"Knock, knock, knock..."
"Who is it? I'm at a crucial part!"
"Ding..."
"So annoying!"
Suddenly, the knocking and the doorbell became incessant, making Ermi, who was reading, feel irritable.
It was like when you're playing a game and about to get a penta-kill, and someone suddenly pulls out your power cord!
However, she soon realized that her parents weren't home at the moment, and the only person who would visit was her 'wife'.
"Sigh."
Ermi sighed and had no choice but to go open the door.
"Wife, why are you so slow? Wait, what's that in your hand? A light novel?"
Yamada Elf was about to get angry when she suddenly noticed the object in Ermi's hand and tilted her head to look.
"Uh."
Ermi suddenly realized she had forgotten to put the book away.
Although she didn't know why, Elf was quite annoyed with Izumi Old Thief at the moment, so she wanted to avoid this situation, but unfortunately, she couldn't.
"Hmm? Let me see… Izumi Old Thief's work! Ermi, you're secretly reading it behind my back! He's our enemy!"
Yamada Elf said, huffing.
"Izumi Old Thief never considered us enemies…"
Ermi slightly flushed with embarrassment, avoiding her gaze.
Yamada Elf: "…"
"Alright, Elf, stop interfering with my hobbies. Weren't you here to play games? Go play your games."
Ermi couldn't take it anymore.
"Ah, I'm here to work…!"
"Is that so? Haven't you returned to normal, only working overtime when the deadline is near?"
"That's slander!"
"Alright then."
Elmi pouted and turned her head away.
Arguing with a childhood friend would yield no results, so she chose to turn back.
Her desire to read was surging, leaving no time for such trivial concerns.
"Is it really that good?"
Yamada Elf frowned deeply, pursing her lips as she spoke.
Ermi returned to her room, sat back in her chair, lifted the light novel with her right hand, and continued reading from the page her finger had been holding.
…
He had to start over! He had to start over!
Natsuki Subaru, with his spirit broken, decided to tell Emilia everything, hoping to share the burden and alleviate his unvented resentment.
However, he couldn't speak.
That feeling of his heart being squeezed made Natsuki Subaru taste fear once more!
At the same time, the possibility that a fourth Return by Death would lead to true death also made him uneasy, afraid to act rashly.
Did he really have to run away like an ostrich?
Just as he was hiding in the library, Rem died because of a curse.
This left him at a loss.
Because he had thought Rem was the one who cursed him and made him die in his sleep.
The outcome was once again so unexpected.
The resulting misunderstanding also made him feel as if he was in a situation with no friends.
When pushed to a true dead end, after communicating with Beatrice, he gained the confidence to continue.
In the final moment, Natsuki Subaru resolutely jumped off the cliff.
He abandoned the easier option to do something foolish, a true hero!
Next…
Return by Death would begin again!
Next, how would he overcome this difficult challenge?
…
"Huh? Is that it?! The story just got exciting! The chapter break is perfectly timed!"
Eriri flipped to the back, but found there was nothing left, and then realized.
However, in terms of word count, this volume actually had a bit more than average works, so ending it at this point was actually appropriate.
"Speaking of which, the protagonist of this work, compared to Tanjiro and Madoka, isn't as likable… Arrogant and negligent."
Eriri thought for a moment and said.
"Well, but this can also be considered a kind of realism. The plot of immediately adapting to another world and then slaying Demon king and God is a bit too boring to read now. A story depicting the growth of an ordinary person is not unacceptable."
She then muttered to herself thoughtfully.
If she changed her perspective, it didn't seem so bad.
With so many homogeneous works now, sacrificing some things to create an attractive unique feature is indeed worthwhile.
…
"Although it's another world, it tells the story of the protagonist's continuous growth. Although it's very different from the mainstream otherworld style, if you think about it, this is Senpai's style… I can feel that Senpai's dedication is no less than before."
Kani Nayuta also gained some understanding after finishing it.
"In constant struggle, seeking the only answer from countless possibilities, becoming an unsung hero… Hmm, how should I put it, it reminds me of a saying – 'There is no such thing as peace and quiet; it's just that someone is carrying the burden for you.' "
She remembered this saying she had seen in Senpai's work, a praise given by some passersby to the Demon Slayer Corps, and now it would be everything Natsuki Subaru had to bear.
…
"Will this style also become one that everyone likes? Just like Izumi Old Thief's puella magi madoka magica before?"
Shino Aki asked the girl across the table this question.
"Of course, because he is Izumi Masamune."
Senju Muramasa's tone was calm, yet very certain.
'What's with this arrogant declaration?'
Shino Aki couldn't help but inwardly complain as she watched her.
Anyone unaware would think that Izumi-sensei was the property of Senju Muramasa-sensei.
"The concept of a work doesn't need to be so grand; pain and real growth are also attractive qualities that draw readers in. Others with insufficient skill, unable to control it, would easily suffer a backlash. But if it's Izumi-sensei, then it's different."
Senju Muramasa continued.
"Because Izumi-sensei is too skilled?"
Shino Aki couldn't help but chuckle.
The origin of the title Izumi Old Thief was clear enough with just a little understanding now, and she, too, acknowledged this title.
To be fair, although she really liked Izumi-sensei's works, it had undoubtedly left her scarred, and she didn't know how many tears she had shed because of Izumi-sensei...
"Although there's some deviation, it can be understood that way."
Senju Muramasa nodded.
"If Izumi-sensei knew that Muramasa-sensei could understand him in such a way, he would probably be overjoyed and consider Muramasa-sensei a true confidante, wouldn't he?"
Shino Aki mused.
"Can I become his... confidante?"
Senju Muramasa's eyes lit up, her heart a little excited.
"As expected of Izumi-sensei's number one fan."
Looking at her expression, Shino Aki propped her chin with one hand, a gentle smile on her face.
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter