"Ara ara." Machida looked at Utaha's confused face with a meaningful glint in her eyes, tapping the conference table lightly with a curled index finger. "O-K-A-S-H-I~ (she drew out the sound playfully), wasn't Utaha-chan the one who used to follow Miyani-sensei's news the most? Why... you look like you have no idea?"
Hearing Machida's pointed words, a slight discomfort stirred in Utaha's heart.
What does Editor Machida mean? Could it be related to why she made me come to Shinobu Publishing every day lately?
Thinking carefully, Utaha suddenly felt there might actually be a connection. After all, Machida had previously told her: "The anime adaptation for Love's Metronome is confirmed, scheduled to air next January." Plus, as the most popular online singer right now, Miyani had promoted Love's Metronome more than once on Twitter and Facebook. And now, he was producing the soundtrack for the anime...
"Is it because of the Love's Metronome anime soundtrack?"
Tentatively voicing her guess, Utaha immediately noticed her editor's expression turn strangely amused.
It was as if she were saying, 'I've spelled it out this clearly, why are you still acting so clueless?'
"Just say it plainly, will you? Editor Machida." Utaha rubbed her forehead, speaking with mild exasperation. "I admit I haven't paid attention to Miyani for a while. Yeah, ever since I started dating Miyahito."
"Utaha-chan." Hearing this, Machida's expression instantly morphed into one of sheer disbelief. "Are you sure you're a modern high school girl? Not some chaste maiden from the Edo period?"
"What kind of question is that?" Utaha's composure cracked. Slapping the conference table with a darkened face, she retorted indignantly. "I still like Miyani's songs, but what does that have to do with what you're saying? Besides, I'm dating Miyahito now. What guy could tolerate his girlfriend obsessing over another guy every day? And honestly, I hate that kind of girl the most."
Seeing Utaha puffed up and looking ready to pounce, Machida stared blankly for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. "Pfft hahaha... sorry... hahaha...."
Utaha, frozen mid-air with her palm raised, didn't know whether to finish the slap or just lower it and pretend nothing happened.
After laughing for a bit, Machida caught her breath, wiped a tear from her eye, and took a deep breath. "Mhm. If Miyahito-knew his girlfriend willingly gave up following her idol just to avoid making him misunderstand, he'd be so touched."
Winking at the already-darkening Utaha, Machida quickly added before she could explode again: "But, but, but! I don't think Miyahito-kun would mind if you kept liking Miyani. In fact, he might even be happier about it."
"What do you mean?" Utaha's brows furrowed, staring incredulously at Machida's 'trust me on this' expression. She tentatively asked, "Does Miyahito know Miyani? Or are they good friends?"
No way, right? Even if they're friends, hearing his girlfriend is a fan would still bother Miyahito.
Then again, Miyahito has so many instruments at home and loves singing and arranging music. Knowing Miyani isn't that strange.
Seeing Utaha's expression, Machida knew her author still hadn't caught the hint. But that didn't matter. Since Utaha was already connecting the dots between "Aragaki Miyahito" and "Miyani," Machida's goal for today was achieved.
I really can't with you, Utaha-chan. Resting her chin on her hand, Machida smiled internally. You've been dating and still don't know your boyfriend's other identity? That's just too pitiful. You'll thank me later, Utaha-chan.
Thinking about it, what is Miyahito-kun playing at? Keeping his identity secret from his girlfriend? Is he afraid his secret help will expose his "ulterior motives" from the start?
"Alright, enough chit-chat." Machida clapped her hands lightly.
Drawing Utaha's attention back, she picked up a document folder from a nearby chair and slid it across the table.
"This is the Love's Metronome anime adaptation plan. We're starting with Season 1, 12 episodes, covering Vol 1 to the first half of Vol 3. The production company is..."
Machida paused deliberately.
Utaha, noticing the unnatural pause, set the document down and looked up.
"Tomorrow, a representative from the production company will meet with you." Machida tapped her cheek with her index finger, using a deliberately suspenseful tone. "And this representative will also be the director for the future Love's Metronome anime. Her name is... Kosaka Akane."
"Mhm. You might know her better by another name."
"The founding representative of the super-popular doujin circle rouge en rouge—Kosaka Akane."
.....
Standing on a busy street, backpack on and wearing his Toyogasaki uniform, Aragaki Miyahito looked up at the commercial building before him.
"Shinobu Publishing... Is Utaha finally going to reveal her cards?" Recalling how mysteriously she'd told him to come pick her up here after school yesterday, Miyahito—who had always known his girlfriend's true identity as Kasumi Utako—couldn't help but chuckle.
Honestly, it wasn't just funny now. Heaven knows how hard it was for him at the dinner table last night to keep a straight face.
"Well, I guess I'm partly to blame too."
"But I really couldn't find the right moment to tell her 'I know you're Kasumi Utako.' So... yeah, I'm at most an accomplice! She's the mastermind."
Smiling and muttering to himself, Miyahito walked toward the bustling entrance of Shinobu Publishing, imagining what expression Utaha would make later.
Just then.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out.
Hmm? A message from Akane-nee?
Puzzled by the sudden text from Kosaka Akane, he tapped it open.
The screen displayed a LINE message:
`[Akane Kosaka: Miyahito, heads up. I'm taking over the anime adaptation for Kasumi Utako's work.]`