Seiji Fujiwara took a satisfied bite of the bento that Utaha had lovingly prepared for him. With his other hand, he lazily pulled out his phone and opened Toyonozaki High's student forum.
He typed one na into the search bar: "Eriri Sawamura."
Within seconds, dozens of threads popped up.
[Debate] Kasumigaoka Utaha vs. Sawamura Eriri — Who's the Real Queen of Toyonozaki?
[Breaking] The young lady Eriri seems short on cash lately… she's actually working part-ti at a convenience store?!
[Deep Dive] Rumor has it the Sawamura family's mansion was seized—what's going on?!
Seiji blinked, surprised for a mont before falling into thought.
So, Eriri too, huh?
Utaha's situation had already deviated from the original story.
And now Eriri's had as well.
Could it be that, in this world, all the heroines started out as ordinary girls?
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. That just makes things easier.
Then his mind drifted to another girl—another heroine from Saekano: gumi Kato.
Too bad Kato's presence is still practically invisible.
Not even a single post about her on the forum—not one photo, not even a na ntion.
I haven't seen her around school either.
Just as he was thinking that, the air beside him turned cold.
Utaha's hand, midair with a piece of fried chicken, froze.
She'd caught a glimpse of his phone screen—the bright, smiling face of Eriri, frad by those flashy headlines.
A bitter, jealous chill spread from her chest.
She set her chopsticks down slowly. The warmth in her fox-like eyes iced over.
Utaha's smile was thin, sharp-edged. "Heh. Our great author Fujiwara really doesn't waste any energy, does he? Eating the bento I made for you while ogling so half-cooked at in another pot. Aren't you afraid you'll choke trying to chew both at once?"
Seiji didn't even look away from his phone. His tone was calm.
"Yeah. I'm interested in her."
He didn't bother to hide it.
"Not just her, though."
Turning his head, he t Utaha's eyes with a teasing smile. "There are plenty of beautiful girls I'm interested in."
"My goal is to build a real, everlasting harem that belongs only to ."
"When that ti cos, Utaha, I hope you'll get along with all your sisters."
Boom.
Utaha's brain went completely blank.
Harem…?
She stared at him in disbelief.
She'd always known that genius n—especially the rich, brilliant ones—had wandering eyes. In Japan's upper circles, that was practically an unspoken rule.
But to hear Seiji say it so boldly—to her face—like it was the most natural thing in the world…
What did he take her for?!
A madam managing his won? So glorified housekeeper for his so-called harem?!
Utaha crossed her arms tightly, her long legs in black stockings bouncing irritably.
Seeing her bristle like that, Seiji didn't back down—he leaned in.
"Oh right," he added lightly, "since you're a girl, maybe you could find out what exactly happened to her family. I'm curious about this 'fallen from grace' story."
Swish.
Utaha's gaze turned razor-sharp, stabbing into him.
mories flashed in her mind—of her own desperate situation, her mother's illness, and how this sa man had "rescued" her with money.
And now, he wanted to do it again—to another girl.
And have her play accomplice?
Not a chance.
Her eyes filled with open disgust, as if she were looking at the scum of the earth.
Without a word, she closed her bento and stood up, walking away.
Seiji only chuckled, unfazed. He picked up his chopsticks again, eating slowly as he scrolled through the forum.
Elsewhere, Utaha sat alone in a quiet corner, finishing her lunch without appetite.
Every ti she pictured Seiji's smug face, anger bubbled up again.
She exhaled sharply, then took out her phone and dialed a number.
"Mom…" Her voice was calm, controlled.
"Utaha? Calling at this hour—did sothing happen at school?" ca her mother's warm, concerned voice.
"Nothing happened. I just… miss you. Can I stay over tonight?"
"Of course, sweetheart! I'll make your favorite dishes!"
"Mm."
After chatting for a while, Utaha hung up feeling lighter. She was actually looking forward to tonight—
a night away from Seiji Fujiwara's insufferable face.
But on the other end of the call, Mrs. Kasumigaoka's expression grew pensive.
Her daughter suddenly wanting to stay over? That could only an trouble with that man.
As an adult, she could guess the rest.
Her eyes drifted to the TV, where a news replay was running.
Onscreen, a tall, striking young man stood on stage, accepting the Edogawa Ranpo Prize.
The headline blazed across the screen:
"The Youngest Winner in History! The Rise of the Cross-dia Prodigy, Seiji Fujiwara!"
Mrs. Kasumigaoka's gaze deepened.
At first, she'd assud the man supporting her daughter was so spoiled rich kid. She'd felt both grateful for his money and worried for her daughter's future.
But now she knew—he was a famous, brilliant young author with limitless potential.
Her perspective shifted completely.
In a society obsessed with hierarchy, a man with talent, looks, and fa was worth far more than any second-generation heir.
n like that—having multiple won was practically expected.
To be loved by such a man… that wasn't disgrace.
It was fortune.
I'll have to make Utaha understand that, she decided firmly.
Later that afternoon – School Gate
The bell had just rung, and students trickled out in groups.
In the parking lot sat Seiji's newly purchased sedan—sleek, simple, and parked in his reserved spot. One of the perks Toyonozaki offered its star alumnus.
Tap, tap, tap.
Utaha stepped out of the building, schoolbag slung over her shoulder.
"Utaha, get in. I'll drive us ho," Seiji called, leaning casually against the car, one hand on the door, his smile effortless.
The late sunlight gilded his already handso features, making him look like sothing out of a movie. Girls walking by couldn't help but steal glances, whispering in awe.
Utaha, however, only felt her irritation spike.
"No thanks, oh great author," she replied, deliberately emphasizing the title. "I'm going ho to visit my dear mother tonight. You'll have to survive without ."
Seiji raised an eyebrow, feigning a sigh. "That's too bad. Guess I'll be sleeping alone tonight."
He paused, then asked lightly, "So when are you coming back? I'd hate to wait too long."
Utaha's glare could've frozen the sun. "That depends on soone realizing how disgusting his little fantasies are. Once that happens, maybe I'll consider it."
She wasn't afraid of him. She knew Seiji's temperant by now—he had endless patience for his own won. As long as she didn't cross his bottom line, a bit of attitude wouldn't make him angry.
"I'm not changing my mind," Seiji said simply.
"Is that so?"
Utaha smirked coldly. We'll see who gives in first, you perverted bastard.
He'd cave soon enough—he always did. Especially after she'd agreed to that new "ga" he'd wanted to try and hadn't yet delivered on. Let him stew a little.
She'd let him suffer, crawl back, and beg. And when he did, she'd make sure to humiliate him properly.
But Seiji only smiled, serene and confident. "Won't be long before you co back on your own, Utaha."
"Impossible!" she shot back instantly. Then, narrowing her eyes, added, "As long as you don't use your usual dirty tricks, that's a promise!"
"Heh." Seiji chuckled under his breath. "I won't need tricks for this one."
She thought he was bluffing.
But what she didn't realize was that Seiji Fujiwara was no longer just so upstart light novel author.
The fa from the Edogawa Ranpo Prize, the massive fanbase of the "Light Novel King," the absurd amount of wealth—
all of it combined into sothing far more powerful than re money.
Influence. Montum. The kind that bent the world around him.
And soon, Utaha would learn that the hard way.
"Fine then!" she huffed, tilting her chin up like a proud black swan. "No tricks. We'll see who wins!"
With that, she spun around, her long black hair swaying behind her as she strode into the crowd, leaving only her graceful silhouette.
Seiji watched her go, the corner of his mouth curling upward.
Utaha's dood to lose this one.
That night – Kasumigaoka Residence
"Welco ho, Utaha!"
Mrs. Kasumigaoka greeted her daughter warmly, apron still on, pulling her into a hug.
"I'm back," Utaha smiled faintly, stepping inside. The cozy apartnt slled of ho-cooked food.
"Wash your hands. Dinner's ready—your favorites!"
"Okay."
Bathed in that familiar warmth, Utaha's tense heart finally began to relax. She let herself enjoy the rare peace, chatting and laughing with her mother through dinner.
Later, they sat together on the couch, watching TV as comrcials played.
That was when Mrs. Kasumigaoka casually asked, "Utaha, did you have a fight with Fujiwara-kun?"
Here it cos.
Utaha sighed inwardly—there was no hiding it.
Setting down her cup of tea, she told her mother everything: Seiji's shaless talk of a harem, his arrogance, his audacity.
"Mom, can you believe him? What does he take for? He knows how I feel, and yet—"
She expected her mother to side with her—to be angry, indignant.
Instead, Mrs. Kasumigaoka fell silent for a long mont. Then she sighed softly, taking Utaha's hand.
"Utaha, dear… n like Fujiwara-kun aren't like ordinary n."
Utaha's eyes widened.
Her mother continued gently, "Since ancient tis, great writers have always been… passionate. Their worlds are too big for one person to contain. Having a few won around them—it's not unusual."
"As long as you're the one he cherishes most, and he always cos ho to you… isn't that enough?"
Utaha stared, stunned.
What…?
Her mother—the woman she respected most—was telling her to just… accept it?
To share him?
Mrs. Kasumigaoka winced at her daughter's look but pressed on. "Listen to , Utaha. A man like Fujiwara-kun—talented, handso, with a limitless future—he's soone countless won would kill to be with. You're lucky to be his first. Don't throw that away over pride."
"Enough!"
Utaha shot to her feet, trembling with anger and disbelief.
Even from her mother, she couldn't stomach those words.
Without another word, she stord off to the guest room and slamd the door shut.
The conversation ended in silence.
That night, Utaha lay awake, staring at the ceiling, fury and confusion twisting inside her.
The next morning
Utaha left her mother's apartnt without a word.
Seiji hadn't called or texted. And she didn't plan to, either.
She stopped at a convenience store for a quick breakfast, then headed toward the school gate—just in ti to see him.
And surrounding him… was chaos.
"Good morning, Fujiwara-senpai!"
"Senpai, I made this bento for you—please take it!"
"Fujiwara-kun! Want to hit karaoke after school?"
A small crowd of Toyonozaki girls encircled him, chattering and giggling, their faces glowing with excitent.
Utaha felt her blood pressure spike. A bunch of shaless vixens!
Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and strode forward. Surely, her presence would scatter them.
Except—it didn't.
If anything, the girls' excitent intensified.
One bold short-haired girl even turned toward Utaha and shouted,
"Kasumigaoka-senpai! We don't mind sharing him!"
"Yeah! You're so understanding—you won't get jealous, right?"
"We can be the side girls!"
"Right! He's the pride of Japan! It's selfish to keep him all to yourself!"
Buzz.
Utaha's entire worldview shattered for the second ti.
Be the side girls?!
They're saying that out loud? In front of ?
What the hell is wrong with today's high school girls?!
Her hands clenched at her sides, trembling with fury.
And across the crowd, Seiji Fujiwara only smiled faintly—like a king surrounded by his worshipers.
User Comments
0 comments from readers