Utaha Kasumigaoka was furious. She had originally crept over to Sogo Doma and Shizuka Hiratsuka to eavesdrop... ahem, to gather some intelligence, only to be stopped by some glasses-wearing otaku? Who the hell would believe that if she told them? But then...
"E-Excuse me for bothering you so abruptly. Um, it's just that I only just confirmed it—you, you're Utako Kasumi-sensei, aren't you? I-I'm your most loyal, number one fan! The way Love Metronome describes love..."
"Phew~!" Seeing the bespectacled otaku's fanatical expression, Utaha Kasumigaoka sighed inwardly. Wasn't this the rabid fan who had just recommended her novel to someone else? Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have minded chatting with a fan about where the plot was headed, but right now...
"Thank you very much for liking the story I wrote, underclassman. I'll continue working hard to create the stories in my heart. Thank you for your support." After delivering those impeccably polite social pleasantries, Utaha Kasumigaoka turned to leave.
Naturally, Tomoya Aki had anticipated this, so he didn't panic in the slightest. Instead, he suddenly dropped into a dogeza before Utaha Kasumigaoka.
Utaha Kasumigaoka: !!!
Don't tell me I've run into some perverted fan?
Tomoya Aki, still prostrated on the ground, said, "I-I came up to you so abruptly today because... because I want an autograph from Utako Kasumi-sensei herself. The moment Love Metronome went on sale, I bought three copies—one to collect, one to read, and one to spread the word. My only wish is... is to get Utako Kasumi-sensei's autograph!"
Utaha Kasumigaoka began to doubt whether he was really such a rabid fan. She had only just finished an autograph session...
Tomoya Aki hurriedly said, "I know Utako Kasumi-sensei's signing event just ended. I was originally there too, but..."
As he said that, Tomoya Aki hurriedly looked