Chapter 63: The Most Romantic Declaration
"You're so sly." Utaha puffed her cheeks slightly, then handed the menu to Shunsuke. "Order first. What do you want to eat, Trash-kun?"
"I'm not picky."
Shunsuke casually ordered a pork cutlet rice bowl, while Utaha chose a salad and added two freshly squeezed juices.
"Utaha, is that all you're eating?"
Shunsuke stared at her in surprise. With her figure and physique—not to mention that she wasn't like Eriri—could she really be satisfied with such a small portion?
"Trash-kun, I'm a girl. Keeping my figure in shape takes effort, you know."
"Being too skinny isn't good for your health. Your current figure is just perfect."
Shunsuke sighed, his thoughts drifting to Mashiro. She barely ate during meals, likely thinking she was maintaining her figure.
No, that wasn't it—Mashiro's behavior was more childlike.
She was always sneaking baumkuchen and other snacks, so naturally, she couldn't eat much at mealtime.
In contrast, Marin's eating habits seemed more normal.
With her height and curvaceous figure, it was natural for her to eat more.
As long as she exercised enough, her figure would stay perfect.
Compared to her, Koizumi's eating habits were the real mystery.
Hearing Shunsuke's advice, Utaha smiled slightly. "Oh? But from what I've seen, most of the girls around Trash-kun are petite types."
The Japanese fascination with loli-like girls was practically ingrained in their culture. Smaller, delicate girls undeniably had a larger "market" compared to more mature, elegant women.
Shunsuke didn't take the bait, denying it decisively. "We're all just pure friends."
—At least for now.
He added the thought silently. He hadn't lied; everything he said was true, though not the whole truth.
Utaha smiled again, seemingly unfazed. Leaning in closer, her voice softened as she brought the conversation back to what interested her most. "Trash-kun, can you tell me more about your new work?"
Her face was slightly flushed, her breath warm and fragrant.
For someone like Utaha—a literary woman who also writes novels—creating a story specifically about her and himself was nothing short of the most romantic confession imaginable.
It was a gesture she wouldn't be able to resist, and her affection for him would undoubtedly skyrocket.
"So, Utaha, are you discussing this with me as a reader, or in some other capacity?"
Shunsuke's words carried a subtle undertone, though they could also be taken as a straightforward question.
Utaha pressed her lips together thoughtfully. "How about as a fellow creator?"
"No problem. We can grow together, after all."
Shunsuke casually began explaining his concept. "I've decided to name my new work Monogatari. It's going to be a series. The first book will be called Bakemonogatari, and the second Nisemonogatari. These two books will be the foundation of the entire Monogatari series, introducing the majority of the characters. Each main female character will have their own dedicated story arc."
"The protagonist of the first story will be Senjougahara Hitagi. She's also the undisputed heroine of the entire Monogatari series. Her approach to relationships will embody a paradoxical mix of boldness and delicacy. In the second story, she'll proactively confess to the male protagonist and successfully establish a relationship, becoming the official girlfriend without question."
"The male lead of Monogatari is named Araragi Koyomi. While he's undeniably a bit of a pervert, he's also a gentleman with a strong sense of responsibility toward those in need. This combination of traits earns him the admiration of many girls. However, he's a one-woman man. Despite being surrounded by diverse and exceptional women, his heart remains steadfastly loyal to one."
Utaha suddenly interjected, "Trash-kun, did you base the male protagonist on yourself?"
Shunsuke maintained a calm expression. "A little, perhaps. Literary creation is inspired by reality but should transcend it."
Inwardly, however, Shunsuke felt a pang of guilt. While Araragi Koyomi was often called "Trash-kun" by others, his actions spoke of a true gentleman.
Despite being surrounded by numerous temptations, he stayed true to his principles, unwavering in his dedication to the one he loved. A drop from the vast ocean, and only that drop.
As for himself, how could he possibly be so decisive? Whether it was the clingy little sister, the busty class president, the flirtatious kouhai, the seemingly obedient underclassman, or the vampire loli, ghost loli, or young girl tsukumogami—he wanted them all!
How could anyone choose between so many lively and adorable girls?
Especially when a benefactor who also happened to be his first love, Hanekawa Tsubasa, stood before him crying, saying she wanted to date with marriage as the premise.
What kind of heartless person, what kind of steadfast resolve, could resist such temptation and reject her without hesitation?
Claiming that such a male protagonist was based on himself—well, even with Shunsuke's thick skin, he'd be too embarrassed to admit it.
Utaha didn't notice Shunsuke's inner turmoil.
She simply propped her head up with her right hand, gazing at him as he spoke passionately, as if everything was already within his grasp.
Although the new book hadn't even been published yet, he had already planned the storyline far ahead and was confident in its eventual success.
This confidence, combined with the charisma of a man immersed in his work, subtly drew her in.
Shunsuke, meanwhile, was completely engrossed in his explanation.
Having succeeded with his first book entirely on his own, he had grown bold enough to deviate from the original material he was referencing.
Yet, there was one regret in the Monogatari series he could never overlook.
Cutting one's hair to symbolize leaving the past behind and becoming a new self?
Nonsense!
Utter nonsense!
To have all the female characters cut their long hair—
Nisio Isin, you're heartless! Absolutely heartless!
This was important enough to say two times.
If Eriri, Mashiro, Utaha… if any of them misunderstood his preferences and cut their hair short, that would be hell!
This part of the plot absolutely had to be revised. He refused to go down in history as the "Short Hair Maniac"!
Only when the server finally brought their lunch did Shunsuke snap out of his passionate rant, as if waking from a dream.
—Damn, I got carried away and wasted such a perfect atmosphere!
Shunsuke's first reaction was regret.
However, when he turned his attention back to Utaha, he keenly noticed that something about her had changed.
But what exactly was different, he couldn't quite figure out.
"What an interesting story. I truly hope Trash-kun can publish it soon," Utaha said gracefully after swallowing her food.
Although she wasn't a true noble lady, her dining etiquette seemed even more refined than Eriri, who was a genuine ojou-sama.
Of course, it could also be because Eriri never bothered to hide her casual side in front of Shunsuke.
Shunsuke speared a piece of pork cutlet with his fork. "You might have to wait a little longer, Utaha. I'm planning to use a different pen name to publish a pure literature piece first, and then release Monogatari as a more mainstream novel."
"Is that even possible?"
As someone familiar with the industry, Utaha was genuinely shocked.
"Of course it is. It's the same path Shinobu Akiyama-sensei is taking. She's currently preparing her Deadly Sins series using the same approach. But I'll make sure I'm one step ahead of her," Shunsuke replied, his voice brimming with confidence.
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