Their emotions were openly displayed on their faces, rising and falling with the story's progression.
Finally, the Drama Club's vice president—a senior—stared blankly at the last page, unmoving, as if trying to suppress her feelings, but ultimately unable to hold back. She rushed excitedly in front of the two.
"The female lead is too cute!"
"Was this written by Yukino? To write a script of this caliber in just one week is truly amazing! I can't wait to perform it!"
Unconcealed enthusiasm filled the entire room.
"Kiyono, next to her, also contributed a lot," Yukino said, quietly sighing in relief.
"Hmph, I just helped a little."
Kiyono turned his face away, playing the tsundere and refusing to take credit—if it weren't for Yukino, he really wouldn't have spent so much time helping a school club write a script.
"Thank you, Yukino, Kiyono. It was really good that I asked you for help back then."
The short-haired girl wiped the corners of her eyes, wanting to hug Yukino, but froze under her indifferent gaze and subtly retreated.
Seeing their sincerity, Yukino nodded in satisfaction.
The Service Club's first mission was a great success.
However… the cool girl's gaze quietly fell on Kiyono beside her.
Yukino saw through the boy's heart, yet she believed that even without her, if he saw them in trouble, Kiyono would never stand by and do nothing.
She understood him.
"Writing a script for the Drama Club, huh."
In the corridor of the school building, a beautiful, elegant figure drew firm attention from the other students.
The literary girl rested one hand on her chin, recalling the scene where the Drama Club's advisor had asked for her help earlier—this was a female teacher who usually took good care of her; since the teacher had asked, she couldn't very well refuse.
"But… a club, huh."
Kasumigaoka Utaha-senpai sighed softly. If it were just writing, she would be delighted, but ghostwriting for a club meant she would have to interact with people—and she didn't like dealing with people.
Her long, beautiful legs, clad in black stockings, stepped lightly along the floor—one light, one slow.
Upon arriving at the Drama Club, she found the president below the stage and calmly stated her purpose.
But what she didn't expect was…
"Eh? The teacher asked Kasumigaoka-senpai? I'm really sorry—we recently received a new script…"
"It's fine."
The literary girl spoke casually, feeling much more relaxed. Her gaze lifted with interest to observe the actors on stage.
It was clear the members were only at an amateur level. It was easy to see who was a beat slow, whose movements were stiff, whose rhythm was off. She lost interest. Kasumigaoka Utaha felt they couldn't support her ideas, but…
"The dialogue is quite interesting, though."
She crossed her arms. What she referred to wasn't the actors' delivery but the solid foundation of the script. Even with amateur students, it remained captivating.
"This script… if you don't mind, could I take a look?" Kasumigaoka Utaha mused for a moment, then addressed the president.
"Of course."
There was nothing to hide. The president, smiling cheerfully, handed her the script.
The senior extended her slender fingers and slowly flipped through it.
Gradually, a peculiar light rose in her eyes.
This style… it feels a little familiar.
—
Kasumigaoka Utaha really liked a light-novel author.
The author's pen name was Fuyutsuki. The stories he wrote—the words on the page—struck her heart, moving her deeply, like a giant, beautiful, bright, and gentle moon.
Just looking at them made one feel warmth and vitality from the bottom of the heart.
Whenever she was exhausted or encountered setbacks, she would take out his books and read carefully until her heart calmed.
At this moment, she felt that the script and dialogue before her had an inexplicably strong flavor of Fuyutsuki-sensei. Although it only accounted for a part, she was so familiar with the style that she recognized it at a glance.
Could he be her classmate?
Curiosity stirred in the girl's heart.
After the dismissal bell rang, Kiyono picked up his schoolbag and set off for home.
The moment he stepped out of the classroom door, a figure stood faintly in the corridor not far away.
Their gazes met by chance.
This is…
Kiyono raised an eyebrow.
Long black hair fell smoothly, adorned with a white hairband that added a touch of intellectual elegance. Delicate, beautiful features; deep red eyes like aged wine that could intoxicate. She wore the same uniform as everyone else, yet on her it exuded an elegant, quiet air. Her figure was slender, posture upright. Beneath her neat plaid skirt, a pair of translucent black stockings clung to her straight legs, radiating a subtle allure that firmly captured attention.
The senior—Kasumigaoka Utaha.
And…
"Loser."
She could be called an enhanced version of Komari.
Even as an "enhanced version," simply being seated at the same table as Komari already proved the value of that loser-type status!
Of course, despite the teasing, Kiyono greatly admired this beautiful girl. There were many reasons for his admiration: her unique pride, her seemingly bold yet somewhat shy inner self…
"It seems senpai should be the second loser character," Kiyono thought. He didn't think she was waiting for him; they had no prior interactions. Even in the realm of light novels, she had published earlier than he had, already passed her lowest point, and he'd had no opportunity to recommend novels to her.
Now, her heart should be completely tied to that glasses otaku.
How to put it… he didn't want to meddle in other people's relationships, but he still hoped she would pursue love with more dignity.
Kiyono shook his head and walked past her.
Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze shifted slightly, looking deeply at him.
Saturday—a sacred day of rest: no school, no tutoring.
Today, it's Yanami-sama's turn!
"Which clothes should I wear?"
In the girl's sweet-scented bedroom, the blue-haired girl meticulously laid out all her spring and summer outfits on the bed, expression serious—like a warrior choosing armor before battle.
Today she was going to Chiba to find her junior.
Ever since they'd lived apart, on every holiday she would take the train to replenish her Kiyono energy.
Though the distance was a bit tiring, an appropriate sense of separation brought freshness—and freshness is the raw material for brewing romance, as well as a good remedy to keep a relationship vibrant. Perhaps this was also why childhood friends often lost to "heavenly drops."
However, it didn't matter.
Now I am the heavenly drop!
Today, I will continue boldly attacking the boy and defeat the other childhood-friend "stray cats"!
Yanami confidently chose a white ruffled dress and put it on. She admired herself in the mirror for a while, then changed into another outfit.
Compared to other girls her age, she didn't actually have many clothes. Her family background was ordinary, and most of her saved pocket money went to food. Recently, there was the added expense of round-trip train fares…
Just then, her phone vibrated twice.
She slipped off her top and picked up her phone.
[Pure Love Warrior: Where are you now?]
[Girl Who Doesn't Like to Eat: Still at home. Hmph—are you so excited you can't wait, junior?]
[Pure Love Warrior: I'm at your house.]
Yanami tilted her head, not immediately understanding. After a full five seconds, her eyes widened. She yanked open the curtains and, sure enough, in an open space not far away, a boy in a refreshing short-sleeved shirt stood there.
She quickly pulled the curtains shut, pressed a hand to her chest, her pretty face slightly red, finally understanding.
He came to find me on his own… this must be a mutual journey, right?
[Girl Who Doesn't Like to Eat: Wait ten minutes… no, just five minutes!]
A moment later, the girl—now also in a short-sleeved shirt—hurriedly opened the door and walked gracefully to Kiyono's side.
"Why did Kiyono come all the way to Tokyo?" Yanami drew out her words, feigning ignorance.
"I just came to get some materials," the literary man said, still tsundere.
He paused, then continued, "Yanami, what do you want to eat today?"
"Huh? Is that the only impression I leave on you?"
The blue-haired girl gave his back a playful slap, then quickly walked ahead, tugged down her baseball cap, and flashed a bright smile.
"However, there is a place I want you to accompany me to."
Clang. Smack.
Clang. Smack.
"So the place you wanted to come is here?"
Kiyono looked around with interest. It was a dedicated batting cage in a shopping mall. The sounds of bats meeting balls rose and fell. He hadn't expected Yanami to choose a place like this. Generally speaking, only Lemon would…
Maybe he shouldn't mention that last part.
"Because—"
Swing.
"I want to—"
Smack.
"Lose weight!"
The ball flew out.
"If you're going to lose weight, don't use a children's baseball bat," Kiyono retorted, arms crossed.
Yanami stood energetically in the batting area. Her athletic outfit paired with a blue helmet looked surprisingly fitting. Whenever a slow ball rolled out of the machine, she would clumsily hit it back, punctuating each swing with a childish exclamation—giving off a strangely Lemon-like vibe.
However, compared to Lemon's straightforward boyishness—no less than a sports-club member—the aura the blue-haired girl exuded was more like: Today I'm on a date with my boyfriend, and I'm unexpectedly showing a different side.
Fortunately, Lemon wouldn't see this scene, Kiyono thought.
At this point, Yanami seemed to find the children's area too easy. She turned and walked toward the 70 km/h batting zone, continuing to hit.
But the sudden increase in speed caught her off guard. She swung and missed; after a half-spin, she fell to the ground. Her fair cheeks flushed slightly. She looked up at Kiyono, both embarrassed and pitiful, and her cuteness made his heart stir.
Oh no—she really did show him a different side.
"Kiyono, it's your turn! Hitting the ball feels so exhilarating!"
Yanami sprang up with a little "heh," casually dusted off her pants, and skipped to his side.
"Alright, I'll give it a try. First, I'll aim for a cool home run!"
In truth, Kiyono quite liked sports. He felt his ideal image should also have a passionate, athletic side. He eagerly stretched his arms, then pulled on the special white batting gloves and helmet.
Behind him, Yanami's eyes flickered.
This was her true objective!