Miss Kasumigaoka, do you want your book to be cut off?

"Help? So, Amano-kun is indeed a fan of Utako Kasumi..."

After hearing Amano Makoto's words, Aki finally felt a sense of finding someone who understood.

"However, I've been promoting Utako Kasumi sensei's novels on my blog, but it seems like it's not having much effect..."

In addition to the cold response at today's signing event, Aki was somewhat disheartened.

Although her novels were well written, they might not be suitable for most people...

"How did you promote them?"

Attracting external traffic is indeed a good method, but it doesn't always work.

"Just the usual... reviews and recommendations."

He often did reviews and evaluations of galgame games and light novels on it, and had a small following.

"Too low."

Amano Makoto shook his head after just one glance.

"What?"

"The quality is too low, it can't attract anyone's attention."

Hollowly boasting about how good the original work is, how well the characters are developed, and how deep the emotional descriptions are.

Such methods of promoting a novels are commonplace in the eyes of the public.

How could it attract traffic?

"If you were a blogger with millions of fans, anything you write would have people paying attention. But your number of fans is less than a hundered thousand..."

Plus, with the presence of robots and zombie followers, it's already good if there are five thousand active users who actually pay attention to Aki.

"Without any special methods, no one will come to read it."

"Special methods?"

Aki expressed his confusion.

"It's what they call the 'unorthodox' approach. But for now, let me see what she has actually written in her book before making any plans."

In truth, Amano Makoto has never read a novel written by Kasumioka Utaha. As a member of the "Harem Party," he simply couldn't stand stock market-related literature.

However, he had no choice. For the future of the harem faction, he now had to understand stock market literature.

Know thy enemy, know thy self, and you shall be invincible.

---

"Kasumigaoka-senpai, I've brought my friend!"

As soon as they arrived at Kasumigaoka Utaha's booth for the signing event, Aki eagerly introduced his friend.

"Thank you for your support..."

The black-haired upperclassman sitting in the booth chair exuded an unwelcoming atmosphere that discouraged strangers.

Even after seeing Aki and the others approaching, her expression didn't improve in the slightest.

Overall, it felt like she was operating under duress... as a hostess.

"Would you like me to sign your own book, or..."

The female editor next to her, as well as the staff responsible for guarding the venue, instinctively looked towards a mostly untouched cardboard box.

There was a slowly accumulating pile of books there, with hardly any of them being sold.

"Can I take a look before deciding whether or not to buy it?"

One book cost over 690 yen, and two books were close to 1,400 yen. Although Amano Makoto hadn't reached the point of financial hardship, he felt somewhat reluctant to pay for a type of novel he disliked the most for no reason.

"Of course... you can."

So, he's not a fan of the books?

Kasumigaoka Utaha playfully pulled on her eyelid, then with the help of a female editor, she took out two light novels from a half-packed cardboard box.

The first and second volumes of "Metronome in Love" are in separate volumes.

"Makoto, you said you would accompany me today..."

Reading these books will take quite a bit of time, right?

Yuigahama Yui pulled at the hem of Makoto Amano's clothes, expressing her dissatisfaction.

He obviously said before that the focus of today's date is on her...but now he's here to read again.

"It's okay, I can finish it soon."

He had previously mentioned that the focus of today's date would be on her... but now he's come here to read books.

"It's alright, I'll finish reading quickly."

Speed-reading a light novel was not a difficult task for Makoto Amano.

———

"It's hard to put it into words. The first volume can be barely tolerated, but the second volume is a disaster. However, the cover and illustrations are decent, so you can buy them."

Well, they're just slightly better than toilet paper.

He put down the books in his hands and took out the money to pay from his wallet.

"Are they really that bad? You only praised the cover and illustrations..."

The legs clad in black stockings twitched slightly.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had been depressed all day, became even more depressed now.

"You're intentionally nitpicking, aren't you?"

However, shortly after, as if she had thought of something, the girl suddenly stood up from her chair.

This person hadn't spent more than five minutes reading both books combined. To come to a conclusion so quickly, there must be something wrong!

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that must be the case...

"New writers always have an inexplicable confidence in their own novels. It seems Kasumigaoka-senpai is no exception. Or should I explicitly point out what's wrong with it?"

He mentioned that the two novels were only slightly better than toilet paper.

"I remember you, the guy who made a girl cry on the tennis court, Amano Makoto, right?"

So it was him...

After hearing the other person refer to herself as "senpai," Kasumigaoka finally got a clear look at the man's face.

He was one of the subjects she had chosen for her research that day...

"..."

So this senpai knew about what happened on the tennis court?

"You must explain clearly today, what exactly is wrong with my book?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had regained some composure, now stood with her arms crossed, glaring fiercely at the young man in front of her.

Hmm... The current posture of this senpai, no matter from which angle you look at it, indeed... looks quite "intimidating."

However, it's still unclear who has the upper hand between Kasumigaoka and Yukino...

These two are too close in comparison, and it's difficult to determine now. It can only be evaluated in the future... if there's a chance for a closer evaluation.

"What's wrong with it?"

In the realm of light novels, the only criterion readers use to judge if a book is good or not is whether it's interesting.

Or rather, if it's enjoyable to read, if the thoughts flow smoothly, if it's satisfying...

"The beginning of the first volume can at least be considered a romantic light comedy. Although the writing is not yet polished, the youthful style actually enhances the encounter between the male protagonist and the two female leads. So, all in all, it's not bad..."

If it weren't for the fact that the first volume was still popular, this girl probably wouldn't have had the qualifications to debut at all.

Amano Makoto's pertinent evaluation of the first volume made Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression slightly eased.

"The art style takes a sudden turn in the second volume. You're overly eager to portray the conflicting emotions between the male protagonist and the two female leads, which makes everything in the novel seem like the male protagonist's mindless ramblings. What's even more incomprehensible is that you've added a significant amount of meaningless scenic descriptions in between. It's truly bewildering..."

In simple terms, Kasumigaoka's artistic sensibilities are excessive, and she forcibly and deliberately added stomachache-related plot points, resulting in making the male protagonist look like an idiot.

Readers originally wanted to read a romantic comedy, but when they reach this point, they can only feel perplexed and frustrated. How can they possibly consider it good?

"So, it's a disaster. I believe any reader who has read the content of your first volume wouldn't want to see the content of this second volume. Am I wrong in saying that?"

"No, Kasumi-sensei's portrayal of female characters is quite successful, and perhaps the second volume is just setting the stage for the plot... We'll wait for the third volume..."

As a diehard fan, Aki is still full of hope for Kasumigaoka Utaha.

"There is no third volume."

After listening to all of Amano Makoto's comments, Kasumigaoka felt like a dreamless fish, sitting back in her chair with no strength in her body.

She had known it all along...

Even the editor had reminded her.

But due to the success of the first volume, she was surrounded by people like Aki, which made her lost in complacency.

"Its over, After today, the decision to cut the "Metronome of Love" will be discussed or considered."

It's time to compromise.

Today is Kasumigaoka Utaha's final struggle, even if it means betraying her identity as a beautiful high school girl.

But the result... was just a day of futility and embarrassment.

"Why is it like this when the first volume performed so well..."

Aki also couldn't accept it.

"Are you really going to give up?"

Makoto Amano saw that although the black silk senior said something like "it's over", the light in her eyes has not been extinguished.

Not everyone can be a writer.

Maybe everyone can write, but only those who persistently write and become writers are the chosen ones.

He felt that Kasumigaoka Utaha might be one of those "chosen ones."

"Not giving up... what else can I do? Today's signing event, my dedicated editor and I begged the company for a long time to get this opportunity, and the result..."

It couldn't be said that it was satisfactory, it was completely useless.

Perhaps its only effect was to completely shatter her mentality?

"But today hasn't ended yet, right?"

Makoto Amano looked at the sun still hanging on the treetops.

Slightly dazzling.

It was only four o'clock in the afternoon.

"That's right, didn't Amano-san just say he would help? Maybe he has some ideas?"

Aki also remembered the "unorthodox method" that Makoto Amano mentioned earlier.

"Help?"

Is there still a chance for a comeback now?

Kasumigaoka shook her head, not willing to believe it herself.

"A novel without a soul, no matter how it's written, it's just a crumpled piece of waste paper, and same goes for people.."

He had to confirm Kasumigaoka Utaha's "aptitude."

Does she have what it takes to help him achieve his "harem king" ambition?

"So, Kasumigaoka senpai, are you unwilling to give up and want to continue writing a better third volume, or are you really planning to give up? This is important."

"I..."

Kasumigaoka bit her lip, her expression heavy.

She looked at the staff behind her still packing up the booth, then glanced at the light novel on the table with her pen name printed on it.

"My thoughts... of course, I'm unwilling to give up..."

I don't want to give up... especially after the first volume received so much recognition...

Even if there was a mistake in the second volume, she's confident that she will be able to write a compelling story in the third volume!

She tightly clenched her fingertips, and the long black silk-clad legs under the table trembled once more.

"Since you don't intend to give up, let's debut!"

Makoto Amano curled the corner of his mouth, forming a subtle smile.

As expected of the girl he chose, she did not disappoint him.

"Debut?"

Everyone present was surprised by Makoto Amano's sudden proposal.

"That's right, debut as... a shrine maiden!"

———