"Chiaki, you …" The double pigtailed girl had a complex expression in her eyes.
"I wasn't lying to her this time, but I wasn't completely honest either." The tomboy retracted her sinister expression and giggled. "It was true that I wanted to make the princess waver, but I wasn't serious about it; it was just a casual attempt."
Mika didn't know what to say.
Currently, she saw Chiaki's smiling expression as usual, but it was now filled with an unfathomable meaning.
"If you really want me to explain, I can explain. But you should think things through yourself, Mika. "
…
Later that night.
Seiji checked the internet and saw that Thunder Bunko's editorial department had made an announcement explaining the situation, and the voices of criticism had lessened.
Just as he was about to call Editor Yoshizawa, she called him.
"The answer to your question from this morning is no. The editorial department's goal isn't to cause controversy, "the female editor said. "However, we can't deny the possibility that the editor who pushed for 'Brother Monogatari' to be chosen and receive an award had such intentions.
And no matter what, there's nothing wrong with his actions. Although he was the one who pushed for this, the selection and award were all decided by the judges, and he followed the rules.
I believe that the editor had good intentions in doing this. He definitely expected that pushing for 'Brother Monogatari' to receive an award would cause a commotion, but he still chose to do so because he believed in this story … he believed that its quality would surpass the controversy and turn the attention into sales. "
Seiji silently listened to everything Mika had to say.
"Since Editor Yoshizawa believes so, I believe that's how it is," he said.
"I understand that it's important for a newcomer to receive attention for their new work.
But if it's possible, I'd like to be informed beforehand, rather than only finding out after it happens. "
"I apologize for that. It was my fault for not doing my job well," Saki apologized.
"I didn't want Editor Yoshizawa's apology … but I'll accept it, and that's it for now." Seiji didn't want to make a fuss over this.
"By the way, are there any clothing requirements for tomorrow night's award ceremony?" Seiji asked the question that he had forgotten to ask in the morning.
"I don't have any specific requirements as long as I dress appropriately. Even if I attend in my school uniform, it's fine."
School uniforms?
"What about the cosplay costume?" Seiji asked jokingly.
"I don't recommend it. But if it's not too bad, it's still okay. "
Even cosplay works!?
"Even this is allowed. This award ceremony … is quite open-minded."
"Although the main point is the award ceremony, it's also a party, so the dress code isn't very strict." Saki said, "But after all, it's a formal occasion, so it's more formal."
"Oh … what's the most special outfit you've ever worn?"
"That's the cosplay costume you mentioned. There was once a female author who dressed like a vampire to receive the Gold Award. "
Seiji couldn't help imagining that scene and found it quite interesting.
After chatting for a while, they ended the call.
At this moment, Mika walked over.
"Seiji, I want to talk to you. Is that alright?"
"Of course."
Mika sat down in his study. Seiji poured a cup of hot tea for her and a cup for himself.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"About the duel you mentioned this morning … I'm quite worried … and also quite concerned …"
The double pigtailed girl expressed her unease and told him about what happened during lunch break.
Seiji fell silent for a moment after listening to her story as he sipped on his tea.
"First of all, thank you for being so worried about me … since I'm participating in the duel, I've resolved myself," he said.
"And … do you still remember what I said to you after I scolded the Amami-senpai?"
Something flashed in Mika's eyes as she looked at his face.
"I'm not a good person, nor am I an evil person. I only do what I want to do and what I like to do — that's who I am." Seiji smiled faintly.
The double pigtailed girl furrowed her eyebrows slightly.
"But, the duel is …"
"Either you get killed, or you kill. I know that … although the actual situation might not be so extreme, there's nothing wrong with looking at it this way," Seiji stated calmly.
"This is completely different from scolding others; it's on a completely different level. It involves one's own life and the lives of others, so it should be treated with more caution … is that what you think?"
Mika nodded.
"That's why I said that you're a kind girl." Seiji chuckled. "But I … I already said it at the time. I don't believe that I'm a good person, and I'm not."
"Seiji …"
"Chiaki was correct. I'm the type of person who will kill others if it's necessary. This time, I'm participating in the duel with the resolution to kill my opponent. "
He looked straight into the girl's eyes with a sincere expression.
"You already know everything you need to know, Mika. I believe that there's no need for me to repeat myself. Just think about it clearly."
The double pigtailed girl furrowed her eyebrows even deeper.
"I don't know, Seiji … just … what do you think about killing others?"
"This question … how should I say it? I think it's difficult to answer … or perhaps I should say that it's not easy to answer …" Seiji paused for a moment. "If I really want to say it, it's difficult to say it clearly. Perhaps I won't even be able to say it clearly. In the end, I might as well not say it at all.
So, just treat it as if I don't want to answer. "
Several seconds of silence fell between them.
"I … I'm not like Chiaki … If you don't answer, I won't understand …" Mika muttered to herself.
"If you really need an answer, I'll just say it directly," Seiji stated lightly. "I accept killing others."
Accept.
This word seemed so simple, yet so profound.
Mika faintly sensed something from his words, but she couldn't figure out what it was.
Their conversation was over.
He wouldn't say anything else to her. She would need to think about the rest by herself.
No … there was one more person.
Ruri Kinchi, her spiritual ability teacher.
Mika didn't really want to ask this teacher, because she felt like she could already imagine her answer. But … she was still her teacher.
After the twintailed girl left, Seiji silently finished his tea.
That was all he could say. It was up to Mika to decide what she wanted to do and what she wanted to do.
He then put down his teacup and continued surfing the internet.
He contacted a certain person on the internet. Soon, he received a response. It was an emoticon that said "I'm on a killing spree."
"Are you playing a game? There's something I want to tell you. Since you're busy right now, let's talk tomorrow night. "
Another emoticon that said "Stop right there," followed by an emoticon that said "I'll take care of it in five minutes."
Seiji waited.
Five minutes later.
A cat-eared hat girl appeared on his screen.
"I just conquered the strongest castle in the entire server and became the Supreme Lord. Heh heh ~" Hana was in a good mood.
"Congratulations, Supreme Lord!" Seiji sent a congratulatory emoticon that was scattering flowers.
"That sounds so strange … what do you want to say? Did you finish eating the fruits? Do you want to go back to the Spirit World? "
"No, what I want to say is that I've already become a Yin-Yang Master."
"Eh?"
Hana paused in surprise for a moment.
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