Honestly.
Utaha really found people who ignored others' feelings and just talked on and on to be incredibly annoying.
Even if he claimed to be a loyal fan and knew every detail of her two published volumes,
Ultimately, this so-called "loyal fan" was just parroting the plot back to the author.
Someone who doesn't even understand Sayaka's heart... Sigh. Just an ordinary, if slightly obsessive, fan who's reread the book a lot.
Letting the glasses-wearing fan continue his endless praise, Utaha picked up her marker. She quickly scribbled her pen name and a simple, generic blessing.
"Thank you for your support. — Kasumi Utako"
Then, just like with all the others, she held the book with both hands, offered a formulaic, polite smile, and said:
"Thank you for your support."
"Ah, Kasumi Utako-sensei..." Caught off guard by the sudden cutoff, the fan stepped back.
After regaining his balance, he slowly took the book from her hands.
Seeing him hesitate, clearly wanting to say more even after getting the signature, Machida, standing nearby, frowned slightly in annoyance.
She'd already been growing impatient with this fan who refused to leave and kept rambling.
While she understood that loyal fans naturally want to share their thoughts with their favorite author,
The more the glasses-wearing fan talked, the more Machida felt something was off.
Especially after comparing him to another one of Utaha's fans earlier, his words now felt strange.
It almost feels like... this kid is trying to teach Utaha how to write her own novel?
Is it just my imagination?
....
If Utaha were still unknown, or if today's event didn't have such a massive turnout,
Machida wouldn't have minded this obvious superfan at all. She might have even encouraged them to connect.
After all, having a dedicated fan could provide the encouragement a rookie author needs to keep going.
Plus, judging by his rich "otaku knowledge" and "light novel reading experience" from earlier, this boy could have been a valuable asset to a newcomer like Utaha.
Come to think of it, looking at his young age and the vaguely familiar phrases he kept dropping...
Machida suspected he wasn't just a regular student.
I heard this TAKI guy is pretty young. Could it be him?
With that thought, Machida shifted her weight forward, ready to step in and politely dismiss the fan, who was still lecturing Utaha on his expectations for the plot.
But then, her peripheral vision caught something.
At the very back of the signing line, near the bookstore entrance, a pair walking together—one older, one younger, chatting and laughing—slowly passed by.
Instinctively stopping, Machida turned to look.
Just then, the "older brother's" gaze seemed drawn by a magnetic force, slowly settling on Machida... or rather, on Kasumigaoka Utaha beside her.
Oh my, Aragaki-kun.
Recognizing him instantly as the boy from the café who had left such a deep impression on both her and Utaha, Machida instinctively raised a hand to wave.
But to her surprise,
Aragaki-kun merely glanced at Utaha, then calmly looked away. Smiling at the girl beside him—who bore a striking resemblance to him—he continued walking in their original direction.
To an observer, it looked as if, in Aragaki-kun's eyes, the only person at this signing event was Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Didn't he say he didn't have time earlier?
But now that he's passing the bookstore, why isn't he coming in for a signature? Is the line too much trouble?
...
After passing the bookstore hosting the signing event,
Ayase, walking beside Miyahito, clearly noticed that her brother's mind had drifted elsewhere.
"Big Brother."
Calling out instinctively, Ayase reached out and gently tugged his sleeve.
"What's wrong?"
"Hmm? Nothing's wrong."
Snapping back to reality, Miyahito noticed the concern in his sister's eyes. He instinctively tucked away his tangled thoughts and offered a smile.
Yet, the subtle shift in his expression didn't escape Ayase's sharp eyes. But because Miyahito had always been the most reliable person in her life, she instinctively chose to trust his words, despite sensing his mood was off.
After all, Big Brother had never lied to her.
"By the way, Big Brother." Feeling somewhat reassured, Ayase decided to change the subject. "What did you and Maki-nee mean by a 'one-song concert' earlier?"
"Oh, that."
Hearing her question and recalling the flash mobs and dazzling street performances he'd seen online in his past life, Miyahito couldn't help but smile.
Noticing her brother's improved mood, Ayase felt a spark of curiosity and anticipation for their upcoming "one-song concert."
Just hearing about the "one-song concert" made Big Brother happy.
It must be something really fun.
Catching the curiosity and anticipation on his sister's face from the corner of his eye, Miyahito smiled indulgently.
"So, Big Brother..." Her eyes sparkling with joy and expectation, Ayase's tone grew excited. "Are we just gonna randomly run into a park and sing?"
"And then run away after one song?"
Catching her excitement, Miyahito reached over and ruffled her hair happily.
"Yep. The band members already went ahead to set up the instruments."
"So, how do you feel? Even though we'll be wearing masks, we'll be singing for a lot of people. Are you scared, Ayase?"
Hearing his question, Ayase instinctively wanted to say no. But as she imagined the potential scene, a little fear crept in. Just as she considered backing out, her brother's encouraging gaze gave her a surge of courage.
So.
"As long as you're with me, I'm not scared."
"Alright then. Let's enjoy the music together, Ayase."
"Yeah, Big Brother."
...
12:00 PM. Station Plaza.
At this hour, whether it was fashionable guys and girls waiting for friends, or hurried professionals and elites passing through, everyone's gaze was instinctively drawn to the shaded area of the plaza.
There, a group of staff in uniforms were busy setting something up.
Is there a performance?
Noticing the various instruments in their hands and a piano carefully placed in the center, citizens naturally assumed some organization was planning a show.
Yeah, maybe another agency is doing an idol debut.
As time passed, gradually, more and more people, thinking "might as well see what it is," stopped walking and watched with curiosity.
Soon, the onlookers spotted two figures suddenly appearing among the ready band members: a young man and a young woman.
Though both wore black masks embroidered with a single cherry blossom and sunglasses covering most of their faces, the crowd could easily guess they were siblings.
"Ahem."
At the sound check echoing from the speakers, everyone's attention snapped to the masked siblings.
Sensing the crowd's gaze.
Standing on a slightly elevated step, the "brother" with an earpiece mic and a guitar turned to look at the "sister" beside him, who held a microphone with both hands.
After sharing a smile.
The sister slowly lowered her mask.
As the gentle piano melody began, a voice as clear as water slowly seeped into everyone's hearts.
"We were both young when I first saw you....."
30 Power Stone = Bonus Chapter
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