"Don't be so hasty, Sawamura. Aki's dream has always been to become a full-time game developer."
"He's been preparing for it without showing much, and now he's found an opportunity to ignite his passion. As his friends, we should support him, not dampen his spirits."
Chisato smiles, examining the game proposal with a narrowed gaze.
The proposal is not just slightly inadequate; it's extremely immature and disorganized, making it hard to understand what kind of game Tomoya Aki wants to create.
The game's selling points: encounters and sparkling romances.
The game's plot direction: youthful, passionate, and touching.
The main characters' meeting: perfect and innocent, making viewers shy and tingling with excitement.
In short, the proposal gives little concrete information, except that the creator's emotions are very intense, judging by the numerous exclamation marks.
However, for a complete outsider, this level of detail is passable.
"You really understand me, Chisato! I'm seriously committed to making my first game. It's definitely not just a spur-of-the-moment decision like Eriri said!"
Tomoya Aki grabs Chisato's hand, deeply moved.
"Really, Suzumiya, your kindness means you always end up being used by Aki!"
Eriri pouts angrily, her attitude worsening towards those she cares about.
Chisato has long understood this and doesn't naively interpret her attitude as dislike for Tomoya Aki.
"I'm not kind. I'm not a particularly good person." Chisato calmly states the truth about the proposal, but neither of the two pays much attention.
"I just think Aki's idea is interesting. We've known each other since middle school, and we haven't had a collective activity yet, right?"
"My thought is that since youth is only once, experiencing it a bit more passionately like Aki is fine. Looking back at our efforts in youth will surely give us a different feeling."
"Ugh! My good friend… Really… The best thing I've ever done in my life is meeting you. Your words really touch my heart."
Tomoya Aki removes his thick glasses and wipes his eyes, quickly becoming emotional.
"Don't get too worked up. I'm interested in your game proposal and willing to help, but Eriri hasn't agreed yet."
Chisato maintains his warm smile, which doesn't make anyone wary of him.
His support for Tomoya Aki is not out of goodwill. He believes that Tomoya Aki's full immersion in game development will naturally reduce his contact with Eriri, which indirectly benefits him.
"Eriri, this concerns my dream. Please!"
Tomoya Aki makes a sincere plea with a dramatic bow.
Given that Eriri and Tomoya Aki grew up together and have feelings for each other, she might struggle with the request.
But Chisato underestimated Eriri's pride.
"No way. You can't recruit team members with such an unconvincing and childish proposal."
"Suzumiya might be a guy and could indulge you, but I don't have the time."
"Between studying, club activities, and the upcoming cultural festival and art exhibition, this is an important time for me."
"Please… don't say that, Eriri. Couldn't you reconsider? After all, you're the best character artist I know."
It's true that Chisato is also skilled in character drawing, but he's better with landscapes and still lifes, while Eriri focuses on different styles.
"…Hmph, so what?"
"I'll help with both the club and studying, so please help me this time."
"Your studying isn't much better than mine."
"At least my English is…"
"Shut up!"
English is a sore spot for Eriri. Despite her father being British, her English skills are poor, which is quite embarrassing.
Chisato looks at Tomoya Aki, who is kneeling on the floor, and can't offer much help.
"Sawamura, you know Aki's personality. If you don't agree, he probably won't give up easily. He'll keep looking for opportunities to ask you for help until you say yes."
"Right! Just as Chisato said, I won't give up that easily!"
"You don't need to say it with such pride!"
After Eriri scolds Tomoya Aki, she looks at the now subdued Tomoya Aki and then at Chisato, who is smiling.
She sighs, seeming resigned. "Alright, I understand. I'm not moved by your game proposal, but I think it would be a hassle to keep being pestered…"
[After Tomoya Aki's repeated pleas and your persuasive efforts, Eriri finally agrees to help Tomoya Aki with the game project.]
[Tomoya Aki's enthusiasm for the game leads him to start a club and quickly find other skilled people from school to help.]
[Everything progresses smoothly, but none of this matters to you. Your attention remains focused on the girl you think about day and night.]
[Two months pass, and as expected, Tomoya Aki, fully immersed in game development, increases his interactions with other club members and starts working endlessly to fund the game.]
[His contact with Eriri drastically decreases, and they barely speak at school.]
[Today is Eriri's birthday. You arrive with a carefully prepared gift and knock on her door.]