Why Are You Here?
Why are you coming out from there? Not long after I left a simple message on the contact number from the club promo post, I got invited to a one-on-one chat.
Level probably means otaku level. Failing even one of those quizzes would bruise my pride. Honestly, I have zero doubt I'd ace any light novel, manga, or anime questions no matter what they throw at me. Even if they go for more niche games, I'd nail most of them.
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An image pops up right away. Pink hair in a ponytail, pajamas. A face that looks a bit grumpy. No need to look closer.
To balance love and comedy. The story of Haruru, a popular illustrator heroine, and Iori, a popular light novel author protagonist. It's about the two of them teaming up—Haruru on art, Iori on scenarios—to serialize a manga. The original light novel blew up, got adapted into manga that hit unprecedented heights, and now it's getting an anime. The male lead Iori isn't your typical oblivious herbivore type, and while Haruru might seem like an old-school tsundere at first glance, she doesn't really hide her feelings for him much. Both leads are super popular. It's not a harem, and both the novel and comic versions emphasize the male lead's appeal just as much as the heroine's, so it's a romcom with nearly 50% female readership.
Of course, you could just dismiss it as a well-made otaku flick at that point. But Lupco Yanglip's massive popularity isn't just from its quality—external factors played a huge role too.
I'd been following the SNS of QL, the original author of the Lupco Yanglip novels, for a while. QL wasn't the type to share personal info. He only revealed he was male; otherwise, zilch on the author himself. Then one day, QL posted about the manga adaptation—with a photo attached. And that single photo became a nuclear bomb.
The text alone is harmless. The novel was already a hit; a famous illustrator hopping on board isn't weird. But here's problem one: SPICA wasn't just famous—she was a legend. She burst onto the scene posting original illustrations on her SNS, churning out insane quality at breakneck speed. But SPICA was shrouded in mystery bordering on myth. Every post was just a single illustration, no random stuff, blank bio. Account code: 0100010110110. Rumors flew: robot, team, corporate test account. No one knew the truth. Her followers just kept climbing thanks to the art.
Then QL drops this photo: A perfect handsome guy and stunning girl making a hand heart. The other hands hold a sketchbook of the main couple in SPICA's style. QL was already outed as male, so with the collab announcement? Boom. Handsome guy and gorgeous girl. The post racked up over 100k likes in a day. Everyone thought the same: "SPICA's real?" to "That SPICA's a drop-dead beauty?" QL was popular too, so "QL's this hot?" And since Lupco Yanglip is about a popular illustrator and novelist... "Isn't this basically their real life?"
Especially since SPICA was a total ghost—how'd QL even contact her? Must be old friends. Comments exploded. But despite nearly 10k, neither posted again. Then the manga dropped and smashed records. The leads vaguely resembled them, fueling suspicions, but no clarification. Chaos ensued. I was dying to know too. Desperate to meet them someday, ask how they made such killer manga, if the rumors were true. Impossible now, but if I blew up in subculture circles, maybe? A pipe dream I've harbored for ages.
A few more character quizzes after Haruru, but they were too easy.
Meeting folks with similar tastes? I'm all in. Brimming with anticipation, I reverently awaited the latest Lupco Yanglip chapter dropping at 8 PM.
Too lazy to reply, I just ignored it. If you're pimping my photo, at least ask me first. Your mess to handle. Probably BS that someone came for my pic anyway—Kim Junwoo hypes crowds well enough. Whatever, not my problem.
Heard from the club pres senior: We're not an official club under the federation. Joining means approvals and restrictions, so no plans. No club room, so today's meetup's at a rented party room. Got the address and time, but that's it. No group chat yet, so anxiety creeps in—am I the only newbie? Too many people sucks, but just me and male seniors? Awkward. Party rooms have couches to crash on, heard. Better to arrive early and wait than be late, suits me. Headed out ahead.
At the party room, said "Kim Do-yoon" to the reservation question—smooth entry. Nice interior and setup, must've cost a bit. 40 minutes till time, empty as expected. Picked a plush couch and flopped down. Even without sleeping, eyes closed lying down recovers fatigue big time.
A few minutes pass. Still eyes shut, I grip the Swiss Army knife I always carry in one pocket with my right hand. Faint mana flow. Close range, tiny amount—but that's what makes it dangerous. Pure, compressed mana of another league. A walking nuke, no exaggeration.
Slowly sit up. Wanted peaceful life, but since freshman welcome day, I've prepped for all possibilities. No panic. That mana blob's heading here. 10 seconds left. I wait quietly.
Door opens. I stare at the mana source.
"......"
"......"
Silver hair past her waist now, ethereal beauty with cold vibe but human warmth. Not her usual combat gear—black knit dress barely covering below the hips—but only one person like this in all worlds combined.
10 seconds of silent staring. I break it casually.
"...Sharu?"
"Y-you've got the wrong person..."
Don't ever act. Pretty face or not, that acting won't cut it. If she could read my mind, she'd rage—but ask anyone, that height and chest wrecking the knit dress scream Sharu. Or rather, if pretending not to know, don't freeze on sight.
And that outfit's too slutty, no? Famous chastity-killer. No upper exposure, but knit clings, highlighting curves—only for killer bodies. Knew the chest was big, but combat skirt hid waist/hip lines; this bares them criminally. Bottomless in this weather too. Suppressing hard, but composure cracking.
"Nah, my house cat's named Sharu—popped into my head."
"......"
Her flustered denial face calms me barely. No clue why play stranger, but handing me ammo? Can't miss. I stone-face stranger back—her eyes twitch, lips quiver. Getting pissed. No stopping now.
Clear throat exaggeratedly, extend hand, bellow dramatically.
"Ahem. Hearken! Smite the foes. Light of the Apocalypse!"
"Hearken! Smite the foes."
⟨ Light of the Apocalypse ⟩
"Eek......"
Embarrassed by your fave spell? Took out hordes of demons on chant alone. No holding back voice now, trembling—but not fully surrendered. Pride.
"Sorry on first meet, but y'know some couples French on wedding kiss now?"
"...Fine, cut it out already..."
Don't bite lip so hard—might bleed. Her initial denial irks; push further.
"...Even I know first-timers suck at kissing."
"Urgh!!...... Blaze of Terrifying Flames!"
Blaze of Terrifying Flames
Wait—if my eyes aren't lying, magic circle. This'll end bad.
"Hey, you'll actually start a fire!! Okay, I went too far. Calm down. Forgive me once."
Caving to threats? Gotta save the building folks... Dropped to knees on floor.