All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends

Chapter 104: Let the World Witness Megumi's Charm

"Damn right! Just a bunch of second-rate programmers sneaking into Laplace Corporation, and they dare to slack off!"

Yukima Azuma sat in the car, loudly voicing his complaints.

Yukinoshita Yukino could only smile wryly.

Clearly, plenty of employee-friendly policies had already been established.

And yet, here he was, loudly making statements that could easily be misunderstood (like a demanding boss).

"Isn't it because you didn't make things clear? They're waiting for the plan for White Album 2."

Yukino calmly replied.

Anyone in the industry could see it.

White Album left a lot of loose ends, numerous clues that were deliberately unresolved.

It was obvious there would be a second part.

The first part told a university story.

But the second part was truly the main stage of galgame storytelling.

High school!

With the explosive phenomenon of the previous installment,

Merging the clues and youthful themes into the second part,

It nearly touched the hearts of every White Album fan.

Moreover, it drew in a large group of staff involved in the production of White Album.

Hearing that, Yukima Azuma suddenly remembered he had completely forgotten about this matter.

"Umu, umu, the plan for White Album 2 will definitely need to be delayed for a while longer."

"Everyone has their own things to deal with; they can't drop everything just to focus on this."

Hearing this, Yukinoshita Yukino appeared thoughtful.

The two bishoujo in charge of the script and main illustrations were currently living at Yukima's house.

Yukino, of course, was aware of this.

After all, it had been a long time, and as the tenant, as well as a member of Laplace Corporation, she couldn't be unaware of such internal matters.

However, from Yukino's perspective,

The current work those two were handling shouldn't have been more important than the plan for White Album 2.

While Yukino was thinking this,

"Kasumigaoka-senpai is a talented novelist; she's currently busy with the next volume of The Metronome in Love. Word is, it will be the final installment."

"As for Eriri, she's a famous online illustrator with a huge fanbase. Because of White Album, she delayed releasing her Doujinshi and was chased down by fans for an explanation."

"They both have their own lives. Even though they came together because of me, I can't expect them to revolve entirely around me."

Yukima Azuma gently tapped his fingers on the car's armrest.

Yukino glanced at him.

Then slightly nodded.

"I understand. Tomorrow at work, I'll take on some tasks and assign them to electronics department."

Compared to money,

The young man sitting in the passenger seat clearly valued people more.

This was entirely different from others.

Normally, someone in Yukima Azuma's position

Would almost inevitably be swept into the current of capitalism, advancing relentlessly.

Like a snowball rolling on the ground, it could only grow bigger.

Once it stopped, it would only end in collapse.

But Yukima Azuma was different.

He wasn't swept away by any influence.

He only moved forward when he wanted to.

In the direction he chose, he advanced only when he decided to.

This was the result of his cheat-like abilities.

All one could say was:

He truly lived up to the name "Laplace Demon."

Such thoughts naturally arose in Yukino's mind.

The car slowly pulled into Yukima's garage.

"Moreover, I have something else to do right now."

Yukima Azuma spoke with a hint of resignation.

"What is it?"

Yukino's curiosity was piqued.

"Writing a light novel."

...

Yukima House.

Yukima Azuma immediately felt a gaze full of resentment fixed on him.

He gulped.

At that moment, the boy suddenly remembered—he hadn't returned home last night.

Kasumigaoka Utaha glared at Yukima Azuma for a while.

But in the end, she said nothing.

If she were to scold him too much here, it might come off as excessive and suffocating.

On the contrary, it could provoke annoyance.

Kasumigaoka decided to note this down in her little black book.

She would settle the score another time.

"You asked me to contact Fujikawa Publishing, and I've had Machida arrange it. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon... Have you finished your first draft yet?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha sounded skeptical about Yukima Azuma's progress.

Lately, she had often seen him staring at his light novel manuscript, revising it repeatedly.

He had rewritten it countless times.

"Umm... I think it'll be ready in time."

"So, it's not done yet."

"Well, the deadline isn't here yet, so I still have time."

Kasumigaoka felt like Yukima Azuma was using a sarcastic tone with her.

But she had no proof.

"As for the content of the work, I can't help you with that. You're on your own."

Kasumigaoka waved her hand dismissively.

Hearing this, Yukima Azuma chuckled softly and changed the subject.

"In July, there's going to be a rare, once-in-a-thousand-years comet. Let's go to Hokkaido to see it together."

Hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha blinked.

Hokkaido and stargazing.

That didn't sound bad.

Moreover, it was an invitation from him.

Her mood instantly improved.

"Sure, but there's been a lot of storms lately. We might not see the comet—just rain."

Kasumigaoka recalled recent weather forecasts and reminded him.

"Ah, this storm doesn't seem like it'll affect late June. The skies over Hokkaido might even be clearer then."

Yukima Azuma sounded optimistic.

Kasumigaoka Utaha said nothing further and simply nodded in agreement.

After that, Yukima Azuma hurried back to his room to continue revising his manuscript.

"The Youth of a Lonely Boy Will Not Dream of a Passerby Heroine."

In fact, once the title for this light novel was decided,

The rest of the content became much easier to fill in.

The heroine was right beside him; Yukima Azuma was intimately familiar with her every word and gesture.

As for the plot of the light novel, that was even simpler to handle.

Yukima Azuma's mind was brimming with countless outstanding light novel plots that had yet to be written.

The reason he had to revise it repeatedly was:

Notification: Your literature skill has reached the maximum level.

Literature (Lv6) → Literature (Lv7).

Seeing the notification from the system appear,

Yukima Azuma smiled.

He had finally achieved it.

He opened the system control panel.

[Owner: Yukima Azuma]

Physique: 7

Intelligence: 8

Charm: 8

Skills: Language Proficiency (Lv6), Literature (Lv6→7), Cooking (Lv7), Programming (Lv4), Shogi (Lv9)

Note: Skills below Level 4 are hidden and not displayed on the control panel.

He had gained his third Lv7 skill.

Yukima Azuma closed his eyes, focusing carefully.

A moment later, he opened them again with a hint of doubt.

He didn't feel any tangible change in his body.

Was the literature skill just an ordinary one?

Or perhaps the special effect of the literature skill was a passive feature of some sort?

He shook his head.

Unable to figure it out immediately,

Yukima Azuma decided not to dwell on it and focused on the task at hand.

With a Lv7 literature skill, he reopened the light novel manuscript he had revised multiple times.

His eyes scanned a few scenes, and his mind instinctively generated better expressions and transitions.

Surprised, Yukima Azuma began reconstructing the entire manuscript.

The heroine's name.

To avoid affecting Kato Megumi,

He made some changes, naming her Kujou Megumi.

She was an unremarkable heroine, devoid of the standout traits typical of light novel characters.

She didn't have flaws that would bring humor or conflict.

She was the heroine of both the anime world and the real world.

A girl who wasn't extraordinary, yet could touch the hearts of those who truly understood her.

She wasn't a twin-tailed blonde tsundere.

But she would don an apron and cook for you.

She didn't have long, jet-black hair, nor a sharp tongue.

But she would delve into areas she'd never known about, just because of you.

Even if you rambled endlessly,

She wouldn't reprimand you.

Perhaps she would gently say, "I don't quite understand."

Yet beneath that gentle demeanor was her wholehearted effort to understand you.

Few noticed her presence,

Because she was always by your side.

When your eyes fell on her, you'd suddenly realize you'd already fallen for her tender charm without knowing when.

But it wasn't the kind of calm tenderness most people think of.

At times, she could be jealous.

She might puff her cheeks at you.

Occasionally, she'd harbor small schemes or hold grudges.

These weren't emotions typical of anime characters but rather the tiny, concealed thoughts of a real-world girl.

Such a girl was both the heroine of the anime world and the most remarkable heroine of the real world.

Yukima Azuma strived to capture Megumi's allure in his light novel.

But even with a Lv7 literature skill, he could only depict about ninety percent of her charm.

Still, that was more than enough.

Regarding the distinctive story of the light novel,

Yukima Azuma decided to center the narrative around the 'Laplace Demon'.

An unremarkable girl, beneath the sky illuminated by a passing comet.

The small regrets in her heart transformed into a supernatural phenomenon called "Adolescence Syndrome."

The world began to repeat the same day over and over.

Her only friend unexpectedly awakened in one of those repeating days.

And on that day, he finally turned all his attention toward her.

Of course, he fell in love with her.

Confessed.

Then broke the curse of the Laplace Demon.

...

As dim white light poured through the window,

Yukima Azuma finally finished the last sentence.

"The Youth of a Lonely Boy Will Not Dream of a Passerby Heroine."

The entire manuscript, formatted to light novel standards, spanned six hundred pages.

Yukima Azuma believed that with these six hundred pages, he could make millions of people fall in love with Kujou Megumi.

He gripped the thick manuscript firmly in his hands.

Yukima Azuma looked out at the rising sun.

"At any rate, let the world see Megumi's charm."

After this bold declaration,

Yukima Azuma collapsed onto the floor and fell into a deep sleep.

A small tip: if you think sleeping on a bed will make you not want to wake up, try sleeping on the floor.

Usually, in about four hours, you'll wake up.

Ah... truly an unhealthy tip.

.....

That morning, Kasumigaoka Utaha woke up quite early.

She quietly descended the stairs,

making no sound as she approached Yukima Azuma's door.

Carefully, she opened a small crack.

The scene inside didn't surprise her.

She sighed softly.

Then, checking the time and recalling the meeting with Fujikawa Publishing,

Kasumigaoka Utaha pondered for a moment before heading into the kitchen.

It had been a while since she last cooked; she wasn't sure if she still could.

But whether she could or not was one thing; whether she would or not was another.

She took some eggs from the fridge.

Kasumigaoka Utaha began to prepare a meal.

The first attempt was a failure, but the second turned out almost perfectly.

She wrapped the omurice and placed it in a thermal bag to keep it warm.

Then, taking out her phone, she looked up how to brew tea.

Coffee? That Lonely-kun wasn't used to drinking it.

But if he didn't wake up properly, how could he negotiate in the afternoon?

Thus, tea was the only option.

Following the guide, Kasumigaoka Utaha busied herself for quite some time.

Her fingers became swollen from the icy water.

In the end, she managed to make a somewhat acceptable cup of tea.

At that moment, her phone alarm rang.

Kasumigaoka Utaha dried her hands,

glancing at her pale, swollen fingers.

Then she curled them slightly.

Yes, this way they wouldn't be noticeable.

And so, Kasumigaoka Utaha walked toward Yukima Azuma's room.