"D-Damn it... Daaaammmnnn iiiiitttttt!"
"What’s wrong all of a sudden, Takeo-kun?"
"The release of Volume 2 of Leveling Junkie has been confirmed, Hinata-san!"
"Leveling Junkie...? Oh, you mean that thing you were talking about a while ago? If I remember right, your parents were taken hostage and you were forced to promote it?"
"Yes, that’s the one."
"Well, if a second volume is coming out, I guess that means people actually bought it?"
"I don’t know if everyone bought it, but it sold enough that they're putting out a sequel. On top of that..."
"On top of that?"
"Volume 3 is already scheduled for release as well!!"
"Wow, that’s amazing! I have a lot I want to say about us being forced into a novel without our permission... but I suppose the sales aren't bad? All that desperate promotion you did actually paid off, Takeo-kun."
"............"
"Wait, Takeo-kun?"
"Hinata-san... look... at this."
"What’s wrong with your phone? Let’s see... 'I have taken your parents hostage. If you want them back, promote Leveling Junkie Volume 2'?! No way, your parents were kidnapped again?!"
"Yes, it seems so. However, that part is fine."
"I don't think it's fine at all!"
"This time, there’s an even bigger problem. Please, read the rest."
"U-Uh, okay... 'If you refuse this demand, I will grant your parents' wish'...? Sorry, I don't really get what that’s supposed to mean."
"There’s still more, Hinata-san."
"Oh, you’re right. Let's see... 'The following is a message for you from your parents'..."
A message from Shizue Samejima:
"Takeo, are you doing well? Your father and I are doing great.
I’m not sure how, but we’ve ended up in a parallel-world Japan. We’re being looked after by someone—or something—claiming to be a caffeinated beverage in a plastic bottle.
It’s lovely here. Your father and I have nothing but time, so we’ve been touring various hot spring inns every day.
Living like this, I can feel my desire to work being washed away completely. It’s very refreshing.
Your father says he wants to retire soon, and I think I'll join him.
Takeo, you’re a working adult now, so you can manage on your own, right? I’m transferring the family home to your name. Don’t forget to pay the property taxes.
Oh, and regarding our allowance, just 500,000 yen a month will be fine.
Per person, of course.
With your income, it should be no problem at all. For a while, I was worried about our retirement—no, I mean your future—but I’m so happy to have such an excellent gold mi—I mean, such a wonderful son.
So, your father and I are going on a long trip. Don’t worry about us. Just make sure you send those monthly payments.
Take care. —With love, your dear parents."
"Umm... there are so many things wrong with this that I don't even know where to start..."
"In other words, Hinata-san! The hostages this time aren't my old man and my mom! The thing being held hostage is—my peaceful life living at home!"
"Right... wait, what?"
"A life where I come home to food and never have to do cleaning or laundry! I’ve been putting money into the house since I started working, so that part is fine! But if I have to live alone, I'll be buried in chores, my free time will vanish, and my health will probably crumble from a terrible diet! If that happens, my comfortable leveling life is...!!"
"It’s incredible how selfish you're being!"
"And that’s why, to everyone watching this!!"
"Watching what?! There’s nobody here but us, and we aren't streaming! Is this more of that alternate universe stuff? Are we being watched right now?!"
"Please, you have to pre-order Leveling Junkie Volume 2! To save me from this despicable trap that's about to steal my freedom, I need you to lend me your strength! Please, save the unfortunate Takeo Samejima!"
"Takeo-kun! I’m pretty sure nobody is going to buy it if you put it like that! Shouldn't you be talking about the book’s selling points or something?"
"Ha! As expected of Hinata-san! You're exactly right!"
"Thanks. It's just common sense, though."
"Then—allow me to introduce the highlights of Leveling Junkie Volume 2! What do you all think they are?...Yes, yes... I see! That’s right! It’s Tatsuya Nakanishi-sensei’s beautiful illustrations!"
"What are you hearing, Takeo-kun?!"
"In Volume 2, Hinata-san's secret will likely be revealed... According to Tennen-sui Coffee, 'I heard from the editor that they've already decided to have an illustration for that part.' So! Please look forward to Hinata-san's secret, depicted with Tatsuya Nakanishi-sensei’s transcendent artistic skill!!"
"What secret?! I don't have anything like that!"
"However, it’s a bit of a problem if the only selling point is Tatsuya Nakanishi-sensei’s art. At this rate, Leveling Junkie is going to be sold as an art book for Nakanishi-sensei."
"I don't think it'll come to that! Don't you think that's being rude to Nakanishi-sensei?!"
"Well, even at this stage, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that more than half of the light novel version of Leveling Junkie is an art book for Nakanishi-sensei..."
"That is definitely an exaggeration! You’re going to get in trouble!"
"Since only Hinata-san and Urara-san appear as women... and featuring Urara-san would literally be a crime... Hinata-san, you'll just have to do your best with the fan service scenes!!"
"I absolutely will not! Besides, Urara-san is older than me! I get why you'd say it's a crime, but still...!"
"Everyone!! Hinata-san is going to work her hardest, so please, pre-order the book! For those who haven't bought it yet, the world will become a more peaceful place if you buy Leveling Junkie Volume 1 as well! It doesn't work just yet, but Leveling Junkie is eventually going to cure cancer too!!"
"It most certainly will not!"
"Leveling Junkie Volume 2 is scheduled for release in October! Just buy it! Pre-order it! I’m begging you!"
"A prostrate bow?! You’re going that far, Takeo-kun?!"
"By the way, the pre-order page is right here!! Boom!!"
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4815637865/
"Whoa, what is that?! It just floated right into the air! What’s going on?!"
"What do you mean, Hinata-san? It’s the Amazon pre-order page."
"That’s not what I’m talking about!"
"So, everyone, please buy it! Pre-order it! Your support will save the life of Takeo Samejima! I humbly ask for your help!!"
"I really don't think your life is on the line!"
"Well then, everyone, let's meet again in the next promotional SS!"
"There’s going to be more of this?!"