Whether as a reader or an industry insider,
Kitahara Kaede could clearly see that there were some minor issues with the seventh volume of "Love Rhythm."
The problem wasn't too serious yet, and the editors probably thought it was acceptable, but if the eighth volume still significantly reduced the first female lead, Shinomi's, screen time, it could lead to a mass exodus of Shinomi fans.
So he made a small suggestion in as tactful a manner as possible.
But he didn't expect Shiori Kasuga's reaction to this small suggestion to be so strong.
It seems that *Love Rhythm* is indeed Shiori Kasuga's Achilles' heel. Given their current relationship, Shiori Kasuga can only tolerate his praise and has no interest in hearing his unsolicited advice. Forcing suggestions will only make Shiori Kasuga resentful.
Kitahara Kaede was very dissatisfied with his performance today.
First, he angered Eiriri, and now, less than half an hour later, he had also angered Shiori Kasuga.
The relationship he had spent half a year carefully nurturing had likely deteriorated by 50%. Therefore, either he had not checked the almanac before leaving today, or staying up late to queue had caused his thinking to become confused, leading him to make these extremely irrational decisions.
Adhering to the principle of "less talk, fewer mistakes,"
Kitahara Kaede dared not say another word, burying his head in his omelet rice. After finishing, he prepared to bid farewell to Shiori Kasumi immediately, lest continuing the conversation lead to an irreversible breakdown in their relationship....
Watching Kitahara Kaede devour his meal,
Shiori Kasuga's expression was not good, and her gaze was quite complex. Anyone could tell she was very dissatisfied, but this dissatisfaction was not because Kitahara Kaede had criticized her novel.
The real reason was obvious—
Kitahara Kaede had asked her to increase the role of Shinomi.
This made her unable to stop suspecting that Kitahara Kaede was gradually no longer fond of Sayuka and had instead fallen for the other female lead, Shinomi.
Thinking about it carefully, 70% of the people who liked this novel were Shinomiya fans, so it wasn't impossible for Kitahara Kaede to abandon Sayuka and fall in love with Shinomiya, right?
Although it was ridiculous to be jealous of a fictional character, Sayuka was created based on herself.
Now that Kitahara Kaede seemed to have fallen in love with Shinomiya, what was the difference between that and being dumped?
This was the only thing that made her feel afraid.
She had just realized her feelings for Kitahara Kaede, but now the person she loved was about to fall for someone else. There was probably nothing more cruel in the world than this.
The "cheating cat" in the novel had been confirmed to be Shinomi.
So who was the "cheating cat" in reality? The blonde girl with the twin ponytails?
That's right.
The Zhen Wei in the novel is also petite and cute, resembling that girl from earlier by about 40-50%.
So the "cheating cat" must be that girl!
Thinking of this, Kasumi Shihua felt a bit down.
But she quickly snapped out of it. Now wasn't the time to be down; she needed to first understand her opponent's situation: "Kitahara-kun, was that blonde girl with the twin ponytails your friend?"
"Pfft, cough cough..."
Kitahara Kaede choked on his drink and couldn't catch his breath.
He had thought they had just missed each other, and Shiori didn't see Eriri, but it turned out they had run into each other after all?
"She's..."
Kitahara Kaede furrowed his brows, unsure how to introduce Eiriri. To call her a classmate felt too formal, as their relationship went beyond that; to call her a friend felt inappropriate, as Eiriri had never acknowledged their friendship and had even been upset with him before.
"I guess we can only be considered... acquaintances?"
Kitahara Kaede smiled bitterly. Although he didn't want to admit it, after what had happened before, their relationship had probably deteriorated to the level of acquaintances, so it was better not to make a connection between them.
Otherwise, the next time Kasumi Shiori ran into Eiriri,
if Eiriri heard him arbitrarily say that they were friends, it might provoke her resentment.
To be safe, saying they were acquaintances was the most appropriate.
However, this hesitant and bitter expression in Shiori Kasumi's eyes looked exactly like "I like her, but she doesn't feel the same way about me." Taking everything into account, it was basically confirmed that Kitahara Kaede liked that blonde girl with twin ponytails.
"Acquaintances, huh~"
Kasumi Shiharu continued to ask in a less-than-friendly tone, "It seems she's also a high school student?"
"Yes, we attend the same school."
Kitahara Kaede's eyes flickered with confusion. Logically, since this world doesn't have Aki Ryouya, Kasumi Shiharu and Eiriri shouldn't even know each other, let alone be sworn enemies. Why did Kasumi Shiharu's tone change when she mentioned Eiriri?
Could it be...
Worldline convergence?
Just one glance, and they already regarded each other as lifelong enemies?
That was the only explanation that made sense, and there were indeed cases where people disliked each other at first sight. Upon careful recollection, Eiriri had also mentioned last time that as a student, she didn't want to be represented by Shiori Kasumi, the "student representative." Clearly, Eiriri wasn't particularly fond of Shiori Kasumi either.
"I see."
Shiori Kasumi's tone was quite subtle: "She's also from the private Toyosaki Academy... Could she be in the same class as you?"
"No, she's not."
Kaede Kitahara denied it: "I'm in Class C of the second year, and Eriri is in Class A."
"Eriri?"
Shiori Kasumi continued to ask, "Her name?"
"Yes, her name is Sawamura Spencer Eriri."
Kitahara Kaede said stiffly, "She's the ace of our school's art club."
"I see."
Shiori Kasumi responded casually, having already noticed some details from Kitahara Kaede's words.
For example...
He addressed that girl by her first name!
Generally, only those who are close enough would address someone by their first name.
For example, Kitahara Kaede referred to her as "Shiori-sensei" at the book signing event, "Shiori-senpai" in private, or simply "senpai." Compared to this Eiriri, there's no comparison, and no harm done.
So this is the most direct evidence.
Eriri is 90% the homewrecker who made Kitahara Kaede fall for her.
She was the one who came first!
Kitahara Kaede initially liked the character Sayuka she created!
Given the current progress of her relationship with Kitahara Kaede, she would definitely become his girlfriend.
So why was she suddenly overtaken by this Eriri who came out of nowhere?
Thinking of this, Shiori Kasumi's face grew colder, and her resentment toward Eiriri grew stronger. She decided to investigate Eiriri's situation on Monday and confront that girl named Eiriri.
If she has no romantic intentions toward Kitahara Kaede, then that's fine.
But if she has ulterior motives…