"There are still a lot of things in this draft that need work. If you're really interested, I'll tidy it up and send it to you later."
Faced with Makoto's question, Utaha gave a perfectly appropriate answer.
She calmly opened another file—this one full of notes from their previous discussions.
She was trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.
But Makoto's curiosity was already fully ignited—there was no way he'd let it go. "If you really wait until later, I bet the version you send me will be totally different."
Utaha maintained her composed expression. "Why would you think that? Haven't we already discussed a lot about my novel?"
Makoto: "We have talked a lot. So where's my royalty fee?"
Utaha: "…"
She knew there was no escape now.
She purposely turned her head and shifted her posture to avoid his gaze, trying to ease the awkwardness. "There's really nothing that interesting in there."
Then, she reopened the file he had glimpsed earlier.
Makoto got a proper look this time.
The protagonist's full name was different, but they were still called "Makoto."
And the setup wasn't a high schooler either—but an office worker with a dream to direct his own film.
Along the way, he meets various beautiful girls but ends up getting caught in a murder case during production.
Although Makoto had already heard Utaha was writing a suspense story, actually seeing it with his own eyes made the experience rather… surreal.
Especially the parts where the protagonist wants to make a film, and is surrounded by beautiful girls.
"Are you done reading?" Utaha asked, still avoiding eye contact, though her voice remained calm.
"Yeah," Makoto replied.
Utaha finally looked over. "It's just a character profile for the male lead. It's really nothing worth seeing, right?"
Makoto asked, "Then I want to see the female lead's profile."
Utaha's wrist, which was holding the tablet, trembled slightly.
Under the table, her long legs clad in black stockings pressed closer together, causing the tights to tighten further around her thighs.
Her figure had always been alluring, and now with her posture subtly shifting due to nervousness, her curves were accentuated even more.
Makoto happened to be standing on her left side.
He already had some idea why she had suddenly gone silent.
As he stared at Utaha's profile, not only did he notice the change in her eyes, but he also picked up on the subtle movements of her legs beneath the table.
The scene before him reminded Makoto of a popular phrase online: "Drumstick syndrome triggered."
If not for the skirt covering it, he could have admired the full curves of her thighs.
At this moment, Utaha's silence reflected a complex state of mind.
It wasn't that she didn't want to show Makoto the character profiles.
But in her original plan, she intended to wait until her new book was officially released—then, while Makoto still hadn't read the story in full, she would present him with the profiles of the male and female leads.
That way, she could enjoy watching his amusing reaction.
Yes, that had always been part of her plan.
But somehow, he had picked up on the clues and discovered it early.
Now, before she was mentally prepared, letting Makoto see the characters she had created—especially the male and female leads—felt more than a little awkward.
After all, the male lead was clearly based on him, and the female lead... was herself.
As she pondered how to respond in a way that wouldn't seem rude or too awkward, a sudden spark flashed through her mind.
She had already decided to win him over.
She had also considered an "early launch" strategy.
Since they were alone, and he seemed genuinely interested in the story setup... didn't that mean—
Utaha's lips curled into a smile.
Thank you for the reminder, Fushimi.
"I'll say it again—there's really nothing that exciting to see."
She finally met Makoto's gaze. Her smile wasn't the calm one from earlier, but rather a more relaxed, cheerful expression.
Then, without waiting for him to reply, she said with seemingly sincere intent, "I almost forgot the real reason I came here today."
Trying a new approach?
Makoto kept a neutral expression and played along. "Weren't you here to use my computer?"
"That's just a minor thing."
She shook her head and looked him straight in the eye. "What really matters is that I need to discuss the plot involving the male and female leads with you."
"The plot?"
"Yes. I'm currently stuck on that part. Maybe it's because I haven't read enough related works, but I can't fully visualize the scene in my head."
As she spoke, she slowly stood up, her tall, voluptuous figure now in full view of Makoto.
"You've helped me so many times before. You'll help me again, right?" she asked.
Makoto replied, "How do you want me to help?"
When she heard he wasn't rejecting her, Utaha's smile deepened. "I need you to act out the scene where the male and female leads meet."
She paused, then winked—whether flirtatiously or playfully, it was unclear. "More specifically, I want to act out the moment their feelings finally explode."
So even her "early move" sounds elegant and literary.
Makoto pretended to think. "Any more details? Just that much doesn't tell me how I'm supposed to help."
He's hooked!
Utaha suppressed her delight and smiled. "Step back a little."
Makoto did as she said.
Utaha took dainty steps forward, her slender waist swaying as she walked until she stood before him.
She raised her pale hand and placed it gently on his chest.
Her beautiful face tilted upward, and her red lips parted slightly.
"In my vision, this is the final meeting between the two leads. That's why this emotional explosion is the most intense scene of the whole story."
Her lovely voice reached his ears as she rose slightly on tiptoe. As the distance between them closed, a light blush colored her cheeks.
"I see. Then I'll get into character."
Makoto, seemingly oblivious to her intent, drew upon what he had learned from his time-loop experiences.
After a few seconds of emotional prep, his gaze shifted from calm to one filled with passionate affection.
In the instant their eyes met again, Utaha was stunned.
He can act?
But then she realized: if he could direct Ichika, of course he could act.
Utaha steadied her thoughts and maintained eye contact. Her hands, which had been resting on his chest, naturally slipped behind his back and wrapped around his waist.
In that moment, Makoto's warmth and presence enveloped her.
It was a new, thrilling feeling for her.
She even recalled the time she'd made a mess of the guestroom sheets in her sleep.
"Fushimi, you should be holding my waist right now."
Her face burned, but her words were unexpectedly bold.
"Do you mean just hold you, or is there something else I should do?" Makoto asked as if genuinely curious.
Utaha smiled. "Either is fine. If you have a better idea, it might actually help me... huh?"
Before she could finish, she felt his arms tighten around her waist.
That should've been fine—it was her suggestion, after all.
But the problem was, Makoto went off script!
As soon as he pulled her in, he lowered his head. Their foreheads touched, and their eyes were filled only with each other.
Their warm breaths mingled.
If either one of them leaned in slightly more, they would kiss.
"Is this okay?" Makoto asked.
This wasn't a matter of "okay" anymore!
Utaha's breathing was erratic, and her heart pounded furiously.
She hadn't expected this.
She thought Makoto would just cooperate gently—maybe just hold her a bit tighter.
But this? This couldn't be described as just "a tighter hug."
Her soft, fragrant body was now completely enveloped in his arms.
With their breaths and body heat so intertwined, Utaha realized her excitement was peaking.
"It's fine... just a little too close," she said, feigning composure.
She thought he hadn't seen through her, and she still wanted to continue acting.
But Makoto immediately stepped back to their previous distance. "Got it. Let's keep it like this then."
Utaha's expression stiffened. Her hands slowly slid up from his waist to his shoulders—then suddenly pushed.
Who let you make that decision? Come back!
And so, the two of them returned to the intimate forehead-touching pose.
Makoto suddenly laughed.
Utaha was still trying to figure out how to explain her behavior when she heard his chuckle and saw the amusement in his eyes.
She couldn't help but ask, "What are you laughing at?"
Makoto's arms tightened slightly around her waist as he whispered, "I was just wondering—if this scene is so intimate, does that mean there's a kiss scene too?"
Utaha was shy.
But her pride refused to let her back down.
And besides, this whole setup was her idea.
She believed Makoto had already fallen into her trap.
Though, admittedly, they were standing very close...
She could feel the warmth of every breath he exhaled.
And she couldn't stop thinking about the embarrassing dream she had in his guest room.
With such overwhelming intimacy and tension, it was almost impossible not to recall that shameful night.
Even without Nino's divine intervention this time, her eyes were already glimmering with a seductive haze.
Her cheeks were flushed, lashes trembling, yet she tried to maintain a casual tone.
"Of course there's a kiss. I told you, it's the emotional climax of the story."
Makoto asked, "Then should I keep improvising?"
Utaha instinctively responded, "Of course you can... huh?"
She was suddenly kissed.
Makoto wasn't pretending anymore. He had made his move.
She said "go ahead," so he did—swiftly and decisively.
Utaha's beautiful eyes widened in shock.
No! This was supposed to happen later!
And only after I had completely seduced him!
The plan's totally off the rails!
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You get what you asked for.
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Read 20 Advanced Chapters on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
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