Chapter 77. Illness
Thanks to Kaguya's nourishing meals, Xander's somewhat "empty ammo depot" became full again.
His once-wilted spirits recovered their vigor by the afternoon.
Studio.
After setting down the freshly made juice, Seele quietly closed the door and left the space to the three who were working in earnest.
"The opinion-gathering phase is temporarily finished.
Next, we'll make a survey based on the feedback and post it on the relevant forums."
Looking at the organized document, Bronya spoke to Kaguya.
Kaguya's expression drifted for a moment, but she quickly replied, "How long should the survey run, and how many rounds in total?"
"Two rounds.
As for the timing…"
Her voice tapered off.
Bronya tugged at Xander's hand—the one that was pounding the keyboard hard enough to leave afterimages—and halted him.
"When are you planning to release this game?"
"Hm?"
His mind was still immersed in White Album 2's plot, so Xander needed a few seconds to catch up.
Then he answered with some hesitation, "For the exact date… I'm actually aiming to release it right before Christmas."
"So rushed?
That leaves just over a month, doesn't it?!"
Not understanding her boyfriend, Bronya frowned and pressed, "Is a little over a month enough for you two to finish the script and the CGs?"
"The script's fine.
I can finish writing before December.
The CGs, though…"
Xander spread his hands.
"Out of necessity, I talked it over with Eromanga Sensei.
We decided to hire extra hands to handle the less important CGs and the variants.
The specific costs will be deducted from sales revenue, and we'll split the remaining profit thirty–seventy.
As long as we have enough people, one month is still doable."
"I see…"
Bronya and Kaguya didn't really understand these particulars, but since their lover (husband-to-be) said it would be fine, they had no reason to doubt him.
"In that case, Bronya, how about setting the questionnaire period to one week?"
Weighing the timetable, Kaguya continued, "That makes half a month for research.
After subtracting the pre-release packaging, the remaining half month should be enough for our optimization."
"Mm… that shouldn't be a problem."
Excluding workdays, the remaining time would be sufficient for the two of them to optimize a single system—especially since Anti-Entropy's AI could simplify a lot of operations.
"Then it's settled.
Let's first compile the questions we need to include in the survey."
"Okay."
Seeing the two girls quickly return to work, Xander didn't rush.
He twisted his stiff back a bit, drank a glass of juice, and then dived back into typing.
Sunset fell, dusk deepened, and the bright lights lit up the fluorescent studio.
Hands on her hips at the doorway, Seele shouted disapprovingly at the three inside, "It's so dark in here—why didn't you turn on the lights?
That's really bad for your eyes!"
Clearly, the three had been too engrossed in their work to notice.
Once they snapped back to reality, none of them dared meet Seele's "strict" gaze.
Kaguya and Bronya retreated behind Xander and pushed him to the front.
Betrayed, Xander could only demonstrate that Far-East-style "craftsman's bow" spirit.
"Sorry!
It won't happen again!"
"And what about Bronya-sis and Kaguya-sis?!"
"Sorry!" *2
Only then did Seele nod in satisfaction.
Because lunch had been so lavish, Seele kept dinner light.
Simple stir-fried vegetables and millet porridge—good for the stomach and healthy.
After working all afternoon, it wouldn't do to keep working into the evening.
Leaving Seele alone all day would be no good.
They had tea in the living room and rested for a bit.
Then Xander planned to take everyone out for a walk.
"I'll pass."
Seele and Bronya gladly agreed, but the most obedient—Kaguya—unexpectedly declined.
"Don't feel like going out?"
Facing the three puzzled gazes, Kaguya smiled and gave her reason.
"No.
I very much look forward to staying by my husband's side.
But there's still some work I haven't finished."
"Work never ends."
Bronya frowned.
She knew how hard Kaguya had worked that entire afternoon—practically glued to the materials without a moment's slack.
"Of course I know.
It's just that I'm a little drowsy from getting up early, so I thought I'd finish the simple tasks and then go rest."
"I see."
Thinking it over, Kaguya had indeed woken up very early to cook that big table of dishes.
"If you're sleepy, turn in early.
There's no rush on the work."
"Thank you for your concern, husband.
Don't worry, it's just a few simple things.
I'll finish very soon."
"Alright, then."
Since Kaguya didn't want to go out, no one tried to force her.
The three linked arms and, with Kaguya's smiling send-off, soon melted into the night.
Only when their figures disappeared from view did Kaguya withdraw her gaze.
She stretched languidly.
With the relaxed air she only showed when no one was around, she drifted back into the studio without a care for appearances.
She hadn't lied—she finished the simple tasks in a few minutes, and her head did feel a bit tired today.
I'll turn in early tonight.
Thinking so, Kaguya pushed herself up from the desk.
Clatter.
A sudden wave of dizziness made her stumble, knocking over the chair behind her.
Fortunately, her arm reflexively braced against the desk, keeping her from falling to the floor.
One hand stayed on the desk.
The other rubbed her woozy head.
Kaguya shook it and slowly straightened up.
What's this about?
Am I really that tired today—so much that I can't even stand steady?
I went to bed early yesterday.
And I didn't, you know, do any "self-charging."
It can't be because I dreamed about joining those three at their party… right?
But does partying in a dream wear you out in real life?
Her mind swirled with questions, and the jumble made her head ache again.
Forget it.
I should just go rest.
Patting her cheeks to wake herself up a little, Kaguya left the studio to wash up.
Then she returned to Bronya's room, slipped under the covers, and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
A little over an hour later, the door opened again.
Softly.
A cute little head peeked through the narrow gap.
She looked over the room, then quietly closed the door.
"Kaguya-sis seems to be asleep."
"I see.
Then let's not disturb her."
"Mm.
It's late.
Let's go rest too… the three of us together."
Seeing the toppled chair in the studio, Xander felt that something was off.
Kaguya wasn't the careless type.
How could she not even notice her own chair falling over?
But after hearing Seele say Kaguya was already asleep, Xander could only set aside his doubt and take Seele and Bronya back to their room.
Just like that, it wasn't until the next day—when Kaguya still hadn't come down for breakfast—that everyone finally realized something was wrong.
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