"That's right..." Not only did Utaha Kasumigaoka not object to Sogo Doma's explanation, she went along with it. "That's exactly it..."
"What?"
"It's research material. I must not have gathered enough material, which is why I can't write the story I have in mind..." At this point, Utaha Kasumigaoka instantly put on a gloomy expression. "But not only does Sogo-kun refuse to cooperate, he even stands there making sarcastic remarks."
"Wait a minute? How else do you want me to cooperate?"
"Very simple. For example, when I say that the male lead, when facing the female lead, gives in to his beastly instincts—"
"Enough already. That's exactly why I just asked what kind of story you're trying to write..."
"Don't worry, don't worry..." Yet as Sogo Doma complained, Utaha Kasumigaoka took another step forward. "It's just research. It's not like I'm going to put every piece of material I collect into the story..."
"If you won't use it, why collect it?"
"Who says I won't use it?" Utaha Kasumigaoka looked puzzled as she continued moving closer. "At the very least, it lets me understand what male readers these days are craving from Sogo-kun's reactions..."
"Say..." Faced with Utaha Kasumigaoka, who was practically pressed against him, Sogo Doma hesitated. "Is this research too?"
"Of course. Though I also wouldn't mind if Sogo-kun couldn't restrain his beastly instincts..." and went wild.
"You're playing with..." fire!
"Oh, right..." Just as Sogo Doma was considering whether to teach her a lesson, Utaha Kasumigaoka added, "Umaru and the others have been out for quite a while. They might be back any moment now. Sogo-kun, what did you say I was playing with?"
"..." Damn it, did this woman really think she had Sogo Doma completely figured out? It was just one Umaru Doma. He... "I