How to raise a random guy's wife

I called Kasumigaoka Utaha beforehand, and to Kobayashi Sora's surprise, Kasumigaoka Utaha was awake.

She doesn't care about the sales increase brought by book signings, but she cares a lot about the feelings of readers who read the books carefully and come to the signing sessions.

So I took a break last night and had a good rest.

Anyway, everything is going smoothly with the new book. As for inspiration, I just need to take some time to tease Kobayashi Sora.

Kobayashi Sora handed the bread and milk to Kasumigaoka Utaha, asking, "Do you want to sit in the front or the back?"

"Up ahead." Kasumigaoka Utaha took her breakfast and got into the car.

Kobayashi Sora opened the car door and sat in the back seat with Kato Megumi.

As the car started moving, Kobayashi Sora entered work mode, checking her phone's memos while explaining the situation: "This autograph session is in Hehe City, the place where the story takes place. Tiewentang Bookstore has already distributed queue tickets in advance. I originally planned to design something, but the bookstore said that's always how it is, that's how small and medium-sized bookstores are, and they'll change it next time. Considering the possibility of traffic jams, we'll have at least an hour to set up the venue when we get there. Originally, we didn't plan to go later, but considering the simplicity of the queue tickets, I'm a little worried, so I decided to go a little earlier. I'll stand next to you during the autograph session. If there's anything, tell me first, and I'll convey your thoughts to avoid any unnecessary trouble."

"Hmm...uh..." Kasumigaoka Utaha made a muffled sound, indicating that she understood.

This wasn't her first time holding an autograph session, so she was aware of some basic precautions.

Kato Megumi asked curiously, "What is unnecessary trouble?"

"For example, if an editor says something like 'I feel tired halfway through signing in,' it's considered considerate of the author, but if the author says it, it's considered inconsiderate of the reader. There are also some readers who are persistent and disruptive, standing in front of the table and refusing to leave, so they need to be asked to leave," Kobayashi Sora explained. "That's roughly the kind of situation."

"Oh, there's such a thing?" Kato Megumi said with a look of having just learned something.

"Huh?" Kasumigaoka Utaha only then noticed Kato Megumi's presence. "You are...?"

She tried to recall, but couldn't remember.

"Kato Megumi, my classmate and also a member of the game development club, used to sit next to me in the audiovisual classroom."

“Ah…” Kasumigaoka Utaha recalled.

I still can't remember.

"Congratulations on the release of the final volume of your work, senior." Kato Megumi looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha in the front row. "I just started reading from the first volume yesterday, but it was so interesting that I read the whole thing in one go."

"Thank you, I'm glad to hear you praise this work so much that you could finish reading five books in one night."

“She didn’t say that,” Kobayashi Sora said helplessly. “Besides, she didn’t want to go to sleep last night and stayed up very late.”

"I started crying without even realizing it," Kato Megumi chuckled. "The more I watched, the sadder I felt for Sayuka."

"..." Kasumigaoka Utaha stretched out her hand behind her back, "Did you bring your book? I'll sign it for you first."

Chapter 52 Shi Yu's View

After skillfully signing her name, Kasumigaoka Utaha handed the book back to Kato Megumi.

Kato Megumi happily accepted the book, saying, "Actually, this is the first time I've ever received an autograph since I was born... so I'll cherish it."

“Kato-san…” Kasumigaoka Utaha looked a little awkward. “Thank you for coming all the way to an autograph session for a low-selling author like me.”

“No way,” Kato Megumi retorted earnestly, “There will definitely be a lot of book fans here today.”

"Is...is that so?"

"Well, it must be."

Kasumigaoka Utaha opened her mouth, then stared at the scenery outside the window as she drank her milk.

If it were Kobayashi Sora, she would definitely use even more sarcastic remarks to provoke him with the same self-deprecating words.

Kasumigaoka Utaha will retaliate, and then it will be a back-and-forth verbal battle.

Kato Megumi's honest rebuttal left Kasumigaoka Utaha somewhat at a loss.

Having not slept well the night before, Kato Megumi leaned against the car window and fell asleep after a while in the quiet of the car.

As the car drove along, Kato Megumi's little head kept bumping against the car window.

A thumping sound.

Kobayashi Sora moved closer to Kato Megumi and reached out to support her head.

The girl's hair brushed against his palm, carrying her body heat.

Kasumigaoka Utaha observed this scene through the rearview mirror and clicked her tongue softly.

If it were Aki Tomoya, following Tomoya's example, he would never do such a thing.

Since things have already gone this far, why not just pull her close and let her lean on your shoulder?

The car drove smoothly and turned a corner.

Inside the car, Kato Megumi's body swayed involuntarily, and she turned her head to lean on Kobayashi Sora's shoulder.

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked away. Sure enough, in the end it still turned out like this... Wait!

She suddenly remembered something and looked at the back row again.

No, although the result is the same, the process is different.

If Kobayashi Sora pressed Kato Megumi's head onto her shoulder, it would seem like she was deliberately trying to take advantage of her.

However, letting Kato Megumi's head hit the car window would make him seem inconsiderate.

Therefore, moving closer and using your hand to support her head is the most appropriate option.

No, that's not all.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's pupils narrowed slightly. As an author, especially one who excels at using small details to transform quantitative changes into qualitative changes in emotions, she is accustomed to drawing material from life and applying it to her books, which has unconsciously cultivated her excellent observation skills.

Once you start observing subconsciously, your thoughts begin to deepen.

That's how it is from Kobayashi Sora's perspective, but what about from Kato Megumi's perspective?

I'm very tired and need to rest.

However, there was a distance between the two.

If you want to lean on Kobayashi Sora's shoulder, you need to move a distance in his direction.

Such movements are quite noticeable in the confined space inside the car.

Moving closer to the other person and leaning on their shoulder makes the intention seem too obvious, and without a defined relationship, it might give the other person the impression that you're being too casual.

Therefore... the best option is to remain still and let the other party make the move.

All you need to do is lean against the car window, pretend to be asleep, and then let your head bump against the window, making a thumping sound.

If Kobayashi Sora notices, he will naturally move over and put his hand under her head. As soon as the car turns a corner, Kato Megumi can lean against him.

If he didn't notice, then it would actually be a good thing not to lean on the shoulder of such an inconsiderate man.

In other words, no matter what Kobayashi Sora does, Kato Megumi can achieve a certain goal.

—While maintaining one's reserved image.

Kasumigaoka Utaha unconsciously ground her teeth, her red eyes darting around rapidly.

The more I think about it, the more likely it seems.

That makes sense, but putting it into practice is extremely difficult.

In order to achieve one's goal, one needs to have a high degree of confidence in Kobayashi Sora's actions.

Otherwise, they might have been banging on the car window for a long time.

And this was after I hadn't slept well last night and was extremely tired.

Kasumigaoka Utaha recalled her conversation with Kato Megumi just now, and the other's pure feelings made her feel somewhat ashamed.

For Kasumigaoka Utaha, who is forced to use a sharp tongue and coldness to disguise herself because she is hated and isolated by others, her words are like the quills of a hedgehog, a desperate defense mechanism.

Because they were frequently attacked, they developed a habit of trying to strike first.

Kasumigaoka Utaha perceived the kindness of others as mere pretense of attack.

However, Kato Megumi's sincerity made her realize her problem.

So... was my previous thought just now an example of judging others by one's own petty standards?

Kato Megumi didn't actually think that much about it; it was all just her overthinking.

Ultimately, it's perfectly normal to take a nap by the window when you're tired.

Kobayashi Sora stiffened as Kato Megumi leaned against her, then gradually relaxed.

Kato Megumi's body was soft, and her hair smelled of fresh oranges.

He was so close that he could hear her long, drawn-out breaths.

As if she were dreaming, Kato Megumi wore a faint smile on her face.

When the car arrived at its destination, Kato Megumi woke up from her deep sleep. Noticing her condition, she immediately looked up and checked Kobayashi Sora's shoulder for any water stains. "Um... thank you."

"No problem." Kobayashi Sora stretched a bit. "We're here just in time. Would you like some water?"

After taking the water from Kobayashi Sora and taking a sip, Kato Megumi felt much more refreshed.

After everyone got off the car, Kobayashi Sora told the driver that she would contact him when it was time to go back.

This way, the driver can move around freely; otherwise, waiting all the time would be very tiring.

Working people feel sorry for working people.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kato Megumi rested at a nearby cafe, while Kobayashi Sora and the manager of Tiebundo Bookstore discussed matters related to the event.

There were already many readers waiting on the third floor of Tiewentang Bookstore, forming a long queue.

Led by the person in charge, Kobayashi Sora arrived at the meeting room, which was separated by partitions.

In the middle of the fairly large space was a signing table with two stacks of "Love Metronome" and two bouquets of flowers, as well as a nameplate for "Kasumi Shiko". Flower baskets were placed on both sides. Above the wall behind, a huge sign displayed today's date and the words "Commemorating the release of the final volume of Love Metronome" and "Kasumi Shiko's autograph session". Like the queue ticket, it felt like a simple design that had been casually typed and printed in an hour.

"Kobayashi-kun, is this alright?"

"Thank you for your hard work, you've put a lot of thought into the arrangements." Kobayashi Sora chuckled. "By the way, does the bookstore have any red velvet cloths? We can put them on the tables so that Ms. Kasumi Shiko won't have to pay too much attention to her leg posture and can relax a bit."

Chapter 53 Unexpected Situations

"Of course, is there anything else that needs to be changed?"

"Thank you to the bookstore for preparing for this autograph session, but the back is a bit empty. We can use curtains to block out some of the space."