"To think I actually let myself get shaken up over a little girl's opinion… how far I've fallen."
Hachiman shook his head with a wry smile, covering his forehead with one hand.
When Yamada Fairy finally replied, two full hours had passed.That alone told him she had taken it seriously—at least somewhat.
Yamada Fairy:Finished reading. Honestly, I'm disappointed. I can't even tell you were trying to write a light novel. Aside from your barely readable prose, everything else is a disaster. With that level of talent... maybe consider another career. Stop dreaming.
Hachiman froze.He had just been roasted—by an elementary schooler.
Sure, he had mentally prepared for harsh criticism, but hearing it out loud still hurt.
So, he retorted stiffly.
Me:I took a look at your comment section. Doesn't seem like people are exactly praising you either.
Yamada Fairy:That's different! I was just fooling around. If I got serious, the result would be completely different—and I'm still young.
Me:I'm young too. I'm a warrior of the future.
Yamada Fairy:Oh? And how old are you, future warrior?
Me:Thirteen, this October.
Yamada Fairy:Really? Then you're only about a year older than me. Guess that slightly better writing of yours does count as a redeeming quality.
Well, it was more than slightly better. Yamada Fairy's prose was unmistakably that of a grade-schooler. As for him—he might be a loser, but at least he was a two-lifetime loser.He probably outclassed your average high school student… a little.
Yamada Fairy:Fine, I'll admit it—barely. If you've got questions about writing novels, you can talk to me from now on.
Me:Alright, it's a deal. By the way, just call me Hikigaya—that's my family name.
Yamada Fairy:Got it. Then you can call me Yamada. Anyway, that's enough chatting for today. I've wasted too much time already—got dungeons to clear.
And just like that, the conversation ended.
Hikigaya closed the chat window, a faint smile tugging at his lips.It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Time passed quickly—two months in the blink of an eye.
Since then, he'd managed to calm his restless heart, no longer desperate to debut.To brew good wine, one must let it settle.
Just like in a game, every dungeon had a recommended level. If your stats were too low, you didn't rush in—you leveled up first.That philosophy had come from one of his talks with Miss Yamada.
Though she treated writing as a hobby and loved gaming far more, her grasp of light novels was surprisingly sharp.Through their exchanges, Hachiman's own understanding had deepened as well.
In return, he'd offered her tips on improving her prose—though she clearly hadn't cared much.Then again, she was a grade-schooler; expecting her to focus on refining her craft was unrealistic. Yamada was content to rely on instinct—and, apparently, gaming skill.
When the first semester of middle school ended and summer vacation arrived, Hikigaya Hachiman was sitting on the couch, engrossed in a light novel.
It was one of the best-selling isekai series of recent years—praised by readers everywhere.From a reader's perspective, it was solid entertainment.From a writer's, however... not so much.
Was he just being arrogant?He didn't think so.
Clichéd tropes, cookie-cutter systems, and pretty girls on the cover—those were the ingredients for commercial success these days.That was the industry's formula.
He sighed softly. "If this is the key to success, that's... kind of depressing."
It wasn't that he looked down on such works, but they were too homogeneous. Everyone was writing the same thing, making competition fierce.In the end, it all came down to how good your illustrator was.
Depending on someone else for your success—how stupid could you get?He wanted to make it on his own strength, something genuine.
"Hey, Onii-chan, what are you reading?"
Komachi poked her head out of her room, spotting him on the couch.
"A light novel."
"A light novel, huh?"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. Then, as if remembering something, her expression shifted.
"By the way, Onii-chan, how's your novel going?"
"Uh... well... I haven't really checked it in a while..."
Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Hachiman looked away.
"Oh, I see." Komachi grinned. "Well then, I'm heading out for a bit. Gonna buy some snacks!"
She left quickly, wisely choosing not to press further.Her brother's awkwardness said enough.
Hachiman sighed. He'd once vowed to make her proud—but instead, he'd only deepened her impression of him as a hopeless loser.
And just when he thought things couldn't get worse, a message popped up on his phone.
Yamada Fairy:Hikigaya! I'm about to make my official debut!
"Huh?!"
Hachiman's face contorted in disbelief.
They were supposed to be struggling together—and now she was soaring ahead?
Did that mean... he was the only one left behind?