Living Normally In An Abnormal World

Chapter 43: Grauzer’s Aftermath

Hello, everyone. I’m Kinoshita Yuuto, the copyright infringer.

After that incident, I went with Ribbon-san to the Libsys headquarters to apologize. Surprisingly, I had the opportunity to meet the president of Libsys.

Of course, I took off the full-face mask and revealed my true identity during the conversation.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me despite the sudden visit. I would like to express my sincere apologies for using the Grauzer character without permission, creating a costume based on the character, and appearing on the show. I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused.”

“Uh, erm, Kinoshita Yuuto-kun?”

“What I did is inexcusable. My actions have undoubtedly impacted the image of Grauzer, and I am prepared to face any consequences, including a lawsuit.”

“No, it’s fine! You embodied the image perfectly! It was scary, just like a horror game!”

“It’s alrgiht! I’m willing to work tirelessly to pay the 10 million yen in damages, and if it comes to a 10-year prison sentence… Well, I’ll do my best to endure it somehow!”

“You’re the same Grauzer from the show, right? You seemed a bit arrogant and confident, but you’re actually incredibly serious! By the way, why are the only options the longest prison sentence and the highest minimum payment in damages!?”

“It was my fault for letting Yuuto-sama from starting the conversation. Yuuto-sama, please be quiet for a moment; we can’t get anywhere with you talking like that.”

“Eh!?”

Why? I’m just trying to take responsibility for my actions.

“Okay, Yuuto-kun~ Let’s take it easy for a bit~”

“Rena-san, no. I don’t want to be a man who shirks his responsibilities.”

“Yes, yes~ Yuuto-kun, let’s take it easy for now~”

“Hey, by the way, Reina-san, what are you doing here?”

“This is, afterall~ my workplace~”

It turned out that Libsys was Reina-san’s workplace.

“Also, Yuuto-kun, I caused you trouble before~ so I’ll let this one slide. Besides, you were cool~ and the cosplay suited you~”

“But, *squeeze*…”

“Yes, yes~ Yuuto-kun, I don’t like it when you use polite language with me~ Mouth zipped~♪”

Reina-san placed her hands on my cheeks and closed my mouth.

I think the decision should be made by the president, regardless of Rena-san’s feelings.

“Also, thanks to you, the game has been selling like hotcakes since the show ended. We’re currently out of stock, and pre-orders are pouring in. So, this time, we’ll let it slide. If we must punish you, how about you handle any issues that come up with Grauzer in the future… or rather, there will definitely be some, so please cooperate?” (T/N: This is pres speaking.)

“I understand.”

“Then, that concludes our discussion. Reina, please see him out.”

“Oh~ President, aren’t you coming with us~?”

“I’d love to, but I think I’ll hold back this time. If I stay any longer, I might end up attacking him.”

Hmm? I heard something unsettling, but I’ll pretend I didn’t.

In the end, there was no lawsuit, but I had to deal with any issues that arose regarding Grauzer.

On the one hand, I felt relieved, but on the other hand, I was a bit disappointed.

“[Libsys and the Government: An Operative Sent from the Administration Appears!]”

This morning’s newspaper, TV news, and the top search results all featured Grauzer, Grauzer, Grauzer.

It’s getting annoying.

Moreover, he’s being touted as the strongest male.

On YouTube and Niconico, famous commentators are critiquing Grauzer. It’s a hot topic, given how wildly he ran amok.

Plus, since his face was hidden, all sorts of theories are circulating.

It was simply a matter of training until I puked.

As a participant, I can enjoy these mistaken assumptions. Especially when they go into great detail about their thought process, only to arrive at completely different conclusions.

By the way, due to this incident, more men have been applying for ‘Escape from Paradise.’

Apparently, they believe that if they can outrun Grauzer, they can prove their strength as the strongest male.

The male viewers are also intrigued by the thrilling premise of being caught for sure if found, creating a sense of suspense that they find exciting.

The show’s operators even asked me to appear again.

However, I have no intention of participating in ‘Escape from Paradise’ again on my own.

I proved my strength, earned money from the appearance fee, and am currently being fawned over as Grauzer online and by those around me.

I don’t mind the attention.

But I’ve had less time with Yuuna.

I did it for Yuuna in the first p,lace. I spent time training, worked hard on Maria’s and Erina’s training regimens, and when I came home, Yuuna was always there to greet me.

Seeing me exhausted, she wanted to pamper me but held back, encouraging me to keep going.

That’s why I won’t appear on the show again. Money and fame are nothing compared to the time I get to spend with my family and loved ones.

However, since I appeared as Grauzer, I need to deal with any issues that arise because of it. It’s my responsibility to address the problems I caused.

By the way, Yuuna didn’t come to watch my training because she would have been roped into Erina’s training as well.

I understand now. It’s a reasonable explanation.

Just to be clear, it’s not that Maria’s and Erina’s training was too harsh; it’s because I asked them to push me to my limits.

[Now, for today’s news, as you all know, regarding the person who appeared on the ‘Escape from Paradise’ show, wearing a costume of Grauzer, the main character of the new survival horror game by the software development company ‘Libsys.’ First of all, he…]

My brother appeared on the show due to my selfishness.

I was really satisfied to see my cool big brother in action. But even when I compliment him, he doesn’t respond. I feel a sense of loneliness from the usual reply from him not coming back.

My brother was always by my side. When I praised him, he would reply, ‘Of course, because I’m 〇〇.’ I loved those conversations, so I would always tell him how amazing he was.

But this time is different. No matter how much I praise him or tell him he’s amazing, there’s no reply. Because my brother is somewhere inside the screen, desperately running around.

For the past month, we haven’t been able to spend quality time together. On weekends and after school, he would train with Erina until he was exhausted and couldn’t even speak properly.

Seeing him like that, I couldn’t bring myself to pamper him. It was my fault for pushing him to train so hard.

Even though he’s trying hard to show me his good side, I ended up feeling lonely about it. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was drifting far away.

During the first game, he seemed bored.

But in the second game, he looked like he was having fun, and I could see a smile behind the mask.

What if he says he wants to appear again?

If he becomes a regular on the show, he’ll be in high demand on other programs too.

I don’t want it to become normal to see him on TV.

As these dark thoughts swirled in my head, my brother finally returned home. He told me that he had gone to apologize to the game company because he might have infringed on their copyright.

But I couldn’t focus on anything else. Those dark thoughts kept circling in my mind.

“Yuuna… I don’t plan to appear on the show again.”

“Huh?”

“I enjoyed the game, but I prefer spending time with you, Yuuna. I’m sorry I couldn’t spend much time with you this past month.”

Nii-cha… Thank you!

As I thought, Nii-cha cares about me so much!

So, I’ll keep being selfish and have him pamper me even more from now on!

“Yes, yes, it was my selfishness from the start. But I felt lonely!”

“Well, I’ll take it easy on the training from now on. Overdoing it isn’t good.”

“Maria-san told me that it’s normal to puke once per training session. What exactly did you do?”

“Hmm? First, I ran until I was exhausted, then did various exercises with weights. Two days before the show, I ran a full marathon with Erina and Maria as the final push.”

Nii-cha is nonchalantly describing that hellish training.

“Nii-cha, I’m going to scold those two!”

“Yes, yes, it was my request, so it’s fine.”

“It’s all Erina’s harsh training’s fault for making me feel lonely!”

“Well, well, Yuuna, why don’t you try it next time?”

“That’s not something a human should do!”

“That’s why you didn’t come?”

“Nii-cha!”

“What?”

“You were so cool!”

“Of course, because I’m Yuuna’s Nii-cha.”

“Yes!”