I'm not going to be an Spirit! (Translate)

The sudden appearance of Natsumi Kyouno caught almost everyone present off guard.

Especially Mamika Kirameki—when the star she had placed on the table suddenly turned into a living, breathing person, she was so startled she nearly jumped off the sofa.

It wasn't until Natsumi pounced on Tachibana Corporation, pinning her to the floor and strangling her, that the others finally reacted.

The creators, being ordinary people, and Rui Kanoya, who was helpless without a mecha, immediately scattered and took cover behind sofas and other furniture.

Meanwhile, Meteora and Selesia dashed forward in big strides, one to the left and one to the right, attempting to restrain Natsumi and pull her off Tachibana.

However, as Natsumi began to enhance her body with spiritual power, her strength multiplied several times over, making it hard for the two to hold her back.

"Mamika! Help us, quick!"

Seeing that Tachibana eyes had rolled back into her head, Selesia shouted urgently, "Otherwise, someone's going to die!"

"Ah! Yes!"

Called out like that, Mamika Kirameki finally snapped out of it and hurried over to help.

All three gave it everything they had. Meteora even had to cast several enhancement buffs on the trio to barely restrain Natsumi before Tachibana completely lost consciousness.

"Huff... Huff... Huff..."

Having narrowly escaped death, Tachibana took deep, gulping breaths of fresh air, thankful to still be alive.

Although she had anticipated this outcome before executing her plan and had mentally prepared for it, she was still a human. When attacked by an out-of-control Spirit, she had no means to resist.

She was just grateful that Natsumi had chosen to strangle her instead of blasting her into dust with spiritual energy.

Regardless, her plan had succeeded.

"Calm down, Natsumi!"

From behind, Mamika Kirameki hugged Natsumi tightly around the waist, using all her strength to keep her from lunging at Tachibana again. "Can we please just sit down and talk? Don't solve everything with violence!"

"Calm down? With what reason should I be calm?"

Natsumi glared fiercely at Tachibana, grinding her teeth. "My suffering, my tragedy—this woman deliberately wrote all of it just to advance her plot. Shouldn't I be furious?!"

"I understand your anger, but you also need to understand—it's not solely Tachibana fault."

Meteora held onto Natsumi left arm, trying to persuade her. "Just like you wouldn't blame your parents for giving birth to you even if your life is miserable, you shouldn't pin all the blame on Tachibana either."

"Moreover, Tachibana is an author. Writing is her job."

Selesia held Natsumi right arm, chiming in with her own consoling words. "She never expected that fictional characters like us would one day descend into the real world. Should an author who kills someone in a novel be judged by real-world laws?"

"I'm not trying to defend my work, but since you're no longer a fictional character, Natsumi, and have become a living human being, I truly do owe you an apology."

Having caught her breath, Tachibana didn't hesitate and bowed deeply before Natsumi in a dogeza. "I'm truly, deeply sorry!"

"I don't accept it!"

"Guh... So it'll take a more sincere apology after all..."

Tachibana face darkened as she grabbed her own shirt. "At this point, there's only one thing left to do—apologize completely naked."

"No matter whether you strip or not, I will never accept your apology!"

Natsumi glared at him. "Just an apology—just a few words—to make up for the suffering I've endured for so many years? Don't even think about it!"

"B-But didn't you already punish me?"

Tachibana pouted, her eyes glistening with tears. "I, a manly man standing over seven feet tall, have become like this. My future is completely ruined!"

"What? You just turned into a loli! You make it sound so dramatic!"

"It's not an exaggeration!" Tachibana eyes welled up. "Ever since I became like this, compared to my original body, I can't even lift things or carry loads. For a tall, strong man like me, this is nothing short of torture!"

As she spoke, her voice grew more and more aggrieved. Huge teardrops began falling from her eyes, her sobbing looking as delicate and sorrowful as a falling blossom.

"And that's not all. To avoid causing a public panic, I can't even tell my friends or family what happened. The government issued a death notice for me. I can't see my parents, not even say goodbye to my friends."

Tachibana choked on her sobs. "I even had to send a breakup text to my beloved girlfriend. We were already talking about marriage, even picked names for our future kids. And now... that future is gone forever."

As she poured out her sorrow, some of the creators in the room sighed and felt a tinge of sympathy rising in their hearts.

It seemed Tachibana tragedy wasn't much less than Natsumi. Perhaps her revenge had already been fulfilled.

However, Meteora, Selesia, and Rui Kanoya all stared at Tachibana with expressions of disbelief.

Wasn't this the same person who had just been looking on the bright side earlier? How could she switch moods faster than flipping a page?

Gai Takarada was especially shocked at how thick-skinned Tachibana was. Lies to trick children just rolled right off her tongue.

True, the government had restricted contact with friends and family—but it was temporary! No one said they issued a death certificate!

And this so-called girlfriend?

Wasn't this woman always single, just like him?!

Breakup text?

Don't make him laugh!

Hadn't she just been playing Apex with Ayano Kōura, completely engrossed?!

If anyone had really suffered, it was Akira, who had been dragged down in the promotion match!

Watching his old friend lying on the ground, crying her heart out, Matsubara came to a new understanding of her acting skills.

Staying in the light novel industry was such a waste of talent!

Since she's got a second chance at life as a loli, she should really enter the film industry ASAP!

Maybe in this lifetime, he could even see her standing on stage, holding an Oscar!

Though internally roasting Tachibana for her shameless behavior, Matsubara still outwardly maintained a sorrowful expression like the others.

"Even though we know your past was miserable, at least the misunderstanding's cleared and you have a bright future ahead. But this person's future is now completely bleak."

Matsubara probed carefully.

"Natsumi, considering how miserable she already is, can't you find it in your heart to forgive her?"