"I only found out about this when I ran into Yukino-senpai by chance," Luo Yu said, decisively shifting the blame.
"Well, anyway, happy birthday, Yui."
"Happy birthday, Yui Yuigahama."
"Happy birthday."
"We'll make up for the birthday gifts later."
The girls from the Light Music Club all sent their birthday wishes to Yui Yuigahama.
"Everyone, thank you so much!" Yui Yuigahama said, touched.
"Yui, consider this a thank you," Yukino Yukinoshita handed Yui Yuigahama the apron she had bought.
"Ah~ Yuki~" Yui Yuigahama immediately hugged Yukino Yukinoshita.
This is going great! This is going great!
I just love seeing cute girls interact! Interact, anything can happen!
"It's not like I'm the only one who prepared a gift."
Then, everyone turned to look at the only person present who hadn't made a move yet.
Seeing this, Hachiman Hikigaya also took a gift out of his backpack.
"I didn't expect Little Hachi to prepare a gift for me too. Because of that incident before... it's a bit awkward."
Is he going to confess? Luo Yu picked up his teacup and took a strategic sip of tea.
"I'm sorry, this isn't because it's your birthday that I'm giving it to you."
"Huh?" Yui Yuigahama blinked in surprise.
Hachiman Hikigaya continued, "How should I put it? Let's call it even from now on. The fact that I saved your dog, and the fact that you deliberately cared about me just now, let's call it even."
I can't listen to this anymore! Luo Yu stood up and walked towards the door.
"Luo Yu, where are you going?" Ritsu Tainaka asked Luo Yu as he stood up.
"I'm going to the restroom."
With that, Luo Yu left the activity room.
After leaving the activity room, Luo Yu leaned against the doorway.
Even though I knew Hachiman liked to self-destruct, hearing that speech still makes me uncomfortable.
Rarely, Luo Yu, who usually enjoyed watching drama unfold, didn't stay to spectate.
Not long after, the door to the activity room opened, and Yukino Yukinoshita walked out.
"I didn't expect Yukino-senpai to be the first one out."
The sudden voice startled Yukino Yukinoshita. She turned to look and found Luo Yu leaning by the doorway.
Yukino Yukinoshita breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Luo Yu, what are you doing?"
"It was too stuffy in the activity room, so I came out for some fresh air," Luo Yu's excuse came out instantly.
"Is that so? Then I won't bother you, Luo Yu."
With that, Yukino Yukinoshita turned around, preparing to leave.
"Is this really okay?"
Hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita stopped. "What do you want to say?"
"Yukino-senpai, you're also involved in this, aren't you?"
"How did you know?"
Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Luo Yu with disbelief.
Luo Yu smiled slightly, "After all, I was there at the time, and my eyesight is just a tiny bit better." I didn't actually see anything, I just knew the answer beforehand.
"Putting that aside for now, Yukino-senpai, is this really okay?"
"What exactly do you want to say?"
"You've finally made two close friends, and you're going to keep hiding it from them? Judging by how you came out, Hachiman and Dumpling must have resolved their misunderstanding, right?"
"If that's all you have to say, then please excuse me."
With that, Yukino Yukinoshita continued her steps.
"If you keep postponing it, things will only get more complicated."
Yukino Yukinoshita didn't respond, only quickening her pace as she left.
She's running away. Watching Yukino's retreating figure, Luo Yu sighed, As expected of Yukino the Runner.
"Crash!"
The activity room door opened again.
"Huh? Little Luo." Yui Yuigahama walked out. "Why are you by the door?"
"I just went to the restroom. Are you heading home?" Luo Yu lied smoothly, his expression unchanged.
"Yeah. See you tomorrow, little Luo." With that, Yui Yuigahama waved goodbye to Luo Yu and disappeared around the corner.
Luo Yu pushed open the door and entered the clubroom. The girls were still discussing what had just happened. Hachiman Hikigaya stood alone by the window.
Luo Yu walked up and patted Hachiman Hikigaya's shoulder, asking, "How is it, is the problem resolved?"
"I've cleared things up with Yui," Hachiman Hikigaya replied without moving, just looking out the window.
"Just Dumpling?" Luo Yu murmured softly.
Hm? What's that? Luo Yu noticed something in Hachiman Hikigaya's hand. Upon closer inspection, it was a book Yukino Yukinoshita usually read.
It seems I did find something after all.
How will the relationship between those three develop in the future? It's truly something to look forward to.
"You handle it well yourself."
With that, Luo Yu walked back to his seat.
"Luo Yu, you're back. Let me tell you..." Seeing Luo Yu return, Ritsu Tainaka started talking to him, "Hachiman got into a car accident when school started because he saved Yui's dog."
Luo Yu: "I know, I was there at the scene."
"You were there? You never told us all this time!"
Looking at the slightly agitated Ritsu Tainaka before him, Luo Yu calmly replied, "You never asked me."
"Mio! Look at him." Ritsu Tainaka threw herself into Mio Akiyama's arms.
"Ritsu, don't be like that, it's embarrassing." Mio Akiyama, blushing, pushed away Ritsu Tainaka who was hugging her.
Luo Yu, meanwhile, sipped his tea and watched the girls' playful antics.
Another peaceful day.
At least for the Service Club.
His and her beginning had finally ended. And another her was still hesitating.
In the evening, Luo Yu was communicating with his editor on Tencent.
Luo Yu: Sonoko, I've sent you the third volume.
Machida Sonoko: I've received it. Thank you for your hard work, Meng Yu-sensei.
Luo Yu: At this hour, are you planning to release the third volume during Golden Week?
Machida Sonoko: That's the plan for the Bunko. Students will all be on holiday during the May 1st Golden Week, and sales will definitely see a significant increase.
Luo Yu: There will surely be other releases during Golden Week, right?
Machida Sonoko: Who on the market now can compete with you, Meng Yu-sensei?
That's true. After all, I'm the number one in the light novel world now.
Luo Yu: Is there anything else? If not, I'll be logging off.
Machida Sonoko: Wait, Meng Yu-sensei, there is indeed one more thing I need your help with.
Luo Yu: Go ahead.
Machida Sonoko: Does Meng Yu-sensei know about the light novel Love Metronome?
Utaha Kasumigaoka's Love Metronome? Luo Yu had bought it out of curiosity once. But to be honest, Luo Yu felt it was just okay, not a masterpiece or a great work. In Luo Yu's opinion, it was just an ordinary light novel. The only redeeming quality was the writing style.
Chapter 49: Going Home
Luo Yu: I've read a bit before, what's up?
Machida Sonoko: Actually, the author of Love Metronome, Kasumiko, is also someone I manage. Recently, Xiao Shi's Love Metronome is facing cancellation. I was wondering if Meng Yu-sensei could lend a small hand?
Luo Yu:
You want me to help promote it?
Machida Sonoko:
Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Meng Yu.
Luo Yu:
Sure, I agree. While I don't think it's that great, the quality of that novel is acceptable. But if it's going to be canceled anyway, it means there are still problems, right? I can't guarantee my promotion will save it.
Machida Sonoko:
That's all I need.
Afterward, Luo Yu logged into his Twitter account and posted a message: "Recently discovered a pretty decent light novel called 'Love Metronome.' You guys should check it out."
Finishing his conversation with Luo Yu, Machida Sonoko quickly called Utaha Kasumigaoka.
"Good evening, little Uta. I have some good news for you, want to hear it?"
On the other end of the line, the long-haired black-haired girl was impatiently tapping her leg.
Utaha Kasumigaoka had just deleted five thousand characters she had written, dissatisfied with the content.
Hearing Machida Sonoko still being coy, Utaha Kasumigaoka decided not to humor her and said bluntly, "If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, I'm hanging up."
"Actually, Teacher Meng Yu is helping you promote it," Machida Sonoko dropped the pretense.
"The one who wrote 'Flame Chasers'?"
"Yes, with his promotion, maybe your novel won't get canceled."
"I understand. If that's all, I'm hanging up."
Before you continue
Explore the wiki