"Onii-chan, Komachi's reminding you—it's almost time for school to start again."
As he stepped out of his room, Komachi, who was lounging on the sofa, turned her head and spoke with a teasing smile.
That line, of course, carried another meaning.
"I know, don't worry, Komachi. You don't have to fuss over me," Hachiman replied knowingly.
"Oh?"
Komachi blinked, studying his expression.
"Looks like Onii-chan's got some good news!"
"Yeah," he said, nodding slightly. "I submitted a new light novel yesterday. I've got a really good feeling about it this time. The comments so far are promising too—maybe… this could finally be it."
"Really? Does that mean Onii-chan's about to make his debut!?"
Komachi jumped to her feet, excitement sparkling in her eyes.
"It's too early to say that," he said, waving her off. "Let's just call it… hopeful optimism for now."
It wasn't something set in stone yet. Saying too much based purely on confidence would just make it awkward if things didn't go his way.
"It should be arriving soon, right?"
Hachiman glanced at his phone, estimating the time.
He had come out of his room because Yamada had sent an urgent package his way, and right on cue, his phone rang again. The deliveryman said he was already at the door.
Hachiman went out, signed for it, and brought the box inside.
"Onii-chan, did you buy something online?" Komachi leaned closer curiously, peering at the box in his hands.
"No, not me. It's a gift from a friend I met online—a fellow author. She just made her official debut yesterday and sent me a few copies of her first volume."
As he spoke, he opened the box, revealing several neatly stacked copies of The Dark Fairy of Explosive Flames, Vol. 1.
"What kind of light novel is this?" Komachi asked, picking one up like a fascinated child admiring a shiny toy.
"Uh…"
For a moment, Hachiman didn't quite know how to explain.
"Let's just say… it's not exactly appropriate for you."
Seeing her about to flip it open, he hurriedly added, "Seriously, you shouldn't read that."
"Ah! Don't tell me it's that kind of novel! Onii-chan, how could you be friends with someone like that? Are you going down a bad path!?"
Startled, she dropped the book to the floor and put on a look of exaggerated worry.
"It's not that kind of book," he sighed. "I told you, she's a professional author now—everything's been through official review. It's just a little… bold in tone, that's all. And besides, the kind of story someone writes doesn't define what kind of person they are. If you ever met her in person, you'd be shocked."
He bent down, picked the novel up, and carefully put it back in the box.
Naturally, he had no intention of letting Komachi read something like that. The last thing he wanted was to corrupt his pure, innocent little sister.
Maybe he'd keep one copy for himself and give the others to some of his more otaku classmates. It could help Yamada gain a few new fans—and honestly, that was the least he could do to repay her kindness.
"Well, whatever it is…" Komachi said softly, rubbing her eyes. "Onii-chan finally made a friend. I thought you were going to stay a lonely knight forever."
Watching his back as he carried the box back to his room, she blinked away what might have been tears.
Summer ended, and the new semester began.
The once-empty classroom was filled again with chatter and laughter.
After weeks apart, the students couldn't stop talking, the air buzzing with excitement.
As one of the class's certified "background characters," Hachiman naturally received greetings from his fellow background characters.
"Hey, hey, Hikigaya! What'd you do over summer break?"
"Me? Stayed home. Did nothing," he said simply.
"Knew it! You're way too inactive, man. I went back to my hometown—you know what? I tried fishing for the first time! Way more fun than I expected! Didn't catch anything big, though. Ah, I wish summer break lasted longer…"
His desk mate launched into an endless monologue.
Hachiman blinked. He's become a fishing nerd now?
Aside from that mildly surprising detail, he tuned most of it out and let his gaze wander across the classroom.
Forty-something students, each different—some changing their looks to boost their popularity, others eager to reestablish their social circles.
But unlike them, Hachiman's mind was elsewhere—filled with thoughts of light novels and the next story he wanted to write.
Listening to the chatter all around, he suddenly understood a saying:
"Human joys and sorrows are never the same. I only find them noisy."
He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
"Hey, Hikigaya! Were you even listening? What's so funny all of a sudden?"
"Nothing," he replied with a faint smile. "Just thought of something nice. Keep going—I'm listening."
Though puzzled, his talkative classmate continued his monologue without missing a beat.
And so, the first day of school ended—tired yet warm, lively yet ordinary.
In the days that followed, life settled back into its usual rhythm.
In the past, Hachiman might have called it meaningless, a waste of time.
But now, even the monotony felt precious—because he had found something worth chasing.
Every day, he read. Even books that didn't interest him. Even genres he normally avoided.
If his life were a game with visible stats, his "Writing Proficiency EXP" bar would be rising steadily.
Opportunities belonged only to those who were prepared.
If he ever started slacking off, thinking he could coast on what he'd done, then failure was guaranteed.
That was something he'd learned in his past life.
Even if he managed to debut, that would only mark the beginning. Many light novels were axed after just two or three volumes—so ultimately, it all came down to skill and quality.
The fool waits for luck. The lazy dream of glory.
But Hachiman believed—every drop of sweat, every moment of effort he poured in now—would one day become the foundation of his success.
And if, after all that, he still failed…
Well, then he'd have the right to blame it on bad luck.