Chapter 49 – The Reviewer

Melody's POV

"Ugh. I'm tired, Akuma. Can't I go on a break?"

"You were just on one, KUMA!"

"Yeah, but selling these books is tiring. I'm ready for a nap."

"Like I said, you were just on one, MA, KUMA, KUMA!"

"Ugh."

3 ½ hours in and I'm bored as hell. When I agreed to do this meet 'n greet thing, I didn't think I would be sitting behind a desk all day selling books, signing autographs, and answering questions about what I wrote. If this truly was the outcome of this, I would've just stayed home and slept for 2-3 days.

Yes, I can sleep for that long. It's a talent and I'm very proud of it.

"And you could've at least given me some decent food, Ami." I said to my daughter. "I mean, really? Up 'n Down Burger?"

"Hey, it was the only thing in the area and Yu and I were starving."

"The only thing? There's a Burrito Bell literally across the street."

"Bleck! Burrito Bell sucks."

"Hey!" Ally yelled. "Do NOT talk crap about Burrito Bell!"

"Even though it makes you crap?"

"That's the best part!"

"Really?" Ami looked at her best friend with an annoyed look.

I took a bite of the burger Ami got me and did a sigh of mild satisfaction.

At least it's something other than instant ramen…

"By the way, what were you girls talking about with Akuma?"

That's when Ami and Raffina tensed up with nervousness.

"Um…w-well…"

"Raffina!"

We then saw Raffina's clone Raina heading our way. Well…more like RUNNING our way.

"Raffina! I made it! I made…whoa!"

*THUD*

"Owie…"

"Aw, geez." Raffina said to herself as she picked up her clone after she had tripped on her own footing and fell hard on the floor.

"Hey, Raina. You came by, too?" Ami asked.

"Yep! I came to get my own copy of Melody's book! Can't wait to read it!"

"Can you even read?" Raffina asked.

"Meanie! I can read! Like how I read Lidelle's diary that one time!"

"Wait, what?" Arle asked.

"You READ Lidelle's diary, Raffina?" Ally asked. Looking extremely pissed off.

"Y-You and your damn big mouth!" Raffina yelled at her clone.

"Wouldn't that be your mouth?" I asked.

"Shut up, Melody!"

While that was going on, Raina was giggling to herself. Which now makes me wonder if what she said was actually true.

If it isn't, then I think I've found something like a secret trait about this clone.

"A-Anyway, where were you? You were already gone by the time Feli and I were ready to go."

"Oh, yeah! I was meeting up with my friend!" Raina then went silent for a bit. "Well…I wanted to. I couldn't find her this morning and spent all day looking. Which made kinda forget about this thing. *giggle*"

"Uh-huh. And this "friend"…does she even exists?"

"What?! Of course, she exists! Why would you think she doesn't, meanie?!"

"I don't know. Maybe it's because your childish brain made her up or something."

"Wouldn't that be your childish brain?" I asked.

"Shut up, Melody!"

"*whine* Meanie! You suck!"

"Raffi, come on. Don't you think you're being a little hard on her?" Ami asked.

"W-Well…*sigh* I'm just still trying to get used to the fact that I have a derpy clone of myself."

"*giggle* Derpy."

"Why was that funny?" Arle asked with a sweatdrop.

"And besides. If this friend of yours is real, then how come you've never brought her over to introduce her to us? You've never even said her name."

"She's always busy."

"With what?"

"With work. I forgot what she does, but she has a job. And I help her sometimes! I'm like her personal assistant! Yay!"

"This just gets more and more unbelievable…" Raffina said with a facepalm.

"Anyway…I gotta pee. You know where the bathroom is?"

"Down that hall over there to your left, KUMA!" Akuma said.

"Thanks!" Raina then ran in the direction she was given. She tripped again, but then got back up and continued running.

"*sigh* Why did my clone had to come out as an idiot? Arle, is that gem of yours trying to tell me something?"

"I can't really explain the powers of the Rubelcrack, Raffina." Arle answered.

"*sigh* Great."

"Um…excuse me."

We all then noticed a girl with mildly long light green hair (with a crescent moon hairband making a ponytail in the back) walking up towards us. She wore a really old-looking dark blue sweater with a grey scarf around her neck. She also wore grey sweatpants with a purple diamond design on the front and light blue slippers.

She also carried a brown bag. Not sure what's up with that.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but…I'm looking for Melody Rose."

"Yeah, that's me." I said. "What's up?"

"Well, uh…I had just read your light novel and I actually wanted to tell you my thoughts of it face-to-face. If that's okay with you."

"Wh-What the hell? This girl already finished it?" Raffina asked.

"Geez. Talk about a speed reader." Ally said.

"Fufufu. I already got my first fangirl." I gloated. "So, kid. How was it? Best story ever, right?"

"Well, actually…I-I kinda hate it."

And then suddenly, my pure joy of this whole thing just shattered into pieces.

"Wh-What?! H-Hate it?!"

"To be completely honest…I don't really get the point of this book. It seems it has something to say, but…there's nothing. And then the title. "The Cheerful Liar and The Innocent Snob". You could make a better story in your head with a title like that."

"Oh, really?" I asked.

"I mean, yes…people do say "Not every story needs a message. Some just exist to entertain." But honestly, this one failed at that. It isn't funny when it wants to be and it's not as engaging, either. The titular characters were rather irritating. Made me want to metaphorically shake my fist at times. It was a real drag to read through."

"A drag to read, huh?"

"At one point their friendship shambles because the liar is a liar, and they get back together. And you know basically know that's gonna happen from the start. It's common knowledge that the 'liar revealed' trope is rather cliché and doesn't get subverted enough to keep things fresh."

"Cliché?"

"All and all, it could've used a little more work. It's not bad. I mean, I've read worse than this. But I've also read better. If I have to give it a score, I'd give it a…4/10."

"W-Wow. 4/10…" Arle said.

"That's really low." Ally added.

"I'm actually being nice about this. Most people I know would've given this a flat out 1/10. And even I couldn't do that."

"I see."

"Well, now..." I said. "You seem to know what you're talking about. And just who are you, smartass?"

"Mom!" Ami yelled at me.

"What? I'm just saying. She "seems" like an expert. What nerdy elite college did you go to, huh?"

"Wh-What?" The girl was confused.

"Mom! Shut up!"

"What? You're seriously siding with her, Ami?"

"Melody, you are a grown adult woman arguing with a teenager. Act your age, KUMA!" Akuma then scolded me.

"Ugh. Fine."

"Sorry about my mom." Ami said to the girl. "She's known for saying whatever comes to mind without thinking."

"It's fine. I should really apologize, as well. I kinda went a little overboard with that review."

"A little?"

"Mom…"

"Fine. I'll shut up."

"Still though, KUMA!" Akuma said. "You were detailed with your opinion of the book despite only reading it in one day, KUMA! How did you come up with such an opinion within a short amount of time, MA, KUMA?!"

"Oh, that? Well, I…"

"I'm back!" Raina cheered as she suddenly came back from the bathroom.

She was gone for that long?

"What's everyone talking about?" She then noticed the girl standing in front of us. And her eyes grew with excitement. "*gasp* Marvie!"

"Oh. Hello, Raina. I didn't expect to see you here."

"Huh?!" We all reacted.

"Wait, is SHE the friend you were talking about?!" Raffina asked her clone.

"Yep!" Raina then rushed up to hug the girl in pure joy. "Everyone! This is my best friend, Marvie!"

"Marvie?" We asked.

"W-Well, actually…my name's Marvett. Marvett Simmons."

"M-Marvett Simmons?!" Raffina asked.

"Y-You mean THE Marvett Simmons?!" Ally asked.

"So, you're just a kid."

"Oh, my God, Mom! Can you be any more insensitive?!" Ami yelled at me again.

"Who's Marvett Simmons?" Arle asked.

"Marvett Simmons is a world-renowned reviewer. Famous for being straight to the point with whatever she reviews. Whether it be movies, TV shows, anime, manga, and most recently, light novels."

"Wow. That's pretty cool."

"Yeah, I guess." Marvett said. "But I don't really care for all that fame and popularity. I just like to give out my opinion on things. To start conversations, basically."

"I see."

"So, uh, Marvett…how are you friends with someone like Raina?" Raffina asked.

"I actually ran into her while planning out my last review. She was…poking an acorn-looking frog for some reason."

"It was so cute and squishy. Poking it was so much fun. *giggle*" Raina added.

"Poor Dongurigaeru…" Raffina said to herself.

"Anyway…" Marvett continued. "When I first met her, she was kinda…peculiar to me. Not like anyone I've met before. You could say that she caught my interest that way."

"I get it." Ami said. "So, you interviewed Raina and you ended up becoming her friend?"

"That's it. She's a very nice girl. Really friendly, too. Although…a bit light in the head, as I've noticed."

"Wouldn't that be better than to be heavy-headed?" Raina asked.

"Um…I'm not sure if that's a thing, Raina."

"Oh~."

"And she's told us that you let her help you with your work. Is that true?" Ally asked.

"Well, I figured I could have a little help. And she seemed really interested, too. I mainly have her tag along to events such as this one, but…I was running a bit late today. I was lucky enough to run into her here, anyway."

"Yay! Glad you came, Marvie!" Raina cheered as she hugged this girl once again.

Geez. These girls are basically sucking up to this girl. Now I really rather be home sleeping than to be here.

"By the way, Melody. I really wasn't trying to offend you or anything. I actually admire you for becoming an author. It's just…this one could've been better."

"Tch. You really have guts for coming over here and criticizing a first-time author's published work, you nerdy little smart…"

*BANG*

"Ow! The hell, Ami?!"

"You know exactly why the hell. Behave yourself, damnit." Ami said after slamming my hand hard with her own.

"If I can offer some advice, Melody…"

Oh, great! Cause I can DEFINITELY listen to a teenager telling me how my writing is total crap all day! I have all the damn time in the world!

"…I know this great author that you can get some pointers on. Her name is Rose Field and she just started writing shortly before you did. Her first story "Puyo Lovers" is a smash hit online. Maybe you ask her for some tips."

S-Seriously?! This girl is REALLY pissing me off!

"Why the hell would I do that when Rose Field is ME, you little…" I then covered my mouth in a quick panic. Realizing what I had just said.

And how I just screwed myself over.

"Rose Field?"

"What's THAT about, Mom?" Raffina and Ami asked me.

"Uh…"

"Really? You're Rose Field, as well?" Marvett asked. "It's kinda odd, now that I'm hearing this. You wrote such a masterpiece online. The deep bond Amy and Raffine have for each other. The sweet passionate love they show as they cuddle up and fondle each other. And the boinking scene wasn't forced at all. I could really sense the love in all of their actions. And it was quite steamy, as well."

"The steaminess was the best part." Ally whispered to Arle.

"I know. It even had me feeling hot."

Now is not the time for you two to be saying that!

"That story…" Ami said.

"It sounds a lot like…" Raffina added.

…

…

…

…

"Mom…"

"Melody…" Both girls then turned to me with pissed off looks on their faces.

"Tch!" I began to panic. "W-Well, you really expected that I wouldn't do anything with it? I-It was really good and I wanted others to see it."

"And so, you PUT IT ONLINE?!"

"W-Well, it was easier than to do it physically. And besides…no one's going to figure out that it's based on my daughter and her girlfriend."

"You based it on your daughter?" Marvett asked.

Tch! Me and my big mouth!

"Mom…"

"Melody…"

"I FREAKING HATE YOU!" Both girls had shouted at me greatly as they each threw a copy of my book at me. The both of them then left the building in a maxed-out rage. Leaving me with a big bruise on my head.

"Ow…" I said as I slowly got up.

"U-Uh oh. I think I went overboard again." Marvett said.

"No f****** sh*t, Sherlock."

Author's Note: Another new character added to this merger. Also planned for a good while.

Marvett is, you guessed it, a character from Puyo Quest. With so many of them (most of them original) that will most likely appear once in this entire series and have very little descriptions of their personality, it's just easy pickings to just take a few and expand on some of these.

Plus, I'm sometimes too lazy to think of a character from scratch. So, there's that.

Marvett's review was written by a friend of mine who I won't name (pretty sure he wouldn't want to be named, anyway) since he's more experienced with it than I am. He was a great help.

Another original chapter is coming up soon. And it ties to a certain spin-off of this story that I really enjoy. And I didn't even write it. Thank for reading. Later.