"You really do seem to love Teacher Kasashiko's work..." Kasumigaoka paused, drawing out her final syllable with a teasing lilt, before smiling slyly. "Especially Love Metronome."
Yukinoshita truly did love that book. After Kasumigaoka gifted her a signed collector's set, she went out and bought another one to keep pristine, and one to read.
Clearing her throat, Yukinoshita straightened up, her expression composed. "Ms. Sawamura, isn't it time for class?"
Whenever she felt embarrassed, she always pretended to be serious. After weeks of tutoring together, Kasumigaoka had already figured out this little quirk of hers.
With a smile that said she had no intention of relenting, Kasumigaoka replied, "We're almost done with all the subjects anyway can't we take a short break? Besides, aren't you curious how I got to know Teacher Kasashiko?"
Her drawn-out syllables and the slight curl of her lips gave off that uniquely mischievous air. From the moment they first met, Yukinoshita had thought: This woman is trouble.
And as always, her sixth sense had proven correct.
Still… she was really curious!
Though she tried to maintain her calm, Yukinoshita's imaginary tail had already perked up with interest. "Only if you insist on telling me."
Ugh, how annoying! When did she start picking up Miura's tsundere tendencies?
Luckily, Kasumigaoka seemed to be in a good mood today and didn't press the teasing any further. "Hmm… Let me think."
She propped her chin on her hand, her gaze drifting slightly as if recalling something long past.
"It was during the first signing event for Love Metronome. I was the very first fan to arrive, so Teacher Kasashiko saw me as her very first supporter…"
This event had indeed taken place, but in Kasumigaoka's version, the roles had conveniently been reversed.
In truth, during that lonely and awkward signing event, it had been Aki-kun who showed up full of enthusiasm, showering her with praise. At the time, his encouragement really had meant a lot.
Yukinoshita puffed out her cheeks, displeased. "I was abroad at the time…"
Kasumigaoka laughed brightly. "Are you jealous?"
"…What a foolish thing to say."
"Haha, alright, alright. I'll keep going."
Kasumigaoka truly did seem to be enjoying herself.
Back when they first met, even when she smiled, her eyes had looked like they were sinking into some rotten, murky swamp numb and hollow.
Yukinoshita decided to be generous today and let her keep talking.
"I was such a passionate fan that I said all kinds of flattering things to Teacher Kasashiko. That's when she started to like me."
Yukinoshita frowned in disbelief. "Someone as kind, strong, and sincere as Teacher Kasashiko wouldn't be swayed by a few empty compliments."
Kasumigaoka: Wow, is that really how you see me?
"You see, Love Metronome may be a shining success now, but when the first volume came out, its reception was pretty underwhelming. Her editor told her that if it didn't pick up by Volume 3, it'd be axed."
Even talking about such heavy memories, Kasumigaoka's voice remained light and teasing, a sign of how much she'd healed.
"But when the second volume came out, thanks to An thanks to me promoting it heavily on Twitter, it started to gain traction. Sales and word of mouth both improved, and eventually Love Metronome became a beloved title."
She did have a modestly popular fan account on Twitter now. Even if Yukinoshita wanted "proof," she could keep bluffing as much as she liked.
Whether it was for her own amusement or because of some unspoken impulse, Kasumigaoka loved seeing the way Yukinoshita praised Teacher Kasashiko.
Yukinoshita pressed her lips together, "So basically, you took advantage of Teacher Kasashiko at a low point in her life."
"No need to put it so harshly… We also had many discussions about the story's direction after that."
"And eventually," she added, grinning, "she started seeing me as her best friend~"
Yukinoshita tapped her pen lightly against her chin, her lips pressing into a line. "Oh…"
For someone usually so composed, she was showing a rare, childlike pout of displeasure.
Kasumigaoka couldn't help but chuckle. "So, Yukinoshita, what made you fall in love with Love Metronome?"
"…There's no particularly special reason."
"For example?"
After a moment's thought, Yukinoshita said softly, "'There are countless stars in the sky, so don't cry because even the worst child deserves a star of her own.'"
It was a line the protagonist Naoto had said to Sayoka, the second female lead.
Quietly, she continued, "Even now, I still believe those words are true."
No matter how difficult life became, she would one day have a star of her own too.
Kasumigaoka's smile faltered for a moment.
There was no denying it when she was writing this book, she had drawn so much courage and comfort from Aki-kun.
But never had she realized, until now, that her own words could bring that same courage to others.
"What are you spacing out for?" Yukinoshita tapped the textbook with her pen. "Now that your gossip session is over, we need to speed through the material. I'm not walking you home at midnight."
"Eh? That's so heartless, Yukinoshita. What if I get attacked by some creep on my way home~?"
"You are the creep."
[System Notification: Best action to improve your relationship and reverse negative impression Escort Kasumigaoka Utaha home.]
Yukinoshita gave a small twitch at the corner of her mouth. Even if the system hadn't said anything, she would've made sure the woman got home safely.
"I'll ask Mr. Itō to drive you. Don't worry."
Mr. Itō had worked for the Yukinoshita family for many years as their driver.
Kasumigaoka leaned in shamelessly, pouting, "But I'm not used to being with strangers~ Yukinoshita, won't you take me home?"
Yukinoshita quickly pushed her away, visibly shuddering.
"…Fine, fine. Happy now? Get on with the lesson already. I have mock exams next week."
Kasumigaoka just smiled gently.
By now, she'd figured Yukinoshita out quite well. On the surface, she seemed cold and distant, but in truth, her heart was soft. As long as it didn't cross her principles, a little persistence was all it took to make her cave with a sigh.
If she didn't already know that this heartless flirt had ruthlessly broken Aki-kun's heart, Kasumigaoka might've actually wanted to become friends with her.
The thought came and went in her mind, but suddenly, she froze.
If Yukinoshita hadn't brought him up today, she realized how long had it been since she last thought about Aki-kun?
____________________
NEXT CHAPTER : Caught in the Act
(Yukinoshita and Kasumigaoka share an unexpectedly tender evening that begins with bickering in the car and ends with a kitten—plus a moment that could've changed everything. Just as Kasumigaoka is about to ask the question that might shift their fragile bond into something real… an unexpected voice interrupts, catching them both in a scene that definitely needs explaining.)
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