Multicrossover: I Took Utaha's Virginity At The Beginning!

"Have you been waiting long?"

In a café not far from campus, Ryuu was scrolling through messages and pictures from his friends on his phone.

It wasn't until he heard Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice that he glanced up.

The first thing that caught his attention was a pair of slender, shapely legs encased in black pantyhose. His gaze traveled upward, following the elegant curves of her body, before finally landing on her refined, beautiful face.

"It's bad manners to stare at a lady like that, you know."

"My bad," Ryuu replied casually, flashing a smile before signaling the waiter for another coffee.

"But I can't really help it, can I? After all, isn't Senpai a rare beauty?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't deny it. Instead, she elegantly took a seat across from him, taking a moment to analyze this relatively new underclassman before her.

When the fresh cup of coffee arrived, steam curled lazily in the air between them. Utaha was the first to break the silence.

"Since you call me Senpai, I'll call you 'Kouhai' from now on. How about that?"

She lifted her cup, her red lips lightly brushing against the rim as she took a sip, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"I've got no problem with that," Ryuu said easily.

Titles didn't matter much to him, but this subtle shift in how they addressed each other signified a step forward in their relationship.

"Then, Kouhai, let's get to the main topic…" Utaha leaned in slightly, resting her elbow on the table. "As you said during the book signing, I want to hear your honest thoughts on Metronome of Love. What are its weaknesses?"

She didn't bother with small talk. Instead, she went straight to the point.

To her, Ryuu's decision to attend her signing was touching in itself.

But what truly piqued her interest was his critique of her novel.

At first, Utaha had thought writing a light novel was a simple matter. Her debut volume had been well-received, a remarkable feat for a first-time author.

But… it wasn't enough.

Because Kasumigaoka Utaha was an author who prided herself on excellence. If she was going to write, she had to be the best.

Yet, as she worked on the second volume, she found herself struggling—a feeling unfamiliar and frustrating.

Ryuu idly stirred his coffee before speaking slowly, his tone deliberate.

"Utaha-senpai, Metronome of Love is a solid light novel. The characters are vibrant, and the plot is well-crafted. If it had ended with just one volume, it would've been a great standalone work. But if it continues the way it is now, I don't think it'll go very far."

Utaha's eyes sharpened. She barely registered that he had dropped formalities, too preoccupied with the issue at hand.

"Why?" she asked immediately.

"Because the relationship between Naoto and Sayuka in Volume 1 is already too rich—like a love story that naturally concludes itself."

"One volume's worth of content is enough to captivate readers, but if you stretch it out over multiple volumes without change, people will lose interest."

"Isn't that just how romance novels work?" Utaha countered.

Ryuu shook his head and lifted a finger.

"That's exactly why only a few master-level romance novels stand the test of time. Senpai wouldn't assume that a single work is enough to cement her as a top-tier romance author, right?"

Utaha fell silent.

Seeing her thoughtful expression, Ryuu continued.

"In the novel, the only two characters who matter are the protagonist and heroine. Because of that, readers can always predict their emotional growth. Without new elements, the story will start feeling repetitive."

At that, realization dawned on Utaha.

She had been feeling it, too—the difficulty of continuing the second volume. Unlike the first, the process no longer felt effortless.

"Have you started writing Volume 2 yet?" Ryuu asked.

The unexpected question caught Utaha off guard.

"I started… but it got rejected," she admitted, her gaze flickering.

"Do you have your laptop with you?"

Utaha nodded slightly. Carrying her laptop around had become a habit—she never knew when inspiration might strike.

She didn't wait for Ryuu to press further. Instead, she took the initiative and opened her laptop, showing him her draft.

For an author, exposing an unfinished manuscript was practically taboo.

But for some reason, Utaha found herself trusting this underclassman.

Ryuu scanned through the text, his fingers rhythmically tapping against the table as time passed.

Finally, he let out a soft sigh.

"Times have changed, Senpai."

Utaha blinked.

"If you want your books to sell, you have to understand the market first. Nowadays, the core audience for light novels is students and young professionals. In this fast-paced era, you can't expect many people to slow down and savor a slow-burn romance."

Utaha frowned slightly. She already understood this, but hearing it out loud left her feeling lost.

"So there's no future for my writing?" she murmured.

Ryuu smirked. "I never said that. I have an idea—why not introduce a new character?"

Utaha's eyes narrowed in contemplation. "Are you suggesting I turn it into a harem story?"

"Not necessarily. But if Senpai wants to serialize this, the plot can't remain pure and straightforward forever."

"You could introduce rival love interests—a rival male character competing for the heroine's affection, or a new female character causing conflict. It doesn't have to be a full harem, but adding new elements will keep things dynamic. Besides, isn't compelling storytelling your specialty, Senpai?"

Leaning back in his chair, Ryuu spoke casually, as if he were merely sharing idle industry knowledge.

Utaha, however, felt as if a flood of inspiration had just surged through her mind.

Her crimson eyes sparkled with renewed excitement. Without hesitation, she retrieved her laptop and began rapidly typing notes.

For a while, the only sound between them was the rhythmic tapping of keys.

By the time she finally stopped, their coffee had long since gone cold.

"Haah…"

Exhaling deeply, Utaha looked up at Ryuu with an unreadable expression.

"Thanks to you, I think I've found the direction for Volume 2."

Ryuu grinned. "Then I'm looking forward to it, Senpai."

Utaha nodded firmly, then hesitated before speaking again.

"Can I get your email?" she asked, a rare hint of uncertainty in her tone. "If possible, I'd like you to be the first to read my draft."

Ryuu's smirk widened.

For Kasumigaoka Utaha, winning over loyal fans and refining her work were the best ways to gain favor.

And right now, wasn't her affection for him steadily rising?

It was worth staying up all night to read Metronome of Love just for this.

With smooth precision, Ryuu pulled out his phone, opened his email QR code, and extended it toward her.

"Am I the first guy to actively add himself to your contacts, Senpai?"

Utaha blinked before letting out a soft laugh.

"Of course," she replied playfully. "You're the first boy I've ever voluntarily added, Ryuu-kun~"

"That's quite an honor, Utaha-senpai."

Originally, she had only meant to tease him.

But as Ryuu's calm, confident smile met her gaze, Utaha felt something stir within her chest.

She quickly pushed the feeling aside and studied him once more.

"I think I finally understand why you're so popular at school."

Her lips curled mischievously.

"Make sure to reply to my emails, Ryuu-kun~"

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