Aki Tomoya bowed at a 90-degree angle.
Yukima Azuma narrowed his eyes.
This kid, he's even more shameless than I imagined.
Chapter 30: Aki Tomoya: Everything is 'Smooth Sailing'
The name of the creator of the game had been deliberately hidden by Yukima Azuma in a corner of the game's settings.
Almost no one noticed it within the game.
Aki Tomoya wasn't particularly enthusiastic about match-3 type games either.
"You've investigated me, haven't you?"
Yukima Azuma concluded.
Upon hearing this, Aki Tomoya fell silent for a moment.
He had definitely done his research.
During the spring break, Aki Tomoya met the main girl he was infatuated with.
Although he didn't understand why, his bicycle suddenly lost control and veered off course.
But the feeling from that moment had deeply embedded itself in his mind.
Creating the greatest visual novel game, recreating that moment when his heart fluttered, and developing the best heroine.
Aki Tomoya was willing to do anything to make this happen.
And to create the game, he needed support.
The script and images were already being thought of.
Perhaps the music could be handled by someone else.
But programming was the major issue.
Though he could outsource it, Aki Tomoya didn't have enough money to pay a programmer.
So, Aki Tomoya could only target "people he knew."
Compared to discovering the name of the game creator in the settings, searching through the student records in the class list was far easier.
Because of this, Yukima Azuma felt that Aki Tomoya's shamelessness was beyond imagination.
"Since you've investigated my profile, you must already know."
"Aside from being the creator of the game, I'm also a professional shogi player."
"Though information about official tournaments isn't that prominent, it's still news. It's certainly easier to look up than student records in the class list."
"So, you want me to take time away from my shogi career to help you program a game?"
"On what basis? Just because you say so? Or do you have a reasonable salary offer?"
"Aki Tomoya, you really are an extremely selfish person. It's disgusting."
Yukima Azuma's words were unrelenting, somewhat different from his usual style.
In fact, the last sentence wasn't fully expressed.
"You are indeed an extremely selfish person, but sorry, I'm the same. So you disgust me."
That was the exact way he intended to say it.
Yukima Azuma was actually an even more extreme selfish person than Aki Tomoya.
The two had conflicting interests.
Therefore, Yukima Azuma despised the person in front of him intensely.
Aki Tomoya was left speechless, his face practically showing no way to hide his embarrassment.
Tsk, honestly.
If it had been someone else, they would have definitely covered their face and run away.
But Aki Tomoya's face wasn't any less shameless than his actions.
Seeing that Aki Tomoya was still stammering and unable to speak, Yukima Azuma lost interest in continuing to waste time with him.
He decided to walk around Aki Tomoya and prepare to leave.
Just as they were about to pass each other, Aki Tomoya, as if grabbing a lifeline, suddenly shouted:
"We can split the profits! The game we create will definitely sell well, and by then, the share of the revenue will be enough to pay you, Yukima-kun, right?"
At this point, Yukima Azuma only found it laughable.
How many people are in the game industry?
How many games are released worldwide every year?
And out of those, how many can actually be considered 'best-selling'?
A game made by a school club is definitely going to be a big hit?
Even miHoYo wouldn't dare to exaggerate like this.
Seeing that Yukima Azuma had no intention of stopping, Aki Tomoya had to reveal his final trump card.
"What I'm saying isn't a fantasy! The script for the game will be handled by 'Kasumi-sensei.'"
"She's the genius light novel author who wrote The Metronome in Love."
"And the visuals will be done by 'Kashiwagi Eri-sensei!'"
"With these two backing us, our game club will definitely succeed!"
Yukima Azuma stopped.
Seeing this, Aki Tomoya felt hope.
He began to talk more about the game's prospects, thinking that he had convinced him.
However, he didn't notice the cold smile slowly forming on Yukima Azuma's face as they passed each other.
"Sorry, let me confirm again, you said that 'Kasumi-sensei' and 'Kashiwagi Eri-sensei' have already joined your club, right?"
Yukima Azuma's tone had become calm, no longer as cold as before.
"Yes!"
Aki Tomoya nodded without hesitation.
Yukima Azuma turned back, resting his chin on his hand as if deep in thought.
"Hmm, you convinced me. I'll join. Be sure to call me when there are club activities."
After two seconds, Yukima Azuma gave this response.
Then, he waved goodbye and left Toyosaki.
...
Looking at Yukima Azuma leave, Aki Tomoya clenched his fists.
Everything is "going smoothly!"
He calculated the time and then made his way to the clubroom at the back of the school building.
At this point, quite some time had passed after school ended.
Most of the clubs had dispersed.
This included the art club.
In front of the shoe cabinet, Eriri was changing her shoes alone.
"Eriri!"
Aki Tomoya called out to the blonde girl with two braids.
Eriri stiffened at the sound.
Then, she frowned and turned to look at Aki Tomoya.
"Haven't I told you already? Don't talk to me at school!"
After witnessing Aki Tomoya's self-sabotaging introduction in the morning class, Eriri immediately sent a warning message to him on Line. She absolutely didn't allow him to speak to her at school.
"Ah, I forgot, but I have something important to tell you."
Aki Tomoya scratched his head.
Upon hearing this, Eriri took a cautious step back.
"Anyway, just take a look at this first!"
Aki Tomoya handed a stack of papers to Eriri.
Having been friends since elementary school, Eriri took the papers.
The first page: "Flash Girl Plan!"
The second page: "Create the greatest galgame!"
The third page: Blank.
Flipping through a few more pages, the result remained the same.
Eriri looked at the papers with a "Are you kidding me?" expression, then glanced back at Aki Tomoya.
"Huh?"
— — — — — — — — — — —
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Chapter 31: Yes, I Am Jealous
"Huh? Show me what this means?"
Eriri furrowed her brows.
"This is a plan! Let's create the greatest galgame together!" Aki Tomoya said excitedly.
"In the end, how did you come up with such a ridiculous and stupid idea? Please, tell me," Eriri said.
"Very good! Last week, I met the fated heroine, just like the opening scene of an anime, the intro to a game."
"Oh, then why don't you go find her and confess to her?"
"Huh? Do I have to confess to someone in the real world?"
Eriri felt a sharp pain in her head.
The person in front of her had always had a very twisted way of thinking.
Perhaps that's why something happened when they were kids.
If it weren't for Yukima, maybe she would still be...
But then, after reconsidering, Eriri felt even more troubled.
"So what? What good is it for you to drag me into your little fantasy?"
"Because among the people I know, only you, Eriri, could be the artist for this game!"
"Even if you say that," Eriri pointed to the plan with just two lines of text. "How could we make a game with something like this?"
"A... this..." Aki Tomoya fumbled.
He certainly knew this pile of paper couldn't be called a plan, and in fact, there was nothing to argue about.
Aki Tomoya thought for a long time, then finally tried to force the words out of his mouth.
"As long as there's passion, we'll definitely make it, right? This plan, only I can complete it!"
Upon hearing this, Eriri didn't say a word. She immediately crumpled the "plan" in her hand into a ball.
With a dramatic cry from Aki Tomoya, she threw it forcefully at his head.
"A meaningless idea. I'm leaving."
"Don't! I'll definitely come up with a proper plan by the end of this week!"
"And our team is ready, we just need you, Eriri, to be the artist!"
"Kasumi-sensei is doing the script, Yukima is doing the programming, and with you doing the art, we can definitely make this game!"
Eriri's feet stopped.
Of course, it wasn't because she believed Aki Tomoya's promise about the game plan.
It was just because she heard Yukima Azuma's name.
If she joined the club with him...
Her chances of meeting him would increase.
Maybe the feeling could be healed.
"Fine, since you said so, I'll reluctantly join. But if there's no game plan by the end of this week, I'm out," Eriri said, with a slight reluctance.
.....
On the other side, Yukima Azuma had arrived back at his apartment.
He opened the door and saw the small shoes of Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Both of them were members of the "Go home" club.
Since there was no one to stop them after school, Utaha naturally arrived home earlier than Yukima.
"I'm home," Yukima greeted as usual.
"Welcome home," Kasumigaoka Utaha responded, sitting leisurely in the living room with her legs crossed. Her long legs, adorned with black stockings, gently swayed, and the white slippers she wore lightly wobbled back and forth.
"Let's have seafood porridge tonight. Senpai, come here and help me prepare the ingredients. Oh, there's something I want to ask you," Yukima said, getting straight to the point.
This was Yukima Azuma's way of workingdirect and efficient.
When in doubt, the first thing to do is to seek the truth, not to create unnecessary negative thoughts.
If there's something to ask, ask clearly, don't let personal emotions lead the way, and don't jump to conclusions based on subjective feelings.
And even if anger flares up, he would never let it show until the truth is revealed.
He would also never lash out at the people around him or take his frustrations out on unrelated matters because of his personal feelings.
No one is obligated to bear the unnecessary gloom of someone else.
Not even those who love you the most.
If Yukima Azuma had returned today and appeared tense, with an angry expression, shouting at Kasumigaoka Utaha and losing control of his emotions, even though Kasumigaoka Utaha wouldn't know what was going on, she would certainly try to comfort him.
Perhaps later, they would realize it was all a misunderstanding, resolve the conflict, and make up.
But doing that would certainly harm Kasumigaoka Utaha's emotional well-being.
Yukima Azuma would never do that.
He skillfully used a knife to cut a North Atlantic lobster in half.
Yukima Azuma expertly removed the lobster's intestine, peeled off the shell, and placed it on a plate to set aside.
Kasumigaoka Utaha stood beside him, rinsing the rice for Yukima Azuma, assisting him.
"Senpai, today Aki Tomoya invited you to join his club, and you agreed, right?"
Yukima Azuma asked with a casual tone.
Kasumigaoka Utaha paused for a moment.
She looked at Yukima Azuma.
"It's true, Aki-kun came to find me during lunch break and invited me to join his game club," she replied.
Yukima Azuma nodded.
"So, although it seems a bit out of line, why did you agree to join?"
"Aki Tomoya's plan is terrible, and the club he mentioned seems like a waste of time," she said.
"With your personality, I figured you wouldn't get involved in such nonsense."
Kasumigaoka Utaha placed the ingredients down and grabbed a paper towel to wipe her hands.
Then, she grabbed Yukima Azuma's hands, stopping his actions, and set the knife aside.
Next, she cupped Yukima Azuma's face with both hands, forcing him to look directly at her.
"So, is your ex-boyfriend-kun jealous, actually?" she teased, grinning mischievously.
Yukima Azuma stared into Kasumigaoka Utaha's bright red eyes.
He could see the affection in her gaze, slowly spreading like warmth.
"Yeah, it feels awful, I'm so angry I can barely breathe, I almost cried," Yukima Azuma admitted calmly.
Kasumigaoka Utaha blinked in surprise, then gently held his face.
'What's this? Didn't this change nothing?'
Since their reunion, Yukima Azuma's overly mature actions and demeanor had always made Kasumigaoka Utaha feel uneasy.
She felt that the foolish, childish boy who would get jealous for her, making her heart flutter, had completely disappeared.
But now, looking back, it seemed like that boy had simply grown up.
— — — — — — — — — — —
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Chapter 32: Let Aki Tomoya Die
Kasumigaoka Utaha pinched Yukima Azuma's face.
Inside, it felt as if she had just taken a bite of sweet honey, a delightful sensation that spread from her heart to the tips of her fingers and toes.
'Really, all that worry before was completely unnecessary.'
She told herself.
Yukima Azuma tilted his head and looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha in confusion.
Kasumigaoka Utaha immediately melted at his gesture, the tilt of his head.
If this were in the past, she definitely would have hugged him tightly and given him a hard pinch on the cheek.
Although it might not be entirely appropriate now, Kasumigaoka Utaha still used both hands to gently hold his face, lightly massaging it.
Feeling sufficiently satisfied, she finally released her hands from Yukima Azuma.
She stared directly into his eyes.
With a serious expression, Kasumigaoka Utaha said:
"Such a club that's clearly untrustworthy, without any special reason, I will absolutely not join."
"Although I know Aki-kun, and he's helped me before, that's all."
"I might help him out of gratitude with some task, but writing the script for a game based on a plan that only has two lines? That's definitely not something I would do."
