Watching Utaha's confident, "I've got this all under control" expression, Machida struggled to keep a straight face, fighting back the urge to laugh out loud.
"Ahem. So, what now?" Leaning back in her chair with her hands behind her head, Machida's lips twitched as she asked, "Shall we invite Kasumi Utako's boyfriend in to discuss important business matters? Or is Miyahito-kun's girlfriend heading back to their sweet little love nest with him?"
"Stop being so sarcastic." Utaha rubbed her arms in distaste. "Is there anything else work-related?"
"Not for now."
"Then I'm heading home." Standing up, Utaha casually slipped the Love's Metronome anime proposal back into her bag. She smiled faintly at the editor still seated. "I'm hungry. I want to go home and eat."
"Oh, and my dear Editor Machida." Resting one hand on the doorframe, Utaha smiled gracefully. "My boyfriend cooks really well. I'll invite you over to taste it sometime."
The next second.
Thud—!
Machida collapsed face-first onto the table, clutching her subtly aching chest, her voice filled with uncontrollable sorrow and grief. "It hurts... My chest hurts..."
Especially paired with Utaha's calm, slightly boastful smile, it was a devastating critical hit to the single, mature, and beautiful Machida Sonoko.
No, it was a double-damage critical strike.
"Damn it! So what if you have a boyfriend? Big deal!" Wiping away her tears, Machida "resiliently" pushed herself up on the table, gritting her teeth. She stood up quickly and marched out of the conference room.
"Hmph, what's there to be smug about? Your boyfriend is just a high school kid, anyway."
"I'll definitely find someone better! More mature! More successful later on..." Trailing behind Utaha, who walked ahead with her chin slightly raised like a proud swan, Machida muttered to herself. Then, she suddenly remembered something.
Wait, Utaha's boyfriend... can't exactly be called an ordinary high schooler, can he?
(What high schooler earns that much money while still studying? And does it completely legally, gaining both wealth and fame as a popular singer... Ahh, my heart aches.)
"Hey, Editor Machida. What do you think I should say when I see Miyahito?"
Meeting Utaha's 'let's cause some trouble' expression and sparkling eyes, Machida's mouth twitched.
I think you don't need to say anything. No, you should just prepare yourself mentally.
After all... you're the only one who doesn't know your boyfriend's other identity.
"Mmm... I think you should just tell him you're Kasumi Utako." Waving her hand dismissively, Machida was about to say more when her eyes caught sight of a certain boyfriend pacing restlessly near the reception desk, looking completely fidgety.
After a quick nod in his direction, Machida turned to Utaha with a playful lilt, completely ignoring the editor's visible irritation at her half-hearted answer. "Quit looking at me. Hey, your boyfriend can't wait any longer."
"What?"
Frowning slightly, Utaha instinctively turned her head. Her gaze followed Machida's direction.
But the next second.
"Utaha!"
"Miyahito!"
Slightly startled, Utaha stared blankly as Miyahito suddenly rushed toward her and wrapped her in a tight hug.
Her cheek pressed against his chest, it instinctively flushed pink. Her hands, resting against his soft stomach, pushed lightly in mild embarrassment. She couldn't help but whisper in a slightly flustered tone, "Miyahito! Everyone's looking!"
Hearing his girlfriend's shy protest, Miyahito, whose heart was overflowing with inexplicable joy, didn't care one bit about the audience.
He loosened his grip slightly but didn't let go completely.
Wearing a proud, happy smile, he looked down at Utaha, who was looking up at him with a slightly red face. His voice was slightly excited. "Utaha! Congratulations! Love's Metronome is finally getting an anime adaptation!"
"Mhm, thank you." Instinctively playing along with his words, Utaha smiled and thanked him. But then, her smile suddenly froze.
Looking at her boyfriend, who was excitedly planning what delicious food to make, she asked calmly, "Miyahito, let me ask you something."
"Sure, ask away." Completely unaware of the impending danger, Miyahito nodded happily.
"How did you know Love's Metronome was written by me?"
"...."
The air instantly fell silent.
"Pfft hahaha...." Machida, who had been hiding in their blind spot hoping to enjoy the show, finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
Especially seeing Utaha's impending storm expression, combined with her cold, merciless tone, and Miyahito's end-of-the-world despair.
"Ahem, Utaha-chan." Clutching her stomach, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter, Machida trudged forward with difficulty. She stood behind Utaha, who had turned around with a dark expression, and added, "About you being Kasumi Utako-sensei... Miyahito-kun has known for a while."
"Ho ho ho... Miyahito." The corners of Utaha's lips curled upward into an exceptionally bright smile. She turned around.
Slowly raising her hands, she gently approached Miyahito's cheeks, which were starting to lose their composure. While gently caressing his face, her voice grew increasingly sweet and charming, though Miyahito's body trembled instinctively. "Hey, tell me." "Why did you know, Miyahito? And why didn't you tell me sooner?"
A sharp breath sucked into Miyahito's lungs. The familiar pinching pain on both cheeks made his first words a pained cry. "Ow ow ow... Utaha, listen to my explanation!"
However, before he could finish, Machida happily raised her hand from the side and loudly announced to Utaha, "Yes yes yes! Utaha-chan! I know!"
"Actually, remember that signing event before? You know, the one where you wore that white suit!"
At the editor's sudden revelation, Utaha's fingers froze mid-pinch. After a beat, she asked, "You mean right before school started?"
"Exactly!" Machida smiled brightly, giving Utaha a thumbs-up. She secretly glanced at Miyahito, who looked utterly ashen, and continued, "Actually, Miyahito-kun came to the venue that day, too."
"Mhm, even though I invited him before, he said he didn't have time. And you know what? He actually saw you at the entrance, but he didn't even come over to ask for an autograph. He just glanced and turned around to leave... with his sister, I think..."
Damn it! I misjudged you, Editor Machida! I never knew you were like this!
Are you trying to ruin me on purpose?! Shit!
Watching Utaha's expression grow increasingly gloomy under Machida's "explanation" (fanning the flames), Miyahito opened his mouth with a bitter face. "Y-you... Utaha, listen to me explain..."