Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these two days, Kasumigaoka Touji received a steady stream of invitations from several talent agencies, all eager to sign this explosively popular online celebrity. However, he currently had no intention of making a formal debut into the entertainment industry. He politely declined each offer, one by one.
It was worth mentioning that due to his consecutive days trending in the news, his follower count had seen a significant surge, now approaching the 4 million mark. He was on the verge of becoming a bona fide 'major influencer' with 4 million followers.
Kasumigaoka Utaha also hit the jackpot with this wave. In just a few days, the sales of 'Love Metronome' had more than doubled, and it was still facing shortages. Moreover, online reviews of the book were overwhelmingly positive. 'Love Metronome' had truly broken out.
Even Machida Sonoko and Kadokawa Bunko reaped substantial benefits from this. They weren't just passive beneficiaries, though. They actively fanned the flames, heavily promoting the siblings and skillfully managing public relations to ensure Kasumigaoka Touji and Kasumigaoka Utaha remained in the hot news for three to four consecutive days.
This wave was a triple win—everyone came out ahead!
Some opportunistic industry observers had their eyes light up, conducting deep-dive analyses of the siblings' success, hoping to replicate the formula. But as they dug deeper, they were left dumbfounded.
Their success wasn't merely due to both of their works being excellent enough to create a dream collaboration. The core reason was far more unique: one was a sister-con, the other a brother-con, and both created their works based on intensely personal, real-life experiences—the content was authentic and thrilling. This was simply impossible to copy!
So, they could only give up.
As for school life, Kasumigaoka Touji had also been attracting an immense amount of attention these past two days, practically becoming a campus celebrity. People would stop and stare on the pathways, and bolder individuals even approached him to strike up conversations.
There were more ripples in his daily life than before, but overall, it was manageable; his routine wasn't severely disrupted.
The real chaos came from a different quarter. The gyaru clique's drama had escalated into a full-blown war.
On Tuesday afternoon, Akizuki Yuna and Takahashi Yako gathered some people, ambushed Inohara Miyako, and nearly stripped her naked on the street. If it weren't for a kind-hearted passerby who couldn't stand it and intervened, the next day's news might have featured the headline 'Female High School Student Beaten and Stripped on Street.'
However, the incident naturally escalated because of this.
Then, on Wednesday morning—Inohara Miyako, having suffered greatly, retaliated. She called in some delinquent acquaintances to hide near the school gate, ambushing Akizuki Yuna and Takahashi Yako as they arrived. They gave the two a thorough 'lesson,' pouring even more gasoline on the fiery conflict. These three gyaru girls were truly… not to be trifled with.
Thanks to them, First-Year Class G became infamous throughout Toyosaki Private Academy—though certainly not for a good reputation.
As the homeroom teacher, Kojima Kana also faced criticism from the school administration—which made Kasumigaoka Touji feel a pang of guilt, since he had secretly triggered the whole mess. But he had no immediate solution, only able to think about finding an opportunity to make it up to the teacher later. Little did he know that 'later' would arrive so soon…
…
Wednesday afternoon. After school, in the Nap Club activity room—
"Kun-kun, kun-kun, kun-kun…"
"..."
Since he was leaving for Hokkaido for five days and couldn't take Kani Nayuta with him, Kasumigaoka Touji had suggested spending some time at the Nap Club after school. He wanted to have a proper gathering before their temporary farewell.
At this moment, he sat on the Nap Club's well-worn sofa. Kani Nayuta was straddling his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck, her face buried in the crook where his shoulder met his chest. She was ecstatically inhaling the clean scent of mint and vanilla on him, continuously murmuring "Kun-kun, kun-kun—"
The scene was quite… eye-catching.
Inside the room—
Kasumigaoka Utaha, Kato Megumi, and Gotou Hitori sat on chairs around the low table. Utaha held a light novel, while the other two held their phones—though Gotou Hitori's gaze kept darting furtively towards the couple on the sofa. For some reason, her face was flushed red. She was the only one blushing in the entire Nap Club… perhaps she was entertaining some rather unhealthy thoughts…
As the club president, the perpetually sleepy Kumin Tsuyuri was currently lying on the rug she'd brought from home, covered with a thin blanket, sleeping soundly.
Everything seemed quiet and peaceful.
Until—
"Kani Nayuta-sensei, it's fine if you want to sniff someone, but must you provide the sound effects? You sound like a total hentai."
"Speaking of which, I'm quite curious. When did our Nap Club transform into the 'Man-Sniffing Club'?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha set down her light novel, turned her head, and her wine-red eyes swept over the couple on the sofa with clear disapproval.
'Man-Sniffing Club…'
Gotou Hitori's imagination, already running wild, went into overdrive. Her breath hitched, and her face turned an even deeper shade of crimson… She ducked her head like a quail, wishing she could disappear into her collar.
"The well-fed know not the hunger of the starving," Kani Nayuta retorted, her voice muffled against Touji's neck as she refused to lift her head. "You get to go with him. I don't. So what's wrong with me getting in a few extra sniffs now?"
The phrase "the well-fed know not the hunger of the starving" instantly silenced Kasumigaoka Utaha. The corner of her mouth twitched, and she turned her head away with a hmph.
She wasn't 'well-fed'!
She was… perpetually overstuffed!
"..."
Silence returned to the room.
Kani Nayuta suddenly leaned in even closer, her lips brushing against Kasumigaoka Touji's ear as she whispered in a voice meant only for him: "Winter-sensei… how about you leave me your underwear? As a keepsake."
"Haa? What kind of keepsake is that? I'm not going away forever, and who keeps underwear as a memento!?"
Kasumigaoka Touji, who had his arms wrapped around the soft, fragrant girl, tilted his head to move his ear away from her cherry-blossom lips. A visible sweatdrop appeared on his forehead as he complained.
"Our family does!" The exquisitely beautiful and voluptuous Kani Nayuta placed her hands on his shoulders, puffing out her chest indignantly.
"No, our family absolutely does not… Consider yourself disowned!" Kasumigaoka Touji pinched the soft flesh at her waist, teasing her.
"Eh!? How mean! How could you just disown me like that!?" The silver-haired girl looked at him with an expression of exaggerated betrayal, then lightly pummeled his chest with her small fists.
"If you want a keepsake, here." Kasumigaoka Touji fished out a black hair tie from his pocket. Adorning it was a small, azure-blue, heart-shaped crystal charm.
Kani Nayuta often wore hair ties—a simple blue one, about a centimeter wide, usually tied around the strand of silver hair that fell over her left shoulder. This new one would suit her perfectly.
"So cute!"
"Did you get this… especially for me?"
Kani Nayuta accepted the hair tie with a look of delighted surprise. Her curiosity piqued, she then began rummaging through his pants pocket with her free hand. "Is there anything else in here…?"
Kasumigaoka Touji gave a noncommittal "Hmm," said "That's all," but then quickly pressed his hand over hers, a fresh wave of exasperation washing over him.
Just where exactly are you digging around!?