Faced with the scrutinizing stares from both sides, Aoyama Nanami immediately realized she'd overstepped. Her cheeks turned the color of cherry blossoms in spring as she flailed her hands in a panic, trying to defend herself.
"N-no! I just think that as the scriptwriter of our club, Nozomi-san should focus more on conserving his energy for creative work... not... um, be distracted by odd things or... weird influences... I—I'm not accusing you or anything...!"
Her words tangled up faster than a pair of earphones in a pocket, and Eriri couldn't hold back an exasperated sigh.
"Okay, okay, stop digging the hole deeper. The more you explain, the guiltier you sound," Eriri deadpanned with a dramatic roll of her eyes.
Nanami shrunk in place like a wilted flower, utterly defeated, clutching her script notebook like a lifeline.
Nozomi just chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Alright, that's enough teasing. Let's get back on track."
He turned to Eriri, giving her a nod. "Did you bring your manuscript?"
"Of course," Eriri huffed, pulling out a neatly secured folder from her stylish messenger bag. She handed it over like a sacred relic.
As Nozomi began flipping through the carefully drawn panels, Misaki Kamiigusa's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands in excitement.
"By the way, guess what!" Misaki sang, practically vibrating with glee. "Magical Girl Meruru is officially teaming up with my original creation, Magical Girl Misaki! It's happening! It's really happening!"
Both Nanami and Eriri froze for a second, processing the news.
Eriri's eyes widened. "Wait, the Magical Girl Meruru? The one produced by Yamato Corp? The real deal?"
Misaki gave an over-the-top salute. "Yes, ma'am! It's the real deal! The anime gods have smiled upon us!"
Eriri nearly swooned, stars twinkling in her eyes. "Then this club really is something special... If a commercial project like Meruru is collaborating with us, it means our work has actual industry clout."
She clutched her folder tighter, her expression shifting to one of fierce determination. "Kashiwagi Eri is one step closer to mainstream glory. No more hiding behind the 'erotic' label. I'll show them all my art can shine in the daylight!"
Nanami wasn't any less excited. Her thoughts raced.
If Magical Girl Misaki blew up, her voice would be recognized far and wide. That meant more roles, more auditions, and maybe—just maybe—the dream of becoming a famous seiyuu wasn't so far-fetched.
Plus, dubbing a variety of characters for this project would sharpen her skills even more.
And working closely with a whirlwind genius like Misaki-senpai? That was a training arc in itself!
Soon, a dubbing session broke out spontaneously.
Misaki declared, "Let's have fun and voice every single character today!" with her usual over-the-top flair.
Nozomi, caught in the momentum, joined in, voicing background characters and the main male protagonist. He was new to dubbing, but as the scriptwriter, he knew every nuance of the characters.
Misaki and Nanami coached him, guiding him like two seasoned mentors training a brave but clueless hero on a journey.
Even Eriri, grumbling at first, got roped in.
"There's a tsundere role perfect for you!" Misaki teased.
"I am not a tsundere!" Eriri snapped, pouting. "You're the tsundere, you chaos gremlin!"
Still, she grabbed the mic, muttering under her breath, but as soon as the red light blinked on, she transformed—her voice sharp, proud, and full of emotional layers.
"Geez," she said afterward, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, "it was kind of... fun."
Meanwhile, Nozomi finished finalizing the joint script. He handed it off to Misaki and Nanami, ready for production.
While he relaxed on the couch like a lazy protagonist between arcs, Eriri continued to grind. She was redrawing character designs for Magical Girl Meruru, this time with full official blessing.
It had to be perfect—more magical, more powerful, more iconic. She sketched like a warrior in battle.
Weekends became a creative boot camp. Nozomi lounged. Misaki and Nanami tinkered with audio, perfecting timing and intonation.
Nanami mostly observed, but the technical jargon Misaki used gradually began to make sense to her.
Then, Nozomi's phone buzzed.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Kouhai-kun, is that twin-tailed tsundere at your place again?"
Nozomi smirked as he replied: "Yeah, she's here. We're grinding away at the drafts. Why?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "No reason. I just based a childhood friend character off her for Volume 2. Mind reading it and giving feedback?"
Nozomi: "Happy to."
It was a draft of Love Metronome: Volume 2.
Nozomi read it with rapt attention, sinking into the story with the focus of a seasoned story analyst.
Kasumigaoka-senpai's writing style was dazzling—each sentence intricately woven like a kimono's silk thread. There was a certain grace in her words, a softness and precision that only a master of literary craft could deliver.
Perhaps it was because she was a girl herself, but her depiction of emotions—especially those bubbling just beneath the surface—was achingly vivid.
The golden twin-tailed childhood friend in the story practically leapt from the page, full of stubborn pride and hidden vulnerability. Her every line, every outburst, and every tender glance was meticulously crafted. Opposing her was Sayuka, the stunning main heroine with an air of mysterious allure. Together, they waged emotional warfare, clashing over the affections of the male lead in scenes that screamed "Shura field." A battlefield of love and heartbreak.
But Nozomi couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
"Senpai, your childhood friend character is amazing. She's got the depth, the fire, and the emotional weight... but why does she always lose?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's reply was instant, like a quick retort in a heated battle.
"Because Sayuka is the heroine! Of course she wins!"
There was more than a touch of pride in her words. Sayuka, after all, was her self-insert, the embodiment of everything she found ideal. And suppressing the blonde twin-tailed rival—who looked suspiciously like Eriri—seemed to bring her immense satisfaction.
Nozomi chuckled, the corner of his lips twitching upward.
"Well, your writing's top-tier. For Sayuka fans, watching the childhood friend lose and push the main pair forward is classic thrill-novel material."
"But you've built up the childhood friend so well... I can't help but root for her. As a reader, it's painful watching her lose again and again."
That gave Kasumigaoka pause.
Her response was a beat slower this time. "Nozomi-kun, you're really too gentle... Even if she's destined to be a blonde loser, you still hope she finds happiness?"
"Of course," he replied. "I can't stand tragedy for tragedy's sake."
Kasumigaoka smirked through the screen. "Really now? You can't stand tragedy? Then what's with all the heartbreak in Magical Girl Misaki? Your scripts made players cry like they were at a funeral. Misaki's head literally explodes in one route."
Nozomi laughed. "Well, I do plan on adding multiple endings. Happy ones too."
"So the pain is just seasoning, huh?"
"Exactly. The sad endings are there so players learn to treasure the ones they love. Because happiness is fleeting—but pain? Pain leaves a scar that teaches."
He leaned back, fingers poised on the keyboard like a master composing his next spell.
"People don't learn until they lose something. Only then does regret take root."
There was a pause in their exchange.
Then came Kasumigaoka's message: "Nozomi-kun... you're kind of a philosopher."
"I think I get it now. I'll revise the manuscript. Give me a few days. I want your opinion again once it's done."
"Looking forward to it."
The chat ended. But on the other side of the screen, Kasumigaoka Utaha sat in silence.
She placed a hand over her heart, where a strange warmth had taken root.
"Cherishing the person in front of you, huh...?"
Nozomi's image flashed through her mind—his confident smirk, the calm maturity in his voice, the unshakable way he spoke like someone who'd lived through a thousand lives.
Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
"He's younger than me... so why does he talk like he's seen the world unravel?"
She bit her lip, conflicted.
"I heard he has a girlfriend... but just helping out with some writing shouldn't be crossing any lines, right?"
And yet, the way her heart fluttered suggested otherwise...
********
Last chapter, all pending debts cleared. Have a nice week ahead!!!
Side note, Where was the Inter that played Barca in the semis last night? The game was so disappointing it made history books for most goals in a Champions League Final. It should have been Barca Vs PSG. Especially considering PSG's coach was once at the head of Prime Barca.
Oh well, life goes on I guess...