Chapter 34: The Birth of Senju Muramasa
A rural area in Chiba.
Day after day, the same routine repeated.
A short-haired girl with a bowl cut lay on her desk, listlessly looking up at the azure sky.
Beside her, classmates began chatting during their break.
However, she was completely uninterested in their topics, ignoring them and not taking them to heart at all.
The girl's mind was focused on only one thing: when would the third volume of demon slayer be available for purchase?
According to previous calculations, it should be nearing its promotional period by now.
But... it wasn't.
"Has he encountered difficulties?"
The girl recalled a letter Izumi-sensei had sent her earlier, and her heart couldn't help but worry.
Later, she tentatively asked about the release date, only to receive the answer, 'He is working hard to complete it.'
"Sigh..."
After returning home, she slumped dejectedly onto the small table.
"Kohana, why are you slumped there as soon as you get home? You've had no energy lately."
Umezono Rintaro, who was sitting by the door reading the newspaper, looked back and asked.
At this time of day, if it were before, his daughter would usually choose to read some well-known literary works, instead of looking so listless and unwilling to do anything.
"I want to read demon slayer."
The girl replied weakly.
"Then go buy it, your dad still has that much money."
Umezono Rintaro urged her.
"It hasn't been released yet. Izumi-sensei is still writing it, and I don't know when he'll finish."
The girl added.
"Is that so...?"
Umezono Rintaro mused, then suggested, "Kohana, you can go buy other light novels to read. That guy's works aren't unique; many people should be able to write something similar."
"No, in my heart, Izumi-sensei's works are unique, they are the best! No one else can compare!"
The girl suddenly sat up straight, her expression serious.
"That guy actually got such recognition from my daughter? Your dad is going to get jealous!"
Umezono Rintaro said jokingly.
Even his own works couldn't get such recognition. What virtue and ability did that guy possess?
He had indeed read that light novel and recognized its brilliance, but he never expected his discerning daughter to like it to such an extent.
This was truly an incredible thing.
Perhaps, this should be considered a kind of fate?
"Papa, I like your novels too."
Seeing her father's reaction, the girl added another sentence.
"Alright, alright, I'm just not as good. I, Umezono Rintaro, am not a sore loser."
Umezono Rintaro waved his hand and got up, leaving the mansion.
The girl, meanwhile, fell into deep thought.
She had actually tried writing novels under her father's guidance, but at that time, she didn't find it interesting.
Until one day, by chance, she came to a bookstore and opened a light novel called "demon slayer." She became completely engrossed in it.
She began to develop an interest in light novels.
However, unfortunately, she tried reading many other works, but none of them managed to stir her soul.
During this period of emptiness, she felt very lonely and extremely thirsty for more.
Because she felt that novels like "demon slayer," which could make her feel genuinely interested, laughing and crying as she read, would be very difficult to encounter again.
Suddenly, an idea sparked in her mind.
"Since I can't find it, I'll create it myself!"
The idea of 'writing a novel that she herself would find interesting' arose in the girl's heart.
She was decisive; once she thought of it, she acted.
Almost unfamiliar with modern machinery, she chose not to use a phone or computer for typing, but instead wrote by hand.
"What should I write?"
The moment the girl gripped the pencil, she asked herself in her heart.
Her first thought was of the story of "demon slayer," those passionate battle scenes were a deeply etched memory for her.
Then, she began her first creation in her life, starting with 'battle' as her theme.
Sure enough, as she held the pen and wrote, the loneliness and thirst in her heart began to be satisfied.
"This is..."
When Umezono Rintaro returned home at dusk, he heard a rustling sound inside the house and, curious, peeked in from the doorway.
He had thought his daughter was writing a letter, but instead, he glimpsed her rapidly drawing in her notebook, and his heart was instantly startled.
What was going on?
Kohana, she...
He didn't go in until the pencil broke from use and the girl was about to sharpen it.
"Kohana, are you... writing a novel?"
Umezono Rintaro asked.
"Yes, I want to write the most interesting novel in the world."
The girl nodded, looked up, and said, "Papa, you'll support me, won't you?"
"Of course, I'll definitely support Kohana!"
Although this decision surprised Umezono Rintaro a little, he was still very much in favor of it.
He had no intention of opposing it, because he was also a novelist, and if his daughter also became a novelist, it could be considered a kind of legacy.
Almost half a month later, the first volume of her work was completed.
Of course, the first reader was herself.
The girl was very satisfied and asked her father to appraise it as well.
"I don't know much about light novels, but from a personal perspective, I would give you, Kohana, full marks."
Umezono Rintaro commented with a complex expression.
Undoubtedly, his daughter had inherited the literary talent of both him and his wife, perhaps even surpassing them, which was fully demonstrated in these roughly 100,000 characters.
"I think so too."
The girl smiled with great satisfaction.
Because this was a work that could satisfy her, of course it deserved full marks.
"By the way, Kohana, do you want to debut with this? If so, I can help you get in touch with someone."
Umezono Rintaro suggested.
If such a work was only for herself to read, it would truly be a pity!
"That kind of thing doesn't matter, does it?"
The girl was indifferent to this.
She had no interest in worldly affairs; she only wrote novels to read the novels she wrote herself.
"In that case, let's submit it to Fujikawa Bunko... Maybe you'll have a chance to meet that guy named Izumi Masamune."
Umezono Rintaro understood his daughter's wishes and arranged it for her.
The girl's pupils immediately brightened.
Although such a thing was still far away, there would always be an opportunity to meet in the future, and until then, she would look forward to that day's arrival.
"By the way, have you decided on the book title and pen name? This is very important."
Umezono Rintaro asked again.
"The book title will be 'fantasy demon blade chronicles', and as for the author's name..."
The girl thought for a while, went into her room, pulled out 'demon slayer', and after her finger slid across the author's name section, she made a decision.
"Let's go with... Senju Muramasa!"
Wouldn't that sound more fitting?
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Some power stones please.