"Huh? Utaha, when did you arrive?" As if just noticing Kasumigaoka Utaha's presence, Kasumigaoka Touji put on a startled expression, his act so convincing that he mentally gave himself a solid 9.9 out of 10.
"When, indeed?" The black-haired beauty in the dark blue sailor uniform leaned casually against the classroom doorframe. With elegance only she could pull off, she folded her arms beneath her ample bosom and tapped her snow-pale chin with a finger as slender as a spring onion stalk. Her wine-red eyes glinted with mischievous sharpness as she smiled faintly and declared:
"Since the exact moment scammer Otouto-kun began swindling money from a poor classmate—money her mother had carefully saved for her wedding."
"Don't just throw random accusations! Are you trying to play judge here?" Touji retorted, his brows twitching.
"That's right. I am the Kasumigaoka family's one and only judge, Kasumigaoka Utaha!" she declared proudly, raising her head high and patting her chest with exaggerated confidence.
"I don't remember our family ever having a judge role."
"I just appointed myself."
"Then it doesn't count."
Their playful bickering echoed through the nearly empty classroom. Touji, unwilling to lose the verbal spar, brushed past her words and turned back toward Gotou Hitori. With a small wave and a soft smile, he said:
"Well then… see you next Monday, Gotou-san."
"Ah… s-see you next Monday!" Perhaps not expecting Touji to turn back and offer a proper goodbye, Hitori flailed for a second before hurriedly raising her hand, cheeks turning pink as she waved back.
Utaha's sharp eyes flicked toward Hitori with a fleeting glance, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she pushed herself off the doorframe and gracefully followed Touji into the hallway.
"…"
Before Utaha could fire her first question, Touji preemptively spoke, voice carrying that familiar teasing lilt:
"Next, I'll take you to eat something delicious."
"Hmm? Something delicious?" Utaha arched a brow, her wine-red eyes narrowing as curiosity sparked. Her tone softened, amused. "And what kind of delicious thing is my Otouto-kun planning to spoil me with?"
"You'll know when we get there." Touji smiled mysteriously, leaving her in suspense.
…
Twenty minutes later, in the bustling streets of Shibuya—
The two stood in front of a crepe shop with a queue so long it nearly wrapped around the corner. The shopfront gleamed with newness, its colorful signs boasting fresh sweets and a handwritten board advertising: "Special Couple's Crepes – Limited!"
"This place opened only half a month ago, but it's already famous," Touji explained smoothly, as though reading from a pamphlet. "Their couple's crepes are crazy popular with young people. The talk of the town, really."
It was information he had casually overheard from some girls in his class that morning. Still, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
Utaha's lips curved upward. Being brought here after school, walking together like any other high school pair, even lining up among couples… It stirred something warm and bright in her chest. She swept her gaze over the crowd—indeed, most people in line were pairs of a boy and girl, chatting and laughing. She then glanced at the shopfront, a flicker of curiosity slipping into her voice:
"…This place only takes cash?"
"Yeah." Touji nodded smoothly, not a shred of guilt in his tone. Then, almost too casually, he added, "I heard that from classmates this morning."
For a fleeting second, Utaha's suspicion lessened. Maybe… maybe he really had borrowed money for something so simple. And besides, Hitori wasn't exactly threatening. That shy, gloomy girl in the pink tracksuit, bangs nearly hiding her eyes, was so painfully socially anxious that Utaha couldn't imagine her catching Touji's interest.
Her mood lightened considerably, and with a playful smile tugging at her lips, she said:
"Next time, if you don't have cash, don't go borrowing from others. I've got you covered."
Touji glanced at her with a soft grin, his reply almost too quick: "Okay."
…
Soon, their turn arrived. The picture of the shop's signature couple's crepe hung proudly on the wall, price clearly written: one thousand yen each. As soon as Utaha saw it, all her lingering doubts dissolved completely.
Moments later, a cheerful, plump shop auntie handed her a gigantic crepe, almost too beautiful to eat. The golden-brown skin was crisp at the edges yet tender, rolled into a half-open swirl like an edible fan. Inside, a creamy spread of coconut milk ice cream oozed between layers of fresh whipped cream, cradling vibrant cubes of mango, strawberries, blueberries, apples, and juicy cantaloupe. A sprinkle of Oreo crumbs and twin ribbons of hot chocolate sauce crowned the masterpiece.
Its dazzling presentation was enough to make even Utaha hesitate to take the first bite.
"Hold on. Let's take a group photo first." She lifted the massive crepe carefully, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Sure." Touji didn't hesitate. Pulling out his phone, he flipped to the front camera and slipped an arm around Utaha's shoulders. She leaned in naturally, her dark hair brushing against him as the two fit neatly into the frame. One click—
"Perfect."
Utaha's smile lingered as she studied the picture briefly, satisfaction lighting her expression. Then, with her usual composure cracking into something tender, she scooped up a generous spoonful of cream, fruit, Oreo, and chocolate sauce, raising it toward Touji's mouth.
"Here. Say 'ah~.'"
Touji chuckled softly but leaned forward obediently. After taking the photo and finding it satisfactory, Kasumigaoka Utaha used the complimentary plastic spoon to scoop up a spoonful of cream with fruit bits, Oreo crumbs, and hot chocolate sauce, and brought it gracefully to Kasumigaoka Touji's mouth.
Touji opened his mouth without hesitation, letting the mixture slide onto his tongue. The rich, slightly bitter yet sweet hot chocolate sauce melted instantly, followed by the smooth cream's sweetness, wrapping his taste buds in a wave of flavor. The textures were silky and luxurious, each bite almost decadent.
Then came the crushed black Oreos, adding a pleasant crunch that perfectly balanced the richness of the cream and sauce. The medley of fruit—mango, strawberries, blueberries, apples, and cantaloupe—added a refreshing crispness, layering the taste with bursts of sweetness and tartness. It was harmony in a spoonful.
"It's seriously delicious, Utaha. You should try some too." Touji said with a warm smile, savoring every bit.
Utaha leaned in, her wine-red eyes gleaming mischievously. "I feel like it'd be even sweeter if Otouto-kun fed me."
She deliberately set her spoon down, waiting. Her meaning was so obvious it might as well have been flashing in neon. Touji chuckled softly, understanding perfectly, and scooped a generous spoonful for her.
"Too much, baka!" Utaha rolled her eyes, her cheeks faintly pink, before opening her rosy lips to eat half the portion. Naturally, the rest went back to Touji, who finished it off with a satisfied grin.
"…"
One bite for her, one bite for him—the crepe became less like food and more like a ritual between the two of them. The sheer size of the special couple's crepe made it feel worth every yen, and Touji couldn't help but think, No wonder this place has such a reputation after just half a month.
After finishing their crepe, they made their way to the private recording studio, "Rock and Roll."
The studio was alive with activity. Musicians and technicians worked inside, and the sound of the door opening drew every eye toward them. Touji, unbothered, quickly spotted Nishino Kazuki among the crowd.
"Good afternoon, Nishino-sensei," Touji greeted politely.
"Good afternoon, Touji-kun," Nishino Kazuki replied warmly. He stood up from his workbench, picked up a carefully prepared CD, and handed it over. "This is what you asked for. Want to give it a listen now?"
Then his gaze shifted to Utaha. A knowing smile spread across his face. "You must be Utaha-chan. You're becoming more radiant by the day. No wonder this kid couldn't hold himself back."
He patted Touji's shoulder with exaggerated understanding, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "If Eiji finds out and tries to beat you, call me. I'll hold him back for you." He burst out laughing.
Touji nearly facepalmed. Seriously, Sensei? You just want front-row seats to the drama, don't you? For a supposed mentor, Nishino Kazuki sure loved stirring the pot.
Utaha, however, spoke with her usual calm grace. "Uncle Nishino, Father already approved of our relationship. In fact, he was the one who first suggested it."
"…Gah!?" Nishino Kazuki choked, eyes widening in shock. "Eiji agreed? Has he lost his mind?! You two—"
"We're not blood-related," Touji interrupted, clearing his throat. "I was adopted. Think of it more like a child-groom situation."
"Ahh, so that's how it is?" Nishino blinked, then suddenly slammed his fist into his palm, his expression lighting up. "I knew it! There's no way a guy with zero musical talent like Eiji could have such a gifted son! Hah! It all makes sense now—talent's not hereditary after all!"
Touji's lips twitched. Did you have to roast Dad like that? Still, with the studio workers watching them curiously, he chose to cut the exchange short.
"Nishino-sensei, please continue your work. We'll head out now."
"Alright, take care on your way," Nishino said, waving them off before diving back into his tasks.
As they left, the manager from "Sound Probe" leaned in, whispering curiously, "Nishino-sensei, who were those two?"
"Friends' kids. Just came by to record a small project," Nishino replied smoothly, offering nothing more.
The manager nodded and turned his attention back to the recording session inside.
…
Night fell quietly, painting Wako City in soft shadows. Streetlights flickered on, bathing the streets in a warm amber glow. Buildings stood like silhouettes against the darkened sky, resembling brushstrokes in an ink wash painting.
A cool breeze drifted through the city, rustling the leaves and carrying a refreshing stillness. The night was alive in its quiet way.
At the Kasumigaoka residence, inside Kasumigaoka Touji's bedroom—
Touji sat at his desk, headphones around his neck, staring at the glowing monitor with an almost nervous excitement. His latest creation was finally complete: a heartfelt combination of video and music, something that carried far more meaning than his usual works. The video he had edited earlier now perfectly matched the melody of his new song, titled "Kasumi Utako."
The footage was carefully arranged, almost tenderly. Each frame carried a memory. There were photos of Kasumigaoka Utaha from her earliest childhood years, transitioning into her middle school days, and finally her high school self—elegant, composed, and as striking as ever. Mixed within were occasional shots where Touji himself appeared, though never directly. Most of them were back shots, sometimes just a side profile, as though he were a quiet observer walking alongside her shadow.
The climax of the video was reserved for the most precious memory: the photo of them hand in hand at Odaiba Marine Park, the setting sun casting golden hues over the horizon while the sea shimmered like a canvas painted by the gods. The date and time were stamped neatly in the corner, an eternal reminder of that fleeting but perfect moment.
"Special video, special song… the effect will definitely be multiplied!" Touji muttered, his heart thumping wildly. "Utaha will definitely be satisfied with this gift!"
Even as the creator, he couldn't deny it—his pulse raced faster the more he looked at it. This wasn't just a project. This was him, laying his feelings bare in a way words alone could never capture.
Touji pressed a palm against his chest, steadying himself. The screen clock showed it was almost seven. With one deep breath, he hit upload, sending the video to YouTube. The schedule was set so it would go public right at seven o'clock sharp.
"Alright… here goes nothing."
…
The moment the clock struck seven, the notifications went out. Touji had already teased his fans in advance, so a decent number were eagerly waiting in the "works" section. Some had even set special alerts. Phones buzzed, computers pinged, and one after another, his followers clicked on the link.
And then silence—followed by shock.
A light, catchy melody began to flow. The rhythm was bouncy and nimble, the kind of tune that instantly lifted spirits. On-screen, the details appeared:
Song Title:Kasumi UtakoVocals: Winter-sensei Lyrics: Winter-sensei Composition: Winter-sensei
That alone was enough to cause an uproar. Lyrics, composition, vocals—that was all standard for Winter-sensei, the prodigy they admired. But that title…
"Wait, Kasumi Utako…?"
For fans who had seen Touji recommend certain light novels before, the name rang out like a lightning strike. Utako Kasumi was a novelist! Not just any novelist, but a beloved one.
Could it be…?
Winter-sensei once said this was a confession song.
…So was he confessing… to Kasumi Utako-sensei?!
The chat and comments exploded.
"Ahhh, my little one's finally grown up!" cried the mother fans, auntie fans, and onee-san fans who had supported him since his earliest days. They were emotional, clutching tissues as though sending off their own child.
"Damn it! He's actually going to be in a relationship? With who?! Ugh, I'm jealous!" screamed the fans harboring less-than-pure admiration.
"Eh? Winter-sensei… in a relationship?" muttered the neutral music fans, some blinking in disbelief, others already speculating wildly.
The confusion was universal. Some fans smiled knowingly, some cried out in envy, and others simply stared at the title as though the screen might explain itself if they looked long enough.
Then the song began in earnest.
"Eh…?"
"Wait, what…?"
"Hold on, hold on, hold on—did I just hear that right!?"
From the very first lyric, listeners felt something was off. The words were far too specific, too intimate. It wasn't just a vague love song—this was direct, like a private letter wrapped in music. And the further they listened, the more undeniable it became: Winter-sensei wasn't hiding his feelings at all. He was laying them bare, line by line, for the whole world to hear.