Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: What Kind of Male Character?
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Yeah, what kind of male character?
I grabbed my pen. And began scribbling away furiously.
I already had the opening part figured out.
Volume 1 ended with someone swept up by the police, desperately pleading their case.
The plot I'd come up with was that this person was truly innocent, and Senyora clears their name.
So, how would Senyora resolve this person's grievances?
What trick was hidden, and what clue would unravel it?
'I haven't decided on that yet.'
And as for what incident led to this false accusation...
'Gotta think about that starting now.'
Wait, then what the hell am I supposed to do?
'Honestly, I'd rather just push through without wracking my brain too hard.'
What happened... and how the protagonist resolves it...
Truth be told, that doesn't matter much from my perspective.
I'm only stirring up this incident to introduce new characters anyway.
I just need to write scenes of Senyora shining, extras being shocked, and key characters taking interest in her.
But there's still one nagging question.
'Even accounting for that, wouldn't it be better to flesh it out in detail? Why skip it?'
Mystery scenes are great. An intriguing crime scene and clever tricks.
And the catharsis of the protagonist piecing it all together.
If I had the skill to pull that off, no reason to skip it.
Besides, isekai mysteries aren't that common.
If I nailed it, it'd blow up for sure.
"But I don't have the chops."
I do want to write it.
I'd love to try a Sherlock Holmes-level deduction show and see the reactions.
But I can't.
Expecting that kind of intricate plotting from a total newbie is too harsh.
I lack the skill to vividly capture the ideas floating in my head.
So, if I'd been writing longer and leveled up my skills, could I do it then?
'Still no.'
Why?
'Because I got nothing in my head to begin with.'
Should've started by checking if I even had anything to pull out, skills or no.
And no matter how hard I rack my brain, nothing mystery-related comes up. Nada.
I learned something before: better to boldly cut anything half-baked.
That was the lesson from trying action scenes.
No point wasting energy. Let's focus on what I can actually write.
The crime: theft. Someone's falsely accused and treated as the prime suspect.
Race: human, no question.
I want to write a story where a cat beastkin helps a human.
Sounds good, right? At first, the human's pride is hurt by the cat beastkin offering help.
But over time, they open up and become close friends.
Finally, reversing the roles, the human ends up helping instead.
"This is it."
I like it. Not a cliché—this is classic.
Alright... I've got the plot direction and race, so now names and gender.
Hmm... Protagonist's a girl, so time to introduce a male character.
Name's a hassle. John it is. Prototype for now, change later if needed.
First line.
"...Who the hell are you?"
Hmm... Gruff for starters.
Need contrast between early and late.
"A beastkin offering to help me? Hah..."
"Ugh...!"
Oof... Hard to look at...
Still, keep describing him as rude on purpose.
This is my intent. It might be rough, but that's normal.
"...I'm not thanking you. I could've handled it myself."
"Uh... yeah..."
...It's fine.
I have to endure. For the payoff later.
"...What's your name anyway? Not that I'm curious—just hard to keep calling you that. Don't get the wrong idea."
"Oh, fuck, hold up."
Hey.
This...
No. Writing a guy acting all tsundere is too much for me.
It's cringe. Super cringe. Can't stomach it.
And I'm writing this knowing the payoff comes later.
Even knowing it'll get redeemed, it's tough to push through.
Wonder how other readers would react.
People just here to see what Senyora does, suddenly hit with some dude griping...
"He's way too likable?"
Too likable—gonna cause an overflow of hate.
Some'll be so impressed, they'll track me down at home.
I can feel it. Before the next volume, letters demanding I smash his head in.
Hmm... But this is the direction I want.
Sticking a total yes-man to Senyora... honestly, not that fun.
She's my novel's protagonist, but Senyora can't be too happy yet.
I'll dole it out bit by bit.
One careful step at a time, advancing cautiously, until the finale where she can finally burst into happy laughter.
Readers want that too. Cat beastkin lovers or whatever—even they tear up at least once per story.
Wanna mug her if I run into her on the street
Once she's all wrinkled up, stuff more money in and give her wallet back
Did I have the wrong idea about what "cute" means...
That's how you express wanting to bite and kill cute things, right?
You don't actually kill them, sir.
Anyway, twisted love is still love, right?
Point is, readers love when Senyora looks a bit pitiful.
"Hing..."
Senyora's identity is that pouty lip under a giggling smile.
No helping it. Honestly, I prefer this too.
"Nyaaang..."
But no full crying—just teary eyes at most.
"...Annoying."
No matter how tough, Senyora brushes it off like nothing.
Teary or not, she wipes it away and pulls herself together.
"Yeah. I'm a good kitty."
Hmm, but should I really never let her cry fully?
One big cry might hit harder, combined with her usual self.
Think on that later.
"Hiiik..."
So... how to craft this new character before Senyora enters.
I want to keep the message, but as is, it's too cringe.
But it's fine. I've got a way.
Can't change the message? Change the messenger.
Ditch the male character for a female one.
Describe her looks and personality attractively.
Even if prickly, overwhelming charm crushes it.
Old-school Earth subculture had a saying for that.
"Well... 'cause I'm pretty, right?"
Let's try it.
First, describe her looks as attractively as I can...
How? Piling on adjectives won't land with readers.
Best would be... illustrations.
Wonder if that's possible? Ask later. Focus on writing now.
No point in lengthy descriptions.
Just eats up space without impact.
More important: plant one solid image.
Imprint her vibe, then back it with fitting details.
What image? Like before, tsundere-ish?
"Hmph...! I never asked for your help?"
Good. That's character—screw the male lead idea.
Separately, stick with this? Not bad, but better options?
Issue: might make the story too lighthearted.
My novel's got a dark worldview base.
I didn't shy from real-world negativity—portrayed it straight.
Borrowed Ranyori's experiences for accuracy, even parts I didn't know.
That worldview doesn't just repel because of Senyora's mindset.
Her positivity shines against an unkind world.
So, don't want overly fluffy narration.
Someone more real-world plausible.
"Ha! You've got some low standards!"
Less explosive tsundere yapping at Senyora—more deadpan.
Doesn't hate beastkin much, but wary.
"...You'll help me? Uh... you don't have to..."
Nice. This feels better.
And now an image pops in my head.
Stoic type. Blunt but caring to friends.
Match looks: red hair. Height: head taller than Senyora.
Red eyes contrasting Senyora's blue.
Build... mention she's hot in passing. Details might ruin the vibe.
"...Mind not staring? It's too obvious."
Name: Karen. Redheads suit names starting with 'Ka' weirdly well.
Karen. Key figure driving volume 2.
Their interactions with Senyora take center stage.
Start rocky, end as friends.
And... add one more side character.
Policeman. Make him male—no total absence.
Personality? Cliché bad guy?
"Don't butt in, beastkin!"
Nah. Already fatigue from Karen.
Better than one big catharsis dump—make him honest, model citizen.
With eyes on my novel, don't wanna villainize cops.
"Pleased to meet you. What brings you here?"
Arrest Karen not as "definite culprit," but prime suspect for questioning.
"We'll need your temporary cooperation. Promise we'll release you after."
Done... Characters all set.
Time to plot tomorrow.
...Tomorrow, yeah. Rest now.
This much progress means it'll fly faster anyway.
Oh right. Tomorrow, get some help from Ranyori.