This could be said to be playing outside the rules.
Based on his usual behavior, she should be teasing him, and then he would just laugh it off.
Not only was Kasumigaoka Utaha stunned, but the voice actors were also stunned.
Could it be that they were going to make a big splash today?
"Just kidding."
Izumi Chihiro suddenly laughed.
Kasumigaoka Utaha had felt a strange tension in her heart, but hearing this sentence made her sigh in relief. At the same time, there was a sense of loss.
So she complained with genuine resentment, "A woman like me, even if I threw myself at him, Teacher wouldn't care, because, Teacher is a lolicon!"
"You shouldn't say that!"
Izumi Chihiro frowned.
"Lolicon!?"
The voice actors exclaimed.
"I'm just kidding too~"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's tone sweetened, as if she was acting spoiled towards him.
Those who knew her true nature would get goosebumps.
However, for the fans in the live stream, they wished that such a mischievous Kasumigaoka Utaha Sensei was speaking to them.
["What a cool back-and-forth! What great psychological warfare!"]
["Damn it, is this Old Thief's social network?"]
["Surrounded by beautiful girls, he must be spoiled for choice! I wish I could replace Old Thief."]
["I feel like writing a light novel based on Old Thief would be very promising, it might even be a bestseller."]
["That's a good idea, when are you writing it? I'll definitely buy it then!"]
["Old Thief is completely the template for a light novel protagonist, becoming a light novelist in middle school, with a full harem…"]
["It's a pity, but novels aren't reality. Old Thief must have a crush on some girl, but he definitely wouldn't dare to choose now, right?"]
["Don't worry about Old Thief, worry about yourselves first! You bachelors who play games all day!"]
["No way, no way. You don't think that people in the two-dimensional world can't be normies and get girlfriends, do you?"]
While the audience in the live stream was getting excited, the discussion on stage had already shifted to the work itself.
After all, this was a promotional event for love metronome; they couldn't let the guests steal the show, could they?
"I think everyone has something they're quite curious about, right?"
The male voice actor looked at the others and said.
"That's right, it's the ending, isn't it?"
"Mhm, mhm, it seems to be an open ending."
"Originally, I thought Sayuka would be chosen, but it wasn't, was it?"
"Compared to Sayuka, I prefer Mami!"
"Sayuka is clearly better."
"Mami is better!"
The two female voice actors started arguing.
"Hey, you two just suddenly started fighting."
The male voice actor mediated their factional dispute to keep the show going.
"Actually, the ending I originally decided on was Sayuka's victory. After all, Sayuka was the character I poured my heart into from the beginning, and she's also a reflection of myself. However, after considering Kasumigaoka Utaha Sensei's opinion, I changed my mind."
Kasumigaoka Utaha said with a mournful tone.
"What, what, it feels like Kasumigaoka Utaha Sensei has something implied in her words?"
The male voice actor speculated.
"It was only a reference in the end. Kasumigaoka Utaha, you didn't have to reference my opinion at all."
Izumi Chihiro said.
"How could that be? Izumi Sensei is the person I respect most, my guiding light. If I don't listen to Izumi Sensei, then who else can I listen to?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha said it with such vivid expression.
'Why don't I ever see you show me this much respect in person?'
Izumi Chihiro secretly grumbled to himself.
Could this guy really say that without bursting into laughter?
"Then, can you tell us a little bit?"
One female voice actor probed.
"Actually, it's nothing much. It's just that Izumi Sensei told me a principle that I regard as gospel."
Kasumigaoka Utaha took a deep breath, her tone shifting to a solemn one.
She was probably mentally preparing herself to avoid laughing halfway through.
"When you face a choice, if you choose one girl, it will undoubtedly hurt the other girls. So, the best choice is actually to give happiness to everyone! That way, no one gets hurt! This is the perfect ending! How about it, it's quite reasonable, right?"
"Pfft…"
After a few seconds of stunned, the voice actors couldn't hold back anymore.
Izumi Chihiro also felt a wave of shame.
Although he had expressed similar words, having them exposed still made him feel…
However, since he had made up his mind, he had already decided to face it calmly.
"That's right, I did say something similar."
He admitted it generously.
"Oh~!"
The voice actors exclaimed.
The bullet comments also erupted in a frenzy.
["Got it, Old Thief wants a harem!"]
["You're truly crazy, Old Thief."]
["Well, that's good, everyone doesn't have to fight anymore. From now on, the CP parties are one whole."]
["There are too many people, can his body handle it?"]
["By the way, don't you guys consider whether the girls would accept it?"]
["No, this is just a reference for writing a book, your thoughts are jumping too far!"]
["It's not like it's impossible. A few years ago, someone was exposed for keeping dozens of mistresses. This level is just a piece of cake!"]
["The joy of the rich, you simply can't imagine!"]
Afterward, the male voice actor defended, "This was just an opinion raised during a discussion about writing, don't overthink it."
To be honest, everyone was just joking around and didn't take it too seriously.
Kasumigaoka Utaha and Izumi Chihiro didn't bring up the matter again afterward, and there were no more explosive revelations.
But it didn't matter; the promotional intensity of the event had already been achieved.
After it ended.
Izumi Chihiro sent a message to Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"Kasumigaoka Utaha Sensei, you almost ruined my reputation!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at her phone and smiled faintly.
"Izumi Sensei's reputation has probably already dropped to a point where it can't drop any further, right? So, a few more scandalous news items don't really matter. However, since Izumi Sensei is here to demand an explanation, I, your disciple, am willing to admit my mistake. As compensation, how about I accompany Izumi Sensei out this Sunday? You can do whatever you want with me~"
"Can I interpret this as a date invitation?"
"Let's just consider it a celebration for Sayuka's victory."
"That's a bit of a shame. I've been busy rushing work lately, so I can't accept your invitation. Maybe next time."
"I see."
Izumi Chihiro looked at the last reply, preparing to close the chat box, but another message immediately popped up.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "The love metronome" has concluded, so a new work is naturally on the agenda. I'd like to discuss the direction of the new work with you, Chihiro.
Izumi Masamune: You're really diligent.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: It's just a clumsy imitation of someone, nothing to speak of.
Izumi Masamune: Since you're so keen, of course I won't refuse.
…
With a smile in her eyes, Kasumigaoka Utaha's lips curved into an arc.
Opportunities are made, not given!
Everyone wants a story about themselves.
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter