For the longest time, Kasumigaoka Utaha had harbored a secret in her heart.
Namely, what exactly had driven a middle school girl to choose the path of becoming a light novel author?
This was a secret Utaha had never told anyone.
Even her parents, the Kasumigaokas, only knew the simple yet complicated reason: "Because our daughter was too outstanding, she had no friends, so she poured her heart into writing novels."
Perhaps Machida Sonoko, who knew that "Utaha-chan absolutely loves Miyani's songs," might connect the dots to him.
And in fact, she was right.
But that assumption was only half the truth.
Two years ago, when Utaha was still that isolated middle schooler who, due to being too excellent, had no friends at school...
By chance, she heard a song.
A song played over the school broadcast during lunch break.
"The scent of winter fills the air....."
"This city is about to welcome the season that brings me closer to you...."
"In this year's first snow, we lean on each other....."
At that moment, experiencing a song titled Snow Flower for the first time, Utaha was utterly stunned.
Her entire heart was captivated by the gentle baritone echoing in her ears, narrating a sincere emotion with the softest words.
Back then, she couldn't fathom what kind of person could use such simple phrases... to paint a beautiful, romantic winter scene directly into the listener's heart?
For over five full minutes, until the song completely ended, Utaha hadn't moved a muscle.
She just sat there at her desk, completely dazed.
And on that very day, for the first time in two years of maintaining a cold distance from her classmates, Utaha reached out for help.
"Excuse me, could you tell me the name of this song?"
After school that day, Utaha rushed home from middle school early. The moment she walked through the door, under her mother's surprised gaze, she bolted straight to her room.
Armed with the title she'd gotten from a nameless desk-mate, she eagerly searched for it online.
"Miyani." Staring at the singer's name on the screen, Utaha raised a hand, her palm gently resting over her chest.
Taking a deep breath to steady the dizzying rush of her heartbeat, she slowly moved the mouse and clicked play on every single song under the "Miyani" artist page.
One song, two songs, three songs... As if watching a film, Utaha found herself helplessly immersed in the vivid scenes painted by the lyrics.
For the first time, she realized the true power of words could reach this far.
Over and over, she replayed every single track by Miyani.
Completely falling for Miyani's music, Utaha inadvertently discovered her own love for the world of literature.
"Could I also be like Miyani, using my pen to create a beautiful world of words?"
This thought took root in her heart after countless loops of Snow Flower.
And after that, time didn't dull it; instead, it struck deep roots in her heart.
On the first day of her third year, when Utaha received the publishing contract invitation from Shinobu with a mix of anxiety and hope, in her excitement, she realized that the desire to "become someone like Miyani" had long since taken root inside her.
After middle school, Utaha didn't choose to stay in Wakō City for high school.
Instead, ignoring her parents' objections, she resolutely chose Tokyo's Toyogasaki Academy.
Though coming to Tokyo alone didn't lead to her actually meeting Miyani as she'd hoped, that choice undoubtedly provided immense help for writing Love's Metronome.
However, at the beginning of her journey writing it, things didn't go smoothly.
Although she later received strong support from that influencer blogger, saving the series from cancellation, at that time, the person she truly longed to hear from was someone else.
Even just a single "Your novel is really good" would have made her incredibly happy. Unknowingly, she had begun craving that person's approval, driven by her desire to become like them.
Back then, the person she waited for remained silent.
Even when Volume 2 started selling, that person still hadn't spoken.
Just as Utaha was slowly losing hope of ever getting acknowledgment from the person who had led her down this author's path...
A few days ago, that person finally spoke.
"This is a love letter every boy should read."
And reality brought her more than just acknowledgment from her mentor. On that very day, Utaha also met a kindred spirit who truly understood her words.
Even though he only knew her as "Kasumi Utako."
To Utaha, that didn't matter at all.
Because she was Kasumi Utako, and Kasumi Utako was her.
Right?
Aragaki... Miyahito-kun.
....
After Machida Sonoko stepped in and politely but firmly "escorted away" that glasses-wearing, slightly pushy fan,
Utaha's Love's Metronome signing event gradually drew to a close.
As the clock struck 12:00 PM,
Utaha penned her pen name on the final copy of the book.
Watching the last fan in line leave, happily clutching their signed book, Machida Sonoko, who had stayed by Utaha's side the entire time, stepped forward with a smile.
Gently patting the exhausted author's back, she spoke in an indescribable tone.
"Good work, Kasumi Utako-sensei."
"Mm..." Stretching slightly, Utaha shot a "furious" glare at her slightly gloating editor, then lightly massaged her stiff shoulders as she grumbled.
"Where are we getting lunch?"
"Hmm... let me think." Frowning slightly, Machida put on a thoughtful expression, hesitated for a few seconds, then suddenly snapped her fingers with realization.
"How about ramen?"
"You want me, wearing a white suit today, to go eat ramen?"
This woman really has no fear.
Meeting Utaha's "are you crazy?" stare, Machida grinned and nodded. "Why not? Ramen is great! Cheap, filling, and delicious."
"That's because you like it, okay?"
Headache fully induced by her editor, Utaha let out a deeply exhausted sigh.
Standing up from her chair, she turned toward the back room and spoke with finality.
"Let's go to Hinotei for lunch. I'm actually craving kaiseki."
"W-Wait! Utaha-chan!"
Hearing her author demand kaiseki, Machida panicked and hurried after her.
"Kaiseki is way too much!"
"It's not your money anyway. Doesn't Shinobu Publishing reimburse it?"
"Of course they don't! Besides, how could the company ever expense something like that?"
"No wonder you suggested ramen in the first place. So you're broke."
"Ugh... Utaha-chan...."
Just as the editor and author were bickering...
"What's wrong with everyone?"
Noticing the bookstore customers acting strangely, Utaha turned to ask her editor.
"No idea."
Machida, who had also noticed the oddity, frowned slightly.
Just as she was about to tell Utaha to be careful, they both overheard a staff member speaking to a colleague nearby.
"Hey! Heiji! Miyani-sensei just appeared at the station up ahead! And he's singing a new song!"
Hearing this, Machida internally screamed, Oh no.
But when she turned to look at Utaha...
Kasumigaoka Utaha was already halfway to the door.
"Utaha-chan! Wait!"
Gritting her teeth and cursing under her breath, Machida didn't hesitate. She immediately gave chase after Utaha, who was about to bolt out of the bookstore.
...
Soon, Utaha and Machida arrived at the station plaza the staff had mentioned.
However, when their gazes pushed past the dense crowd and landed on the figure on the elevated stage—wearing sunglasses and softly singing familiar lyrics...
"How could it be..."
Looking at the familiar outfit, the familiar hairstyle...
Although the sunglasses covering most of his face prevented Machida from seeing his features clearly, she was confident she wasn't mistaken.
Because the singer on stage right now...
was identical to Aragaki Miyahito, whom she had just seen outside the bookstore hosting the signing event.
30 Power Stone = Bonus Chapter
1 Review = Bonus Chapter