The sunny morning is about to transition into noon.

At Chiba Municipal Sobu High School.

"Today is another day of peace."

After coping with the lesson of forgetting Shizuka Hiratsuka, Makoto Amano continued to write his harem plan on the table.

"Yuigahama Yui's " heart" has stabilized, and in a short time, she will no longer have rebellious thoughts."

"Even if she wants to lean towards Yukino, at most, she'll become a double agent, torn between both sides."

Not a worry for now.

So, the issue with Yui Yuigahama can be considered closed for the time being.

As for Yukino...

Although there is a little bit of progress, or improvement, Amano Makoto feels that it may take him a lifetime... maybe more than that to really melt this solid ice.

But there is no way.

So, what can we do now?

Finally... Kasumigaoka-senpai, and Kato Megumi...

He thought about it carefully for a long time, and still circled Kato Megumi's name aside.

"This girl feels a bit strange... Let's put her aside for now."

"She seems interested in me, but then again, maybe not. If I say she's not interested, it seems like she is. So, whether she's interested or not."

"I can only put it aside for a while."

After all, I need to put some effort into conquering Kasumigaoka Utaha. 

However, the route for Kasumigaoka Utaha is already set, so all that's left is to wait for the results.

————

"Amano-san, there is a third-year senior looking for you outside..."

After class at noon, 

Blooming... Ahem, Kasumigaoka Utaha has already arrived at the door of Class 2-A.

"OK, thanks..."

Makoto Amano glanced at the black-stockinged senior outside the door, and then politely thanked the classmate who who passed on the message.

When he stood up and left his seat, he looked at a certain second lady from Yukinoshita's family who was sitting behind him.

But this young lady seemed to be completely oblivious to his gaze and hadn't looked up at him once since the beginning.

"That girl, Yui actually told Yukino about yesterday's incident so quickly..."

Seeing that there was no trace of surprise on Yukino's face upon the arrival of Kasumigaoka Utaha,  Makoto Amano immediately thought of a certain "double agent."

If it wasn't for Yuigahama Yui's "small report" in advance, Yukino would definitely show a surprised expression when she heard the news of Kasumigaoka Utaha's "visit"...

Pity.

Helplessly, Makoto Amano could only shake his head and go meet the senior outside.

——

"Last time, Amano-kun made a girl cry on the tennis court, and then took another girl away. This time, a third-year senior came to look for him..."

"Last time was the 'Queen' 

Miura Yumiko from Class F, and Yuigahama-san, and now it's Kasumigaoka-san from the third grade..."

"No matter who it is..."

Another classmate discussing Makoto Amano couldn't help but look back at a certain cold girl who was still reading a book in her seat.

"Almost on the same level as Yukinoshita... Amano-kun is getting a bit too impressive."

"Anyway, does this mean he is two-timing?"

Most of the students in the class thought Amano Makoto and Yukinoshita Yukino were a couple.

"Some people have already started to say that Amano Makoto of our class A is a scumbag who plays with women."

I don't know who chimed in, but it quickly turned the discussion about Makoto in the class into a heated debate.

At the same time, it completely ignited everyone's enthusiasm for discussing this matter.

"That guy is getting too presumptuous, relying on his good grades and good looks to do whatever he wants in school..."

There are those who continue to diss Makoto Amano.

"No, Amano-san is a nice person. He's not like what you're saying. Don't spread rumors!"

There are also classmates who stood up for Makoto Amano.

But, in the end, it was too noisy.

Snapped!

The more she listened, the deeper her frown became. Yukino slammed her desk, her face indifferent as she stood up from her chair.

"Amano and I have never been in a relationship."

"Whether he likes Yuigahama-san or Kasumigaoka-san is his freedom."

Word by word, the girl's cold and powerful voice immediately overwhelmed the voices of other people in the classroom.

Because of this, everyone stopped continuing to discuss Makoto Amano's actions.

"As for Makoto Amano being a As for the rumor that Amano Makoto is a scumbag who plays with women? I heard it for the first time today." 

"Regardless of whether it's true or not, your behavior of defaming others behind their backs is disgusting and contemptible."

"Don't you even have the courage to speak to him directly?"

The girl glanced at the boy who took the lead in speaking ill of Makoto Amano with her cold eyes, but she didn't stop.

Instead, she continued to glance at the others coldly.

No one dared to look at her.

"I advise you not to engage in textbook-level villain behavior of ignoring the facts and trampling on someone's reputation because that's what truly makes people scorn you."

——

"Do you think Yukinoshita-san got so angry earlier because she was jealous?"

"It was about Amano-kun and Kasumigaoka senpai. She might have been holding back her frustration."

After watching the "reprimand" from the "Ice Queen" that scolded the whole class, some brave students continued their discussion.

However, the topic of discussion has changed from Makoto Amano to Yukino.

"Don't talk nonsense, didn't Yukinoshita-san say that she is not dating Amano-san?"

"No, no, look at them, it's hard to believe they're not together..."

"Well, whether it's jealousy or protecting her friend, what Yukinoshita-san said is correct. It's better for us not to discuss some non-existent things."

The students of Class A finally returned to their usual peaceful daily life.

As for the student who wanted to spread the rumor that 'Makoto Amano is a womenizer', he also dared not speak again in embarrassment.

——

"Kasumigaok-san, let's go to the cafeteria for lunch. I'm hungry."

In order not to attract attention, Kasumigaoka Utaha insisted on stubbornly bringing Makoto Amano onto the school roof.

But Makoto Amano felt that this would only draw more attention.

Who knows what kind of rumors will spread tomorrow from the students who saw him and Kasumigaoka Utaha going to the rooftop together...

Moreover, he didn't bring his lunch today, and now he's really hungry after climbing several floors.

Although he's not so weak as to faint from anemia, his stomach started growling.

"Here."

Kasumigaoka Utaha had no choice but to share half of the pineapple bread she had in her hand with the boy in front of her.

"No... Actually, what I meant was, if you have something to say, just say it..."

Makoto Amano could vaguely sense that she didn't have much good intention in asking him to come out this time.

Mostly, she came to "settle accounts" with him.

"Well, then…"

Just as Kasumigaoka Utaha was about to say, "Then give me back the bread," she noticed that the young man in front of her had already eaten most of the half piece of bread she handed over.

"Amano-san, what happened on Saturday has caused me a lot of trouble."

That's right, after debuting as a shrine maiden and uploading that video, she did gain popularity.

Her book also sold as expected, and the chief editor at the publishing house agreed to continue the serialization.

But...

Because she took a different approach, the comments section for her book received many unfavorable and unharmonious comments..

Mostly there are comments like "not doing business properly," "cheating by selling lust," "not a serious light novel author," "get out of the industry," and so on.

She also received many strange and harassing fan letters...

In short, she had been feeling very down these past few days because of these things.

"But the book has been confirmed for continued serialization, right?"

Makato Amano said.

Sure enough, authors who suffer from literary criticism will be a little hypocritical.

However, Kasumigaoka Utaha will "examine her conscience" today, which also proves the "integrity" of this senior as a writer.

As a writer, her "moral" level of writing books is considered qualified.

"But, can I still be considered a true author with this approach?"

Relying on provocative tactics to gain attention...

Is this really right?

She felt as if she had embarked on a road of no return.

"But weren't you also selling the persona of a high school girl writer before? What's the difference?"

"Is there some distinction of high and low status in this?"

" Also, there's one thing you need to understand: Do you want your book to sell or do you want more people to read your book?"

"I…"

She fell silent.

Of course, she didn't want her book to not sell at all.

"A book that loses its readers has no value. I think you should understand. As for the means, as long as it's not illegal, doesn't disturb others, and doesn't make you lose yourself, what's wrong with it?"

"You're right, but I won't do it this way anymore."

She thought for a long time, and then seriously gave her answer:

"I'm sorry, I kept feeling like I was forced by you, so I had some resentment. But on careful thought, everything was ultimately my own decision, and I can't blame you."

It's just that people make mistakes and always want to blame others...

Kasumigaoka Utaha is no exception.

"So, what now?

Makoto Amano admired this senior for being able to "distinguish right from wrong" in a timely manner.

"Thank you."

"Thanking someone should...."

Makoto Amano glanced at Kasumigaoka Utaha's legs in black stockings.

This is really a good pair of legs suitable for wearing black silk...

It's a shame she wore such conservative shrine maiden attire that time.

"?"

Kasumigaoka sensitively noticed someone's gaze.

Ha, he already have a girlfriend, and yet..

Well, He is just a junior in love, so it is understandable that he can't resist the charm of his senpai. It's understandable.

After all, it's a law of nature for juniors to develop feelings for their seniors.

Thinking of this, this Kasumigaoka-senpai didn't pay too much attention to the previous gaze.

"What I meant is... I helped you because I wanted you to promise me something."

Amano Makoto put away his slightly divergent gaze and then stared at the girl in front of him with a straight face.

——