparations were soon finished, and people began to sit down wherever
they pleased.

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Chapter 2

I sat in one corner where there were quite a few empty seats, and Kuroneko
plopped herself down right next to me.

. What?

Ah, nothing

Kuroneko was a shy person, so I had counted on my prediction that no

matter how unpleasant she might find it, she would sit next to me, a person
she was already familiar with. Now then where was Sena-chan, the other
crucial half of this plan?

I looked all around me, when I saw a girl wearing glasses who might be her.

She was a bit on the tall side. Even though her body was slim, her chest was
disproportionately big, and gave her a more seductive, adult appeal.

Her hairstyle was a more formal style you might expect from a student, but
because her hair was a reddish color, it came off as much more casual. The
red didnt look like it came from a dye, but seemed like it was her natural
color.

The design of her glasses were also pretty contemporary. To be frank, she
seemed like quite a refined girl.

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Chapter 2

However, she had a stern frown on her face, and with the way she was
carrying herself, she might as well have stamped a huge Bad Mood. Stay
Away in boldface on her forehead.

She seemed like she still couldnt decide where to sit, and Makabe-kun
smartly took that opportunity to call out to her.

Akagi-san, this seat over here is open.

Ahh.

Sena took a quick glance in this direction.

Yes, youre right. I suppose that would be the best option for me.

She wiped the chair with a handkerchief, and took a seat between Makabekun and myself.

In other words, going around the circle from the left, it was Kuroneko, me,
Sena, Makabe-kun, some fatso, the president, some other fatso, and Ill omit
the rest.

I was unexpectedly squeezed in the middle. Granted, this was pretty

convenient, I suppose. If I wanted to serve as a mediator to help get these
twos friendship going, this was probably the best position from which to do
that. I honestly wasnt that confident that I could be of much help, but I
would do what I could do.
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Well, it seems everyones found their seat so lets begin.

Chapter 2

Makabe-kun looked around at everyone as he spoke. Voices of agreement

sounded here and there, and then the room became quiet.

Alright, prez, youre up.

Got it. Lets have a great time and be a great club this year too. Kanpai.

Kanpai. Everyone raised their glass after the presidents incredibly concise
toast.

The minute the welcoming party began, the room filled with noisy revelry.

I looked around at the people gathered. These were all supposed to be gameloving otaku, but from the point of view of someone who was more used to
the kind of otaku at Comiket or cosplay exhibitions, they really didnt seem
like that.

This probably goes without saying, but it was probably because everyone was
young, and everyone was wearing a uniform.

___________________________
1

The traditional way to end a toast at a party or other social event in Japan.

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Chapter 2

However, the pieces of conversation I overheard here and there were

definitely those of otaku. It felt like they had gathered a bunch of gamelovers into a room and just let them talk freely.

However, Kuroneko was

She was completely silent and staring forwards, without even making a move
to pick up her food.

This girl she really was terrible when it came to situations like this. To be
honest, I was worried about this ever since I heard that this would be a party.
Its just that this wasnt the only time this has happened; even though this girl
did really poorly when it came to places with lots of people, she never
learned and always went to those events anyways. So, even though I would
never say this to her out loud Kuroneko might be pretty hard to get along
with, but that doesnt mean she didnt want to make friends.

As proof, just think about how important Kirino was to Kuroneko, and think
about how lonely she looked when Kirino disappeared. She might appear
emotionless, but she really had quite a deep well of emotions.

Alright then

What should I do here?

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Chapter 2

I turned to look at Sena on my right. No matter what this girls personality

was, she probably wouldnt initiate a conversation with Kuroneko just based
on how much of a stand-offish aura Kuroneko was giving out. It seemed like I
would have to be the one to approach her and lead her in.

Umm nice to meet you. Im Kousaka, a third year.

Nice to meet you. Im a first year. Akagi.

A-Ah, I see.

Seeing her up close like this reaffirmed what Makabe-kun had told me.

She really didnt seem like an otaku at all. She really seemed refined but at
the same time, she seemed different from Kirino and Kirinos friends.

Leaving her appearance aside for now, if I used eroge as an analogy , she
was the very picture of the student committee chair type of character.

I didnt mean she was a warm, serious type. Rather, she felt more like that
faultless, intelligent beauty of a student committee chair who you would
never be able to get.

____________________________
2

Compare everything to eroge. Best way to make friends.

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Chapter 2

What?

Ah, nothing, its just that you didnt seem like you were having a good time. I
was wondering if you were just not in the best mood or something.

Thats how my face has always looked.

A-Ah, I see.

Geez, this was hard.

When she saw me at a loss, Sena seemed a bit displeased and scratched her
cheek. Unlike Kuroneko, she didnt seem to be the emotionless type.

Ahh, well, I guess I am in somewhat of a bad mood. I just have a hard time
with this club.

And why is that?

Hmmm. Well, first off, it feels dirty being surrounded by all these talentless
boys. Second, everything feels like its done sloppily, considering all the
games the club members make are so weird and otherwise, all they do is chat
with each other. Third, they dont even have the common sense to know that
its not appropriate to display figures in a classroom and to play adult games
out in the open.

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Chapter 2

Sena faced a person she had never met before and, counting on her fingers,
went through all the things that were making her unhappy. But everything
she said was absolutely correct. When she puts it like that, I doubt any
member of the game club would be able to say anything to defend himself.

Then, why did you join the club?

I asked that question out of the blue. Makabe-kun had probably been the one
who recruited her, but if she didnt want to join, she could have just refused
his invitation. And considering all the harsh things she said about the club, I
doubt it was because she was too meek to refuse. To my question, Sena
responded thusly:

Because I wanted to study programming.

Uhh pro gramming?

Sounding like a clueless grandmother, I watched as Sena gave me a

disbelieving look and frowned. She seemed to almost want to ask me, How
can you be in the game club and not know that?

_____________________________
3

She uses the English version puroguramingu, which I guess isnt that common.

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Chapter 2

Even leaving aside the terrible contents of that STG the president made,
from a design standpoint it was really solid, so I asked him how he made the
game. And then, it really seemed like they were using some expensive
software and equipment to make the game. So, that got me interested, and I
came to take a look around.

Sena seemed to be remembering back to that time, and blushed just slightly
for a moment.

When I went, I saw that they were much better equipped than I had
thought although everything was just scattered around and such a mess. So
even taking into account some of the inconveniences I would have to
tolerate, I decided that it would be worth it to join the club.

Her reason was similar to the reason Kuroneko had given me. It seemed that
this girl also joined the club to make use of the game-making tools that the
club president had bought with his own money.

Kuroneko had definitely just used that reason as an excuse to hide her
embarrassment.

But, in the end, was the same true for Sena?

The fact that she cleared that game meant that she was definitely a gamer.

But her appearance and actions just werent otaku-like at all.

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That being said, Im just at my limit.

Chapter 2

Why?

Because I hate, hate, hate things that arent neat and tidy.
There was quite an amount of force behind those words. Sena once again
began to count on her fingers.

Rooms being a mess or being dirty. People talking in the middle of class, or
people who forget to do their homework, who skip out on cleaning duty, who
cant read the tone of a conversation, who forget to take out their trash on
the right day, who are dirty and filthy, who cheese moves in 1-on-1 fighters,
who cheat I hate each and every one of these people who just go against
the rules like that.

I have a feeling that there were a few words in there that I had no idea
about

Hahah just as her appearance would suggest, she was a neurotic student
committee chair type character.

Calling her a diligent person would be an understatement. She might

honestly be a full-blown clean freak.

Thats quite admirable of you.

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Chapter 2

Thank you. But thats why I just cant take it anymore. Why do the people in
this club seem so unmotivated? They went through all that trouble to join
this club, but only a handful of them are serious about it. And then this room
is so dirty. And Im sure the president doesnt shower.

She used her handkerchief to pick up her cup, and took a drink of her soda.
And then, she spoke in an incredibly glum tone.

I I really just cant let it go on.

Hm. In other words, this girl wasnt just a high-strung student-committeechair character, but she was also a fussy-wife character. When she saw
something a bit off, she would get the sudden urge to fix it. What a horribly
troublesome woman.

Back in elementary school, she was probably that girl who yelled at all the
boys to clean up when she saw them slacking during their cleaning duties.

Why are you staring at me like that?

Ah, its nothing.

Its not like I could just tell her what I was thinking. So I made up something
in the moment.

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Chapter 2

I was just thinking how you really dont look like an otaku. How do I put it
you just dont seem like the type of person to join the Game Research
Society. You seem like youd fit in more if you joined the student council.

Is that so?

Sena turned her gaze away from me, looking not altogether displeased, and
pushed her glasses up with a finger.

Hearing you say that puts me at ease. After all, I wouldnt want to be
grouped with the others in this club.

Her words did annoy me a bit. Was it because I was already leaning a little bit
towards the otaku side myself?

Also, I had heard something quite similar in the past. From none other than
my own little sister.

And thats what prompted my next question.

Do your classmates know that youre in the game club?

Its not like Im trying to hide it. Granted, its not like I go around bragging
about it either well, in my case, I really dont think it would make a big
difference if it were found out.

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Chapter 2

Really?

How could she be so confident?

But if they know you joined the game club, wouldnt that be enough to
make them think youre an otaku?
I dont think thats true. If people ask me why I joined the club, I can just tell
them that I wanted to study programming, and I feel they would understand
that. Also, I might have said that I dont want to be grouped with the other
members, but to the very end, thats just a personal feeling. And if youre just
worried about your public image, I dont think getting seen as an otaku is
something to be afraid about.

Thats quite a surprising thing to hear you say.

I thought she was an otaku-hating clean-freak, but was I wrong? At least, the
situation seemed more complicated than I had first thought.

Well, in any case, I wont forget the rather rude thing she had said.

Sena seemed to fall quite deeply into thought, and then spoke in a somewhat
cheerful tone.

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Chapter 2

For example, there have been a lot of anime recently about girls who are
actually closet otaku, but those stories are all just exaggerated. In reality, its
very unlikely for someone to get persecuted just because they like anime or
games. After all, we live in a time where people normally go to watch anime
films, right?

So in other words, she was saying that quite unexpectedly, society had
already accepted the otaku culture, so you didnt have to try so hard to hide
the fact that youre an otaku. When she put it like that, I guess I could see
where she was coming from. I mean, there were definitely people in my class
who didnt seem like otaku but still talked about things like Evangelion. But
still
But eroge and doujinshi are bad, right?

Yes, they really, really are.

She half-lidded her eyes and seemed flustered.

Because, I mean, you have to know your boundaries! Its fine and good that
you like what you like, but theres a proper time and place for everything,
and its really important for you to be able to figure that out. Really, really
important.

Kirino had said something similar. That was actually the exact reason why
Kirino had hidden her hobby from her classmates. Sena wasnt hiding as
much as Kirino was, but she still was tactful in how, where, and when she
told people about her hobby. She drew a clear boundary line in the sand and
didnt show anybody anything beyond that line.

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Indeed, her attitude as an otaku was pretty admirable.

Chapter 2

Depending on who she was talking to, she would behave accordingly. And
this wasnt dishonest of her. Rather, everyone behaved in similar ways in
order to avoid conflict with other people.

If you ask me, otaku arent avoided because they are otaku. They are
avoided or persecuted because they do things that make other people
uncomfortable. Yes, for example

She continued, but with her attention clearly on the person sitting on my
other side.

For example, people who just act so pathetically regardless of the time or
occasion are the worst.

..

She probably heard Sena, but Kuroneko didnt move an inch and just
continued staring straight ahead.

T-This silence was suffocating.

Hmm? Was this was this my fault? Just maybe juuuuuuust maybe

Just maybe.
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Chapter 2

Oh? I could have sworn I just heard a little animal who lives only by the
approval of others say something.

. Ah, Gokou-san, were you here? Your presence is so light that I didnt
even notice~~.

And who may you be talking about? Please call me by my real name, my real
name.
As always, I just have no idea what youre talking about. Whats this useless
nonsense about your real name? Hey, Gokou-san, how many times do you
plan to force me to tell you that you should be more serious about things?

Hmph, my real name is Kuroneko. My soul does not answer to my fake

name.

I just dont have the words to respond to something as ridiculous as

that.

T-These two

Do you two know each other?

I swung my neck back and forth at high speed and asked that. And then

Hmph, shes the noisiest, most annoying person in our class.

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 Shes the biggest problem student in our class.

Chapter 2

Thats how they responded. All the while, they both were giving each other
rather unpleasant glares.

What the hell? I had heard that Sena was a first-year like Kuroneko, but

Hey, Makabe-kun, whats the meaning of this? I turned my questioning gaze

towards him, but he also seemed to have not expected this and was looking
bewildered. Looks like he couldnt come through when it mattered.

But I really had to stop this before it got out of hand.

I took a leaf out of Saoris book and butt in to their argument, although I was
pretty nervous about it.

S-Stop it, you two. Dont argue.

Hmph, were not arguing.

Yes, were not. This is a one-sided lecture, not an argument.

Sparks flew in the air. It was the jakigan girl versus the stubborn student
committee chairperson.

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Geez what am I supposed to do here?

Chapter 2

It would be different if I could find some common ground and try to strike up
a conversation around that, but even that might be asking too much of me.

At that moment, as if sensing the tight spot I was in, Makabe-kun added
himself to the conversation.
Gokou-san, Akagi-san, you two are in the same club now after all, so please
try to get along.

This may be stepping over my boundaries, but if you would allow me to

speak freely, the fact that we are in the same club is all the more reason for
me to say what I am saying. After all, this person has an incredibly bad
reputation in our class. She talks and acts in a strange way, shes antisocial
even when people from our class invite her to hang out with them, and she
has no manners Ive never seen such a poor excuse for a human being in my
life. Theres even been a rumor going out that the reason she never eats
lunch in the classroom is because shes eating it in the bathroom.

Hey, cut it out, wont you?! Hearing that just makes me want to cry!!

Hmph, is that so? In other words, you find it distasteful that were in the
same club? Well then, Ill stop immediately. If possible, Id like not to be in a
club with the likes of you.

Kuroneko stood up from her chair with a clang (a bit teary-eyed).

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Chapter 2

Hey, wait wait wait wait.

A bit flustered, I held Kuronekos shoulders back.

Come on, calm down.

Yes, Gokou-san. I have no idea where this misunderstanding is coming from,

but when exactly did I say that being in a club with you would be distasteful?

Huh? Wait, what exactly are you trying to say?

Sena put her hands on her hips, and looked straight at Kuroneko on my other
side with a proud expression.

Fufu, being in a club with you is also my chance to correct your behavior. So,
really, I wouldnt be happy if you quit either.

A dead silence filled the air. After ten seconds had passed, Kuroneko started
to mumble.

And who in the world asked you to do that?

If I were forced to answer that, I would say that I asked myself to do it. Let
me just make clear that this isnt an act of charity or kindness. I just hate and
cant stand people like you. So, to me, this is just a chance for me to correct a
situation I find unpleasant.
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Chapter 2

What she said was incredibly selfish, but I found that I couldnt blame her.

Our motives may disagree, but in the end, Sena and I were both trying to do
the same thing for Kuroneko.

This situation was just a ticking time bomb. All conversation stopped, and the
atmosphere was shrouded in silence. And what broke that silence ultimately
was

Pbbttttttt.

What broke that silence was a most vulgar sound. And everyone immediately
turned their eyes to what had produced it.

Ah, sorry! I farted!

The president cheerfully lifted a hand up and apologized.

Y-Youre the worst!

Sena made a (><) face, and if looks could kill, the president would be long
dead.

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Chapter 2

On the other hand, even though Makabe-kun would usually make some
sarcastic remark when something like this happened, he didnt say anything
here at all.

Just maybe, what had happened right now was the presidents own way of
breaking up an argument maybe.
But that really smelled pretty bad.

Swshh. Makabe-kun opened a window and spoke up to Sena.

But this is really quite troubling. I really thought that since you two had so
many common interests, it would be easy for you two to talk and get along

Common interests? Gokou-san and me?

Yeah, both of you are really great at games. You have different styles, but
from what I could tell, your skill levels are pretty much on par with each
other.

At Makabe-kuns words, Sena and Kuroneko gave each other suspicious

looks. I had no idea exactly what Sena was thinking at that moment, but I
could pretty much guess what Kuroneko was thinking Skill levels on par?
With me?

Makabe-senpai? Are you saying that Gokou-san is as good at gaming as I

am?

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Chapter 2

Yes. Akagi-sans ability to read her opponent is amazing, but Gokou-sans

reflexes are just godly. On par with the Matsudo Black Cat, really

Youre definitely going too far there.

Sena harshly rejected his statement.

You think so?

Putting that person in the same category as a high schooler is just doing him

a disservice. Makabe-senpai might think its alright to exaggerate in order to

be considerate of Gokou-sans feelings, but I feel thats not a good thing to
do at all.

Ahh haha, sorry. You sure are serious about these things, Akagi-san.

It seemed that Sena had quite a bit of respect for that particular gamer.

And because of that, it seemed that using that gamer in a comparison with
someone she hated made her angry.

___________________________
4

Theres no gender specificity in the Japanese, but continuing to use that person would be weird.

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Chapter 2

Kuroneko just sat there and watched that exchange emotionlessly.

But hmm if you wanted some common ground for these two, then in the
end it probably would have to be games thats pretty obvious considering
we were in the Game Research Society right now, but shouldnt there be a
way to use games as a starting point and get something going?

And its not like getting into arguments was necessarily a bad thing. Even
when Kirino and Kuroneko first met or rather, I should say that each and
every single time they saw one another, they would start fighting with each
other. But when all was said and done, they would still play together and got
pretty close. That was because both Kirino and Kuroneko wanted a friend
with whom they could be frank about their feelings and not hide anything.

So, what about this case? Kuroneko had lost Kirino, and thus had lost her
usual sparring partner. On the other hand, Sena was really stubborn, and
seemed to not only have a big problem with Kuronekos attitude, but also
seemed set on fixing it herself.

Call it compatibility, or call it two gears locking well, but this might not be
such a bad situation after all.

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Chapter 2

Part 10

In the end, Kuroneko and Sena didnt manage to spark a friendship with each
other during the party. Given what happened, you could say that it was
wrong of me to try and get Kuroneko to join the game club in the first place,
but it was still a bit too early to make that conclusion. I would exhaust all our
options before I admitted defeat.

The welcoming party was already over, and we were cleaning up the
classroom afterwards.

Sena held a bulged garbage bag in one hand, and was busy ordering around
the rest of the club members.

Now now now, all you senpai, go throw out the trash please. Once youre
done with that, you should feel free to go home first. Ill do the rest
properly.

Sena smacked a hand to her well-formed chest.

She volunteered to finish cleaning by herself and let the older students go
home first it was a pretty admirable attitude to take as a younger student,
but to me, she just came off as a nagging wife who was throwing her
snoozing husband out of the living room to do her cleaning.

Sorry, Akagi. Im the guy in charge of this party, so I cant leave before the
end.
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Chapter 2

The president was the one who had said that. Sena held a broom out to him.

Alright, then you can help out.

Roger.

The president took the broom. Next, Sena turned around to look at me.

Hey hey, Kousaka-senpai? Why are you standing there looking so confused?
If youre planning to stay here, how about you help out a little?

A-Ahh. Sorry about that.

This girl sure liked to be in charge. I hurriedly acted to follow her orders.

But this might be a good opportunity.

Yes, indeed. Right now, the only people left in the classroom were me, the
president, Kuroneko, Makabe-kun, and Sena.

Five people I could put my trust into.

And if the situation were like this, then my trump card would be easy to play
as well.
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Chapter 2

You seem like youre pretty busy, so Gokou-san, you can leave too.

Im not busy today. So I can do what I want.

Sena and Kuroneko. The atmosphere hanging between those two was dark
and gloomy.

Back then from their very first meeting, Kuroneko and Kirino had hit it off,
but that was because they could clash with each other without holding
anything back and could come to a mutual understanding. And of course,
Akagi Sena was not Kousaka Kirino. She wasnt, but I still thought it wasnt
unreasonable to use Kuronekos experiences with Kirino as a reference for
helping her make otaku friends in the present.

So, then using that case as a reference, the problem here was obviously
that Sena was no Kirino that is, that unlike Kirino, Sena had no desire to
open up her heart to Kuroneko.

In short, she wasnt being true to herself.

If things continued like this, there wouldnt be any progress.

If I wanted to get things moving, then I would have to offer some support.

Hmmm well, I guess there are some things I could try if I had to

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Chapter 2

I didnt think the things I had in mind would go so well, but at the rate we
were going nothing was going to happen at all.

So I would try to do what I could.

Well then geez, my heart is beating pretty fast. I couldnt help but
remember back to that time.

I walked closer to Sena while cleaning up, and resolving myself, I casually
struck up a conversation.

Hey you know

What is it?

You said earlier that you joined this club so you could study programming,
but does that mean you dont like playing games?

Thats not true at all I like playing games. More or less.

Thought so. If you didnt like playing games, it just wouldnt make sense for
you to be so good at them.

Why are you being so indirect? What exactly are you trying to say?

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Chapter 2

Ah, so she noticed. I scratched the back of my head, and looked just a bit
away from Sena as I answered.

Just a while ago, you said that if other people asked you why you joined the
game club, you would tell them that you joined to study programming,
right?

Yeah, and what of that?

Its just that, in that context, it really feels like that wanting to study
programming is just an act you put on for others.

I took a quick glance at her eyes.

Is that not the case?

Sena bit her bottom lip ever so slightly, and seemed to fall into thought for a
bit, but in the end she gave out a sigh.

Ahh, it seems I said something I shouldnt have. Well, thats fine. The truth is
that it was just hard to say, and there really isnt anything Im trying to hide.
Ill confess then what I said was only half an excuse.

Half?

What did she mean?

169

 Well, in the future I want to be a game designer.

Chapter 2

Game designer? So you want to make games?

Yes. Umm, and, if possible, I want to find a job at a major game company.

And thats why youre studying programming.

Well, yeah, thats pretty much it.

Sena turned her gaze away from mine. It seemed that she was still young
enough to be embarrassed when she talked about her dreams.

I knew where she was coming from. I was the same, after all. I nodded with
pleasant thoughts swirling in my head.

Ah, I see. Then haha, you dont just more or less like games.

Youre right. Ill admit it, I love games. I love playing them, and I love making
them.

She blushed, seeming embarrassed at what I had gotten her to say. She was
just too cute when she acted like that.

My next question ran as follows:

170

Have you ever played Homoge Club?

Chapter 2

THAT GAME IS AMAZING ISNT IT?!

..

Damn, as I thought.

P-Please just pretend you didnt hear anything!

A-Ahh, but I did hear it. Clearly, with my own two ears.

Oooghhh.

And for the first time since I had met her, I saw Sena break her composure.
To explain, I had expected her response based on an inference I had made
from two statements my classmate Akagi Kouhei had made a while ago: My
little sister is a fujoushi and My little sister is a first year and wears glasses.
She also bore some resemblance to her brother, and her hair color was the
same, so I couldnt help but think that I was probably right and it seemed
that I had hit the nail on the head.

W-What are you saying all of a sudden? I-I-I-I have no idea what youre
babbling on about.

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Chapter 2

As one might expect, Sena calmed down and returned to her senses after
taking a single deep breath, but there was a certain someone who had seen a
crack of a chance to attack this impregnable student committee chair, and I
was sure that person wouldnt let that chance escape.

Oh my, how unexpected. The diligent student committee chair has that
sort of hobby?

Please listen to what I am saying, Gokou-san. I definitely do not have that

kind of hobby.

Then why do you seem so shaken? Why did you say what you said?
Kukuku isnt it because everything is completely true?

No. I told you, youre wrong taking pleasure in other peoples pain what
a horrible personality you have, Gokou-san.

Sena retorted with something rather insulting, but she had chosen the wrong
sparring partner.

How happy that makes me feel. Thank you for your kind compliment.

See? This girl was completely aware of what she was doing.

Ooghh

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Chapter 2

Sena looked back and forth between me and Kuroneko with an annoyed
expression. I was sure that she was trying hard to figure out how someone
like me could possibly know her secret.

Oh, well, you know, your brother just went on and on about your hobby even
though I never asked him to

Is something I couldnt say, so I just stuck with silence.

Kuroneko smirked, and it honestly was a rather unpleasant smirk.

Kuroneko being Kuroneko, she was probably thinking about ways she could
use this to ridicule Sena.

I was the one who had lured her in like this, but she was really taking it
admirably well.

But still. To think that it would come to this I felt a prickle of guilt run
through my chest.

And I had thought that I would try and make the situation right, but

How was that even possible when she yelled it out so loudly like that?

Kuroneko slowly licked her lips, and began to whisper demonic curses into
Senas ear.
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I may not know very much about that culture, but I do know that
Mascheras been pretty popular there lately.

Chapter 2

. A-Ah M-Maschera? That culture? What do you mean?

Cerberus, Astaroth, Lucifer, Shinya. The handsome male characters, with

their dark and aesthetic view of the world. You see them used in BL master2

and-slave settings quite a lot. Maybe its a protagonist that is born out of a
union between two fellow males, or more than anything else, the delicate
love-hate relationship between Shinya and Lucifer these are all just direct
3

hits on rotten minds , and continue to spread little by little even though the
anime has already finished airing, yes?

No, what are you saying? I have no idea. Please just cut it out.

Hmph you dont have to play dumb, you know? After all, Ill bet that
youre one of those types who worship and daydream about the Shinya x
Lucifer coupling, are you not?

YOU FOOL!

______________________________
1

Literally translates to late night. As in, it would have to be pretty late at night and I would have to be

pretty drunk before you caught me watching this show.

2
3

BL stands for Burmese Llama. Really. You dont have to look it up.
Most likely a reference to fujoshi, the first character of which means rotten.

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Chapter 2

Uwaah! Sena just opened both her eyes wide and shouted that out.

If were talking about Maschera, then a Luci/Shin heroic seme x tsundere

uke pairing is a sure thing!! And of all things, you want to reverse the pairing?
Hmph, thats absurd. Doing something like that would warp the characters!
You make it sound like you know everything, but you dont know a thing at
all, do you? I hope you sink into hell right this instant. Y-You damn amateur!
4

W-What the hell was this woman?! I thought she was calmly denying
everything, but then she suddenly snapped!

What? At what point during that conversation did Kuroneko bring the
wrath of the fujoshi down upon herself?

I looked around for help, but the president and Makabe-kun were just
standing there and blankly staring at us.

And after being yelled at by Sena like that, Kuroneko began to grin.

Of course I know what Im talking about. That when it comes to that couple,
switching left and right is ridiculous. But it seems Ive caught a fool.

_____________________________
4

She actually uses some 2-chan slang here, but it basically translates to amateur or beginner. Also, if

you didnt understand, Im not explaining the rest of that paragraph. Go away.

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Chapter 2

Hya-?!?!

Sena covered her mouth.

Kuroneko looked at Sena with a smile on her face, as if Sena had let out some
big secret, but I honestly had no idea what these two were talking about.
It was even more mysterious to me than the anime otaku chats that
Kuroneko and Kirino had.

Each and every word they said seemed like it was in a secret language. It was
almost as if they were trying to make themselves difficult to understand on
purpose.

Hng, you tricked me, didnt you?!

Whatever may you be talking about? Hmmm but this is quite troubling. To
think that you could act so arrogant even though you had such a peculiar
hobby like this. How very improper of you. Are you sure you can still talk
about other people?

Yes I can! Unlike you, Im well aware of the fact that my hobby isnt
something I should just air out in public! Yes yes yes, I admit it! I love homos!
3

Im rotten to the core! But Im making sure to hide it and live my life
normally, so isnt that fine?!

She got all defiant again all of a sudden. Did she forget that shes in a school
right now?
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Chapter 2

Her usual cool demeanor had flown out the window, and Sena blew steam
from her nose in her excitement.

Ah, is that so? And I wonder, would such a rotten-to-the-core Akagi-san

even be able to get excited by half-live things like the Prince of Tennis
musical?

Not even a problem! Not to brag, but Im really flexible, you know. It could
be real people, or 2D people, or even things that arent even alive, but once
you pull at my heartstrings, its possible for me to fantasize about them all I
want in my head. In the worst case scenario, as long as I know whos the fork
and whos the spoon, thats enough for me to imagine the love scenario.

What impressive conviction you have so, that means that you fantasize
about real boys as well?

Hmph, I have nothing to hide. Just last night, I had a dream that Makabesenpai was being gang raped by all the other game club members.

This girl is insane.

___________________________
3

Most likely a reference to fujoshi, the first character of which means rotten.

177

Her face remaining emotionless, Kuroneko asked her a question.

Chapter 2

Even for Kuroneko, who more or less understood fujoshi culture and was just
trying to goad Sena into embarrassing herself, what Sena had said right now
came as a shock. Her eyes widened, and a cold line of sweat ran down the
side of her face.

Keh, that went beyond my expectations t-to think you had so much evil
hidden within you

Even Kuroneko probably didnt expect that Sena would be this abnormal.

Wasnt this girl supposed to be a clean freak? What exactly was she planning
to do with that fork and spoon?

_____________________________
5

For those still confused, this is such a weird expression that I didnt want to localize it. Apparently, spoon is

slang that refers to the uke and fork the seme in yaoi. God help us all.

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Chapter 2

179

Chapter 2

Even the president, who was watching Kuroneko and Senas argument from
afar, looked really frightened when he said what he said next.

H-Hey, Makabe you sure drew in a really scary hentai into our club

( )

Makabe-kun didnt respond, but just stood there completely dumbfounded.

And then, having spent the last few minutes spitting out her wild delusions in
her excitement, Sena gave out an Ah! and seemed to come back to her
senses

GYAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Senas face paled as if she had just taken in all the despair in the world, and
she let out a tremendous shriek.

If we were living in a manga, Im sure that at this point, you would be able to
see swirly swirls appearing on her glasses.
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Chapter 2

Cough cough cough cough cough!

Sena held her throat as she coughed.

With her face completely red and her eyes filled with tears, Sena stood in
front of Makabe-kun and began to desperately apologize.

M-Makabe-senpai, you have it all wrong! T-This is a huge

misunderstanding!

Makabe-kun didnt say a word in response, but I could just see the life
draining out of him. Sena grabbed him by the shoulders and began to shake
him.

Uwaah! I-Im sorry! Im really sorry, Makabe-senpai! Im so sorry for

fantasizing about you and the president! I mean, seeing you respond to him
with your retorts the way you did, I honestly couldnt see you as anything
other than a tsundere! It made me really moe moe! I-I also thought that,
maybe the president didnt want to graduate because because he didnt
want to separate from the person he loved!

H-Hey, stop it already! Makabe-kun looks like hes about to faint! Dont
traumatize your club senpai more than you already have!

?! Did I seriously just go and blabber something disgusting again?!

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Chapter 2

Just stop it!

O-Oh my! My my my! N-Next time Ill make it President x Kousaka-senpai!

Youre doing that on purpose, arent you?! If you keep on going with your
fantasies like that, Im seriously going to cry here! Seriously!

I pleaded with her, tears in my eyes.

Look! Makabe-kun looks like a lifeless husk right now! I now understood all
too well what he was going through after having experienced it myself. Let
me just put this clearly being made the object of a fujoshis fantasies is just
incredibly sickening.

Im begging you, just stop it! Please, for the love of God!

AAaaaaaaaaaghhhhh! I did it again! J-Just kill me! Put me out of my misery!

Sena covered her face with both her hands and shook her head quickly back
and forth, wishing death upon herself.

In a way, Im partly to blame for things getting to this point

T-There was nothing that could save this situation anymore. Terrifying so
this was what a fujoshi was like
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Chapter 2

Although, I really wanted to believe that she was just far and beyond the
usual level of hentai but in either case, I seriously have to give credit to
Akagi. He is seriously amazing. If I had a little sister like this, I honestly might
have already hanged myself.

A-Ah right, Akagi! Hes probably the only person who would be able to get
out of this situation!

I quickly took out my cell phone, and dialed out to Senas brother to ask for
help.

. Riiiiiiiing Riiiiiiiiing.. Click.

What is it, Kousaka? Need something? Im on my way to the next town

over for a practice match right now.

Your sister went crazy what exactly should we do?

Just keep on telling her that shes cute and a good girl until she calms
down.

Ah, I understand now. Youre just as sick as she is.

What the hell?! As if I could do that!!

Like sister like brother!

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Chapter 2

Well, Im putting your sister on the phone right now, so please just do
something about her.

Alright, leave it to me!

After I heard Akagis enthusiastic response, I approached Sena, who was still
covering her face and shaking her head, and held out my cell phone to her. It
honestly looked like I was offering food to a wild animal right then.

H-Hey, your brother is on the phone for you

O-Oo?

Once she heard the word brother, Sena seemed to calm down a little.

She took off her glasses rubbed her eyes and took the cell phone from me.
She put the cell phone to her ear.

O-Oniichan?

She muttered.

Oniichan, huh?

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Chapter 2

Akagi might be in a similar situation as I am with my little sister, but it

seemed that our relationships with our sisters were completely different.

Yeah. Yeah.. yeah, thats right at club the welcoming party

yeah

Sena heaved up and down with sobs as she explained the situation to her
brother. Her voice was filled to the brim with trust for the person on the
other end of the call for some reason, I felt a pain prickle in my chest. When
it came to her brother, this girl seemed to drop all her defenses and let her
fawning, child-like side show.

Alright, Ill do that Thank you. Sorry, oniichan. Good luck with your
match.

Sena said farewell and hung up. She passed the cell phone back to me.

. Umm, I seem to have embarrassed myself

Nah, thats not

Well, no, it was sort of true but it seemed that she had calmed down, so
that was good.

Sena took a few deep breaths, and raised her head, seeming to have resolved
herself.
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Chapter 2

Umm Kousaka-senpai? Are you good friends with my oniichan?

I guess so. Weve always been in the same class, so we do hang out a lot.

I see hmm.

I wanted to ask her why she asked but before I could do that, she looked at
the ground and gave an eerie chuckle. Wuhihi

Hey! Youre imagining something weird again, arent you?! Something

incredibly disgusting, arent you?!

I really dont want a kouhai like this anymore!

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Chapter 2

Part 11

And after the curtain fell on that particular act

After she was successfully calmed down (at least, thats what I guessed) by
her oniichan Akagi Kouhei, Sena returned to her senses and blushed from ear
to ear. She once again apologized to everyone.

I am very sorry. Its its a bad habit of mine to get carried away when I
get excited.

She spoke in a gloomy tone, and it was obvious that she regretted what she
did from the bottom of her heart.

I wasnt completely free from blame here either, and I felt bad about my
actions as well.

We got it. It was also wrong of us to lead you on like that. I promise that Ill
never tell anybody about what happened here.

I promise too.

I didnt hear a single thing.

Makabe-kun and the president both cheerfully agreed with me. I took a quick
glance at Kuroneko.
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Chapter 2

You promise too.

. Yeah yeah. I got it, I got it.

She really seemed reluctant about it, but even if I didnt mention it, she
probably wouldnt have told anybody.

Well then with that, after a wild and stormy welcoming party, this one issue
was settled for the time being.

But there still was no progress on the other issue of making Kuroneko friends.

At any rate, when I tried to help her out in that regard, it turned out that the
target was a hentai.

I really had to go back and think long and patiently about all of this.

188

Chapter 2

Part 12

When we finished cleaning up, we all went our separate ways from what had
been a rather complicated welcoming party. Kuroneko and I left school
together.

We did not talk to each other. We just continued to walk in complete silence.

I thought back to what had just happened between Sena and Kuroneko.

Thought back to the outrageous fujoshi side of Sena I had caught a glimpse
of.

But that girl returned to her senses quickly, and was definitely ashamed of
her actions.

And sure, Kuroneko and Sena had gotten into a fight, but it was different
from that time Kuroneko had met Kirino. They just didnt seem to hit it off in
the same way. In the end, Kuroneko probably thought of Kirino as a person
with whom she was especially compatible.

Just because the situation was similar didnt mean the outcome would be just
as good.

But this much was obvious Akagi Sena was no Kousaka Kirino.

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Chapter 2

Just like Kuroneko wasnt a replacement for my now-gone little sister, to

Kuroneko, Sena was no replacement for her now-gone friend. I shouldnt
forget that. If I did, it would be disrespectful towards Kuroneko. Sort of like
that time before when she got angry at me.

Nobody was ever anybody elses replacement.

I whispered something to Kuroneko as she walked beside me.

Sorry.

And what do you have to be sorry for?

Kuronekos response was painfully curt. Even though she was willing to be
here at my side right now, it seemed that, as I thought, she still hadnt
forgiven me.

I decided to be honest and admit it. Unfortunately, I wasnt the greatest

talker, so I didnt really know how to put it but I tried to put it as frankly and
as sincerely as I could.

I admit it. Not having my sister here is a bit lonely.

I see.

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Chapter 2

I understood that now. Even if I tried to talk big, even if I didnt realize it
myself, not having my sister here made me feel unbearably lonely. Thats
why, with Kuroneko having once called me niisan and behaving a bit like a
little sister, I had began to use Kuroneko as a substitute for my little sister. I
would treat her like a little sister, do my best to take care of her, and in that
way distract myself from my loneliness.

It was pathetic, really. And the fact that I really hated my little sister still
hadnt changed.

But, no matter how much I hated her or rather, maybe precisely because I
hated her

When she suddenly disappeared on me, I was impacted really deeply I

think.

I gave a long, deep sigh.

Even though she was like that, not having her here really feels lonely.

Yes, I see.

With that, the conversation dried up for a moment. Both in my whispers and
in Kuronekos mutters were contained feelings that couldnt be expressed in
words Im certain that we were both thinking the same thing.

After all, both Kuroneko and I shared similar feelings when it came to Kirino.
191

Chapter 2

We didnt try to meet each others eyes, but just continued to mutter
together.

I I am pretty worried about you, you know. Even after this, Im going to
butt into your business.

Just do what you want. I already gave up trying to stop you.

I just wanted to ask you one thing. Did you stop calling me niisan because
you didnt want me to look at you like a replacement for Kirino?

No. Dont you remember? When I first told you that I would stop calling you
that, your little sister was still in Japan.

Well, now that I think about it, that was true.

So, why did you stop calling me that?

No real reason. If I had to give an answer

If you had to give an answer?

I just had a change of heart.

And Kuroneko didnt say anything more than that.

192

Chapter 2

END CHAPTER 2

193

Chapter 3

194

Chapter 3

Part 1

The two first years are going to make a game together.

Such was the presidents sudden declaration the day after the welcoming
party.

It was after school, and we were in the clubroom.

Having heard what the president said, both Kuroneko and Sena shot glances
at each other.

Why do I have to Why do I

They immediately voiced their objections together. Just as before, these two
still didnt get along.

On a side note, when it came to Senas little outburst the day before,
everyone was just pretending it never happened.

Its a long-standing tradition here in this club.

President Miura? You decided that just now, didnt you? If you would,
please stop lying to us.

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Chapter 3

Sena and Kuroneko both retorted. Why was it that women were so in synch
only when it came to blaming others?

Okay, that was a lie.

The president readily admitted his lie. Ah, yeah, now I remember. Game club
was a pretty unserious club.

There was no way they would have a policy that strict.

The club president gave a little ahem and cleared his throat.

But, youre still doing it. There are two reasons. First, we have to see what
our new club members can do, and second, we want our new club members
to work together well. More the second reason. When it comes to you two,
theres no doubt you have the skills, but its bad that all you do is argue with
each other. So for me, thats the first priority on the list of things to fix.

But

Sure, were usually a pretty easygoing, carefree club. But compared to the
other group members, you two really want to make games, right?

Senas lips were thinned into a stern frown when the club president kindly
asked her that question.

196

And making games is a team effort. Got it?

Chapter 3

I understand. Hmph.

Sena reluctantly nodded her agreement. Kuroneko had her arms crossed and
her face turned the other way, but she also didnt seem like she had any
further objections.

Oooo thats amazing he managed to convince these two.

Rather than saying that he succeeded in making a logical argument, it was

probably more that he sincerely understood what Kuroneko and Senas goals
were. He had said as much during the welcoming party, right?

That he wanted to create a club where anyone could study games, and
anyone could work hard and make games with others.

You two probably know already that next month, theres an online game
contest. The Chaos Create contest, which is a pretty famous one. You two are
going to make an entry into that competition.

You dont have to get too worked up about it if you dont want to. We wont
be actively involved in the project, but if theres anything you dont
understand, well try to help you as best we can.

Makabe-kun smiled. He was probably trying to relieve the tension in the air a
bit.
197

Alright then, the president began to conclude.

Chapter 3

So, in other words you two, please bring a draft of a plan for the game you
want to make by the beginning of next week. Ah, right, you two have been
working on game ideas in club already, right? Its fine if you use one of those
too.

But Im pretty sure Gokou-san and I were working on different games

Well, of course we cant make both. You two will bring your plans to club
next week, and well decide which plan to use with a majority vote.

I see. A majority vote by the members of this club?

Sena took a glance around at the other club members in the room, which
consisted of seven members, including me.

Thats fine. I dont mind that.

I also have no objections.

It seemed that the two of them had agreed to the majority vote.

I had an idea, so I raised my hand.

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Chapter 3

President.

What is it, Kousaka?

Can I help out with the games were using for that contest? I mean, I
wouldnt be able to help out more than doing odd jobs here and there but
hey, Im a new member too, right?

Hmm.

The president stroked the stubble on his unshaven face and glanced in my
direction. Next, he flashed me his canines and gave me a knowing smile.

Thats fine. Go ahead and try, comrade. Ah, yeah, I guess it would be a huge
help if you took on the job of supervising these two.

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Chapter 3

Part 2

After the club meeting was done, I headed for a bookstore in front of the
train station.

Even as an amateur, now that I was going to help out in making games, I
wanted to do what I could.

I had no idea how much I would be able to do, but I thought it probably
would be a good idea if I read one or two books on making games. The books
in the clubroom were all too specialized and difficult to understand, so I
wanted to find something a bit more simple an introductory text, or
something like that.

Geez, I care so much about my kouhai, dont I? If my efforts this time bear
fruits, then itll make my cute kouhai adore me, wont it? He he he.

Somewhere around here, then?

I wandered around the bookstore with a smile on my face, when I found a

shelf that seemed to have the types of books I was looking for.

And then there, I saw a face that I recognized.

Ah, isnt that Akagi?

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Chapter 3

Hwaah?! Ah, K-Kousaka-senpai?

The minute I called out to her, Sena jumped up in surprise.

She was probably also on the way back from school, considering she was in
her uniform.

Considering her brother was also in my class, calling her by her last name was
pretty confusing, but calling her by her first name was just not possible. So in
my mind, I would call her Sena, while in real life, I would call her Akagi.

Eh? Eh? Eh? W-What are you doing in a place like this?

Was it that damn strange to see me in a bookstore? Well, Ill give you that I
definitely look a bit out of place in a store like this.

Ah, well, I was looking for an intro book for game making or something like
that.

A-Ah, I see.

This is good timing too. If you have any book youd like to recommend,
please tell me.

Ahh fuuuu..
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Chapter 3

Sena blinked with surprise as she tried to steady her breathing, and she
finally seemed to calm down.

Alright then. Lets see if you just want something thats easy to understand
for beginners, then I would recommend something like this.

Sena took down one of the books on the shelf without a moment of
hesitation.

But easy books dont really get into any of the finer details, so theyre
honestly not too useful for making real games.

I dont mind.

Sena gave me the book, and I flipped through it, confirming that the material
inside was just what I was looking for.

Even if I went and picked up a more advanced book right away, I wouldnt
be able to understand a word of it. So this is enough for me.

Ah, I see. By the way, senpai, what changed?

What do you mean?

Well, I always thought that the thing Kousaka-senpai was interested in was
Gokou-san, and not making games.
202

Hey hey hey. It seemed that she had some weird idea about us.

Chapter 3

It really wasnt like that. The president probably wanted to use this game
project to deepen the bonds of friendship between you and Kuroneko. Its
fine and all to be on board with that, but if I just let it go on by itself, nothing
good would come out of it.

So I really had to follow along and make sure things went well.

I do have a bit of interest in making games. And Im also part of the team
thats going to make this game, so it just wouldnt be good if you two try hard
to make the game but I can only stand to the side doing nothing.

But you know, cramming information like that overnight is going to be

nothing but a hindrance to us.

Bam!

T-Thats a pretty blunt way to put it.

Did I offend you?

Nah.

If something like that were enough to offend me, then I would have already
burst a blood vessel in my head.
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Chapter 3

After all, Ive heard much worse things said to me by a certain brute who
lived in my house.

In fact, its helpful to hear that. I see, I see. Just cramming information
wont be useful.

I put a hand on my chin and nodded.

Well then I guess I just have to find something I can help out with.

Kousaka-senpai sure seems to have a deep sense of responsibility. Im

surprised.

Its not that surprising. Im just a person who usually goes with the flow.

Ah, I see.

This Ah, I see that Sena said seemed to be one of her favorite phrases to
say. When she said it with her lips thinned and looked sulky, there was a
certain charm about it and she was quite cute. But there were also times
when hearing her say that just irritated me.

By the way, did you also come here to buy game designing books?

Eh? N-No, not really.

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Chapter 3

For some reason, Sena seemed a bit flustered. Well then, what exactly did
she come here for? But I didnt even have to ask.

Because it was pretty clear that the book she was holding in her hands was a
BL book.

W-Why are you looking at me like that?

Senas face flushed beet red, and she quickly hid the book behind her back. It
was a huge difference from my own little sister, who was so proud of her
little sister eroge and bragged about them to my face. It was actually pretty
refreshing seeing her like this.

Hm? Ah, no, I was just thinking about how you sure like books like that.

I know its bad.

Sena cast her eyes to the floor, her face still completely red.

Nah, its not. I mean, its not like youre buying 18+ stuff. I really dont think
its something you should be embarrassed about and try to hide.

A-As I thought, Kousaka-senpai is pro-homo, isnt he?!

Why the hell do you always try to make me out to be a homo?! Im a bonafide hetero, thank you very much!
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Chapter 3

Oh

Dont look so disappointed, dammit. When I gave her a glare, Sena slapped a
hand on her mouth and seemed to regret her words. Ahh, I did it again

Sorry its just that whenever I see Kousaka-senpai that is I just cant
keep all these dirty fantasies from swelling up in my head

Taken out of context, you could really interpret those words as a crazy, pervy
love confession.

Whenever I see you, I just cant help but have BL fantasies <3 no, sorry,
but hearing those words did not make me happy in the least.

W-Well, whatever.

Ah? Youre fine with that?

No! Actually, Im not at all!

Look! She has a glint in her eyes! This girl is sick! Sicker than sick!

Ooo. getting my hopes up like that thats not nice, senpai.

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Im stumped. I just dont know how to respond to that. Also, how is it that
youve changed so much from my first impression of you? Who the hell are
you supposed to be right now?

H-Hey.

Yes?

I just wanted to ask are all fujoshi sort of like this? I mean to be so timid
when it comes to your hobby, or rather, to be so self-loathing for you
especially, its strange that youre so self-assured usually, but only when it
comes to your hobby do you seem to lose your nerve

C-Come over here for a second

Huh? H-Hey

Sena suddenly grabbed me by the hem of my shirt and pulled me to a corner

of the bookstore.

She pushed me against the wall, and looked all around to make sure nobody
was watching. And then she spoke to me in a panicked whisper.

Hey please dont say the word fujoshi at a place like this

S-Sorry. That was careless of me.

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Chapter 3

I sincerely apologized. Her large chest was also pushing into me right now,
but this was no time for that. I had to think of something else and distract
myself, or else this situation might start feeling weird.

But geez, what self loathing did she really care about it that much?

I didnt have too many data points to go off of, so this might be my
misunderstanding, but

Its things like this that probably marked the difference between fujoshi
and other kinds of otaku.

For example, even though Kirino was concerned for her public image and
kept her hobby a secret, she still embraced her hobby and proudly
considered it to be a part of herself.

In contrast, Sena was relatively approving of otaku culture and didnt think it
was something you needed to be so desperate to hide, but when it came to
fujoshi culture, she would stubbornly hide it from others and would be
ashamed of it.

Ill have you know, Kousaka-senpai, that the word fujoshi was a word
originally born out of self-prudence and self-derision.

Sena held up a finger, and began to talk in a tone you might expect from her
if she were lecturing a younger brother.

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The fact that the words we use seem almost like a secret language at first
glance, and the fact that its common for website administrators to put a lot
of censorship marks on words is because we dont want the pure, normal
people to stumble into our territory. Its a self-defense mechanism to prevent
ourselves from being persecuted by the majority.

Seeming to get more and more worked up as she went on and on, Sena drew
her face even closer to mine and her body pushed up against me even
more. When you also considered the fact that she was a junior high schooler
until just a little while back, this was a scary situation.

Kousaka-senpai? Are you listening to me?

Huh? Ahh, yeah

It really wouldnt be good if we stayed in this position for much longer. But it
was hard for me to just tell her to stop for many reasons.

This is just my opinion, but fujoshi culture was something that was built on
the respect for each individuals sense of values. So, you could say that if
something doesnt mesh well with my values, then I would quickly abandon it
and distance myself from it. Its probably not a feeling that Kousaka-senpai
can understand, but even if were talking about a close friend, if their values
arent compatible with mine, they are my enemies.

I dont understand. I dont understand even a bit. Breasts breasts breasts.

So, when you say values arent compatible, what exactly do you mean?
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An easy example would be the question of whos a seme and whos a uke.

I understand even less now!

Huh? Kousaka-senpai dont tell me that you dont understand BL

terminology?

Dont ask me that as if youre shocked! I never had the least bit of interest in
BL!

Ahh hmm, well then, this might be a bit difficult for you to understand.
Umm, well, the fujoshi culture is really an exclusionist culture or rather, I
should say that there are a lot of fujoshi who will refuse to participate in
anything that isnt compatible with their opinions. One fujoshis moe is
1

another fujoshis dismay. Well, lets make sure to put ourselves into
different groups then. something like that. Whether or not it can actually
be done is one thing, but I think that way too. Even if its another fujoshi,
there are just things we might not see eye to eye on, and I know that in times
like that I can easily turn into a pure ball of rage. And I understand that its
not wise or appropriate to act that way.

I think I got what she meant.

_____________________________
1

I find it sorta miraculous that this rhyme can work in English too.

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Chapter 3

So, when she snapped at the welcoming party, that was why? Pure ball of
rage was a perfect way to describe it.

And that time, Kuroneko knew that fujoshi were like this, and used that to
her advantage to trap Sena, didnt she?

But most of all, Senas explosive fit seemed to even surprise Kuroneko,
although Kuroneko already knew what Fujoshi were like. What fujoshi were
like, huh? Fujoshi were restrained and self-hating.

So, in other words fujoshi culture is a culture of shame?

.. I guess you could put it like that.

It seemed that Sena wasnt fully happy with that. Granted, it wasnt like I
should be expected to be able to get to the heart of it after only learning a bit
about it.

So, all those unrestrained fujoshi characters that just blab about their hobby
everywhere, the ones that have been coming out of all the light novels
recently, those are just distorted misrepresentation of the male authors. Of
course, thats a distortion that they use to make it more interesting, so its
not like theres anything wrong with that it gives me mixed feelings. I just
dont want people to read a work of fiction and suddenly decide that fujoshi
must be like that.

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Wait just a second. From that reasoning, arent you also a distortion? Just
from what Ive heard from you, I get the feeling that youre a pretty extreme
hentai even for a fujoshi

So, youre saying that you want people to understand fujoshi better?

I dont care if they do or not. I just want them to leave us alone.

I see. What a self-loathing way to think. Sena continued in a rather timid

tone.

I mean I cant puff out my chest and confidently say that were not
hentai but still, its not its a hobby that we can practice out in the open
however, were aware of that. So real fujoshi are a bit more tactful, I think.

I see.

I remember that she said something similar at the welcoming party too.

That its important to be tactful, that even though she tried to restrain and
didnt like her own perversion, she couldnt do anything to stop herself from
fantasizing. That whenever she got excited, she would accidentally expose
herself. Would change into a complete hentai.

All Senas troubles were probably rooted somewhere around there.

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Chapter 3

Even when she started giving me this lecture on fujoshi, she got a bit
worked up about it. Well, this is probably a good spot to try to get back to the
main topic. What is the main topic, you ask? I mean, meeting here alone here
is a pretty rare opportunity

I think this is a chance to capture her.

If were using eroge as an example, this would be a spot where we would

enter into a heroine-specific event.

This situation really seemed like that, considering we had met each other by
accident outside of school. And, I mean, this is just information from games,
but if I met her around another fifteen times, we would enter into an H
scene.

Kousaka-senpai? For some reason, for just a moment I got afraid for my
life there

Its just your imagination.

Not good, not good. It looks like otaku culture has been a bad influence on
me.

And I might not be a fujoshi, but I have to keep myself in check here.

Alrighty then what should I talk to her about?

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Chapter 3

Hey, you know

What is it?

1. Do you get along well with your brother?

2. What do you think about this game competition youre submitting to?

3. You know, your breasts were really pressing into me back there.

Do you get along well with your brother?

Huh? Not at all!

Really? But your brother really comes off as a siscon if you ask me

Thats exactly it! Its so gross!

Hey hey, where have I seen that kind of attitude before?

Come on, Akagi-chan. Its not good to talk badly about your brother, even as
a joke.

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Chapter 3

Kousaka-senpai is awfully eager to have my brothers back, isnt he?

(whisper) I-I see, so he really does love him

I dont love him at all!

Even if you try to speak softly like that, I can hear you loud and clear! Youre
not trying to restrain yourself at all!

But if I remember correctly, at the welcoming party, werent you like

Thanks, and sorry, oniichan. Good luck on your match, or something like
that?

Gyaahh!! Please forget that!

She flushed beet red, and she gripped my collar.

Hahaha, I guess she really is different from my own little sister, seeing how
much of a brocon she is. Shes sure not willing to admit it though.

Well then, lets move on to option 2 then.

What do you think about this game competition youre submitting to?

What do I think hmm, please keep this to yourself, but Im really looking
forward to it.
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And why exactly? Arent you pretty incompatible with Gokou?

Chapter 3

I saw a sparkle in Senas eyes.

I mean, its a good chance, isnt it? If I win at the first presentation, then
well be making my game under my guidance, right? Its an ideal opportunity
for me to show off my true abilities, and if we can make a good game and win
a prize at the competition

Yeah, if?

Then Gokou-san would also gain some self-confidence, wouldnt she? Ahh
even though Im like this, if I do what Akagi-sama says, then I can live in
harmony with those around me, and can create something good thank you,
2

ai rabu yuu, you made all this possible~~ something like that, right?

Senas shoulders shook as she laughed. What a pushy woman

This dimwit is seriously screwed in the head. Theres no way it was going to
go that well.

_______________________________
2

Yes, she says it in bad English, so Im keeping it in bad English.

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Chapter 3

Can you even imagine Kuroneko saying ai rabu yuu? You know, I thought
Sena was a motivated person with a lot of leadership potential, but at her
core shes seriously just a brat. But, I mean, shes still definitely not a bad
person.

Ah, right, now that I think of it, Sena was trying to reform Kuroneko, wasnt
she?

Kuroneko and Sena. To be honest, their compatibility with each other wasnt
really that bad. After all, they had similar hobbies, they liked similar anime,
and as far as conversation went, they meshed well with each other at least,
more than Kuroneko meshed with Kirino. And after Senas secret was
exposed at the welcoming party, they should have been able to get closer to
each other. All they needed was another push, I think.

It would be nice if they could get along better during the gaming competition
though.

In any case, senpai is probably on Gokou-sans side through all this. Just
know that I wont go down that easily.

You sure seem pretty confident.

Naturally!

Haha. How Sena was acting right now was probably the very definition of
bubbling with excitement.
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Just seeing her like this was enough to get me excited as well.

Chapter 3

Considering how our first face-to-face meeting went, I had honestly thought
that I wasnt good at dealing with her, but

Hey, shes a pretty good girl, isnt she?

And she wears glasses too.

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Chapter 3

Part 3

Both Sena and I headed for the register.

On the way, my attention was suddenly drawn to a hardcover lying face-up

on display in the new releases section.

The title was Maisora 2. It was the sequel to the novel Maisora that my
little sister, Kirino, had written.

So this is already out?

I couldnt keep myself from sighing. Thinking of Maisora made me think of

that time my little sister made me go out with her to collect data for her cell
phone novel. I went with her on Christmas to Shibuya and that was quite a
hell of an experience

I mean, there was the love hotel, and then the love hotel. Oh, yeah, did I
mention the love hotel?

Whats wrong, senpai? Ah, that book the sequel came out, didnt it

You know this book?

I despise that book.

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Chapter 3

For a second, I wanted to respond Who the hell do you think youre saying
that to?

But then I remembered. Theres no reason she would know that my little
sister was the author.

I restrained the displeasure I was feeling in my heart from appearing on my

face, and I asked her the obvious question. So, why do you hate it?

The protagonists personality is just terrible reading it just touches every

single nerve in my body. There are definitely people who think differently,
but, I honestly cant see what could possibly be interesting about this book.

I-I see.

After all, the main character was modeled after Kirino, right? So I can
somewhat relate to her feelings.

But it sure does sell well, this book.

Does it?

Yeah. I have no idea why, but there are a lot of people who like this book
but more than anything, its because theyre really good at advertising.

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Chapter 3

Sena picked up a copy of Maisora 2 from the display shelf, and showed it to
me while pointing at the obi of the book.

The second shot of a true love story, written by a girl still in junior high
well, I dont know if its true or not, but it seems that a junior high school girl
wrote this book.

No, thats definitely true.

On the internet and on television, the ads that played up the idea that Rinosensei is still in junior high school are pretty cleverly made. She never shows
her face, but photos of her in her school uniform have been published, shes
done interviews, and before the book was released they put the full text of
the book online so that people would talk about it and spread it by word of
mouth and there were a lot of other things like that. Its not just because I
read it and thought it wasnt interesting, but from an objective point of view,
the reason this book became a hit wasnt just because of the ability of its
autho Kousaka-senpai?

Hm?

Whats wrong? You look completely dazed

_______________________________
1

Japanese novels usually come with an obi, which is just a thinner strip of paper wrapped around the

bottom of the cover.

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Chapter 3

Its nothing.

I was just sinking deeper and deeper into this pile of emotions

That idiot of a little sister she hasnt contacted us even once, even though
all her friends are worried about her

They say that no news is good news, but there was still a limit to that.

Ugh geez.. what in the world is that girl doing these days?

Beep beep beep beep beep!

Shes calling?!

Hyah?! W-What was that all of a sudden? Dont just shout out like that
please!

Ignoring Senas protests, I rushed for my cell phone and checked the caller ID.

The name that was displayed on the screen was

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Chapter 3

Part 4

Im sorry for calling you out like this.

I dont mind. I actually had something I wanted to ask you too.

The person who had called me was not Kirino, but was rather Fate-san.

Iori Fate Setsuna. She was a slender woman, and was wearing a pair of
pantsuits.

I had faced this person before during a plagiarism incident involving Kirinos
cell phone novel.

In the end, that issue was resolved without major problem, and Fate never
was turned into the police.

After I got the call from Fate-san, I parted with Sena, and had just now
arrived at the caf where she was waiting for me.

Where did you get my number?

Kirino-chan told me some time ago.

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Chapter 3

Kirino, huh? Exactly what kind of conversation were they having such that
my phone number came up? I couldnt even imagine it.

Hmm, also in a sense, this person was to blame for Kirino going overseas.

After all, if this person hadnt locked her eyes onto Kirino, then Kirino
wouldnt have been able to save up the money she needed to go overseas.
Its not like it matters. Even if that werent true, this is still not someone I
wanted to meet. I sat myself down across from her, and she began the
conversation.

Can I call you Kousaka-kun? Or do you prefer Kyousuke-kun?

I dont mind either way, Fa-

Whoops. If I called her Fate, she would probably get angry.

But unlike before, she didnt get angry, but just gave me a casual sigh and a
bitter smile in response.

Its fine, whatever. Just call me whatever you want.

Ahh, sorry. Ill go with Fate-san, then.

I didnt hold back and decided to call her by the name I had always called her
by in my head.
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Chapter 3

Umm, you said that you had something you wanted to talk to me about

But she seriously seemed completely different. I couldnt really put it into
words, but she just seemed a lot less irritable and much more softer than she
was before. I also felt I could hear a bit of difference in her tone while she
talked

Yeah. Lets talk about that over a meal. Of course, today is my treat. Alright,
Kyousuke-kun. Just order whatever you want.

..

W-Why are you talking like that?

When I asked her that question with fear showing on my face, Fate-san
covered her mouth and her eyes widened.

Ah, sorry. Its just that lately, Ive been accidentally switching into my old
way of talking. Its been a few years since this has happened too I wonder if
this is because I met you lot?

You lot she means Kuroneko specifically, doesnt she?

_____________________________
1

Fate is using the first-person pronoun boku, which is usually weird for women to use. Kyousuke is

pointing this out.

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Chapter 3

Fate-san had come across Kuroneko, and had been reminded of herself from
a long time ago. And once they had a lively back-and-forth with each other,
Fate-san probably changed. Or rather, she probably returned to the way she
was.

Although, a twenty-something woman speaking like that was seriously not

good!

Was this person really going to be alright? Was she seriously fit to live in
society?

Umm Fate-san. How have you been?

Lately? Hmm, well my savings are running out, and Im getting pretty
panicked about it.

That sounds horrible!!

Its not like Im proud of it, but yeah, it is really terrible. Im living alone, I
have no family I can depend on, and I got fired from my temp job last year. I
thought it was my last chance, so I spent all the rest of my money writing
novels and didnt even try to look for a job its even hard for me to get a
good meal. Even for this meal, I really have no choice but to use revolving
credit on an ACOM Mastercard.

This wasnt something to laugh about. This was not funny in the slightest. Life
as a wannabe was pretty tough.
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Chapter 3

Fate puffed out her rather modest chest, and for some reason seemed proud.

To be honest, my annual income is 530,000 yen.

Thats not something to be happy about!!

It seemed that Fate-san had been laid off and now was struggling with
poverty.

You couldnt even counter her as a member of the working poor anymore.

It was a surprising state of affairs.

I pushed the button on the table and called the waitress over.

No, please let me pay! Just eat something! Its unthinkable for you to treat
me!

R-Really? Hm, sorry this almost feels like begging

______________________________
2

Around 5000 USD.

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Chapter 3

No, you definitely were begging! Begging almost to the point of threatening,
you were!

Do you really think I could let you pay after you told me a story like that?!

We gave our orders to the waitress who came over, and restarted our
conversation.

Im really sorry.

Its fine, really. So? What did you want to talk about?

That little sister of yours or rather, she was pretending to be your little
sister that time.

You mean Kuroneko?

Yeah, her.

I see. So she already knows that Kuroneko and I arent really brother and
sister.

I really wanted to give her my thanks.

Your thanks?
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Chapter 3

Yes, my thanks. Not my apologies, but my thanks. Ive already said it to

Kirino-chan directly, but I still havent told that girl.

I kept silent and waited for her to continue.

I thought about what that girl said to me back then. They were nave,
painful and incredibly nostalgic. How should I put it it really was
liberating, in a lot of ways.

A lot of ways, huh?

Yeah, a lot of ways.

Fate-san gave me a smile. She didnt seem to plan on going into any
particulars of what she meant but her expression was bright, almost as if
she had gotten rid of her personal demons.

So, lured by her expression, I gave her a smile in return.

Ill give you her contact information. You should tell her directly instead of
going through me.

Thats true yeah, Ill do that.

She shut her eyes and nodded.

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Chapter 3

Her actions gave her an air of maturity appropriate for her age, and I felt my
heart unconsciously speeding up a little.

Whats wrong?

Ah, nothing

Ooh, that was really close. If she wore glasses, it would have been all over.

We sat in silence for a bit, after which Fate-san changed the topic.

You know, I heard that your little sister Kirino-chan, I heard that she went
overseas.

How exactly did you know that?

To tell you the truth, Kirino really pushed for me to be on the editorial staff
for Maisora and Maisora 2. So I really had a lot of opportunities to talk with
her. And one day, that girl just suddenly announced that she was going
overseas, and it really surprised me.

Kirino really pushed for that?

I didnt know what was going on. This person was the person who tried to
plagiarize Kirinos cell phone novel, right? So why would Kirino let this person
on her editorial staff?
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I couldnt believe it either. But Kirino-chan said, I was able to write this
because of Iori-sans advice. So I want to work with her to the very end in
order to give something really good to the readers. Also, I really dont want
to have meetings with Kumagai-san alone. I thought it was really sweet of
her.

..

No. Kirino is not sweet at all.

Especially when it came to her work.

She would let her passion carry her away, and I couldnt see her letting
someone onto her team that she didnt think would be useful.

So, Im sure that she honestly believed that she needed Fate-sans abilities to
make a better novel, and that Fate-san honestly had that kind of talent.

Perhaps Kirino had decided not to press charges against Fate-san also
because she wanted to write a better novel.

After all, the person who had originally lured Kirino in and had worked on
making Maisora the big hit that it ultimately became was Fate-san.

Even though she herself didnt have the ability to write good novels, that
didnt change anything.
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Chapter 3

And in fact, I was sitting here because I also wanted to borrow that strength.

Under strong encouragement from Kumagai-san, Im going to be taking the

mid-career recruitment exam for the Dengeki Books Editorial Department.

Ahh.

I really dont know how well that would work. I mean, considering I did what
I did and I doubt any novelist would want a failed wannabe as an editor
and I really dont think Im suited for an editors position.

Bit by bit, Fate-san let out her true feelings.

But I guess at this rate, Im just going to starve to death

Even then, in the end she forced a smile onto her face.

So I plan to do everything I can. To find something I can do and then to do

it.

I was seriously impressed by how cool mature, working adults could be.

Ah, right, Kyousuke-kun. Did you say you had something you wanted to ask
me?

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Ah, right right. To tell you the truth, Im making a game for a school club
right now

(Explanation omitted.)

And so, I really want those two first-years to get along. And, I think if they
make a game together, and they can win a prize in the contest, then it would
be a good experience and even a good opportunity for them to open up to
each other.

It was basically the same thing that Sena had suggested before. I honestly
thought she was an idiot after I heard her talk about that, but after thinking
about it long and heard, I saw that it did make some sense.

Combining your strengths and facing a challenge was a good way to deepen
the bonds between people.

And if they could then emerge victorious from that challenge, it would be
even more effective. So

I really want to do whatever I can to help them place in the contest.

This person had experience producing real hits and real results, to the point
where even Kirino acknowledged her abilities.

Novels and games were different fields, but she might be able to offer me
some insider tips.
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Chapter 3

If thats what you want, then I guess there are a few things I can tell you.

Really?!

P-Please dont get your hopes up too much Im really not that familiar with
games. Umm, I really dont think I would be able to tell you anything that
wasnt already obvious.

I dont mind at all. Please continue.

I see. Well then how about you try and be a bit more careful of what genre
youre going to submit to the contest?

Genre?!

Y-Yeah, I mean, this Chaos Create contest they judge games by genre and
give awards by genre, right? So, depending on what genre of game you
submit, how difficult it is to win a prize might increase or decrease. So how
about you go through the past prizewinner data from this contest carefully,
and figure out both what genres have the highest chance of winning prizes,
and whether there are any trends you can see in the popular games?

I see I understand! I definitely remember that the Chaos Create site had
that kind of past data, so Ill try and do a bit of research!

That was a good idea. Fufu, I can feel myself getting pretty fired up.
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I-I see. So I hope I was a bit useful then?

Chapter 3

Of course. Ill bring it up in club tomorrow. So, in other words, its like this:
We have to be careful about what genre of game we make

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Part 5

Lets make an eroge!

The next day at club meeting, I wasted no time in announcing that marvelous
idea.

Huh?! W-Wait just a second! Kousaka-senpai, are you insane?! Dont just
start spitting out wild delusions!

Senas reaction was frantic. I sent a calm glance at Sena as she stood there
and steamed.

Hey, dont get so upset. Please allow me to explain.

I honestly cant see how anything you could say would change my mind here
though

Just listen. This contest that were submitting to, this Chaos Create, works
by choosing winning games from each game genre, like RPG or STG. And of
course, there are genres with more submissions and genres with fewer
submissions. So the popular genres would be harder to win, while the
unpopular genres would be easier.

I see. So its like how in the Olympics, you could say that the minor sports
are easier to win a gold medal for.
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Chapter 3

Its more like wannabes going out of their way to aim for the easy amateur
competitions.

T-Thats a bad comparison!

Really? But I was just repeating exactly what Fate-san had told me.

Anyways, theres no mistake that there are different probabilities for

winning different genres, so naturally, we arrive at the genre we should aim
for.

Yeah. So? Y-You mean, that is so the genre we should aim for is

Yes! The 18+ Adult Game genre!

Swish. I put on a cool smile and thrust my finger at Senas face.

You probably have guessed it already, but my internal switch had already
been flipped and I was in my super-excited mode.

Sena clanged up out of her seat, and thrust her finger at my face in return.

Even so, how in the world did it get to the point where we should be making
eroge in club?! Senpai, youre really more of an idiot than I thought!

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Eh? But the idea makes perfect sense, doesnt it?!

Chapter 3

Hey, how can you stand there looking so sure of yourself? Someone please
say something to him!

Sena turned around and looked for some support. But the club president just
stood there with a full smile on his face.

Well done, comrade! I never thought about it like that!

This ones insane too!! I-Is everyone in this club a hentai?!

Wait, no, however you think about it, youre the biggest pervert here. I was
about to say that, but then I realized

When she said that, she had completely naturally counted herself too!

M-Makabe-senpai! Makabe-senpai understands, right?! You understand

what the problem is here, right?!

Sena took Makabe-kun by both shoulders and began to shake him back and
forth strongly. Makabe-kun looked at a bit of a loss.

A-Ahh, yeah, sure

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Hey, come on, can you idiots hear me?! Im trying to talk reason right now!!
C-C-Come on, Makabe-senpai, tell them!

Well, about Kousaka-senpais idea, I understand why hes saying that we

should aim for the 18+ genre, and that there would be little harm in
transitioning to that genre. Whether its Gokou-sans game or Akagi-sans
game, if you just add an H-scene to them, then they become 18+, so you
could still use the games youve already been making.

He paused for one beat.

But either way, that means we would be getting girls to write H-scenes,
wouldnt it?

Ah, yeah we would be.

I agreed nonchalantly.

Hentai!! Hentai!! Hentai!!

Sena hurled criticism at me with her face completely red. She was so worked
up that her glasses were completely fogged over in white.

C-Calm down.

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Do you really think I could calm down here?! Y-Youre trying to get your
kicks by shaming kouhai girls! Its sexual harassment! No, its a sexual power
play!

Dont be so outrageous! Its not sexual harassment at all. F-For example, if I

told you to write H-scenes and include the guys you know, then youd write
them happily, wouldnt you?

I would write them with all my hea- n-no, thats not it! W-What are you
making me say?!

She was sure easy to trap like that.

A-Anyways, enough about me! Alright?!

Sena turned to Kuroneko, who was sitting next to her.

Also, Gokou-san must not like this either, right?! So please talk to this sexual
harasser! Tell him youll curse him to death, in the way you usually say it or
something!

I gradually came back down to earth as I watched how seriously Sena was
flipping out.

I really thought this idea would have worked. Hmm was it really
impossible?
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However.

Kuroneko, who had been completely silent up to that point, took a position
that far differed from what Sena and I were expecting.

.. If senpai tells us to do it that way

Huh? Was it really ok?

I really had thought that she would respond like Sena said and would
threaten to curse me to death

Kuronekos eyes watered and she blushed red right down to her ears. She
began to mutter while deliberately avoiding my gaze.

The game Im making now, it wouldnt take too much to add that in so I
can do it if you want.

G-Gokou-san are you serious?

If all it takes to increase our chances is to add on a scene

Sena was a bit taken aback at Kuroneko, who was clearly embarrassed but
was being very prudent.

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I-I guess thats true, but

Its just, Ive never drawn a scene like that with boys in it so unless I try to
do it, I wont know if I can or not.

I see. Now that I think about it, all the H-scenes that Kuroneko has drawn
have only had girls in them.

She probably had the motivation but not the confidence. So I spoke as
responded as sincerely as I could.

If thats the case then Ill help you as much as I can too.

Eh? Help with

Kuroneko suddenly stopped midsentence and stood up, banging her hands
on the table.

K-Know your place, you idiot w-w-why do you think someone like me
would lower myself to such to such shameless human customs?

Y-You! What kind of crazy misunderstanding are you having right now?! I
didnt mean it like that!!

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I just meant that I would read the H-scenes that you write, and give you my
impressions as a male erogamer! This is definitely not some ero doujin, with
a guy saying fuhihi, well Ill give you some material to draw or something!

Kuroneko stood there with her eyes closed tight and her fists clenched,
obviously in a sour mood.

I absolutely refuse. Thats not going to happen.

And then, right next to me, Sena was waiting to launch another lecture, her
glasses still fogged over.

From now on, Im going to call you sexual harassment senpai, alright?

Her icy cold smile struck me right through the chest.

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Part 6

Leaving all that joking aside

It was lunch break on the day when Sena and Kuroneko were supposed to
present their games. As usual, I was studying in the library with Manami. We
sat facing each other across a quiet table near the window, and our notes
were open. For me, lately Ive been having trouble finding the time to even
eat lunch. And I really couldnt thank Minami enough for coming along with
me like this.

Thanks, Manami.

Eh? Eeeh~? Whats wrong going like that all of a sudden

What? Cant I thank you without looking strange?

Ahh, ahh well, I guess so

Sitting across from me, Manami gave me a shy giggle and blushed.

Kyou-chan Ive always thought you were kind, but I get the feeling that
youre getting even kinder lately.

Dont be an idiot, Manami.

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But, she might be right.

I had always lived while relying on the people around me. And I had been
aware of that for as long as I could remember but at some point I got used
to it, and began to take it for granted.

And this was one of the causes of my own laziness.

Then, I began to think that I really needed to do something about myself.

And the person who got me to think like that although it annoys me to
admit it was a certain someone who was no longer here. For her,
considering how much she didnt like Manami, this was probably a pretty
irritating outcome.

By the way, Kyou-chan.

Hm?

Those first-year girls have been looking over here for quite a while now

Now that she mentioned it, there were a few girls who were just staring
fixedly at me. And whats more, when I made eye contact with them, they
would give out a kyaa! and run away panicked.

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Hmph, Im sure they just think Im too cool so they cant stop looking at
me.

I dont think thats what it is

Hey

That hurt, you know.

I glared at her with narrowed eyes, but Manami just cocked her neck to the
side and spoke in a slightly confused tone.

I mean, those girls, they saw Kyou-chan and were saying something about
sexual harassment senpai or something.

A-Ahh I wonder what they could possibly be talking about hahaha.

Dammit! That bastard Sena! She went around and told people, didnt she?!

Well, this did make us even, so I didnt have the right to complain but God
dammit.

Ugh Im sure that after this, Ill never get confessed to by a cute kouhai
anymore

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Of course, the chances of that happening were microscopically small in the

first place, but still

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Part 7

A bit after we started studying, I took a look out the window.

The deserted-looking space behind the school building was dotted by a few
lonely-looking benches.

Ah.

But I saw someone I recognized sitting on one of the benches. Kuroneko was
there, eating her lunch by herself.

The sight didnt seem out of the ordinary at all.

But thats exactly what made this scene tug at my heartstrings. She couldnt
find anybody to eat lunch with her when lunch break came, and found it even
hard to stay in the classroom she didnt want anybody to see how lonely
she was.

So finding no other choice, she went behind the school building where
nobody could find her and ate there.

Kyou-chan? Whats wrong?

Nothing.
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I didnt want to show Manami what was happening, but unfortunately, she
had already seen the pitiful sight out the window. She gave off an awkward
Ah like I had done just moments before.

Seeming to not know what to say, Manami searched for the right words, and
finally began to mutter hesitantly.

Umm her bentou box looks really pretty though.

There wasnt really any point in those words, but when I took a good luck,
Kuronekos lunch was quite something.

What was quite something, you ask? Well she was eating a Meruru Bentou,
wasnt she

She was using a bentou box from Stardust Witch Meruru, the anime that
Kirino had liked, and the side dishes were arranged to look like Meruru. But
putting aside the intricate appearance of the bentou, it seemed like a
handmade lunch with low nutritional value.

Was she really going to stuff herself with that?

.. Also, why exactly is that girl eating a Meruru bentou?

She always just went on and on about how much she hated it, and argued all
the time with Kirino about it.
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Did she just convert when I wasnt looking?

Chapter 3

Then, I realized that I was staring at Kuroneko as she ate her lunch.

Ah, not good, not good. She probably didnt want to be seen like this either.

I shook my head back and forth, and broke the magnetic attraction that was
tying my gaze to that spot.

When I did that, I saw Manami collapsed on the table in front of me with her
arms stretched over her head.

Considering Manami always had the correct posture, seeing her like this just
didnt feel right.

Why exactly do you look so depressed?

Hm? Im not

Liar. Thats obviously not true.

I pressed her for answers with a glare, and

Ooo
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I could see Manamis round eyes water through her glasses. Perhaps she gave
up on trying to evade my questions, but she let out a sad sigh and began to
mutter.

Sorry for making you worry Im just I just hate myself a bit right now.

Lets take a break then. So? What do you mean you hate yourself?

Sorry. Thats a secret.

Well, that was unexpected. To think that I would ever hear the word secret
come out of her mouth.

I really was quite surprised, so I asked my next question in a bit of a teasing

tone.

Hm, so this mysterious thing thats bothering you, you cant even tell me?

Actually, I cant tell you exactly because youre Kyou-chan.

What?

. Nothing.

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She seemed saddened and turned her gaze away from me. That really hurt. I
really couldnt leave this alone.

I scratched my head with the hand that wasnt holding a pen.

Hey, well, I understand then. You dont have to tell me whats bothering
you. But in return, tell me what you want me to do. If its something I can do,
Ill do anything. I mean, its not like there isnt anything, right? I cant help
thinking about it now. If you want me to get back to studying, ask me to do
something. Come on.

I spilled everything in my mind to her. To my embarrassment, my tone had

gotten pretty desperate through that speech.

But it seemed that my embarrassment was worth it. A faint smile returned to
Manamis face.

Thanks umm, can I seriously ask you to do anything?

Of course. Men dont go back on their words. Give it your best shot.

Well then ehehe

Manami picked her body up, clasped her hands in front of her mouth, and
seemed a bit embarrassed. A blush appeared on her cheeks.

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I want Kyou-chan to tell me the type of girl he likes.

Chapter 3

H-Huh?

What is she saying all of a sudden? Ugh normally I would just evade the
question and leave it unsettled but this wasnt a situation in which I could
just give some vague answer and get away with it.

So you just want to know the kind of girl I like?

Yes I want to know.

I had already said that men dont go back on their words, so I had no other
choice. I had no choice but to puff out my chest and say it proudly.

I like girls who look like Ayase.

A-Ayase-chan?! N-No, theres no way! No way no way no way! No matter

what you say, Ayase-chan is just impossible!

Dont reject that idea so strongly! I know just as well that theres no way!
That girl really hates me, after all! But, I was just telling you honestly what
kind of girl I liked!

What was with her? Wasnt she being just a bit cruel?
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Seeing my eyes fill with tears, Manami panicked and waved her hands back
and forth.

N-No! T-T-Thats not what I meant! Ahh, I-I see so Kyou-chan likes girls
who are like Ayase-chan

No, I was just talking about appearance. In terms of personality, I like a

different type of girl.

No matter how amazingly cute she was, did you really expect me to go out
with a girl who wanted to report me to the police at any given moment?

A-Appearance? S-Soo what kind of personality do you like?

Well, I guess it would have to be a personality like yours.

I answered honestly. I had promised to be honest, after all. When I did that,
Manami pointed to herself and her eyes widened.

M-Me?

Yes, you. After alls said and done, when it comes to the girls I know, I get
along with you the best. Weve been together for a long time, we really know
each other, and I dont feel like I have to be reserved around you. It just feels
comfortable when I hang out with you so wouldnt it be reasonable to call
that the type of personality I like?
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Why was I spewing out such embarrassing things in a public space?

I see a personality like mine ahh, I see

Are we done? Can we get back to studying?

Im never saying that again.

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Part 8

Hey, you first years. Im making an entry into the contest this time too, so
prepare yourself!

It was after school. We were just about to begin the presentation session
when the club president said that.

And of course youre causing trouble once again

Makabe-kun sighed. Next, Sena asked a question with a somewhat puzzled

expression.

The president is also entering the contest? But separately by himself?

Yes. Hmph, well be sparring partners through it all, so come at me with all
youve got.

Or something like that. Considering it was the president we were talking

about, while he was busy motivating the first-years, he probably started
wanting to participate himself. Makabe-kun looked at the president with
half-lidded eyes.

If you dont do the same genres though, you cant directly compete with
each other, you know. So what kind of game are you planning to enter into
the contest?
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Megidoraon II. The sequel to the game I was using for a club entry test.

Well, theres no way thats not going to be a shit game.

W-We wont know until I make it, right?!

Not really. From the beginning of time, theres no example of a game that
was a shit game but had a sequel that wasnt.

What do you mean?! I could improve like they did with Dragon Quest 2!

I would bet that its going to improve more like Cheetah Man 2.

Why are your insults so harsh?! And why the hell are they all references that
can only be understood by the idiots who go on Nico Nico Douga?! Dammit!
Someone say something to this guy!

The president was dripping with sweat and looked around him, but there
were no club members who came to his aid.

_______________________________
1
2

See the footnotes in Chapter 1-8 in this volume.

From Know-Your-Meme: Cheetahmen II is an unreleased Nintendo Entertainment System game developed

in 1992 by Active Enterprises. This game is literaly unfinished, parts of the graphic objects are missing and
uncolored or just plain invisible. Its widely known as being virtually unplayable because of bad
programming, and its music has been the subject of many remixes and MADs on Youtube and Nico Nico
Douga.

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Ooo thats way too cruel! What the hell did I do to deserve this?! Alright,
fine! I have other games Ive been making too! So I just have to design it
better and thatll be fine, right?!

Nah, probably not. That wasnt exactly the problem that Makabe-kun was
trying to point out

President, I want you to imagine in your head the ideal, most fantastic game
you could possibly imagine.

Hm? Ah, like this?

I can tell you thats already a shit game.

Wha?! Y-You! Wha what are you saying

Makabe-kun was just merciless! He just cut him down right there!

Anyways. Its fine and all if you want to enter the contest too, but just dont
get in their way.

Tch, you have no faith. Well, whatever. Lets start the presentations.

The president said that, and Sena stood up first.

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Lets go from my plan first then. Everyone, please direct your attention to
this screen over here.

She spoke with a nice and clear voice.

Sena started up a projector that she seemed to have prepared in advance,

and her game materials showed up on the white screen. Each time she
clicked the mouse, the slide show went through screens filled with things like
rough character illustrations, story summaries, and explanations of her
games concept.

The two chubby club members clapped their hands and whistled. They
seemed to have completely converted to being Senas fans already. Although,
Sena seemed to be the most uncomfortable with this and she frowned.

Those two were probably going to vote for Sena it was a bit of an
unfavorable set of circumstances for Kuroneko.

Well then, onto Senas game

I wasnt happy about the fact that every single one of her characters was
male, but it seemed like a medieval fantasy RPG. The club president widened
his eyes a bit.

You you can draw?

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Im pretty terrible at it though. But I thought putting illustrations in would

make it a bit easier to understand.

She seemed pretty great at it to me.

Like Kuroneko, this girl also seemed to be pretty multitalented. These gaming
company hopefuls were really quite something. Sena began to boldly explain
her game, brimming with confidence.

Well the game I want to make is a dungeon crawler RPG!

So like Wizardry or Etrian Odyssey?

Makabe-kun asked that question. Sena gave him a smile, and responded
cheerfully.

Yes! Compared to Dragon Quest or FF, Wiz really enjoys a deep-seated

popularity with gamers even though it hasnt changed much from the
original. And if you ask me, thats because there is still a lot of the primitive,
original appeal of RPGs packed into Wiz.

Sena placed one hand on the table and leaned forwards, raising up one finger
on her other hand for emphasis.

That is, character creation, role playing, and searching for loot those are
things that are even a part of why MO and MMO games are so fun for
example, Monster Hunter applies those ideas well and is a big success.
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Nobody cares about your theories on RPGs. Just tell us how exactly you
plan to incorporate that primitive appeal into your game.

Kuroneko butted in with an insulting tone.

But Sena just puffed out her chest, as if saying Glad you asked!

Hm, her breasts sure are big.

Indeed. Well then, allow me to reveal the concept of this game.

Sena clicked the mouse, and the image being projected onto the screen
changed.

The game I want to make will be an RPG that specializes in game balance
and pacing. Lately, the big RPGs have so many high-budget movies and huge
world maps that its impossible to compete with those in those ways no
matter how hard we try. But if we pay attention to the things that modern
RPGs are beginning to lose, then we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. If
I can optimize the game balance parameters, like the strength of the
enemies, the encounter rate, the item drops, the enemy movement patterns,
the experience points you get, the strength of magic attacks, the cost of inns,
the ease of getting equipment or healing items then we can bring out the
thrill of barely making it past battles, the happiness of getting your hands on
a new piece of equipment, the feeling of accomplishment and improvement
you get when you put that new piece of equipment on ultimately, the most
important thing is that the player feels like he or she is part of the adventure.
And Ill build everything in the game in order to allow the players to
experience that joy.
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Along those lines, its true that Etrian Odyssey was able to put that kind of
idea into practice and make a pretty good RPG for the cell phone, even
though the cell phone has far lower capabilities than console machines.

Indeed! Of course, thats not enough for a game to catch on, so Im going to
use a modern-styled story and light illustrations as hooks. It just wouldnt do
to forget that the game has to give a good first impression so people will
actually pick it up and play it.

Hmm, I didnt understand too much of what she was talking about, but she
definitely seemed to have thought everything through.

At that moment, Makabe-kun spoke up.

I understand where youre coming from when you say that an RPG that
focuses on game balance could be fun. But, arent you limited by how much
time you have to make this? The more carefully you want to make the game,
the more time you have to put into it.

No, thats not a problem, Makabe-senpai. If were making a dungeoncrawler RPG, we only need one town map, and we also dont need a world
map. And although it would be better if we included them, its not entirely
necessary to have graphics of the different weapons and armor either. Just
think about the original Wiz game. Even that was more than enough rather,
it was really good, dont you think? I also said that we would use some
modern-style light drawings, but if were smart about it we wont have to
draw that many. Taking this to an extreme, we could honestly make a good
RPG without any graphics at all, and only rely on text and the programming.
And whats more, if we do it like that and cut out a bunch of things, then the
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tempo of the game goes up as well. And isnt a game that just goes at a
smooth pace like that stress-free and nice?

You say that, but getting the game balance to be that good is easier said
than done, you know?

The president voiced his concerns. But Sena just gave back a bold smile and
pointed at herself with her thumb.

Fufufu, not to brag, but Im really good at dealing with finicky things like
game balance. Im confident that I can work the game balance better than
the staff at major game companies.

Well thats a pretty bold statement you sure have a lot of confidence in
yourself.

You may have your doubts still, but let me hand out a trial version of the
game alongside some production materials. You should make a judgment
after seeing those. All the graphics are still pretty shoddy since I was the one
who drew them, and the dungeons have not been designed past 5F, but its
definitely a good game. Also, let me just emphasize that there are no bugs.
So, I mean, if I can get this far by myself, then I really dont think theres
much of a reason for Makabe-senpai to be worrying about time constraints.

Hmm.

The president cocked his head to the side and grabbed his chin.
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Its not bad at all. What do you guys think?

Chapter 3

He opened it up to the rest of the club. The first person to respond was
Makabe-kun.

It looks pretty good. You know, back in elementary school, during lunch
breaks, I had the habit of drawing grids in my notebook and using my pencil
3

as a die . So I can see where Akagi-san is coming from.

A self-made TRPG, huh? Yeah, definitely, Ive done that too.

Now that they mention it, Ive played like that before as well.

I had friends who created their own games in their notebooks. They would
come up with really ridiculous setups and roll dice

We would chat while adding and subtracting from our health bars with a
pencil and eraser.

If you talk about the primitive appeal of role playing, you were probably
referring to something like that.

________________________________
3

By which he means, he drew numbers on the multiple sides of his pencil and rolled it. This isnt something

that I see done in the West a lot, so I felt compelled to footnote it.

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Fufu, I guess weve already pretty much decided to go with my plan then.

Sena smiled bashfully.

Just like Sena said, there were murmurs of approval here and there about her
plan.

It was to the point where the contest almost felt decided already.

So Gokou-sans presentation is next.

Makabe-kun turned the topic to Kuroneko.

But even though she probably heard him, Kuroneko didnt respond
whatsoever and just continued to sit there.

Hey, its your turn.

I-I know.

It seemed that she really was nervous. She was rigid, like that time we had
gone to that publishing house.

Kuroneko stood up stiffly, almost seeming like a marionette.

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W-Well then umm Ill show you my plan now please make room
around the projector.

Alrighty, please do your best.

Kuroneko brushed Sena aside, seeming irritated, and put up her production
materials up on the whiteboard. She also took out a thick stack of production
materials from her bag, and began to distribute them around.

Whats up with this thick stack of papers?

Theyre obviously production materials.

.. As I thought.

Even when it came to making games, this girls habits didnt change much at
all.

Compared to the materials that Sena had handed out earlier, these mustve
been five times as thick.

Kuroneko made sure that everyone had a copy of her materials, and began to
mumble softly.

I want to make a visual novel.

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Wow, thats a fairly orthodox genre.

Chapter 3

The president made a rather safe response. On the other hand, Makabe-kun
seemed concerned about the time constraints like he did before.

Have you thought about how long you want it to be?

I was thinking that the game would take around five hours, and there
would be three routes.

Three routes? Even if theres a common route, thats going to take quite a
bit of work.

Thats pretty hard, I think. Wouldnt it be better to cut down on the amount
of material?

I agree. We dont have that much time to make these, so we should make
getting this game done our first priority, and in that case, I think it would be
safer to make it a one-route game with no branches.

Kuroneko and Makabe-kuns conversation was followed by a few other

voices of dissent.

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Every time that happened, Kuroneko began to respond with a Ahh, that is
but ultimately couldnt say anything and just stayed silent. She looked back
and forth between the people asking her questions and her production
materials, and seemed to be attempting to make an appeal. But if she
couldnt put that appeal into words, it wouldnt get across. She had
completely shrunk back into herself. And she couldnt form words very
properly.

This was bad. This didnt feel like a presentation at all anymore.

Geez. Why was it that this girl could argue so fluently with Kirino like that,
but at important moments like this couldnt do the same?

Wait just a second.

Seeing no other option, I tossed her a life raft.

If its about time restrictions, Im sure well figure something out. Right?

I looked towards Kuroneko and urged her to respond, and she finally
managed to form a proper sentence.

Yes, I dont mind if I get a bigger portion of the workload.

You may say that, but there is definitely a limit to how much just one person
can do.
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The president said that. He had created a couple games himself, so there was
definitely persuasive force behind his words.

But I knew. I knew how quickly Kuroneko could draw manga, and that she
had even written a few novels, so when it came to pacing, there was no issue.

Thats why I puffed out my chest, almost like I was talking about myself.

Just tell them. Tell them how quickly you can work.

If were talking about text, I can generally write 6 kilobytes every hour.

I had no idea what that meant, but it was pretty amazing, right?

Certainly, if thats true, then we wont have any issues with making the
scenario.

When I saw how impressed Makabe-kun seemed to look, I gathered that it

was pretty amazing indeed. I continued with my line of reasoning.

______________________________
4

Do we seriously measure text in kilobytes now? Why cant we just measure it in words like normal people?

Now if youll excuse me, I have to go buy a bushel of milk and a quarter log of cereal.

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And according to my investigations, visual novels are pretty popular and

separated pretty finely into different genres, so the number of entries gets
pretty scattered between those genres. Because of that, this might be a
genre to aim for if we submit something to Chaos Create. Picking Gokous
project would definitely be consistent with the plan to go for victory, dont
you think?

And what exactly are you trying to do? Are you trying to back me up?

Dont be an idiot. Im just giving my objective opinion.

I turned back to everyone else and clapped a hand on Kuronekos shoulder.

This girl can also draw manga. And whats more, shes really fast at it, and
she draws really well.

W-Why do you look so proud of that?

Well, youre not really giving a presentation here, so I have to do it in your

place and look proud for you.

Everything Ive said is true.

Im really nothing special.

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Dont be so shy in the middle of a damn presentation. You have to assert

yourself more! You know, like you always do.

The president watched our verbal exchange, and grabbed his chin.

And you definitely can write the script too?

Yeah.

Hahaha, thats pretty amazing. I mean, if thats the case, you could probably
make the entire thing yourself if you had the time.

The president was in high spirits.

Kuroneko looked at the ground and spoke with a gloomy tone.

Ive always studied games assuming I would be making them by myself

also, please dont make too much of me. Let me just make clear that just
because I can in theory do everything from start to finish, that doesnt mean
that Im confident that I can do each and every part well.

I already said it, didnt I? Games are made with teamwork. Theres no way
we would let you do everything yourself.

The president flashed his teeth at Kuroneko and smiled.

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Exactly.

I smiled at Kuroneko. When she saw me do that, she moved her fingers
around restlessly and quickly turned her back to me.

Hmph.

Well, from what I heard, it does seem we would be able to make it in time.

Sena butted in. Her lips were thinned and she seemed sulky.

But I wonder if this game would turn out to be any good. I mean, just look at
this setup its not like Ive read through all of it but to be frank, it seems
really one-sided.
But with your proposed game as well, you had no female characters.

Yup, that was incredibly one-sided.

S-Shut up! Were not talking about my game right now! Also, who exactly
would want to buy a game with such a gloomy, heavy setting? And theres so
much specialized vocabulary that I just get so confused. I really think that the
game would be better received if you did a lighter story to appease the
lighter gamers.

Thats true.

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And in a quite unexpected turn of events Kuroneko readily agreed.

See? So if thats the case-

But this is what I want to do.

Kuroneko upturned one corner of her lips. It was an incredibly wicked smile,
one that fit her to a tee.

I felt a chill go up my spine. I recognized this feeling. This was

You know, a certain friend of mine once read one of the novels I had
written.

Yes, this was that.

She told me that my novel was nothing more than self-serving

masturbation.

But isnt that quite good advice there? She just wanted you to think about
your audience a bit more, right?

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There was also another time. That same person turned to me and told me,
youre really an idiot, but let me just tell you that the most important thing
in making something is that the creator wants to do it and is having lots of
fun doing it. If you cant even do that, then theres no way you can make
something good. Hmph, dont you think thats the ideal all creators should
strive for?

Y-Your friend sure has a pretty obnoxious way of putting things.

My God. Who in the world was talking so big to my kouhai like that?

But in either case, what she said seems to be correct.

Yes, exactly. Creators shouldnt forget about their audience, should find
something they would have fun making, and thats the ideal that creators
should strive for. Its so right it almost makes me want to vomit.

H-Hey. You

But that only applies for people who can make what they want to make and
then find a way to sell that work with only small adjustments. What do you
do if you make what you want, but then find that youve gone completely off
track of what people want? If you sacrifice yourself to make what the players
want, then youre just a suck-up, but if you make what you want, youre selfserving. And you will never be able to achieve that ideal or whatever that
you speak of.

Well yes, I admit I dont really know how to answer that.

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Good grief. But the one Kuroneko was talking to right now was probably not
Sena.

Rather, she was probably talking to the person on the other side who had
once spat those words out at her.

You know, I really, really hate those people who can just have fun like that
and make things. I cant help resenting them and just getting frustrated. To
the point where I just want to strangle them to death.

That would be just a pointless crime

So what?

So what, you say

Hmph, its not like Im going to go out and seriously kill them in fact, the
things that those people make are really quite wonderful, and many people
wait eagerly for them, myself included. Its not something you can handle so
casually with just a pointless crime. However. Even then dont you feel
like you would like to teach those people a lesson? And I have the will-power
to try and do just that.

Kuroneko gave a mysterious chuckle, looking like she was recalling an

incredibly fun memory.

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I thought about it thought about what I should do to beat those people

down. How I could act to make them rue the day they looked down on me
and kneel at my feet.

Ive honestly never seen anyone as rebellious as this girl.

But I wonder why was it that even though her words were pretty pointless,
when Kuroneko said them, she came off as pretty charming?

I stifled a smile and asked my next question.

Well? What was your conclusion?

There are two options we are left with. One is to get as close as we can to
that ideal and come into constant conflict as we try to achieve balance. But
the other the other is to revolt.

Revolt?

Yes. To revolt by not giving a damn about their so-called ideal. If we do

that, then theres no more conflict to have, right? Self-serving?
Masturbatory? I could not care less. Ill just let the people who want to say
that say it all they want. Meanwhile, Ill just do what I want, when I want it,
and how I want it done. After all, to me, the doujin market is precisely the
place for us to whip out works which are a hundred percent self-serving. If
you think our masturbatory games are boring, then Ill just have show you
some amazing masturbation!
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What the hell are you running your mouth off about?!

Chapter 3

..

Kuroneko had been going on and on vigorously, but at my one sentence she
suddenly returned back to her senses and flushed from ear to ear. But she
summed it up thusly:

So thats the concept for the game I want to make. Im fully aware that it
sounds self-centered, so if you want to reject my proposal then please dont
hesitate to.

And then silence filled the room.

A silence that was all the more suffocating for how long Kuroneko had
continued to talk.

Alright! You two, good presentations. Nice work!

President, should we start the vote?

At Makabe-kuns question, the president put up three fingers.

Nah, lets do it thirty minutes later. These two went through a lot of work to
prepare these presentations, so lets take a quick look at their production
materials and game samples before we make a decision.
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Thats true. Well then, well take a vote in thirty minutes.

Chapter 3

Now, everyone was going to take a look at Kuroneko and Senas presentation
materials, but just as before, Kuronekos outlook was bleak.

After all, Kuronekos materials were as thick as always and incredibly difficult
to read.

Senas materials even included a sample game, and just seemed like the real
deal.

This really was hopeless

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Part 9

Thirty minutes later

It had finally become the time to choose whether we would be going with
Sena or Kuronekos plan.

The president looked around at everyone and raised his voice.

Well, first off those who think that Akagis plan is the best, please raise
your hands.

..

Nobody. Even the two chubby guys who seemed like big fans of Sena didnt
raise their hands.

Wha

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As expected, Sena was completely lost for words. She had stood up with a
clatter, but couldnt seem to grasp the situation and just stood there stock
still.

Well, next, those who think Gokous plan is the best, please raise your
hands.

This time, everyone raised their hands. Me, the president, Makabe-kun, and
the two chubby guys five votes in total.

Well then, the game that the first years will make together will be Gokous
game.

Bang!

Wait just a second! What in the world is the meaning of this?!

Sena had finally shaken off her paralysis, and banged on the table. The
president awkwardly scratched his cheek.

Well, its just what it looks like.

B-But this is crazy! That is I mean I was pretty moved by Gokou-sans

presentation too, you know? I was pretty moved, but zero votes was my
plan really that much worse than Gokou-sans?!

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Sena was raging, and I could almost see the steam coming out her ears.
Considering how recklessly confident she was in herself, it was no wonder
she was so unwilling to accept this outcome. She hadnt realized the fatal
flaw in her plan.

Kuroneko stayed silent with her eyes closed, relishing Senas stare.

And then everyone, including me, turned to the president with expectant
looks.

The president realized who everyone was staring at, and pointed at himself,
almost as if asking W-Wait! I have to say it? And in response, everyone
nodded in unison, giving him the go-ahead.

The president groaned painfully, and spoke to Sena in a sincere tone.

Umm, well you know, Akagi your presentation was also really good.

Enough with the flattery.

Its not flattery. When you finished your presentation, I honestly wanted to
make that game. I thought that even if you lost the vote, I really wanted to
see that game finished anyways. To be frank, if we took the vote thirty
minutes ago, I was pretty sure you were going to win.

I agreed.
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Kuronekos presentation had some real spirit behind it but like the person
herself had said, there was quite a bit of selfishness in it. On the other hand,
although I dont claim to be an expert, Senas presentation seemed really
organized, and I couldnt find any real flaws. She really made her plan sound
interesting.

But even then, everyone ended up supporting Kuronekos plan. Why was
that?

Are you telling me that those thirty minutes were enough to change your
mind? Was there something wrong with the samples and the materials I
handed out? That cant be true. I spent so much time revising and perfecting
them that I was sure that they were perfect

I see. So you dont understand? Well, I guess I have no other choice then.
Let me show you exactly what was wrong.

The president put a laptop on the desk and revived it from standby mode.
One scene from Senas sample game was on the screen. It was one of the
minimum required scenes that Sena had been talking about.

The president spun the screen around so Sena could see it, and spoke in a
gentle voice.

For example Sena-chan what exactly is the meaning of this scene?

Huh? I mean its an event where the characters are at a regenerative hot
spring having an orgy.
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Sena said that in the most casual, natural tone in the world.

Chapter 3

Of course, at this party, everyone was male.

Dont you think this place here where the monk is doing **** with ******
to the warriors ass is amazing?! And look at this one! This samurai and
necromancer are in a really private really moe situation! I mean, relationships
between openhearted warrior characters and really weak-seeming pretty
boys are just irresistible, and just take a look at this! Theres even a **** on
the Masamune blade! I was really looking forward to getting Gokou-san to do
drawings of these too!

Hentai!! Hentai!! Hentai!!

Just like a certain someone had screamed at me before, I screamed at Sena,

my face red.

You little!! You call other people hentai and sexual harassment senpai and
tell them off! You say youre using contemporary light illustrations and
stories? What wild delusions are you under to be able to say that?! Youre
way past going off the deep end youve gone right to the bottom of a
canyon! The game you want to make isnt an RPG at all! Its a complete homo
game!

What are you saying, Kousaka-senpai? The game I want to make is a

complete homo RPG.

What the hell is the difference?!

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Nooo, theyre compleeeetely different!! By the way, the main characters

were all based on the senpai in this club!

I thought so! This guy here with the word whore tattooed into his buttocks
is me, isnt it?!

Ehehe.

Why do you look so proud of yourself?!

Pant pant pant pant I couldnt breathe, probably since I had yelled
that out without taking a breath. I was damn near tears when I spat that out,
you know.

I-Im going to call you sexual harassment kouhai from now on, got it?!

This is by far the first time in my life where I have been so disgusted with a
girl.

This girl probably couldnt make normal judgments anymore once she got
excited and flipped her switch. In that respect, she reminded me of myself.
But seriously, how could she make the entire game and not come to her
senses?!

Y-Y-You youre trying to sexually embarass your male senpai, arent you?!
No matter how good its made, do you honestly think you could get us to
make such an unpleasant game?!
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Are you calling my work of art unpleasant?!

Chapter 3

She said something that reminded me of myself in the past I honestly just
wanted to crawl up into the fetal position.

I suddenly understood what Ayase must have felt back then. This was
impossible. Just physiologically impossible. Just seeing guys intertwined like
that with each other made me want to vomit, but learning that they were
based on us made it even worse.

And then, she made every character incredibly tall and slender. I mean,
seriously, that character that was based on the president looked nothing like
him except for the glasses.

Sorry, but thats exactly it. So dont be surprised that your plan didnt get a
single male vote. Sorry about that, but just give up.

. Dam mit. Ugh

Sena got a bit choked up as tears rose to her eyes. Even though she had come
to us with this kind of a game, she was pretty confident about it. So this all
was probably pretty frustrating.

So youre telling me that were rejecting my idea and that I should

make Gokou-sans selfish idea together with her? Is that what youre
saying?

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Seeing Sena looking so pitiful, I couldnt bring myself to pile on any more
criticism.

The president spoke in my place.

Exactly. Go with Gokou-sans idea and bring the project to completion.

Presidents order.

Sena clenched and ground her teeth together.

The president looked unusually serious, and gave Sena a stern look.

If you dont want to do it, then you dont have to come to club anymore,
you know? So what are you going to do?

Oo.. gnng. Oh.

Oh?

IM GOING TO TELL MY BROTHER ON YOU!!

By the time the ringing in my ears had subsided from that exclamation, Sena
had already ran out of the room.
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That girl she pretended to be calm and collected, but when she got worked
up she was seriously a complete child.

Makabe-kun got up to chase after her, but the president stopped him. Just
let her go, Makabe.

Making games is a team effort. But despite that, she broke the clubs rules
and ran off. She probably knows better than anyone that shes being
unreasonable and selfish. But even then, she cant accept what just
happened, and was just too annoyed to continue talking civilly. Thats
probably why she ran off.

Sena also had things that Sena wanted to make. In that regard, she was every
bit as passionate as Kuroneko.

So there was no reason she would bend and compromise so easily.

Are you sure, president?

Hmph, I have great hopes in that girl, after all. Shell come back, and shell
have grown up so much that you wont even be able to recognize her
anymore

This guy sure liked to try to sound cool in the most desperate of situations.

At that point, after having just sat there silently all this while watching the
course of events, Kuroneko finally spoke up.
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She already ran off, so theres no point in thinking too much about it. Ill
just do the game alone. All I have to do is finish the game and win a prize in
the contest, right?

No, thats not alright at all. Didnt the president already tell you that making
games is a team effort?

If you dont make it in a team, theres no point.

But there was no reason for me to say that out loud.

Because

..

Because Kuroneko already looked very unhappy about this situation.

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Part 10

After that day, Sena stopped coming to club.

Makabe-kun had tried to convince her to change her mind, but it seemed
that she had told him that she wasnt going to come anymore.

Im sure that her reason for stopping wasnt just because her presentation
lost.

Sometimes I almost forget but that girl was incredibly ashamed of being a
fujoshi, and tried to hide it.

And then she exposed that to all the people in the club. Whats more, she
exposed herself while looking really proud of it.

And once she came back to her right mind, she probably wanted to die.

So it was understandably hard for her to come into club and act like nothing
happened.

I even went to her older brother to ask for advice, but he seemed to be in a
sour mood and wouldnt tell me much.

So this hopeless state of affairs continued.

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My plan to make friends for Kuroneko seemed to have come to a standstill,

but

In the end, I had to do what I could. There was no way I could just quit
making this game in the middle.

A few days later, in an unusual turn of events, I went back to my house alone
with Kuroneko.

Sorry to intrude

The uniform-clad Kuroneko took her shoes off in the entranceway and overly
carefully arranged them on the floor. It was what she always did, but for
some reason her movements seemed strangely slow today.

When she was finished arranging her shoes, she turned towards the hallway
and her eyes began to wander around the room, as if she was looking for
hints of others.

Ah, nobodys here but us.

Yes. Were here, just the two of us

She blinked a few times, and then tightly gripped her upper arm. She showed
no signs of wanting to move from the entranceway.

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She was acting suspiciously. I spoke up while scratching my cheek.

. Why do you look so nervous?

Im not nervous.

No, youre definitely nervous. Youve also been to this house so many times
Ive lost count already, so I really dont see why theres a reason to be
nervous.

Ah, although, thats not quite true. The situation right now was different than
the situation up until now.

Its only been quite recently that shes started coming to my house not as
Kirinos friend, but as mine, and also now that I think about it, this was
probably the first time weve been in my house alone.

There was absolutely nobody else in this house right now.

Ah, I see I see. I usually dont pay attention to it that much, but in the end she
was still a girl, wasnt she?

Well then, at times like these, I had to step up and be considerate.

..
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Dammit, now Im getting nervous its been a while since Ive dealt with such
an awkward silence like this

W-Well, anyways. Please come in.

. Yeah.

When I urged Kuroneko on in the brightest voice I could muster, she finally
began to move.

But her movement became no less suspicious, and she hobbled forwards
slowly, almost like some small animal.

..Well then, lets get started right away.

Once we got to my room, Kuroneko began to talk without even giving me an

opportunity to bring out some drinks.

Yes, this explanation might be coming a bit late, but Kuroneko had come to
my house to work on the game together.

Let me just add on that it was Saturday, so we didnt have club meeting.
Manami seemed to be busy, so we couldnt study together either. So dont
get the wrong idea; its not like I went out of my way to call Kuroneko over so
we could be alone.

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Alright wait, what should I even do? Come to think of it, I never asked
you that.

Debugging.

Debugging?

Yeah. Youre going to use that PC and play the game I made. I mean, I
havent even finished half of it yet, but for now, youre going to play the parts
I finished over and over and over and look for any issues.

Hmmm well, I think even I could do something like that.

Its simple but itll be hard work. This is just something that I wouldnt be
able to do by myself

Got it. Leave it to me.

Yeah. Please. And also

Kuroneko looked right down at the ground.

Also tell me what you think about the game alright?

She mumbled that and seemed a bit embarrassed about it.

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Immediately after that, I installed Kuronekos unfinished game onto my

desktop PC (the one Saori and I had put together), sat at my desk, and began
to debug.

On the other hand, Kuroneko had put her laptop on my bed close to the
pillow and was lying there on her stomach. It was the usual position that
she took when she worked in my room (it seemed to be the pose in which
she could concentrate the most). Saori was usually here with us, so this
mustve been the first time shes taken that pose when we were alone with
each other.

She looked so defenseless like that. It was probably a sign that she really
trusted me, but to be honest, I couldnt help but feel uneasy about it.

Hey.

Huh?!

She spoke up to me at the exact moment when I was thinking that, so I ended
up panicking.

Do you have a minute? Could you come over here?

What is it?

I got up out of my chair and approached Kuronekos position.

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If I let my guard down, I could feel my gaze wandering to the pure-white skin
of her buttocks.

Kuroneko stayed upside down on the bed and briefly glanced back in my
direction.

That scene that I asked you about a bit ago I tried animating it a bit. Could
you take a look at it?

Thats fine with me. Here, give me your laptop.

I cant. That would break my concentration. You should go to a place where

you can see the screen.

Saying that, Kuroneko scooted a bit to the side on the bed, leaving a bit of
space beside her.

A-Are you telling me to lie down next to you?!

You dont have to look so restrained. Its your bed, after all.

Dont say something like that!

Considering we were in a locked room, her telling me to lie down next to her
almost sounded like she was seducing me. Of course, it wasnt like that, but
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As proof of that, Kuroneko was staring at my panicked face with complete

puzzlement.

? Why are you hesitating?

Why, you ask?

Also, isnt it weird that she was nervous until a second ago, but now that
shes lying there she seems so relaxed?

I honestly didnt understand her sometimes.

Seeing me hesitate more, Kuronekos mood took a turn for the worse.

What is the meaning of this? You can play an 18+ adult game side-by-side
with your sister, but you cant play a normal visual novel with me?

W-Why the hell do you know about the one episode I want nobody to know
about?!

The last time I talked with your little sister she told me.

I see.

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So it was that brats fault. The last phone call she made to Kuroneko so she
did it after that.

Dammit, that brat just had to go and run her mouth off. To think she would
talk about me during her last phone call with her friend

Even though they should have had plenty of other things to talk about

When the subject turned to Kirino, our conversation suddenly stopped.

Maybe it was because I felt my mood drop just a bit. At that moment,
Kuroneko suddenly spoke up. Spoke up with a rare smile on her face.

Niisan, would you like to play a game with me?

You idiot. My little sister would never say something like that.

Geez. I gave out a resigned sigh, and sat right on the edge of the bed. I leaned
my body forwards, and gazed into the laptop screen. Kuronekos face was
right next to mine, but even though she was a younger girl, I didnt feel
nervous at all. After all, she was the same as Kirino to me.

She had no consciousness of the fact that I was a boy. And there was no
reason for me to feel any desire towards someone who thought of me like
that.

Hey. This is fine because its me, but you really shouldnt do things that
might make other guys get the wrong idea.
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In this way, I relieved some of the tension in what was becoming a rather
dark atmosphere.

And then, I tried to tease her a bit to see if I could provoke a reaction.

Or what are you saying? Do you like me or something?

I do like you.

Wha-?!?!

I was really surprised and whipped my head back to look at Kuroneko.

Kuroneko remained emotionless and continued to stare at the screen, but

her small lips began to move.

I like you just as much as your little sister likes you.

. Well thanks a lot for that.

In other words, she barely registered my existence, huh? So thats how it

was geez, I got surprised over nothing.

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Part 11

So? What do you think?

The story is really dark. Reading it gets me a bit depressed

I used Rosario Lombardo and Izanami as motifs. Its a story about a boy
who loves a corpse. Every night, the boy finds himself transported to the
world of the dead through his nightmares, and looks for the soul of the one
he loves in the Labyrinth.

Hmm that description is too metaphorical and I cant understand it.

I see. Well then, Ill rewrite it to be easy enough for you to understand.

Thats pretty considerate of you. Are you sure? Im you know, a complete
beginner I really dont understand much.

I dont mind. Thats exactly why I showed this game to you.

________________________________
1

Reference to a girl in the early 1900s who died of influenza and whose corpse was preserved via

embalming and is currently being kept in the Capuchin Catacombs of Sicily.

Reference to a one of the two original Japanese deities. Izanami died and her mate Izanagi went to the

underworld to look for her.

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If thats the case, could you do something about this really nasty bad ending
too? If I were really playing the game I would seriously cry.

Thats an ending I wanted to put in no matter what, so I cant do anything

about it.

I see.

Yeah. Also, you can avoid that ending depending on the choices you make.

You said there were three routes, right? So theres one with a happy ending,
right?

None.

None?!

She said that like it was the most obvious thing in the world! Geez, she
completely surprised me.

And then, we each went back to our own work.

Time flowed gently onwards. We were in the same room, but we barely
talked to each other and just went on working. It wasnt unpleasant, and it
wasnt boring. Although, it didnt make me feel at ease either.
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It was a feeling that was incredibly difficult to describe.

Chapter 3

When I had been working for two or three hours, I had more or less gotten
used to this debugging work.

Then again, I had a pretty simple job. All I had to do was play the same scene
over and over and over and tell Kuroneko when I found things like the game
freezing or weird text being displayed.

It seemed that making games meant doing similar things endlessly. You
could call it monotonous or plain but in either case, it was definitely hard
work.

To be honest, was I really being of much use here? I was a bit suspicious

Was giving me this job just Kuronekos way of being considerate?

As I thought those rather insecure thoughts, I saw that Kuroneko was taking a
break. She suddenly asked me a question.

. Hey senpai?

Hm?

Senpai or niisan. which do you like being called more?

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Why are you asking me that?

It doesnt matter. Just tell me.

Hmmmm well

1. I like senpai better.

2. I like niisan better.

. Wait.. its not like I really have a choice of what to say here

Just go with senpai. I mean, were not actually siblings, so calling me

niisan would be weird, I think.

I see.

Kuroneko let out a mischievous chuckle, and her mouth warped into the
shape of a crescent moon.

It was a smile Id see her make when she was in a good mood. Im not sure
what the meaning of the question she just asked me was, but she seemed to
be satisfied with my answer.

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I see.. well then, whenever were alone from now on, Im going to call you
niisan.

Why are you doing the opposite of what I wanted?!

Hmph, its more interesting that way, isnt it?

Youre a damn vile woman!

Dammit, she was planning to do that right from the start, wasnt she?!

I re-crossed my legs where I was sitting. Kuroneko mockingly laughed at me,

and put one hand on the bed, crossing her legs. From that position, she
reached out one of her black-socked feet towards me, and whispered in a
falsely sweet voice.

Hey, niisan? Im pretty tired. Could you massage my feet?

Dont spew nonsense!! What kind of image do you have in your mind of
what a brother and a sister act like?!

_______________________________
3

I admit, I was channeling Stewie from Family Guy a bit when I wrote this line. Please feel free to imagine

him saying it in a British accent =D.

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Hm? But isnt it true that in this household, the brother is the sisters
manservant?

Absolutely not!!

At least, thats what I wanted to believe!

Kuroneko shut her eyes and put her hands in front of her mouth, her back
shaking with laughter.

This must be only the second time Ive seen this girl having this much fun or
was it the first?

And in that case well, I guess getting made fun of was worth it.

This girl really had a nice smile. She should show it more often.

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Part 12

Through my and Kuronekos efforts, progress on the game steadily moved

forwards.

Today, like every other day, we had gone back to my room once school
ended, and we were working on the game by ourselves. I sat at my desk, and
Kuroneko was facing her PC, lying on my bed on her belly.

Hey Kuroneko?

What is it niisan?

. You know, lately weve been coming to my house to work a lot, havent
we? Todays a weekday, so we also could have worked at club.

. Is that a problem?

No, thats not what I meant.

I see. So then whats the problem?

Well, thats true its just that lately, my family has been whispering rumors
about how the eldest son has been bringing a younger girl up to his room. My
mother had always thought that I was dating Manami, so all I got from her
now were cold looks. Like I was some adulterer she wanted dead.
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By the way why hasnt Saori been coming over lately?

Chapter 3

Who knows? Perhaps shes too busy.

This girl she hasnt heard from her friend for a while and shes not worried
at all. I wonder why

To be honest, not seeing Saori for a while made me feel really lonely. Maybe I
should give her a call next time?

I guess its true that you dont realize what you have until youve lost it.

And I guess I really did like Saori more than I had thought. And that I really
got lonely more easily than I thought.

While were on the subject, is it alright for you to be with me so much?

What about Tamura-senpai?

Well, shes been a bit unsociable lately, so

I mean, of course our usual study sessions were still going on, and I didnt
sense anything strange from her like I had that other time, so I never paid too
much attention to it. It was pretty inexplicable.

So lately, its come to be that Ive been spending all my time with Kuroneko.
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By the way, your game is almost done, isnt it?

Chapter 3

Yes, thats true. The scenario and CGs are all done, and were just going to
use things we can find for free for the music so all thats left is to put all the
scenes together. If were fast, we can finish everything in a few days. Theres
still just around a week until the deadline, so it looks like were going to make
it.

Haha, thats great. Congrats.

I offered her my congratulations while staying off the subject of her

deteriorating relationship with Sena.

However things didnt go that well.

When we tried to put the finishing touches on the game by stringing all the
individual scenes together, the game stopped really functioning. Even in
places where things were working fine before, the game started to freeze or
crash. We also saw inexplicable cases where, after a decision point, we went
on a route that was completely disconnected to the original route we were
on, or cases where picking the same decision at a decision point resulted in
going on different routes each time.

This is quite strange.

Kuroneko also looked pretty flustered, and although she still showed no
emotion, she frantically typed on the keyboard in an attempt to fix all the
problems.
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 Sorry, I guess I didnt check everything properly

Chapter 3

Hmph, its not your fault. Its not like I was hoping for you to do it at an
experts level I really wasnt expecting much out of you in the first place.

So that was true. As I thought.

But was that really something you should be saying out loud?

The bugs are my fault Please dont try to take responsibility for my own
misses.

Her words were filled with piercing emotion, but also with earnest sincerity.

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Part 13

It was lunchtime, and we were in the classroom.

. This is a bit tough

We couldnt fix the mistakes no matter how hard we tried, so we showed the
game to Makabe-kun, and he came back with a rather unfavorable response.

.. You cant fix it?

I can. But we have to start by figuring out exactly where and what the
bugs are, and that takes time.

How much time?

Well even if I got the president to help me I really dont think we can get
it done in a week. So I dont think we can make it in time for the contest.

Seriously? Ugh.. dammit.

I had heard that Gokou-san has studied how to make games before, but
this is her first time actually trying to make one, isnt it?
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Yeah.

Kuroneko didnt answer, so I answered for her.

Then thats already more than enough. To think that she could make this
much content on her first try is already really amazing.

Yeah, thats right. You really did a great job by yourself. You had enough
work that even with a group I thought you would barely make it, but you
really did much more than I had expected.

The president also praised her like that (although, he completely ignored
me).

Yes, exactly. You really did a great job.

There are some things that just cant be helped. There are times when you
just had to give up. After all, humans could only do the things that they could
do.

In my seventeen years of life, that was one of the lessons that had truly sunk
into my heart.

Hey Kuroneko

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Knowing that my kouhai was probably pretty disappointed right now, I called
out to her with a kind voice. And when I did that, I heard Kuroneko mumble.

So, what youre saying is that there are bugs in my game that you cant fix
very quickly, and we wont be able to make it by the contest deadline, right?

Yeah, thats pretty much it.

The president nodded.

Kuroneko turned her eyes downwards and fell into thought for a bit. But
then

She quickly turned heel, her shoes making an audible scraping noise against
the floor.

H-Hey, where are you going?

Kuroneko didnt respond, didnt even turn back, but just quickly walked out
of the room.

I managed to get a small glimpse of her face when she left, and I saw that she
was firmly biting down on her lower lip

And a silent determination burned in both her eyes.

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Part 14

I chased after Kuroneko. She just continued to walk through the hallway at a
quick pace, not showing any signs of noticing that I was following her.

I had no intention of stopping her, but she was pretty hard to catch up to. So
I just kept up with her and followed her.

Before long, we arrived at a first year classroom. It was the class that
Kuroneko belonged to.

What in the world did she think she was doing? I have no idea what this girl
could be thinking.

Probably because an upperclassman like me had shown up, the hallway was
abuzz with murmuring. I could feel curious looks piercing through me. But its
not like I could just glare at them and make them scatter like I did that time
before.

Kuroneko threw the classroom door open strongly and entered.

She attracted her fair share of stares as well. After all, she was usually the
loner, who ate her lunch in an isolated place far from everyone else, and she
had just charged back into the classroom looking flustered people were
probably wondering what was going on.

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Kuroneko headed straight for a certain seat. And in that seat was none other
than Sena.

Sena: the clean freak, the brocon, the person who couldnt forgive anything
that wasnt proper and also the closet fujoshi.

I wonder what she thought about herself right now.

Of course, I had no way of knowing for sure, but I could make a guess.

After all, when it came to things that werent proper, there was nobody that
knew better than I did.

She was annoyed, probably. Annoyed at herself.

She was probably angry at her own hypocrisy of disobeying a rule that she
herself had set out.

The presentation hadnt gone as well as she had planned.

After that, she disobeyed the clubs rules and ran off by herself.

Like that, she began to sulk, not able to admit to her own mistake.

It definitely wasnt uncommon. And I wasnt in a position to blame her for it.
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I mean, I was similar myself.

In fact, I feel that everyone has gone through something like this before.

Seeing Kuroneko approach her, Sena paled and bit her lower lip.

What are you doing, Gokou-san? Everyone is trying to eat their lunches
and youre being quite noisy.

Akagi-san. Please, I need you to lend me your strength.

Sena had steeled herself for what was coming, but at that she opened her
eyes wide and froze. Eh?

W-What do you mean?

Bugs showed up in the game Im making. At this rate, we wont be able to

make it by the contest deadline.

And?

You should be able to fix it, right?

Why do you think that?

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Because I listened to your presentation and I played your game. You used
some really complicated programs to make your game run more efficiently,
but even then there were no bugs. I wouldnt be able to do something like
that. Nobody in the club could do something like that. If you help me, then
we should be able to get the game done in time.

And thats why you want me to lend you my strength?

Yes.

Kuroneko answered in the affirmative, and Sena fell into silence with a
conflicted expression. I could also feel that this wouldnt be an appropriate
time for me to butt in.

I was so nervous I could feel my throat drying up.

The murmuring in the classroom slowly got louder. Her classmates probably
knew Kuroneko as a rather quiet person, so this was most likely the first time
they saw her speak so openly like this.

But in the next instant, all the murmuring came to a complete stop.

Kuroneko was bowing her head down towards Sena.

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Please, make a game together with me.

This was Kuroneko we were talking about. A girl who was proud, shy, and
who was almost never honest with herself.

Each and every person in that room was lost for words. And for good reason.
I was shocked as well. I blinked over and over, wondering if I was just seeing
things.

Kuronekos fists were clenched tight, and her legs were slightly shaking.

This mustve been really frustrating for her. I could imagine that this was the
first time in her life that shes done something like this in front of an
audience.

But despite that, this girl could bow her head sincerely to someone.

Seeming to recover from her amazed stupor, Sena took Kuroneko by the
hand and tugged on it.

. You. come here for a minute!!

Sena dragged Kuroneko along and quickly rushed in my direction.

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I panicked and tried to dodge out of the way, but she lightly knocked into me
as she passed.

Oof.

When I looked back, I saw Sena walking out of the room with Kuroneko in
tow. She was probably planning to take her somewhere private, like she did
to me in the bookshop.

Somewhere where they could talk.

Immediately after they left, I began to chase after them.

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Part 15

Geez, think about where you are when you say things like that! I cant
believe you.

Sena had brought Kuroneko to the back of the school.

It was the same place I had seen Kuroneko eating alone that other day.

Why did you have to go that far? Bowing your head to me in front of
such a big crowd

Sena looked irritated as she pressed against Kuroneko. Kuroneko was pinned
between the wall and Senas breasts, like I had been that other time. Sena
was gripping Kuronekos wrists, and from what I could tell she was gripping
them with quite a bit of strength.

Also, what does this have to do with me anymore? Ive already been
scouted by the public morals committee, so Im planning to quit that
pointless club.

Hearing those words of rejection, Kuroneko swung her arms and got out of
Senas hold.

She leaned in close to Sena until their noses were almost touching and gave
her an intense stare.
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I I want to finish this game no matter what I have to do. And if possible, I
want to win a prize in the competition.

I know that! What I was asking was why you had to go that far! What is it? Is
it that if you dont win the competition, youll be cursed to death or
something like that?! To be honest, seeing how youre acting, Im starting to
think that thats actually the case!

Sena seemed to be the one in the most pain as she spat out her anger.

Kuroneko responded to Senas sarcasm. Its close to that.

If I start something, I will see that something to completion. I will hold my

goals up high and exhaust all my strength striving to complete them. I
learned to live my life like that from a certain someone. If I dont do that,
then I will forever be a loser I will just continue to wander around aimlessly
with malice in my heart. And my pride will not allow me to live like that.

What. are you saying?

Right now, I was talking about an infuriating friend who has already gone off
somewhere far away.

She didnt even need to say who she was talking about.

Seriously, this girl thought the exact same way that I did.
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We had both gotten influenced by the same person, and had both taken one
step forwards and that led us to where we were today.

This person is this the same person you said during the presentation that
you wanted to beat down?

Yeah, thats right I want to make her kneel at my feet and lick my boots.
And to do that, no matter how shameful or unsightly it may be, I will fight
and struggle until the very end.

A light but charming smile rose up onto Kuronekos face.

She moistened her lips with her tongue, looking almost like a cat who had
found her prey.

Hmph to think she could make me feel like this Ill have to make sure she
is paid back in full. I wont forgive her for winning and then making a run for
it. Next time I meet her, Ill definitely make her speechless.

She wanted to be able to hold her head high when Kirino came back.

She had to look deep inside herself and improve.

At least, thats what I heard in her words.

So
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Kuroneko looked straight at Sena.

She wasnt wearing her color contacts but I could swear I saw her eyes
glowing a sinister red.

So please join me, Akagi Sena. If youre still unsatisfied, then I can beg if you
want me to.

Gokou-san, you

Sena looked at Kuroneko with a bewildered expression.

Why is it that you havent blamed me for anything yet? Its strange for me to
be saying this myself, but arent I the worst? I lost during the presentation,
but just because I didnt like your plan I ran away and on top of that, you
ended up being the first one to bow your head

Who was wrong or who apologized first is not important. Whats more
important is that I want to make a game with you.

Kuroneko fluidly communicated what I believed were her true feelings. She
didnt want to lose to a certain someone, would complete her game at all
costs, and didnt want to give up. Her words were probably born out of that
motivation, but

She probably never imagined that she would have to ask Sena for help.
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Then, feeling completely cornered, she let her true feelings flow out.

And Im sure those feelings got across to Sena.

Friends are more amazing than you could imagine. If theres something you
cant do by yourself, then join up with another person or maybe two and
you might be able to do it. If theres a time when you feel helpless and cant
move forward with another person, you can gain the courage to do so. If
you try and try but nothing pays off, if you just continue to recklessly exhaust
your efforts and hope to be rewarded for it, but even then you dont get
results and the plan backfires just as much as the effort you put into it, and
you find yourself close to tears if there is someone who will hold you up at
those times, then you can get through it. And then, just a few words just a
few trivial words are enough to repay all your efforts mm yes, thats
right

For just a fleeting, fleeting moment, I saw Kuroneko smile nostalgically.

If I have friends to help me, then I still have energy to spare. Thats
something I learned recently.

And so, she wanted Sena to make a game with her.

Her cheeks were just a bit flushed, but Kuroneko had spoken with a serious
expression.

Im sure that a year ago, Kuroneko would never have said something like
that, even by accident.
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And so, over this past year I wasnt the only one who had changed.

And then

I see.

Sena dropped her shoulders and the tension left her body. Almost as if
Kuronekos words had seeped into every fiber of her being.

She let out an exhausted chuckle.

So? Is the game data in the clubroom?

Ah, so youll help?

Im not helping.

Rather, were making the game together, right?

You know, I really was an idiot.

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I really was an arrogant, conceited idiot.

Chapter 3

To think that I thought that I had to try hard to make a friend for Kuroneko.

Right now, I was so ashamed of myself that I almost felt fire shooting out of
my cheeks.

From the very start, nobody had needed my help.

Recognizing my own uselessness and feeling this way was one thing, but

I was really, really happy.

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Part 16

Let me concisely summarize what happened in the half a month after that
day.

After returning to the game club, Sena fixed the bugs in the game in no time
at all. She stood there letting orders fly at Kuroneko and Makabe-kun, and
they crushed the bugs one after another and they finished repairing the
game, a task that everyone had thought was impossible before the
competition deadline, in only two days.

And whats more, as if trying to make up for lost time, Sena began to get
deeply involved in making the game. Kuroneko and Sena butted heads quite
often, sometimes having shouting matches and hurling insults back and forth,
and they began to brush up the game. You could say they had a lot of
planning meetings with each other. But these were not like the meetings I
had been a part of at the publishing company.

But that was to be expected. After all, at that publishing company meeting,
not only were we dealing with a pro, but all he did was criticize Kuronekos
work, so it really didnt feel like they were trying to cooperate to make
something.

In that regard, these meetings that Sena and Kuroneko had, where they
clashed over their own ideas of how to make the game more interesting,
were more genuine examples of planning meetings.

In the end, as a result of those planning meetings, even the genre of the
game ended up changing.
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With Kuronekos approval, Sena was allowed to also put RPG elements into
the game.

The title of the game was Greeds Labyrinth (Seven Deadly Sins Series,
Second Game).

They ended up putting the text Kuroneko had written on top of the RPG
system that Sena had made.

It just so happened that both their games were set in a labyrinth anyways, so
this was a pretty good match.

You should have just done that from the start! is probably what everyone in
the club was thinking, but everyone wisely kept their mouths shut.

Of course, changing the genre when the deadline was so close added a lot of
work that needed to be done, and naturally things got chaotic as the deadline
loomed. In the end, Sena shut herself in her room and worked overnight (I
had gone over to help as well, but Kouhei-Oniichan turned into a demon and
chased me out of the house. It was terrible.)

Im not exaggerating when I say that the sight of them working like that was
just terrifying. It was like a life or death situation.

This was precisely the crunch time that Ive often heard creators talking
about, wasnt it?

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It was quite incredible how they punished and tormented themselves like
that.

But within that mess, I could also see them having what you could call fun.

Im not trying to say that theyre masochists. Rather, it was similar to the kind
of fun you saw in sports. How should I put it take soccer, or baseball, or
track you would hone your skills through grueling practices, and then put
those skills on display in matches.

I really felt like creating games wasnt any different from that.

On the day that they completed the game, I heard the following exchange:

You seriously can write 6kb of text per hour, cant you? I really didnt believe
you when you first said that.

You too you really got rid of a lot of bugs in such a short amount of time.
Whats your secret?

Well, when alls said and done, its intuition.

Intuition?

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Yes. How should I put it I really dont know how to say it. When I make
games, I can clearly see the parts that arent proper. Thats why Im really,
really good at debugging, fixing game balance issues, and correcting typos.
You just have to look at all the digital data from the top down and pick out
the unpleasant parts.

Hearing that, Makabe-kun seemed surprised.

Umm so when I first met Akagi-san, the reason you were able to find
that bosss weak points and safe areas was

Ah, yes, thats the same thing. As long as its in the form of digital data,
theres probably nothing that I cant break through.

Sena looked quite proud of herself and puffed out her chest, her breasts
swaying a bit. It also seemed like she was telling the truth.

What was this? Did all gamers have superpowers like this?

Kuroneko seemed excited for some reason.

Dont tell me that ability you have if you take off your glasses, it grows
stronger?

How did you know?

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1

Wha the digital version of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception? T-To
think it actually exists

Kuronekos eyes widened and she shivered, stumbling a bit.

Please think of this as an honor. From now on, I will call you User of the
Mystic Eyes with much respect.

Did I just get a completely chuunibyou nickname?!

It seemed that through game creation, Kuroneko and Sena had come to
acknowledge each others strengths.

See, look wasnt this exactly like what happened in sports?

And then, there was the long-awaited result. How did the game we made do
in the competition?

Well, we didnt win a prize at all, but we definitely made a splash on the
Chaos Create forums.

_______________________________
1
2

A reference to a recurring power in Type-Moon visual novels.

Ive footnoted this before, but this is a derogatory term for older people who still pretend to have

magical powers or things like that. Literally, middle school syndrome.

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By which I mean, people were calling it shit.

Back in the clubroom

NOOOOoooooooooooooooooo!! They made a thread about the

gaaaaaaaaaaaaame! This is terrible! Do these people not have hearts?!

Youre noisy. Please stop looking for game reviews on the internet and
then going crazy over them. And also, that thread is mostly bashing my
scenario, is it not? Why does that bother you?

T-Thats obvious, isnt it?! Its because theyre criticizing our game. It doesnt
matter which part they end up criticizing!

I did what I wanted to do, and the result wasnt well-received by the users.
Im the one to blame.

If you say that, then let me point out that my game system wasnt exactly
praised either! To put it another way, it wasnt even bashed! And the only
reason we were in such a rush at the end was because of me! Also, can you
just stop it with trying to take all the blame yourself? With these things, the
right to feel happy or frustrated belongs to all people involved. Am I
wrong?!
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Thank you for your opinion. Well then, please be as frustrated as your
heart pleases. In return, if people in the clubrooms around us come
complaining, Ill leave that to you.

Well then, Ill take you up on that offer then! Ughhh, this is terrible! Gyaaah,
Im so annoyed!! But really, Gokou-san, youre being awfully calm about this.
How can you be like that when they wrote such terrible things about the
game?

Sena unhappily poked the screen with a finger, with enough force that I
thought she would poke a hole into it.

Kuroneko scowled at her comrade-in-arms out the side of her eyes and
whispered in a detached tone.

Im already used to it.

So I wont let my feelings show, is how I heard her continue in my head.

After all, theres no way she wasnt frustrated.

Yes shes had it tough up until now her work was trashed by Kumagai-san,
and she was relentlessly made fun of by Kirino.

And to me, it seemed that the difference between Kuroneko and Senas
reactions to this criticism was a reflection not of their own personalities, but
more a reflection of the experiences they had had up until now.
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Hey, Kousaka-senpai. Are you listening?

Chapter 3

A-Ahh what is it?

Sena, youre giving me a really scary look. Ah, but whatever. Today Ill listen
to your complaints through to the end.

Even though I couldnt be any use at all I was frustrated too.

Up until now, Ive thought that reacting emotionally to criticism just shows a
lack of appreciation for the people who took the time to play your game, and
if you have time to do that then you should spend it improving. I thought that
only idiots with no self-control get worked up over anonymous Internet
opinions. But, when I see something I made getting treated like this on the
internet, I have to revise my opinion. Keeping calm in the face of anonymous
Internet criticism? Hah, that can eat shit and go to hell! Things that piss me
off just piss me off, god dammit!!

Bam! Sena smashed her hands onto the keyboard.

C-Calm down girls shouldnt say things like eat shit and god dammit.
Come on, thats just not right.

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As if I care! I-Ill definitely kill these people! Ill definitely, definitely kill these
people! The people who are writing these comments on forums without a
care in the world, and the people who are posting on blogs with their smug
expressions, theyre all guilty! Gyaaah!!! You better prepare yourself, you
3

pigs! Ill find out who you are, secretly friend you on mixi , and kill you in an
offline meeting!

Bam bam bam bam! Sena continued to bang on the keyboard with incredible
force.

Hey, stop that! Youre going to break the keyboard!

But!!! But ugh

She is just way too frustrated!

Ill bet that the people making these criticisms would have never guessed
that the game staff would wish for their deaths so fiercely for each and every
one of their comments.

Im sure everyone thinks that way! Its not just me!

No, its not like that!

_____________________________
3

Japanese social networking site.

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I desperately tried to calm Sena down, for the honor of all the creators in the
world.

Kuroneko, who had been doing her own work on her own PC, also seemed a
bit fed up.

Seriously what if you just stop looking up reviews online?

E-Even if you tell me that, I cant help but search for them~~~~!!! And
whats more, I dug up all the criticism that even the search engines didnt
show! Im good at that! Oooghh w-whats with this helpless feeling I have?!
H-H-How do I make it go away?!

Make the next game. Make the next game so interesting that it will just floor
everyone who plays it.

Kuroneko said that without taking her eyes off her screen, and not letting her
typing pace drop a bit.

Doing that will be much more satisfying than going off and killing each and
every person who criticized your game.

At least youre an expert with words rather, youre a pretty forwardlooking person, Gokou-san.

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Hmph, its just that theres no other way to deal with this. but in any case,
I have a plan for a game that will teach all those people who made fools of us
a lesson. Are you in?

Of course. This time Ill be involved from start to finish so itll definitely be
amazing! By the way, were going to make the protagonist a stylish, macho
man, like the ones you see in Gears of War!

Rejected.

These types of conversations in the clubroom

They were very much a part of the club life that Kuroneko had gotten for
herself.

She had tried so very, very hard, and in the end found just one companion.

Both Kuroneko and Sena probably werent happy about the outcome here at
all.

So no matter how much I praised them, I doubted they would accept my

praise honestly.

Thats why I kept what I was thinking inside my heart.

You two are really quite something.

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End Chapter 3

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Chapter 4

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Chapter 4

Part 1

It was after school on a certain day. As usual, I was headed for the shoe racks
with Manami.

And just like a certain other time, when we approached the staircase landing,
we saw Kuroneko in the midst of cleaning.

Hey.

I gave her a friendly wave and greeted her, but Kuroneko gave me only a
single glance before immediately averting her gaze and going back to
cleaning.

And as usual, I couldnt see any other person helping her clean.

This again

I gave a pained smile and continued to walk down the stairs.

When we got to the bottom of the stairs, Manami seemed a bit puzzled.

Kyouchan, is it really okay to not help her?

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Its fine.

Helping that girl was no longer in my jurisdiction. I set my sights onto the
water faucet in the school grounds, and gave a single glance to a certain girl
who was there wetting a mop. After the girl finished with the mop and put it
into a bucket, she began to walk in my direction. And once she realized I was
there, she gave me a suspicious look.

Did you want something with me, Kousaka-senpai?

Nah. Good luck with cleaning.

Yes, this wasnt my party to crash anymore.

I felt a tinge of loneliness along with a warm feeling of satisfaction, and left
that place behind.

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Part 2

. Ah. So something like that happened.

Yeah. Honestly, I didnt meddle at all. And eventually, they figured it out
themselves.

As we walked towards the shoe racks, I explained the situation to Manami.

But at least it wasnt all for nothing.

Yeah, I guess.

And I agreed because well its not like I had to be the one to help
Kuroneko out. If she could make a friend and have a more enjoyable time at
school, then that was enough for me. It didnt have to be my doing, and
thats what I believed from the bottom of my heart.

They say that sometimes people change when they become aware of their
own questionable motives.

I think my situation was something like that.

Anyways good work, Kyouchan.

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She gave me a gentle smile.

At Manamis words, I suddenly felt a sense of closure.

Thanks. Haha, for some reason, I feel pretty refreshed.

Fufu, refreshed enough to tackle our midterms?

Of course. All thanks to you.

Hehe, youre very welcome.

We stood side by side and chitter chattered as we leisurely walked towards

the gate.

A few flower petals were already falling from the row of sakura trees that
lined the walkway.

The signs of spring were vanishing, quickly being replaced by the atmosphere
of summer.

It was at that moment at that moment when the cell phone in my back
pocket began to ring, signaling that I had gotten mail.

Whoops. Sorry, I got an email.

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With that brief heads-up, I looked at my phone screen, and saw that I had
two new messages.

One was from Kuroneko. It had an empty subject line, and all it said was Ill
be waiting at three thirty behind the school building. It almost felt like she
was challenging me to a fight or something.

I wonder if I did something

Getting an email like this so suddenly from my kouhai made me pretty

nervous. Though, if she wanted something from me, she could have just told
me earlier when we saw each other in school. I cocked my head to the side
and checked the second mail.

And I saw that it was

I-Its from Kirino!

Hm? Really?

Y-Yeah. The subject line is Re: Contact Me, and that was an email I had sent
her a while ago

Whats up with her? Why did she wait so damn long to respond?! Wasnt this
way overdue?!

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Hmph, shes probably going to talk about how she broke some new record
over there or she made friends with some cute girl. Or she got a
boyfriend. Im sure she would just write about irritating stuff like that. But
Kuroneko and Saori and Ayase all of them were worried about Kirino so if
at least she seemed healthy, then well, maybe that would be enough.
Everyone would be relieved.

Hey, Kyouchan. Why dont you take a look at what it says?

Hm? Hmm y-yeah. W-Well, its not like Im going to respond to her
anyways. Ill just take a quick look, I guess.

Click. I firmly pushed a button on my cell phone, and felt my heartbeat

quicken.

But the contents of the mail I had gotten from my little sister betrayed my
expectations.

My collection that I entrusted to you. Throw it all away.

That was all that was written.

I stared blankly at the email my sister had sent me, completely bewildered.

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My collection that I entrusted to you. Throw it all away.

Chapter 4

Throw it all away what does she mean?

Did throw it away mean I should just dump it all in the garbage?

No, that cant be. Thats definitely not what she means.

Is it some kind of metaphor?

Even if I thought about it, I couldnt come up with an answer. But I couldnt
just take what was written in the mail at face value. I entertained that notion
for a second, but I immediately rejected it. After all, it was impossible.

Other than my little sister herself, I knew better than anyone in the world
how precious that collection was to her. So Im sure. Theres no way she
would tell me to throw her collection away. There was no way, and I didnt
even want to consider it.

The collection inside that closet also included the EX Meruru Special Figure,
which Ayase, Soari, Kuroneko, and I had worked so hard to give to her as a
gift.

The DVD box set of Stardust Witch Meruru she had watched together with
Kuroneko and me was there, too.

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Also, the copy of Loving my Little Sister, which led to that life advice
session, was also there

Everything, everything was there.

To to throw all that away. There was no way she would say that.

Kyouchan your face its getting pretty pale.

I-Its nothing tch.

Manami was puzzled, but I half-ignored her and dialed my sisters number
immediately.

But she didnt pick up. The phone rang ten times, then twenty times but
Kirinos voice never came from the other end.

I guess this is a no go

Dammit! What the hell does she mean, throw it away?! Doesnt she have
anything else to say after she made everyone worry like that?!

Lets try something else. For now, I wanted to verify, somehow, that the
email she sent me was a mistake of some kind. I was already convinced that it
was a mistake. I was convinced, but
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If I didnt make absolutely sure, then I wouldnt be able to rest easy. The
contents of that letter were way too extreme, after all.

Maybe I should call Ayase?

That was probably a good idea. There was no way that Kirino would contact
me before she talked with her close friend Ayase, so Ayase probably knew
something about what was going on with Kirino.

And I mean for better or worse, I liked Ayase quite a lot.

That girl really, really hated me though, so I was pretty hesitant to just call
her without any reason to. But depending on how I thought about this, this
could be a good excuse to give her a call.

Alrighty then!

Suddenly, I got pumped. Wait for me, my lovely angel Ayase-tan!

Here I go!

I think I just needed an emergency emotional escape, or a way to get away

from reality, or a way even just to temporarily calm myself down and get my
thoughts in order

In high spirits, I dialed out the number that Ayase herself had once given me.
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But then

By request of the customer you have dialed, we are unable to connect you.

By request of the customer you have dialed, we are unable to connect you.

Click. Beep, beep, beep, beep

By request of the customer she blocked my calls?!

I cried. I exhausted all my strength in a wail of anguish.

Oooooooooo this was the first time I had heard what the call blocking
message sounded like

I crumbled to my knees, almost as if I had absorbed all the worlds woes into
my body.

I-Its over He, hehe everythings over anything and everything

H-How terrible to think there was such abject cruelty in this world

And just as much as I had been excited, my mood came crashing back down
to earth. I couldnt even stand anymore.
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Seeing my abnormal behavior, Manami gingerly asked me a question, in a

tone that made me imagine her prodding a tumor.

K-Kyouchan? Do you umm do you want to get in touch with Ayasechan?

Huh?

I lifted my face, by now smeared by my runny nose, and saw Manami taking
out her own cell phone and showing it to me.

Hmm? Since when did Manami carry a cell phone around with her? Did she
actually have the gall to adapt to modern technology? But also, from the flow
of this conversation

What? What do you mean?

Umm, well I happen to have exchanged phone numbers with Ayasechan

Wha-?! S-Since when were you friends with Ayase?!

Ehehe well

Well nothing! J-Just the thought of those two together it was just simply,
completely, unimaginable
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Exactly how could two people who were so different become friends?

Also, how close could they be? They only just met in January, right?

I really couldnt imagine what an old woman and a junior high girl could have
in common

Hm, I have no idea. I really wonder what they could be talking about over the
phone with each other

Well I also made new friends like Saori and Kuroneko, so its none of my
business if Manami goes and makes new friends too but I mean its just
that I felt a bit lonely or a bit annoyed wait, what am I doing, getting
jealous of Ayase here?! Am I an idiot?!

Ah, well, please help me then.

Okay.

Manami put her Rakuraku Phone to her ear, and after exchanging a few
words with the person on the other end, gave me a nod and handed the
phone over. I took it and put it to my ear.

________________________________
1

A brand of phone, manufactured by Fujitsu.

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H-hello?

Its been quite a while, hasnt it, oniisan?

Uwah, it was really Ayase! My angel Ayase-tan!

Dont give me that! Why did you block my number?! Did I do something to
you?!

Well, certainly, I did do something to her at last years summer Comiket

but to be clear, ever since then Ive only done very little for her to block my
number over!

Eh? It took you that long to figure that out? Ive had your number blocked
for more than half a year

Seriously?!

Now that I thought about it, Ive never really contacted Ayase in any way
other besides email!

To think she had blocked my number ever since summer Comiket ugh
ignorance is bliss

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So what is it? Dont tell me that you bothered neesan to call me just so
you could tell me that? If so, thats quite bothersome, so Id appreciate it if
you never did that again.

I could feel my heart shattering to pieces! Was there a person who could be
told that by a junior high school girl and not break out into tears?!

Ever since I met her, when I played eroge I would always start by going after
the character with the long black hair, but what was terrible was that despite
all my efforts in eroge, she just treated me like some hentai. Was there no
way I could convince her that I was actually clean and pure?

Well, its not like I could actually tell her the truth about what had happened,
so there wasnt much I could do about it.

No, not that. I just wanted to ask you something.

Ask me something?

Yeah. Its about my sister.

Those words had an immediate effect.

_______________________________
2

Technically means sister, but can be used as a general honorific/term of endearment towards older girls.

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About Kirino?

I could tell through the phone that Ayase had just become much more
serious.

Yeah. After that after she left, did Kirino ever try to contact you?

Only once, right after Kirino had gone overseas, had I spoken with Ayase.

She had told me that Kirino hadnt told her anything, and had seemed
frustrated that Kirino had never contacted her.

And a few months had passed since then so I wondered what the situation
was now.

Not at all. Not even once Ive tried to email her many, many times
since then but she she never ever responded.

She almost sounded like she was in tears by the time she had finished her
sentence.

Oniisan does Kirino does Kirino hate me?

Theres no way!

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I suddenly found myself shouting at the phone. Kirino might act in really
confusing ways sometimes, but I didnt want to hear words like those coming
from Ayases mouth.

I know all too well how much she was hurting that one time you two
fought theres no way someone like that would ever hate you. And I mean,
even if I didnt tell you that you probably know that better than anyone.

Thats true I guess I apologize.

Nah, Im sorry too for yelling like that.

What the hell?

To think that Kirino had never even thought to contact Ayase since then

In that case, what exactly was the meaning of that mail she had sent me? She
had only contacted me, had only sent me one email, and in that email she
told me to throw away her entire collection

Was it a joke? A prank? If thats the case, then it was fine; I would just get in
touch with her and tell her to stop screwing with me, and that would be that.

But if it really was a prank or a joke, then to think that she wouldnt even
contact her close friend

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What should I do? What am I supposed to do in a situation like this?

Oniisan? Umm, did something happen to Kirino? Like, perhaps an

accident-

Nah, nothing happened. Dont worry about it.

I tried to speak in as frank a tone as possible so Ayase would not get

suspicious.

After all, there was no way I could tell her about all this, right?

She also hasnt contacted me at all so I was pretty worried. And thats why
I called you.

I see so she hasnt called oniisan either I I think that there has to be a
really good reason why Kirino hasnt called any of us.

Yeah.

I thought so too. I didnt know what that reason was, but it there was
definitely something off with how she wouldnt even contact her beloved
friends Ayase and Kuroneko.

But even so if Kirino were to call any of us I think she would call
oniisan. So when that happens
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Ayase stopped mid-sentence for a bit, and then continued in a kind voice that
was filled with sympathy.

When that happens, please try and help her however you can.

I got it.

But how was I supposed to do that?

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Part 3

After I finished my phone call with Ayase, I parted from Manami and headed
for where I was supposed to meet Kuroneko.

But all I could think about was that email Kirino had sent me.

I unconsciously began to slow down, until I was standing completely still.

I took out my cell phone, and once again stared at the email that Kirino had
sent me.

I had thought that if Kirino contacted any of us, she would contact Ayase.

But Ayase had thought the same thing about me.

If Kirino were to call any of us I think she would call oniisan.

Thats ridiculous. I have no idea why that would be true. Certainly, I had been
the one who had shouldered the burden of her many secret life advice
sessions. But that was just because there wasnt anyone else suitable for that
purpose. And even if I ended up hating her when I found out her secret, she
wouldnt have an issue with that.

But that wasnt true.

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I knew. It was something that I had said myself. The words I had screamed at
Ayase came rebounding back at me. I was the one who should know this
better than anybody else possibly could.

At any rate, I had heard it with my own ears. Im really thankful those
words were permanently ingrained into my memory, and I wasnt forgetting
about them anytime soon.

No matter how clueless I was, if I was told that right to my face

And I had come to realize how mistaken my perception of her really was.

I snapped my phone closed, and once again began to walk.

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Part 4

When I arrived at the designated spot behind the school at three thirty, I
found Kuroneko in her uniform waiting for me. It seemed that she had stayed
behind at school even after she had finished cleaning. She was sitting in the
same bench I had seen her sitting in before, that time when she was eating
her Meruru bentou by herself.

When she realized I was there, Kuroneko quietly stood up. She spoke to me
in a barely audible voice.

U-Umm

She started to say something, but one look at my face and she gave out a
small Ah as if she had just realized something. And then, she furrowed
her brow, seeming to be pondering something and finally spoke in a low
voice.

Your face looks dreadful.

Really?

Yes. Its like youve just witnessed the end of the world.

Well that was because I had just received a double blow from Ayase and
Kirino.
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Hmph. Well, if youre like that, then it doesnt seem like I can carry out
what I came to do. Alright then, please, tell me whats wrong. Ill listen to you
just this once.

I was a bit worried about this thing that she had come to do, but

To tell you the truth, I got a pretty weird email from Kirino

Thats right. With something like this, it might be good for me to tell
Kuroneko about what had happened.

After all, when it came down to it, Kuroneko was just as close a friend to
Kirino as Ayase was.

I relayed the situation to Kuroneko, and she just stood there quietly and
listened.

And so thats what happened.

Kuroneko had closed her eyes, and she slowly reopened them.

So? Why exactly are you loitering around in a place like this then?

That was the first thing Kuroneko said to me after I had explained the
situation to her.
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Huh?

Why exactly did you actually come here and meet up with me? Thats what
Im asking.

Kuroneko seethed with quiet anger. She seemed annoyed, disdainful, even
resentful. Almost like that time she had angrily started reciting that curse.

I mean, its such a short email-

And that short email is more than enough to be able to tell whats going on.
In other words, your little sister has fallen into a situation that would force
her to send you this kind of email. Or do you really think that she sent you
something like this as a joke or on a whim? I think its pretty obvious which
one it is, and I havent even known her for very long.

My collection that I entrusted to you. Throw it all away.

Theres no way she would say that. I knew that

But shes in America right now-

So what? How is that a problem? Its not like she returned to the demon
realm or fell into hell. You just cant get in touch with her. But you know
where she is, you know how to get there, you know exactly how worried you
are about her exactly what more do you need?
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Kuroneko firmly bit her lower lip.

And then, she spoke in a low, dark voice that reverberated as if it had come
from the depths of hell itself.

You are really, really really really, really just a worthless loser, senpai. Youre
slow to act, stupid, have poor judgment, a pervert, an idiot, and just a lazy
piece of trash. And yet, for some reason, youre kind. Your personality is just
as terrible as your sisters. My God, its no wonder you two are siblings.

I couldnt say anything in response.

The abuse stopped coming, and silence filled the air. It was the same silence I
had experienced time and time again with Kuroneko. But with her, silence
wasnt meaningless. Silence was just another form of communication.

Some time passed as we just stood there in silence, staring at each other.
And then, finally

I have something I want to report to you.

Kuroneko muttered haltingly. They were rather strange words considering

the conversation we had just been having, so I just stared at Kuroneko in
bewilderment. Huh?

Lots of things have improved things in class, other things so, Im

reporting them to you.
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Drop by drop, her words slowly and haphazardly came out. As always, she
was bad when it came to speaking with other people. Usually, when
someone did something in such a roundabout a way as this, they wouldnt
manage to get anything across to the other person. But I knew. I also had a
guess as to why she called me out here like this. She probably wanted to
thank me. So, even though the words themselves might have sounded
strange, I responded thusly:

Nah, I didnt really do anything much.

Yes, you really were quite useless.

She agreed?! Wasnt that where she was supposed to look at me and go No,
thats not true at all?!

But, I was happy.

..

I was happy when you told me that you were worried about me as me,
and not as your sisters replacement.

As she spoke, Kuroneko looked down at the ground.

W-Wait this girl what was she saying?

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I was happy when you told me that you would prefer being called senpai
over niisan.

Was she nervous? Was that why the hands she had clasped in front of her
skirt were slightly shaking?

Joining the same club as me, worrying about how I was alone in class,
backing me up during my presentation, even choosing to spend less time
with Tamura-senpai and being with me.

It It made me really, really happy.

Had I died? Was I dreaming? My jaw dropped to the ground in dumbfounded

amazement.

To think that someone who was usually so difficult

To think a person like that would smile at me like that, would thank me like
that anybody would feel the same way in my position.

I was so surprised that my brain was just a mess.

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I didnt know how to respond here and I managed to eventually find the
following words:

A-Ah I-I see.

I couldnt breathe properly right then. Hell, I even forgot to blink.

That was how hard I was looking at Kuronekos face, how difficult it was for
me to look away from her.

But I think that you and I are both pretty difficult people.

Huh?

Well, keep in mind that I was honest with you. So what do you plan to
do?

Ah, I see.

She was showing me an example of how I should act.

This girl was really how should I put it I was a heartbeat away from falling
for her.
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My head was spinning, almost intoxicated, and in the face of such an obvious
decision, I gave the equally obvious answer.

Im going to go see Kirino.

I see.

Seeming satisfied, Kuroneko cast down her eyes and spoke in a gentle tone.

And once again, our conversation came to a standstill.

Now that I think about it, when it got like this before, it felt pretty awkward

But now, it wasnt awkward at all.

And that ends my report.

I see.

I gripped my fists tightly, and turned the other way.

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Well then, Im going to go.

Wait just a second. I heard Kuroneko calling me from behind. And then I
heard the sounds of her approach.

And when I turned around

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I felt a soft sensation on my cheek.

And then, Kuronekos flushed face moved away from mine, leaving only a
faint, sweet smell behind.

.. Wh.. Wha

What the hell did she think she was doing is what I wanted to say, but my
voice suddenly became hoarse and the words vanished from my mind.

Wh what the hell?!

Seeming to guess what I was thinking from my facial expression alone,

Kuroneko answered me.

Its a curse. Its a curse that will kill you if you decide to slack off on the
way. And until you grant my wishes, this curse will never be dispelled and
blood will spurt out of your entire body, causing you to writhe in agony and
die a pathetic death.

Even as she flushed deep crimson from ear to ear, Kuroneko gave me a
downright wicked grin. And then

If you understand, then remove yourself from my sight. This time, go and
meddle in the life of your own little sister.

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Kuroneko gave my back a strong push, sending me off to the other end of the
sky.

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Part 5
1

The plane I had taken from Narita International finally seemed to level off
out of its initial climb. I had been pretty much clinging to the seat in front of
me in fear, but now I let out a huge sigh of relief and slowly lifted my head.

I traced a finger softly around my cheek.

There were still hints of that soft sensation and that feeling of warmth there.

That probably really was a curse

I really couldnt decide what that girl was trying to do exactly when she did
that.

Was she trying to cheer me up and motivate me?

Was she trying to do her best to help out her good friend Kirino?

Or maybe she was trying to be a bit of a tease? Or rather

_______________________________
1

One of the two airports near Tokyo.

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I give up for now. Ill think about it more when everythings wrapped up and I
get back to Japan.

At any rate, I felt more indebted to that girl than ever.

Because of Kuroneko, I was here doing this. What was shocking was that it
was only a few hours after my meeting with her.

When I had gotten home after that, for some reason my father was home,
and I talked to him about my plan to meet Kirino.

GREAT IDEA! GET GOING NOW!!

My father seemed really, really into the idea.

He brought out a suitcase from his own room, and basically thrust it into my
arms.

Everything you need is in there. Dont wait. Just take it and go.

Why exactly had he already been completely packed to go on a trip? And why
had he been at home in the evening in the first place?

There was no way I could actually ask those questions, and there was no
need to ask them anyways.
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Kyousuke. Im leaving everything up to you. Please do this for me.

I took his words of encouragement and gladly accepted the task.

When I arrived at the airport in my destination city, I opened the map my

father had given me.

This was my second time overseas (I had a field trip to Hawaii during junior
high), but to be quite honest, I wasnt too confident I could actually make it
to where Kirino was living.

Thats pretty pathetic, you say, considering how I got so worked up and
actually got on a plane to get here? Dont be an idiot! I didnt speak the
language, had no sense for where I was, and it would be a Herculean task for
me just to go into a store and manage to buy something.

So isnt it obvious Id be scared out of my wits?! Ugh, and if and if my

luggage got stolen here I didnt even want to think about it. In the worst
case scenario, my father had given me the phone number to Kirinos
dormitory or whatever, and I wouldnt have any choice but to call her out
here to pick me up!

But that that was the one thing I didnt want to do. It was worry for my
sister that had motivated me to come out here, so to end up being rescued
by my little sister it wasnt just a matter of not wanting to look pathetic. It
was a matter of keeping my dignity as an older brother from getting smashed
into pieces.

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Luckily, all my worry turned out to be unwarranted. The trip materials that
my father had given me were unbelievably thoroughly prepared. There was a
guidebook with huge masses of notes clipped to it, and in terms of how to
get to Kirinos place from the airport there were notes on the means of
transportation, maps, money, lists of useful phrases to know anything and
everything you could think of was included.

As expected from dad! Hes an amazing planner!

All of this was in spite of the fact that my father hated overseas travel, and
hadnt gone out of the country even once.

So, in order to go meet his daughter he had planned all this out. It was
really something that was like my father to do. I believed that sincerely.

I followed the directions on my fathers memo, left Los Angeles International

Airport, and got into a taxi.

The cab driver was one of those black guys that Sena might have liked, and
when I showed him the appropriate page in the memo that my father had
given me (with the correct address written in English), he nodded at me a few
times, signaling that he understood.

He then said something that I didnt understand, but I gathered that it was
something along the lines or Got it, boss. Leave it to me.

I wonder if this is okay hes not going to take me to some deserted alleyway
and kill me or something, right?
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Thanks to a certain someone, I had developed a pretty healthy fear for burlylooking guys.

As I dealt with my unwarranted sense of fear, I looked out into the streets of
Los Angeles from my car window.

It was the sea. And on the opposite side, beautiful mountains towered over
us.

There were around 17 hours of time difference. The climate was warm, and I
didnt feel too much different than when I was in Japan.

They called America the Land of Liberty, so I was certain that it would be
really different from Japan, but that was surprisingly not the case. Maybe it
was because I had just gotten here, but if you asked me what seemed foreign
about this place, all I could say was that the roads were wider, the cars ran on
the right side of the road, and there were a lot of foreign-looking people
walking around.

To be quite honest, I had been more surprised the first time I had gone to
Akihabara.

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Ignoring my anxiety, the rest of the trip was perfectly pleasant. If I had to
make a comparison, it was about as pleasant as driving through the much
more deserted streets back home in Chiba. There wasnt any traffic at all.

The driver seemed to be turning right even on red lights, and at first I was
pretty frightened each time it happened, but it seemed like it was just one of
the traffic rules over here. I really had no idea.

We drove for a while on the freeway and by the time we had reached our
destination, it was already nighttime.

A dorm this really looks more like a house.

It was a white, two-floor, wooden building. There was very little dirt to be
seen and it practically sparkled, so it might have been a new building.

And whats more, it was pretty big. There was what looked like a barbeque
grill on the outside, and it honestly seemed like a campsite. I was pretty
taken aback, considering how much I was expecting to see an ordinary
apartment building.

There were probably a number of these houses around.

______________________________
2

What kind of crazy backwards version of Los Angeles is this guy driving through?

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Chapter 4

But maybe its to be expected from America, but this sure was a huge,
luxurious house.

Considering how much that girl liked flashy things, I thought this suited her
quite well.

As I was thinking that, the door to the house opened, and a familiar face
emerged.

I had expected this to happen, but I still felt a sudden tightening in my chest.

I took a few deep breaths and smiled. I was pretty nervous, so it was
probably a pretty stiff smile.

Hey, its been a while.

.. Why are you here?

It was the voice of a little sister whom I had not seen for many months. Ohh,
she looks really surprised.

Hey, come on is it really that weird for me to come here to see you?

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I-Its really weird

She didnt have to be so blunt about it. Also, exactly how heartless did she
think her older brother was?

Tch. I pursed my lips and frowned.

I went on to something my father had wanted me to ask her.

I heard that youve been having health issues lately.

Its not a big deal. It just feels like a cold.

But its been like that for two months. I heard it from dad. Hes worried
about you too.

In fact, if I had left him alone for much longer, he probably would have come
here himself.

I see so dad was

Kirino seemed crestfallen and cast her eyes down at the floor. Her bangs
drooped in front of her face.

Her hair has gotten longer, hasnt it?

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She gave off a similar impression right then to that time she had been
bedridden with the flu.

Seeing how she was in a comfortable-looking dressing gown, I guessed that

she had been sleeping when I came. Her complexion also looked a bit off, and
compared to the last time I saw her, she really just seemed more worn out.
Considering she worked as a model, she had always been thin but what
exactly was she going to do if she got any thinner?

Its not just dad. Ayase, and Kuroneko, and Saori theyre all really, really
worried, you know? Why didnt you ever contact any of us?

.. Tch. Thats none of your business.

Kirino brushed a hand through her hair and bit her lower lip.

Its sure been a while since Ive heard her words of rejection. And its been a
while since Ive heard her click her tongue like that.

It sure brought back memories and this unmistakable feeling of annoyance

brought back memories as well.

Kirino seemed pretty grumpy as she glared at me, and she hurled more
abusive language my way.

Also precisely what did you come here for?

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Was this where I was supposed to look at her and go, Ah, Im glad you
asked!?

Wait just a bit.

I slowly opened my suitcase and fished through my luggage, finding and

extracting a clear plastic DVD case. When Kirino saw what I was holding, her
eyes widened. Ah-, she uttered.

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Thats thats the game I gave you

Chapter 4

Yeah.

What I was showing her was the game disk for Sister x Sister Siscon Love
Story~, a game that Kirino had once given to me as a gift. And just like
President Miura, I flashed Kirino a bright smile.

I came here to play eroge.

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Part 6

A few minutes later

.. I have no idea whats going on. Absolutely no idea.. why is it that I

came all the way to America, just to play eroge next to you?

We were in Kirinos dorm room.

We were sitting on the bed side by side, with a laptop computer placed on
the side table.

And we were in the middle of playing Sis Sis, the game in question.

We had just gotten past the opening event, and started the main part of the
story.

Kirino was sitting there looking grumpy, with a sour expression on her face

But this was almost an exact replay of the scene on the day when Kirino left
Japan.

But werent you the one who told me that you would play it with me?

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You were the one going on about eroge this and eroge that out in the open,
so what else could I say?! How tactless can you possibly be?! If someone
heard us, do you know how bad that would be?!

Right, I had heard that America was tougher on eroge than Japan.

Well, sorry about that.

Tch, do you actually understand? Also, I still havent asked you why you
were so dead set on playing eroge with me.

Its fine, its fine. Dont sweat the small stuff.

Do you understand the words that are coming out of your mouth? You flew
all the way to America because you wanted to play eroge with your little
sister, and you tell me not to sweat the small stuff??

Yeah, I guess that wouldnt count as small stuff. It would count more as me
being a hentai, wouldnt it?

But if I told her the real reason I was here, she would just get angry. So I
didnt say it.

Ugh I seriously dont know whats going on here

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But even though she said things like that, she honestly didnt seem too
displeased about it. Her health also didnt seem to have deteriorated to a
point where it was worrying, so things were progressing fairly well. Although,
when I say things, I didnt mean that I had anything special planned.

Tch, what are you looking at?

Kirino seemed irritated and clicked her tongue. I stifled a chuckle and looked
around the room.

The first thing that I saw was a set of bunk beds in front of me. It seemed like
this was a double room. From what Kirino had told me, there were a few of
these rooms in this dorm or should I say house and around ten girls lived
their daily lives here. Of course, all the girls were of similar age, and they
were all track stars recruited from various parts of the globe.

But right now, the only people in this house were Kirino and myself. Kirino
had asked the school for permission to let me into the dorm, and the school
administrators seemed fine with accommodating this sort of reunion
between affectionate siblings. They even offered to prepare a different
room for Kirinos roommate (who was currently at practice), allowing us to
have the entire night to ourselves. I was pretty grateful.

Well, I guess we were pretty lucky here.

Dont go off and do something weird just because its only the two of us
here.

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As if I would!

Maybe it would be different if it were a cute kouhai talking to me, but when
my arrogant little sister made me aware that it was only the two of us, it
only served to get me annoyed. She was way too self-conscious, this idiot! As
if I would ever lay a hand on my little sister!

Hmph, whatever.

Kirino grumpily turned away from me. A second later, she glanced in my
direction.

You know, you sure seem happy to spend a night with your little sister. Ahh,
so gross. Gyaahh, at this rate, you probably went into my room while I was
gone and fished through my underwear drawer, didnt you? And then you
probably sniffed them, didnt you?

I. Did. No. Such. Thing!

This pissed me off. This really pissed me off. I had only seen her for a few
minutes, but I already wanted to go back to Japan!

Just sit there and watch quietly.

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I frowned, and began to left click violently. Even as we spoke like this, our
happy happy school life with those little sisters on screen moved steadily on.
Being able to talk and play eroge at the same time was a skill I had acquired
from past experience. Although, it wasnt exactly a skill I could brag about to
friends.

Also, spending time doing this made me suddenly realize something

If your roommate is here, you cant play eroge, can you?

No, I cant!!

Uwaah?!

I seemed to have hit a nerve. Kirino grabbed the front of my shirt and was
almost in tears.

I mean, I really cant play eroge in front of a innocent, younger girl like that!
And I had spent so much effort installing loads of eroge I hadnt beaten onto
my laptop just to get them through customs and bring them to America! And
then I couldnt play them at all! Oooo to think I would end up hoarding
games but not being able to play them it makes me so angry!!

Kirino grit her teeth hard and balled her hands into tight fists. Y-You!

Dont tell me, you seriously brought eroge to America?!

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Hmph, go ahead and laugh if you want to!

Chapter 4

Theres nothing to laugh about!

That was seriously bad! If she got caught with those and taken away,
wouldnt it make the news?

Granted, its not like I was one to talk.

B-But, you still held your ground and restrained yourself thats pretty
admirable.

Yeah suddenly I understand all too well how those boys feel who wait until
their parents arent home and then watch porn secretly.

So you are playing them!!

Dont come crying for help if you get found out! I might be your brother, but
Im not going to fly all the way to America just to try to protect you by telling
people that those are my games!

But look, the first decision point is coming up

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The two heroines were lined up side by side on screen, and were pressing the
protagonist to pick whose bentou was better. The protagonist tried to evade
the question by replying that both were equally good, but of course that
answer wasnt going to fly and they were forcing him to choose.

(1) Quite unexpectedly, Rinkos bentou is better.

(2) Of course, Miyabis bentou is better.

In any case, youre going to start with the girls with long black hair, so in this
situation, youd pick Miyabi, right?

A brother whose eroge tendencies were perfectly understood by his little

sister I seriously wanted to die.

H-Hmph. Why are you talking as if you already know my preferences?

Youre wrong. This time yeah. That arrogant little sister on the right side of
the screen hurling insults at me Im going to start with her route.

Huh? Rinkos route? Youre going to do that one now?

For some reason, Kirino seemed strangely panicked.

W-Wait! You cant do Rinko-rins scenario now!

Huh? Why?
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You just cant!

What the hell? You gave me this game and told me to take care of it like I
was taking care of you. So why in the world would there be a route that I
cant do?

You just cant! Umm that is j-just dont! Also, I gave you that game so
that you could play it in your own room when you felt lonely because I was
gone!! Why didnt you play it there?! Why did you have to go out of your way
to come all the way over here to play it with me?! How the hell was I
supposed to predict that was going to happen?!

Why the hell was she getting so pissed?! Why was it necessary to put
restrictions like that over playing Rinko-rins route or whatever?! God, I had
no idea.

W-Well if you really dont want me to do it, then I wont.

After all, I did like the girl with the black long hair in the first place. I picked
the second option, (2) Of course, Miyabis bentou is better. By now, I was
already pretty used to doing this stuff.

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Sis Sis was a rather orthodox adventure game, and the game focused on
the two little sister heroines, Rinko and Miyabi. It was a prototypical
double heroine game. It was a game known for the crazy love triangles it
depicted between the protagonist and his two little sisters. Youd think a
game like this would have a pretty short-lived popularity, but in the major
game review submission site Eroge Critic Space, it got rave reviews, and
1

people called it an outstanding masterpiece of a nakige . As usual, there

really was something strange about the world that I lived in.

_______________________________
1

Literally crying game, refers to a game that has very emotional situations and is crafted to bring the

player to tears.

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Part 7

As we played the game, our conversation grew sparser and sparser and
soon a few hours had passed.

And then, when we had passed the midpoint of the game, Kirino muttered
something to me.

Hey what about you?

What about me? What do you mean?

Ugh, I mean You said everyone was worried about me, right? What
about you?

Of course I was worried about you too.

Dont ask me something so obvious like that. If I wasnt worried, would

seriously have come all the way here?

I answered without looking her in the eyes.

. Hmph.

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The conversation dropped again. We continued sitting on the bed side by

side, playing the game.

The only sounds that filled the room were the games background music, the
characters voices, and then the click click sounds of the mouse.

This time, I was the one who muttered a question.

And you

What is it?

Were you lonely without me here?

Are you an idiot? Of course I wasnt

I see. I was lonely.

Huh?

W-What are you looking at?

N-Nothing h-hmph, I see. You were lonely without me there.

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Yeah, I was. I was so lonely that Kuroneko scolded me for it. Dont treat me
as a replacement for your sister, she said.

Siscon.

Shut up.

As the conversation plodded on, we continued playing the game.

Click, click, click, click The mouse clicks struck up a rhythm.

Also, hey. That black one, I heard she started going to your school.

Yeah. And because you told her all those strange things about Manami,
things got pretty crazy.

Then I told Kirino about how I made that game with Kuroneko.

Kirino just sat there and quietly listened.

Hmph. As I thought that girl isnt good at all when it comes to people, so
I had guessed that she would end up alone in school. And then, you
meddled and helped her make friends

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I didnt do anything at all. Those two just got friendly with each other all on
their own.

I see.

You jealous that your friend got taken away from you?

Not at all? Tch, she was a friend I made over the Internet after all, so thats
what happens. I was getting pretty tired of her, actually, so its good timing
that theres someone else now to take her off my hands.

Kirino and Kuroneko both said the exact same thing

Dont say that. You left her without saying anything to her, you know. She
was really depressed about it.

That girl was?

Yeah.

I nodded deeply.

To be honest I think she wanted to make the game with you.

Hmph.
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Kirino turned her nose up. She hugged her knees to her body, and buried her
face into her legs.

Her long hair flowed down.

She wanted to see her friends. She wanted to hear their voices. She wanted
to play with them those were the things I felt she wanted to say.

Yes. Theres no way she didnt think that. After all, Kirino really loved her
friends.

But despite that, why hadnt she tried to contact anyone?

I brought over the game we made. We can play it together later.

Im fine.

And once again, the conversation ceased. It wasnt an awkward silence. How
do I put it it was more like the kind of somewhat warm atmosphere I felt
when I was together with Manami. Its weird saying this considering shes my
real sister, but it was a warmth that reminded me of family.

My coach barred me from practice today I told him I could do it, but he
wouldnt listen at all he seemed a bit sad about it though.

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Kirino gazed at the screen on which we were playing Sis Sis with eyes of
affection.

You know, I somehow feel a lot better after playing eroge.

Thats good to hear.

What a thing to say.

What you said back there was still perverted though. Its just that Im getting
to do something I love doing but havent been able to do for a long time so
of course Im happy.

Although, it was pretty rare to find a girl that was able to so clearly state that
what she loved doing was eroge. Kirino had definitely already finished
playing Sis Sis, but to think that she could still have so much fun the second
time around she really must like this game. Well, it makes sense. When she
gave me this game, she was brimming with pride after all. So, at any rate I
really didnt want to say this, even if in my head, but

I was really glad that I had brought the eroge.

I felt that this was probably a good time to ask the question I had come to
ask.

I stopped clicking, and without turning my gaze away from the screen
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That email what was the meaning of it?

Chapter 4

It meant exactly what it said.

You want me to throw away your entire collection?

Y-Yes.

Are you really okay with that?

I looked at Kirino and tried to stress my point, but she looked away from me.

I-Its fine alright?

So the Ex Meruru Special Figure, the Stardust Witch Meruru DVD box
set, Scatological Sisters, Onipan, Kasuimo, and the secret collection you
showed to me right before you left youre really okay if I throw all that
away?

My question might have sounded crazy to a bystander, but I was being

serious.

I had to be sure of what her intentions really were.

Yeah.
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A single stream of tears flowed down Kirinos cheek.

Chapter 4

But even then

Throw it away. All of it.

I see.

She was she was being serious in that email.

Why?

Because if I dont do that this longing in my heart wont disappear.

Longing?

Yes

Little by little, Kirino began to explain the situation.

I knew from the very start that I wouldnt be able to hold my own against all
these track stars from all over the world. I mean, my original reason for doing
an exchange program was so I could gain experience and get better. So I
knew that the start of this would be real rough at first and thats why I put a
restriction on myself.
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Restriction?

Yes. Until I could beat one of the athletes here in an official short race, I
wouldnt let myself contact any of my friends back in Japan.

So then so then she didnt say anything to anybody and left for overseas?

When I set that up, I thought it was a pretty big reach for a goal. But I
believed that if I tried my best with all my strength, I would be able to just
barely make it through. I was sure everyone was worrying about me, that I
wasnt being very considerate but thats why I just tried harder to win, to
make it so that I would be able to talk with everyone again and I thought if I
tried my best if I tried my best and won as soon as possible, and explained
the situation to everyone, and apologized but

Then she teared up, and I could no longer hear her. But even then, I knew
exactly what she had wanted to say.

But she couldnt win. She ever since she came here, she hadnt won a single
race.

You even though you were pulling off such amazing results in Japan

And thats why she didnt contact anybody. Not even Kuroneko, and not even
Ayase.
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But but Im pretty used to being in situations like this so Im fine with it.

She gave off a weak, self-derisive laugh, but it was a frail laugh that didnt
even amount to a bluff.

I thought I thought about how sorry I was to everyone.

No matter how frustrated Kirino was, no matter how much pain she was in,
she was bound by the rules she had laid out for herself. She couldnt
complain to anyone, and she couldnt ask anyone for help.

And unlike in Japan, it was even difficult for her to escape temporarily into
the world of anime and games.

The one person she ended up contacting that one person was not one of
her friends, but her brother. But rather than asking me for help, she tried to
punish herself even further for her weakness. Exactly how stubborn could
this girl be?

You dumbass.

_______________________________
1

The literal word they use here is stoic, but I really dont think the connotation of that word is what they

intended in English, so I changed it to stubborn.

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I understood perfectly well. In other words, all she had was determination.

Even though she seemed to be good at anything and everything, Kirino was
by no means a strong person mentally.

In fact, she was inexperienced and fragile. She crumbled in the face of pain.

Like that time she broke out into tears after she had a falling out with Ayase.

Like that time she broke out into tears after her cell phone novel had been
plagiarized.

Like that time she broke out into tears after our parents rejected her hobby.

But even with all that, her senses of responsibility and determination were
unusually strong.

She had the drive to succeed no matter what. Kirino had used that drive to
break through all obstacles and get to where she was now, but that drive was
no longer enough. In fact, it had proven to be counterproductive.

_____________________________
2

My first attempt here was after she broke up with Ayase, but I didnt want those naughty people in the

audience getting the wrong idea =).

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It was like she was slamming her body into a stiff, cold wall made of iron,
over and over again.

Its no wonder her health had deteriorated.

I was glad I came. I was glad I came before things had gotten worse.

I turned my eyes back to the game that I had momentarily paused, and
started playing again. I didnt look at my sister, and just kept focused on the
display.

After all, Im sure she wouldnt want me to see her cry.

Kirinos face contorted and she was on the verge of tears, but I just kept
clicking steadily.

The climax to Miyabis route was showing on screen.

Not having much longer to live, the protagonists sister Miyabi confesses her
hidden love to him

It was a sad scene. To be honest, the story was pretty bland, and it just
wasnt to my tastes. But for some reason for some reason, I felt a tightening
in my chest.

A delicate piano tune drifted out from the laptop speakers.

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I stopped clicking.

Lets go back together.

Eh?

Swish! Kirino turned, almost violently, to look at me.

Why are you being like that? I told you to throw everything away!

I wont.

I answered while still looking at the screen.

Why-

I promised, right? Until you get back, I would protect your collection. So I
wont throw it away. Even if you ask me to.

B-But I I still
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She still hasnt done anything she still hasnt accomplished anything. Thats
what she wanted to say, right?

I wanted to take Kirino back to Japan with me. Even if I had to, right here,
smash the very determination that my little sister had held so precious up
until now. It might sound cruel. It might sound like my own selfish desire. But
even so, thats what I wanted to do.

Just like how I couldnt just stand by and watch Kuroneko being lonely.

This time, I wanted to use my usual sense of self-righteousness and meddle in

the affairs of my little sister.

Im I got so worked up, talked so big to everyone and went overseas to a

sports camp but not even half a years passed, and youre telling me to give
up and run back to Japan?

Kirino hung her head and her body trembled.

And then she looked up and screamed.

As if I could do that!! How could I do something so pathetic like that?! Who

the hell do you take me to be?!

Youre my little sister!

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Once again, I looked my little sister straight in the eyes from right next to her,
and I screamed back.

Thats I dont know I have no idea what youre talking about

Youre my little sister! Why cant I be worried about you?! Youre not feeling
well, right? Youre in pain, right? You want to talk with your friends, to hang
out with them, right? Then come back to Japan!

I cant! I mean, I keep losing even to the youngest girl here! How would I
ever be able to show my face again to the people Ive beaten until now?!
How should I apologize to them?!

You dont have to apologize for something like that. Its nice that you have
your pride. And its nice that you have a sense of responsibility. But youre
taking it way too far.

Im not! If I didnt try as hard as I did, then I wouldnt be here in the first
place! What could someone like you know about it?! How could you know
how much how much Ive put into track up until now

Bam! Kirino punched the wall with her fist. She grimaced from the pain for a
moment but then she choked her next words out over her tears.

Someone like you couldnt possibly understand.

That might be true.

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I acknowledged that. Considering all these years that I had ignored my sister
and pretended she didnt exist, I had no right to try and convince her of
anything.

However. Planting yourself here, being stubborn, and staying in America

do you really think youll get better that way? Your health is getting worse
and worse, and even today, your coach told you to stay away from practice,
right? But you still just want to charge blindly forwards do you really think
that you can catch up to these other athletes like that? Athletes who are so
much better than you are right now?

That doesnt matter. I have to win. So I will. Thats all.

What an absurd line of reasoning. Theres really only so much that pure
determination can do for you.

In the far past, Kirino was slow. But now that I saw what was happening,
maybe maybe Kirino hadnt been blessed with too much athleticism.

Rather, for all the natural talent that she lacked, maybe Kirino just made up
for it in sheer effort and willpower, and thats how she had beaten all her
rivals up until now.

She pushed herself beyond her limits, relying on her iron will.

That was the secret to Kousaka Kirinos speed.

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She had her gas pedal pushed to the floor twenty four hours a day. It was fine
if the curves continued to be manageable, but once there was a hairpin turn,
even if she knew she was going to crash, Kirino couldnt slam on the brakes.
After all, she couldnt win any other way.

You can just come back again later. Youre way too panicked. Come back for
a while, regain your health, get back to full strength, and then you can come
back and challenge the others again. Alright? Is that asking too much?!

Shut up! Im definitely not going back!

I swear, I dont think anything I say matters anymore. It just goes in one ear
and out the other.

However, I couldnt just give up now. Kuronekos curse wouldnt allow that. I
didnt want blood to spurt from my entire body, and to die after writhing in
agony.

Even now, I took a leaf from her book, and not caring about appearances, I
spoke honestly.

You little!

Kyah!

I wouldnt listen to her grumbling anymore.

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I grabbed her shoulder with both hands and looked her straight in the eyes.

Im really lonely without you!

I pleaded with her.

Wha-

Kirinos body stiffened, and I pleaded with her from the bottom of my heart.

A lot of the things you said made sense! But so what?! What do I care?! To
be honest, Kuroneko and Ayase, they dont even come close! Without you I
feel really lonely, so I came to bring you back! Thats all! Have a problem with
that?!

The bed creaked and swayed as I spoke.

I let out a sniff. How pathetic I really had started crying.

This was bad. There was seriously something wrong with me. How lonely of a
person was I?

Kirino was struck dumb too, and sat there with her eyes wide and her body
rigid.

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Y-You

Lets go back together. If we dont, I seriously might die.

And unfortunately, that was how I sincerely felt.

I really was hopeless terribly, terribly hopeless

But in the end, those were my own self-centered, unembellished feelings.

Those were the words that a lazy brother was trying his best to send to his
overworked little sister whose attitude was on the verge of ruining her.

You dont have to try so hard anymore. You dont have to be that amazing.
Even if you hate me. Dont pay attention to what other people say. If theres
someone who wants to complain about you even though youre trying so
hard, then let me send them flying for you.

I was suggesting something pretty selfish, even by my standards. Right now, I

was trying to hold Kirino back. I was trying to tempt my little sister who was
trying so hard, to frustrate her attempts to succeed.

I wanted my little sister to be happy. I wanted her to be happy, somewhere

where I could see her.

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Although, it was pretty shameful how much my own ego was coming out
here. Older brothers were probably all like this.

Right?

Idiot aniki.

She called me that again.

But hearing her call me that really didnt feel all that bad.

Although, I would never tell her that.

When we get back, lets go to Akiba again. Of course, Saori and Kuroneko
will be with us. And when it gets to August, theres also summer Comiket. If
Kuroneko goes as part of a doujin circle, how about you help her sell her
books? And how about going around with Saori again and meeting the
people from all the famous circles? Ill probably end up holding the heaps of
things you buy, but Ill deal with that for you. So

______________________________
3

Once again, an honorific reserved for elder brothers or males someone is really close to. Generally

considered a term of endearment.

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 I already know what youre trying to say.

Chapter 4

Sorry.

You dont need to apologize. It just gets on my nerves. Also, my shoulders

are starting to hurt. How long do you plan to grab your little sisters
shoulders?

Kirino was no longer crying. She had returned to the abusive little sister that I
remembered, and a bold smile reappeared on her face.

She batted away the hands I was using to hold her by the shoulder and stood
up.

After all, I have somewhere I need to be.

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Part 8

It was a few days later. I was together with Kirino, and we had landed
together at Narita International.

We proceeded along a long passageway, almost like a procession of ants.

In the end Kirino decided to come back to Japan. She cancelled her study
abroad program. It was actually a lot easier than I thought itd be for her to
withdraw from the program. It seemed that, considering how competitive
the program was, it was common for people to drop out. It made sense.

And I still hadnt figured out the reason my little sister had let go of her own
iron determination in order to come back.

Did my argument actually persuade her, or was there another reason?

In either case, Kirino wouldnt blame anybody else for all this. She wouldnt
go up to anybody else and say This is your fault!

She was just that kind of person. As she walked beside me, her expression
was nonchalant and bright, but you didnt have to be me to see that she was
just putting on an act.

Dads going to come meet us in his car.

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I see.

We grabbed our luggage and went through customs. The minute we went
through the spinning gate, we saw someone running towards us. The girl
stopped and seemed out of breath, her shoulders heaving up and down.

It was Kuroneko.

It was the first time I had seen this girl like this. Kirino looked at her with her
eyes widened. She was left speechless. Her mouth opened and closed a
number of times, but the words had a hard time coming out.

.. You..

Long time no see

Kuroneko looked like she was having a hard time breathing, and muttered
that while remaining expressionless. She was wearing her usual Gothic Lolita
costume, although it had been quite a while since Ive seen her in that. And
of course, I was the person who had told her the flight we were taking and
our arrival time. And so, this was the moment of reunion between two
friends who hadnt seen each other for quite a few months.

Wha you why are you so out of breath? Did you run here from the bus
station or something because you wanted to see me so badly?

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Dont be ridiculous haah haah we havent met in a few months

and thats the first thing you say to me? As always, you just a woman with
no manners arent you

Was she seriously alright? She was panting pretty heavily there. How out of
shape was she? Where the hell did she run here from? And as expected from
Kirino, even though she was really happy Kuroneko had come to meet her,
she just spat out unkind words instead.

Geez you two are the same as always.

I watched over the two of them with a satisfied smile.

Y-You idiot. Youre an otaku shut-in, so dont overdo it.

Kirino desperately tried to keep herself from smiling, and walked towards
Kuroneko.

Here, have some water.

Kirino handed Kuroneko a half-drunken bottle of water. Kuroneko downed

the remaining contents of the bottle and sighed. That wasnt necessary
she grumbled. And then

Standing right in front of Kirino, Kuroneko blushed and mumbled softly.

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Welcome back.

Yeah Im home.

Kirino gave Kuroneko a shy smile back.

These two difficult girls were being honest with each other, for just that one
moment.

Faced with this once-in-a-lifetime scene, I tried to etch the sight into my
memory.

After that, the conversation got much more jumbled.

They hurled insults at each other over the game that Kuroneko had made,
were quite excited as they made plans for the next summer Comiket, and
tried to get each other to admit that they were lonely without the other
there.

It was almost as if they were trying to make up for lost time.

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It reminded me quite a lot of that time a year ago when they were arguing
with each other in a McDonalds in Akiba.

Hmph. So you just lost every match and ran back here. Thats pretty
pathetic.

Tch, you idiot. Who do you think youre talking to? Im going to practice
more, and then next time Ill knock out every single person over there.

Oh? You werent even a match for them last time, and you think you have a
chance to win?

Fu fu fu fu

Kirino slowly took out her iPhone. She fiddled with it for a bit, and showed
the screen to Kuroneko and me.

It seemed like an online news article. There was a photo of a girl running
across a track. She had sleek, dark-brown skin, and her hair was tied up into a
ponytail. She wasnt that tall, but her legs were long and slender. She had the
air of a supple thoroughbred. The article was written in English, so I couldnt
read it, but it seemed like she had won some track tournament.

And this is?

Kuroneko asked the question. Kirino seemed quite proud and pointed at the
iPhone screen.
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Chapter 4

This is Ria Hagry-chan. Shes probably the fastest elementary schooler in the
world and she was my roommate in America.

So in other words shes faster than you?

I cant even begin to match her like I am right now. Shes really cute, really
young, and even on an international scale shes really impressive. Shes one
of the poster children of the sport. Hmph, and she also gets on the news
too.

Kirino laughed self-derisively. To think she could also get like this

But, Ive beaten her once.

Kirinos tone suddenly brightened, and she puffed out her chest. She didnt
sound like she was lying. My little sister would never lie when it came to her
matches. She had a crazily high sense of pride, after all.

Hmm so you won against her just once?

Yeah. It felt more like I had caught her by surprise though

But you still won.

Yeah.
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I see. Well, thats good then.

Kuroneko nodded, seeming quite satisfied.

Thats great. So you didnt come back after only losing and running away.

At least, thats what I saw in her eyes.

In reality, she had made a single dent in the walls of the world. Kirino had
said she hadnt accomplished anything over there but that wasnt true, was
it?

By the way

Kuroneko smirked a bit while she asked her next question.

Exactly when did you beat her?

Nghh

For some reason, Kirino seemed at a loss for words.

T-Thats a secret.

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Her face flushed red and she turned in the opposite direction.

Chapter 4

Kuroneko looked like she had guessed everything, and gave a huge grin.

I see. So you just were lucky and challenged her when you were in top
form.

You really are infuriating, you know.

Hmph and what do you mean by that, I wonder? If you dont say it
clearly, I wont understand, you know?

I dont know what youre talking about!

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Chapter 4

421

Kirino once again turned away from Kuroneko.

Chapter 4

And then she realized that I was stlil there, and for just a moment, her eyes
opened wide. And then

She stuck out her tongue at me and made a face.

What the hell just happened?

I had no idea. All I could do is stand there by myself, confused.

Well, whatever.

I cleared my throat, and turning towards my little sister who was standing on
Japanese soil for the first time in a few months, I spoke.

Welcome back home, Kirino.

END CHAPTER 4
END VOLUME 5
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Afterword

Afterword (Beware of Spoilers!)

This is Fushimi Tsukasa. Thank you very much for obtaining this copy of this
book.

Compared to the volumes that have already been published before this, this
volume was quite different, but how was it?

To me, this was the hardest volume to write. Actually getting it released and
on store shelves is a huge relief to me (I feel like I say the same thing every
time, but its the honest truth). I really have to find a way to get these books
out without panicking this much!

Let me just take this opportunity to thakn everyone who helped me collect
references for this book. There are various factors that prevent me from
writing any specific names here, but I owe everyone a lot of thanks for being
able to get this book out.

And then, onto the fanletters.

To I-akira-sama from Mie Prefecture: That illustration of Kirino in a swimsuit

was really great. Please take good care of your little sister. To Kaida-sama
from Saitama Prefecture: I dont know whats going on either with Kanzakisensei and what happened with those green creatures. To A-kana-sama from
Aichi Prefecture: I should thank you as well. To N-gawa-sama from Kanagawa
Prefecture: I completely agree! I also like all the slender heroines that have
been appearing lately. To K-Nishi-sama: Thank you for telling me about your
real fujoshi little sister. To K-hon-sama from Tokyo: your reassuring support
really got me motivated! To T-da-sama: Kyousuke is going to do his best from
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Afterword

here on as well! For the gachapin Midori-sama: Im sorry for this coming so
late, but happy birthday! To O-ta-sama from Okayama Prefecture: To be
honest, I think Kyousuke thinks that way as well. To S-mura-sama from
Hokkaido: Yes, I definitely received it! To K-da-sama from Fukushima
Prefecture: Im really happy you were surprised by that. To H-sama from
Nagano Prefecture: So thats how that started. Im really grateful to
Tanigawa-sensei! To M-ko-sama from Chiba Prefecture: Yeah, thats really
close to me. Also, congratulations on your otaku awakening! To T-towa-sama
from Gifu Prefecture: That was one of the best letters Ive written so far!
Amazing! To T-oka-sama from Kagoshima Prefecture: Lucky Star is amazing!
To K-mura-sama from Shizuoka Prefecture: That really made me think about
how there might really be girls who are like Kirino.

Really, thank you very much. Everyone was incredibly encouraging.

For those who contacted me by email or any other means, thank you very
much. I apologize for not being able to respond, but please know that I was
very happy when reading all of them.

The next volume will have lots of topics that I couldnt put into this current
volume, and there will be an emphasis on comedy. Please look forward to it.

- November 2009, Fushimi Tsukasa.

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Translator and Site Administrator: NanoDesu

Supervisor: Whitesora
Editor: hikaslap, Saki
Typesetter: DaigakuOtaku
Translation Group : NanoDesu Translations

425

Translation Credits