"Listen to me, Shi!"
"Mm, go ahead. I'm listening."
"Have you heard of DanMachi and its author, Yukimi Sakura?"
"DanMachi? Do you mean Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, that new book Fumikage has been selling like crazy lately?" Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression turned serious. She sat up and picked up her phone, seemingly having guessed what the other party was about to say.
"Yes, yes, that one! Listen," Machida Enko excitedly shared her discovery, "the author of that book will also be attending this gathering. And you won't believe it, but they're actually a student around your age!"
"And their looks are outrageously top-tier! Even more so than yours! Can you believe that?!"
"So you have to come this time! Even if it's just to meet him, got it?"
Hmph, this woman was spouting nonsense again. How could there possibly be an author in the Light Novel community with better specs than hers?
Still, regardless of what he looked like, he was a hot new bestselling author, and if he was around her age, there was no harm in meeting him, right?
Without answering her question, Kasumigaoka Utaha stared blankly out the window.
Image: "The long-awaited debut of Old Fatty," location: "Images/1755695425-100446961-113748139.jpg"
The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: 2D Doesn't Have Normal People
One Saturday in early March,
Following the address Machida Enko had sent him, Sakurakoji Talent arrived ten minutes early at a hotel in Toshima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis. Under the staff's guidance, he took the elevator to the privately booked top floor.
"Welcome, Yukimi Sakura!"
Seeing him at the entrance, Machida Enko took the initiative to greet him, welcoming him with a broad smile.
"Long time no see, Miss Machida."
"Oh my, it hasn't been that long. It's only been a little over a week."
"Really? I guess my life has been so eventful lately that it feels like it's been ages. Am I late? Sorry, there was a bit of traffic."
"No, not at all. There's still a little while before it starts. Your timing is perfect."
Sakurakoji Talent shook her hand and exchanged pleasantries before getting straight to the point.
"By the way, you said last time that there was someone you wanted to introduce me to. Has she arrived yet?"
He had not come here to attend a gathering for real. To avoid being surrounded by strangers and ending up in an awkward situation, he had deliberately timed his arrival perfectly.
"Not yet." At the mention of that, Machida Enko revealed a helpless expression, utterly unable to deal with someone's willfulness. "But she should be here soon. I repeatedly urged her to make sure she came today, and I confirmed just now that she has indeed left home."
"Ah, speak of the devil." Catching sight of a figure stepping out of the elevator from the corner of her eye, Machida Enko raised a hand. "Shi, over here!"
In the elevator hall, Kasumigaoka Utaha casually brushed through her fragrant, long straight black hair with one hand, then stepped onto the marble floor of the hall with an imperious expression.
After spotting Machida Enko waving at her, she walked straight over. At the same time, Sakurakoji Talent's back entered her sight. What strikingly beautiful white hair. It was so well maintained. Was he some newly arrived female author or editor? A few doubts arose in Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart, but her steps did not slow.
"Let me introduce you." Once Kasumigaoka Utaha reached them, Machida Enko spoke again to Sakurakoji Talent. "This is Shi-chan, the young bestselling female high school author around your age that I mentioned before. Her pen name is Kasumi Utako, and her real name is Kasumigaoka Utaha!"
Then she looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha and pointed at Sakurakoji Talent. "And this is Yukimi Sakura, the author of DanMachi I told you about a few days ago. His real name is Sakurakoji Talent. For short, Talent. He's around your age too."
She added, "By the way, Talent is a boy, so don't get the wrong idea. Well? Isn't he super gorgeous?"
Huh?
Kasumigaoka Utaha's purplish-red eyes widened slightly, filled with shock. With such beautiful long hair, she had thought he was a woman. He was actually male?
She looked at Sakurakoji Talent again in astonishment. Once his face, even more exquisite than her own, fully entered her view, her pupils shrank sharply. A muffled whimper escaped her throat before she could stop it, and her astonishment deepened.
No, you're telling me this is a man?!
The words Machida Enko had said to her a few days ago suddenly resurfaced in her mind, and realization dawned on her. She finally understood why Machida Enko had said that.
Though she was somewhat unwilling to accept it, she had to admit that the other woman had made some sense.
Tch! What a waste for someone who looked like this not to become a host. Why was he writing Light Novels instead?! Kasumigaoka Utaha bit her index fingernail, looking slightly displeased.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Sakurakoji Talent. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kasumigaoka."
After days of preparation, Sakurakoji Talent had finally laid eyes on his target. His clear red eyes lit up as he greeted her.
A white headband held back her beautiful Black Long Straight Hair, black as powdered lead. Her ample chest seemed ready to defy gravity, while her full, shapely legs wrapped in gleaming Black Stockings boasted stunning curves. The figure of a mature beauty entered his sight.
Her appearance was flawless, and her abilities were equally beyond reproach. At work, she had become a popular bestselling author while still in high school. Academically, even though she slept through class every day, she had still held first place year after year... and you said you weren't cheating?
Couldn't you leave ordinary people a way to survive?
Still, for Sakurakoji Talent, it was enough that she had appeared.
As the saying went, what was the difference between a Japanese rom-com without Kasumigaoka Utaha and Yukino Shita Yukino, and food without salt?
Thinking of their respective spec ratings, Sakurakoji Talent clicked his tongue. Forget it. Expecting to see a normal person in an Omni-Anime world was a luxury to begin with. When had 2D ever had normal people?
"Hello. Likewise."
Although she felt a little annoyed, he had not done anything wrong. Kasumigaoka Utaha naturally would not take it out on him. Besides, he was the most important reason for her coming here. There was no way they could fall out so quickly.
Still, she found it hard to believe he was a young man in the prime of youth. Weren't boys his age supposed to be like a certain someone... Forget it. That would be rather rude to him.
The two shook hands politely. For a brief half-second, each of them thought, Their hand feels really nice, and they both instinctively looked away.
Not noticing the slightly awkward atmosphere between them, Machida Enko maintained her usual smile and moved the conversation along.
"Alright, alright, you've greeted each other, so let's head in. Almost everyone is here already. You two are the only ones missing."
"Ehh..." Kasumigaoka Utaha revealed an impatient, weary expression upon hearing that.
"Even if you're impatient at this point, you still need to maintain basic manners, Shi," Machida Enko reminded her.
"...I know. I do have some sense of propriety."
The three walked into the banquet hall together. Sure enough, it was bustling inside. Dozens of people had formed small groups, creating numerous Cliques.
"Miss Kasumigaoka, I'm not very good with this kind of occasion either, and it's my first time. Could I stay with you later?" Deliberately walking beside her, Sakurakoji Talent asked softly.
"Hm? Sure." She was slightly surprised that he had spoken to her, but seeing that he hated banquets just as much as she did, Kasumigaoka Utaha readily agreed and developed a bit of goodwill toward him.
What was this? He was just an ordinary high school student too, even if he did look a bit like a fairy.
Although their looks stood out, they had both chosen to sit quietly, so they had not yet drawn much attention. Machida Enko understood them as well. She went ahead alone to chat with the others and draw attention away from them, while also preparing for the opening.
"By the way, did you really draw Yukimi Sakura's illustrations yourself?"
Seeing that he had not spoken for a long time, as if he had truly been overwhelmed by the atmosphere here, Kasumigaoka Utaha took the initiative to break the ice, playing the role of a "senpai."
Image: "Another beautiful end-of-chapter illustration," location: "Images/1755799378-100446961-113752428.jpg"
The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Waiting for Someone at Tokyo Station
"Ah, yes, that's right." Sakurakoji Talent settled his wandering gaze on her and spoke shyly. "Because of my family circumstances, I studied some art when I was young."
"That's amazing. I read the first volume of DanMachi. Not only was the writing excellent and the story fresh, but the illustrations were especially outstanding. They were practically works of art. I can hardly believe it was the work of a newcomer—it almost made me lose confidence in myself."
Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed like that, unable to help feeling somewhat defeated. She wondered if she was truly qualified to remain in this industry. His story was not only more conventionally engaging, but he even had artistic talent. Though she was only an amateur judge, she even felt that the illustrations in DanMachi were more impressive than those of a genius acquaintance she knew.
"You flatter me. I really like your Love Beat too," Sakurakoji Talent praised her with a smile. "Your writing is incredibly delicate, especially your portrayal of emotions. It left me in complete admiration. I'm truly looking forward to your future works."
"Really? You've read my books too?" Kasumigaoka Utaha's phoenix-like eyes widened as she looked at him, unable to hide her anticipation.
"Of course! I'm a huge fan of yours! I've been following your work since the first volume. My decision to write DanMachi was also inseparably connected to you!"
"Eh?! Is that so?" Hearing this unexpected news, Kasumigaoka Utaha blushed. Her cute, round toes rubbed together as she became somewhat flustered. This news was even more explosive than she had expected!
"I see. You've been following me since the first volume..."
After learning that the newcomer who had recently risen to fame was actually her fan, all of Kasumigaoka Utaha's nervousness and inferiority vanished without a trace, replaced by joy and a sense of closeness.
"Yes! I chose to submit to Fumikage Bunko because of Kasumi Utako too!"
"I never imagined the person Editor Machida mentioned would be you. This makes me so happy!" After his excitement faded, Sakurakoji Talent became shy again. "Um—after this is over, could you give me an autograph in private?"
"No problem!" Kasumigaoka Utaha agreed without hesitation. If she rejected him here, could she still call herself human?
"Thank you so much, Senpai Utaha!"
"Senpai?" Kasumigaoka Utaha blinked her clear purplish-red eyes in confusion.
"Of course! You're not only my guide on the path of writing, but also my senior in the industry. Naturally, you're my senpai!"
"Or is that not okay?"
"Urgh!" Sakurakoji Talent's slightly disappointed, breathtakingly beautiful face was like an arrow, instantly piercing through the defensive walls in her heart and making her lean backward.
"...Of course it's okay. You're right, I am your senpai!" The more she thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. She could no longer hide the smile on her face.
Her gaze kept drifting over Sakurakoji Talent. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became. Someone so exceptional was actually her huge fan and junior. Who could have imagined that?
Could she have such an outstanding follower in the future? Coming today had truly been worth it!
"In that case, you can just call me by my name from now on. We're not that far apart in age, are we? Let's get along well from now on." Turning slightly to hide her somewhat flushed skin, Kasumigaoka Utaha made a decision that her former self would have found unimaginable.
"Thank you, Senpai Utaha! Then you can just call me Talent too!"
Hearing that familiar form of address, Kasumigaoka Utaha's willow-like brows furrowed slightly. Some irrelevant memories surfaced in her mind, but soon relaxed again. What was she thinking? That had nothing to do with Talent.
Taking in every one of her tiny movements and microexpressions, Sakurakoji Talent's lips secretly curved into an imperceptible smile, like an evil final boss lurking behind the scenes. Good. There was only one final step left, right?
"Um, Senpai Utaha..."
"Hm? What is it?" Kasumigaoka Utaha refocused her attention and looked at him in confusion.
"Do you have an illustrator you know well and work with regularly?" Sakurakoji Talent deliberately put on a hesitant expression.
"No, I don't. I do know an illustrator, but we've never worked together. Or rather... forget it." Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed. There was no need to mention that blonde-haired loser.
"That's great!"
"Hm?"
"Uh, I mean, what do you think of my drawing skills?" Sakurakoji Talent gave an embarrassed, apologetic smile.
"I think your illustrations are wonderful, Talent-kun. The first time I saw them, I was completely captivated. I never imagined fantasy characters could be depicted like that. It was as if they had stepped straight out of the story." Kasumigaoka Utaha praised him without reservation. Thinking of how moved she had been when she first saw them, she could not help becoming slightly entranced, and her gaze at him grew even more appreciative.
"I see. Then, could you let me draw the illustrations for your future works?" Sakurakoji Talent dropped a bombshell.
"?!" Kasumigaoka Utaha stared at him in astonishment, suspecting she had heard wrong. She scrutinized him carefully. "Talent-kun, what did you say?"
"I said I want to draw the illustrations for Senpai Utaha's future works. What do you think?"
"I'd naturally be thrilled... but can you really do that?"
"Of course. I'm your fan, after all. Drawing illustrations for your works is something I've always wanted to do." Sakurakoji Talent imitated Ichiji Nijika and revealed a warm smile like sunshine, dazzling Kasumigaoka Utaha so much that she could barely keep her eyes open.
Ugh! What a wonderful child!
Kasumigaoka Utaha covered her face, so moved that she almost wanted to cry. Such a pure act with no expectation of reward—was this a gift from the gods?
"So—could we exchange contact information? If Senpai Utaha ever needs anything in the future, you can contact me anytime."
After a long buildup, Sakurakoji Talent asked solemnly, finally revealing the entire map of Yan.
"Of course!"
A few days later, on a day in mid-March.
While checking his phone and feeling satisfied at the additional contact in his address book, Sakurakoji Talent kept scanning the seemingly endless crowd in the station from the corner of his eye.
Heh. A little sharp-tongued mature beauty, taken down with ease!
Passersby found it rather strange to see him standing alone against the wall, waiting. But everyone in the city valued their time, so after only one glance, they continued focusing on the path ahead.
Of course, that was also because he had deliberately worn oversized sunglasses and a scarf, hiding most of his face.
It was 5:50 p.m., and he was at the Marunouchi South Exit of Tokyo Station. More specifically, he was in its iconic hall with the golden dome. He had arrived twenty minutes early to wait for a fated person who had overshot her stop from Kumamoto Prefecture and would soon arrive here.
He did not actually know the exact day. He only knew it would be sometime in mid-March. If that were all, it seemed he could only wait here every day without end.
Fortunately, other clues allowed him to determine that it was today.
First was the weather forecast. Logically speaking, March had already arrived and temperatures should have been gradually rising. Barring any surprises, warm spring should have been just around the corner. Yet, as expected, the unexpected had arrived—temperatures had actually dropped today, and it was snowing.
Second was a new post he had just seen on the phone from a blogger he had been following for a month. It said there would be a performance at 10 p.m. today in the plaza before the Central East Exit of Kawasaki Station.
Before you continue