[Naruto-sensei, are you free this weekend? I'm Machida, the editor-in-chief of the JUMP editorial department. I heard some time ago that you were interested in a romance work from the e-book publisher. And as it happens, my younger sister is the editor for that very novel, Love Metronome.....]
Huh? The editor-in-chief of the manga department's sister is an editor at the light novel department? Your family really likes being editors.
The weekend... should I go meet that Kasumigaoka Utaha who I can only farm G-Points from online?
It wasn't a bad idea. The weekend... a rare holiday. He might as well go and see.
.....
At the Tokyo Manga JUMP headquarters, Naruto-sensei, invited by the editor-in-chief, also known as Uchiha Ryo, was dining elegantly on the second floor.
"Hahaha, no matter how many times I see you, Naruto-sensei, I still have to marvel at your youth."
Uchiha Ryo smiled. "Editor-in-Chief Machida, so are we heading to the e-book publisher now?"
Machida smiled. "Of course... not. I've already had my sister bring her over."
Downstairs at the JUMP headquarters, Machida Sonoko was giving Kasumigaoka Utaha a tour. She also took the opportunity to remind her that if it hadn't been for Naruto-sensei's recommendation, Love Metronome would very likely have been cancelled.
"When you meet him later, you must thank him properly. And absolutely do not be sharp-tongued with him!"
"Of course I know that!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's thoughts drifted back to half a month ago—
Kasumi Utako: "I've only published two volumes... and it's going to be cancelled..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's editor, Machida Sonoko's, expression was not very good either. As the editor who had been with her since her debut, she also didn't want Love Metronome to be cancelled.
"I'm sorry.... I've already spoken with the editor-in-chief. This volume is your last chance. Unless the sales see a qualitative leap within a month, otherwise...."
The first and second volumes of Love Metronome were not selling well at all.
Even though it received positive reviews in small circles online, its overall sales were dismal. If this continued... it would be forcibly cancelled.
"Just write a happy end and finish it. Utaha, it's not a good thing to be forcibly cancelled by the publisher."
She had come to the publisher to discuss things with her editor, full of confidence to continue writing. But she hadn't expected... she hadn't expected to receive such an answer.
Kasumigaoka Utaha thought of many things. As her debut work, she had truly put a lot into it. Unfortunately, this reality was not gentle....
She thought about what her fans who were still following her work would think after her work was cancelled. That Mr. Anonymous... the junior from Shuchiin, Uchiha.
Until.... Naruto-sensei posted a photo. A photo of him reading a book.
——
"In any case, he saved my life, so don't worry. I won't do anything."
In the second-floor cafe, Uchiha Ryo finally saw that black-stockinged senpai with the white hairband again.
And Kasumigaoka Utaha, upon seeing Uchiha Ryo, was frozen in place.
Machida Sonoko: "Utaha! Utaha, say hello..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly smiled. "Mhm, you must be Naruto-sensei. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kasumigaoka Utaha."
→
The editor-in-chief, Machida, sitting beside Uchiha Ryo, was slightly stunned. As expected of Naruto-sensei. I didn't expect this novelist to be so beautiful.
"Ahem, Sonoko. It's been a long time since we've seen each other, you and I. Let's go out and chat."
Machida Sonoko was a little confused, but seeing that Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't object, she decided to go out first.
After the two editors left, Kasumigaoka Utaha said in surprise, "I didn't expect Naruto-sensei to be you."
"I, on the other hand, had a feeling you were Kasumi Utako-sensei, Kasumigaoka-senpai."
Kasumigaoka smiled. "Hey~ my fan, my junior, and my benefactor. Actually, if Editor Machida hadn't asked me to come over today, I was planning to ask you out."
"Ask me out?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression was slightly shy. "Mhm, because you said.... I have no experience in love, so I can't write that kind of novel. So I wanted to ask for your advice on matters of love."
Uchiha Ryo was slightly surprised. This Kasumigaoka was playing so big!
"Naruto-sensei.... is that okay?"
"Uh, my real name is Uchiha Ryo. You can just call me Ryo, senpai. So, what do you want from me?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha turned her head. "Just, to discuss matters of love. After all, I'm a girl. If I can get some theoretical knowledge from the male side, it should be more helpful for writing my novel."
"Discuss?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha showed a smile as if her cunning plan had succeeded. "That's right. Otherwise... what were you thinking, Ryo-kohai? This senpai is currently refusing to date, you know~"
Uchiha Ryo fell silent. It seemed he was being teased by this Kasumigaoka. This would not do. It had always been he, Uchiha Ryo, who teased others!
"Discuss?... I don't think that's enough."
"Eh?"
Uchiha Ryo looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha seriously.
"Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. How about I help Kasumi Utako-sensei gather material today? After all, wouldn't you write with more emotion if you've experienced it firsthand?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha had never expected Uchiha Ryo to say such a thing. Go gather material... wasn't that, going on a date!
"So that's what you were thinking, Ryo-kohai... then I have no choice but to agree. But not today. I'm not prepared yet, and you need to plan it out too, right, Ryo-kohai?"
It seems she's chickening out. Her agreement is only on the surface.
Uchiha Ryo chuckled. "It's fine even without preparation. A man is a warrior. He must be able to raise his spear and go into battle at any time!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to back down, but her heart also held a strange sense of anticipation.
"Ryo-kohai, are you really planning to go out and practice gathering material with me?"
Uchiha Ryo said with great righteousness.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai, I have an organ on my body that's more important than my heart. Although most people can't see it, it is indeed in my most important place. Because with it, I can stand up straight and call myself a man. So I will never retreat! Even if my heart stops beating, it must forever stand tall and straight."
Looking at Uchiha Ryo's serious expression, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt that something was not quite right. But after a moment of silence, she still nodded slightly.
"In that case, let's use this holiday to gather material together, Naruto-sensei."