I really don't want to be reborn.

That's roughly the situation.

He really felt that a girl like this would be unsuitable for the workforce, but in his memory, Shiyu only had the idea of ​​becoming a professional writer in her senior year of high school, so why now...?

"Sure, I was originally going to ask you to come with me. I'd feel more confident with one more person by my side."

Where should I submit my work?

"Dengeki Bunko".

He was quite familiar with this library, including its processes and many of its staff, as well as the personalities and habits of some of the editors.

"What about time?"

"I'll mail it over the weekend."

"..."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, it was unclear whether they were looking down on him for needing such confidence to mail it, or pondering how he was going to write a first draft in less than seven days.

Or they might be thinking, "You're just going to mail it, so why should I go with you?"

Kasumigaoka thought about Dengeki Bunko's rule of "pages 80-130" and finally gave a tactful reminder: "Go to bed early."

Kyosuke Kosaka was in an even better mood, and in his good mood he made a joke, which was a joke about Shaoxing, China.

"Then why don't you carve the character 'early' on my body?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha stared wide-eyed, bewildered by the last nonsensical sentence on the computer screen.

What does it mean to carve the character "早" (early) on one's body?

Is this a meme?

It just seems so vulgar...

With mixed feelings, the girl investigated the current light novel market and then turned off the computer before her mother entered the bedroom.

The mother didn't knock; she just poked her head in from outside and saw her daughter closing her notebook and looking at her with displeasure.

"Hehe... my dear daughter, are you done chatting with Kousaka-kun?"

Yeah, I'm done flirting.

Shi Yu said sternly, "This has nothing to do with your mother. Also, please knock before entering next time and respect your daughter's precious privacy."

Her mother teased her a few more times, telling her to go to bed early, and considerately turned off the light for her.

The girl rolled around on the bed, hugging a pillow, her face still expressionless. Even when she did express emotions, she mostly conveyed them through her eyes. What kind of emotions were contained in her bright red eyes?

She thought, falling in love is wrong.

The two of them simply preferred to sit in the same office, occasionally glancing up to exchange words, with a chair between them.

She didn't know when it started, but her heart could no longer find peace. It wasn't exactly like spring rain falling gently—it was more like a thin cloud, drifting by without actually bringing rain.

Kasumigaoka knew perfectly well that she was not suited for dating, much less for marriage.

She is really sensitive.

People who enjoy writing about love are bound to overthink things. If they are in a relationship, they will naturally try to figure out what the other person is thinking. If something seems slightly off, they will keep wondering if they have done something wrong.

Just as Kyosuke Kosaka commented, she is actually not good at communication. Even with people she spends every day with, she may not be able to remain calm when disagreements arise.

She rolled around hugging the pillow.

She threw away the cushion and thought about it.

After much thought, she decided that she still wanted to live alone, so as not to harm herself or others.

Furthermore, Kousaka-kun is too cunning; it's truly uncertain whether the other person is sincere. If it's just a passing fancy and lust at first sight, then what falls might not be spring rain, but rather hormones.

After all, people are just a bunch of useless passions, containers for love.

But I'm so unwilling to accept it...

…………

Kirino stood in front of the door, wanting to knock.

However, more often than not, they just want to quietly return to their own rooms and pretend that nothing has happened.

"I'm so unwilling to accept this..."

Last time she tried to sneak in, she didn't expect the door to be locked from the inside. From that day on, Kirino picked up the common sense she had learned before - knock before entering.

Kirino bit her lip. She saw the light through the crack in the door and knew that her brother was not asleep. She was somewhat hoping that he would come out to use the bathroom or go downstairs to drink milk.

At that time, she could naturally speak to him confidently without knocking.

Just like when she was little, she hoped her brother would stop and wait for her.

The virtual expectation connected the two people as one, but also slowly separated them. Her consciousness floated in her memories, but the next moment a flash of inspiration made her think of some events that she usually didn't want to think about.

Why isn't my brother asleep yet?

Was he reading, writing, or chatting with someone...?

On the plains of emotions, an ominous sandstorm is forming.

Then she started knocking on the door.

"..."

no response.

Then she was silent for a moment, then knocked on the door again and spoke.

"Open the door."

That hoarse voice and persistent knocking left an unpleasant feeling, and also made people feel sorry for him.

------

Chapter Eleven: The First Life Consultation Ends Abruptly

"Would you like something to drink? Or some water?"

"……Thanks."

Hearing his younger sister say thank you, Kousaka Kyosuke felt conflicted. How long had it been since Kirino had said thank you to him?

Seeing her downcast look, he still felt a little resentful that he hadn't cared enough for his sister.

Fourteen or fifteen-year-old junior high school students, especially girls, need guidance and comfort from their families the most, because this is not only a period of rapid physical development, but also a time of the greatest psychological fluctuations.

From childhood to adulthood, this period is very sensitive.

As hot water was poured, steam rose from the cup, swirling around Kirino's hair, making it slightly damp, like wild grass moistened by morning dew, giving it a more vibrant appearance.

"So, is there anything I can help you with?"

Kyosuke Kosaka didn't use the question "What do you want?" He felt he should be more gentle and considerate towards his sister, even though she had become less and less lovable lately.

He hadn't expected that even though he had been careful with his questions, Kirino's answer would exceed his expectations.

She held the water glass, her round head bowed, and remained silent.

"..."

silence.

Silent like a stone slab yet to be inscribed.

He leaned back in his chair, a computer screen behind him, calmly watching his sister across from him. He wasn't impatient, just puzzled about what she was trying to say.

Hmm, I guessed a little bit.

It's probably related to the game disc that I switched out.

He wasn't quite sure what kind of relationship it was. Even if the disc was hers, and even if she was secretly playing the game without her parents' knowledge, it wasn't a big deal to him.

This mentality is similar to how teachers completely fail to understand students' academic struggles. Different experiences lead to different values; no adult would be unhappy about missing a lollipop today.

It's just a game, it's not illegal, so he couldn't understand Kirino's current mindset, and he knew nothing about it.

So Kyosuke subconsciously assumed that the game disc was connected to other little secrets of Kirino, so he appeared calm on the surface but was actually extremely curious inside.

"...Um, are you listening?"

"I'm listening. You have five minutes. If you don't tell me now, you can go back to your room and go to sleep."

The younger sister looked up angrily, but found that her brother's expression wasn't as impatient as he had claimed, so she knew he was just joking.

But how should I put this...?

This is no joke.

"Kirino, what's wrong? Did someone bully you, or did you get less allowance?"

"No...it's not those issues."

Kirino Kousaka stammered, the courage she had mustered not long ago long gone. She wished her brother would put on an impatient, sour face instead of his concerned expression.

That way she could walk away immediately and not see his sour face.

"Or... do you find it funny?"

Kyosuke raised an eyebrow slightly: "What's so funny? Your shit-yellow hair color? It's okay, since you've dyed it like this, I'll get used to it eventually."

"..."

That's light brown!

Kirino took a deep breath, trying her best to pretend she hadn't heard what he just said, her little face contorted in pain: "I meant... that..."

Kyosuke stopped abruptly, picking up the tattered game disc from the table: "This thing?"

The round head nodded.

"You think this game is funny?"

What do you think...?

Kyosuke didn't understand her mindset and said honestly, "It's just a game. I don't find it funny. Even if you bought a BL game, it doesn't matter because a game is just a game."

Yes, games can empty your wallet, subtly change your values, and turn you from a normal person who likes girls in black stockings into a perverted gentleman obsessed with girls in white stockings.