"Huh?"
As Yamada Elf's words fell, Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow.
Looking at Yamada Elf, who was full of fighting spirit, Kasumigaoka Utaha was absolutely certain that only such a person could write "Blazing Dark Elf," which was full of chuunibyou vibes. However… declaring war, that's really something only children would do, isn't it?
However, she had to admit that Yamada Elf was very strong, at least better than her. After all, not only did her first book win the rookie award, but the sales were also extremely impressive, and most importantly, her age was a factor.
If her "Love metronome" had not suddenly appeared this year, it is estimated that not only the rookie award, but even the annual best-selling author award would have been taken by Yamada Elf. Yamada Elf probably thought so before, and if that was the case, Kasumigaoka Utaha understood why Yamada Elf had such great hostility. It turned out that it was because she had snatched away her annual best-selling author award.
At this moment, the banquet hall fell into silence because of Yamada Elf's shocking speech.
The host at the side wanted to step forward to liven up the atmosphere, but Kasumigaoka Utaha stood up, looked at Yamada Elf, who was not even in her teenage years yet and was much smaller than her in both figure and height, and said: "Little one, I'll wait to see the day you break a billion in sales, but before that, why don't you first win the annual best-selling author award, or grow up a bit."
There was no hostility in Kasumigaoka Utaha's words; compared to what she had said earlier to Machida Sonoko and the other, these words almost had no attacking power. Instead of a response declaring war against Yamada Elf, it sounded more like praise from an elder to a junior.
It wasn't that Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't have a temper, nor that she was afraid of Yamada Elf. Rather, when facing Yamada Elf, Kasumigaoka Utaha had precisely grasped her psychology.
The more arrogant and provocative Yamada Elf was, the less she should show impatience. That would only make Yamada Elf even more satisfied. The correct approach was to take a superior stance, the stance of a senior in the light novel industry.
"You!"
As expected, as soon as she heard this from Kasumigaoka Utaha, Yamada Elf immediately became agitated. She was, after all, just a teenager, and on top of that chuunibyou, so how could she endure such provocation from Kasumigaoka Utaha!
After Kasumigaoka Utaha finished speaking and looked at her with a provocative gaze, Yamada Elf's face instantly turned red with anger.
She pointed a finger at Kasumigaoka Utaha, then looked at herself, not knowing how to respond for a moment.
Kasumigaoka Utaha had indeed entered the industry earlier than her, and her words did indeed contain praise for her, but… why did it sound so irritating to her ears!
"What is it, Kasumigaoka Utaha-sensei? Lacking confidence? To break a billion in sales, you must first believe in yourself."
Seeing Yamada Elf's reaction, Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled slightly and tilted her head, looking like an older sister taking care of a younger one, although her words carried a trace of irony.
"I… thank you, Kasumigaoka Utaha-sensei!"
Taking a deep breath, Yamada Elf felt that if she stayed there any longer, Kasumigaoka Utaha's irony would be the death of her. She gritted her teeth, thanked her, and quickly stepped off the stage after receiving the award.
Seeing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled with satisfaction.
Still just a child. Looks like she's only in elementary school. Two sentences and she already can't take it.
Soon after Kasumigaoka Utaha sat down, she felt that everyone in the hall was looking in her direction.
Sensing that something was wrong, Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at the young man beside her.
She saw Nakano Yu looking indifferent, patting Kasumigaoka Utaha's hand and saying: "Don't pay attention to them."
Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded. Among everyone in the banquet hall, there was probably no one who did not recognize Nakano Yu. Nakano Yu had noticed those gazes as soon as he entered the hall, but after sweeping his gaze across the room, he did not find many people he knew, so he simply ignored them.
Let them look. The Police Department and Kyoto Onmyoji had made such a big fuss, all they wanted was for the entire country to know about Nakano Yu.
It turned out to be quite successful, even Machida Sonoko recognized him at first glance.
If it had been before, Machida Sonoko might have only heard of some important figure from the upper circles of Japan, and would never have thought that it was Nakano Yu, nor would she have even heard his name.
It can only be said that the promotion of the Police Department and Kyoto Onmyoji was effective, it's just that he didn't particularly like it.
Although it had no impact on him, it would cause inconvenience to the people around him… for example, girls like Kotonoha, who did not like to be in the spotlight.
After Yamada Elf stepped down from the stage, the host tried to liven up the atmosphere, but the people below the stage kept following Nakano Yu's movements.
None of them were unaware of Nakano Yu's existence. If they could establish a connection with that young man tonight, their future path would definitely be smooth!
Even just exchanging a few words with him, getting to know him, could be a huge opportunity!
The host on stage, seeing that no one was paying attention to him, felt a drop of cold sweat on his forehead.
He had also noticed Nakano Yu, but among the guests he knew in advance, there was no one of such status. Could it be that this person was invited by one of the light novel authors present?
As he thought about it, the host's gaze fell on Kasumigaoka Utaha. Seeing how close she was with Nakano Yu, he immediately understood.
So, they were boyfriend and girlfriend. He had really overlooked that fact.
Composing himself, the host continued the program.
Next was the final award—the annual best-selling author. After announcing the winner and the work, Kasumigaoka Utaha stood up and walked down.
After receiving the check, commemorative medal, and gift from Undying River Publishing from the award presenter, Kasumigaoka Utaha thanked everyone properly, with special emphasis on Nakano Yu and Machida Sonoko.
Nakano Yu, of course, did not require further explanation; "love metronome" was able to come back from the dead mainly thanks to him. As for Machida Sonoko, it was because she had constantly encouraged Kasumigaoka Utaha.
After the first volume of "love metronome" came out with disastrous sales, Kasumigaoka Utaha was deeply discouraged. At that time, she had actually thought about putting down her pen and giving up her literary dream, but Machida Sonoko did not give up on her, nor on "love metronome."
Although Machida Sonoko made the prediction that the third volume of "love metronome" would be cut short, that was only a preventive measure for Kasumigaoka Utaha. She knew that Kasumigaoka Utaha possessed great talent in literature, and if she suffered failure and lost confidence, Machida Sonoko would feel enormous regret.
After the speech, Kasumigaoka Utaha, with the prize money and full honors, stepped down from the stage and returned to Nakano Yu's side.
Then the boss of Undying River Publishing came on stage again to speak, and soon after, the banquet began.
Although it was called a banquet, it was actually divided into groups: editors with editors, editors with their authors, and big figures of Undying River Publishing talking with their colleagues.
However, a few people were exceptions, such as Yamada Elf. After receiving the award, she stayed for a while, watched Kasumigaoka Utaha receive her award, and then left.
Nakano Yu also did not particularly like social gatherings. After all, at least in Tokyo, everyone he might need probably knew him, even if he did not know them.
"This party is really boring, Yu. Look at them, they want to come over but don't dare. It's a bit funny."
In the banquet hall, Kasumigaoka Utaha walked up to Nakano Yu, her gaze sweeping over the people as she spoke.
"That's normal. Are you done playing, Utaha?"
Nakano Yu did not pay much attention to it. In the past, only the braver ones, or families and zaibatsu with immense power in Japan, dared to approach him. And such people were obviously not in this hall.
More than those people, Nakano Yu was concerned about when he could leave with Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"There's nothing fun here, but… I'll disappoint Boyfriend-kun. I'm staying at Sonoko's tonight, so it's not convenient to take Boyfriend-kun along."
Sensing Nakano Yu's thoughts, Kasumigaoka Utaha said, extending her hand and threading her fingers through his, lightly touching his palm.
"Does that mean Utaha, as a heartbreaker, plans to light a fire and then not take responsibility?"
Hearing this, Nakano Yu turned his hand, held her fair, delicate hand, and slightly leaned closer to Kasumigaoka Utaha as he asked.
"Of course not. Although it's not possible here, but for other things..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha knew Nakano Yu was joking, but she had no intention of joking. After saying that, she pulled Nakano Yu and walked toward the exit of the banquet hall.
...
Although Undying River Publishing did not reserve the entire hotel today, the hotel still controlled the number of guests to ensure that the banquet would not be disturbed. The floor where the hall was located was completely empty.
Leading Nakano Yu, Kasumigaoka Utaha arrived at the corner of the staircase.
There were no lights here, so it was quite dark. After all, very few people use the stairs now; everyone takes the elevator. This suited Kasumigaoka Utaha perfectly.
With her slender, bow-like fingers, she gently unbuttoned the young man's collar, and her whisper entered his ears in the darkness:
"I'm not the scumbag Yu talks about. I am responsible for Yu, in every sense of the word."
With that, Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned closer.
Nakano Yu said nothing, looking at Kasumigaoka Utaha.
In the darkness, two burning hearts intertwined.
"Utaha, where were you?"
Half an hour later, Kasumigaoka Utaha, returning to the banquet hall, was flushed, her hair sticking to her forehead from light sweat. Although her dress was still neat, she looked as if she had just run a three-thousand-meter race.
Seeing Kasumigaoka Utaha, Machida Sonoko hurried over and asked.
Originally, they had planned to find an opportunity to leave twenty minutes ago, since the banquet was no longer relevant to them. It would be better to go to Hiratsuka Shizuka's place for a girls' gathering.
And also to question Hiratsuka Shizuka. That girl actually said something like, if she doesn't get married, let her student support her! How enviable—no! What a twisted worldview! It makes one grind their teeth!
"I went… to get something to eat. Let's leave quickly now."
Faced with Machida Sonoko's question, Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled slightly and, after saying that, led them toward the exit.
Looking at Kasumigaoka Utaha's back, Machida Sonoko slightly moved her nose.
Why was there some strange smell just now?
"Sonoko, hurry and follow."
"Ah, coming!"
Not thinking too much, Machida Sonoko quickly followed.
Meanwhile, Nakano Yu looked at the time on his phone, then at the system panel that appeared in front of him, and muttered:
"The system is much faster today than usual."
"Ding! Daily task refreshed: Perverted weirdo!"
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