"Suddenly, I think it's better to take smaller steps."
After hearing Luo Shu's proposal, Utaha—as he had expected—backed down.
Having grown up with conventional values, it was only natural for her to resist anything illegal.
Luo Shu had anticipated Utaha's lack of nerve, which was why he made such a suggestion in the first place.
Her excitement after encountering the 'supernatural' had struck him as odd, so he quickly figured out how to curb her curiosity.
Had Utaha eagerly pursued his line of thought, he wouldn't have hesitated to subtly expose her to the tragedies of those harmed by religion.
Someone who could so easily transition from an ordinary person to a perpetrator belonged not in school but in prison.
Fortunately, Utaha clearly wasn't that kind of 'talented' individual.
In short, Luo Shu had plenty of ways to make Utaha retreat.
So, seeing her hesitation and the loss of her earlier 'boldness,' Luo Shu abruptly changed his tone:
"Personally, I dislike that approach too. After all, I'm just a fallen god who's lost even his faith~~"
Hearing his self-deprecating words, Utaha couldn't help but giggle—though she immediately felt guilty and awkwardly said:
"Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you."
Luo Shu responded playfully: "What if my next line is 'So you did it on purpose?'"
Pfft!
Utaha covered her mouth, shoulders shaking as she tried to suppress her laughter. After composing herself, she asked:
"So, what exactly is your plan?"
With her words, the initiative fell perfectly into Luo Shu's hands.
Facing Utaha Kasumigaoka's question, Luo Shu pondered for a moment before replying:
"Your initial proposal isn't without merit for consideration."
"Initial?" Utaha blinked, then recalled her earlier suggestion about having influential figures join the Familia: "But most of those important people don't possess the qualifications, do they?"
"That doesn't matter." Luo Shu wagged his index finger as he reminded her: "A small portion is already sufficient. Moreover, even without that small portion, we could still indirectly influence them by interacting with people around them."
"Isn't that how things like political parties, hometown associations, alumni networks, or hobby clubs gradually accumulate their influence?"
Hearing this, Utaha instinctively thought of the 'Mind Reading' ability she had just acquired.
'So by using Mind Reading to interact with those close to influential figures, we could then influence those figures themselves?' Utaha suddenly understood.
Given her age, the people she could naturally interact with would mostly be their children - and as it happened, Toyogasaki High School had no shortage of such second-generation elites.
"Were you referencing my Mind Reading ability when..."
Before Utaha could finish, Luo Shu interjected:
"Famous female author, or exceptional psychologist - which identity do you think would be more suitable?"
'He's already planned out my identity and role...' Utaha thought to herself before voicing her preference: "I think the first one. Famous female author... yes, I quite like that."
The moment she spoke, Utaha felt a pang of guilt.
She suddenly remembered she hadn't told Luo Shu she was actually just a struggling light novel author.
Yet she'd been so confident earlier, talking about book signings and insisting he should address her as 'Teacher'.
If she admitted now that she wrote light novels - a genre still frowned upon by mainstream society - and that her volumes couldn't even sell twenty thousand copies, wouldn't that be utterly humiliating?
But if she went along with Luo Shu's plan and was eventually exposed, wouldn't that be even worse?
For a moment, Utaha found herself caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Famous female author?"
Luo Shu gave Utaha a knowing look, immediately recognising her unease from her shifting gaze:
"That could work. After all, psychologists require 'professional certification' for credibility - certifications we obviously can't obtain quickly."
"And conveniently enough, you're already a writer who's held book signings as a well-known author. That does make things considerably easier."
With each word Luo Shu spoke, Utaha felt her heart thumping louder, as if trying to escape her chest.
'I'm doomed doomed doomed!!'
'I can't keep this up! Never mind trying to deceive what might be an actual deity, I can't even accept this praise with a clear conscience...'
Just as the guilt-ridden Utaha was about to confess, Luo Shu suddenly said:
"However, considering you're still quite young, we could postpone this. It wouldn't hurt to wait until your reputation grows a bit more substantial."
"After all, something like 'The Metronome in Love' doesn't sound like a proper book at all, does it?"
Hearing this, Utaha Kasumigaoka was stunned.
She stared blankly at Luo Shu, her gaze completely unfocused. It took her a good while before she gradually regained her composure. Looking at Luo Shu's smiling face, she couldn't help but grit her teeth and say:
"You knew about my work and pen name from the start?"
"Obviously?" Luo Shu gave Utaha Kasumigaoka a strange look. "Have you forgotten where I work?"
Where does he work? Probably a bookstore... the one I often visit... uh... The thought made Utaha wish her delicate feet could dig a three-bedroom apartment out of the floor right then and there.
So he knew everything all along!!
This is beyond embarrassing!!
Meanwhile, Luo Shu, as if entirely oblivious to Utaha's bright red ears as she lowered her head, continued calmly:
"As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. For an organisation that needs to be discreet and ensure our safety, the initial scale must naturally be small to avoid leaks. Considering we're all students currently... a club seems like the most suitable option."
Barely suppressing her embarrassment and desperately hoping Luo Shu wouldn't notice her discomfort, Utaha kept her head down and replied softly:
"What kind of club did you have in mind?"
The bowed head meant Utaha completely missed the strange smile that flashed across Luo Shu's face:
"A club that secretly researches the occult. As for the name..."
"Let's call it: Astronomy Club."
"Of course, considering this is a common choice, we could alternatively name it... the Service Club, perhaps?"