Utaha: "Don't worry, you can do it. I know that you'll be able to save this world, Onii-chan. Ruri will be okay. Because Ruri will always be by your side. So please, so please take good care of Meguri, okay?"

After typing the last sentence of the route she was writing, Utaha slumps forward in her seat of her home. She let out a sigh, exhausted as there were bags under her eyes. She then moved to her bed, going to her phone as she was calling someone.

Utaha: ...I'm done. As promised, you'll have to spend time with me this Saturday. We're meeting at 10AM. I won't tolerate any tardiness or standing me up. I'll be waiting. Onii-chan.~

Other side of the call, Y/N's Room

Utaha: (on call) No, I mean, Y/N.

On the ground was Y/N's phone, who was nowhere to be seen. It was late at night currently, Y/N was in the bathroom, cowering in the bathtub.

Y/N: Sh-She called me...Onii-chan...Onii-chan...!

Tomoya: (bursting through door) The hell is wrong with you!? 

(A/N): Cue the opening!

Next Day

Y/N: ...Utaha-senpai? 

Utaha: What is it, Y/N? Turning point of Earnest and Real, I'd prefer if it you didn't talk to me while I'm trying to read.

Y/N: My question is, how long are we going to be here? 

Utaha: Let's see, probably until I've finished reading the rest of this series. 

Y/N: I see, I see. ...What would you do if I pulled down your skirt right now?

Utaha: Ara?~ When were you such a perv?

Y/N: It was just a question.

Utaha: Hmm...nothing. I would most likely enjoy giving you the view.

Y/N: (thoughts) Woman, why is that your response? Not even a kick to my face?

Utaha: At least sit there quietly until I finished reading this volume. I don't want you disturbing others at the bookstore.

Y/N: (sigh) Roger that. But since this is a bookstore, shouldn't you buy these instead of read them here since they are selling them?

The scarlet-eyed girl stares at the other teen for a moment before she sighed. She stood up and grabbed the books that were next to her.

Utaha: In that case, wait here while I go buy these books. 

Y/N: ...I'm not even going to mention how you should have just done that from the start. 

After buying the books from the store, Utaha gives them to Y/N so he could carry them. Making their way out, Y/N follows behind.

Utaha: Come on, let's go, Y/N. 

Y/N: (unethusiastic) Hai, hai. 

Utaha: At least act happy since you're carrying my books.

Y/N: Why? Is this supposed to be some prized possession?

Utaha: Any otaku would kill for the finger prints of Utako Kasumi.

Y/N: Same could be said for the girls who want the finger prints of Akira Makabe.

Utaha: Then I'd beat the skanks before they'd take them.

Y/N: ...Huh? I'm sorry, what?

Utaha: Nothing. It was a slip of the tongue. 

Y/N: You know, I didn't think you'd buy the entire series at the very first store. 

Utaha: It's not my fault. I've been so busy writing lately that I haven't been able to read at all.

From a distance, Eriri was wearing a disguise. She wore a brown cap with an evergreen jacket. Megumi and Tomoya could be seen walking up to her.

Megumi: We're here, Eriri. 

Tomoya: Why was I dragged out here again?

Eriri: You're late! What took you so long, Megumi, Tomoya? 

Megumi: I thought I did pretty well since I was in my pajamas when you suddenly called me 30 minutes ago.

Tomoya: And I was in the shower.

Eriri: They left already because you two were late. 

Megumi: Who do you mean?

Tomoya: Ah, do you mean Utaha-senpai and Y/N? 

Eriri: Of course, them! I'm not letting her of all people get the--

Megumi: Oh, okay, I got it. You don't have to say anymore.

Tomoya: Why? What was she saying? 

Megumi: It's nothing, Aki-kun.

Back with Utaha and Y/N

Y/N: Once again, congratulations on finishing the script. Although, I don't know why you called me instead of Tomoya. You'd kinda think that you'd call the director instead, you know? 

Utaha: It was nothing. Besides, we were both working on it.

Y/N: But you literally finished 60% of it. And also, there is food on the table so shouldn't you put the book down?

The two had went to a local restaurant, ordering simple things. Two soft drinks and some pizza. 

Utaha: Please be quiet, I am at a good part right now. 

Y/N: (deadpan) This whole celebration thing was your idea. In fact, you practically demanded. 

Utaha: It's not my fault. My thirst for knowledge is greater than my appetite for food or men right now.

Y/N: (sigh) ...Oh look, there's a table full of hot girls. Maybe I'll go talking to them.

Utaha: Where!? I'll beat them to a--

She stopped as she looked to Y/N, who was only giving her a "really" and a smug look. Going back to what she said, "having no time for men," she sat down and pouted. 

Y/N: Anyway, can you also not admit those things nonchalantly? 

Utaha: (clears throat) I'm almost finished reading this. Feel free to eat as much as you want until then, Y/N.

Y/N: (sigh) Hai, hai. (mutters) These are too much calories.

Drinking from his cup of soda, he would stare at the dark haired girl. Utaha was paying no attention to the area around her, reading as she would shovel a french fry into her mouth every now and then with some chopsticks.

Y/N: ...Hey, Utaha-senpai.

Utaha: Yes?

Y/N: Once you're finish reading that, how about we go see a movie? 

Utaha: ...H-Huh?

Y/N: What? Is it wrong for me to ask my senpai from school to go see a movie with me?

Utaha: N-No, th-there is no problem with it.

Y/N: (pulls out phone) Then what should we see?

Utaha: Why don't we see a bad live-action adaptation that is anguishing the fans of the original. Are there any movies like that?

Y/N: ...I'm not saying the titles out loud.

Elsewhere

In a town square like area, Tomoya, Eriri, and Megumi were still walking around, looking for the two.

Eriri: They're not here. Where in the world did they go? 

Megumi: By the way, Eriri...

Eriri: (irritated) What? 

Tomoya: How did you know they were together? I never told you.

Megumi: How were you able to be at the same place? 

Eriri: Th-That's...I was out shopping and happened to see them. 

Megumi: So just a coincidence? Oh, I guess we coincidentally ran into them before at the Rokutenba Mall, too, didn't we? 

Tomoya: Eh? When was this?

Eriri: (glares at Megumi) I hate perceptive girls like you. (sees Megumi's stare) What? I'm telling the truth! If I say it's coincidence, it's coincidence! 

Megumi: Hey, isn't that L/N-kun and Kasumigaoka-senpai over there? 

Eriri: Huh!? Where!?

Megumi: They're standing in line for the movie theater.

The three look over to the movie theater. There was indeed a line, the two in the line as they waited. Utaha and Y/N seemed to be talking to each other, Eriri wondering what they were saying.

Eriri: (gasp) You're right!

Tomoya: (sigh) After all my years of trying to get him into 2D girls, he's still going after 3D girls. Just like Yoshihiko.

Eriri: Nice job, Megumi! Your cunning way of low-key stealing the show never ceases to amaze! 

Eriri then dashes off, leaving the other two dumbfounded and staring at the blonde girl.

Megumi: ...Can I go home now, then? 

Timeskip-Sazanka Cafe

Hours passed and the sun was getting close to setting. After the movie, the pair had moved to Sazanka Cafe.

Utaha: While it may have been a movie sequel for the TV adaptation, it still wasn't very good. 

Y/N: You think so? I will admit that the new character was cute, but what do I know? I'm not Tomoya, who's the ultra god of judging and critiquing 2D girls. And I guess that last scene kinda got me. But that's probably due to the character design and acting. 

Utaha: The script was completely cliched, but they're able to get away with it because of the good art and performances. 

Y/N: Instead of saying the script was bad, you could be happier as a fan praising the characters and acting instead. 

Utaha: It's that blind devotion from diehard fans that will make creators complacent. 

Y/N: (sigh) This conversation seems more suited towards a consumer. 

Utaha: Even if you're joking, I'd prefer it if the director trying to produce our script wouldn't say irresponsible things.

Y/N: Again, this is more suited towards a consumer. Why was I the one called again?

Utaha: Hmm...I wonder. 

Y/N: (sigh) Whatever. 

The two sat in silence, looking at each other. They weren't sure what to do, since Utaha didn't plan this far, and Y/N was getting suspicious of what her actual plan was from the beginning.

In another booth, Eriri had followed the two. After watching the movie herself, she was reading the script. Right now, she was in tears, completely moved by the script and how it was written. Megumi was sitting in front of her, drinking tea. Apparently, Tomoya wasn't needed anymore so the two girls sent him on his way home.

Megumi: Have you calmed down yet?

Eriri: (pouting and crying) I'm sorry you have to see me like this, Megumi. 

Megumi: I don't really mind. You're very emotional, aren't you, Eriri? 

Eriri: Because I never thought they'd make Mariko a main heroine after how she's handled in the original. 

Megumi: Was that the story? 

Eriri: I mean, Kohei decided to get over the TV show's main heroine, Ui, and move on with his life! Which just leaves Mariko, who's been by his side since they were kids!

Megumi: (uninterested) Really?

Eriri: Yes! I'm so glad it didn't end with the TV finale. 

Megumi: Well, in any case, shouldn't we be leaving?

The boring girl had glanced over to the table Y/N and Utaha were at. Y/N and Utaha were standing up, Y/N currently bowing in front of the waitress repeatedly. A loud thud was heard as Eriri stood up, a happy look on her face and having a cat mouth.

Eriri: Who cares! I still want to talk about "The Snow"!

Megumi: Yes. The childhood friend ending was nice, wasn't it?

Timeskip-Night

Utaha: Well, thank you for everything today. 

Y/N: Sure.

After going to the cafe, the two had walked around the city for a while. They had been kicked out actually, the female waitress kept flirting with Y/N, which only incited a heated verbal argument between the waitress and Utaha. This led to Y/N bowing repeatedly and apologizing for Utaha's behavior.

Currently, the two were in a high end restaurant. Y/N slumped back in his seat, a drink in his hand as he clinked his and Utaha's glass together. 

Utaha: ...Even you seem to be tired. 

Y/N: I wonder why? How much shopping did you do? They should've been delivered. 

Utaha: I still want to read some of them right away, so I'll carry a few home with me. 

Y/N: Anyway, congratulations on finishing the script we were supposed to work on. I mainly slacked off after finishing the first route. 

Utaha: Well, it took longer than I expected.

Y/N: It's okay. I was able to work on your novel, just as you requested. 

Utaha: In any case, our work is done. We might not be able to show up for circle meetings as much.

Y/N: I suppose. After releasing the next volume installment recently, I have to get started on the next one right away. 

Utaha: And I'll be thinking about my future soon. Although, I'm a little behind others on that. 

Y/N: Ah, that's right. You'll be heading into university as soon as you graduate this year.

Utaha: Well, I should be getting recommendations, so I'm not that worried. 

Y/N: You're right. You should be fine with your grades. 

Utaha: It seems there are two openings. One of them is a university in Kansai. 

Y/N: Kansai? You're not going to stay in this region? 

Utaha: The other university is 15 minutes from here. Right now, I'm trying to decide between the two. Which do you think I should choose? 

Y/N: M-Me?

Utaha: The Kansai university has the better program, but living away from my family and living on my own sounds like a hassle. Although, I wouldn't say I'm entirely uninterested in the freedom that entails. So, Y/N?

He looked up at her, seeing the usual smile she would have on her face. He looked back down at his drink. Sure, she has the decision to decide on her own, but apart of Y/N didn't want to let her go. It sounded cliche in his mind, but it was the truth.

Utaha: Why do you seem so worried? 

Y/N: (chuckle) Do I really?

Elsewhere

In a clothing shop, a satisfied smile was on Megumi's face. In the changing room was an irritated Eriri.

Eriri: Come on. 

Megumi: Are you ready? What do you think about this? I think it'd look good on you. This one, too. Actually, most things would look good on you. You have porcelain skin, shiny hair, and a slender figure. It's so fun picking out clothes for you! There's still this blouse, too. 

Eriri: (peeks out of changing room) Hold on, Megumi!

Megumi: Oh, did you like the one you tried on? 

Eriri: I don't mean that! What are we even doing here? 

Megumi: We're picking new outfits for you, right? You can't say in tracksuits for--

Eriri: We lost sight of them while we were wasting our time with this! 

Megumi: Eh? But that's because you wanted to talk--

Eriri: (irritated noise) There's no point dwelling in the past! Anyway, we need to go look for them!

Megumi: I don't know. I think we've done enough today. Don't you? I mean, putting aside whether we should be doing something that could be constituted as stalking--

Eriri: What are you talking about!? You don't know what they're going to do! This could tear our whole circle apart! 

Megumi: (shows phone to Eriri) I just got a message from Kasumigaoka-senpai that we didn't need to worry about her doing anything today.

Eriri: ...Huh?

With Y/N and Utaha

Utaha: Well, this is my train. 

Y/N: You sure you don't need me to accompany you? I'm already here.

Utaha: I'm quite fine. Thank you for the offer, Y/N.

Bowing her head, she turned around and went up the steps. Y/N then called to her.

Y/N: Utaha-senpai! 

Utaha: Hmm?

Y/N: It...It would be better if you stayed here and didn't go to Kansai. If you stayed here, we could go out again after you've graduated university. But if you wish to go, then I won't stop you. If that happens, let's just spend a day together before you leave. 

Utaha: (grin) ...I'm surprised to see you like this. You're bad, Y/N.

Y/N: And I thought you liked that side of me?

Utaha: Oh, I don't like it. I love it.~ (walks down steps) In that case, I'll give you a chance. (hands over flash drive) This is our script for the final route of the game. 

Y/N: Eh? Was the thing you handed me the other day not the final script? 

Utaha: I rewrote it after that. This one has a different development and ending from that one. This is the other possibility for the game.

Y/N: Senpai...?

Utaha: I want you and Rinri-kun to choose. Or just you. The first draft I handed in earlier, or this revision. Which one will you pick? (whispers in Y/N's ear) And which university should I choose?

As she went up the steps and waited for her stop, Y/N still stood at the bottom. Remembering the last few words she told him.

"You have to read it. You have to decide. You're my beloved knight." 

As he got on the train and went home for the night, he let out a low laugh.

Y/N: Dammit...I'm falling in love with Utaha Kasumigaoka again.

Next Day, Aki Household

Outside the Aki household, Eriri and Megumi arrived. They rung the doorbell and waited for either cousin to answer the door.

Megumi: Do you think they're not home? We were supposed to meet at 10AM, weren't we? 

Eriri: D-Don't tell me that Y/N hasn't been home since last night! Or that he's having his morning cup of coffee in a hotel right now!? 

Megumi: Eriri, having such an overactive imagination might be good as an author, but it's rather tiring and unbearable to have to humor each one of your delusions. 

Eriri: A-Anyway, we need to get to either Tomoya's or Y/N's room.

The blonde girl tries her hand on the door. As expected, it was locked.

Megumi: But I'm not sure we should break in. 

Eriri: (taking flower pot) We're just checking to see if they're here or not. (checking under rug) Besides, if our circle activities are canceled today, they're the ones that'd be most inconvenienced! 

Megumi: Oh, I suppose you have a point.

Eriri: Honestly.

After checking the flower bed, Eriri turns back towards the door to see Megumi fishing something out of her bag. It was a key to the house, her looking shocked as Megumi nonchalantly unlocks and opens the door. 

Megumi: Excuse me. 

Eriri: (shocked) Megumi, you have a key? 

Megumi: (tilts head) Hmm?

Heading into Tomoya's room, they find the two boys at Tomoya's computer. Y/N had an amazed look, but when he looked to Tomoya, he sighed. The glasses wearing boy was currently crying in his seat, trying to wipe his tears away, but doesn't realize he had his glasses on.

Eriri only deadpanned at the sight of Tomoya crying. Megumi on the other hand looked at her director curiously. 

Tomoya: (still crying) Hey! You guys were here?

Y/N: Tomoya, wipe that snot from your nose. That's gross as hell. (looks to door) Hey, guys. 

Eriri: Either cry or greet us, pick one! 

Looking back to the computer once more, they see it was the script Utaha had revised. It was for the second route for Meguri (Ruri). 

Eriri: What is this? 

Tomoya: "Finally, in order to protect themselves, the past siblings and present lovers decide to fight the enemy together." That's the same as the old script. But this revision Utaha-senpai handed Y/N yesterday goes in a completely different direction! 

Megumi: Oh, I guess she didn't feel like the incest part was appropriate, then. 

Tomoya: No! That was obviously left in! It's the opposite, really! In this script, rather than Meguri, the girlfriend, his sister in their path life, Ruri, takes the center stage! 

Eriri: Wait, don't tell me we switch heroines. 

Tomoya: Exactly! We delve deeper into the forbidden love between these siblings. Go, Kato! 

Megumi: Wait, hold on. These lines are a little...

Y/N: (sigh) Just say them so Tomoya doesn't have to be annoying ass.

Tomoya: Say them, Kato! Break through your shell! Go beyond your limits! Offer every ounce of your being into this story! 

Megumi: U-Um... "I love you, Onii-chan. I will never hand you over to anyone else." 

Tomoya: Yes! The possessive imouto trope! 

Eriri: (deadpan) You're getting way too excited over this.

Y/N: And he was like this all morning. 

Tomoya: But their happiness would not continue for long. In order to save this crumbling world, they needed the power inside Ruri to destroy the demons. But that power can only be activated by eroding away Ruri's memory. 

Eriri: In other words, it's the ultimate choice between the world or his sister. 

Megumi: Um, what good is picking his sister if the world is destroyed? 

Tomoya: Kato, you have no right to comment on the World-type genre! 

Megumi: Oh, okay. I mean, I've never even heard of it. 

Tomoya: And finally, at the last battle, with their greatest enemy in front of them, Soma is unable to bring himself to erase his beloved sister! But truly loving her brother, Ruri makes the choice for her struggling brother. By sacrificing herself, she made the difficult but only right choice to save the world, no, to save her beloved brother. The tragic yet correct decision! Hai, Kato!

Megumi: Uh, this line here? 

Y/N: Yeah, that one.

Megumi: (clears throat) "I love you, Onii-chan. Ruri was so happy to have met you. That much is at least true." 

Tomoya: (screams uncontrollably) Ruri, wait, don't go! I don't want it to end like this! 

Megumi: Oh, don't mind me. 

Tomoya: (sobs uncontrollably) What do you think?

Y/N: It's good, but with the way you're crying Tomoya, I want to fucking barf.

Megumi: It was really entertaining. I liked the first draft too, but this was also interesting. 

Tomoya: Right!?

Megumi: It was really moving. I might have cried quietly if I read it quietly by myself without all this commentary and shouting.

Y/N: Right? But with Tomoya's constant screaming, it's hard to really enjoy it.

Tomoya: You cried too, didn't you, Eriri? A classic tragic romance! Utaha Kasumigaoka-senpai really outdid herself this time! What a brilliant mind! 

Eriri: (slapping Tomoya with twin tails) She basically rewrote the whole thing! 

Tomoya: Could you at least acknowledge how moving it is!? 

Eriri: Yes, it may have been moving, if I weren't in charge of art and just got a whole bunch if new work dumped on her lap! Anyway, Tomoya, Y/N...are you sure you want to change it to this script? 

Tomoya: That...

Eriri: This will change the interpretation of the game we've been working on. It could even change the entire theme. 

Tomoya: Yeah.

Eriri: I might have to redo the expressions on the dialogue portraits. 

Tomoya: That's true.

Eriri: Above everything, the main heroine's changed.

Tomoya: I know.

Eriri: Meguri might still be the cover heroine of our game, but the true heroine at the heart of the story as become Ruri.

Tomoya: Which would make Meguri just take a token heroine. 

Eriri: This sense of loss, this pain, but it still feels uplifting. You can really feel Utako Kasumi, author of Metronome In Love, in this story. 

Tomoya: Have you read Metronome In Love? 

Eriri: Urk...! I'm just going from the reviews I saw.

Y/N: (thoughts) Yeah, that's a lie. I know about the reservation you made one year ago as well as the compliment towards the book.

Eriri: I've never read a single word of that girl's novel. 

Tomoya: What, what an unpleasant reader. I guess you're not even a reader. 

Eriri: Anyway! What are you going to do? Are we really going to switch? 

Tomoya: (stands up from chair) So our circle's job today is to debate whether or not we incorporate Utaha-senpai's revised script to our game! 

Eriri: No way.

Tomoya: ...Eh?

Eriri: Don't make the artist with impending deadlines make that heavy of a decision! 

Tomoya: But having us all think and decide together is the way we do things at Blessing Software. 

Eriri: No. This decision will decide the direction of our creation. So it should be up to the director and producer. 

Tomoya: Does that mean just me? 

Eriri: If you need to discuss it with anybody, you should talk to the writers, or in this case, the writer. Although, it seems you didn't call her here today. 

Y/N: Utaha-senpai has finished her work. She has deadlines for her novel.

Eriri: Even though she had all time to play around with a boy all day.

Y/N: (raised eyebrows) Then why the hell were you spying on us?

Eriri: Y-You don't know that!

Y/N: (deadpan) Your presence was so obvious, so stop pretending that you were even watching us. 

Eriri: Oh, I'm pretending? So I guess I just imagined everything I saw you do yesterday? 

Y/N: So then why the hell were you even there? 

Eriri: Th-That's... (gasp) I know! I was hanging out with Megumi, obviously!

Y/N: Then why does that answer sound like you just came up with it on the spot? 

Eriri: R-Right, Megumi? Back me up here! Please just say, "Oh, that's right," like you usually do! 

Megumi: Oh, would the three of you mind keeping it down? I'm trying to play this game right now.

The three then realize that Megumi wasn't paying attention to their discussion, her sitting by her laptop. Soon enough, the three huddled around the boring girl, wanting to know what game she was playing. 

Tomoya: That's rare for you to want to play.

Y/N: It is.

Eriri: What game is it?

Megumi: It's just a demo version. It's a doujin game that's scheduled to come out at the upcoming Winter Comiket. 

Tomoya: Oh, it's the same genre as us. 

Eriri: We might have our booths pretty close to each other. 

Y/N: Which circle is it from? 

Megumi: Ah, well, the person in charge actually sent me an email directly.

Y/N's and Tomoya's eyes widen as they see which circle it was from. Eriri's eyes widen as well.

Eriri: Hold on, this art...

Tomoya: Izumi-chan?

Y/N: ...Rouge en Rouge. (thoughts) Those bastards...

Elsewhere

A girl with burgundy hair, what seems to be a maid costume she was wearing, was standing at the top of the familiar hill Tomoya's neighborhood was in. Her hair and her clothes flowed with the wind, a smirk on her face.

Izumi: ...Onii-chan. 

Iori: ...What is it, Izumi? 

Izumi: ...I'm cold. 

Iori: ...You want me to go buy us some hot cocoa?