That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Supporting Character (2)

"Do I have to repeat that? I'm asking when's the Makino alternative ending coming out."

"No, I heard you the first time. I was just shocked that God here cares about something so trivial."

"Trivial?! It's serious stuff! I get it if the other two heroines get their alternative endings first, but why did the side character Nagi get hers first before Makino?"

"Woah, a wild Makino fan appears."

Makino Mizumiya, she is one of the three heroines of My Unremarkable Romantic Comedy, also featured on the volume two cover, the book I just signed.

Arrogant, uncandid, and a pain in the butt. When I was creating Makino, I thought tsunderes still had their market, but I couldn't be more wrong—volume two was the worst selling entry by far. It really is the end of the age of tsunderes and the beginning of the age of the teasing types. That's why she can't even beat Nagi in the popularity contests.

"Her uncandid and annoying side is exactly why she's so cute though. And didn't she get first place in the fourth popularity contest?"

Can you please stop the mind reading thing?

"But that's because a single fan sent five thousand handwritten votes in the post, people went crazy after that…"

I still remember it like it was yesterday. The whole thing got onto number one trending on Twitter and made a lot of splash for my novel too. I really do owe that fan a big one.

"If I recall correctly her alias is 'Raph the Almighty'... ah."

"Yep, that's me. I was gonna do ten thousand to secure the win but my friend said that's going over the top, so I only did half that in the end."

Raphael says with a proud face.

I seriously have no words… what's there to be proud of for using divine powers to get your favorite character to win in a popularity contest?

"Argh… I know I shouldn't say this as the author, but Makino Mizumiya is nothing but a loser heroine. I just can't imagine a world where she and the protagonist would be together."

"Now you've said it! The three things that Makino fans hate the most! 'Makino is the most old-school out of the three', 'Makino is just unhinged', and 'Makino is just a loser heroine'! There are some things you shouldn't say out loud!"

Raphael pouts, anger exuding from her eyes. I guess she does know some things are better left unsaid.

"Doesn't that mean you just implicitly agree that Makino is a loser heroine though..."

"In any case! Makino's charms are unparalleled, no if, ands, or buts about it. That's the word of God."

"You really can't be reasoned with…"

"She might be clumsy, doesn't her dedication make you want to cheer her on? Don't you want to see her happy ending?"

Raphael grips her hands into a fist, her tone growing increasingly intense.

"She and the protagonist just don't fit each other, with it just won't be convincing if he falls in love with her with their personalities. She's bound to be the loser, that's why I couldn't finish her alternative ending."

"Is it that you can't finish it, or is it that you don't want to?"

"—!!"

…

"Even if you don't say anything and leave your mind blank, it doesn't change the fact that back in high scho…"

"Okay okay! Stop it!"

I drown Raphael's voice with my own. Seriously, you can't keep anything to yourself around this guy.

"I'm in huge trouble too, you know? The deadline is only a week away and I just can't think of anything. I'd have started a long time ago if I had ideas."

"That's just because you don't understand how Makino feels."

Ah, here we go again, readers saying that the author doesn't understand their characters.

Raphael stares at me menacingly, seemingly having read my mind.

"It wasn't my original intention, but it looks like transporting you to an isekai wasn't a bad idea after all."

"Eh?"

"Be elated, for the delusions of thine shall be answered by Raphael, the Lord Almighty."

"No… wait a second…"

Raphael extends her right hand, and a white cube around 10 inches across appears out of nowhere and starts floating on it.

"I am Raphael, Archangel of Healing, chief of the heaven realm, and the Lord Almighty. Lend me your strength, for a new world shalt be born here and hereupon."

I cover my eyes. The cube shines of a blinding rainbow, its rays seeping through cracks between my fingers. The whole room starts quaking, the air inside it follows.

When I finally open my eyes, the white cube had become colored throughout, almost like a square-shaped Earth.

I have a bad feeling about this.

"Hey… Ms. Raphael…? This is one of those isekais with swords and magic, right? Should I assume that exciting adventures and fateful encounters await me?"

My feeling of unease grows. I know it most likely won't be, but I nonetheless cling onto that possibility.

"This is a world I created based on your series, I just filled in the gaps in places the novels didn't mention. Just go and try to understand the charms of Makino and the emotional journey she went through."

Raphael states, spinning the cube on her hands.

"Nonono… asking a twenty-six-year-old adult to blend in with the kids, isn't that a bit brazen? Not to mention my deadline next week…"

"Don't worry, I'll make you become one of the novel characters. And a year in that world would only be ten minutes here on Earth. So stop asking so many questions and get your ass in."

"I think you should really consider giving Mr. Satou another shot…"

"I made it so if Makino achieves happiness—that is when she gets with the protagonist—you'll be able to come back, so just work toward that. I'm sure that'd help you with the alternative ending too."

Raphael ignores my pleas and continues.

"Besides, how is it that I'm not being reincarnated as the protagonist? That just makes me want to go even less."

"I said quit quibbling and get on with it!"

Seemingly irritated by my antics, Raphael throws the cube at me. The moment the cube touches my body, it glows bright once more and sucks me into itself.

How is it that my journey to another world would be one into my own novel, and I can't even be the protagonist? I really don't fancy helping out some loser heroine…

Shit… I'm losing consciousness, it feels like my soul is leaving my body.

"Best of luck to you, Kyoto Ichijou—or should I say, Tatsuya Tachibana."

Those were the last words I heard before my mind started drifting.