"So quick to step into the 'boyfriend' role already?" Stretching lazily, Akane propped her chin on her hand, looking at Miyahito with a teasing gaze. "Though, you haven't confessed yet, have you, Miyahito?"
"Giving so much before even getting a result... careful you don't end up with empty hands."
Having navigated the industry for years, Akane had seen plenty of couples where one gave their all, only to be met with a cold "let's break up."
She didn't want to watch this non-blood-related brother of hers go through the same heartbreak.
Naturally, Miyahito understood the concern behind Akane's words.
But he was very clear about one thing.
"Utaha isn't that kind of girl." Shaking his head, the smile on Miyahito's face unconsciously took on a look of hope for the future, and pride in his trust of her. "And, Akane-nee, you know what?"
"To me, Utaha is worth every bit of that effort."
The rest of my life, only for you.
"Is that so." Seeing Miyahito's blissful smile and resolute eyes, Akane chuckled. "I've actually been keeping an eye on Kasumi Utako-sensei for a while now."
"So what's your evaluation?" Hearing this, Miyahito couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
Although hearing the "genius creator," the "prolific powerhouse of the industry," Kosaka Akane say she'd been "following her for a while" basically confirmed Utaha was on her radar, Akane still hadn't given explicit approval. Which meant variables still existed.
And Akane's next reply confirmed exactly that.
"She has a bright future." Lowering her gaze slightly, Akane tapped her index finger lightly against the desk. "In terms of prose, plot structure, and thematic focus, Love Metronome is truly a rare masterpiece."
Hearing Akane praise Utaha's work, a sense of pride welled up in Miyahito, and his lips curved slightly upward.
Naturally, his subtle expression didn't escape Akane's notice.
Your thoughts are still so easy to read, Miyahito. You really like this girl that much?
Finding it slightly amusing internally, Akane wiped the appreciative look from her face and adopted a stern expression.
"However."
"Only for your age group."
The sudden shift in tone made Miyahito blink in surprise.
"What... do you mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like." Sitting up straight, Akane's tone grew noticeably more serious. "At your age, producing a work like Love's Metronome means Kasumi Utako-sensei is already a qualified creator."
"But it's far from enough."
Raising a hand to stop Miyahito from arguing, Akane continued.
"Setting other things aside, Miyani, you're a creator too. You should understand what I mean."
"Since you can create songs like The Reason I Wanted to Die, Loser, and Winter Flower, you should realize that Kasumi Utako's abilities haven't reached their peak yet."
"Or rather, her life experience isn't enough to catalyze her talent's evolution."
Having said that, Akane suddenly realized something. Given Miyahito's age, shouldn't a song like The Reason I Wanted to Die be impossible for him to write as well...?
Well, sometimes talent defies all logic.
Realizing the topic was drifting off track, and pulling Miyahito's thoughts back, it was time to get down to business.
"Alright, there's plenty of time in the future. Let's get back to the main topic for now."
Clapping her hands lightly and sitting up properly, Akane dropped her casual demeanor and spoke seriously.
"Miyani-sensei, regarding the royalty contract for the Mechanical Crown anime soundtrack series, do you have any objections?"
"Two theme songs, two ending themes, and two insert songs, totaling six tracks. We propose a lump sum of six million yen for the usage rights..."
....
After wrapping up the business discussion.
Miyahito politely declined Akane and Maki's offers to drive him home, leaving the agency alone to walk through Tokyo's night streets.
Hasn't reached her peak yet?
Pondering Akane's critique of Kasumi Utako, Miyahito murmured internally.
Thinking it over, Akane's evaluation was indeed completely objective and fair, without any bias.
Utaha's past achievements in the anime, along with that uniquely styled "game scenario," were proof enough of her immense literary talent.
Not to mention, besides never losing the "top of the grade" title, Utaha had secured a special recommendation for Waseda University's Faculty of Letters, bypassing entrance exams entirely.
Miyahito didn't believe Waseda would hand out such a precious recommendation without thorough research to a talentless student.
So.
If it weren't for that one person's shameless, greedy manipulations.
His Utaha would have a much brighter future, and wouldn't need to carry an "unwarranted" burden into it.
Miyahito had never felt such intense hatred, such a visceral urge to kill someone with his own hands.
If it weren't for that person, such a proud girl like Utaha wouldn't have ended up...
But thinking about it now, the Utaha in the anime was just a lonely girl.
She stepped into someone else's world alone, met the wrong person alone, interacted with a team alone, and ultimately left alone.
From the beginning to the end, she was alone.
Even the middle part was just her, by herself.
Bound by her pride and temperament, she restricted others and constrained herself.
Just then.
Ding——!
A sudden message notification pulled Miyahito out of his memories of the past.
[Utaha: Are you done with work? Miyahito, are you home yet?]
Seeing the familiar contact name on his screen, a gentle breeze instantly swept through Miyahito's heart, dispelling the gloom that had clouded it.
Yeah, isn't he right beside Utaha now?
He was no longer that useless person who could do nothing but survive by fantasizing about an illusory future.
Suddenly, Miyahito really, really, really wanted to hear Utaha's voice.
Without a single second of hesitation.
He found her number and called!
Beep—beep—!
Listening to the ringtone through the receiver, Miyahito's heartbeat suddenly quickened.
One second, two seconds, three seconds... The ringing suddenly stopped, followed by a brief, quiet pause.
"Hello, Miyahito."
"Utaha."
After softly calling the girl's name, Miyahito suddenly fell silent.
On the other end, Utaha just responded with a soft "Mhm," and fell silent as well.
It seemed that just being able to hear each other's faint breathing through the phone...
...was enough for both of them.
"Hey, Utaha." Slowly lifting his head, Miyahito smiled as he gazed at the bright moon in the night sky above.
"Tomorrow morning, let's walk to school together."
Hearing this, Utaha paused for a moment.
Then, lowering her slightly blushing face, she whispered softly into the microphone.
"Mhm. Then tomorrow morning, come pick me up."
"Alright."
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