Chapter 529: Must Take Him Down! A Sudden Disturbance!
"Click, click!" Two crisp sounds were heard as Machida Sonoko twisted her body. "Hiss, my back really aches. I'm so tired."
The morning session of the signing event finally ended. As Utaha's editor, she had diligently helped out. Standing for a whole morning left her exhausted.
After stretching, she looked jealously at Utaha, who had immediately started showering Ren with affection the moment she returned backstage. Coming back to a handsome man giving her shoulder massages… it really made her, a single woman, die of envy.
But it was also strange. "Utaha, aren't your hands sore? You didn't rest at all."
Utaha's work was monotonous and tedious, repeatedly signing books for fans. For such a popular event, authors would usually rest. But Utaha, a delicate high school girl, hadn't stopped for a moment and seemed to have signed everything with ease.
Upon hearing this, Utaha, who had been squinting from the comfortable massage, opened her eyes and said alluringly, "It's all thanks to Ren-kun that my stamina is so good."
"???" Machida Sonoko's eyes widened.
"Uh…" Utaha, lost in the pleasure, instantly realized her words were ambiguous. She had only wanted to express that he had improved her physical strength, but from an ordinary person's perspective, it clearly had another meaning.
She wanted to explain, but Sonoko was already pouting with a resentful look. "Tsk, little Utaha is actually so bold." In reality, her heart was shocked. Have they progressed so quickly? Exercising stamina could only mean that, right?
"As someone who was fed too much dog food today, I must make you pay dearly later!"
"I…" The explanation was stuck.
Ren playfully patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. Eat whatever you want for the big meal. Utaha will pay."
"???" Utaha was full of question marks. "As my dear boyfriend, shouldn't you chivalrously say you'll pay?"
He gave her a look that told her to figure it out herself. "Oh, I'm the hero who helped improve your physical fitness, so it's only right that you treat me."
"You…" Utaha was dumbfounded. This guy didn't even think about explaining the misunderstanding; he even added fuel to the fire. Glancing at Sonoko's gossiping eyes, she knew there was no way to clear her name. She glared at him fiercely. "Oh, yes, Ren-kun. You've worked so hard, so I really should give you a good supplement."
As if that wasn't enough, she added, "After all, we still have to 'exercise' tonight. I can't let my dear get too tired."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, looking directly at her. His eyes conveyed: You're very bold, aren't you?
She didn't flinch, looking back proudly, as if saying: I'm super bold!
However, in Sonoko's eyes, their confrontation was nothing but blatant flirtation. She couldn't take it anymore. She slapped the table and stood up. "Let's go eat! I'm starving!"
Machida Sonoko had said she would make Utaha pay dearly, but the restaurant she chose was just an ordinary, moderately priced one.
She was very curious about Ren, the well-known yet mysterious author. After getting his permission, she boldly asked questions, such as why he suddenly wanted to retire. To this, Ren answered bluntly, "I've earned enough money to spend."
It was very realistic, which made her feel it was authentic. Her impression of him improved even more. After all, she had watched Utaha grow and regarded her as a friend. It was only right to help vet him.
A meal quickly came to an end, and Ren and Sonoko also became familiar. She would even occasionally complain to him about Utaha always dragging submissions to the last day.
"I'll go pay. You two wait," seeing they had eaten, Ren took the initiative to get up.
After he left, Sonoko immediately pulled Utaha over. "Utaha, you've really found a treasure! When are you getting married? Hurry up and seal the deal!"
"Uh…" Utaha awkwardly scratched her hair.
"What's wrong? Is he unwilling?"
She quickly shook her head. "It's not his problem."
"Ah? Could it be that you're unwilling?"
"Of course I'm willing! He also said it could be anytime. It's just that I haven't told my family," Utaha said, half-truthfully. The biggest actual problem was that there were too many people.
"So that's how it is," Sonoko breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ahhhhhh!!!" Suddenly, screams and commotion erupted in the mall outside.
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