"Hurry up, Yu, call me senpai and let me hear it."
Walking down the hallway while holding hands, Kasumigaoka Utaha draped one arm over the young man's shoulder and spoke in a spoiled tone.
"No."
Glancing at the girl beside him, Nakano Yu turned his head and said.
For some reason, he felt that Kasumigaoka Utaha was different from the sharp, calculating girl he knew; of course, the difference was only that the Kasumigaoka Utaha he knew was a bit too affectionate.
They had been intimate on the rooftop for a long time, and then she held onto him as they went down the stairs, completely ignoring the gazes of the people around them.
However, for Kasumigaoka Utaha, these things were completely normal. Although there wasn't a complex, sweet daily romantic relationship between her and Nakano Yu, Kasumigaoka Utaha clearly knew that she liked Nakano Yu and understood his character.
Moreover, Kasumigaoka Utaha never felt that she needed to care about the opinions of others; she had few friends growing up, and if even the person she liked had to pay attention to others' expressions and listen to their opinions, what meaning would her life have?
After meeting Nakano Yu for the first time, she learned everything about him. When someone stirred up public opinion, trying to pressure the young man on the internet, she immediately stood on his side.
Without any other reason, Kasumigaoka Utaha believed in Nakano Yu's character. And even if the person she liked was a bloodthirsty demon, so what? Nakano Yu saved her, and he is the person she likes; that was enough.
"Doesn't Yu want to try something new and exciting? Like… hypnotizing your cold senpai…"
Kasumigaoka Utaha did not consider Nakano Yu's refusal problematic. She now understood his character quite well; he was the type who responds better to gentleness than force, and was also somewhat reservedly perverted.
If it was just an ordinary joke, Nakano Yu wouldn't blush at all nor would his heart race, but in a public place, this guy would become serious.
The more Nakano Yu was like this, the more Kasumigaoka Utaha felt that the young man she liked was cute.
How could such a boy be the bloodthirsty demon those idiots on the internet think he is? They must have provoked him. "We'll talk about it after school today."
After hearing Kasumigaoka Utaha's suggestion, Nakano Yu was tempted. He lightly touched the girl's full thigh and said.
Feeling Nakano Yu's small gesture, Kasumigaoka Utaha's face flushed, but her heart was full of joy. She felt that she had somewhat understood Nakano Yu's character; a guy who doesn't cross the line, isn't excessive, and knows how to make small jokes, she really liked him.
If it were someone who truly wanted but didn't dare to admit it, or someone who didn't care about circumstances or even the girl's dignity, Kasumigaoka Utaha would say only one word, get lost!
But… tonight didn't seem possible.
Since it was autumn, the Undying River Publishing Rookie King Award and Annual Best Award were to be given. According to Machida Sonoko, she was originally not a candidate for the annual best, because the sales of the first and second volumes of love metronome were not good at the beginning.
However, thanks to Nakano Yu's recommendation in the promotional short film current love, and the turnaround in reputation of the third volume of love metronome, she successfully won the annual award with extremely high results.
But… all of this was thanks to Nakano Yu. If it weren't for his recommendation, the release day of the third volume would have been the day love metronome was canceled.
Speaking of which, the inspiration for the third volume came from the love story of Nakano Yu and the two girls in the promotional film.
After analyzing that film, Kasumigaoka Utaha incorporated those elements into the third volume.
Those elements were essentially the unrequited love of a third person, and misunderstandings between the main couple due to that third person and other reasons, which led to a forced separation.
This made Kasumigaoka Utaha realize that love is not just smooth, sweet romance, but also many other emotions she did not understand before.
After adding those emotions, love metronome became successful. The character structure and plot became richer, and of course, it brought her a deeper understanding.
"Tonight probably won't work. Undying River Publishing gives awards every year, Boyfriend-kun knows that, right?"
Returning to the topic, Kasumigaoka Utaha slightly shook her head, looking at Nakano Yu with expectation and pride.
She hoped Nakano Yu would praise her. Although the first and second volumes survived thanks to his recommendation, the quality of the third volume was much stronger compared to the competition.
Moreover, for a work that was canceled to become the annual bestseller with the third volume was a huge success.
"Utaha won the annual bestseller, right? It hasn't even been half a month since the third volume was released, and you're already a bestseller?"
Seeing her expression, Nakano Yu guessed.
But… the release time was so short, and she had already won the award? That was quite terrifying.
"Boyfriend-kun guessed right… I think two days ago it surpassed 350,000 copies, and that's only from direct publisher stores."
Kasumigaoka Utaha said, with a slight tone of boasting.
"Utaha is amazing! 350,000 copies in a few days, that will break the publisher's record. Tonight you'll be the star of the ceremony."
Nakano Yu rubbed her head and praised her.
"Boyfriend-kun, will you go with me? My editor is curious, and… Sonoko's best friend will also be there."
Kasumigaoka Utaha asked, holding his hand.
Her family was not in Tokyo. At the beginning, they did not support her writing, and creation requires a quiet environment, so she moved out.
Because of that, when she found out she had won the award, she realized she had no one to share the joy with except Machida Sonoko.
She didn't want tonight to be the same.
"Alright, I don't have plans tonight."
Nakano Yu nodded.
He had been bored these past two days anyway, so going to a party would be good.
"Boyfriend-kun is really kind. No wonder there are so many girls around you."
"No, but I think I'm quite a good person."
"Yu is really narcissistic. Do you ever confess to yourself in the mirror?"
"No!"
Chatting with Kasumigaoka Utaha, she then returned to her classroom.
Although she was a transfer student, she was a second-year, so her classroom was not on the same floor.
After seeing her off, Nakano Yu returned to his own.
After returning, he talked with Katsura Kotonoha and Miura Yumiko, explained the situation with Kasumigaoka Utaha, and class began.
Nakano Yu sat idly, thinking or openly playing on his phone.
His grades were excellent, so the teachers didn't bother him much. Plus, now he was famous, so they bothered him even less.
Some even came to ask how he was.
Of course, Hiratsuka Shizuka was not among them. No matter what he became, her attitude toward him did not change.
Soon the sun set and school ended.
Nakano Yu did not go home with the five sisters. Not because of Kasumigaoka Utaha, but because he was going to the ceremony and had to change clothes.
The reason he wasn't in a hurry to go home was the item that the Moon God Envoy had found earlier. Now that the sun was setting and moonlight was falling, they could teleport back to Tokyo.
Nakano Yu was curious about what they had found.
Thinking this, his figure flickered, and in the next moment he appeared on top of a building.
The Moon God Envoy always returned to the rooftop of the Nakano building.
As soon as he appeared, he saw one Moon God Envoy sitting on the ground.
Seeing only one, he was confused. They usually went in pairs.
He frowned and his gaze fell on the object in its hand.
It looked like a hollow circular wheel.
It didn't look special, but Nakano Yu could feel a familiar power in it.
That power… was the sun!
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