When the main character, the hardcore otaku Aki Tomoya, appeared together with the famous Saint Megumi, Akira knew that things were about to get interesting.
Perhaps due to the surprise, or maybe out of guilt, Utaha completely lost her usual composure.
Her panic was written all over her face—until she saw Kato Megumi next to Tomoya.
Nothing clears your head faster than pain.
As the sting in her heart spread, a haze fell over her eyes, and the panic in her expression quickly turned cold.
"What a coincidence, Tomoya-kun, Kato-san. Are you two on a date?"
That question made the two who had just approached them stop in their tracks at the same time.
"Ah, ah, ah? A date… no, it's not like that!" Tomoya shook his head frantically, flustered. "I just came out shopping with Kato..."
"Hm, this is the first time I've learned that a café is also a shopping venue."
"N-No, we just got tired from walking and wanted to rest somewhere… then I saw senpai through the window…"
Just as Tomoya was floundering to explain, Kato Megumi turned slightly and looked toward Akira.
"Speaking of which, this person is...?"
Her voice was so flat and blank it almost seemed spaced-out, which gave the impression that she was someone who would start talking out of place regardless of context—effectively diverting the topic, albeit stiffly.
It had to be said: compared to the actual content of one's words, tone and demeanor are often far more important.
Just like how Akira could talk about a physical transaction with such righteous composure.
Utaha's eyelids twitched, her eyes widening slightly. Seeing this, Akira gave up hope that she might handle the situation smoothly.
"I'm a fan of author Kasumi-sensei. Ogiwara Akira. Are you two friends of Kasumi-sensei? Nice to meet you."
Akira stood up, wearing a polite smile that was neither overly warm nor coldly distant.
He even took the initiative to reach out and shake hands with Tomoya, who instinctively raised his hand.
Then, letting go, he turned to Utaha and said, "Since your friends are here, let's move to a different table."
They had originally been sitting at a window seat with only two hanging chairs facing each other.
Naturally, if two more people joined, they'd need a larger table meant for four or six.
The only problem was—Akira didn't phrase it as a question.
It was a statement, as if the decision had already been made. And as soon as he said it, he walked off without leaving room for alternatives.
By the time Utaha snapped out of her anxiety, she was already standing by the new table.
Compared to the window seat, the inner area definitely lacked ambiance and scenery. But that didn't matter anymore.
What mattered was that the stage was set, the actors with their own agendas had taken their places, and the ensuing drama would be far more intense.
Some cafés, in addition to snacks, also serve main dishes like steak. Akira ordered his lunch and returned the menu to the server.
Then, wearing a business-like smile, he looked at the others.
"What's wrong, everyone? Not used to dealing with strangers?"
"N-No, it's not that." Tomoya quickly shook his head. "It's just kind of surprising, suddenly running into Utaha-senpai and her fan at a café…"
Keeping his smile, Akira pressed on: "With Kasumigaoka-sensei's current popularity and her recent public appearances at signing events, getting recognized and being invited for coffee by a fan like me seems like a pretty standard development, don't you think? What's so surprising about it?"
It was indeed standard. If there was something off, it was that Utaha was known to be shy and lacked social grace.
Even if such an encounter occurred, she wouldn't normally accept the invitation.
Unless there was some reason.
Tomoya couldn't help but glance at Akira, who was sitting beside him, only to be met with that dazzling smile.
Unable to hold his gaze, he looked away and turned to Utaha across the table.
They looked good together.
When he'd seen them earlier, their atmosphere had been pleasant.
If he didn't know her, he would have definitely assumed they were one of those painfully lovey-dovey couples.
A heavy discomfort stirred in Tomoya's heart. He didn't quite understand what it was, nor did he overthink it—he simply regarded it as concern for a friend.
Yes, concern.
This guy was way too suspicious.
With that intense unease, Tomoya suddenly questioned him: "Are you really Utaha-senpai's fan?"
"Hm? What else would I be?" Akira smiled kindly.
"Then answer me this! What happens in Chapter 2 of Volume 4 of Love Metronome?"
That question made Akira's smile stiff for a moment, before he shrugged helplessly.
"I'm not the kind of hardcore fan who reads books over and over. How could I remember that clearly? But… Volume 4, Chapter 2…"
He furrowed his brow and thought for a moment before replying uncertainty: "Isn't that the part where the male and female leads have that accidental encounter on the beach?"
That answer not only made a trace of disappointment flicker in Tomoya's expression, but also surprised Utaha—she hadn't expected Akira to actually be one of her readers.
Seeing their expressions, Akira relaxed a bit and continued:
"The sunset beach scene, with the heroine smiling as she faces the ocean and the setting sun… that was a very beautiful moment, so it left a deeper impression on me.
I'm lucky you didn't pick something harder—otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to answer. Any other questions?"
"…My apologies."
Tomoya scratched his head and brought his hands together. "It's just… you don't seem like the otaku type, so… I'm sorry!"
Normally, this would be the moment where Akira laughed it off, waved his hand graciously, and steered the conversation toward thoughts on Utaha's work or something to break the awkward atmosphere—especially with Utaha silent and Megumi seemingly out of the loop.
If the two guys didn't say something, the silence would become unbearable.
But Akira didn't.
Sensing something off, Utaha looked up—and saw a strange smile on his face. She immediately had a bad feeling.
Unfortunately, she wasn't good at redirecting the conversation.
And since she was feeling guilty, she didn't speak up in time. Akira had already let out a cold chuckle.
"I don't like accepting apologies. It means I've taken a loss. Normally, I prefer to get it back—with interest."
"You…" Utaha couldn't help but speak.
As if expecting it, Akira raised his hand and cut her off before she could say more.
"Don't imagine me as that kind of person. I have no interest in low-grade bullying. Since I was merely questioned, I'll just return the favor in kind. Nothing more."
What Utaha feared was that Tomoya would be subjected to the same darkness she had faced.
Hearing Akira say this, she was still worried—but afraid that protesting would anger him and escalate a minor conflict into something irreversible, she decided to wait and see.
"Just a few questions—is that alright? You… ah, I forgot to ask your name." Akira added with a thoughtful gesture, "I'm Ogiwara Akira. And you are?"
"Aki Tomoya." Tomoya adjusted his glasses as if bracing for a challenge.
"Oh, Aki-kun."
Akira nodded, meeting the eyes of everyone at the table one by one, a smile spreading like someone who had just discovered a new, interesting toy.
"Now then, may I ask—what exactly is the relationship between you all?"
___
Read 20 Advanced Chapters on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you!
Don't forget to leave a review too~ Actually, please leave one.
Check out the other translations too
___