The call request ended. Utaha turned halfway and looked at him with a suspicious gaze, gradually realizing something was off.
From beginning to end, Akira hadn't actually said he would do anything. He'd only dropped a bunch of suggestive hints.
For most people, the implication would've been obvious. But someone like Akira—so honest it was frustrating, with a streak of mischief—might've just been messing around.
"Just say it directly, Ogiwara-san. What are you here for?"
Akira flipped his hands upward in a shrug. "Exactly this."
"This?"
"This."
Utaha stared at him for a long time, then slowly said, "Well… go ahead, then."
Akira casually embraced her soft body and lightly caressed her waist, letting out a satisfied sigh.
As expected, the softness and warmth of her body—combined with the freshness and fragrance from her bath—made her the perfect pillow.
He rested his chin on the chair's backrest, nudged the stool forward a little to bring Utaha within reach of her computer, and made a polite gesture with his hand.
"Go ahead with your work. Don't worry—I won't grope. I'm just here to collect a little advance payment and help you get used to more intimate contact later."
Utaha took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment, adapting to the situation.
Once her heart rate settled enough for her to stay composed, she rubbed her flushed face and initiated the voice call.
The other side picked up quickly.
"Have you decided which one? Or is there a problem with the script, Aki-kun?" she asked.
"Ah… I haven't decided. Both of your scripts are amazing, Utaha-senpai. It's not a quality or content issue—it's just… there's something I don't quite get."
After a brief pause, Tomoya asked.
"Why is the male protagonist so different from the initial draft?"
Without hesitation, Utaha replied,
"Because I think this version of the protagonist is more charming, and better fits the reincarnation setting.
Even if the protagonist's role isn't that important in a galgame, I should still give it my best."
"But…"
She waited quietly, but no follow-up came after that "but."
So she spoke again.
"If you can give me a concrete reason why it doesn't work, I'll revise it.
Or, if you just want to make a request as the producer, I'll still revise it. But since it will require major dialogue adjustments, I'll need at least a week."
Finally, Tomoya responded.
"I feel like… this just isn't my story with Meguri-chan anymore…"
Clearly, his real issue was just one thing—the new male lead had broken his sense of immersion.
Utaha yawned and sighed.
"Oh. I'm sorry, Aki-kun. I was so focused on writing the best script I could that I forgot your original intention was to have a sweet story with Meguri-chan.
But from my perspective, this script—and this protagonist—might actually be more attractive and lead to better sales. What do you think?"
Another long silence.
Her patience wore thin.
Her tone grew irritated. "So? Do I change it or not?"
"Well…" Tomoya hesitated, then suddenly blurted,
"Let's have the whole team decide. Eriri, Kato! What do you think?"
Eriri's voice came through. "You're the producer. Why are you making us decide?"
"Because this isn't about quality anymore. It's about whether high school and college players can relate to this kind of protagonist. Can you at least give me your opinions?"
Eriri sighed, then said again:
"I actually like this kind of protagonist. It's inspiring—I feel like I can draw a more handsome character now."
"Kato!" Tomoya moved to the next person.
"I think…" After a brief hesitation, Kato Megumi's unfazed voice came through the speaker.
"I also think this kind of protagonist is more attractive. Are people really that bad at relating to someone better looking?"
That side went quiet.
A long while later, Tomoya finally said in a low, defeated voice, "I just… i don't think this is the game I wanted to make anymore."
Immediately came Eriri's furious outburst.
"Then why the hell did you ask for a vote!? If you're gonna reject it anyway, just tell Utaha to rewrite it!
What's the point of pretending to consider our opinions and then ignoring them?!
I'm warning you, Tomoya!
Time is running out. I still have a ton of work, and if you keep delaying things for stupid reasons, we'll miss the winter Comiket deadline!"
It was obvious from her rant—Eriri was truly pissed.
"Sorry, but…"
"Enough with the nonsense." Utaha knocked on the desk.
"So? Which one do I revise?"
Tomoya quickly answered, "Both are good—so I want to include both, as alternate routes."
"These are two completely opposite stories. Including both will blur the game's theme. Are you sure?"
"Positive! You're thinking like a novelist again, Utaha-senpai! What's so bad about ambiguity?
A mixed bag of themes and unpredictable outcomes—that's the charm of galgames!
There are only two rules in galgames: one, the heroines must be cute; and two, no rules can bind you!"
Utaha didn't argue. She simply stated her terms.
"Fine. Two weeks."
Eriri exploded again.
"Another two weeks!? And both scripts!?
How am I supposed to finish all the CG art in time!? Tomoya!
There's a limit to how reckless you can be!"
Before Tomoya could respond, Utaha added,
"By the way, I've never deliberately lowered a story's quality. Once I've written a better protagonist, it's hard to downgrade him again.
If I try, the result might feel off or inconsistent. I'll do my best—but I can't guarantee it won't affect the final product."
Eriri slammed the table. "You hear that, Tomoya!? You're putting impossible demands on every creator! Do you want to destroy this game?!"
The other side fell into silence again.
Akira gave a quiet chuckle.
Even he felt this whole mess was just too pitiful to watch.
"Kato…"
Tomoya's voice sounded like he was pleading.
But Megumi's reply was calm as ever.
"I think, Tomoya, the game you want isn't one that lowers quality, pressures the artist and writer, and rushes the schedule—just to make you happy. Right?"
Time passed in silence. No one rushed to speak.
Finally, Tomoya's heavy, defeated voice came through the speaker.
"I understand… Let's go with the current script."
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