Café :re.
"Hey, Byakuya."
Eto Yoshimura suddenly called out to Byakuya while staring at her computer screen.
"What is it?"
Byakuya asked immediately.
"My new book King Bileygr has been out for a while now, and I should probably start preparing my next one. What kind of theme do you think I should write about?"
Eto asked.
"Even if you ask me that, I can't really help you..."
Byakuya spread his hands.
"Just say whatever comes to mind. You might give me some new inspiration."
Only then did Eto look away from the computer screen, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers as she gazed at Byakuya.
"Even if you tell me to just say whatever..."
Byakuya looked a bit awkward. This wasn't something you could just come up with on the spot...
"How about I just use you as the prototype for the male lead in my new book?"
Just as Byakuya was thinking, Eto suddenly suggested.
"Sure, whatever you like."
Byakuya replied casually.
"Then it's decided. Also, I've been thinking..."
A cryptic smile appeared on Eto's face. "I've never written a female lead to match a male lead, or vice versa. I'm wondering if I should try adding some romance elements this time?"
"That could work. Your previous works have always been rather dark and bloody. Personally, I think adding some romance elements to a dark story is a pretty good approach."
Byakuya expressed his agreement.
Little did he know, Eto had ulterior motives.
"In that case, I should probably find a prototype for the female lead as a reference."
The smile on Eto's face gradually took on a mischievous quality. "I think you should decide. Which girl around you would you want as the female lead's prototype?"
"Rize? Touka? Akira? Having the Yasuhisa twins as dual female leads might be interesting too?"
Eto listed several examples, then paused for a moment. "Or perhaps... me?"
"You mean using yourself as the female lead's prototype?"
Byakuya didn't quite catch on at first.
"That's right. I don't mind—it's up to you."
Eto smiled lightly.
"...That's up to you too. You don't really need to ask me specifically."
Byakuya responded.
"How can it not be necessary? You're the prototype for the male lead. Having you help me review things would obviously be best."
Eto countered.
"Alright..."
Byakuya had no choice but to say, "Then let it be you. You know yourself best, so you'll be able to write it better that way."
"That feels a bit half-hearted... That won't do. What I'm trying to say is—who is the female lead you'd most want to be in a romance with in a new book?"
Eto continued, "So... the person you'd most want to be romantically involved with in the book is me, correct?"
"..."
Byakuya was momentarily speechless. "This is getting too complicated..."
"It's not complicated at all. I just want to understand the wishes of you, the male lead's prototype."
Eto smiled faintly. "Also, I've had another idea—we could continue interacting as if we're in a romantic relationship. That way, with myself as the female lead's prototype, I can write a more authentic and excellent work. What do you think?"