allendalepharm Page 146
Page 146
Looking at Yuto, who was being "held hostage" by two girls on either side, and then at the crazy fans and media below the stage, Aoyama Nanami finally realized what was going on.
Her face flushed, but more than that, she felt a strange sense of loss and confusion.
Yuto felt sweat starting to bead on his forehead.
He took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't let them continue their antics.
He effortlessly broke free from Eriri's grasp, then picked up the microphone, his voice steady and powerful.
"It seems everyone is quite interested in my 'harem'."
His self-deprecating remark instantly drowned out the previous awkwardness with laughter from the audience.
“But everyone may have misunderstood.” Yuto’s gaze swept over each person around him in turn.
"Xia Shizi is my literary mentor. Her sharp insights always hit the nail on the head regarding the crux of my story."
"Ms. Kashiwagi is my irreplaceable personal artist. Without her paintbrush, my world would be black and white."
"Ms. Aoyama is the soul of the character Anna; her voice brought the character to life."
"And Miss Yuzuriha Inori, her singing is the requiem for our entire story."
“They are not my harem.” Yuto’s voice became solemn. “They are my comrades-in-arms, unique partners who created this world with me.”
"We came together because of 'The Farming King,' this work is our common child."
He cleverly elevated personal emotional issues to the level of team creation, affirming the value of each individual while avoiding the core issues of romantic relationships.
His words were so impeccable that even Utaha and Eriri were speechless for the time being.
The event concluded in a subtly peaceful atmosphere.
But Yuto knew that this was only temporary.
That evening, the overwhelming reports online confirmed his premonition.
Shocking! Genius Writer and Beautiful Knight Gets Caught in a Love Quadrangle!?
Childhood sweethearts vs. a new upperclassman: who will have the last laugh?
Behind the Scenes: The Original Author and His Women!
The sensational headline, coupled with various suggestive photos from the autograph session, completely exposed this chaotic scene to the public.
Yuto looked at his phone screen and sighed helplessly.
The trouble has only just begun.
The day after the book signing was a Sunday.
The doorbell of Yuto Itsuka's house has been ringing non-stop since eight o'clock in the morning.
Eriri was the first to arrive.
She had huge dark circles under her eyes, and was clutching her phone, the screen displaying disgusting gossip news.
"It's all your fault!" she launched her attack as soon as she entered, but her tone was more aggrieved and annoyed. "And that scheming woman! Now, everyone thinks we are...we are..."
She stammered "yes" for a long time, unable to utter the word, her face already flushed red to the roots of her neck.
The second person to arrive was Kasumigaoka Utaha.
She remained calm and even joked, "Oh dear, Sawamura-kun, are you here to assert your dominance so early? It's a pity that in the online polls, the senior's stock is performing much better than the childhood friend's stock."
"you……!"
The two started arguing in the entryway.
Yuto, rubbing his aching temples, pushed them into the living room.
In the living room, Yuzuriha Inori was sitting on the carpet, braiding a bracelet with colorful ropes, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere, as if it were all happening in another dimension beyond her perception.
"Why does everyone look so angry?" She looked up, her deep red eyes filled with pure confusion.
This question left both Shiho and Eriri, who were already angry, speechless.
Trying to explain the concept of a chaotic situation or scandal to a girl with no connections or financial resources is like casting pearls before swine.
Just then, Yuto's phone rang; it was Nanami Aoyama calling.
"Itsuka-sensei! I'm so sorry! I've caused you so much trouble!" As soon as the call connected, Nanami's tearful apology came through the phone, "Those reports... I didn't know it would turn out like this... I..."
“This is none of your business, Aoyama-kun,” Yuto interrupted her.
"You did nothing wrong, you don't need to apologize. Focus on preparing for your work, I'll handle the online issues."
After calming Nanami, who was about to cry, Yuto hung up the phone. When he looked up, he met the complicated gazes of Utaha and Eriri.
"You're so gentle with her," Shi Yu said sourly.
"So you really do have a secret with her!" Eriri's jealousy flared up.
Yuto felt a wave of weakness wash over him.
He discovered that reasoning with these two people was pointless.
Their logic is always based on the premise of "who is closer to Yuuto".
Just as the atmosphere in the living room was about to plummet to freezing point, the doorbell rang again.
Yuto opened the door, and standing outside was Megumi Kato.
She was dressed in ordinary casual clothes and carrying a convenience store bag.
"Good morning, Itsuka-kun." She greeted him calmly, then peeked into the living room. "Looks like I've arrived just in time."
She went inside, put the bag on the table, and took out the milk and sandwiches inside.
"I saw the news online," Kato Megumi said in her flat tone as she handed sandwiches to everyone.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai, Eriri, the way you two were arguing was captured on camera, and now a lot of people are discussing whether there's internal discord within the Sailor Moon team."
Her words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Shiho and Eriri's heads.
“Instead of discussing who Itsuka likes more,” Kato Megumi sat down and looked directly at them.
"People seem more concerned about whether such a conflict-ridden team can still produce good works. Some comments are already worried that the quality of the 'Farming King' animation will decline as a result."
These words hit the nail on the head.
Utaha and Eriri both fell silent.
They might get jealous over Yuu's fighting spirit, but they also cherish the work they helped create.
This is their pride.
They absolutely cannot accept it if their personal emotions affect the reputation of their work.
"Then... what should we do?" Eriri was at a loss for the first time and looked at Yuto helplessly.
Shi Yu frowned and fell into deep thought.
“Denial is useless,” Kato Megumi continued. “The photos and videos are there; the more you deny it, the more people will think you’re guilty.”
"So what do you mean?" Yuto looked at Kato Megumi. He knew that since she said that, she must already have a plan in mind.
“We don’t deny it,” Kato Megumi said with clear eyes. “We acknowledge it, but we need to redefine this relationship.”
"Redefine?" Utaha and Eriri asked in unison.
“Yes.” Kato Megumi nodded. “We can’t let the public’s focus remain on the love gossip; we need to divert their attention to something else.”
She looked at Yuto: "Itsuka-kun, you are the original author, the core of all this. How about you take the lead and release a 'Creative Story' series? It could be an official project in collaboration with A-1 Pictures."
"In the first episode, we'll focus on Kasumigaoka-senpai and how you guys discuss the script late at night, repeatedly refining the lines for a character."
Shiyu's eyes lit up.
"In the second installment, we'll write about Eriri, about how she locked herself in her room for days and nights to draw a single illustration, producing hundreds of drafts that were rejected."
Eriri blushed, but her eyes were filled with excitement.
"And there's Aoyama, whose work focuses on her efforts and growth in the recording studio, and Yuzuriha Inori, whose work focuses on her pure passion for music."
"Repackage this so-called battleground as a story of the clash and collaboration of geniuses."
After Kato Megumi finished speaking, the living room fell silent.
Yuto, Utaha, and Eriri all looked at her with an almost awe-inspiring gaze.
This girl, who is usually overlooked and has no presence, showed an amazing sense of the big picture and public relations skills at the most crucial moment.
She didn't get caught up in the emotional turmoil, but instead stood at the highest point, calmly analyzed the problem, and provided the most perfect solution.
This plan can not only resolve the current public relations crisis, but also turn this negative news into an excellent opportunity to build a positive team image.
It elevates the relationship between Yuto and the girls from a vulgar sex scandal to a passionate story of a group of young creators full of passion fighting together for their dreams.
That's brilliant.
“…I agree.” Kasumigaoka Utaha was the first to speak.
She looked at Kato Megumi, and for the first time, her eyes no longer held contempt, but rather a hint of genuine approval.
"This plan is feasible, and it will be even more effective if I write it."
“I agree!” Eriri immediately chimed in. “I can provide my drafts and discarded drafts as material! Let everyone see my hard work!”
At this moment, the two of them reached an astonishing consensus.
They realized that continuing the infighting was pointless.
Protecting "Farming King" and this team is the most important thing right now.
For this common goal, they were willing to temporarily put aside their prejudices against each other.
A brand new, unexpected alliance has quietly formed in the aftermath of this storm.
Yuto looked at the scene before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He looked at the spirited Utaha and Eriri, then at Kato Megumi with her indifferent expression that said, "I just made a suggestion," and at Yuzuriha Inori who was still focused on making a bracelet.
He suddenly felt that this was more like... a team composed of a group of eccentric and talented people with different personalities.
And he is the center of this team.
“Okay.” Yuto smiled, the gloom in his heart vanishing. “Let’s do it this way. Thank you, Kato-kun.”
Upon hearing this, Kato Megumi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile.
"Because I'm also a member of this team."
……
Volume 1: Chapter 140: The Story of Creation
Under the coordination of Megumi Kato, an official project called "Echoes: The Creative Stories of Geniuses" was launched at an astonishing speed.
The core of the project is a series of in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes records, aiming to redefine what the outside world sees as a "scandal" as "the collision between creators in their pursuit of the ultimate art."
The executor is, of course, Yuto Itsuka himself.
As both the director and the center of this controversy, his presence as the interviewer is undoubtedly the most persuasive.
The interview was held in the clubroom of Toyosaki Academy, the birthplace of "Echoes," a place filled with memories and significance.
To create a professional atmosphere, producer Ando generously sponsored a simple filming setup: two cameras and a few soft lights, which transformed the small event room into a professional-looking space.
The first interviewees were the two core figures of the storm—Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sawamura Spencer Eriri.
"So, are you two ready?"
Yuto Itsuka sat opposite them, holding a carefully prepared interview outline by Megumi Kato, trying his best to look like a professional host.
Behind him, Kato Megumi and Sakurajima Mai sat in a corner, one in charge of script supervision, and the other... purely there to watch the fun.
“Anytime is fine.” Kasumigaoka Utaha gracefully crossed her legs and gave the camera a perfect smile.
"Hmph, stop dawdling." Eriri sat on the other side with her arms crossed, her golden twin tails swaying gently, her face full of a tsundere expression that said, "I'm very impatient, but I'll still cooperate with you."
Yuto cleared his throat and said to the camera, "Hello everyone, I am Yuto Itsuka, the director of 'Echoes'."
"Today, we are honored to have invited the soul of this work—screenwriter Shizuko Kasumi, and the genius illustrator Eri Kashiwagi who brings color to our world. Our story will begin here."
As he finished speaking, the camera's red light came on.