The moment Akifumi posted the announcement, the comment section exploded.
———————————————————————
"Ahhh! You heartless bastard!!"
"Damn it! How do you have the audacity to post this!?"
"Hacker! Where's a hacker?! I'll pay 100,000 yen to track down this scumbag's address!"
"You damn traitor! Do you know how I spent last night? I was basking in the sweetness of the latest episode of Steins;Gate, only to be plunged into despair after playing your cursed game! I still haven't recovered from the emotional damage!!"
"Three endings! Three endings and not a single happy one! The more I play, the more depressed I get!"
"I can't even eat because of this damn game!"
"Akifumi-sensei, tell me honestly, are you going through some life crisis to create such a soul-crushing game?!"
"Don't click that link! We all know this so-called 'gift' will only deepen our despair!!"
"That's right! I'm definitely not clicking it!"
"Come on, who would be dumb enough to fall for such an obvious trap?"
"..."
———————————————————————
Despite the cries of resistance flooding the comments, curiosity is a powerful force.
One glance... Just one more look... and suddenly, their hand moves on its own.
Damn it! It's not like I want to see what's in that link! My hand just won't listen to me!
Watching the view count on the site skyrocket to five digits within moments, Akifumi couldn't help but grin.
"Please... enjoy it to your heart's content, my dear fans."
Just then, his phone rang. Upon answering, a familiar, resentful voice echoed from the other end.
"Akifumi-sensei..."
"Huh? Machida-san, the editor?"
"Even if it's just a single volume, you should've let me handle the publication!!" Machida Sonoko's heart was bleeding.
Just from a quick glance at the content, she knew this light novel would be a massive hit. Not to mention the popularity boost from The Witch's House game.
Sure, the game was filled with emotional trauma, but that's exactly what drew people in.
And why does she know this?
As an editor, it's her job to keep track of her authors' activities.
Plus, she was one of the first players to achieve the true ending with a no-death run... at the cost of skipping two meals and losing a few pounds in the process.
Faced with her sorrowful tone, Akifumi chuckled. "It's just a little gift for the fans."
"Do you really think your fans will appreciate this 'gift'?"
"Well, as long as they're happy, that's all that matters." Akifumi laughed. "Besides, it's already released. What's done is done."
"No! It still matters!"
Machida insisted, "Next time, please let me handle it!"
"Next time, huh..." Akifumi thought for a moment and nodded. "Sure."
It was just an empty promise anyway. Who knows when he'd write another light novel as a "gift" again.
"By the way, Akifumi-sensei."
"Hmm?"
"There's some good news related to your work."
"Good news?"
"Well, it's not finalized yet, and due to confidentiality agreements, I can't reveal it right now."
'So, this is her revenge for not letting her handle the novel, huh?'
But for Machida Sonoko to call it "good news," it must be something big.
"Is it an anime adaptation?" Akifumi asked casually.
"Sensei, for you, anime adaptations are just a matter of time. That doesn't count as 'good news.'"
Machida chuckled, "Anyway, just wait and look forward to it!"
After hanging up, Akifumi clicked his tongue. "Tch, women and their grudges."
Laugh all you want now. Once you finish reading Ellen's Diary, let's see if you're still smiling.
Akifumi hummed a tune and returned to his work, ignoring the chaos brewing online.
———————————————————————
Meanwhile, Machida Sonoko smugly adjusted her anti-blue light glasses, her eyes slightly red from exhaustion.
"Curious, aren't you? Good. That's exactly what I want."
She wasn't about to tell Akifumi that his light novel was about to hit international markets.
With a satisfied smirk, she turned back to her screen.
The moment she read the opening lines of Ellen's Diary, her heart tightened.
———————————————————————
'I am burdened with an illness.'
'No one wants to play with me.'
———————————————————————
A scene of a black cat hunting its prey played out before her eyes, as the protagonist watched in quiet envy.
———————————————————————
Why envy?
———————————————————————
'People walking through the alleyways pretend not to see me. When they do notice me, they look away, disturbed by my pale and sickly face.'
'Even the more honest ones quickly frown and leave, as if they've seen something ominous.'
———————————————————————
With just a few simple lines, the story painted the image of a girl abandoned by the world, living in the slums.
It was only natural that no one would lend her a hand in such a place.
As the story unfolded, the protagonist's bond with her mother was subtly revealed.
———————————————————————
"I'm sorry... I can't let you play outside."
———————————————————————
With those words, the gentle atmosphere of the story took a sharp turn.
The protagonist's anxiety surged as her memories drifted back to her childhood.
She vividly recalled the rough, calloused hands of her mother, a sight that filled her with inexplicable fear.
———————————————————————
'Why are her hands so rough?'
———————————————————————
She already knew the answer.
Her mother's hands were worn not only from work but from taking care of her.
If she continued to be a burden, one day, her mother would abandon her.
———————————————————————
Because...
'Only those with the luxury to do so can afford to be kind.'
'Once that luxury is gone, kindness becomes an illusion.'
———————————————————————
That day would come eventually.
And the girl knew it.
———————————————————————
At that moment, Machida's heart ached for the protagonist.
She tightened her grip on her glasses and braced herself for the emotional rollercoaster that awaited her.