Kasumigaoka Utaha was in a good mood today. She had originally planned to visit Akihabara and stop by the e-book publisher's headquarters, but she hadn't expected to see a fan of her book on the train.
Judging by his age, he should be about the same as her, and his looks were very much to her taste. No, wait, he was already reading the second volume?
Suddenly, Uchiha Ryo closed his book and turned to look at Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had been secretly glancing at him.
"Miss, are you interested in this book? It's written quite well."
[Kasumigaoka Utaha's affinity has increased—G-Points +20]
"You think this book is well-written?"
Uchiha Ryo nodded. "Yes. Although there are many fantastical elements at the end of the first volume that make it a bit uncomfortable to read, and the author probably has no experience in love, which makes this romance novel feel a bit unrealistic. Speaking of which, I've actually had a brief exchange with the author."
Kasumigaoka Utaha... had an exchange with me? Then how come I don't know about it?
With Uchiha Ryo's looks, and being a fan of her book, if she had ever chatted with him, Kasumigaoka Utaha thought she would never forget it.
"But it was online, unfortunately. To be honest, I'd quite like to meet the author in person."
It's that Mr. Anonymous!!
Kasumigaoka Utaha realized who the person in front of her was. The mysterious person who was the only one to have discussed the continuation of her work with her online.
They had just discussed how to write the third volume last night. To avoid being canceled, she had planned to go to the e-book publisher today to talk to her editor, Machida Sonoko.
Could fate be so coincidental... Kasumigaoka Utaha had originally not believed in the concept of destiny.
"Actually, I'm also a fan of this book. So, what kind of person do you think the author of this book is?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't plan to reveal her identity right away. She wanted to know what kind of existence she was in the hearts of her readers.
Uchiha Ryo smiled. The fish was already on the hook. For the sake of Kasumigaoka Utaha's G-Points, I'll begin my attack without reservation.
[Arriving at Akihabara Station]
Ishigami Yu put away the novel and got off the train. He then saw Uchiha-senpai walking out, laughing and talking with a school beauty-level girl.
Hmm?
Ishigami Yu was certain that before they got on the train, neither had said they would be bringing any friends. Which meant...
Uchiha-senpai had conquered a beautiful girl, one who could be called a school beauty even at Shuchiin, in less than half an hour?!
Aren't we both otaku who love the 2D world? Ishigami Yu felt abandoned by his senpai. They weren't the same kind of people at all.
"By the way, I still don't know this classmate's name."
"My name is Uchiha Ryo. I'm a new student at Shuchiin's high school division."
Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded. Shuchiin, huh? I didn't expect a fan of my book to be from a prestigious school.
"Well then, bye-bye, Uchiha-kohai."
Uchiha Ryo smiled. In that half-hour, Kasumigaoka Utaha had contributed over a hundred G-Points. He had really worked hard.
"I've already told you my name. So how should I address you, senpai?"
"Mhm, you can call me Kasumi Utako-sensei."
Kasumigaoka Utaha left only her back to him. She was very happy right now, because she could already imagine the excited expression of that little fan after hearing the name "Kasumi Utako."
To think that the beautiful senpai I've been talking about novels with for so long is the author herself! Ohoho, to save you from embarrassment, I'll leave early~
Behind her, Uchiha Ryo was unfazed. Ishigami Yu, on the other hand, suddenly dropped his jaw. What had he just heard? Wasn't Kasumi Utako the author of the book he was just reading...
"Senpai, was that person just now the author of Love Metronome?!"
Uchiha Ryo nodded calmly. "Mhm, that's her. A second-year student at Toyogasaki Academy."
Ishigami Yu nodded. "So senpai, you know this author-senpai?"
"Just met her. Alright, Ishigami! Forget about Love Metronome, we're in Akihabara now. Let's go! Let's go check out a maid cafe!"
Finally, they arrived at a place Uchiha Ryo had only ever visited in his springtime dreams. A maid cafe. This was the fantasy land of many 2D otaku!
Uchiha Ryo decisively led Ishigami Yu inside.
"Welcome home, Master~"
The girl's sweet voice, her cute and charming smile... Just as Uchiha Ryo was about to speak, he saw a maid desperately trying to hide her figure.
Crap, I'm in a maid cafe and I just saw an acquaintance's little sister. What should I do? Waiting for answers online.
A petite and cute maid, her soft, silvery-white hair topped with a black lace headdress. Although she had lowered her head, her bright azure eyes were already filled with an embarrassed expression.
The other maids seemed to have seen Uchiha Ryo's particular interest in the silver-haired maid and all chose to make way.
"P-please come this way, Master."
There was no other way. Since he had already been discovered, he might as well see it through.
Shirogane Kei was no longer shy, but very professionally led the two to a corner seat.
"Um...."
"I lied about my age to work here... Please don't tell my brother."
Shirogane Kei whispered, then put on a smile and took out the menu. "What would you two Masters like to eat?"
Uchiha Ryo nodded. "Three cakes and three cups of lemon tea. Ishigami, as your senpai, this is my treat."
Ishigami Yu nodded, then looked at Shirogane Kei. It seemed he also recognized the girl in front of him. She seemed to be a student from Shuchiin, but not in the same grade, so he wasn't familiar with her.
In fact, Ishigami Yu wasn't familiar with many students even in his own grade and class.
Ishigami Yu: "Then thank you, senpai."
Not long after, Shirogane Kei came over with a tray. "Master, here are the cakes and lemon tea you ordered. Please enjoy your meal."
Uchiha Ryo tapped the table. "Kei-chan, sit down and eat with us first."
"Eh... mm, okay."
Although he understood that the Shirogane family's financial situation was average, Uchiha Ryo had not expected that Kei-chan would also come out to work on the weekends.
Although he could support Shirogane Miyuki a little, with their family's personality, both Shirogane Miyuki and Kei-chan would probably refuse. It was their pride!
"So, Uncle Shirogane and Miyuki-kun don't know?"
Shirogane Kei took a small, uneasy bite of cake.
"Ryo-nii, a classmate recommended this maid cafe job to me, and I came here without telling my family."
Uchiha Ryo sighed. "Kei-chan, I understand you want to do your part for the family, but your home is not near Akihabara. It's very dangerous for a girl to come to a place like Akihabara, teeming with otaku, by herself on the weekend."
Shirogane Kei didn't dare to speak.
"Kei-chan, you don't want Shirogane Miyuki to find out you're working here behind his back, do you?"
"Ryo... Ryo-nii."