"I'm so stupid, really."
The light had gone out of Momoi's eyes. "I knew it. This world is just like this. There's no such convenient method where you can tell at a glance that you'll become stronger. But I never thought G.Bible was also just fishing. Can't it at least let people look forward to it a little? Waaaah, Sensei, why did it turn out like this!"
Wailing loudly, Momoi threw herself into my arms again, rubbing against me messily.
I frowned, wondering if this girl was taking the opportunity to take advantage of me, or using my clothes as tissues again.
And aside from Momoi, the other members of the Game Development Department all looked deeply shaken as well.
Midori sat curled up in the corner, hugging her knees, muttering to herself in a daze. Her eyes had lost all focus, as if her mind had already gone to another world.
Yuzu had once again locked herself inside the cramped storage cabinet, making it impossible to see her current expression.
But from the trembling and noises that occasionally came from the cabinet, it was not hard to tell that Yuzu's condition was also quite bad.
I had originally planned to watch through the G.Bible content with them, satisfy their curiosity, and then leave to handle my work. But because I was worried about their state, I stayed for the time being.
If I had known, after letting Koyuki crack the password, I should have gone through the content myself first before showing it to everyone.
Although I had already felt early on that the content of G.Bible might be somewhat empty, I never expected it to be to this extent.
Even the enthusiasm that the Game Development Department had finally reignited had fallen back to the bottom due to the huge sense of disappointment.
At this moment, among the members of the Game Development Department, the only one not directly affected by this incident was Arisu.
However, Arisu was also at a loss over her companions' negative emotions.
"Everyone's current state… it's just like they've all logged out mentally."
"Haah…" Midori sighed. "Sorry, Arisu… we… without relying on G.Bible… it's really hard to make a good game…"
Hearing this, my gaze sharpened. I had plenty of experience dealing with girls who belittled themselves.
At times like this, it was supposed to be my turn to step in.
"No." Arisu said, "Negation granted."
I closed the mouth I had just opened, gave an encouraging look, and waited for Arisu to perform.
Even a trustworthy adult who had secretly captured their hearts could not play as big a role at times like this as companions who stood completely on the same side.
Arisu looked around. Her not loud voice, combined with her serious and earnest tone, sounded strikingly resolute in the activity room that had gone quiet.
"Every time Arisu plays 'Mythology, Legend, Chronicle,' she always feels this way. This game is truly interesting."
…That lie was not really necessary.
No, Arisu might genuinely think so, and the others might genuinely believe it.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the cabinet door open a crack, and Yuzu cautiously peeked out from inside.
"You can feel it. Momoi, Midori, Yuzu… how much they love this game. Traveling through a world filled with so much emotion… it makes your heart deeply moved."
Arisu revealed a warm, comforting smile. "Traveling to a new world together with companions, that feeling… what it means to dream… it was you who taught Arisu that."
Momoi pulled away from my arms, Midori stood up, and Yuzu stepped out of the cabinet. All of them listened intently to Arisu's speech.
"So, when getting closer and closer to the long awaited ending, even though it is so hard, I always think this way…"
The robot girl gathered her thoughts. "If this dream could never wake up, that would be wonderful… Arisu thinks so."
I imagined, just a little, playing 'Mythology, Legend, Chronicle' forever, and somewhat spoiled the mood by feeling a chill run down my spine.
But at that moment, Arisu tossed the topic over to me. "Arisu thinks that Sensei must be thinking the same way, right?"
Immediately after, the other girls also cast their gazes at me. Those eyes held unease and anticipation, and to me right now, they felt extremely sharp.
Why did you drag me into this too!?
Not wanting to lie against my conscience, yet not wanting to hurt their feelings, I answered ambiguously.
"Yes, I want to play games with you for a lifetime."
"…Then let's do it."
Yuzu suddenly spoke up, and her words immediately put me on guard.
Do it? Do what?
"My dream… is to make everyone say that the games I make are interesting."
Immersed in her own emotions, Yuzu did not notice how her words could be misunderstood, and continued.
"But the first version of 'Mythology, Legend, Chronicle' that I made… ended amid over four digits worth of negative reviews and ridicule…"
To be honest, having over four digits of reviews for a debut work was, in a sense, already quite impressive.
"When I was feeling sad and hiding in the Game Development Department… two people came to visit here."
Yuzu looked at Momoi and Midori, who wore expressions of nostalgia. "So we finished 'Mythology, Legend, Chronicle' together… even though it ended up being number one on this year's trash game ranking…"
The two sisters, who had been feeling moved just moments ago, immediately showed awkward expressions.
"After that, Sensei and Arisu-chan also came here… and told me that the game I made was interesting. That way, my dream was fulfilled.
"Making games together with companions who connect on a spiritual level, and making people feel they are interesting… that dream of mine, which once only existed in dreams.
"Asking for more might be a bit greedy. But if possible, I hope this dream… can continue, and never end."
As her words fell, the low pressure in the activity room completely dissipated, leaving only faint warmth and endless motivation.
"…Yeah, alright!" Momoi looked toward Arisu. "From now until the Millennium Club Competition, how much time do we have left?"
And Arisu immediately gave a precise number.
"48 days, 5 hours, and 25 minutes."
"More than enough! Even making five games wouldn't be a problem!"
With her fighting spirit reignited, Momoi shouted loudly. "Come on, everyone in the Game Development Department! Let's start production on 'Mythology, Legend, Chronicle 2'!"
Midori, Yuzu, and Arisu answered in unison. "Yeah!"
Seeing them successfully walk out from under the shadow of G.Bible, I could finally leave with peace of mind. After giving a few reminders, I bid farewell to the Game Development Department and headed to the Engineering Department, preparing to pre order a batch of supplies from Utaha and the others.
And just as the negotiation was about to conclude perfectly, I received a Momotalk.
Ako: "Sensei! You're free, right? Hurry and come save me!"