Clockwork Planet: Volume 1

by Yuu Kamiya

  I might be able to entirely overhaul this planet that’s repeating a pattern of suffering failures and prolonging its life by purging the effected grids.

  I might be able to reproduce this planet’s blueprint that was lost long ago.

  I might be able to someday do what no one has done before and finally reach the same level as “Y.”

  If Naoto is with me, I feel like I’ll be able to do it—I think I will.

  “Well, that’s how it is. So becoming a student here was purely out of convenience. To make up for revoking my promise to recommend you to the Academy, I’ll be personally whipping you into a clocksmith, so you better be thankful, got it?”

  “Okay... I mean, I’m happy that you want to make it up to me, but—wait, huh? I have to be your student?”

  “Isn’t that obvious? Also, I’ll be making sure that you pay your lesson fees punctually with those ears of yours.”

  “Even the hard sell has a limit, you know!”

  ●

  ...Gazing at the two’s exchange—

  Halter thought, Does that princess realize—

  That what she’s saying is equivalent to “I’ll become God”?

  But it was true that the genius and that ESP boy had stepped one foot into that territory already. While that truth did make Halter fondly recall his own dreams from back when he was a lad himself, he felt a tinge of unease from that fact must have meant what he had suspected.

  “Jeez, I wonder if I’ve become an old man myself...”

  He sighed while scratching his head. He then said to the automaton watching Naoto and Marie from a short distance away, “...Say, miss—RyuZU.”

  “I would like to express my displeasure at being addressed by you in an awfully familiar manner, but yes, what is it?”

  “How much of this did you foresee?”

  “Is even your speech center broken down, you patchwork piece of junk? Or did you not learn that you should make the subjects in sentences clear?”

  While smiling bitterly at her abuse, Halter asked, “You asserted that if it was Naoto, it could be done. Doesn’t that mean that you knew how this chain of events would turn out?”

  —It was all too convenient to be coincidence.

  Marie’s genius. Naoto’s superpower. RyuZU’s Imaginary Gear.

  If any one part was missing, this city would have sunk into the earth. Beginning with the storage unit conveniently falling into Naoto’s apartment, if even a single thing had been different, they wouldn’t have been able to arrive at this result.

  More than anything, the one who had guided Naoto to the Core Tower was this automaton. The conclusive piece of evidence was her mentioning AnchoR’s existence, which is what led Naoto to his decision.

  However, the truth was that this automaton already knew that AnchoR wasn’t there anymore. That should have been the case.

  “It seems that you are misunderstanding something. I am YourSlave, the one who follows—not the one who leads the way.”

  ...Can an automaton ever lie?

  Seeing Halter narrow his eyes in suspicion, RyuZU’s lips curled. “However, let me see. Do you know of this expression? —‘The Gear of Fate’?”

  “......”

  The source of power that spanned the sky and turned all of the planet’s gears.

  RyuZU looked up at the Equatorial Spring that turns by utilizing the moon’s gravitational pull before continuing, “I believe that, in this world made only of gears—it would not be that strange for such a gear to exist. Just like how there are no coincidental elements in my mechanisms, everything is inevitably the way it must be—Or so I, an automaton, think.”

  —An automaton’s philosophy.

  Those words crossed Halter’s mind, who was half-robot himself.

  Before his eyes were two geniuses who might change the world, frolicking all the while.

  “Ahh, Naoto. Rejoice, for intelligence is already coming in. It appears that there some sort of anomaly in Tokyo.”

  “...Could you please explain why I have to rejoice for an anomaly?”

  “To tell you the truth, it seems that AnchoR was transferred there.”

  “Alright, let’s break out the champagne! There’s gonna be a party tonight! And also preparations for the trip!!”

  ...Good grief.

  Halter smiled bitterly.

  “Well then, I suppose I’ll try putting just a little faith in the guidance of this gear called ‘Fate’ or whatever.”

  Halter thought back to the day the world had ended—and been remade anew.

  While looking towards the future that seemed just ever so slightly auspicious with both doubt and expectation, he glided his hand across his buzz cut.

  — Click, clack, click, clack,

  The gears turned and turned.

  Systematically, mechanically, inexorably.

  They marked the march of time effortlessly just by fulfilling their function.

  Even if a clock were to stop ticking, it wouldn’t matter.

  Even if the cogs of time became broken or twisted, they would surely simply continue to turn.

  Systematically, mechanically, inexorably.

  Click, clack, click, clack —

  —The gears simply continued to turn in the direction that they ought to turn.

  (Fin.)

  (Joint) Afterword

  —The beginnings of this novel go back to more than a year ago.

  “Say, aren’t analog timepieces cool?” Yuu Kamiya had said out of nowhere in a Skype call one day.

  To which Tsubaki Himana had replied, “...You’re undergoing treatment for cancer. And I’m still going to college at this grand old age, so I have to start searching for a job to line up with my graduation.”

  Tsubaki was hinting at the fact that neither of them had time on his hands. However...

  “Now now, stop playing Sk*rim’s s*x mod and listen for a sec.”

  They hadn’t been friends for over ten years for nothing. It seemed that Kamiya hit the nail on the head, for Tsubaki didn’t retort.

  Kamiya continued, “It was precisely when I was overseas for treatment that I caught sight of some analog watches at a duty-free store. The pamphlet they handed out was amazing.”

  “Oh, I see... Well, pocket watches possess a kind of romance, don’t they?”

  “Lul, you know as little as I expected. I’ll send you some pictures I took—Take a look.”

  “Good grief,” Tsubaki said as he opened the JPEG image he was sent.

  His hands stopped moving on the keyboard.

  —

  “Ohh... Such functional beauty. My crotch is getting h—(censored).”

  It was a small universe in itself. Delicate gears were crammed together in a single structure based on minute calculations, and the metal was as polished as a mirror and emanated a sensual luster. Any man’s sense would get aroused if he were to gaze upon this beautiful, mechanical contrivance.

  Seeing Tsubaki’s reaction, Kamiya had nodded as if to say, That’s exactly how I feel, before continuing, “So yeah, I wrote out a plot, actually.”

  “A plot, you say?”

  “And the grand title is—Clockwork Planet! A world in which the planet has died and been remade using only clockwork!”

  Tsubaki tried imagining it.

  ...I see. A world composed of the moving parts of this beautiful watch. A clockwork planet that floats about in the dark universe—It’s true that it inspires one’s imagination.

  “It’s difficult for me to have to point this out to you, but... aren’t you writing No Game No Life?”

  If Tsubaki’s memory served him correctly, his friend was in a weakened state from cancer treatment and as such, was taking a break from doing manga. He had switched to being a light novel author to replenish his wallet, which had been emptied to pay for advanced medical treatment, and here he was, currently writing his maiden series—He should have been in the middle of charging through this chaotic mess of a life that simply
had too many points to quip on.

  However, Kamiya didn’t answer his question and instead continued, “I tried writing out the plot, but I found that it doesn’t fit my style. Its world is rather dark, after all.”

  “You don’t think before you act, do you.”

  “—So anyways, won’t you try writing out this plot from the beginning yourself?”

  “I see that you don’t listen to what others say, either! I said I’m going to college right now. I’m studying. I have to look for a job soon too—”

  “Well, it doesn’t really have to be now. You’re graduating next year, right? How about then?”

  “Hmm...”

  And so, he had been handed the plot. It was interesting, true.

  Ever since they had met each other in high school, they had shared ideas, consulted, and collaborated with each other on their works, whether they be doujin or published, up to now. When Kamiya had been a manga author, Tsubaki was his assistant.

  He did want to see what this plot would be like fleshed out into a full story. As for time... well, he’d make some, but—

  “Alright, but if I’m going to do it, I’ll be writing it the way I like, okay?”

  Indeed, what Tsubaki had been handed was, in fact, nearly a finished product.

  The world, characters, plot, and ending were already there; he only had to flesh them out. However, simply writing them out as they were wouldn’t be interesting for Tsubaki. There would be no point in him being the one to write it.

  If he was going to do it—he would have to enjoy it himself first and foremost.

  To his surprise, the reply he was given was short and carefree.

  “Sure, do whatever you want. Just make it interesting.”

  —As expected of an old friend who had known him for over ten years.

  —Half a year later..

  “...Ah—Mr. Kamiya. Could you spare a second?”

  “—What? I’m busy editing the second volume of No Game No Life right now,” Kamiya replied; his tone lacked composure, as if to say that it was he who didn’t have time for other things now.

  “Umm, when I tried changing the plot to my own tastes, I ended up a bit lost... In other words, could you help me out?”

  “No umm, really, I don’t have that kind of time right n—”

  However, as the one who started this fire in the first place, Kamiya found himself unable to simply refuse. “...Al, Alright. Then when I’m done with the second volume of No Game No Life, let’s revise the plot together once more. I’ll adopt your ideas and rework the plot points it breaks, so I’ll be leaving the writing to you.”

  “Leave it to me.”

  —Yet another half a year later...

  “This is what it became as the result of leaving it to me.”

  Kamiya scratched his forehead and groaned, “...I mean, it is more interesting now than the edited plot I sent back to you. But how do you plan to end this?”

  “What do you think I’m talking to you for, huh?”

  ...Though Tsubaki had wanted to punch Kamiya, he was thwarted by the physical distance between them, as Kamiya was in Saitama and he was in Kyoto.

  “I’m not in a position to criticize others, but don’t you act in the spur of the moment too much?”

  “I really don’t want to be told that by you, Mr. Workaholic-Receiving-Ongoing-Cancer-Treatment.”

  “...Alright. Let’s do it ooone more time with this as the base! I’ll edit the plot. You write it out.”

  “Yessir.”

  —A few days later...

  “Whaaat! Why did you ignore my edits again?!”

  Once again, the sound of Kamiya screeching rang through Skype from Saitama to Kyoto.

  “But it’s more interesting now isn’t it...?” (In a trembling voice)

  “Yes, it’s more interesting now, but how are you going to tie this up?!”

  “Oh you tease, with the help of the great Kamiya-sensei, of course~” (Wiggle wiggle)

  Should I get on a train for Kyoto now to punch this guy?—But it would take too much time and money—blah blah blah.

  After repeating similar exchanges several times—the manuscript was finally complete.

  And then...

  “I heard a rumor that you wrote a separate series with your friend.”

  Just where could this information have leaked from?

  The ex-editor of No Game No Life, who had run away as far as his feet could carry him—er, I mean transferred—to Kodansha Light Novel Bunko, appeared.

  “Come on, let’s publish it.” (with an outstanding smiiile)

  “Uhh, you’re saying that knowing that we don’t have that kind of time, aren’t y—”

  “Come on, let’s try our best.” (with an enamored-looking smmmiiile)”

  —...

  So yeah, this work had to jump through all kinds of hoops to be published.

  Both Kamiya and Tsubaki had noticed that they hadn’t really heard of co-authorship in light novels before. That was probably because when they themselves worked together, they would usually define each other’s role clearly, like who would be in charge of the original concept versus the actual writing and so on.

  Then, as to why the afterword for this novel was done jointly...

  “—So, which one of you wrote this afterword in the end?” our editor asked.

  “I mean, as for who wrote it—”

  “—Isn’t that a trivial detail?” That’s what the two of them—with very pleasant smiles and quite blank faces—had said.

  “...Well, whatever. Well then, Mr. Kamiya will do the illustrations, and—What the, where did Mr. Kamiya go?”

  “He logged off of Skype the instant he saw the word ‘illustration.’”

  And so, someone was abruptly added to the Skype call. Their name was Sino.

  “I’m here because Mr. Kamiya told me he had ‘an interesting proposition,’ but...” they started innocently.

  That’s right, Sino hadn’t known anything. However, Tsubaki was sure—

  That right now, the editor was wearing an extremely sadistic smile—one that trumped even that of a certain chief—despite being unable to see it on screen.

  “Nice to meet you, Sino. I’ve heard about you and your work from a lot of people. Indeed, I have a very, very wonderful proposition for you. Now then, shall we talk over there?—”

  Afterword (Yuu Kamiya)

  This is Kamiya. I was able to beautifully escape from our editor’s scheme to make me do the illustrations. Not only that, we were able to enlist the help of Sino, and because of that, I think that this work has become something better than if I were to have done the illustrations... Clockwork Planet was the result of the four of us (including the editor) contributing ideas—“a collaboration that belongs to all of us,” if you will—and I’d be most blessed if you enjoyed it.

  You might be wondering: Why is my version of Naoto’s character design on the right of this page, then? ...Why indeed. It’s the proof that I almost failed to escape from our editor’s scheme. Really, I couldn’t thank Sino enough. What a lifesaver. Literally.

  Writing and illustrating No Game No Life, and beyond that, even working as an assistant to my wife, who’s doing the manga version of it right now—If I had to draw illustrations for this work as well, there’s no doubt in my mind that we wouldn’t have been able to publish this work.

  Editor: “Ah, Mr. Kamiya. If Clockwork Planet is adapted into a manga, I’ll be counting on you ♪.

  Hmmmm!

  I suppose I’ll say just this in advance:

  I refuse!

  Afterword (Tsubaki Himana)

  Hi everyone, nice to meet you. My name is Tsubaki Himana.

  On this occasion, I had the pleasure of writing Clockwork Planet in the form of a joint work.

  I know that I’m still wet behind the ears as a writer, but I’m extremely happy that, thanks to the help of many different people, I’ve become able to greet everyone like this.


  “Won’t you try writing this?”

  It has been quite a few twists and turns since Kamiya said that to me and handed over this story’s plot, but we were finally able to come to this point. “Do whatever you’d like.” I took Kamiya’s go-ahead and ran with it. Whether it was “I’m changing the characters,” or “I’m changing the ending,” or “I’m cutting out this important scene,” I was always taking him for a ride. —Yeah, I’m really sorry about that. If I had had my way, Halter would be gay and (rest omitted).

  During one of our meetings, Kamiya said, “Ahh, I get it now. Naoto is my concept of a genius, and I take it that Marie is your concept of a genius. It’s also interesting that they’re complete opposites.”

  For some reason, those words left a deep impression on my mind.

  In the end, the two of us even lost track of who thought of and who wrote what, but this work ended up becoming something that I couldn’t have completed by myself—correction, something that couldn’t have been made into what it is now by either one of us alone.

  Now then, I’d like to express my thanks to various people. To Yuu Kamiya, who gave me the opportunity to be involved in this project; Sino, who provided us with lovely illustrations; Ms. Ryo Hiiragi; Mr. Tomo Shoji, our editor; all the editorial staff of Kodansha Light Novel Bunko; and above all, all the readers who are holding this book in their hands, I express my deepest thanks.

  2013/4 Tsubaki Himana

  Afterword (Sino)

  This is Sino. I was lazing around in my room one day when I received the invitation to join this project, and that’s how I became the illustrator for Clockwork Planet.