This Useless Girl is Useful?

“When you said you wanted to go to the clubroom, I thought you meant to write. Like you had been cooking a genius idea for a story.”

“What made ya think that?”

Akimoto was deep in the labyrinth of the books towers. Her voice reverberated throughout and into the open clubroom.

“Well we talked about using your emotions about Kats— him… and writing a light novel together. So I just assumed you’d come up with an idea.”

She stepped out of the realm of books with a small stack in hand. It was volumes one through five of: “The Time I Got Reincarnated With a Magic Sword That Turned Out to be a Cute Girl.”

Finally, she’s at least reading a bit of peak.

“Are you ever gonna take down these towers? They seem inconvenient.”

“Hmm… Nah. It’s like, part of the clubroom. Sometimes even teachers come and add books they don’t want anymore.”

“Huh…”

This clubroom contained seemingly countless books. The piles had grown like vines in a way, moving up to almost entirely cover the windows. They let through only a bit of mid-evening light. Golden rays illuminated dust particles floating through the clubroom.

The scene was almost romantic. I say almost, if it weren’t for—

“Hey! Don’t pick your nose! Use a tissue.”

In the extremely short time we’ve known each other, she’s gotten way too comfortable around me.

“Also, you ignored my question. We talked about using your emotions to inspire you. So, are you inspired?”

“Nah. Aren’t you the idea guy anyways? I just know some stuff about grammar and whatever. I don’t know what makes a good plot.”

She’s right, I did do all that posturing about my amazing creativity, yet I don’t have an idea either.

Akimoto turned two chairs to face each other, using them as a bed to lay on.

“Think of an idea. Until then, I’ll be reading.”

That’s my golden ticket…
“Haa— fine.”

The first fifteen minutes of “thinking of an idea” was spent flipping between different social media. I’m wasting time! Precious time! Every moment we’re growing closer to the next contest and I have nothing.

That reminds me, what even is the next contest I’d enter?

While I was already wasting time, it wouldn’t hurt to research that.

“A few Moogle searches and…. Bam! There!”

Akihabara Heart & Soul Writing Contest

Are you looking to break out as a light novel author!? What better place than in the heart and soul of light novels and anime!

This contest—

“Perfect! This is exactly what we need. Submission deadline is in three months! We can do this!”

“A– mmm… Kiyo… taka-kun… I’m already flying… Why do I have to become the queen of Japan?”

“What?”

I looked over at my writing partner and she was completely knocked out on her makeshift bed.

Her usually silky smooth blonde hair was ruffled and fanned out. Her uniform’s shirt was ridden up to expose her midriff, which she was happily scratching. And to top it off she wore the biggest, dumbest smile I’ve ever seen.

Did she even finish the first chapter!?

I sighed and shook my head. I want to chastise her but I realized, she’s been near the top of the social hierarchy for her entire life. She’s probably sick of having to maintain a facade constantly.

I should give her a break and let her relax…

Oh my god… was that empathy? Uh~ That left a weird burn-y feeling in me.

Thinking about it… that’s a trope I feel like you don’t see too often. Popular girl wanting to relax and drop the facade for a while.

Or is it common? Where have I seen it…?

I gave it a bit of thought and a quick Moogle search—nothing. There were of course a few stories with adjacent ideas, but nothing just like what I imagined.

It could be like a slice-of-life thing. Lot’s of cute girls and a mellow protagonist. Mm, yes, that’s it!

I got it!

I got it! I got it! I got it! I got it!

I’ll Take a Break From Being Popular.

I was furiously typing, finally filling my blank document with content.

Yes! It happened! I got my idea. I can see it all now! Am I sweating right now? This is great though!

Setting: Kashiwa, Kashiwa Municipal Second High School

Characters:

Protagonist: name (TBD), short black hair, 170cm, quiet, he always decided to go with the flow, never an outstanding student, but not someone people disliked

Main Heroine: Suzuki (in progress) mid-length pink hair, 160cm, extroverted, excitable, outgoing, loves reading, going out with friends, cats, her family, creates her own flow, a very good student, soft facial features

Central Plot: Suzuki was once one of the most popular girls in the school. She’s likable and always seen as someone you could rely on. However during the transition from second to third year, she decides she wants to kick back for a while.

She spreads a rumor about herself that she moved and changes her appearance. Starting her third year, Suzuki is not her old self at all. She appears a bit more average and mellow. However, she cannot contain her extroversion at all times.

Coming across (TBD), she begins to interrupt his peaceful days.

“This will sell millions!”

“Hmm?” A groggy voice asked. “What will sell millions?”