Issue 73: Perchance to Dream

cover by erli

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if there’s a light at the end it’s just the sun in your eyes, by Suikazura Amai ( 吸葛甘い)

Where the Light’s Forgiven, by T.F. Grognon

Slime After Slime, by Iron Eater *

A Realm Unexplored, by Okamoto Shin (岡本辛) *

To Sing of Contests, by Okō (織工)

In the Bindings of a Dream, by Tabby Wright *

Night Owls, by shukyou (主教)

* illustrated 

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Dear Editorial Diary,

The strangest thing happened to me! I minding my own business when I realized: I was late for a test. I couldn’t remember why I needed to take one when I’d already graduated, but if I didn’t take it, I wouldn’t pass 10th grade English. As I searched frantically for the classroom, though, I noticed everyone was staring me. I was naked! Somehow I had managed to walk out of the house completely without clothes. I tried to ask someone to borrow their jacket, but I couldn’t, because all of a sudden, I was being chased down the halls! I didn’t know who was after me or why, but I knew that I had to run away. I could feel them getting closer, so I ducked inside the nearest open door and slammed it shut.

When I looked up, I saw … Mrs. Winklebean, the librarian from my elementary school! She died in 2007, but here she was, smiling like she’d been expecting me all along. “Come right in!” she told me. “I know just what you’re here for.”

I expect her to give me a book, but instead she set me down in front of a computer. When I stared at the screen, I couldn’t believe my eyes! Here was the new issue of Shousetsu Bang*Bang, beautfully packaged and ready just for me! There were seven different stories, many illustrated, all crafted by the finest artisans in the land, and all assembled for my pleasure completely free of charge. I wanted to tell them all how much their work was appreciated, how much I treasured their tremendous efforts, and behold, there were comments enabled on every page allowing me to do just that!

My heart grew three sizes as I gazed upon this treasure. I knew right then just what I needed to do. I needed to tell everyone!! I stood up from the computer (still naked) and grabbed all my social media accounts, screaming into them, “Shousetsu Bang*Bang Issue 73 is here! It’s right here!” But no one was listening! Quickly, I climbed to the roof of the school and called out to the land, “It’s here! It’s queer! It’s completely free and completely NSFW! It’s Shousetsu Bang*Bang!”

With a start, I woke up safe in my own home, in front of my own computer. It was all a dream! …Or was it?

See this issue’s entry on the Shousetsu Bang*Bang wiki.