A newbie's anime life diary

“Sayuka,” Kasumigaoka Utaha said without hesitation. Yukiteru knew that the character she was designing based on her own image would likely become more and more similar to his own personality as the story progressed, not to mention that he had created the new illustrations himself, and the character design was completely aligned with Kasumigaoka Utaha.

After asking a few more relatively mundane questions, a question that was somewhat interesting finally came up.

"The scenes in the book where the male protagonist and Sayuka go shopping and have fun are very heartwarming and interesting. Do you, Ms. Kasumi Shiko, have any experience in this area?"

Hearing this question, Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly quite satisfied. Yukiteru's expression, however, had already stiffened.

Shopping and sightseeing? Experience?

Isn't this the time I did research for Kasumigaoka Utaha a long time ago?

Kasumigaoka Utaha pondered for a moment before saying, "I've seen this part quite often in movies and TV shows. I asked a male friend I'm very close to to help me gather material, and the process was quite interesting. I still remember it vividly."

Hey, hey, hey, what the heck is this "very close male friend" thing? Your answer is going to cause problems! Who'll be responsible then? You?

However, Kasumigaoka Utaha completely ignored this.

Machida Sonoko gave Yukiteru a rather strange look, then smiled. Finally, they arrived at the last question, and also the most important one.

"Both female protagonists in the book fall in love with the male protagonist, which gradually develops into a love triangle. Judging from the fourth volume that has been released, the emotional entanglement between the three is becoming more and more intense. The emotional expressions are very well done, making people feel sorry for the characters while also making them want to keep reading. Ms. Kasumi Shiko, why did you come up with this plot setting? Did you have any personal experience with it?"

Upon hearing this question, Xuehui felt a dull ache in his stomach, as if he were the one who started it all.

As expected, Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled even more brightly: "Let me say this first, I have never experienced this situation myself. Also, regarding the plot direction, it was a male friend who is also a light novel writer who gave me advice. At that time, I was experiencing some writer's block, so I consulted him, and it seems to have worked quite well."

Xuehui felt that all he could do now was take a deep breath. Sure enough, heaven is watching what people do. If this interview wasn't edited, most of the book fans who saw it would probably guess it was him. After all, Kasumigaoka Utaha only followed his account on Twitter, and they had only discussed some topics on Twitter.

Should I delete my previous tweets when I get back...?

Yukiteru is now considering whether to make some backup plans. He strongly suspects that Machida Sonoko and Kasumigaoka Utaha had discussed this in advance.

Finally, the interview was over. Machida Sonoko listened to the recording again and nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Okay, it's finally done. I'll handle the manuscript later. Utaha, just wait and see the interview in the magazine."

"Thank you so much, Sonoko-nee. In that case, I won't linger any longer. Yukiteru-kun, let's go." Standing up, Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at Yukiteru.

Fortunately, after the initial bit of annoyance, Yukiteru didn't show much emotion on his face. He stood up calmly, said goodbye to Machida Sonoko, and left the paperback with Kasumigaoka Utaha.

As Xuehui walked out of the library, he looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha and said, "So, Utaha-senpai, how do you want me to apologize? Let me make it clear that I have something to do tonight, so I don't have time for dinner or anything like that."

"Oh my, you're so unbelievable, Yukiteru-kun. I haven't even said anything yet and you've already come up with all sorts of restrictions. I was just thinking of asking you to treat me to something to eat before we chatted. I slept until noon today and only ate a little something before heading out."

Kasumigaoka Utaha stood with her hands behind her back, facing Yukiteru, unaware that this gesture made her already proud features even more prominent.

He glanced at her briefly before looking away, thankfully without her noticing. As he pulled out his phone, he said speechlessly, "I know you girls have this concept of beauty sleep, but you don't have to do this."

Xuehui dialed the driver's number and said directly, "Is there a convenience store nearby? Okay, buy some snacks that girls like to eat to fill their stomachs, and then drive the car over."

Seeing Yukiteru put down his phone, Kasumigaoka Utaha was touched but also a little curious: "I didn't expect that after only one summer vacation, Yukiteru-kun, you already have a driver? Could it be that you're some young master from a powerful family?"

Although there are some discrepancies, they seem to be about the same. So, is a woman's intuition really accurate?

Of course, Xuehui didn't intend to explain further. A few minutes later, a black sedan slowly drove up and stopped in front of the two of them.

Xuehui stepped forward, opened the back door, and looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha, saying, "It's getting late, let me take you home. As for you wanting me to treat you to dinner, there will be other opportunities in the future."

Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to find a place to sit down and chat with Yukiteru, but since he said he had other things to do, she had no choice but to accept it.

After getting into the car, the driver immediately handed me a plastic bag containing snacks and desserts such as cookies and cakes, as well as several kinds of fruit juice drinks.

"You've got a good eye for choosing, don't tell me you have a girlfriend?" Xuehui smiled as she took the bag from the driver.

The other party is now specifically assigned to work for Xuehui. After spending more time together, they are no longer reserved and said with a smile, "Yes, we are getting married in a while. We will go to choose wedding rings during the next holiday."

"Hmm~ That's really great. I'll send you a congratulatory gift then." Xuehui hadn't expected that the other party actually had a girlfriend, or that they were already talking about marriage.

"Thank you very much, Young Master Xuehui." Then, the driver asked, "Shall we take this lady home first?"

Yukiteru looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha and gestured for her to give him her address.

After Kasumigaoka Utaha gave her home address, the driver nodded and immediately started the car.

Inside the moving car, Kasumigaoka Utaha ate a cookie while looking thoughtfully at Yukiteru.

"I feel like you're a little different, Yukiteru-kun."

"Really? You're still the same as always, still your junior." Xuehui replied with a smile. But he knew in his heart that under Ryougi Shiki's tutelage and after spending time with those great youkai recently, his mentality would definitely have changed a little. However, Xuehui believed that he could adjust himself and it was not a problem.

"That's true." Kasumigaoka Utaha swallowed the last small piece of cookie, then yawned slightly. "I'm a little tired again. I'll rest for a bit. Yukiteru-kun, remember to call me when we get there."

She fell into a deep sleep in no time.

A few minutes later, Xuehui remained silent, and the driver discreetly drove the car to a parking lot.

"You noticed too?" Xuehui asked the driver, looking at the sleeping girl.

"Yes, but it's not anything dangerous, but it's undoubtedly man-made."

Those who can work for the Ryougi family are not ordinary people; even this driver noticed something was amiss early on.

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I said it was 3,000 words, but I kept writing more and more and almost couldn't stop. So, 3,300 words is 3,300 words.

As usual, it's past midnight today.

Who did Chapter 84? (2/3)

At first, when Kasumigaoka Utaha said she slept until noon, Yukiteru wasn't too surprised.

After all, the other person often stays up all night writing novels and often sleeps in class during the school year, not to mention on weekends.

But just now, after Kasumigaoka Utaha yawned without warning, Yukiteru noticed something was wrong.

People go through a process when they want to sleep, but Kasumigaoka Utaha seems to skip the fatigue transition and go directly from wakefulness to sleep.

A yawn that comes out of nowhere, a sleepiness that's as fast as the god of sleep, and a sluggish feeling of not waking up even after the car has stopped.

"With no other symptoms, it's probably just drowsiness."

The driver glanced at the sleeping Kasumigaoka Utaha through the rearview mirror and made his judgment.

Xuehui nodded, put the bag of snacks aside, and moved closer to Kasumigaoka Utaha. He reached out and brushed aside her long hair to reveal her ear, observing as he spoke, "This thing is similar to the Gu breeding practices in China, but it's a harmless insect-breeding method. The Sleepy Bug is a relatively popular harmless insect, since many people suffer from insomnia for various reasons. This little bug comes in handy then, quickly putting someone to sleep without any side effects. Some families even use it to force those who have been cultivating excessively to rest, to prevent them from collapsing from exhaustion."

The driver nodded and continued, "But this is under the premise of someone controlling it. If it is placed on a person without control, some unexpected accidents may occur, and the consequences will be very serious."

"Yes, if someone suddenly falls asleep while walking, even in the middle of the road, it would be really dangerous, especially for a girl. Plus, this kind of thing is something that ordinary people can't handle or even notice, so there's very little chance of it being cured."

As they were talking, Yukihira gently pressed his finger behind Kasumigaoka Utaha's ear. A few seconds later, a tiny white insect, smaller than a fly, scurried out of the girl's ear and landed on Yukihira's hand.

"If you didn't run away at this point, either the controller isn't nearby, or there's no controller at all." Xuehui looked up at Kasumigaoka Utaha who was sleeping and sighed, "You're really lucky. Nothing happened along the way, but I found you in the car."

After saying that, Xuehui lit a flame in his hand and burned the little insect.

"Let's go back to Chiba."

As for who did this, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Xuehui thinks we should know in the next few days.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a house, which was Kasumigaoka Utaha's home.

He reached out and gently nudged the girl.

"Senior Shiyu, wake up, we're home."

The girl stirred, but still did not wake up.

Unfortunately, this method might fool ordinary people, but it's too naive to deal with Xuehui. At such close range, he noticed the change in her breathing very early on.

With a mischievous grin, Yukiteru slowly leaned close to Kasumigaoka Utaha's ear and whispered, "If you don't wake up soon, I'll have to use the tricks I use on Sleeping Beauty."

Sure enough, the girl's fair face immediately flushed.

This time, it can no longer be concealed at all.

He raised his hand and flicked the girl's forehead. As she cried out in pain and glared at him with displeasure, he said irritably, "Since you're awake, stop pretending. We're home."

"Yukiteru-kun, do you really enjoy toying with other girls' hearts?" Kasumigaoka Utaha blushed. She had been wondering what gentle way he would wake her up, but instead he flicked her forehead!

"I still think this approach is better for you, senior," Xuehui replied calmly.

"I've decided, one meal will have to be increased to two meals to atone for your sins, no, three meals!"

"Well, it doesn't matter anyway." As he spoke, Xuehui picked up the bag of snacks and handed it to Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had already opened the car door. "Take it. It was prepared for you anyway."

"Don't think you can bribe me with this little thing." Taking the item with a haughty air, Kasumigaoka Utaha got out of the car and said to Yukiteru inside, "However, thank you for bringing me back anyway, Yukiteru-kun. Also, wait for my summons."

"You really think you're a princess or a queen, huh?" After making a sarcastic remark, Yukiteru waved to Kasumigaoka Utaha and then rolled up the car window.

Standing at her front door, watching the car gradually disappear into the distance until it was completely out of sight, Kasumigaoka Utaha leisurely walked towards her home.

However, what she didn't notice was that a middle-aged woman carrying a shopping basket emerged from a side alley, seemingly lost in thought as she recalled the scene from earlier. She quickened her pace and followed, entering the same house as Kasumigaoka Utaha.

In the car, Xuehui thought for a moment and then instructed the driver, "Arrange for someone to keep watch near Kasumigaoka Utaha later and see if there are any suspicious people."

The driver nodded and asked, "And what about when you're in school?"

"...To what extent can it be done?"

"There is no problem with comprehensive monitoring."

"That would be going too far." Xuehui smiled, considered for a moment, and then said, "Let's set up a camera in her classroom and see if it's someone from the school."

"I understand, I'll give the order shortly." After a moment's hesitation, the driver said, "Um, Young Master Yukihira, perhaps I shouldn't ask, but what about your feelings for that Miss Kasumigaoka...?"

"She has feelings for me, but I don't know what to do yet. After all, as you know, I have a lot of troubles on my hands," Xuehui said directly without trying to hide anything.

"In that case, Young Master Xuehui's actions just now were a bit too ambiguous, and would give the other party a hint of intimacy. It would be best to refrain from doing so for the time being. Of course, if Young Master Xuehui has other ideas, then that's another matter."

Xuehui was taken aback, and after thinking for a moment, he smiled bitterly: "She's messed with me a few times before, so I was thinking of getting a little revenge. It seems I wasn't quite sure I could pull it off. Oh well, let's just leave it to fate."

After turning towards the supermarket, the car finally arrived at the apartment building of Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Carrying a large bag of groceries, Xuehui strolled out of the elevator, skillfully took out his keys, opened the door, and went inside.

"I'm back!" Xuehui shouted as he changed into his own slippers.

A few seconds later, the bedroom door opened, and Hiratsuka Shizuka rushed out, rubbing her stomach. Seeing the ingredients in Yukiteru's hands, she nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, not bad. You've got some self-awareness. Hurry up and cook, don't you even know what time it is?"

With a forced smile, Xuehui looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka and said, "Hey, I've been out all day, and when I get back you don't even offer a word of comfort before telling me to cook? Do you believe I'll go on strike?"

"..." Shizuka glanced at Yukiteru quietly, then raised her hand and patted Yukiteru's hair. "Good boy/girl, you've worked hard today. Okay, go cook some food."

"Do you think I'm a child?!" Yukiteru rolled his eyes and pulled Hiratsuka Shizuka's hand away. "Do you think this is like dealing with a heroine in an anime? You think you can just pat her head and that's it? You want me to cook? Fine, I'll have to collect some interest first."

After saying that, she immediately hugged Hiratsuka Shizuka tightly.