After ending her online conversation with Kamiyā Yuu, Kirigami Ruri changed into a traditional kimono and leisurely enjoyed tea in Uehara Etsuki's old Japanese-style residence. The moon was cool as water, and its clear light mingled with the soft glow of the garden lamps, casting a poetic atmosphere over the tranquil courtyard.
Admiring the scenery, Uehara Etsuki placed a freshly brewed cup of warm tea before Kirigami Ruri and said gently, "Please."
Kirigami Ruri nodded and wrote in the notebook she always carried with her, "Thank you."
"Kaoru, how long do you plan on staying this time?" Uehara Etsuki asked softly, sitting properly in seiza on a cushion.
The small hands holding the teacup paused before setting it back down. Kirigami Ruri shook her head and wrote, "The main house is too boring. This time, I used writing a novel as an excuse to stay away a little longer."
Covering her lips with the long sleeve of her kimono, Uehara Etsuki chuckled softly. "Is that so? Then stay here with me. I'm a fairly good shield, after all. If we say I introduced you to write a novel for Kamiyā-kun, I doubt Uncle will have anything more to say."
Kirigami Ruri calmly wrote, "Perfect."
After a brief pause, a trace of puzzlement—one that few ordinary people could understand—appeared in her eyes as she continued writing.
"Etsuki, what is Murasaki's relationship with that Mr. Kamiyā?"
"You noticed?"
"The changes in Murasaki are obvious."
Taking a leisurely sip of tea, Uehara Etsuki smiled faintly.
"For Murasaki's own reasons, I already gave 'Kimi no Yaiba' to Kamiyā-kun. However, because of his special circumstances, it isn't convenient for him to take Murasaki in, so she's staying with me for the time being."
"Murasaki... requested it herself?"
Kirigami Ruri frowned—a rare expression for her.
Uehara Etsuki nodded seriously.
"Yes. You know Murasaki's personality. To earn her acknowledgment, one must at the very least possess the strength to overpower her. Although I don't know exactly what happened, the result speaks for itself—Kamiyā-kun earned Murasaki's recognition."
After pondering for a while, Kirigami Ruri wrote her evaluation of Kamiyā Yuu in her notebook.
"A strange person."
A subtle smile appeared on Uehara Etsuki's face.
"I think Kamiyā-kun is quite exceptional. Speaking of which, how is the novel progressing?"
"I just contacted Mr. Kamiyā. The first draft has been approved."
"And how does it feel?"
Kirigami Ruri shook her head.
"Mr. Kamiyā provided a very interesting and well-developed concept. From the perspective of fantasy literature, it's well worth exploring."
"So, agreeing to Kamiyā-kun's conditions wasn't entirely because of us?"
"I won't deny that was one factor. It also serves as the shield we just discussed. In the end, it's a choice that benefits everyone."
Holding her Japanese teacup, Kirigami Ruri drank calmly while writing those words in her notebook.
...
Late that night, Kirigami Ruri returned to the private guest room Uehara Etsuki had prepared for her. A stack of blank manuscript paper had already been placed neatly on the desk.
Although she knew how to use a computer, she preferred recording the stories in her mind with pen and paper. Only when writing by hand did she feel as though the ideas in her mind were flowing through her fingertips. The tangible sensation of every stroke was the source of her inspiration.
—'Gate of Mysteries'
Kirigami Ruri looked at the title she had already written.
She knew exactly how this work was positioned—a fantasy story aimed at teenagers.
Combined with the recently airing anime 'Fate/Zero', she already knew what kind of story she should write. It didn't need the philosophical depth and elaborate prose of traditional literature, nor the intricate structure of a mystery novel.
Using her mechanical pencil, she wrote beneath the title:
"It doesn't need an intensely interconnected plot. The focus should be on fantasy elements and appealing to the tastes of today's young readers."
"Light novels originated as entertainment literature for young people. Keeping the reading experience light and enjoyable is extremely important. However, the genre Mr. Kamiyā wants differs from conventional light novels despite their superficial similarities. Is it closer to Western fantasy? Perhaps not quite. The story's direction still needs to conform to Japanese literary sensibilities, so..."
First: A compelling plot with meaningful substance. It sounded simple and was the foundation of every novel, but it also had to align with Kamiyā Yuu's expectations—or those of the readers.
Second: The presentation of the 'TYPE-MOON World' setting that Kamiyā Yuu requested. The background materials he provided were incredibly comprehensive, making it easy for Kirigami Ruri to create an original world. She disliked having others plan things for her, yet she couldn't deny that Kamiyā Yuu's setting documents made building the novel's background and world much easier.
Third: A well-developed narrative. Although this fell within the scope of the plot itself, its unique nature warranted treating it as a separate element.
Kirigami Ruri stared expressionlessly at the manuscript.
A moment later, as she gripped her mechanical pencil, the endless ideas surging through her mind poured onto the blank pages.
"A chapter of chaos. A chapter guided by fate. A concluding chapter."
She had already constructed the entire world and plot outline of 'Gate of Mysteries'. Now, an endless stream of ideas was rapidly filling in the empty framework, making the story increasingly rich and tightly woven.
"The best way to present a complete story is in one uninterrupted flow. That places extremely strict requirements on the overall structure and transitions."
The Chapter of Chaos would depict two protagonists from different social classes gradually coming to understand the world of 'Gate of Mysteries'.
The Chapter Guided by Fate would follow the two protagonists as they finally became connected through various clues and began uncovering the true structure of the world. The Fifth Consciousness, "Amala Consciousness"—the "Magician"—would seize the authority of the Fourth Consciousness, "Alaya Consciousness"—the "Kingship". To use Alaya's Counter Force to reach the Root, the Magician would not hesitate to sacrifice all of humanity.
The concluding chapter would naturally follow the classic formula: the protagonists destroying the conspiracy and saving the world.
Did relying on such a familiar plot structure mean the novel itself would be mediocre?
Absolutely not.
Saving the world was probably a fantasy every teenager had entertained at some point. Because of its universal appeal, the theme has been used countless times. The fact that it had been overused also meant that it remained broadly effective. Whether a story was captivating didn't depend on whether its premise was clichéd—it depended on how the author wrote it.
Kamiyā Yuu would certainly have agreed wholeheartedly with that sentiment. In his previous world, many anime regarded as masterpieces by fans—such as 'Fullmetal Alchemist', 'Code Geass', 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', and 'Gurren Lagann'—all followed the path of a male protagonist saving the world, yet each conveyed something entirely different.
If Kamiyā Yuu had known everything Kirigami Ruri was thinking, his expression would probably have become rather strange.
After all, the novel she had conceived was, more or less, a TYPE-MOON version of 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'.