Sunday. One hour until the signing event.
Sitting in the rest room the bookstore had specially cleared out for her, Machida looked Utaha up and down with a satisfied smile.
A tailored white blazer and skirt, elegant high heels paired with sleek black tights, and light makeup that added a touch of maturity to her youthful features.
If Machida hadn't personally scouted and nurtured her, she would never have believed the girl standing before her was merely a fresh middle school graduate.
With that vibrant, captivating figure and the naturally graceful aura in her eyes, claiming she was a second-year high schooler would actually be more believable.
That said.
'Still refusing to tie her hair up, huh?'
Recalling how she'd politely suggested Utaha put her hair up, only to be flatly rejected, Machida crossed her arms in mild exasperation.
'Utaha-chan, just how obsessed are you with Miyani-sensei?'
Machida didn't even need to think. She was absolutely certain that Utaha's refusal to tie her hair up—or even trim the ends slightly—was entirely Miyani's fault.
After all, who else could it be when Miyani had once tweeted:
「I still prefer you with long hair.」
After that single tweet, the internet had exploded within thirty minutes. Countless fans debated whether Miyani-sensei was in love, with some even publicly posting a bounty to find out which "sneaky cat" had stolen his heart.
Yeah... if memory served, the bounty had hit a million yen in under ten minutes.
If Miyani hadn't posted a follow-up tweet the next morning clarifying he was single and had no plans to date for the next two or three years, the whole "Miyani Twitter Incident" might have actually sparked a real-life brawl.
Thankfully, it didn't escalate that far.
'Sigh, idol fandom... who knew my Utaha-chan would be the same.'
Thinking back to how her usually lazy, unmoving author had agreed to sign an extra hundred copies and push the event back by an hour, just for a signed album, Machida shook her head imperceptibly, a small smile playing on her lips.
Good. Looks like I'll need to get closer to Akane from now on.
Who would've thought her college friend and close confidante could secure an album directly from Miyani-sensei with just a single phone call?
Once she leveraged Akane's connection to build a direct line with Miyani-sensei, she'd see if her Utaha-chan dared to keep dodging deadlines.
Dreaming of a smoother work future, Machida pulled a white hairband from a nearby bag.
She handed it to Utaha, who was sitting beside her, earphones in, listening to Miyani's music.
Then, meeting Utaha's puzzled gaze, she explained:
"Since you won't tie your hair up, at least wear a hairband."
"Otherwise, your hair will get in the way while you're signing."
As she spoke, and after getting a reluctant nod, Machida huffed and gently placed the hairband on Utaha's head.
Hmm... huh?
Why does Utaha-chan feel completely different now?
So strange.
Looking at her from all angles, Machida couldn't shake the feeling that the hairband had instantly given Utaha an indescribable aura.
How to put it?
"A literary girl?"
Murmuring the phrase, Machida's mind suddenly clicked.
Yes! That's exactly it!
As expected of a light novel author, Utaha-chan's true vibe should be that of a quiet, elegant literary girl!
Beside her, Utaha, still listening to Miyani's Sakura, wore a confused and slightly annoyed expression.
Why are you staring at me like that?
....
9:00 AM sharp.
Dragged out of bed early by an excited Ayase, Miyahito stood outside the agency doors and couldn't help but let out a massive yawn.
Noticing his sluggish state, Ayase wrinkled her nose, her face clearly broadcasting How can Big Brother be so lazy?
Catching his sister's disappointed-in-you glare, Miyahito offered an apologetic smile.
"Good morning, Miyani-sensei. Good morning, Lady Yukihime."
Stepping out to greet them, Nakamura Maki watched the sibling interaction, an instinctively healed expression on her face as she called out.
"Mornin', Maki-nee."
"Good morning, Maki-nee."
As expected, the siblings' greetings carried completely different energies.
One was a sleepy, reluctant older brother who clearly wanted to go back to bed.
The other was a bright, spirited younger sister, clear as a lark's song.
The off-the-charts gap moe between them made Maki instantly want to get married and have a boy-girl sibling pair of her own.
Yep. Definitely an older brother and younger sister!
"Please, come in, Miyani-sensei, Lady Yukihime."
"Maki-nee..." Ayase, slightly flustered by the formal title, blushed and softly addressed Maki as she led them inside. "Could you please stop calling me Lady Yukihime? It's so embarrassing."
"Ah, my apologies, Lady Yukihime."
Maki's smile turned slightly mischievous.
"But you are Miyani-sensei's exclusive vocalist, and a major asset to this agency."
"The President specifically instructed me to treat Lady Yukihime with the utmost respect. Don't you agree, Miyani-sensei?"
Finishing her sentence, Maki shot a knowing glance at Miyahito, who was trailing behind them looking thoroughly unbothered.
"Big Brother!"
Catching the glance, Ayase turned around, puffing her cheeks slightly as she called out to him.
Playing the part of the dutiful older brother, Miyahito gave her a cheeky grin.
Just as Ayase's eyes sparkled with Finally, he gets it, he suddenly spoke:
"I actually agree with the President's stance."
"Exactly! You don't need to call me Lady Yuki... huh? Big Brother!"
Deliberately ignoring her furious glare, Miyahito continued with the deadpan seriousness of someone delivering an academic report:
"I'm very satisfied with your agency's attitude. Please convey Miyani's gratitude to the President."
Playing along perfectly, Maki gave Miyahito a slight bow, her tone respectful and precise.
"Understood, Miyani-sensei. I will accurately relay your appreciation to our President. Thank you for your endorsement."
Watching her brother and Maki-nee team up to tease her, the thin-skinned Ayase finally snapped, face completely red.
"Big Brother, Maki-nee! You... you're ganging up on me again!"
"I'm ignoring you both!"
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