Chapter 5

Nnah~... How'd this kinda thing even end up happenin'?

Cheer up, Mika-nii~chan! Hang in there!

My bad, Mitsuru-kun. I know I gotta pull myself together, but...

But I never thought somethin' like this would happen when leavin' it up t' Ran-senpai.

...I'm sorry. I didn't expect this either. My apologies, but the result did turn out to be unexpected and a little amusing.

Amusin', huh... I'm seriously worried about it~! I really shouldn'ta left it up t' ya, Ran-senpai!

But didn't you also agree to Nagisa-senpai's strategy, Mika-nii~chan?

Uuu... I thought it was a good idea when I was jus' listen' to it.

...While the trend of Mika-kun as a god was popular on social media, I introduced a plot twist where I appeared as a new god.

...It was a strategy done so that the trend's focus would shift from Mika-kun to myself.

...When I adopt "God Mode," I'm able to appear in and handle a context where I take the role of a god without feeling out of place.

In reality, everyone was super excited about Nagisa-senpai's appearance!

That first post was also written by Nagisa-senpai and went viral on social media, right?

...I had made sure that my display name and account couldn't be traced back to me.

...I would use that account to bring down the god Mika-kun and make preparations for me to take his place as a new god.

...Afterwards, I was planning to begin weaving a new tale in which all the fans would regard me as a god in the same manner as when Mika-kun became a god.

But what happened is jus' that the number of gods grew t' two, yeah~? Why'd it turn out that me an' Ran-senpai're rulin' over the world together like we're friends?

If I'm gonna be rulin' over the world with anyone, I'd rather it be with Oshi-san!

I'm glad that Nagisa-senpai and Mika-nii~chan have become friends!

...I'm also surprised at how unexpectedly powerful the influence of Mika-kun as a god is.

I actually gotta feelin' that it's even more intense than before...

...The existence of adversaries is vital as a component to enliven a story with. Evidently, I was perfectly suited for that role.

...Mika-kun and I are ruling the world together peacefully now, but the process to get there was certainly like a battle of the gods.

...Fufu. It was exceedingly interesting to see people come up with developments that I never would have thought of.

...In particular, I'll praise the author who wrote about Mika-kun becoming "Ougonten" and scattering gold coins, leading to me nearly drowning in a sea of them.

...If you interpret it as Mika-kun slapping me on the cheek with a wad of bills, it's quite funny... ♪

Yer as hard t' understand as ever, Ran-senpai. How're ya findin' any of this funny?

...Was it not funny? It was certainly a climactic moment when I activated "God Mode" and split the sea of gold coins.

No, I don't care about that kinda thing. My problem's that we never ended up reachin' any sort'a solution.

...I'm sorry about that. Needless to say, I was unable to oust you from the pedestal of godhood, Mika-kun.

...Though, if you think about it, the story of the novel this time was started by your fans, Mika-kun. They would never allow a story to be made where you're defeated.

But in the end, everyone, from Mika-nii~chan's fans to Nagisa-senpai's, got along and enjoyed the story.

...Indeed. That was the most unexpected thing. Rather than our fans fighting, they influenced one another and got along well.

...In that sense, I don't think my intervention this time was completely bad.

Well, that's true, but...

...Ultimately, this is no more than a temporary trend. If we wait it out, it will die down sooner or later.

...Doing various things poorly to try and stop it may simply rouse the public again, just as what happened this time.

...I believe the best solution is to quietly watch over the situation without overreacting.

I guess if we just wait fer everyone t' get tired of it, we don't gotta do anythin' unnecessary.

Yea~h. If that's the case, I guess it's fine, but... Sigh.

Mika-nii~chan, are you alright? That was a huge sigh.

Aah, yep. I'm fine, Mitsuru-kun. Thank ya kindly fer worryin' about me.

...The fact that all my fans're writin' novels with me as the main character, an' they're all excited about it.

If they're happy, I'm happy. Since I think they're doin' it 'cause they love me.

But I'm still just'a rookie. Bein' treated like a god jus' makes me feel real uneasy.

I'm not that big a deal. It's like my name is takin' on a life of its own...

Mika-nii~chan...

I kinda get what you're feeling a bit too, Mika-nii~chan.

I've only ever had cool roles, so I've formed an image of myself as this kind of cool person.

So that's why I thought everyone was wanting that kind of version of myself...

It's a little like they don't see the real me, so it's kinda lonely.

I feel like sayin' I'm lonely is a lil' different from what it is. But... yer right.

Even then, don'tcha keep gettin' cool roles, Mitsuru-kun? Don'tcha think it's tough?

Yep! Because it's fun to play the role of a cool person!

Mika-nii~chan, aren't you also happy that people are writing novels with you as the main character?

'S like I said before. I'm lucky t' have people who'll accept me no matter what form I take.

In that case, it's good if you're treasured like that, Mika-nii~chan!

Huh? Whaddya mean, treasure me?

We~ll... I dunno! I don't really get difficult things either!

But I think the most important thing is that you're happy, Mika-nii~chan!

I think you should enjoy the parts of it that make you happy!

...I see. I kinda understood what ya wanna say, Mitsuru-kun.

I was thinkin' about it all too much, but it might be a good idea t' jus' enjoy what's happenin' at the moment.

Well then, I'll try an' enjoy myself a lil' more, what with me becomin' a god an' all. ♪

...Do you think you can say that you've been able to sort through your feelings?

Yeah. Thanks t' you, Mitsuru-kun, I managed t' break through my doubts. Thank ya very much. ♪

Ehehe! If you're feeling better, Mika-nii~chan, then I'm happy too!

Ran-senpai, too... There's a lotta things I wanna say, but this time, thank ya kindly fer helpin' me out.

...Fufu. I don't think I was able to be of much help this time, though.

Don't fret over all the lil' details! Please accept my thanks.

...Yes, I'm glad to have your gratitude. I will be happy, as well.