During the fitness test at the start of the school year, when he quickly finished his tasks and quietly helped her record her results.
Little by little, these memories surfaced in Kato Megumi's mind.
This time, the boy's memories were now filled with her as well.
Thus, the sweetness welling up from deep inside her heart multiplied tenfold, even a hundredfold.
At some point, the six-hundred-page light novel had reached its final page without her noticing.
Kato Megumi closed the book, feeling her racing heartbeat and flushed cheeks.
The noise from the outside world still couldn't reach her ears.
This wasn't a light novel at all.
It was a six-hundred-page love letter.
"This is totally unfair; this is my first time receiving a love letter,"
Kato Megumi murmured her thoughts to herself.
Once you've seen the most breathtaking scenery, ordinary mountains and rivers fail to excite you.
This perfectly described Kato Megumi's current state of mind.
In this world, aside from Yukima Azuma, no one else could move her heart.
Except for Yukima Azuma, everyone else in the world was mere dust.
From the day that boy made his promise,
Kato Megumi had been destined to fall into the love web he had woven.
From then on, she could never love anyone but Yukima Azuma.
Hugging the book tightly to her chest,
Kato Megumi dashed into the bathroom. Carefully, she adjusted her hairstyle, straightened her outfit, and ensured she looked as perfect as possible.
A girl beautifies herself for the one she loves.
For the person she was about to meet, Kato Megumi earnestly prepared herself.
Even if it made her just a bit cuter, it would be worth it.
After applying a faint layer of lipstick,
Kato Megumi rushed to the front door.
Her eager heart couldn't bear any more waiting.
Every second and minute of not seeing him felt like torment to her.
In the hallway, Kato Hiromi, who had just stepped out of her room to grab a drink, brushed past her younger sister.
Watching her sister's hurried figure run outside,
Along with the fleeting glimpse of the book her sister was clutching tightly,
Her younger sister, who had never shown any interest in light novels, was now holding a copy of Saekano.
Moreover, that book cover...
Kato Hiromi had purchased the second print edition herself.
She had also seen the sold-out first print edition and the third edition currently on sale.
Yet, the book cover in her sister's hands didn't match any of the three.
The suspicion that had flashed in her mind earlier that afternoon began to solidify.
"Hoooo!"
Kato Hiromi took a deep, sharp breath.
If this really were the case, then it was a disasteran absolute catastrophe.
Honestly, if someone did something like this for her,
She knew she would fall in love with them without hesitation, deeply and completely.
Even if that person were to behave terribly in the future, it might be impossible to turn back.
Advice from others, or even warnings from family, would likely be dismissed as mere noise.
Her life would be over!
...
At Yukima's house.
Yukima Azuma took a freshly steamed hairy crab out of the pot.
After cleaning it up, he placed it into a large thermal container.
Next, he pulled out his phone, intending to text Kato Megumi to come over and pick it up.
But before he could send the message, the doorbell rang.
Yukima Azuma stepped out to answer the door.
And then, like a tuberose in bloom, like a bird returning to its nest,
A girl threw herself straight into his arms.
The unexpected impact pushed him back half a step, but Yukima Azuma steadied himself.
Holding his phone in one hand, he gently ran his other hand through the girl's hair.
"What's wrong? Did someone bully you, Megumi?"
"Azuma-san is so sneaky. You're the one responsible for all of this, yet you still pretend to ask."
"Huh? Blaming me again?"
"Yes, it's all Azuma-san's fault!"
Today, Kato Megumi's words carried an undeniable stubbornness.
For the first time since they had met, she revealed this playful, spoiled side of her.
Yukima Azuma held her tightly, his heart overwhelmed by how adorable she was.
"I surrender! So, Megumi, how would you like to punish me?"
"Since I can't love anyone else after finishing the book, Azuma-san, you'll have to take responsibility!"
As she spoke, Kato Megumi grabbed Yukima's collar, pulling him down toward her.
Then, without hesitation, she kissed him.
Kato Megumi had never been one to hide her feelings.
Usually a reserved girl, now that her heart had been so profoundly moved, she could no longer hold herself back.
Thus, she took the initiative, determined to win over this boy's heart completely.
Caught off guard by her bold "attack," Yukima Azuma went along with her actions.
With a nudge of his toe, he gently shut the wide-open door behind them.
Then, he pressed the tuberose-like girl against the closed door.
Time seemed to blur.
Eventually, the two slowly separated.
"Orange."
Kato Megumi gently touched her lips, letting out a small sigh.
The taste of this first kiss was indescribably sweet and unforgettable.
Surely, it would remain etched in her heart for the rest of her life.
"It's because I just ate an orange-flavored candy earlier. Your timing was perfect, Megumi."
Yukima Azuma pulled a candy wrapper from his pocket and held it up in front of her.
In an instant, Kato Megumi snatched it from him, her face turning a deep shade of red that spread to her ears.
"I've prepared some hairy crab. It's still hot and really delicious. Want to try some?"
"Umu... I'll eat here."
"What about your sister?"
"My sister ate a lot earlier today; I doubt she'd want any more."
Kato Megumi affirmed confidently.
.....
Back at the Kato household, Kato Hiromi sneezed.
She was scrolling through YouTube,
And the sight of Hokkaido hairy crab on the thumbnail of a food channel made her mouth water uncontrollably.
.....
Yukima Azuma opened the thermal container.
Then he took the tools, sat beside Kato Megumi, and started cracking the crab shells for her.
The fresh, tender crab meat was brought to her lips.
Kato Megumi opened her small mouth and took a bite.
The delicate sweetness exploded on her tongue.
This was probably the most delicious thing she had ever eaten.
Premium ingredients, prepared to perfection,
And the person who made this dish was sitting beside her, helping her crack the shells.
That same person was also the love of her life.
How could such a flavor not feel like a dream?
"Oh, right. While shopping the other day, I bought you a set of pajamas. Would you like to try them on later?"
Yukima Azuma said with a smile.
"Azuma-san, you've been planning this for a long time!"
Kato Megumi teased but still gave a small nod.
After finishing the crab, the two went to the bathroom to wash their hands.
Later, they opened the door to the first-floor room where Kato Megumi often stayed overnight.
Yukima Azuma took the pajamas he had prepared out of the closet.
Kato Megumi hugged the new set of pajamas, her gaze fixed on Yukima Azuma.
"Azuma-san, turn around."
"Huh? Not stepping out?"
"Mm... Just turn around, that's enough."
"Got it!"
Yukima Azuma obediently turned his back to her.
Soft rustling sounds filled the air behind him.
It took all of Yukima Azuma's willpower to resist the urge to peek.
The gentle voice of the girl called out to him.
Only then did Yukima Azuma turn back around.
The pajamas fit her perfectly because he knew her measurements down to the smallest detail.
The delicate white trim accentuated her adorable charm.
"Umu umu, It suits you perfectly. My sense of style isn't bad at all."
Yukima Azuma "Umu umu" with a proud expression.
"Azuma-san, don't get too smug. I don't mind, but don't say things like that in front of other girls!"
Kato Megumi playfully tucked her hair behind her ear, her happiness evident.
The two stepped out of the room and headed to the storage room to find a nameplate holder.
They took one out.
Yukima Azuma carefully wrote "Kato Megumi" on the nameplate.
Then, he hung it on the door of her room.
(Note: I think I got diabetes from translating this chapter, kakaka.)
Chapter 116: Kasumigaokas Extraordinary Skill
Chapter 116: Kasumigaoka's Extraordinary Skill
Early morning.
A sharp scream pulled Yukima Azuma, who was getting ready to go out for a run, back into the house.
Without changing into his indoor slippers, he kicked off his shoes at the door and rushed upstairs.
Climbing quickly to the second floor, Yukima Azuma forcefully pushed open the door to Kasumigaoka Utaha's room.
"Senpai, what happened?"
Yukima Azuma's gaze immediately searched for Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Seeing that his senpai was unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief.
Then, his eyes swept across the room.
His attention stopped at a strange change in the room.
His expression became indescribable.
On Kasumigaoka Utaha's desk was a fiery red "fluffy ball," lying flat on its stomach.
Beside it, a laptop was tilted to one side.
It seemed that she had been working on her manuscript when something unexpected occurred.
"Senpai! You stayed up all night again!"
Yukima Azuma scolded, displeased.
Kasumigaoka Utaha pouted.
At a time like this, he was chastising her about staying up late.
Yukima Azuma approached the desk.
As he got closer, he saw more clearly.
It was a fiery red cat, seemingly a long-haired breed, with a big fluffy tail resembling a feather duster.
At that moment, the little cat was lying on the desk, its shiny black eyes curiously scanning the room.
Yukima Azuma waved at it.
The fiery red fluff immediately leaped towards him.
Under Kasumigaoka Utaha's astonished gaze,
The red cat jumped into Yukima Azuma's arms, rubbing its head against his chest.
Holding the new furry companion, Yukima Azuma turned to look at Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"Senpai, is this... Hogyokumaru?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed to have something to say but hesitated.
She walked closer and tentatively reached out to stroke the fiery red fur.
The soft texture under her palm made her squint slightly.
"It seems... it is."
Kasumigaoka Utaha concluded.
Hogyokumaru.
That was the cat from The Metronome in Love, Kasumigaoka Utaha's light novel.
The cat that the protagonist and the heroine, Sayaka, adopted together.
Previously, readers had criticized the cat for its unrealistic fur color.
But how could a creature from the pages of a book leap into reality?
Holding Hogyokumaru in his arms, Yukima Azuma pondered as he looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Yukima Azuma gazed at his senpai, seemingly deep in thought.
"Senpai, can you tell me what you've been doing recently?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha immediately began recounting.
In recent days, after being influenced by Saekano,
Kasumigaoka Utaha had been entirely focused on writing her manuscript.
The fifth volume of The Metronome in Love, the final volume.
It was nearly finished initially.
But Kasumigaoka Utaha kept revising it.
As a light novel author, Kasumigaoka Utaha realized there was a certain gap between her novel and Saekano.
Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't hope for the final volume of The Metronome in Love to reverse her declining momentum.
But she wanted, before starting her new book, to perfect herself completely.
Striving to surpass her limits.
Every time she came downstairs to eat,
When she saw the new nameplate hanging on the door of the first-floor room,
Kasumigaoka Utaha always felt a flame of discontent igniting within her.
Kasumigaoka Utaha's pride would never allow her to be a loser!
So, after much deliberation, reflection, and revision of her manuscript, even going so far as to read the "love letter" the boy wrote to another, to grasp the essence within it.
The genius light novel author,
Kasumi Utako-sensei.
Finally, last night, after burning up all her dissatisfaction as fuel to drive her determination,
She achieved an incredible breakthrough.
After a moment of astonishment,
Kasumigaoka Utaha, looking at her manuscript, only saw flaws everywhere.
As she revised, she felt as if she was in her element, her fingers flying across the keyboard without stopping.
As a result, after an all-nighter, the next morning.
Kasumigaoka Utaha had completed the final volume of The Metronome in Love.
Pouring all her emotions into every word.
Suddenly, a fiery red "fluffy ball" appeared out of nowhere and jumped onto her desk.
Startling Kasumigaoka Utaha.
After hearing Kasumigaoka Utaha's story,
Yukima Azuma understood the cause of the situation.
It was clear that, after undergoing intense research and practice, driven by anger and competitiveness,
Utaha-senpai's literary skill had evolved from level 6, the proficiency level, to level 7, the extraordinary level.
(note: since this story is now starting to have supernatural things involved, I'll change the way the skills are called to make it sound better)
And when a skill reaches this level,
A supernatural influence manifests accordingly.
So, this is what the supernatural ability accompanying literary skills looks like.
Yukima Azuma casually picked up a sheet of paper and a pen from Kasumigaoka Utaha's desk.
The moment he put pen to paper,
Yukima Azuma immediately felt that he could bring the life within Saekano onto the page and materialize it into reality.
This was a sensation he had never experienced before.
Perhaps it was due to some kind of empathy.
Only when a work or its characters are widely known and recognized,
Could they be materialized into reality through literary skills.
Yukima Azuma put down the pen without writing anything,
Then turned to look at Kasumigaoka Utaha.
'So, does this mean that besides me, others who reach level 7 in their skills can also gain supernatural abilities?'
But... something didn't feel right.
"Senpai, if you write Sayaka's name on paper now, could you bring her into this world?"
Yukima Azuma asked.
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked troubled upon hearing this.
But perhaps because she trusted Yukima Azuma,
She stepped forward, picked up the pen, and wrote a passage about Sayaka on the paper.
