Female protagonists from various anime/manga crossovers? They'll all regret it for the rest of

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He walked to the end of the line and quietly joined the queue.

The sounds of conversation from the surrounding area reached my ears intermittently.

"I heard that Ms. Xia Shizi is incredibly beautiful! Just like the heroine in her book!"

"Really? Have you seen the photos?"

"No, but I heard it from the editor on Twitter! They said she's a sophisticated and beautiful woman!"

"Ahhh, I can't wait!"

You also start with Battle Shout?

Yuto Itsuka silently pulled up his mask.

At 1 p.m., bookstore staff began guiding the crowd into the activity area.

At the very front of the event area was a small autograph table, with a huge poster of "Love Metronome" on the backdrop.

Yuto Itsuka was among the first readers to enter the event area because his position in the queue was relatively close to the front.

There weren't many people, only a dozen or so, and it was his turn in no time.

He gently placed the book "Love Metronome" that he had brought on the table. "Good afternoon, Ms. Xia Shizi."

The black-haired girl behind the table looked up when she heard the voice, and was clearly taken aback when she saw the reader in front of her.

Even with a mask on, that height, that hairstyle, and those eyes...

"Wuhe... junior?"

“I never expected to see you here.” She picked up her pen, her gaze falling on Yuto’s book. “I thought that Itsuka-kun was more interested in history than romantic comedies.”

"Um... Kasumigaoka-senpai, actually I'm a big fan of Kasumigaoka-sensei. I've always loved your work, and 'Love Metronome' is absolutely fantastic!"

"Xia Shizi's delicate portrayal of characters' emotions is very worthy of study."

This is the truth.

As he spoke, he handed over the signature number he had received while queuing.

"I'm very happy to receive such praise from my junior, Wuhe." As she spoke, she signed her pen name, "Xia Shizi," on the title page of the book.

Then, after a pause, he looked up and asked, "Do I need to write your name on it?"

"Of course, that would be troublesome."

She then added "To Yuto Itsuka" above her signature.

"Speaking of which..." Kasumigaoka Utaha asked casually as she handed the book back to him, "Which scene in 'Love Metronome' left the deepest impression on you, Itsuka-senpai?"

She's quite cautious; is she worried that he's using this opportunity to strike up a conversation?

He's a true fan.

"The scene in the first volume where the male protagonist plays the piano for the female protagonist in the music room."

"It's clearly a confession scene, but it uses music and subtle actions to subtly enhance the feeling. There's no direct 'I like you,' yet the emotional tension is conveyed perfectly. I'm very curious, how did Ms. Kasumi Shiko conceive this scene?"

Upon hearing his answer, Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze softened slightly.

She could tell that the other person wasn't just making things up, but had actually read her book.

She paused for a moment, then answered earnestly, "Some feelings lose their charm when spoken aloud; conveying them through actions and atmosphere is more touching. This requires the author to have sufficient empathy for the character's inner world."

Yuto Itsuka nodded thoughtfully.

"It seems that Junior Wuhe really did read my book carefully," she said with a hint of teasing.

"Otherwise, why would I come to Ms. Kasumi Shiko's autograph session?"

"By the way, senior, could we exchange LINE numbers? I've been writing a light novel recently, and I hope I can ask you for advice when I encounter related problems."

Kasumigaoka Utaha thought for a moment and then agreed: "Sure, as a senior, it's no problem for me to help my juniors in the same club."

The two then added each other on Line, chatted for a few more minutes, and Itsuka Yuto left satisfied.

Volume 1: Chapter 31: You wicked... I'll do it myself...

Eriri's house is located at the top of a slope known as "Detective Slope." It is an old-fashioned mansion with a strong British style. She said that it used to be the residence of British diplomats stationed in Japan.

Yuto Itsuki's original home was in a nearby residential area, an ordinary detached house. Even so, because they lived so close, he and Aunt Sayuri habitually called each other neighbors. When he was a child, this Western-style house was his second home.

As you ascend the gentle slope, the familiar red brick walls and pointed towers come into view, and a patch of yellow roses grows in the courtyard, currently in full bloom.

Yuto Itsuki stood in front of the familiar carved iron gate and rang the doorbell.

A woman's voice quickly came through the walkie-talkie: "Who is this?"

"Auntie Sayuri, it's me, Yuto Itsuka."

"Hey! Xiaoyou!"

The surprise in his voice was almost overflowing, and then the iron gate opened automatically with a soft click.

He pushed open the door and entered, passing through the neatly trimmed courtyard, where the front door was already open.

A beautiful woman dressed in loungewear, with the same hairstyle as Eriri, was standing there with a dazzling smile on her face.

"Xiao You, you're finally here! Let Auntie give you a hug!" Ze Ying opened her arms and pulled him into her embrace without saying a word.

The familiar fragrance and warm touch made Yuto Itsuka stiffen, feeling somewhat embarrassed and awkward.

He had never been used to such overly enthusiastic physical contact since childhood, but he could not refuse Aunt Xiaobaihe's hugs.

In his heart, this aunt had long transcended the realm of a neighbor; she was one of the few people he could call family.

He stiffly let her hug him for a while before gently patting her back.

"Auntie Lily, that's enough, I can't breathe anymore."

"Oh, sorry, sorry." Xiaobaihe let go of him, but then pinched his cheek. "Honestly, you've lost weight again. Are you not eating properly? That's the downside of living alone."

The classic phrase from elders: "You've gotten thinner again."

"I ate well," Yuto Itsuka replied helplessly.

"Come on, come in with me." Little Lily pulled him into the living room.

He looked around but didn't see that familiar blonde twin-tailed girl.

"Where's Eriri?" he asked casually.

"That child is sulking in his room upstairs."

Sayuri, hands on her hips, called out towards the stairs, "Eriri—! Yu's here, come down quickly!"

A slight commotion came from upstairs, and after a while, reluctant footsteps were heard.

Eriri, dressed in a green tracksuit, slowly walked down the stairs.

When she saw Itsuka Yuto, her cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes darted around, and she didn't dare to look him in the eye. She just gave a muffled hum through her nose as a greeting.

"What kind of attitude is this, child?" Little Lily glared at her reproachfully. "It's rare for Xiao You to come over."

"I-I know!" Eriri's face turned even redder. She quickly walked to the sofa, sat down in the seat furthest away from Yuto Itsuka, picked up a cushion, and buried half of her face in it.

Yuto Itsuka was already used to her like this, and simply nodded.

The atmosphere was a little awkward, but fortunately, Sayuri smoothed things over by inviting the two to a restaurant.

A sumptuous dinner was laid out on the long table. Sayuri seemed to have completely forgotten her original purpose of trying to bring the two together, and enthusiastically started chatting with Itsuka Yuto.

"Speaking of which, Yu was so cute when she was little!" She picked up a hamburger patty and put it on Yu's plate, lost in memories.

"Except when she's with our Eriri, she has a slight smile on her face. Otherwise, she always has a serious expression and looks cool."

“Back then, I loved teasing you the most. Seeing you trying so hard to hold back your anger was so funny.”

You evil adult who toyed with children, I'll do it myself...

"Cough..." Yuto Itsuka almost choked on his soup. He had no recollection of having such a dark history.

However, when he was a child, apart from being a little precocious, he was not much different from other children.

There's no sense of being an old-fashioned adult, which probably has little to do with psychological age; it's purely due to the influence of the body and environment.

Eriri, sitting next to her, silently poked at the broccoli on her plate, but the corners of her mouth curved upwards almost imperceptibly, clearly also thinking of something.

"Eri, do you remember? When you and Yu were little, you were digging a hole in the yard, saying you were going to dig to the other side of the earth. You ended up breaking Dad's favorite flower and got scolded."

The broccoli was poked and bruised.

"What a pity, you too, and Xiaoyou too, they won't be cute anymore when they grow up." Xiaobaihe sighed, feigning regret.

Yuto Itsuka could only smile politely.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore." Xiaobaihe smiled, then changed the subject.

"Yuto-kun, it must be tough living alone now. You're so busy with your studies, and you still have to cook and clean for yourself. That's amazing. But don't push yourself too hard."

She knew that Toyosaki's tuition was not cheap, and that Yuu alone probably couldn't afford it. She said this so that the child would rely on her more.

In her heart, she also regarded Xiaoyou as her own child.

This sincere concern warmed Yuto Itsuka's heart.

He knew what the other person cared about, and he didn't want to use lies like "living off his parents' inheritance" to brush her off.

He paused for a moment, then decided to tell the truth.

"It's alright, I've gotten used to it."

"Auntie Lily, don't worry, I'm currently... writing a light novel, and the royalties are pretty good. At least it's enough to cover my tuition and living expenses."

"Huh? A light novel?" Sayuri's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? What kind of novel is it?"

"Isekai travel... or something like that, lord, farming or something."

"Really? That's great, it's a very popular theme right now." Sayuri was clearly aware of this, no wonder she was a mother who could raise a homebody daughter.

Her eyes darted around, and suddenly, as if she'd remembered something, she said in a deliberately soft voice, "Speaking of which, our Eriri is currently illustrating a light novel. Isn't that a coincidence? Yu, how about we make her your personal illustrator?"

Actually, it already is, Aunt Lily...

"W-w-w-what exclusive artist! Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? I don't want to draw for him!" Eriri suddenly raised her head, her cheeks flushed red.

She glared at Itsuka Yuto fiercely, "What kind of good light novel could this guy possibly write?! Don't be ridiculous!"

"Eri!" Sayuri's face darkened, and her tone became much sterner. "How could you talk like that! Apologize to Yuu right now!"

"I don't want to!" Eriri's eyes welled up with tears. She pushed the chair away abruptly, turned around and ran upstairs, leaving behind a loud slam of the door and an awkward silence.

A long silence fell over the restaurant, and Sayuri sighed.

"I'm sorry, Xiaoyou, this child... I've spoiled her."

Yuto Itsuka shook his head; he wasn't really angry.

Seeing the worried look in Xiaobaihe's eyes, he put down his cutlery and stood up.

"Auntie Lily, it's alright. I'll go up and check on her."

Little Lily paused for a moment, then smiled with relief.

"Yes, go ahead and have a good talk with her. You two can't keep going on like this forever."

Yuto Itsuka nodded and turned to walk towards the stairs.

Volume 1: Chapter 32: The Pig-Headed Boy and the Blonde Twin-Tailed Young Lady

The walls of the second-floor corridor of the mansion are covered with oil paintings, mostly depicting European pastoral scenes, but there are also a few paintings with distinctly different styles and techniques. Staying with these famous paintings is a wonderful experience.

Yuto Itsuka walked lightly to the room with the nameplate "Eriri". The door was closed, and he could hear faint sobbing coming from inside.

He raised his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then gently knocked on the door.

"Boom, boom."

The sobbing stopped abruptly.

"Get out of the way!" came a voice with a heavy nasal tone.

"It's me, Yuto Itsuka." He introduced himself. "May I come in?"