Kasumigaoka Shiu, whose eyes were covered by the bangs on her forehead, stretched out a slender jade arm to fumble around, and successfully picked up the phone from the corner of her skirt and answered it.
"Teacher Xia..."
A capable female voice came from the receiver.
A waterfall of green silk was spread on the bed, and the girl responded in a dull tone.
"Hello, Miss Machida. Just in time...I just finished writing..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the other party.
"I'm really sorry——!"
With a force that seemed to penetrate his heart, the other party said the following words in a clear and exciting tone.
"The release date of the second volume has been decided! Bookstores have also sent reservations!"
"And not only the number of pre-orders for the second volume far exceeds that of the first volume! Even the first volume is now being urgently reprinted!"
"Therefore! The decision of "the second volume will be cut in half" is withdrawn! Although it may not reach the expected five volumes, we can continue writing the third volume!"
"This is very remarkable..."
There was a slight choke in the voice, but it was a joyful mood.
"Eh……?"
Feeling this, Kasumigaoka Shiyu couldn't help but sit up from the bed, holding the phone and asking.
"But... why so suddenly...?"
"Actually..." Ms. Machida calmed down and explained in a gentle tone: "It's because of a topic on the Internet... No, it's because of a picture."
"...a picture?"
"Yes! Have you checked Twitter recently? A very powerful artist uploaded a secondary creation of Sayuka's work."
Ms. Machida continued: "Now it has become very popular on the Internet, and the popularity of the novel has also increased!"
"...?" Shiyu was puzzled, "Can just a picture have such a big sales effect?"
"But it's really amazing." Ms. Machida said firmly, "You can be amazed just by looking at it. I will send you the website address now, so you can go and check it out immediately."
"But the manuscript for the second volume has been written..."
As Kasumigaoka Shiyu spoke, she walked to the computer. She reached out and tapped twice on the keyboard to resume work from sleep mode.
"And I remember there's only one week left before the deadline."
After hearing her words, Miss Machida's words came one after another in a very high-pitched tone.
"Even if you only change the last two chapters, it's okay! I will try my best to help you extend the deadline! So please be sure to change it to the point where you can continue to develop it!"
"Please, please, please, please~!"
Even the coquettish method was used.
Kasumigaoka Shiyu embraces silence.
"But I no longer have the motivation to write novels..." - This sentence was not spoken. She just controlled the computer and opened the webpage sent by Miss Machida.
"[egoistic-lily] and [TAKI's blog]...why are there two?"
"Ah, these two websites are currently ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the search for "Love Metronome"."
Ms. Machida happily said: "One is a creator community in the doujin world, and the other is a personal blog for fans. Since both have the artist's works, I will send them to you together."
"is that so……"
After hearing the other party's explanation, Shiyu browsed the former's webpage first.
When you click on the portfolio, you will see a variety of cute character pictures (general age oriented).
Even though the appearance and shape are different, you can still clearly feel the strong personal style and the artist's creative enthusiasm.
I felt a little touched inside.
She began to look for the work that Ms. Machida mentioned.
Because the website is sorted by latest date, it doesn't take long to find what you want.
Tap your finger on the trackpad to enlarge the thumbnail.
"...!"
Clean and tidy picture, beautiful and smooth lines, brilliant light and shadow effects.
The makeup, skin color, clothing, facial expressions of the characters, everything is just right.
It has a harmonious and natural feeling, as if the world in the painting should be like this.
It's like a burst of electricity rushing through the body, and the abundant spring spirit blooms quietly in the heart, rendering the world in colorful colors.
Seeing this scene, Kasumigaoka Shiyu couldn't help but cover her mouth.
The characters in the picture are lifelike.
The beautiful smile on her face contained a life experience she had never experienced before.
"Kasumi... Sayuka..."
The shining dark red eyes trembled slightly, and an indescribable feeling surged into his heart.
"Little poem...?"
Seeing that she had not moved for a long time, Miss Machida opposite could not help but ask softly.
"...Yes, I'm fine." Shiyu's voice was slightly hoarse, and he paused and said, "I was just a little surprised..."
"Really~?" Miss Machida's tone became cheerful, "Which one are you looking at now?"
"egoistic-lily."
"Ah, in that case you can also check out that blog, which contains reviews written from a fan's perspective, as well as comments on the Internet."
Shiyu did as he was told.
Indeed, as Ms. Machida said, compared to the simple display of works on the former website, there is more communication and interaction here.
She browsed the content of the blog with quiet beautiful eyes.
From the website owner’s personal reflections to the lively message area.
After reading the whole article, Kasumigaoka Shiyu's mood changed unconsciously.
But what impressed her most was the painting.
It's like a clear spring passing by, silently infiltrating the soul, sweeping away all the gloom.
"Teacher Eromanga...huh."
The corners of his mouth couldn't help but raise a slight arc.
"How is it?" Ms. Machida continued the topic just now, "I think this should stimulate your desire to continue writing. Are you motivated~?"
"..."
A brief silence.
"As expected, it still doesn't work, Ms. Machida."
A clear female voice said this.
"Just letting Zhen Wei appear in the second half of the story would not connect the story at all. According to the original outline, she is the second heroine who needs to appear from the prologue."
"Then! Let's find a way together and try to solve this problem with the least modifications possible? How can we give up at this time...!"
Miss Machida said hurriedly.
Regarding this.
"What are you talking about..."
An inexplicable smile appeared on Kasumigaoka Shiyu's lips.
"Isn't there still one week until the deadline?"
Her fingers work on the keyboard.
"I know this is difficult! But-"
"Sorry, I just lied."
"Eh……?"
[Deleting: Love Metronome Volume 2 (350kb)]
Looking at the progress bar flashing on the screen, Kasumigaoka Shiyu said this.
"Actually, I haven't even finished writing one page of the second volume."
"Teacher Kasumi...?"
Ding--
A crisp prompt sounded on the computer. Shiyu closed the pop-up notification of "Delete Complete" and said to the phone.
"So, if I start writing now, I can probably still catch up."
There was no confusion on the girl's face, only determination and calmness remained.
"If anything happens...please help me fight for it, Miss Machida."
Ms. Machida, who seemed to understand something, took a breath and responded forcefully.
"...I understand, leave this place to me!"
"Please let them see the true strength of Teacher Xia! We must surprise everyone!"
In exchange, the girl chuckled calmly, but full of courage.
"Ah, I see."
It continues tonight.
…
Click, click, click, click, click—
Da da da da da da da da—
Rapid knocking sounds were intertwined with stomping sounds, and there was also a creepy evil laughter mixed in.
"Hiss...ha..."
"Hehe...hehe..."
The girl was completely enveloped by a breath of darkness, and she was just fighting in front of the computer.
That is an area that no one can enter.
The pictures in your mind turn into words, and the moving characters form sentences, weaving vivid stories.
Get me stuck in the quagmire...
Even if my clone becomes unhappy...
Plunge into intense love, crazy love.
Work hard to laugh, work hard to be sad.
Then, although I don’t know when it will be——
"Welcome joy and gain happiness..."
The sleepless night wind caused a chirping of cicadas, which turned into a thousand hands among the shadows of the trees, pushing the moon. Without the branches holding them in silver trays, they fell to the ground and made a loud noise.
After an unknown amount of time, the girl lay on the table and fell asleep, revealing a face as beautiful as half a bright moon.
Only the flashing cursor in the document on the screen silently witnessed this scene.
Along with the long breathing, a hazy murmur came from those soft lips.
"Teacher Eromanga..."
This is destined to be a new chapter.
◇
next day
In the art room filled with oil paints and turpentine, Kato Yusuke is instructing Toyama Harumi.
"...Here we need to pay attention to the level of color, and we also need to prioritize the composition. Keep this in mind when painting to find the right direction."
"Yes...that's right! Thank you Kato-kun."
"nothing."
Before he could relax, the first-year girl on the other side also raised her hands excitedly.
"Um, please ask me, too! Kato-senpai."
Kato Yusuke walked next to the girl.
"We're all in the same grade, so you don't need to call me that."
While staring at the drawing board, he said: "The gouache paint works will have a light inspiration. Pay attention to the color matching. You should use lighter colors here."
He pointed twice at a certain location on the drawing board to highlight the problematic areas.
With serious eyes and a delicate and handsome face, he looks very charming.
"Yes, it is!"
The girl blushed and nodded, then took out the thing hidden behind her back, looked at him from bottom to top and said.
"Um...if you don't mind, please use it!"
Looking at the oolong tea in the other person's hand, Kato Yusuke shook his head and said "No need".
"Well! Kato-senpai also bought us a drink last time, and this is a return gift." The girl stood up and explained.
After hearing what the other party said, Kato Yusuke pondered for a moment, and finally accepted the drink and expressed his thanks.
"You're so popular, Kato-san."
Toyama Harumi said with a smile.
"...The only saving grace is painting."
Hisita responded coldly.
She focused her eyes on the drawing board, dipped the paint brush on the paint board, and sketched her work one stroke at a time.
"Hishida-senpai seems to be much more serious than before."
Looking at Kato Yusuke, who was instructing the first-year students with a calm expression over there, Toyama Harumi couldn't help but whisper.
"Perhaps...it's really a good thing that Kato-san can join the art club."
at this time--
"good afternoon everyone."
With the sound of the door opening and closing, the heroine walked into the art room a little later than usual.
"Sawamura-san!" x2
"Sawamura-senpai!" x2
The girls cheered and immediately gathered around.
He kept saying condolences such as "Are you okay with your health?" and "Please take care of yourself." Those who didn't know it thought he was really fragile.
But Yinglili could face it all with a warm smile and greet everyone in turn, never letting anyone be left out.
"...Yes, it's no problem. How was your day yesterday?" She greeted politely and elegantly.
"Yes~! When Sawamura-senpai is not here, we are all working hard to improve our strength." The first-year girl answered quickly, and secretly glanced at Kato Yusuke.
Then he continued: "...and Kato-senpai also gave us a lot of guidance, and we learned a lot of knowledge from him."
"Kato-senpai?" Eiri tilted her head slightly.
"It's Kato Yusuke-san." Toyama Harumi explained at the right time: "It seems that they decided to call her that because they were given guidance, and their relationship has improved."
"That's right..."
A pair of blue eyes looked across the crowd and rested for a moment on the young man by the window.
I felt a little irritated for no reason, but it quickly disappeared.
So Yinglili smiled and nodded to everyone.
"Well, I still have an unfinished work, so I'll excuse you now."
After saying that, he walked to the second art preparation room, took the key, opened the door, and walked in.
Kato Yusuke also had a calm face and followed in carrying a shoulder bag.
Seeing their figures disappear behind the door, the girl who brought drinks to Yusuke Kato couldn't help but said with a longing look on her face.
"I wonder what kind of outstanding works those two will create in the art exhibition next year..."
Hearing what she said, Toyama Harumi also said with a smile.
"It's really exciting. For Sawamura and Kato, maybe next year's gold and silver awards will belong to our school."
Except for Hisita, who walked back to his seat at some point, everyone else nodded in agreement.
And began to look forward to the day when I could see the true appearance of their works as soon as possible.
I just don’t know how they will react if one day they learn that the object of their admiration is actually a painter of 18-ban books with very violent themes.
It always feels like it must be wonderful...
In the second preparation room separated by a door, there was another scene.
"...It's barely passable."
This is the evaluation given by Ying Lili after reading the revised version of "Early Summer Time".
This vague statement, coupled with the expressionless look on his face, made Yusuke Kato frown at once.
After thinking about it for a while, I confirmed that I had indeed corrected all the issues commented by the other party.
In an attitude of not being ashamed to ask, he asked directly.