Staring at the completely blank document on her laptop screen, Kasumigaoka Utaha found her mind wandering.
Several times, her fingers hovered over the keyboard, only to retreat before pressing a single key.
Was it the third day? Or the fourth? Maybe the fifth?
Glancing at the date in the bottom-right corner of the screen, Kasumigaoka Utaha repeated the question to herself in silence.
Ever since that day in the café, after hearing Aragaki Miyahito's feedback, she hadn't written a single word for days. Or rather, she couldn't.
She had already mapped out exactly where Volume 3 of Love's Metronome should begin, and how to weave the continuing story between Sayaka, Naoto, and Mai.
And yet, now...
Pushing her laptop away in mild frustration, Utaha crossed her arms and buried her face in them.
Silence filled the apartment, a space occupied only by her.
When the minute hand ticked past the fourth mark on the clock...
"Ugh... what exactly is the romance you picture in your heart?"
A whisper, almost like a spoiled pout, slipped out.
Utaha abruptly lifted her head. On her slightly flushed cheeks, her wine-red eyes shimmered with an inexplicable light.
But soon, that light dimmed again.
"Don't you want your novel to embark on a journey where it's truly understood?"
"That's a really cunning way to put it, Aragaki-kun... Sigh..."
Letting out a heavy sigh, she abandoned the sudden impulse that had just surfaced.
She really, wanted to talk to that boy about her novel.
Even more, she wanted to hear, with her own ears, what kind of romance he truly longed for.
It was precisely these two desires that forced her to constantly suppress her growing curiosity, along with the urge to rush to him right now and demand answers.
But.
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.
As if his words from that day echoed in her ears once more.
Lingering, wrapping around her thoughts, refusing to fade.
Yeah.
That boy wanted to read her novel.
Not a novel shaped by his own demands.
Unaware of her own expression, her delicate, pale cheeks puffed up slightly in a subtle pout.
Still oblivious to herself, Utaha muttered quietly under her breath.
"Hmph. Cunning boy. Really un-cute, hmph!"
"I don't care what kind of romance he imagines anyway! It's probably just filled with some gross, puberty-driven boy fantasies!"
After grumbling for a while, feeling noticeably better, Utaha instinctively reached for her laptop again.
But just as her fingertips were about to touch the keyboard...
She suddenly pulled back.
"...Hmph." After a few breaths of silence, she let out a small, dissatisfied hum.
Then, standing up, she slipped off her wine-red camisole nightdress.
Pulling a light teal camisole dress from her closet, she muttered as if trying to convince herself.
"It's not because of him at all."
"I just have zero inspiration! Yeah, that's it!"
After changing into the teal dress, she felt a bit chilly, so she took it off again.
This time, she pulled out a thick navy-blue hoodie and a pair of jeans from the closet.
"Yeah, staying cooped up at home won't spark any inspiration! Time to go for a walk!"
Tossing her wallet, phone, and earbuds into a small handbag, she locked her door, dropped the key into the bag, and headed for the stairwell.
"Where should I go?"
"Ah! The bookstore! Toyogasaki Academy starts soon. I'd better prepare properly."
Talking to herself, the elevator quickly descended to the first floor.
Stepping out of the apartment lobby, Utaha stopped at the entrance and instinctively tilted her head up.
Raising a hand to shield her eyes from the sun, she narrowed her gaze at the clear blue sky.
Suddenly, a thought drifted through her mind.
In a little while, I won't be a middle schooler anymore.
High school... actually sounds kind of exciting.
.....
Aragaki Residence.
"Aragaki-san, the soundproofing layers are fully installed. All that's left is the equipment setup."
"Ah, I've already notified the supplier about that."
Taking the progress confirmation sheet from the site supervisor, Miyahito quickly reviewed it, signed it, and handed it back.
"They told me it'll be delivered the day after tomorrow. I'll need you folks to come back then, if you don't mind."
"Sunday, then? Understood. Thank you for the signature."
"Yep, Sunday it is."
Waving off the contractor's politeness, Miyahito noticed the workers seemed ready to pack up and leave.
"Mr. Sōrō, and everyone else, please wait a moment."
"Is something wrong, Aragaki-san?"
"No, no. I have full confidence in your work on the construction side." Smiling, Miyahito explained to the formally dressed Mr. Sōrō, then turned back into the house.
When he returned, his left hand held several neatly packed boxes of what looked like homemade pastries.
"Aragaki-san, what's this?"
"Just a small token of appreciation."
Handing a box to each worker and to Mr. Sōrō, Miyahito smiled warmly.
"I baked these cakes myself. Please take them."
"Oh no, we couldn't possibly, Aragaki-san."
"Yes, this is too much!"
"Please, you're too kind, Aragaki-san."
The workers, sweating and bearing weathered, honest faces, politely refused.
This wasn't just empty social courtesy.
They genuinely felt unworthy of the gift.
After all, throughout the renovation, their client Aragaki Miyahito hadn't just provided drinks and water.
On the colder days, he'd even made them warming hot soup and turned on the house heating for them.
For a client this considerate, how could they just casually accept a gift?
"It's nothing, really. Here, take it, Uncle." Ignoring their protests, Miyahito firmly but gently pressed a cake box into the lead worker's hands.
"I made them myself, they're not expensive or anything."
"But... sir."
"No 'buts,' Uncle."
After successfully distributing all the boxes, Miyahito smiled happily.
"I should be thanking you."
"Finishing the room renovation in just three days really saved me a ton of trouble."
Since Miyahito had put it that way...
"Alright, I'll accept this on behalf of everyone. Thank you very much, sir."
"Haha! Don't mention it! I'll still need your help on Saturday."
"Leave it to us, Aragaki-kun! We'll get it done perfectly!"
"Mhm. I'll be counting on you."
...
After seeing the workers off.
"Phew!" Looking at the spotless house post-renovation, the corners of Miyahito's mouth curled into a slightly sly smile.
Hehe. Not only did they finish the studio renovation ahead of schedule.
They also cleaned up the whole house while they were at it.
Yep. A full-house cleaning service, all for the cost of some electricity, drinks, and a few cakes.
As expected of me! What a steal! Aragaki Miyahito, you genius.
Humming a cheerful tune, he grabbed his wallet, keys, and a reusable shopping bag, then headed out.
Walking toward the large supermarket, he thought to himself.
Ayase is coming tomorrow. What should I buy?
Maybe some beef for sukiyaki?
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