"So, what about your new manuscript? You didn't forget it, did you?"
"It's right here!"
Kuroneko promptly pulled out the draft she had shown to Sato earlier and handed it to Machida Sonoko. As she accepted it, Sonoko glanced at Sato.
"You've already read it?"
"Of course. I had to make sure she's actually got what it takes. If she didn't, wouldn't that damage your precious editor image?"
"Yeah, right."
Sonoko gave him a sideways look before lowering her eyes to the manuscript.
Not that she believed a single word he said. Sato had reviewed Kuroneko's work to help her, not for her own benefit as an editor. She knew she'd never get that kind of attention.
"This is a good concept. If it's well-written, an anime adaptation isn't out of the question."
Kuroneko sat beside them, nervously listening to Sonoko's judgment.
Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka Utaha (Alias Kasumi Utako) shifted her gaze to Sato. She crossed her black-stockinged right leg over her left, her curvy thighs drawing the eye effortlessly. The smooth skin beneath the sheer fabric was enough to drive any man wild.
And Sato didn't shy away from her open stare. He met it head-on.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. His deep-set eyes held a calm gleam as he locked eyes with her.
Their gazes clashed, and it felt like electric arcs sparked in the air between them.
Gradually, Utaha's eyes began to narrow, and her thigh started to bounce.
Sato caught it and smirked.
Utaha had a habit she wasn't even aware of: whenever she felt anxious or agitated, her leg would start bouncing uncontrollably.
"Oh my, Miyabi-sensei… what are you looking at?"
"What am I looking at? Hm... maybe we could call it... anxiety."
Sato replied thoughtfully, voice low.
"Huh?"
Utaha narrowed her eyes at the unexpected response. But being sharp as she was, she quickly pieced it together. A dangerous glint flashed through her eyes.
Tch. This guy's way too observant…
Still, her leg bounced faster. Her eyes narrowed to slits.
Sato maintained his calm smile, watching her in silence.
They hadn't had many interactions, but from the few times they'd met, Sato had already figured Utaha out completely.
She might appear to be a serene, unreachable beauty, the perfect "cool girl" but beneath the surface, she was something else entirely:
A sharp-tongued, devious little sadist who enjoyed pushing people's buttons.
An expert at saying the most suggestive things in the most innocent tone.
If anything, she was a devil wrapped in an angel's skin.
And right now, Sato could tell she was gearing up for something. So he decided to strike first.
"You've been staring at me since I walked in, Kasumi-senpai. What are you looking at?"
"Oh my, Miyabi-sensei, you noticed?"
"I was just reminiscing about that lovely memory we shared. You know… that time, in that place, when you used that thing to push me so hard it really hurt..."
"..."
The meeting room fell deathly silent.
Sato inhaled sharply and closed his eyes for a moment to calm himself.
She really should've been a racecar driver, those acceleration skills are no joke.
From a serious, professional conversation to a completely ambiguous, misleading comment in less than five seconds flat. Utaha had no chill.
And then there were the two eavesdropping girls beside them.
Could they be a little less obvious? They weren't even pretending not to listen. Though their eyes weren't on the conversation, their frozen chatter and perked-up ears gave everything away.
"If you're talking about our second meeting, then I apologize."
"But really, it wasn't my fault, was it?"
"You were the one who spilled your coffee. I only pushed you out of the way so you wouldn't get burned."
So that's what it was…
Both Sonoko and Kuroneko let out a breath of relief.
Sonoko shot Utaha a glare. Can't you behave even a little?
Kuroneko relaxed slightly, but her gaze toward Utaha turned sharp.
This woman…
"Ara? I was simply recalling a fond memory. I wasn't blaming you at all."
Utaha sipped her coffee with a sweet smile, clearly enjoying the moment.
"Fond memory, huh..."
Sato shook his head.
That was the second time they met, and the moment he truly began to understand her.
Back then, Utaha had hit a creative wall. She'd been chosen as the site's featured newcomer that season, but due to last-minute issues, the recommendation couldn't be changed.
Their online chats went nowhere, so they agreed to meet in person. Sato tried to help her analyze the next steps, but she was frustratingly stubborn, and the conversation turned increasingly tense.
That's when her true nature revealed itself.
"Hah! Looks like Miyabi-sensei really doesn't understand love!"
"At a time like this, giving up isn't an option, right? Or are you trying to give me advice based on your nonexistent romantic experience?"
"I'll admit, your books are great but they're not even the same genre!"
"I suggest you go build up some real-life experience before trying to guide me."
"Yes, I don't have experience either but I completely immerse myself in the story. That's why I know what to write!"
Although Utaha eventually calmed down, apologized, and accepted some of his advice, her mask had already slipped.
Yup. Kasumigaoka Utaha, also known as Kasumigaoka Kuro-ha.
Peel back the surface, and you'll find black, utterly black. A classic Haraguro—sweet n sticky on the outside, cold abusive within.