The noisy cicadas of sumr outside the window failed to intrude into the room.
In the quiet room, the only sound was the rustling of pages being turned.
Kato gumi's room was just like her personality.
A typical girl's room.
There were a few pink, feminine decorations, but the majority of the furnishings were simple.
Sitting at her desk, what was Kato gumi feeling as she flipped through the pages of the light novel in her hands?
After learning the sales figures of the light novel, Kato gumi understood that Yukima Azuma had kept his promise.
He had indeed proven to the world that she was the most captivating heroine.
At the very least, millions of people acknowledged this.
Upon realizing this, ripples stirred within Kato gumi's heart.
How had he managed to do that?
After all, even she considered herself an ordinary girl.
One who barely caught anyone's attention, often forgotten by others.
Soone like her.
A Kato gumi like that.
How could she possibly be associated with the image of a main heroine?
Perhaps that boy had used so kind of trick?
But when she opened the light novel and her gaze fell upon the words, Kato gumi knew that the boy hadn't used any tricks at all.
The heroine in the story, Kujou gumi.
Only her na had been slightly altered, likely to avoid causing her trouble.
Other than that, everything else was a flawless reflection of her.
Every word, every gesture, even the emotions hidden within her soft-spoken words and subtle actions.
The boy had captured them all and woven them perfectly into the story.
No exaggeration, no dramatic portrayals.
How Kato gumi was in real life, Kujou gumi in the story made choices and decisions in the sa way.
It was hard to imagine just how well that boy understood her.
He comprehended even her smallest emotions.
Noticed her every tiny action.
Sotis, she even wondered if he could understand her thoughts with just a glance.
Of course, the boy understood.
His understanding of her was like a tiny soul dwelling within her heart.
As the story progressed, the protagonist's gaze beca entirely captivated by gumi.
Through this, Kato gumi realized for the first ti that she truly had a charm.
The kind that could enchant millions.
But this allure required soone like Yukima Azuma, soone who had absorbed every one of her nuances into his own heart.
There would never be a second person in the world who could perceive her charm this way.
Not even Kato gumi herself.
In the repetitive flow of ti,
The protagonist repeatedly went on dates with Kujo gumi, gradually surrendering his heart to her.
And so, a girl worried about her insignificance in the world,
Had once dismissed those around her as unworthy of her attention.
Now, as long as she had his gaze, it was enough.
The attention of others no longer mattered to Kujou gumi.
It was as if a prophecy had been fulfilled.
Clearly, Kato gumi had recently reached this sa realization.
During the cooking class, when the boy declined others' invitations and smiled at her, asking if she wanted to pair up.
During the fitness test at the start of the school year, when he quickly finished his tasks and quietly helped her record her results.
Little by little, these mories surfaced in Kato gumi's mind.
This ti, the boy's mories were now filled with her as well.
Thus, the sweetness welling up from deep inside her heart multiplied tenfold, even a hundredfold.
At so point, the six-hundred-page light novel had reached its final page without her noticing.
Kato gumi closed the book, feeling her racing heartbeat and flushed cheeks.
The noise from the outside world still couldn't reach her ears.
This wasn't a light novel at all.
It was a six-hundred-page love letter.
"This is totally unfair; this is my first ti receiving a love letter,"
Kato gumi murmured her thoughts to herself.
Once you've seen the most breathtaking scenery, ordinary mountains and rivers fail to excite you.
This perfectly described Kato gumi's current state of mind.
In this world, aside from Yukima Azuma, no one else could move her heart.
Except for Yukima Azuma, everyone else in the world was re dust.
From the day that boy made his promise,
Kato gumi had been destined to fall into the love web he had woven.
From then on, she could never love anyone but Yukima Azuma.
Hugging the book tightly to her chest,
Kato gumi dashed into the bathroom. Carefully, she adjusted her hairstyle, straightened her outfit, and ensured she looked as perfect as possible.
A girl beautifies herself for the one she loves.
For the person she was about to et, Kato gumi earnestly prepared herself.
Even if it made her just a bit cuter, it would be worth it.
After applying a faint layer of lipstick,
Kato gumi rushed to the front door.
Her eager heart couldn't bear any more waiting.
Every second and minute of not seeing him felt like tornt to her.
In the hallway, Kato Hiromi, who had just stepped out of her room to grab a drink, brushed past her younger sister.
Watching her sister's hurried figure run outside,
Along with the fleeting glimpse of the book her sister was clutching tightly,
Her younger sister, who had never shown any interest in light novels, was now holding a copy of Saekano.
Moreover, that book cover...
Kato Hiromi had purchased the second print edition herself.
She had also seen the sold-out first print edition and the third edition currently on sale.
Yet, the book cover in her sister's hands didn't match any of the three.
The suspicion that had flashed in her mind earlier that afternoon began to solidify.
"Hoooo!"
Kato Hiromi took a deep, sharp breath.
If this really were the case, then it was a disaster—an absolute catastrophe.
Honestly, if soone did sothing like this for her,
She knew she would fall in love with them without hesitation, deeply and completely.
Even if that person were to behave terribly in the future, it might be impossible to turn back.
Advice from others, or even warnings from family, would likely be dismissed as re noise.
Her life would be over!
...
At Yukima's house.
Yukima Azuma took a freshly stead hairy crab out of the pot.
After cleaning it up, he placed it into a large thermal container.
Next, he pulled out his phone, intending to text Kato gumi to co over and pick it up.
But before he could send the ssage, the doorbell rang.
Yukima Azuma stepped out to answer the door.
And then, like a tuberose in bloom, like a bird returning to its nest,
A girl threw herself straight into his arms.
The unexpected impact pushed him back half a step, but Yukima Azuma steadied himself.
Holding his phone in one hand, he gently ran his other hand through the girl's hair.
"What's wrong? Did soone bully you, gumi?"
"Azuma-san is so sneaky. You're the one responsible for all of this, yet you still pretend to ask."
"Huh? Blaming again?"
"Yes, it's all Azuma-san's fault!"
Today, Kato gumi's words carried an undeniable stubbornness.
For the first ti since they had t, she revealed this playful, spoiled side of her.
Yukima Azuma held her tightly, his heart overwheld by how adorable she was.
"I surrender! So, gumi, how would you like to punish ?"
"Since I can't love anyone else after finishing the book, Azuma-san, you'll have to take responsibility!"
As she spoke, Kato gumi grabbed Yukima's collar, pulling him down toward her.
Then, without hesitation, she kissed him.
Kato gumi had never been one to hide her feelings.
Usually a reserved girl, now that her heart had been so profoundly moved, she could no longer hold herself back.
Thus, she took the initiative, determined to win over this boy's heart completely.
Caught off guard by her bold "attack," Yukima Azuma went along with her actions.
With a nudge of his toe, he gently shut the wide-open door behind them.
Then, he pressed the tuberose-like girl against the closed door.
Ti seed to blur.
Eventually, the two slowly separated.
"Orange."
Kato gumi gently touched her lips, letting out a small sigh.
The taste of this first kiss was indescribably sweet and unforgettable.
Surely, it would remain etched in her heart for the rest of her life.
"It's because I just ate an orange-flavored candy earlier. Your timing was perfect, gumi."
Yukima Azuma pulled a candy wrapper from his pocket and held it up in front of her.
In an instant, Kato gumi snatched it from him, her face turning a deep shade of red that spread to her ears.
"I've prepared so hairy crab. It's still hot and really delicious. Want to try so?"
"Umu... I'll eat here."
"What about your sister?"
"My sister ate a lot earlier today; I doubt she'd want any more."
Kato gumi affird confidently.
.....
Back at the Kato household, Kato Hiromi sneezed.
She was scrolling through YouTube,
And the sight of Hokkaido hairy crab on the thumbnail of a food channel made her mouth water uncontrollably.
.....
Yukima Azuma opened the thermal container.
Then he took the tools, sat beside Kato gumi, and started cracking the crab shells for her.
The fresh, tender crab at was brought to her lips.
Kato gumi opened her small mouth and took a bite.
The delicate sweetness exploded on her tongue.
This was probably the most delicious thing she had ever eaten.
Premium ingredients, prepared to perfection,
And the person who made this dish was sitting beside her, helping her crack the shells.
That sa person was also the love of her life.
How could such a flavor not feel like a dream?
"Oh, right. While shopping the other day, I bought you a set of pajamas. Would you like to try them on later?"
Yukima Azuma said with a smile.
"Azuma-san, you've been planning this for a long ti!"
Kato gumi teased but still gave a small nod.
After finishing the crab, the two went to the bathroom to wash their hands.
Later, they opened the door to the first-floor room where Kato gumi often stayed overnight.
Yukima Azuma took the pajamas he had prepared out of the closet.
Kato gumi hugged the new set of pajamas, her gaze fixed on Yukima Azuma.
"Azuma-san, turn around."
"Huh? Not stepping out?"
"Mm... Just turn around, that's enough."
"Got it!"
Yukima Azuma obediently turned his back to her.
Soft rustling sounds filled the air behind him.
It took all of Yukima Azuma's willpower to resist the urge to peek.
The gentle voice of the girl called out to him.
Only then did Yukima Azuma turn back around.
The pajamas fit her perfectly because he knew her asurents down to the smallest detail.
The delicate white trim accentuated her adorable charm.
"Umu umu, It suits you perfectly. My sense of style isn't bad at all."
Yukima Azuma "Umu umu" with a proud expression.
"Azuma-san, don't get too smug. I don't mind, but don't say things like that in front of other girls!"
Kato gumi playfully tucked her hair behind her ear, her happiness evident.
The two stepped out of the room and headed to the storage room to find a naplate holder.
They took one out.
Yukima Azuma carefully wrote "Kato gumi" on the naplate.
Then, he hung it on the door of her room.
(Note: I think I got diabetes from translating this chapter, kakaka.)
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