Chapter 9: A Stranger Sent Hikigaya a Message
Of course, the boy knew the name Hikigaya—after all, he had already seen it through the Sun's Eye. Quite an interesting person.
"I… am called Seishu Handa…" The boy seemed to have taken a long time to muster the courage to say his own name. Then he showed a look of being moved.
Although it was a bit embarrassing to say this, because the Sun's Eye was still in effect, Hikigaya could completely see into his heart—Wow! I managed to talk to a stranger today too! And they didn't even dislike me!
Handa Seishu, a second-year high school student, had a father who was a famous calligrapher, and he himself was also a young prodigy well-known in the calligraphy world—a true example of "like father, like son."
More importantly, the boy named Handa Seishu was extremely popular and respected at school. People would make way for him, and everyday topics among classmates often revolved around him. His peers always looked at him from afar with envy or admiration.
But even more importantly—during middle school, his only friend once played a foolish prank on him. He interpreted this as proof that others disliked him, which made him very sorrowful. To avoid such disdain, he stopped speaking to classmates and quietly stayed on his own, earning him the nickname "The Aloof Male God."
Seeing all of this, Hikigaya nearly burst out laughing… What a pure-hearted guy—no wonder he managed to enter this shop and even speak.
Later, Hikigaya considered the shop's arrangement. The evil-resisting protections of the Yorozuya had reached a point where anyone with malicious intent couldn't even see or enter. Those with lighter malice would leave unconsciously shortly after entering.
In short, only those with a relatively pure character, who bore no ill will toward the Yorozuya, could become Hikigaya's customers. Such people were not necessarily "good" in the broad sense; many dark-hearted people also belonged to this category.
Many dark-hearted people were indeed simple-minded, loving martial arts sincerely and willing to do evil in the world for the sake of it.
Handa Seishu, however, was not so complicated. He was simply a pure-hearted, good kid.
After reviewing Handa Seishu's life journey so far, Hikigaya was happy to give him a little benefit.
"All right, Handa-kun," Hikigaya said. "This shop is called Yorozuya. It is a special place open only to those with fate. Since you've entered here, it means that deep down you have a wish you are eager to fulfill."
Hmm, this line should work…
"Uh… really?" Handa Seishu scratched his head, looking confused. "But I don't have any wishes."
He honestly said, "I thought this was some kind of general store. I just wanted to buy some paper and maybe see if there were any books I could buy."
"You're too young to worry about reading books. Practice is what matters." Hikigaya calmly altered the content of his speech. "As for paper, we have some."
He walked to the display case and took out a stack of paper.
Hmm, it was originally just some randomly grabbed printing paper. Now, it was no longer ordinary printing paper—it was called Divine Paper Hikigaya.
"I'm not looking for this kind of paper." Handa Seishu remained honest. He pulled a brush and inkstone from his backpack. "I use these."
"That works too." Hikigaya placed the paper on the counter. "That will be 100 yen, thank you for your patronage."
Handa Seishu, who had been about to decline, was stunned by this.
Logically, buying a single newspaper would cost more than this. With such a thick stack, using it for practice would certainly be fine.
"So cheap?" he asked, still surprised.
"That depends on the person. For those I dislike, the price starts at 100 million," Hikigaya casually said, then asked, "Do you want the paper or not?"
"Uh? Oh, yes. Could you wrap it for me?" Handa Seishu didn't know if the person in front of him was joking. A hundred million yen? For paper?
"No."
"Huh?"
"It's troublesome. Anyway, it won't get dirty or wrinkled. Just stuff it in your bag."
After saying this, Hikigaya shoved the paper into Handa Seishu's backpack at a twisted angle. If it had been ordinary paper, it would have been wrinkled or even torn.
However, when Handa Seishu hurriedly took it out, the paper was smooth as new, without a single crease.
"Believe it now? All right, just pay and you can go. Welcome back next time."
Confused, Handa Seishu paid 100 yen and walked out of the store in a daze.
As the wind blew, his muddled mind cleared, and he recalled the series of strange events he had just experienced.
First, his memories had turned into images appearing around him. Then, the paper that never wrinkled and the unbelievably cheap price.
And yet he bought it, and even chatted with the shop owner normally.
He turned sharply and found behind him a wall and a grassy hillside—there was no sign of the shop he had just visited. He looked down, and in his bag was the thick stack of printing paper, perfectly smooth. No matter how he tried to crumple or damage it, no trace remained.
Even if he threw the paper away, after a few steps, he felt the bag grow heavy again, and sure enough, the thick stack of printing paper was back in his bag.
It wasn't hot, yet sweat appeared on Handa Seishu's head…
Could it be… he really encountered a ghost?
He didn't dare touch the paper again and hurried away along the street, wanting to leave immediately.
Behind him, the Yorozuya, which had previously vanished, sat normally. Hikigaya stood at the door, happily watching the boy flee.
"Hehe… young man, make sure not to write anything inappropriate…"
The world's seventh Demon King smiled mischievously.
The printing paper he had given life to had the power to make anything written or drawn on it "real." If you drew a tiger, it would leap off the paper as a real tiger. If you wrote someone's name and something like "meat Q," the person would actually become that.
As a trial, the effect lasted only one day. Beyond one day, it would no longer work.
If used maliciously, it could even become a one-day death notice—this was why Hikigaya was selective with customers. Giving his product to the wrong person could be disastrous.
Given Handa Seishu's personality, he certainly wouldn't write a death notice. Other uses were fine, as whatever was written would not harm its creator.
Back in the shop, Hikigaya sat at his computer, ready to continue gaming, when he noticed a message on his phone from an unknown number.
Curious, he opened it and saw: "Hachiman, this is Motoko Aoyama, a good friend of your father. We met before in Kyoto. My daughter, Kyoko, will be returning to Hinata Manor in a few days. Please take care of her. If you have time, feel free to visit Kyoto again."
Hikigaya put down the phone…
He recalled his memories. Kyoto… Kyoko…
He remembered the paper-wielding swordsman in Kyoto and her terrifyingly spaced-out mother! Kyotaro! Where did you learn that massage technique!?
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I'm happy to announce a new Fanfiction!
Danmachi - Emiya becomes the protagonist
Shirou Emiya awakens on the 18th floor of the Dungeon and is brought back to Orario by the Loki Familia.
Can Shirou becomes a Hero in this World? (No Bell)
Read ahead (40 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting