A grade-schooler debuting as a light novel author—at first glance, it sounded utterly unbelievable.But when you really thought about it… yeah, it was still unbelievable.
Sure, the world occasionally produced prodigies, but when one appeared right in front of you, it still left you shaken.
Hikigaya Hachiman took a deep breath to calm himself.
Ping!
Yamada Fairy:Hey! I can see you've read it already! Why aren't you replying? What are you thinking about?!
Another notification popped up—she was getting impatient.
Me:Congratulations on your successful debut. That's what you wanted to hear, right?
After spending so much time talking with her, he already had a good grasp of her personality. He could practically predict her every move.
Yamada Fairy:Hehehe! Jealous, aren't you, Hikigaya? This is the difference between someone like me and a bottom-feeder like you!
Hikigaya clenched his fist silently.That smug tone—so infuriating. Was this what they called a gremlin girl?
Still, he wasn't actually angry.He understood that Yamada wasn't saying it to mock him, but to share her happiness.
Me:You've only taken the first step. Who knows who'll go further in the future? Just give me a little time—I'll be right behind you.
Yamada Fairy:Hmph. I'll be waiting to see that.
Hikigaya pouted in mild irritation.
"Wait, hold on. Isn't the Newcomer Award still a while away? How did she debut already?"
He quickly typed the question.
Yamada Fairy:Hikigaya, are you stupid? I gave up on the Shishigawa Newcomer Award ages ago! I told you—that was something I wrote on a whim. My new work, Dark Fairy of the Exploding Flame, passed the screening for FULLDRIVE Bunko!
Me:That fast?? There's no trick behind it, right?
Yamada Fairy:Hmph, fine, I'll tell you. My brother works as an editor at that publishing house. He introduced me to them, but my debut had nothing to do with him! I passed on my own strength, got it?
Yamada said it openly, sounding completely unapologetic.And knowing her personality by now, Hikigaya believed she wasn't lying.
So he typed a few words of congratulations—partly sincere, partly to soothe her ego—and ended the conversation.
"Looks like I'm still not good enough…"
He stared at his phone, a faint sigh escaping his lips.
"It's time for my second attempt."
Standing up, his expression hardened with determination.
After all this practice, he finally felt capable of solving the problems that had plagued his first novel. He'd create something decent this time—something that could compete in the upcoming Newcomer Award.
"But… what should I write this time?"
He'd pondered that question countless times before, whenever he had a moment to daydream.Now, he'd made up his mind.
"Forget it. I'll just plagiarize."
His first submission had failed spectacularly—largely because his plot construction had been weak. But with his memories from his previous life, he could easily avoid that problem.
He still felt a twinge of guilt… but reality was harsh. He was weak, and weakness didn't afford pride.
So, he convinced himself with a convenient excuse.
Technically, he wasn't copying. The stories he remembered were anime. Turning them into light novels was just… a different form of expression. A kind of reinterpretation.
Believe it or not—it made perfect sense to him.
Once properly deluded, Hikigaya began pondering which story to "borrow."
Out of all the masterpieces he remembered, which one would suit his writing style best?Choosing poorly would only make it worse—after all, even a great story could fall flat if executed poorly, just like a bad anime adaptation.
Perhaps because of his past failures, his writing style naturally carried a heavier, more somber tone.
He hadn't noticed it at first, but after seeing others' feedback, he'd realized.To change one's writing voice wasn't something easily done, not at his current skill level.
So he needed to find a story whose tone matched his own.
He thought about it for a full week.
And then—
"Ah! I've got it!"
Lying on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling, Hikigaya suddenly shot upright like a dying man revived from his deathbed.
Beside him, Komachi—who'd been watching TV—jumped in fright and raised her hands defensively.
"Jeez, Onii-chan! Don't scare me like that!"
She pouted adorably, cheeks puffed.
"N-No, it's nothing. I just made an important decision. Sorry for startling you, Komachi."
He scratched his head, looking sheepish.
"So it's good news then?"
Komachi tilted her head with a teasing smile.
"Yeah… I guess it is."
Her grin widened knowingly. "Then Komachi will be waiting for your good news, Onii-chan!"
Clever as always, she immediately saw through his mood.
"Just wait and see! This time, I'm shooting for the stars!"
Fueled by her encouragement, Hikigaya suddenly shouted with enthusiasm.
"…Onii-chan," Komachi muttered, looking mildly exasperated. "Never mind. As long as you're happy."
"Ahem…"
Realizing he'd just had a full-blown chuunibyou moment, Hikigaya coughed awkwardly, cheeks slightly red.
Just a little embarrassed—but also, for the first time in a while, genuinely fired up.