"A love letter." Honestly, the answer was a bit bewildering at first.
Machida's immediate thought could be summed up in one phrase: "This novel is Kasumi Utako-sensei's love letter to all her readers."
But unlike her, the girl sitting opposite—Kasumigaoka Utaha, the author herself—felt something entirely different.
'Why... does he understand the exact emotion I wanted to convey?'
Her palm gently pressed against her chest. An involuntary mix of shyness and quiet joy bloomed across her delicate features.
To find someone who understands her intentions... No, a kindred spirit.
That feeling was truly wonderful.
But joy aside.
Her rational mind kept her from being swept away by emotion.
'No, no.'
Shaking her head, Utaha bit her lower lip, forcing down the urge to turn around and ask him herself. She tried desperately to pour cold water on her rising expectations.
'It's just a coincidence. Even that influencer who claims to be my biggest fan, even he didn't grasp my true message.'
'A complete stranger is even less likely to.'
However.
"Yes, Machida-san."
Miyahito's gaze fell on the pristine, newly bought copy of Love's Metronome beside him.
With a soft smile, his fingers gently traced the plastic-wrapped cover.
"It might just be my imagination, but to me, Love's Metronome is essentially Kasumi Utako-sensei's love letter to a specific person."
A romantic love letter, brimming with a young girl's beautiful fantasies and unwavering devotion.
The moment the words left his lips,
Utaha's hand, resting on her chest, clenched tightly, gripping her clothes.
It's true.
Someone truly understands the message I wanted to convey.
Abruptly, Utaha felt an overwhelming urge to cry.
No special reason. Just pure relief that someone finally understood the true meaning behind the words she had painstakingly written.
Back when the first volume was published, facing dismal sales and the imminent threat of cancellation, Utaha hadn't cried.
Even when the 2D influencer TAKI stepped in to save her work, allowing it to continue, she hadn't felt like crying.
But today.
"Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale..."
Taking deep breaths to steady her turbulent emotions, Utaha lowered her head, her hands instinctively covering her reddened, aching eyes.
At the same time.
Unaware of the massive emotional turmoil her author was experiencing, Machida...
Listening to Miyahito's explanation while watching his gentle smile, she felt an indescribable weight behind it.
She opened her mouth several times to respond, but found herself at a loss for words.
Finally, she could only ask dryly,
"Could you elaborate on why? I've never heard a reader describe it quite like that before, Aragaki-kun."
"Sure."
To Machida, the boy's tone was light and casual. Yet, in an instant, that complex smile vanished from his face as if it had never been there at all.
But that didn't matter.
Before Miyahito could begin explaining, Machida decisively picked up her pen.
The tip hovered over the lined paper, her demeanor turning serious and meticulous, ready to record every word he was about to say.
Seeing this, Miyahito almost said, 'It's just my personal take, Machida-san. You don't need to take notes.'
But on second thought, she was Senpai's editor. Providing reader feedback—or even inspiration—for Senpai's future work was literally her job.
In that case, maybe his words would actually reach Senpai.
Then... could he be a little greedy? Could he hope that Senpai might change her mind?
That thought lasted less than a second before he crushed it himself.
'What am I thinking, Aragaki Miyahito.'
'Love's Metronome already has a second volume. Didn't you just confirm it? TAKI has already pulled Senpai from the brink of failure. If anything, he's probably already guiding her next plot points.'
'So, you don't have a chance anymore, do you?'
Suddenly,
A memory flashed through his mind: that winter, Senpai holding the final volume of the novel, her face etched with quiet disappointment.
Sigh... whatever.
He knew full well that nothing he said now would likely change Senpai's chosen path.
But at the very least, maybe he could ensure that the proud, fiery-hearted Senpai in his memories wouldn't have to face such a clumsy, regretful ending.
With that thought, Miyahito slowly opened his mouth.
....
"Thank you for your cooperation, Aragaki-kun."
"Not at all. You're too kind, Machida-san."
Wearing a polite smile, Miyahito shook her offered hand once more, then playfully winked.
"I should be thanking you. After all, you're the one who treated me."
"Haha, Aragaki-kun really knows how to flatter."
That lighthearted, youthful compliment instantly lifted Machida's mood.
"Well, it's about time." Picking up his copy of Love's Metronome, Miyahito stood to leave.
"I should be heading out too."
"Understood. I suppose it's time I get going as well."
Nodding in agreement while packing her belongings, Machida Sonoko noticed her notepad, completely filled with a full page of notes.
And Utaha-chan, who had been sitting silently and motionless across from her since a while ago.
As if struck by a sudden idea, the corners of Machida's mouth curled up again. She called out to Miyahito, who had just finished packing and was about to sling his guitar case over his shoulder.
"Wait a moment, Aragaki-kun."
"Ah, sure." Slightly surprised at being stopped, Miyahito paused and looked at her questioningly. "Is there something else, Machida-san?"
"Mhm." Nodding, Machida continued.
"Well, our publisher is planning to hold a signing event at that bookstore this weekend. Would you be interested in attending?"
"It's for Love's Metronome Vol. 2. You'll be able to get Kasumi Utako-sensei's autograph, you know."
As she spoke, Machida waved the notepad she'd been using, a peculiar smile playing on her lips.
"I think Utako-sensei would be very interested in your thoughts. She might even want to chat with you about her upcoming concepts after the event."
Though she couldn't see it,
The moment she finished speaking, Machida felt a very light tap against the back of her chair.
Along with a subtle, tense stiffness.
This only made her more curious to see if he'd accept.
And how Shiko-sensei, sitting in the booth right behind her, would react.
However, what happened next... or rather, Miyahito's answer, was somewhat unexpected.
Because.
"I'm sorry, Machida-san."
Wearing a slightly apologetic expression, Miyahito rubbed the back of his head and spoke softly.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to Kasumi Utako-sensei's signing event this time."
"Eh? Why?" Stunned, Machida quickly pressed.
"It's a Kasumi Utako-sensei signing event, after all. Oh, I forgot to mention, she's a really beautiful young woman, you know."
As she spoke, Machida felt another faint impact against the chair back.
But she ignored it—or didn't have time to.
Because the "loyal fan" she assumed him to be gave his reason.
"Ah, it's really bad timing. Since I just moved, I have a lot of things to sort out right now."
"That really is unfortunate."
"Yeah. Plus, school's about to start, so there's a lot of prep work to do too."
He paused slightly. Remembering Machida's earlier words about "discussing the plot with Kasumi Shiko-sensei," a wave of nausea involuntarily rose in his stomach.
Forcing down the churning discomfort, he smiled and said,
"Also, I don't actually want to discuss the future plot with Kasumi Utako-sensei."
"Eh? Why?"
"Because." Looking straight at the shocked, disbelieving editor, Miyahito spoke clearly, word by word.
"What I want to see, what I like to read, is the novel Kasumi Utako-sensei writes."
"Not the novel I want her to write."
30 Power Stone = Bonus Chapter
1 Review = Bonus Chapter