Chapter 7

**Time Paradox Ghostwriter** (タイムパラドックスゴーストライター, *Taimu Paradokkusu Gōsutoraitā*?) is the seventh chapter of the Time Paradox Ghostwriter manga series.

## Short Summary

The microwave does not deliver a new issue of *White Knight*, causing Teppei to stress over potentially having to continue the series on his own. However, after a week passes, the microwave finally sends the issue in.

Upon reading it, Teppei sees an obituary regarding the death of the future Itsuki Aino. The news horrifies him, and he cries over her passing while trying to deny the fact. While grieving, Teppei suddenly considers the idea that perhaps he was granted the future *White Knight* issues as a way to prevent his acquaintance's death.

After realizing this and uttering out loud that he wasn't qualified to continue Itsuki's manga, Mirai's eyes suddenly start glowing and chants "Future Thunder." The microwave proceeds to direct a lightning bolt at the fridge door, forming words. The message tells Teppei to continue drawing *White Knight* and save Itsuki, to which he responds with statements of shock.

## Long Summary

Teppei glances at the empty Microwave and wonders why the issue hasn't shown up, given it was already past the expected arrival time. He decides to wait until midnight, however, it still does not arrive.

Over the next few days, Teppei wonders about the reason behind the sudden change as he works with his assistants. Although he has a backlog of twelve issues of *White Knight* (2030) to work with, he panics over the prospect of having to continue the story himself as it'll produce both a hit towards the visuals and writing of his version. Teppei continues to stress over this possibility and his lack of ability, especially given the extraordinary quality of the recent chapters which nearly reach the level of a “social phenomenon.”

The next Monday, Teppei desperately waits in front of his microwave and begs for the issue to show up. To his relief, the microwave begins to generate one as the clock hits 5PM. Although he still wonders why a week was skipped, Teppei brushes the thought aside and eagerly opens up the magazine.

As he turns to *White Knight*, he sees the section branded with an obituary dedicated to Itsuki, who had passed away on April 6, 2031. The notice thanks her readers and expresses condolences for her family, disclosing that the final chapter of *White Knight* is published in Issue #19 and graphic novels would be announced when appropriate.

Unable to process the words for a few moments, Teppei stands in shock and denial, repeatedly declaring that he must be having a bad dream and that Itsuki was not dead and could not die at such a young age. He unsuccessfully convinces himself and immediately begins crying, desperately trying to figure out what was going on.

Night falls, and Teppei sits silently as he continues thinking about the message. In his head, he asks Itsuki what had happened, given that *White Knight* had just begun and her goal to make a manga that would entertain all of humanity was still in the works. He then wonders about what would happen to the Itsuki *he* knew in the 2020 timeline and if she would suffer the same fate, or, if him taking up *White Knight* would prevent this death. Coming to a realization, Teppei stares at the microwave and considers the possibility that *White Knight* was sent to him so he could prevent Itsuki from dying.

Teppei laments over what he should do next, assuming he *was* sent the issues to change the future. He weighs the options of either ending the series early just like the 2030 version or continuing it with his own ability. Teppei immediately shuts down the second option as he yells in confusion, blurting out that he doesn't have the qualifications to continue the story at future Itsuki's level and that someone else more suitable should have been chosen.

Suddenly, he is interrupted by Mirai's eyes glowing. The robot screams words that make out to be “Future Thunder” as the microwave powers up, hitting the fridge with lightning. The strike clears out the paint on the fridge door as an engraved message is revealed, which instructs Teppei to continue drawing *White Knight* and save Itsuki, as the source of her death has not yet been eradicated. Teppei shudders in shock as he reads the words, exclaiming them out loud.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Teppei Sasaki
* Genki Akaishi
* Hajime Igarashi
* Itsuki Aino

## Events

* The microwave skips a week.
* After the skipped week, the next issue announces future Itsuki Aino's death on April 6, 2031 and subsequently the end of the *White Knight* series.
* Teppei considers the possibility of the time machine existing so he could prevent Itsuki's death.
* The microwave generates a lightning bolt that engraves a message on Teppei's fridge, instructing him to continue the series and eliminate Itsuki's source of death.