After school.
Yukima Azuma and Kasumigaoka Utaha boarded the train to Akihabara together.
"Now that I think about it, Senpai—why bother coming to school at all today?" Azuma asked, glancing at her. "You've got a book signing to attend."
"I'm a model student, both academically and morally," Utaha said with a soft huff. "Not like a certain ex-boyfriend-kun who ditches school like it's a part-time job."
"You mean the excellent student who sleeps through lectures?" Azuma shot back.
"I already know everything the teachers are talking about," she replied smugly. "So what's the harm in catching up on sleep?"
"Fair point."
"Naturally. Everything I say is reasonable," Utaha said, tossing her hair. "Anyway, ex-boyfriend-kun, have you finished reading the new volume of my novel yet?"
Her tone turned serious as she stared into his eyes.
Volume four had been different.
The protagonist, Sayaka, had regained her soul.
Sayaka was… her.
Her hopes. Her flaws. Her love.
She wanted to know—did he understand?
Azuma paused thoughtfully, then nodded. "I did read it, but… I'm not really sure how to critique it."
Utaha's brows furrowed slightly, but he continued.
"I can describe how it made me feel."
Azuma turned to look at her fully, his gaze unwavering.
"When I read your novel, Senpai, my heart started racing. The scenes painted themselves in my mind like film stills. Sayaka felt so real—graceful, proud, and utterly captivating in her perfectionism."
"Her love was quiet but powerful. She never needed to say it out loud, but it hit harder than a thousand words ever could."
"The first read was just a story. The second revealed Sayaka's motives. But the third… the third time, I saw the brilliance of the author behind her."
As he spoke, Utaha's eyes trembled slightly.
Every word pierced her heart with uncanny precision.
He got it.
Not just Sayaka. Her.
He saw through the words to her soul.
She had written Sayaka to be understood by him—to connect.
And he had finally reached her.
Utaha's throat tightened.
"So… do you like Sayaka?" she asked softly. "Even though she's clumsy sometimes, and not exactly—"
"Senpai, what are you saying?"
Azuma smiled faintly.
"I've loved Sayaka since the very first manuscript I read."
"Whether she was dazzling in volume one, struggling in volume two, living quietly in volume three, or rising again now… I've loved her every step of the way. Not a single day has passed where that changed."
Her voice caught in her throat.
She couldn't speak.
…
When they arrived at the bookstore, Utaha gave Azuma a light kick in the calf before disappearing into the restroom to fix her makeup.
Azuma laughed to himself, then glanced at the line of fans already stretching around the block.
The publicity team at Fujikawa Publishing had done their job.
No way he could line up normally.
Fortunately, Utaha must've informed the staff in advance—no one stopped him as he slipped in through the side.
Behind the table, Machida Sonoko eyed him suspiciously.
So this is him—the man in Kasumi Utako-sensei's heart.
Objectively, he was handsome, yes.
But—
No, no! Snap out of it, Sonoko!
This guy's the reason she hit a slump during the last two volumes! A dangerous man!
I'm her editor, not her chaperone!
Despite her internal conflict, it was clear that Sonoko and Utaha shared a bond beyond the usual author-editor relationship.
Meanwhile, Azuma found a nearby staff member and requested a volunteer vest to blend in better.
After slipping it on, he rejoined the crowd just as Utaha emerged from the restroom.
Their eyes met.
Her gaze was still red—obviously, from what he'd said earlier.
Utaha sat down behind the signing table.
"Shi-chan, you're late," Sonoko said, looking concerned. "Wait, what's with your eyes?"
"It's fine. Let's start," Utaha said, waving her hand dismissively.
Sonoko turned and gave Azuma a sharp glare.
Azuma: ???
Utaha looked away, hiding the faintest smile.
…
The signing event began smoothly.
The fourth volume had clearly revived interest in The Metronome in Love. Most fans were loyal readers—grateful to see their beloved Sayaka return in full form.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was as graceful and composed as always—every bit the genius novelist.
Azuma watched from the sidelines, quietly proud.
Back then, Utaha hadn't been confident.
Perfectionism had made her strict and meticulous, but uncertain.
And now, here she was—signing books, smiling, engaging fans like a seasoned pro.
He had seen this growth, step by step.
Suddenly, an unpleasant smell wafted through the air.
Azuma's senses sharpened. He scanned the crowd and spotted the source.
A man with his head down, clutching a book. His eyes shifted nervously.
It was summer—yet the man wore a thick cloth mask. More suspiciously, he carried a front-facing backpack, slightly unzipped, one hand inside.
Azuma's expression didn't change, but he quietly slipped off the vest.
He motioned to two staff members nearby, then stepped closer to the table.
Utaha glanced up at him, confused.
He gave her a look that said keep going.
She did.
Finally, the man in question approached.
"Kasumi-sensei, I really love your book," the man stammered.
He handed over the book, gripping it unusually—in the middle.
As Utaha reached to take it—
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Azuma clapped loudly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Congratulations!" he announced cheerfully. "You're the 100th reader today and the luckiest fan of the event!"
Excitement rippled through the crowd. People began whispering.
But the man didn't look happy. He looked terrified.
Azuma took the book from him.
It was too light.
Definitely hollowed out.
"Now, just answer a simple question to receive a special prize," Azuma said with a smile. "What's the title of the first chapter of The Metronome in Love?"
The man panicked.
"I—I don't know! Give it back! I have to go!"
Azuma's smile vanished.
He suddenly hurled the book against a nearby wall—away from the crowd.
CRACK!
The sound of breaking glass.
The book hit the floor. A milky-white liquid spilled from the hollowed pages.
Gasps echoed through the room.
The man turned and tried to flee.
Azuma sprang into action.
In one leap, he vaulted over the table. His intense training paid off—his movements were swift and precise.
With one clean kick, he brought the man down.
Azuma twisted the man's arm and pinned him, pressing a knee to his neck—just enough to subdue him without injury.
The crowd stepped back in stunned silence.
Staff rushed over, ropes in hand.
"Azuma!" Utaha called out, hurrying toward him.
He turned, blood beginning to cloud his vision.
The man had thrown something—a small handheld camera.
It had grazed Azuma's forehead.
He wiped at the blood and stood.
"I'm fine," he told Utaha. "Keep signing. We'll talk after."
Utaha shook her head. "You're hurt! How can you expect me to—"
"If we stop now, everything you worked for will be wasted," he said softly.
"Senpai, I like you. I like Sayaka too. And neither of you deserve another setback."
Tears welled in Utaha's eyes, but she forced herself back to her seat.
Azuma wiped his forehead with some tissues from his pocket and pressed one against the wound.
Then he turned to the crowd.
"Sorry for the disruption, everyone," he said. "The staff are handling it. The signing will resume now—thank you for your patience."
"If possible, please open your books to the signing page to keep things moving."
The crowd, still dazed, burst into applause.
Order was restored.
Azuma stepped to the back to tend to his wound, while Sonoko quietly followed to check on him.
Utaha turned back to her fans, blinking away tears.
People came forward, offering gentle words.
She smiled, nodded—but inside, her heart was breaking.
She knew what would've happened.
If she had taken that book, and that liquid had splashed on her—
If the camera had recorded it—
Her career would've ended.
Not because of the truth, but because the internet didn't care about truth. Just images. Scandal. Outrage.
Yukima Azuma had saved her.
And even injured, he had chosen to protect her dream.
Her hands trembled as she signed her name again and again.
But she didn't stop.
Because he had asked her not to.
This was the longest signing event of Kasumigaoka Utaha's life.