[#Masked★note2 Runner-up Prize ②] Operation Rescue Arji, the Young Adult Novelist, by Honekawa Sujiemon

"What? You say youth has been stolen?"

The all-purpose hero of the Reiwa era, Honekawa Sujiemon, knits his brows.

"To be precise, we don't know the whereabouts of Arji, the leading author of young adult novels."

The subordinate gently supplements Sujiemon's words. However, his tone is filled with deep respect for Sujiemon. To the subordinate, Sujiemon is the very embodiment of justice in this world. When speaking to Sujiemon, whom he admires endlessly, the subordinate never forgets his sense of reverence.

"Oh no! I love the gentle world that Arji creates!"
"I'm always healed by that kindness!"
"I wonder what will happen to the new book coming out soon?"

A stir runs through the office. Even the usually competent women cannot stop screaming when they hear that the whereabouts of the popular author Arji are unknown.

"It's alright... rest assured."

Sujiemon flashes a smile overflowing with compassion at the grieving women, then instantly blends into the darkness.

"Sujiemon-san has slipped into the shadows."

In place of the women who were smitten by the Sujiemon smile, the subordinate announces that he has begun an undercover investigation.

☆彡☆彡☆彡

"Huh! Where am I!"

The place where the author Arji wakes up is like a dim cave. He is seated in front of a desk with a computer on it. Wondering where he is, he tries to stand up but realizes he cannot move. Realizing he is firmly tied to the chair, the author Arji is stunned.

"What is this... exactly?"

His author's soul stirred by the strange situation, Arji observes his surroundings. He notices a high platform in front of him. A man is sitting on the platform, leaning back arrogantly. The man, wearing a vulgar smile, is covered in wounds.

"What happened? Those wounds?"
"Is this bone... that doesn't matter!"

The man shouts in a high-pitched voice.

"No, I don't think it doesn't matter. Huh? Did you just start to say 'Honekawa'?"
"Waaaaah! Shut up, shut up!"

Author Arge covered his ears at the amplified, high-pitched voice. He had many concerns, but he decided that staying silent was the best course of action for now.

When the author fell silent, the man on the platform opened his mouth again.

Write a workplace novel that promotes my great achievements. Make sure it's packed with a youthful flavor.
?

Promote his great achievements despite having just met? And to be told to write a workplace novel full of youthful flavor about a scruffy, scarred, middle-aged man while tied to a chair?

Arge's mind was completely filled with question marks.

A low-ranking subordinate spoke up timidly.

Boss... aren't you a bit too old for the word 'youthful'?
Shut up, shut up, SHUUUUT UUUUP!!!

The man called the boss threw a tantrum, his face turning bright red as he flailed his arms and legs. He had vented his emotions, but his wounds must have been hurting quite a bit. He immediately turned pale, making a huge fuss about the pain. The dim-witted people around him swarmed over, asking, 'Boss, are you okay?'

This level of stupidity,
and this dimly lit cave.

Exercising the sharp insight unique to an author, Arge concluded that this was the secret base of the evil organization Evil Flower, and that the man on the platform was their boss. But why would Evil Flower kidnap him?

Don't give me any excuses, just write a novel that will capture women's hearts!

The boss ordered Arge while changing his complexion from red to blue like a traffic light.

I can't do that.

Author Arge refused immediately. Even in the world of fiction, he couldn't write something so nonsensical. Besides, he didn't feel like writing a youth novel about a boss, let alone a workplace novel set in an evil organization.

I cannot compromise my pride as an author!

The boss flinched slightly at Arge's god-like conviction, but he soon grinned.

If you're going to be that stubborn, I have a plan of my own.

He jerked his chin toward his subordinate. The subordinate nodded and brought over a large machine.

!

Something that looked like a large perm machine, which he had only ever seen in dramas, was placed behind Arge.

Heh heh heh. Once you put this on, praise for me will flow into your brain. Regardless of your own will, that praise will move your golden arm and make you write novels with a soft style that will capture women's hearts.

Once that book is published, the world will be overflowing with women who adore me, and Sujiemon's popularity will be... That was as far as he got before he muttered.

I won't let you!

Along with a cool, refreshing voice, a plump body line emerges from the darkness of the cave.

Swish, swirl, jiggle, thud!

The secret technique is unleashed with lightning speed, and Evil Flower's subordinates fall one after another.

Ho, Honekawa Sujiemon-san!

Beside the surprised Arge, Sujiemon performs a soft secret technique.

Swish, swirl, jiggle, thud♪

Before he knew it, Arge was being carried bridal-style by Honekawa Sujiemon and had been rescued.

Arge-san, I apologize for being late.

Gently setting the writer Arge down on the ground, Sujiemon floats his rounded, graceful body into the air and heads toward the boss on the platform.

Swish, swirl, jiggle, thud!!!

I don't want to be blown away by a rescue button or a secret technique!

The boss flew off into the far distance.

☆彡☆彡☆彡

Sujiemon-san, thank you so much. How can I ever thank you?
No thanks are necessary. Please publish your new book and heal the hearts of women everywhere.

Leaving behind a cool, refreshing voice, Honekawa Sujiemon assimilated into the darkness.

Sujiemon-san...

Inside the writer Arge's brain, the plot for a new work began to stir.

☆彡☆彡☆彡

Click here for a novel that refreshingly depicts the growth of young people👇

Arji! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to fool around with all my heart and soul!

Thank you to Factory Manager Snow and Nami-san for managing such a wonderful project!