175: You Hope Everything Will Go As You Wish.

They were the same height, the same build, but the face didn't match.

Not seeing the face from her memories, Utaha felt deeply disappointed.

She had just been hoping that perhaps Watanabe Takashi had heard about her signing event and came to the scene.

'Utaha, what are you expecting? How could Takashi still come?'

'Aren't you the one who hurt him the most?'

Utaha mocked herself inwardly.

After leaving Watanabe Takashi, she thought she would only be sad for a while, that her life wouldn't be greatly affected.

After all, she didn't like him. If she left, would she really be unable to live without him?

That's what she thought at first.

But some people are like colorless, tasteless water—clean, simple, and their presence isn't noticeable. 

When you have them, you don't realize their value; only after you lose them do you realize what a precious thing you've lost and regret it deeply.

Utaha was like that.

Now, every morning when she wakes up, she unconsciously opens Line, hoping to see a message from Watanabe Takashi, even though he's already deleted her.

When her stomach hurts, she instinctively calls Takashi, even though the call has never gone through.

When she sees the word "Takashi" in books, she'll stare at it for a long time.

Every night before sleeping, when she closes her eyes, the scene of Watanabe Takashi begging her to let him go keeps playing in her mind.

She had always thought, Utaha always believed that Watanabe Takashi couldn't live without her.

But in reality, it wasn't Watanabe Takashi who couldn't live without Utaha, it was Utaha who couldn't live without Watanabe Takashi.

"Kasumigaoka-sensei, Kasumigaoka-sensei?"

Machida Sonoko noticed that Utaha was lost in thought and quickly reminded her in a low voice.

Coming back to herself, Utaha apologized to the fan waiting in front of her, then continued signing.

After signing for a few more people, she finally reached Takashi.

Takashi didn't say much, silently handing over a brand new Love Metronome.

Even though she knew the person in front of her wasn't Watanabe Takashi, Utaha still couldn't help but keep looking at him.

For some reason, the boy in front of her gave her a sense of familiarity and warmth.

She took the book from him and casually asked, "What do you think of this book?"

Takashi was taken aback.

He really hadn't expected Utaha to suddenly strike up a conversation with him.

Not only was he caught off guard, but Maki, Tomoya, and Sonoko were all stunned as well.

Takashi casually responded, "It's pretty good."

Utaha signed her name carefully, then continued asking, "What's good about it?"

'I don't know what to say.'

Takashi had indeed read Love Metronome, but he forgot it as soon as he read it.

There was no helping it; it was just too boring for him to get through.

What he liked to read were male-targeted web novels like Reincarnation Paradise, The Gu Real Man, and The Taiping Order, not these types of romantic novels that feel like medicine.

Oh, and it's still a light novel.

There is a difference between domestic web novels and Japanese light novels, Takashi didn't know if others could get used to them, but it certainly felt awkward to him.

'Forget it, I'll just say anything.'

Unable to find something to compliment, Takashi started rambling:

"This book has a lot of points worth praising. 

What touched me the most was the love story between Wu Song and Diaochan, and Zhang Fei, who sacrificed his bond with his sworn brother, the Golden Hair Lion King Xie Xun, to save Wang Mang. 

Especially when I read about Guo Jing giving up the position of the Sun Moon Sect leader and resolutely wandering the world with the Gentleman Sword Yue Buqun, I always get teary-eyed."

If this were in the past, Takashi would have never dared to be this brazen.

But what's in the past is in the past, and what's now is now.

He no longer had to appease her. His mouth was his own, so he could say whatever he wanted.

Utaha was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

Is this the novel she wrote?

Why does it feel so unfamiliar?

None of the characters match.

And Zhang Fei, Diaochan — aren't they characters from the Three Kingdoms?

"You've never actually read it, have you?"

Utaha asked helplessly as she handed the signed book back to Takashi.

Takashi stuffed it into his bag, saying, "I was planning to buy it and read it when I got home."

This was a lie.

Takashi had no intention of flipping through it, planning to just stuff it somewhere when he got home.

"What's your name?"

"Sensei!"

"Senpai."

Sonoko and Tomoya both spoke at the same time, signaling her to stop, as there were still fans waiting.

Usually, a light novel author might actually listen.

But would Utaha?

Takashi knew this woman well.

She was quite headstrong.

Utaha ignored their words and stared directly at Takashi.

'Is this woman crazy? Why is she asking me for my name? Aki Tomoya is still standing there watching.'

Takashi felt a bit nervous.

He thought Utaha was acting strangely today.

The old her would never have asked someone for their name so proactively.

'Could it be that Tanuma Tsubasa is her type?'

What Utaha was thinking, he didn't know.

With Maki standing here, he couldn't just make up a name.

Despite the risk of exposure, Takashi steeled himself and said, "My name is Watanabe Takashi."

Thud!

When Utaha heard the name "Watanabe Takashi," the pen she was holding dropped from her hand and rolled off the table to the floor.

She remained unfazed.

She stared directly at Takashi, as if trying to see through the disguise on his face, making him feel uneasy.

Sonoko and Tomoya, who were about to step forward, froze, looking at Takashi as if they had seen someone resurrected.

'Why are they looking at me like this?'

Takashi couldn't understand the look in their eyes, but his unease only grew.

"Is there something wrong with this name?"

Takashi pretended to ask in confusion.

"Watanabe Takashi…"

Utaha seemed to not hear Takashi's question, repeating his name softly under her breath.

"Alright, Takashi! We should go."

At this moment, Maki, who had been silent all this time, suddenly grew agitated.

She really disliked the way Utaha was looking at Watanabe Takashi.

A woman's sixth sense told her that this woman was trying to steal her man.

She grabbed Takashi's hand and started walking away.

Takashi didn't stop her, letting her pull him along.

"Wait," Utaha opened her mouth as if to say something, but Maki turned back and glared at her.

Her gaze was a silent warning.

She was telling herself: Watanabe Takashi is mine. If you dare to steal him, you're finished!

Being a woman, Utaha understood the warning in her eyes.

She watched as the two walked away.

___

20 Advanced Chapters available on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics

Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you!

Don't forget to leave a review too~

Check out the other translations too

___