A Newbie Author, Let's Bully Her Together

Snap!

Utaha Kasumigaoka felt something inside her mind snap for no reason, and for the first time in sixteen years, she felt the urge to hit someone.

It was one thing to start performing right after introducing himself, but to be interrupted halfway through as if he had no interest in hearing anything about her—the jerk, his personality was just too atrocious.

She, Utaha Kasumigaoka, decided she would leave immediately; who would want to deal with such a vile, obnoxious person...

"Let's start with the merits of this novel." However, before Utaha Kasumigaoka could turn around, the voice of Sogo Doma drifted over slowly.

"Mer, merits, eh..." Stopping mid-stride, Utaha Kasumigaoka stared fixedly at Sogo Doma on the rooftop with her wine-red eyes.

"It's clear that although the author is a newcomer, the prose is indeed superior to most light novel writers. Under the author's pen, the second volume follows the style of the first, with the relationship between Sayuka and Naoto unfolding through daily life, creating a sense of warmth..."

Hearing this, the corners of Utaha Kasumigaoka's mouth curled into a lovely arc. As expected, her writing wasn't bad, but why wasn't it a hit?

"Only..."

The pivot arrived, and Sogo Doma offered a wicked smile.

"What the hell is this Mai character? Why would a third party suddenly pop up when the two of them were getting along just fine? And why does she fall for the male lead just because he looks 'yasashii'? Can you even tell if someone is 'yasashii' by looking at them? Besides, the author describes this Mai way too well, don't you think? Hey, what kind of fantasy-dweller is this!!"

Faced with Sogo Doma's questioning, Utaha Kasumigaoka involuntarily took two steps back, muttering to herself, "There are many reasons... the editor... the creative spark, and so on..."

"...In summary, the appearance of Mai is basically the poison pill of Love Metronome."

Utaha Kasumigaoka fell silent.

"If I'm not mistaken, this novel is likely facing the prospect of being axed..."

Utaha Kasumigaoka felt like she had been dealt a critical hit.

Watching this scene, the smile on the boy's face grew even more radiant. He, Sogo, the Sadist, Doma, was not one to let his reputation go to waste.

"However!" Changing his tone, Sogo Doma spoke again: "This novel isn't beyond saving..."

"What do you mean?" Utaha Kasumigaoka lifted her head slightly, having let it hang low just moments ago.

"Because I just looked at it from a different angle. The character Mai is a goddess in the eyes of hardcore otaku and light otaku girls. Combined with the author's seasoned descriptions, it can definitely satisfy that crowd. In other words, this book has the potential to become a massive hit within the otaku circle..."

"Eh? Potential to be a massive hit..." Utaha Kasumigaoka covered her mouth involuntarily, looking somewhat incredulous.

Watching the girl's expression shift constantly due to his words, Sogo Doma seemed quite pleased. Then, it was time for the strike.

"It's just that I've been following recent novel promotions, and within the otaku circle, this novel hasn't even been mentioned. Instead, it only occasionally appears on display in bookstores..."

"But the demographic bookstores face is mostly light otaku and literary girls, which makes the character Mai a complete poison pill."

"Still, this is normal. The industry is just like that. If a novel can't produce results, where would the promotional resources come from? In the current industry, the most an author can do is hold a signing event to try and salvage things."

Listening to Sogo Doma's analysis, Utaha Kasumigaoka was completely bewildered. She hadn't expected that a reader she randomly asked at school would be so well-versed in the industry, even predicting the signing event.

She had only received the notification from her editor, Sonoko Machida, about holding a signing event today!

"So, Utako Kasumi-sensei, may I ask on which day your signing event will be held?" Before Utaha Kasumigaoka could recover from her shock, Sogo Doma's teasing voice rang out once more.

The rooftop of Toyogasaki seemed to fall silent for a moment.

Utaha Kasumigaoka slowly looked up; at this moment, it seemed as if something dark was clinging to her.

"You knew all along?"

"Well, it was a bit too obvious... heh, hehe."

"So, is it fun to toy with a girl who has been whipped this way and that? You, who call yourself a scumbag, Sogo-kun." Looking at the sunny-faced Sogo Doma, Utaha Kasumigaoka suddenly switched modes: "Especially when this girl is about to go sell her sex appeal, you decide to tease her first. Could it be that you, Scumbag-kun, are trying to take advantage of the situation to..."

At this, Utaha Kasumigaoka covered her mouth with one hand: "Wow, as expected of Scumbag-kun, what a bold idea, especially since there's no one on the rooftop..."

"Stop right there!" Sogo Doma held up a palm: "No need to show off your sharp-tongued attribute here..."

As he spoke, he jumped down from the ledge: "The serious business is over, so, Utako Kasumi-sensei, please give me an autograph."

"Ara..." Utaha Kasumigaoka, stopped mid-sentence by this abrupt request, was stunned.

The rhythm was once again back in Sogo Doma's hands.

"If you could, please sign it 'To UMR'. Although you let your Onii-chan introduce you to others as a Sadist Scumbag, Utako Kasumi-sensei can tell that your Onii-chan is a gentle person." Facing the stunned girl, Sogo Doma didn't hesitate. He handed over the book while typing on his phone.

Utaha Kasumigaoka: "..."

After a long while.

She looked at Sogo Doma with a conflicted expression and said: "Hey, hey, just how thick-skinned are you to make such a request? Never mind the autograph, the inscription goes against my heart no matter how you look at it..."

"Eh, does it?" Sogo Doma replied in a slightly surprised tone, though he didn't look up, only focusing on typing into his phone, which didn't show much sincerity.

"I'm telling you..." Utaha Kasumigaoka finally couldn't hold back: "When you're asking someone for a favor, can you at least look at them!!"