Chapter 99

Comic Gate, or Comike for short.

I know it's a doujinshi fair held in a triangular building during summer and winter.

Incidentally, I heard that a much larger event is held around the same time.

That one is the Market. Each event lasts for three days, and enthusiasts call it the "devil's six days" or something like that.

Are they asking me to attend that event, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people each time?

The sense of rejection grows from the events of earlier.

"Comike... we're minors, you know."

"Don't worry! I don't want R18 stuff."

"Oh... right. But isn't it quite tough to go there in the scorching heat?"

I know from news and various media that the Market is a den of iniquity.

Comike is no less of an event.

Are they asking me to go to such a place?

"Here's the list of circles I want this time. I want you to buy as many as you can."

Kurohon said this and handed me a memo.

...It's quite a lot.

"Of course, there are many big names, but I believe you can get them, Harahashi."

"Hey, Miki, isn't that a bit too much—"

"Of course, I'll give you a hundred times the points for each doujinshi you buy!"

"How serious are you..."

Ah, right, Kurohon has the rights to the manga translations.

Originally, I bought them, but without her translation, people in this world couldn't read them... I got a part of it, though.

"Moreover, I'll support the knights' homes, so there's no problem with funds!"

"“Yes!”"

A corrupt circle was formed right here.

The knights' homes... they're knights, after all. They should come from good backgrounds...

But I guess that's why they have money and points.

"I need these for reference."

"Yes, to explore new fields!"

"I want to understand the culture of another world!"

Their words are beautiful, but they look like scary people who are about to start moving on all fours.

I really don't want to get involved with them.

"But I don't know if I can buy them."

"Don't worry! I have a great idea!"

Ito placed a hand on my shoulder.

Oh, are you going to refuse for me?

"I'm really sorry. I'll pay you back soon, Harahashi... It's not a bad deal, so please take it... I think you'll calm down if you do."

Ito, I think you should change your girlfriend, but it's probably because you're in love.

I have to support you, I guess.

And bringing me along doesn't seem to have much meaning.

"...Alright. What do I need to do?"

"First, according to Harahashi, when you transferred to Japan—"

So, that day, I heard Kurohon's plan and decided to put it into action.

Incidentally, some of my classmates also asked for additional doujinshi (not BL, but wholesome ones) to be bought for them.

Honestly, it feels like they ask me for anything they want.

Should I start refusing?

I thought it might be a criminal act... but since they begged so hard, I couldn't help but nod.

While thinking this, I went to a different event at the venue a few days before Comike to set up visual transfer.

The positions where the doujinshi I need to buy will be sold are known.

I'll use a blind spot of the venue closest to those positions.

Of course, it's a very crowded event, but apparently, the area near the toilets, which is in the shadow of the building, should be fine.

And importantly, the entry time was specified.

It's before the general admission starts.

If I enter right after the circle admission, I'll be suspicious, and if I'm too late, it won't make sense.

In the slight confusion of the forming queue, I can blend in and buy without a circle ticket... that's her theory.

She insisted that using transfer would solve that problem.

Honestly, isn't it a crime? I suspect, but I have no basis to judge.

But proving that I used transfer to illegally enter would be difficult.

It's technically not illegal since the event is free to enter.

However, using transfer to cheat is still cheating.

Incidentally, setting up visual transfer at the venue and forcibly pulling things in fails.

When I tried to get my mother's personal items, it didn't work.

Maybe items in the living room are treated as gifts from my mother.

"Ha... Why am I doing this?"

While thinking this, I grumbled after finishing the preparations and just before the scheduled departure.

"You could have refused."

"No... If I refused, who knows what would happen."

"Ah... You're right."

Our spines froze when we saw the horrifying manuscript found in Kurohon's house.

I don't want to describe it in detail.

I heard she was a 2D specialist, but Kurohon seemed to be a severe 3D enthusiast.

She said she was a 2D specialist until she came to this world, but her feelings for the relationship between me and Shigenobu awakened after she arrived.

I want to throw those passionate speeches to the back of my mind.

So, I transferred to the Comike venue.

I headed towards the venue from a hiding place, trying to look casual, a bit nervously.

If a staff member stopped me, I would follow their instructions, but they just looked at me suspiciously and didn't stop me.

I joined the queue for the circle I was told to, trying to look casual.

...It seems I can buy without waiting too long.

Um... What do I say?

"Three copies of the new and old issues, please."

The seller gathered the thin books and told me the price.

I had prepared the exact amount in advance, so I took it out of my wallet and bought them.

Hmm... The venue is surprisingly... not empty, but not overly crowded... or is it!?

When I looked at the parking area outside the venue, there were a lot of people, people, people!

They'll all rush in when the doors open!?

There are already quite a few people, and more will come!?

Danger... Cold sweat runs down my spine.

Anyway, I'll buy quickly as instructed.

I think I was told that if I'm a beginner and the crowd surges, I can return.

What would Kurohon, who's not a beginner, do if she were here?

"Um, is this enough for the first day... and I have to go around the corporate booths?"

For some reason, I ended up buying for three days, but the first day was less, and I was instructed to go to the corporate booths.

According to Kurohon's memo, if it's difficult without a ticket, I can leave.

Honestly, I want to leave this request.

But it's supposed to be easier than the Market, which is a stricter gate or something?

"Still..."

I can probably buy them.

While thinking this, I queued up with a sense of weariness.

As a result, I was able to buy about 80% of the items ordered.

Since the departure time was 30 minutes after the opening, I achieved my goal quite easily and left.

It would be quite tough to go there in this scorching heat without any Lvl adjustments.

While thinking this, I returned to my room in the other world.

"Oh? You're back?"

Shigenobu came into the room.

"Yeah."

"...You bought quite a lot. I've seen them in anime, but I didn't expect to see the real thing in another world."

It's really tough.

Thinking about the next two days, I feel nervous.

"Growl?"

Kumako brought me some ice, understanding the heat.

Ah, right, they can create ice with magic and equipment, so it's actually cooler in this other world.

The climate is cooler here anyway.

Ah, it's cool.

"Thanks."

Kurohon is translating the other world's materials at the castle and has to translate the mountain of manga she bought.

She seems to be quite busy.

...And there's a meeting with the knights who have the same awakening.

Deciphering inscriptions in the regions, leveling up, making doujinshi, and so on, it seems they'll be busy after the three days are over.

Only Kurohon can decipher the traditions and such of past otherworlders, and she's in a responsible position.

Maybe she's so busy and stressed that she's in a high state and got fixated on the fantasies involving me, Shigenobu, and Ito.

It's quite a bother.

But it's not just Kurohon, so the loot will be handed over together three days later.