Snap!
Utaha Kasumigaoka felt something inexplicably snap inside her head. For the first time in sixteen years, she had the urge to hit someone.
Introducing herself as "the start of the show" was one thing, but he'd cut her off halfway through, as if he had no interest in learning anything about her. What a jerk. He had such a terrible personality.
She, Utaha Kasumigaoka, had decided to leave right then and there. Who would want to deal with such a horrible jerk...
"Let's start with what this novel does well." But before Utaha could turn around, Sogo Doma's voice drifted over.
"W-what it does well? Um..." She stopped before taking another step and fixed her wine-red eyes on Sogo, who was standing on the roof.
"You can tell that even though the author's a newcomer, her prose is better than most light novelists'. In the author's hands, the second volume carries on the style of the first. Sayuka and Naoto's relationship develops through their everyday lives, giving the story a warm, comforting feel..."
At that, the corners of Utaha's lips lifted into a pretty smile. Sure enough, her writing wasn't bad. So why wasn't it popular?
"But..."
Here came the turn. Sogo grinned wickedly.
"What the heck is this Mai character? The two of them were dating just fine, so why did a third party suddenly show up? And why does she fall for the protagonist just because he seems nice? How can you tell someone's nice just by looking at him? Besides, the author describes Mai way too perfectly, doesn't she? Hey, what planet of wish fulfillment did this girl come from?!"
Under Sogo's barrage of questions, Utaha unconsciously took two steps back and muttered, "There are a lot of reasons... The editor, maybe... Or the author's imagination, and stuff..."
"...To sum up, Mai's appearance is probably the biggest flaw in Love Metronome."
Utaha fell silent.
"If I'm not mistaken, this novel is probably facing cancellation..."
Utaha felt as if she'd taken a critical hit.
Watching this unfold, the smile on the boy's face grew brighter. He was Sogo Doma, the sadist whose reputation was no exaggeration.
"But!" Sogo continued, changing tack. "It's not like this novel can't be saved..."
"What do you mean?" Utaha lifted her head a little, having just lowered it.
"Because when I looked at it from a different angle, Mai turned out to be a goddess to hardcore otaku and casual female fans alike. Add in the author's skillful writing, and she's sure to satisfy that crowd. In other words, this book has a very good chance of becoming a huge hit in otaku circles..."
"Huh? It has the potential to become a hit..." Utaha couldn't help covering her mouth, looking almost unable to believe it.
Watching the girl's expression change with every word he said, Sogo looked delighted. Then came the blow.
"Except, I've been keeping an eye on recent novel promotions, and this book hasn't even been mentioned in otaku circles. Instead, it's only occasionally been put on display in bookstores."
"But bookstores mostly cater to casual otaku and literary-minded women. For them, Mai has become a complete turnoff."
"Still, that's normal. That's just how the industry works. A novel that can't produce results won't get any promotional support. At this point, the only thing the industry can do is probably have the author hold a signing event and try to save it."
Utaha stared at Sogo, utterly dumbfounded by his analysis. She hadn't expected a reader she'd casually asked at school to understand the industry so well. He'd even figured out the signing event.
She herself had only been told that day by her editor, Sonoko Machida, that she'd be holding one!
"Then, Ms. Utako Kasumi, may I ask what day your signing event will be?" Before Utaha could finish her astonishment, Sogo's teasing voice sounded again.
The rooftop at Toyogasaki seemed to go quiet for a moment.
Utaha slowly raised her head. It seemed as if something dark had settled over her.
"You knew?"
"Well, it was pretty obvious... Heh."
"So, is it fun to tease a girl who's been whipped this way and that, you self-proclaimed scumbag, Sogo-kun?" Looking at Sogo's sunny smile, Utaha suddenly changed her tune. "Especially when she's about to go out and sell her sexy appeal, and you decide to mess with her first. Could it be that this scumbag wants to take the opportunity to have a go at her himself..."
At that, Utaha covered her mouth with one hand. "Wow. I have to hand it to you, scumbag-kun. That's quite a bold idea, especially when the rooftop is em—"
"Stop right there!" Sogo raised a hand. "You don't have to show off your poisonous tongue..."
As he spoke, he jumped down from the roof. "Now that we've taken care of business, Ms. Utako Kasumi, please sign this for me."
"Oh..." Utaha was caught off guard by the sudden request and stopped mid-sentence.
The rhythm had once again fallen into Sogo's hands.
"If you don't mind, please write, 'For UMR.' Even though your Onii-chan introduces himself to everyone as a sadistic scumbag, Ms. Utako Kasumi can tell that your Onii-chan is a kind person." Sogo didn't hesitate in front of the stunned girl. He typed something into his phone as he held out the book.
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "..."
A long while later.
She gave Sogo a conflicted look. "Hey, hey, just how thick-skinned do you have to be to ask for something like that? I won't even mention the autograph, but asking me to write that clearly goes against my conscience..."
"Huh? You think so?" Sogo replied with a slightly surprised voice. But he didn't even look up; he was too busy typing something into his phone to seem particularly sincere.
"Listen, you..." Utaha finally lost her patience. "When you're asking someone for something, could you at least look at them?!"
Before you continue