Surviving as a Plagiarist in Another World

Peter Pan.

A story set in “Neverland,” an imaginary land where an immature and vibrant boy who never grows up lives.

This play and fairy tale was truly breathtakingly captivating.

Peter Pan depicted the purity and innocence of children in an absurdly blatant and sparkling manner.

“Did Writer Homeros give us a new play? Hold on a second, I’ll read it first, so wait for me, will you?”

“Yes, Teacher!”

The young witch handed the manuscript to Howlen, smiling “like a child.”

Anyone who saw her expression would find it hard to believe she was a “witch incapable of feeling emotions.”

It was perfect… innocence, so vivid and definite that it felt theatrical.

The young witch quietly observed him from the side.

Howlen’s expressions varied greatly as he turned the pages, alternating between smiles and frowns, but overall leaning toward neutrality.

It was the kind of expression one makes when deeply engrossed in a story.

“Whoa…”

From time to time, Howlen would flinch or exclaim in admiration.

Each time, his expression would relax, and a slight smile would appear on his lips.

The young witch, however, was still unable to make such natural expressions.

She mimicked Howlen’s face, opening her mouth slightly.

But the young witch wasn’t just imitating expressions.

Howlen had a habit of tapping the paper lightly with his fingers when he came across an impressive scene in the manuscript.

Tap, tap—he would tap a couple of times before his eyes resumed scanning the text.

The young witch attentively observed such trivial habits and gestures.

After several tens of minutes, Howlen finally put the manuscript down with a deep sigh.

“Phew… It’s really good, isn’t it? As expected of Writer Homeros… Hmm, would we need a wizard’s help to stage this? It might be possible to express it with mechanical devices and props, but… Did the writer mention anything specific when gifting this manuscript?”

“Uhm… No! He just said he thought we’d like it a lot!”

“Really? This is something we’ll need to discuss with the troupe’s directors.”

As Howlen pulled out a notebook from his pocket, lost in thought, he suddenly looked at the young witch intently.

Then, after moving his lips a few times, he spoke up with a light question.

“Did you read this play too?”

“Yes! I read it before giving it to you, Teacher. Hehe.”

“What did you think?”

“Pardon?”

“What do you think of Peter Pan in this play… Would you like to act as him on stage?”

For a moment, the young witch’s expression froze into a blank slate, unsure how to respond.

A blank expression devoid of any emotion, like a blank canvas.

The kind of face Howlen always marveled at for its ability to adopt any impression.

The young witch, frozen in her witch-like demeanor without saying a word, finally nodded and answered.

“…Yes. I’d like to try.”

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[“Peter Pan! Who are you, and what are you?” he shouted in a hoarse voice.]

[“I am youth, I am joy,” Peter replied fearlessly. “I am a little bird that has just broken out of its egg.”]

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“Hmm? You’ve been cast as Peter Pan?”

“Yes!”

“Not Wendy…?”

I was momentarily puzzled but nodded in understanding.

In theater, it wasn’t uncommon for a woman to play a man’s role or vice versa.

It just meant Howlen saw real talent for acting in this “young witch.”

Since I wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about acting, there wasn’t much more to say.

“That’s great. So, you’ll be taking the lead role in your very first performance?”

“Yep! Hehe.”

“I see…”

As her guardian, I decided to support her as much as I could.

If it was for a play, I could arrange a decent theater through the Homeros Foundation.

The mere name of “Homeros’ new work” could likely draw a sizable audience.

“If you ever need anything, just let me know. If it’s within my ability, I’ll help you.”

“Yes! I’ll definitely tell you! Thank you!”

“Sure.”

Let’s see… Publishing the novel a week after the play’s premiere would be best, right?

It might also be a good idea to create some character merchandise using Peter Pan…

As for marketing, I’ll need to discuss it with President Kindersley.

Having lots of work to do felt good.

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Neverland, the world of Peter Pan, symbolizes innocence.

Peter Pan is lively like a child, stubborn like a child, cruel like a child, and lovable like a child.

Rather than the severity of a grim fairy tale, it leans more toward the exaggeration of a play, showing what “childlikeness” is through the boy named Peter Pan.

It represents youth, vitality, and a jewel that, once lost, can never be regained.

This is evident in the monologue of Sir Barry, the author.

If The Little Prince is a tribute to “adults who were once children,” Peter Pan is the sigh of “adults who can no longer return to being children.”

Isn’t the theme of “eternal youth” more tempting for adults than children?

Thus, the true theme of Peter Pan is closer to “lack.”

Captain Hook without a hand, Peter Pan who refuses to grow up, the mischievous and tiny Tinker Bell—all the characters harbor some form of “lack.”

These deficiencies are depicted in ways that are pathological and personal.

And.

Such “exaggerated characters” are most dramatically highlighted in plays written specifically for the stage.

“Ed, it’s unusual for you to suggest going to a play.”

“The child I’m protecting is playing the lead in today’s performance.”

“Ah, that girl? Hmm.”

I visited the theater where Peter Pan was being staged with my family.

With Homeros’ name attached, we could have rented a VIP box for the best view, but I decided to get moderately good seats instead.

At the entrance, I received a pamphlet containing information about the play and the actors’ names and went inside.

The seats were already filling up quickly.

Once seated, I opened the pamphlet.

I chuckled when I saw the profile for the “young witch.”

[Role of Peter Pan) No Name]

“I should have come up with a suitable stage name for her….”

Thus began the play Peter Pan.

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When I first heard that the young witch would be playing Peter Pan, I thought the role might feel somewhat awkward.

A certain uneasiness, like wearing clothes that don’t fit, arising from a woman playing a male role.

I figured that, at some points, the performance might feel unnatural—possibly even comical if you were aware of it.

But.

That notion completely disappeared the moment the “boy” in the blue outfit stepped onto the stage.

[“Oh, how clever I am!”]

[Peter’s arrogance was one of his most charming traits. To be brutally honest, there was no boy in the world more conceited than Peter.]

The boy’s chest puffed out with confidence as if it might burst at any moment, and his messy hair swayed dynamically with every step he took.

His mischievous smirk revealed his capriciousness, and though small in stature with a delicate frame, his movements felt robust and strong.

Peter Pan.

A narcissistic boy who always believed he was the best and, because of that belief, could endure his loneliness.

A brat who constantly tried to puff himself up but adamantly refused to grow up.

There he stood, on the stage.

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Peter Pan.

This charming boy was a type of character the young witch could never truly understand.

Peter Pan, with his constant whims and manipulations of others, was unlike the young witch, who, unable to understand her own emotions, could only mimic others.

Except for the fact that neither could grow up and remained eternally young, the two eternal children stood as polar opposites.

[“Because Peter believed that even make-believe was real, just pretending to eat would make his belly swell.”]

Yet, this “Peter Pan” character was an immensely welcome role for the young witch.

In learning about emotions, there was no more fascinating subject than the whimsical Peter.

By acting as Peter Pan, who flew across the skies filled with absurd passion, the young witch learned what it meant to be swayed by emotions.

She absorbed the playful, chaotic innocence that made children feel more human.

With a prop dagger in hand, she performed her role, crafting false emotions into expressions for her performance.

And.

As the young witch continued her acting, another “imitation” ascended the stage.

[“With pale and dusky skin, long curly black hair cascading down a sharp face, he exuded an eerily intimidating presence.”]

[“His eyes were an unforgettable deep blue, filled with profound sorrow, yet when he struck with his hook, two sparks ignited within them, blazing fiercely. His demeanor bore an air of nobility, even when tearing people apart, and that polite manner made him all the more terrifying….”]

A man with thick curls cascading to his shoulders—

Captain Hook.

It was Howlen.