Love's Metronome is getting an anime? Akane-nee has another project?
Not immediately catching the point, Miyahito looked at the chat, feeling a touch of envy. "Akane-nee is really something. Another anime adaptation. This time it's Love's Metron...—" His voice cut off abruptly.
The next second, his dark pupils instantly widened uncontrollably.
Love's Metronome.
Anime Adaptation.
Repeating those seemingly unrelated words in his head over and over, he stood frozen for a long while.
Suddenly, without realizing it, he shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Love's Metronome is getting an anime!"
Instantly, everyone on the street turned to look at the uniformed boy standing by the signpost.
But the boyfriend of a certain light novel author had zero awareness of causing a scene. Instead, acting like he was in his own world, he clenched his fist in sheer excitement.
"Yes! Utaha's work is getting an anime! This is amazing!"
Love's Metronome anime adaptation—this never even happened in the original story!
Utaha did it! His Utaha did it!!
Too happy for words, Miyahito hurriedly turned and jogged to the elevator.
After pressing the button, eager to share the news, he checked which floor the elevator was on. He couldn't help but press the button repeatedly.
"Right! I'll call her!"
For the first time in his life feeling an elevator was too slow, he opened his contacts. But the next second, the elevator's ding brought him back to his senses.
Stepping into the elevator with the crowd, he placed a hand over his rapidly pounding heart, silently warning himself:
Utaha is probably discussing the anime plans with Machida right now. Yeah, definitely. Don't disturb her! Absolutely do not disturb her.
While forcing himself to calm down with deep breaths, the elevator quickly arrived at the 4th-floor editorial department.
Ding—!
The doors opened, and Miyahito practically bolted out, heading straight to the reception desk.
"Hello, sir. How can I help you?" Seeing his frantic approach, the receptionist stood up with a smile.
"I-I... um, I..." Realizing he had absolutely no valid reason to barge in, Miyahito stammered, at a loss for words.
Noticing his hesitation, she smiled and invited him to the waiting area, bringing him a glass of water. "I'm sorry, sir, but without an appointment, we can't let you into the editorial department freely. Please wait here for a moment."
Hearing her polite refusal, Miyahito nodded awkwardly. "I understand. Thank you."
"No problem." She turned to return to her desk.
Suddenly remembering Machida, he quickly called out, "Excuse me."
"Yes?"
"Could you please contact Editor Machida? I'm here to see her." He felt slightly guilty asking this.
Understanding his meaning, the receptionist nodded with a smile. "Certainly. Please wait a moment."
She turned back and sent Machida a message about a visitor. Seeing a student in uniform come to the editorial office to see an editor was common for her. Maybe this student would become Shinobu's next pillar, just like Kasumi Utako-sensei under Machida's care.
Plus.
His uniform looks just like Kasumi Utako-sensei's, she noted, glancing at the fidgeting boy on the sofa. Probably from the same school.
Meanwhile, in the 4th-floor conference room.
"That's the general outline." Machida turned to the next page, explaining as she slid the document toward Utaha, pointing at the key production staff list for Love's Metronome.
"The director is Akasaka Akane. The entire soundtrack will be handled by Miyani. The production company is Akane's own studio. Basically, it's the same staff lineup as this season's top hit, Mechanical Crown."
Listening to the explanation, Utaha's brows furrowed slightly for some reason.
Machida noticed and asked with a smile, "Any questions?"
"Mhm." Nodding, Utaha pointed at the staff list. "Based on what you just said, Editor Machida... does that mean I'll need to come to the company regularly to discuss the anime's content and soundtrack with Akasaka Akane and Miyani?"
"Exactly." Machida nodded.
"Can I bring someone along?" Utaha thought for a moment. "I'd like to bring Miyahito with me. He knows much more about this kind of stuff than I do."
When Utaha said this, she meant exactly what she said. No hidden agenda. Even before officially dating, she knew Miyahito had extensive knowledge of business and law. She'd once curiously asked how he knew so much. His face had instantly dropped, and he'd pitifully said, "Don't ask. They're painful, unbearable memories."
Ahem, getting off track.
"Is that okay?"
Seeing Utaha's innocent expression, clearly meaning 'I have no other intentions, just want him to help me review things,' Machida fought back a laugh and nodded stiffly.
"Sure..."
Just then, Machida's phone buzzed.
She glanced at it, then looked back up at Utaha, who had already picked up the proposal to continue reading. Machida's mouth twitched slightly. "Utaha-chan."
"Hmm?" Utaha didn't look up from the document, her eyes scanning the pages.
Guessing what was coming, Machida tentatively asked, "Reception just messaged me. A guy in a Toyonoki uniform came looking for me."
"Oh, it's Miyahito." Not waiting for Machida to finish, Utaha looked up with a smile, her tone tinged with anticipation. "Last night I asked him to come pick me up from Shinobu and walk me home today."
Heh? Machida blinked for a second. Seeing the look on Utaha's face—I wonder what expression Miyahito will make when he finds out his favorite author is his girlfriend? Hehe, I can't wait—Machida scoffed internally.
You're really overthinking it, Utaha-chan.
Your boyfriend already knows you're Kasumi Utako, okay?
Otherwise, do you really think a massive internet celebrity like Miyani would work so hard to promote Love's Metronome for free?
It's because he likes you, and he's your boyfriend!
Naive! Way too naive, Utaha-chan!