I knocked on the door, and after a rapid tatum-tatum-tatum of footsteps, a blonde girl opened it, pouting playfully:
"You're so late, sensei! Eh? You look… really tired, don't you?"
I was surprised that Momoi had even noticed.
Perhaps it was because of my overwhelmingly handsome aura, that even someone like Momoi could observe me so closely.
"I told you earlier that I had other things to do this morning, so I'd be coming late."
Feeling the soreness all over my body, recalling the repeated shouts of "a little more effort," "hang in there," and "almost there," my mouth twitched slightly.
"I went to train with Sumire." I said briefly.
Ever since the Athletics Training Club president, Otohana Sumire, had appointed me as her Trainer, some time had passed.
Originally, she wanted me to go to the gym at Millennium at least once a week to work up a sweat with her. But because of the cram school matters, I hadn't gone for nearly a month.
So Sumire, saying I needed to make up for the lost exercise, arranged a devilish training session for me.
Thinking back to the list of exercises, it was a miracle that I could even walk after completing the basics.
I could only thank Nagisa's authority, I had taken a short nap before heading to the Game Development Club, which made my body feel considerably better.
Got me thinking... If my self-healing ability could be enhanced, could I, through extreme training, achieve a superhuman physique?
But then I reconsidered, rather than pushing myself to exhaustion, it seemed more practical to spend my time interacting with the students.
Momoi, clearly having heard of Sumire's reputation, showed a wary expression:
"Is… is this the Sumire-senpai from the Athletics Training Club…?"
When I nodded, Momoi drew in a sharp breath.
"Sis, stop blocking the doorway!" Midori urged. "Hurry up and let sensei in!"
"Oh, right." Momoi quickly stepped aside. I entered the club room and saw Midori, Yuzu, and Arisu all sitting around a computer, their expressions tense, as if facing a serious threat, and glancing at me in unison.
"Finally showing up, huh?" I adopted a solemn tone.
Yuzu, the club president, nodded:
"Yes. The moment that will decide whether our club continues… is finally here."
The door closed behind us, and Momoi hurried up as we all gathered around the computer.
The screen displayed a webpage titled:
"Millennium Club Competition Registration Page."
All required information had already been filled in. The only thing left was the final confirmation and uploading of the game files.
Out of a sense of ceremony, they had invited me over to witness this moment that would determine the club's fate.
"Well, let's click it…"
Yuzu spoke as she moved the mouse. The others' eyes followed the pointer, and they swallowed nervously in unison.
A crisp click sounded. A progress bar appeared, indicating the file upload. In the silence, holding our breath, it reached the end in about ten seconds.
When the "Registration Complete" popup appeared, the girls instantly relaxed.
"Phew... finally done!" Momoi cheered, raising her hands.
Midori smiled but remained composed:
"Next… we wait for the results in three days, right?"
Momoi nodded:
"Three days… is when it will be decided whether we can continue using this club room. But isn't three days too long? I have a proposal. Why don't we upload the web version of Myth·Legend·Chronicles 2 online now?"
At this, Yuzu was startled, and Midori asked in confusion why.
"I can't wait three days!" Momoi crossed her arms. "Besides, compared to the judges' evaluation, everyone cares more about players' reactions, right!?"
"Umm… but I'm a little scared…" Midori hesitated, "Worried we might get trolled…"
"What are you talking about!"
Momoi said loudly:
"We made this game not just for the Millennium Club Competition! Be confident and show it to everyone! We've already given it our all!"
Yet Midori still hesitated:
"Y-Yeah, that's true…"
Unlike her straightforward older sister, Midori always overthought things and was easily insecure.
I was about to say something when Yuzu spoke:
"…Okay, upload it."
"Eh?"
Midori looked at Yuzu, surprised.
Yuzu's eyes, closed in determination, conveyed her resolve:
"I think a work… is only truly complete when there are people to play it and see it. I want… our game to really be finished."
"Yuzu-chan…"
"It's okay." Yuzu shook her head. "Even if there are negative reviews like before… we've already given it everything. And… with sensei and everyone here, we can handle it."
The girl who had once been crushed by online maliciousness now smiled gently:
"I'm okay now."
I thought for a moment and comforted them:
"Besides, this new game is really fun. Instead of worrying about negative reviews, why not prepare to handle the praise?"
"Yes! Arisu is ready!" Arisu said seriously. "If any online trolls appear, I'll immediately contact Maki and fire a full-powered beam cannon toward their IP!"
…This lady's aggressiveness has definitely grown recently.
"Arisu-chan! Even if you're angry, you can't do something like that!"
Midori hurriedly intervened, while Momoi had already started operating the computer.
"Alright!" Momoi said, "Now, let's upload the game—"
"Ah! W-wait!" Midori reached out. "I'm not mentally ready…!"
But then, with a ding, the upload completed.
Momoi nodded at the screen in satisfaction:
"Upload complete! If you want feedback, it'll take another two or three hours. Let's rest for now!"
"…Haa." Seeing it done, Midori lowered her hand reluctantly, sighing and accepting reality.
"Yeah, that's true."
"Stop overthinking things," Momoi said cheerfully. "Since sensei's here, why not play something fun now?"
Huh?
I suddenly became alert.