Even though Machida had heard perfectly clear the first time, hearing Utaha say it again with such dead seriousness made her pause.
"Wait, let me process this."
Overwhelmed by exhaustion and helplessness, Machida rubbed her increasingly heavy forehead.
After a long moment...
"Utaha-chan, do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?"
"I know."
"Then let me be clear."
Machida understood exactly what Utaha meant.
But no matter how serious or resolute Utaha was, Machida wasn't going to approve moving the 9:30 AM signing event to the afternoon.
"It's not changing, Utaha-chan."
For once, Machida's tone and expression lacked their usual playful banter.
"It may be a small event, but the announcement is already out."
"Are you really going to disappoint the fans who love Love's Metronome and cherish the novels you poured your heart into, just on a whim?"
"Kasumi Utako-sensei, you need to understand that you're not a child anymore."
"In the real world, outside of your family and loved ones, no one will indulge your whims. Got it?"
For the first time.
In all their years of knowing and working together, this was the first time Utaha had seen Machida truly angry.
Lowering her head, facing her editor's scolding, Utaha knew she was in the wrong and didn't dare argue back.
But... it was so frustrating.
"Sigh..." Watching Utaha bite her lip in silence, Machida's anger had already faded, replaced by reluctance to see her so down.
"Utaha-chan, what's really going on?"
"....."
Fine.
Faced with her author's silent treatment, Machida sighed helplessly.
It was only because they clicked so well that she usually indulged her. If any other author acted this entitled, hmph.
'Seriously, why is she being so stubborn all of a sudden?'
The heavy silence was starting to grate on her nerves. Headache brewing, Machida took a sip of coffee.
Suddenly, her phone screen lit up.
A special notification caught her eye.
Hmm? Miyani-sensei posted a new tweet?
'That's rare. Miyani is posting at this hour.'
Slightly surprised, she unlocked her phone and opened Twitter.
The next second, a tweet with a short video appeared.
「Good evening, everyone. My self-titled album "Miyani" officially releases tomorrow. I hope you all enjoy it.」
"Ah, I see."
Reading the text, a flash of understanding crossed Machida's eyes.
No wonder she's so dead set on changing the time.
She wants to be first in line to buy Miyani-sensei's album.
Looking up at the still-silent Utaha, the corners of Machida's mouth curled. She already knew how to handle this stubborn girl.
Meanwhile, scrolling to the comments, she immediately saw the pinned comment at the top.
「A little spoiler for everyone! On tomorrow's release day, Miyani has prepared a special gift for all you fans! Please look forward to it! —— Sakuragawa Talent Agency.」
Seeing the comment and the official agency account, Machida didn't need to think twice.
Miyani's special gift is definitely those limited signed albums.
She wasn't the only one who figured it out.
Looking at the comments section already devolving into a flame war, Machida had zero doubt.
If not for the internet, these fans screaming "Miyani's signed album is mine!" "Who dares steal my husband's album!" "Offering a million yen for a signed album!" would already be fighting in a battle royale.
But that wasn't the point.
'How the heck do I get a signed album?'
Scrolling through her screen, Machida mused.
Just then, a thought struck her.
'Wait, I remember Akane collaborated with Miyani-sensei a few times.'
Racking her brain to recall what her college friend had mentioned over drinks, Machida started planning.
'Should I ask Akane?'
Idea formed, she immediately found the number in her contacts and dialed it right in front of Utaha.
"Hello, Akane?"
Hearing her editor call a stranger's name out of nowhere, the conflicted Utaha instinctively looked up, her expression blank.
Machida noticed her author's gaze but said nothing, just giving her a deeply meaningful look.
Utaha, even more confused, tilted her head.
But as the call progressed...
Utaha's expression shifted from confusion, to surprise, and finally to quiet joy.
When Machida finally said "Bye-bye" to Akane and hung up...
Utaha's face was a mix of anticipation, worry, and a hint of shyness.
Seeing this, Machida tilted her chin up smugly.
After a brief stare-down...
Finally, Utaha couldn't hold back anymore.
"C-Could I... get Miyani-sensei's album...?"
"I've got it."
Though watching her usually sharp-tongued author look so adorably flustered was highly entertaining and satisfying,
Machida wasn't actually a villain.
"So, about tomorrow's signing event..."
Wearing a thoroughly pleased smile, Machida crossed her legs, resting one hand on the table and elegantly propping her cheek with the other. Her voice took on a tempting lilt.
"Kasumi Utako-sensei is only signing 200 copies. That might not be enough, you know."
Shocked!
This woman! She actually wants me to sign even more?!
Eyes wide with disbelief, Utaha leaned back slightly, her upper body—already quite generously proportioned for her age—tensing up.
Originally, the event was already three hours long, from 9 AM to noon... and now she had to add more signatures.
"How about 300 copies?"
Smiling even more brightly, Machida casually dropped a terrifying number.
Yet, she seemed completely unaware of the gravity.
With perfect posture and grace, she lifted her now-cold coffee to her lips, completely ignoring Utaha's death glare, and murmured softly:
"Mmm, Miyani-sensei's personally signed..."
"I agree!"
"...copies."
Completely unfazed by the interruption, Machida slowly set down her coffee cup. Her teasing, amused gaze settled on Utaha, who sat with flushed cheeks, head bowed, refusing to meet her eyes.
The corners of Machida's mouth curled slightly.
"Utaha-chan, you'd better keep your word."
"Otherwise, I can't guarantee that by the end of the signing event..."
"...the album will still be in my hands, or if it'll end up with one of Miyani-sensei's other loyal fans."
That wretched woman!
Teeth gritted, Utaha shot a glare full of indignation at the beaming Machida.
Then.
She nodded heavily.
...
After seeing the guests off, the siblings quickly tidied up the house, and Miyahito promptly shooed Ayase off to take a shower.
Just as his sister emerged from the bathroom, Miyahito stepped into the washroom with his change of clothes. He was halfway through pulling off his shirt when...
"Big Brother! There's a call for you!" Ayase called out from outside the door.
"Who is it?"
Reluctantly pulling his shirt back on, Miyahito raised his voice through the door.
"It's Maki-nee!"
*Maki-nee?*
Calling this late... what's up?
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