Volume 3, Chapter 3 - Chiaki Hoshinomori and Pursuit of Excellence

Volume 3, Chapter 3 - Chiaki Hoshinomori and Pursuit of Excellence

Translator: your_pingas

Keita Amano

In the year 775 of the Kingdom’s calendar, the two countries that have been engulfed in constant wars for the domination on the continent of Gorugon, the Republic of Berufurau has signed a truce with the Baochishiu Empire.

In the dirty slums ruled by the soldiers disbanded from the Empire, a man who is destined to change the world was born from an emaciated prostitute.

His name is- “The Tasty Peony Cake Eater”-

“Wait!”

Uehara-kun and I yelled, then the seaweed-haired girl - Chiaki Hoshinomori raised her head from the printed paper and before expressing her confusion with a “Hmm?”

“But, my new game’s synopsis is still in its prologue, what’s wrong…?”

“Um, it’s not what’s wrong, something is clearly very wrong.”

I suppressed myself from scolding at Chiaki while urging her to re-think this whole story. Chiaki only tilted her head dumbfoundedly, followed by another “Hmm?” before reading the paper for a few seconds and giving us a look of sudden realization.

Uehara-kun and I pressed our chests as a sign of relief. “Right, at least she knows what’s the problem here. That’s good.” Chiaki then sincerely thanked us.

“Yes, there’re problems! It would be funnier if I changed the year to 776 of the Kingdom’s calendar.”

“It’s not that!”

Uehara-kun and I yelled at her at the top of our voices…This legendary creator is still tilting her head to express her confusion.

The two boys looked at each other and let out a big sigh.

It’s after school on a typical day. The scheduled 3-players meeting of the Game Hobby Club Is still ongoing at the corner of the classroom. While this is a good thing, the development of this plot is certainly raising our eyebrows.

The reason for this is that at the start of the meeting, Chiaki, the game developer is already…

“E-Ehm, Uehara-kun…and also Keita. If it’s possible, can you please comment on the concept of my new game!” She approached us.

Honestly, the Game Hobby Club’s activity consists of Chiaki and me yelling at each other with our different ideas towards gaming. While it’s rare for her to find a legit topic, the problem is…

“We peasants can never understand what the mindset of this creator is.”

Uehara-kun and I deeply realized this to the heart now.

Honestly, I neither have heard the name of the game from Chiaki nor have I played the games she made as well. But then, Chiaki has always leaked some of the ideas during the meeting every time.

Uehara-kun and I didn’t understand her whimsical concepts at all, so it’s hard for us to give comments on her game development process.

“It’s not easy to grasp how much we should intervene in her development.”

I usually just say what I wanted to say and then falling into an argument with her. Even so, I will more or less become cautious when it comes to commenting on her creations. It’s not just games, most of the productions are like this, right? Something that looks like a kid’s doodle could be a famous artwork that worth billions. It’s not that uncommon.

What I fear is that rare talents are wasted by pedestrian comments coming from an average guy, even if the comments are for my rival, Chiaki.

But then, regarding Chiaki’s concept for her new game, she seems to hope that her work can be enjoyed by the general audience, so she requested us to point out any problems that she had.

If she’s putting it this way, we thought that maybe the setting the game will be less eccentric. In reality, we can tell that it’s going to be a fantastical story with solid content, even a bit pumped up by the plot, but then…

A few seconds after the debut and it went wrong wholly.

Uehara-kun smacked his desk and screamed at her, who are seemingly oblivious to what we are talking about.

“Hoshinomori! Are you really trying to generalize your game!?”

“Y-Yes! Of course! That’s why I have an intricate yet fantastical world setting in mind!”

“None of this was intricate! Everything went wrong all of a sudden! What’s your thought process when you are coming up with the protagonist’s name?! “Peony Cake Eater” is the worst name I have ever heard!”

“You’re wrong, Uehara-kun. “The Tasty Peony Cake Eater” is the correct answer.”

“It’s the same! The setting just suddenly went rogue!”

“Eh? B-But then, I did an explanation to link the plot together.”

“What!? Where!?”

Although Chiaki is acting sheepishly, she somehow retorted to Uehara-kun. She’s scared, but she didn’t step back and proposed: “T-There is…” before continuing.

“Didn’t I tell you at the start? He is “a man who’s destined to change the world,” right?”

“You mean he changed the world with his name!?”

The sudden truth baffled us. Chiaki nodded her head furiously while she continued.

“H-He got an unusual name, and it’s up to the government staff whether to accept a name like this. Will the freedom of name changing, the bureaucratic culture of the Empire, and the policies surrounding names drastically change from this one action? This is one of the questions that this game dives into!”

“Eh? What about the war between them and the Republic? Who gets to dominate the continent?”

“Eh? Those are just background information in the detailed world setting. Is there a problem?”

Uehara-kun and I feel speechless. This is the problem, this has always been the issue with creators that focuses on individuality. There’s no way for ordinary people like us to give feedback. At this stage, isn’t it pointless to dig into the details? She had already completed the whole story in her brain, this is not something we can comment on, right?

Chiaki looked at our reaction sheepishly while asking, “C-Can I continue?” We nodded our heads silently, she cleared her throat before speaking again.

“Then, allow me to re-introduce. After the prologue is over, the main story starts here. Basically, the game is going to be an RPG.”

“Eh? That’s surprising. I thought this was going to be a strategy game or an interactive fiction based on what you’ve said about the whole changing-the-policy thing…”

“No, that’s incorrect. Ehm, this is a game where “The Tasty Peony Cake Eater,” abbreviated as “Peony Eater” to assassinate everyone working in the town hall, one by one.”

“That’s a dirty trick for a guy with a name like this.”

“During this time, the policy of the town hall will change gradually based on the type of staff he defeated.”

Uehara-kun seems to have realized what Chiaki is saying and nodded.

“So your design is, the reforming faction will gain more influence when you defeat a conservative staff, and the same goes for the conservatives as well?”

“No, no, no, that’s not right.”

“Huh?”

Uehara-kun gave a solid remark based on the game’s content, and Chiaki immediately denied his answer. She continued as we froze in place.

“He will murder the staff cruelly based on his/her personality. For example, he will shove a bunch of peony cakes in the mouth of a staff that hates red beans paste until he chokes to death. People will then began to question the Empire’s punishment policies.”

“What about that whole name policy thing!?”

The goal of the game changed again, we can’t help but look at her helplessly. However, Chiaki doesn’t seem to realize what we are complaining about and asked us back dazedly.

“What’s that name policy thing you were talking about?”

“I can’t believe you’re the one who asked this! What about the goal of getting the staff to accept that weird name?! When did this turn into Assassin’s Creed with Altair becoming a strange serial killer!?”

“Alright, alright! Hey, Ms Hoshinomori! You were the guy who wanted to generalize your game!”

“T-That’s why I wanted to discuss with you and the dwarf winter melon. I wanted to know how I should adjust the game to make this popular!”

“YOU SHOULD RE-MAKE THE ENTIRE GAME!”

Uehara-kun and I yelled at the top of our lungs. However, for some reason, Chiaki seems to have taken that as a joke and gave us a “Haha, don’t give me that” look. In a sense, this guy is lonelier and way more twisted than I do! I should’ve seen this coming!

Chiaki just said, “Well, I’m continuing.” Although we would like to file a hundred complaints right now, but then there will be too much for us to cover if we are going to pick on her game.

So, we looked at each other again before nodding and swallowed all of our comments and listen to her.

Chiaki doesn’t seem to have realized our solemn and stirring determination. She promptly continued.

“Then comes to the experience-gaining part. This part follows the traditional RPG route. You can rob the staff’s cash after killing them while raising your murdering abilities.”

“Chiaki, do you know what “traditional” means?”

“Keita, you’re annoying. To put it simply, you can get money and XP from them.”

“Then why don’t you just say this at the start?!”

“But then, I think a good game should bring individuality to the unit of the in-game currency.”

“I guess I can understand that…Right, what’s the currency for this game?”

“Good question, Keita. The currency will be…”

Uehara-kun and I saw Chiaki smiling mischievously, and we’re like, “Here she goes, again.” We bet that she’s trying to say something controversial. If we had to guess, based on the fact that the name of the protagonist and the way of murdering people consists of “peony cakes,” I think it’s something related to red beans-

“G R E E N P E A S!”

“You should be using red beans!”

We were shocked by the baffling setting of the currency.

“The name of the protagonist is based on peony cakes, and yet the currency unit isn’t red beans! N-No, not to mention red beans, are you trying to prank other people by using different types of peas?! Chiaki, you did this on purpose! Just use red beans!”

“R-Really? Red beans…”

Chiaki mumbled before looking down upon us.

“But then if the currency unit is called “red beans,” don’t you think that doesn’t match with the setting of the world?”

“You’re not saying that until now?!”

“Think about it this way, GREEN PEAS can be shortened as GP, isn’t that awesome?”

“…Oh, really?”

We lost the energy to complain after seeing her being so confident.

For some reason, Chiaki seems to have interpreted our reaction as “Ha! I got you two now!” before explaining the game mechanics even more confidently.

“Then, it’s time for the most crucial part, the game mechanics. I plan to implement a traditional turn-based system here.”

The “traditional” coming from her mouth sounds so distant to us. Even so, there’s not much ground-breaking potential for a turn-based system. So, Uehara-kun and I just heard what she had to say casually-

“The protagonist will attack from behind the enemy lines at night with his weapon, and then purges the enemy in a one-sided bloodfest with an “Endless My Turn System”…or EMTS for short. I’m putting that in the game.”

“Don’t.”

Uehara-kun and I instantly tried to turn her down. Chiaki then titled her head and gave us another “Hmm?”

“But then, this is a super fun combat system where you can enjoy the feeling of invincibility…”

“That’s not even combating anymore. That’s merely killing people!”

Uehara-kun yelled furiously, but then Chiaki didn’t give up.

“But then, it’s always going to be a one-sided slaughter when an armed character is attacking ordinary people with basically zero strength, they have no hope of struggling…right?”

“Why are you giving me a look of “why can’t you two have some common sense!” Who cares about you! Why are you only making that part realistic!? You should be going after whether the game Is fun or not!”

“Eh, if we can ignore the authenticity part, I will design the image of the enemy staff as clumps of meat with a bunch of eyeballs and tentacles on them…”

“Why are you doing that!? Does authenticity sound the same as sanity to you? I’m asking you to widen the setting based on the situation!”

“Oh, I get it. Then why don’t we make a compromise? The enemies can attack as well…and the reason for that is because they have eyes behind their necks, so it’s hard to sneak up on them, that should do it.”

“The sanity’s even lower! It’s like when aliens invaded when you’re going on your daily life! I-It’s just a game, why can’t you just let them combat normally!?”

I paused Uehara-kun with a bright look on my face.

“Wait, Uehara-kun. I feel like you shouldn’t use nukes-graded logic like “it’s just a game” casually.”

“Huh? Hey, Amano, which side are you on…?”

“Keita’s right. Uehara-kun, the game will be more immersive to players if you can explain subtle details like why a pack of medicine can cure wounds immediately.”

“Eh? Um, I don’t really care about that…”

“No, I do think you care. For example, if the game as a revival item, don’t you feel bored If the starring characters died accordingly to the plot? Like, “Bruh, why can’t you guys just revive him?”, right?”

“Hmm…I-I guess you’re right. Can’t say that I haven’t…”

“See?”

Chiaki and I gave him a proud smile. Uehara-kun stared at us for a few seconds before he seems fed up and yelled at us.

“YOU DAMN OTAKUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUS!”

“That’s rude!”

Chiaki and I screamed innocently. We started arguing with each other for a couple minutes.

“…Phew.”

When we were tried, we picked up from where we left off after we calmed down and brought the topic back to Chiaki’s new game.

Chiaki cleared her throat after grabbing her paper again.

“Then, moving onto the plot development after the prologue…”

“Right, you haven’t mentioned, where Peony Eater will end up going?”

Uehara-kun asked, and Chiaki confidently answered: “That’s a good question.”

“I think you guys should know from the clues already, this story’s selling point is with its dark and detailed setting as the opening, but it won’t go deeper and deeper. Instead, there will be plot twist after plot twist.”

“There’s already a few since the prologue…”

I stated my opinion. “That’s right!” Chiaki seemed to have interpreted it as a positive comment, so she continued.

“So, the plot will advance shockingly, it’s hard to even try to sum it up simply. I’m sorry, just when the plot has finally gained your interest.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Although Uehara-kun and I acted like we don’t mind, I didn’t want to dive deep into a story that will lower my sanity at the start.

“Peony Eater will get an unexpected ending, anyway.”

Uehara-kun and I prepared ourselves mentally. To be honest, I’m getting used to Chiaki’s jumping tone. Why do I feel that? Is it because I have played similar games before…?

“I can spoil the ending.”

I snapped back to reality when Chiaki started to talk.

Just when Uehara-kun and I imagined the surprise ending of Peony Eater and waited for her answer caringly.

Chiaki, who already can’t her excitement, told us the ending of the game.

“After a long battle, the Galactic Federation has finally defeated “Waltex,” the invading evil lord.”

“Where’s Peony Eater!?”

Uehara-kun and I screamed upon getting the ending. I think the entire high school heard it.

Chiaki tilted her head before giving us another “Hmm?”

“Peony…Eater?”

“Why are you acting like you heard that name for the first time!? Chiaki! That’s bullshit, no matter how you put it! This far exceeds our imagination, we are freaking out at this point!”

“Right!” Chiaki gave us a smug look.

“Amano is not even praising you! When did Peony Eater join that Galactic Federation thing!?”

“What are you talking about, Uehara-kun? No person with such a weird name exists in the Federation.”

“What are you talking about? Where did Peony Eater go then!?”

“Peony…Peony…Eater?”

“How can you forget the name of your protagonist!? Are you one of those female main characters with amnesia that forgets your friends every few seconds!? Are you cursed!?”

“…Oh, ooh! Right! I was still wondering what you guys were talking about. Yes, Peony Eater exists! I’m feeling quite surprised, you know, he’s only in the prologue of the prologue and would become irrelevant for the remaining 99% of the plot, after all.”

“PEONY EATER IS IRREVALENT EARLY ON!?”

We freaked out upon the reveal of the truth. Chiaki continued with a smile on her face.

“Yeah, that’s right. By the way, isn’t Peony Eater a strange name? It’s weird now that I’m thinking it. Hehe, I guess I don’t take naming seriously.”

“Apologize to Peony Eater!”

“Eh!?”

Chiaki doesn’t seem to understand why Uehara-kun and I were so furious at all. W-We don’t know why we are mad either. But, Peony Eater’s fate was such a tragic one. We were already in tears as we tried to fight for a better position in the plot for him.

“Chiaki! Give more love to Peony Eater! I beg you!”

“Hoshinomori! I’m begging you as well! Let Peony Eater…Let “The Tasty Peony Cake Eater” become a strong man!”

“W-What’s wrong with you two!? It feels disgusting to have that many feelings towards a random villager that disappears as soon as he appears!”

“Give Peony Eater a bit more hope!”

“What was that!? Are you two really giving me helpful suggestions?”

“Are you even taking your game seriously!?”

The scene fell into chaos again. This feels weird, the Game Hobby Club should function just like the student council in the next school. We are supposed to mess with each other and have fun, while we are messing with each other, something doesn’t feel quite right. Ehm, I’m not that familiar with what’s going on in Hekiyou anyways.

We argued over the Peony Eater incident for a while-

When we spent all our energy once again, to the point that we can’t discuss with each other anymore, Uehara-kun suddenly looked at the door of the classroom and said:

“Oh! Hey, Tendou!”

“Eh?”

Chiaki and I looked in the same direction. Then, right there, we can see a cute blonde girl who felt anxious for reasons unknown, coming from the door.

She, the student that ranks above the entire school – Karen Tendou, fiddled with her hair gently before she continued.

“Hi…I just happened to pass by, and so I “slightly” checked out what’s happening here.”

Tendou-san explained before we even said anything.

Uehara-kun gave her a mischievous grin and said, “Oh, right.” Then, he waved at her as if he got a good idea.

“I’m halfway through my Game Club activity…”

Tendou-san stepped into the classroom obediently as she said that. After she took a seat, Uehara-kun robbed the paper that Chiaki is holding and passed it to Tendou-san.

Although Chiaki complained embarrassingly, Uehara-kun continued.

“Can you read that and give her some feedback? It’s the concept of Hoshinomori’s new game.”

“Hoshinomori-san wrote this?”

Tendou-san looked at Chiaki. She stared at the ground embarrassingly before giving her a nod. Tendou-san gave her a warm smile.

“That’s great. I really wanted to help…But, I’m not a game developer, so I don’t know if I can help you with that…”

Tendou-san is incredible, being able to come up with a sophisticated reply like this. Chiaki got her courage out of this gentleness and nodded her head vigorously before answering.

“P-P-P-Please! I-I really wanted to receive feedback from a serious person like Tendou-san!”

“Hey!”

Tendou-san ignored our complaint, even giving Chiaki a bright smile back.

“Oh, thank you. I’m starting now.”

Tendou-san started reading the paper. Then, in front of Chiaki, who’s shivering from her excitement and hope, Tendou-san…

“Ehm, the more she read this, the more awkward she feels…!”

Although Tendou-san still has the perfect customary smile plastered on her face, maybe it’s because we are in front of Chiaki, after all…we immediately knew what she is thinking. But then, she is still superior to us. Tendou-san proceeded to probe Chiaki euphemistically while she’s in the middle of the reading.

“H-Hoshinomori-san? Is this…Is this an out-of-season April Fool’s joke…?”

“No! I’m serious! I wanted to give everything I got to create this game!”

“O-Oh, I got it…”

“So, I wanted to hear what Tendou-san has to say to make this popular!”

“R-Really…”

Uehara-kun and I looked at Tendou-san’s face that is full of embarrassment, we can’t help but feel guilty. We felt terrible for her, really. A person that is not that close to her just made something awkward and is now asking her to give comments…that’s the worst situation possible!

Just when Uehara-kun’s face is wrinkled together when he is guilty of not thinking about this ahead.

Tendou-san managed to finish reading the paper and looked at Chiaki, who’s smiling excitedly and waiting for feedback – and I’m afraid she’s looking for a positive one, before giving her a smile.

“The content is really intriguing. This is a fascinating work full of originality and creativity…I look forward to your diligence and pursuit of excellence in your next game!”

“Holy shit you killed her gently and subtly dude ────────────!”

Tendou-san tried! She gave it her all! That comment was like something I’ve heard from the internet when the editor got a boring draft from the writer, I can’t believe Tendou-san have the courage to say that in front of Chiaki!

Uehara-kun and I throbbed at Tendou-san’s response. It suited her style perfectly. She is still shivering dazedly after giving that comment. As for Chiaki who just heard that-

“I…I’m excited! I never thought I will be thoroughly praised like this! I will give it everything I got!”

“SHE DOESN’T GET IT AT ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!”

Her unexpected optimism freaked us out.

Tendou-san ran out of options, she can’t help her anymore. She gave Chiaki a pale smile before returning the script to her. “Farewell, everyone.” She turned around and said.

Then, while Chiaki is happily reading her text, Tendou-san…mumbled silently to the point where only Uehara-kun and I heard her.

“…I’m sorry.”

“We should be the one to say that!”

We looked at Tendou-san, who’s still shivering while running away before apologizing to her loudly in our hearts. We’re really sorry! We meant that, Tendou-san!

After that, Chiaki, who’s still oblivious to what’s happening, gave us a proud smile.

“Hm-mmm, how’s that? Did you two see that? I found someone who’s truly appreciating my game!”

“You…!”

How should I describe this emotion that’s erupting in both Uehara-kun’s and my heart? Oh, it’s like watching those light novels that sold well only because they had a good illustrator, something like that, I guess.

Honestly, I really wanted to tell Chiaki, and I don’t care whether I will destroy her will to live or not.

Your game sucks even worse than the broken vacuum cleaner in my room.

I really wanted to tell her no matter what! But then, there’s no way for Uehara-kun and me to do that. Since…that would entirely invalidate Tendou-san’s solemn and stirring effort! She is being so considerate towards Chiaki to the point that she just took all the bullets for her!

Just as we are biting our teeth out of our sheer frustrations, Chiaki continued proudly.

“Come to think of it, while Keita and Uehara-kun did complain a lot, you two never said that it was boring. I get it now. While I certainly hate moe characters, but this is what they call tsundere, right?”

“…!”

Uehara-kun and I were biting our lips to the point that they’re about to bleed!

This…This doesn’t make any sense! Just because the creator is sensitive and talented, does that mean ordinary people like us can’t say what we wanted to!? Is this the society we’re living in!?

So, Uehara-kun and I tried our best to suppress our anger that Is about to erupt furiously.

Chiaki’s paper was blown by the wind coming from the window of the classroom, and it fell onto the floor of the entrance.

“Oh.”

“Chiaki immediately stood up and went after the paper. But, the script beautifully slipped pass her hands, and it ended up on the hallway.

Uehara-kun and I stared at what she is doing, dumbfoundedly.

Chiaki is chasing the paper all the way to the door, she rested a bit on the wall. Meanwhile, the thing ended up landing next to a girl.

“Hmm? What’s this?”

The girl mumbled as she picked it up. Chiaki seems to have known the fact that a stranger picked up her script, so she hid at the corner of the wall to prevent the girl from noticing her, but Chiaki can’t see the girl either.

However, the girl’s face, with wheat-coloured skin and brightly coloured hair- she is Aguri-san, Uehara-kun’s girlfriend. We can see that clearly from the classroom.

To this unexpected situation that is about to unfold strangely, Uehara-kun and I held our breaths as we watch.

Aguri-san read the script, and then-

-She laughed hysterically and gave us her unbridled thoughts.

“This sucks! What kind of game is this even? This feels super boring!”

“OUR LORD IS HEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

Uehara-kun and I saw a depressed Chiaki slowly curling herself up near the wall. At the same time, we hugged each other tightly from the heart-throbbing development.

Suddenly, just as we are hugging each other to the point that actual homosexuals are ashamed of…I saw Uehara-kun’s girlfriend, which is Aguri-san looked towards us.

“…Oh.”

…Aguri-san, who lost all hopes of living, ran away with Chiaki’s script.

“W-WAIT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Uehara-kun and I immediately scrambled and ran after her. Chiaki is still curled up at the corner of the classroom, and mumbled to herself depressingly, “S-super boring…” Well, I guess it’s still too harsh for her even if this is just an accident.

“Oh, now is not the time to be worried about Chiaki. Aguri-san will scold at me if I don’t explain!”

After a series of hassle, the meeting of the Game Hobby Club ended spectacularly.

Two weeks later.

A couple days after the meeting of the Game Hobby Club, in the afternoon of a Sunday.

I’m just browsing aimlessly on the net when I suddenly found out that, NOBE, the game developer that I admire, has uploaded something new.

“Oh yeah!”

I immediately downloaded the game. The works of NOBE has always contained a distinctive individuality. To be honest, it’s not for everyone. But that’s why I liked his games, and feel like I’m one of his fans.

I started the game with high expectations. Let’s take a look at the title screen first.

“Galactic Federation vs Evil Invading Lord!”

“…Huh?”

I’m quite baffled. Um, while it still retained its individuality, I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere. Welp, maybe I am just imagining things.

After I clicked on “New Game”, the prologue started to roll.

“In the year 765 of the Kingdom’s calendar, the two countries that have been engulfed in constant wars for the domination on the continent of Gorugon, the Republic of Berufurau has signed a truce with the Baochishiu Empire.”

In the dirty slums ruled by the soldiers disbanded from the Empire, a man who is destined to change the world was born from an emaciated prostitute.

“Hmm?”

I felt like I saw this somewhere before. Still, I’ve always played a couple games at the same time, such ordinary plots like this are literally everywhere.

But then, I realized that according to my memory, the protagonist should have something odd within him…

“His name is, Glenn Andalusia.”

Looks like everything’s normal. Yep, it’s just my imagination, after all.

So, I started playing the game

It’s a really traditional turn-based RPG. The protagonist has to defeat the corrupted staff of the Empire to reform its government, he decided to sneak up on them before assassinating- or not. Glenn is an honourable knight that challenges the enemy directly and bring them to justice after every battle.

The world setting is very typical. The unit of currency is Gold, you gain XP and level after defeating the enemies, HP can be healed after using the medicine.

Although the setting widens as the plot advances, the main character is just going on his business, punish the evil and bringing them to justice. He joined the Galactic Federation, at last, it’s far from surprising.

In the end, the Federation defeated the evil lord, and everyone lived happily ever after. The story is quite wild, but the plot managed to keep up.

Um, how should I put it? Honestly…

“It’s your ordinary good game…”

I stared at the ending screen and froze. I-I guess it’s alright, NOBE sometimes did publish less ridiculous works, but he is really playing by the rules this time.

“…………”

I turned off the game and opened NOBE’s blog. After every playthrough, I will always give my feedback with the nickname Yama-san.

“Eh? Strange. There’s a new post on the blog.”

I read the post, it was about the obstacles he faced when creating the game. While the text is short, it did mention he received the help from two of his friends.

“Oh, that’s why…”

I was a genuine fan of NOBE. I really like the originality from this guy’s games, it’s like I am his believer.

Also, If we are talking about the quality of the game now, I feel like out of all the works of NOBE, this one ranks the top in terms of completeness.

Three heads are really better than one, after all. Trim out the fat, and you’ll get a game that everyone can play and love.

That’s not something that you can see every day. Also, NOBE just accepted the suggestions from his friends, I bet that he is a mature and outstanding person.

Even so, the game that I really like is after all…

I clicked on the comment sections. First, I wrote down my thoughts as I’ve always done: “This is interesting! It was full of content to the point that it surprised me!”

Then, after a moment of thinking, I decided to add one more sentence.

“…Alright.”

I added what I really felt about NOBE in one simple sentence.

The next day.

“I should’ve followed my heart!”

“What?”

We held the meeting of the Game Hobby Club as usual, and then Chiaki just announced this to us out of nowhere.

Uehara-kun and I just stared at each other.

“W-What’s going on? W-What’s wrong with Hoshinomori? I thought she followed our advice…”

“Yeah, w-what the hell? After Aguri-san trampled her game to the ground, Chiaki lost her pride completely and sincerely took our advice…”

But then, why did she just reverted back today?

This uneasy feeling is making us tremble, and Chiaki, who is feeling absolutely confident, loudly announced to Uehara-kun and me.

“I accidentally listened to your advice! But, this is a free game, not a commercial product, there’s nothing wrong for a creator to shove her preferences into her creation. Isn’t this the reason that made F2P games attractive to players!? I don’t have the strength to withstand you two’s temptation, that’s too weak of me!”

“Eh!?”

We felt unfair that she just criticized our comments.

“W-What’s that? Chiaki, is it because no one downloaded your game after you took our advice?””

“No, based on the latest data I have, the number of downloads is higher than all my previous games combined! People loved it! Honestly, I felt really proud of that!”

“See-“

“But!”

Chiaki interrupted us and stood up forcefully. She lowered her head for a while, then she gave us a bright smile before mumbling.

“But…But if I do that, I don’t think I can impress the guy that I really wanted to…”

“?”

I don’t understand what she is saying at all. So, I looked at Uehara-kun, but he just glanced at me and said, “Oh, is it because…””

I tilted my head, and then Chiaki cleared her throat before continuing.

“I made a small mistake. I just shovelled you two’s input into the game because I lost faith in myself…”

“What’s wrong with that?”

We gave her some pretty genuine suggestions, so we are baffled by her reasoning. Then, she answered sheepishly.

“Um, although I think that it’s good to accept other’s people advice…”

Chiaki paused for a moment, and then she continued with her eyes filled with determination.

“I shouldn’t blindly put all those into my game without consideration, that’s the least candid thing a creator could do. So, allow me to apologize to you two, I am really sorry about not utilizing your ideas to the fullest.”

She bowed and apologized to us.

“…………”

Uehara-kun and I lost words. We feel like the girl in front of us is much more mature than she seems.

“Y-You don’t need to do that!” We immediately responded.

In the next moment, when Chiaki gave us an embarrassing look, I looked away from her.

“Chiaki’s awesome..wait, w-where did I get that idea…”

I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to brush off the thought I just had.

Chiaki was confused at my reaction as she returned to her seat, and then she continued.

“Um, but, if you two are okay with it, please give me your suggestions for my next game…”

Chiaki seems embarrassed. It looks like she thought she pissed us off with her speech.

Uehara-kun and I looked at each other, we gave each other a bitter smile before we beamed Chiaki a bright one.

“Sure, don’t expect us to act kindly, though.”

“Okay! I’m ready for it!”

She patted her chest, followed by a few loud coughs.

While the boys just looked at her and laughed loudly-

Suddenly, for some reason, I remembered the quote I left for NOBE on his blog.

“I loved your games from the bottom of my heart, they really showed who you are. – Yama-san.”