Late March
"If there's a chance, see you in second year."
"Dismissed."
As the homeroom teacher's voice faded, the first year of high school came to an end.
Next, after a two-week spring break, his second year of high school would begin.
"It's over, huh."
Izumi Chihiro murmured.
There wasn't much to lament, though.
His connection with the class was not strong; he couldn't even tell who was who.
This was normal; he wasn't Eriri, who had to maintain that elegant and easygoing appearance. Writing novels and interacting with those girls was already fulfilling enough for him.
"Goodbye."
He looked back once, then left the classroom.
Although the spring break was short, it was a rare holiday for everyone, which led to the Izumi having the illusion of a party every day.
"Well, let them mess around."
Izumi Chihiro's expression was calm and composed.
After these few months, he had grown accustomed to it even if he wasn't at first.
In fact, if someone was absent due to an errand, they would be questioned by the others for a while.
"Isn't this just like a club activity at school?"
He stroked his chin and suddenly realized this comparison.
A few more days of vacation passed.
In the evening, several people were watching "Demon Slayer."
"Ni-san, it's almost time for the most exciting part of the early story!"
After it ended, Sagiri's small face suddenly lit up with excitement.
"Hmm, whether it becomes a hit depends on the upcoming adaptation..."
Izumi Chihiro nodded.
The popularity of "Demon Slayer" in his previous life was a combination of various factors; it could be said that works that reach a certain level of popularity, besides inherently fitting the mainstream, also rely on a certain degree of luck.
He couldn't guarantee that 'One Slash Explodes' would happen again in this world, but given his current fame and sufficient animation quality, an increase in popularity by several folds might still be achievable.
"How envious! Why can't my animation effects be as good as Madoka's!"
Yamada Elf shed tears of envy.
"Elf, stop dreaming. Be down-to-earth; writing a good novel is more important than anything else. Besides, the quality of your debut anime itself isn't low, it's just that..."
He tried to persuade her.
"Shut up! I know what you want to say!"
Yamada Elf, flustered and angry, reached out and covered his mouth.
"Manga really needs to move."
Mashiro withdrew her gaze, a hint of envy in her eyes as well.
Whenever she saw such an excellent work, she couldn't help but indulge in girlish fantasies, as if her own characters had come alive, able to speak and feel joy…
"Sister Mashiro's manga will be animated sooner or later."
Sagiri tugged at Mashiro's sleeve.
"Thank you, Sagiri."
Mashiro turned her head and smiled slightly.
Sagiri felt as if a gentle breeze had blown into her heart.
"Sister Mashiro can also show such a brilliant smile."
She, like her brother, had come to the same realization.
One morning, three days later.
Today was also the release day of volume eleven of "Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World."
Everyone arrived as scheduled.
Because they met more and more often, their relationships also became better and better, and they no longer confronted each other as before, or found each other particularly displeasing.
Of course, when it came to certain matters, everyone's behavior was still the same as before.
According to a generally accepted saying—know yourself and your enemy, and you will win every battle.
"Let's go! To buy books!"
Yamada Elf led the way.
The others followed closely.
Today was a 'Book Friends Exchange Meeting', so everyone was even more in sync today. Even if they had any emotions they wanted to express, they were all directed at a certain someone, the creator of "Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World."
For Izumi Chihiro, this was undoubtedly 'imprisonment', equivalent to setting up a target for everyone to vent their frustrations.
However, for the Paradise Plan, some sacrifices were very necessary.
He glanced at the crowd, who were looking forward to flipping through the books, and secretly rejoiced in his heart.
The Paradise Plan was steadily progressing.
Kani Nayuta's gaze met his for a moment, then she looked at the crowd and said, "Everyone, let's discuss in sections according to the plot key points that Senior had determined in advance!"
…
Reincarnation was reshaped at that moment.
Natsuki Subaru was wholeheartedly determined to achieve a perfect ending, so he believed he would never become like Roswaal.
He couldn't abandon everything else for the sake of 'the one and only'.
In a certain sense, it also aligned with a certain ideology.
For this, Natsuki Subaru once again accepted the trial of the Sanctuary.
"Look closely at the present that shouldn't exist…"
Segments of memories, like the aftermath of a dead world, or perhaps illusions, appeared in his mind, progressing along a timeline from back to front.
It was like demonic whispers filling his brain, causing a splitting headache.
It was not until this moment that the beautiful woman reappeared before him.
However, he did not indulge in Rem's gentleness, distinguishing that the figure before him was a fake.
This was originally a product formed by the authority of the Witch of Lust, Carmilla.
"Instead of counting the lives that might not have been saved, you should count the lives that can be saved."
"You have done your best and risked your life to get to this point; you should be proud of it."
"Will you make a contract with me, Natsuki Subaru?"
Echidna praised and guided him all the way, until she revealed her true intentions.
So, what was the price of the contract?
Natsuki Subaru didn't overthink it, because subjectively speaking, Echidna's methods had a subtle, insidious feel.
Only as an observer could one see it more clearly, such as the other Witches.
Led by the Witch of Wrath, the other Witches appeared one by one, exposing what Echidna had concealed.
And then there were the readers from another dimension.
"Heh heh, she finally showed her true colors! I knew she wasn't a good woman! I told you, the previous Witches and High Priests didn't seem like normal people, so how could a Witch bearing 'Greed' appear without any schemes?!"
Kousaka Kirino showed an "I knew it" expression upon reading this.
But some readers started wailing when they read this part.
["Wuwu, my Echidna…!"]
["Damn it, I've been tricked by the Old Thief again! Bad woman! Her intentions are truly malicious!"]
["Emilia is still the best! And Rem!"]
They had originally firmly believed that Echidna was different from the other Witches, that she was special, even if there were other hidden reasons behind Beatrice's situation.
However, at this moment, their faith was shattered.
…
Echidna gave a brilliant speech, openly expressing her terrifying 'curiosity' without any concealment.
This made Natsuki Subaru realize what kind of existence the Witch of Greed before him truly was, allowing him to make this assessment:
"Echidna, you cannot understand the feelings of others."
At this moment, Echidna's character collapsed!