Takumi Yuuya held a thick file in his hands.
The cover bore the name of his fledgling company: Niyuu—short for "Second Dimension Games."
So far, he had recruited about twenty people. While the character designs weren't finished yet, the game's story had already entered the writing stage. Work had also started on the interface, level design, and balance parameters.
Takumi thought back for a moment and realized he had skipped over most of the plot outline.
Still, that wasn't much of a problem. He could always adapt elements from history in this world to create a storyline.
"Nothing looks off in this contract. But Yuuya, since you're the one holding the property, you should double-check every detail. Every contract can hide a trap. If you don't read it carefully, you might get swindled." Hiratsuka Shizuka's voice carried a sharp, no-nonsense edge.
"You're right, Hiratsuka-sensei."
Takumi casually flipped through the pages, though his attention was elsewhere.
The system displayed a clean confirmation: No problems detected.
Relieved, he signed his name and stamped the document.
Hiratsuka pressed a palm to her forehead, exasperated.
He hadn't taken in a single word she'd said.
Yukinoshita Haruno laughed softly as she collected the paperwork.
"Twenty billion yen will be wired to your account tonight. From now on, Yuuya-kun, you're considered a friend of the Yukinoshita family."
"Thanks. On another note, I'm planning to stop by the game company on Saturday or Sunday to check on things."
"Not a problem. I'll arrange it for you."
"Sorry for the trouble."
Yuuya turned his gaze toward Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Say, Yukino… want to go on a date?"
Under the weight of three sets of eyes, Yukino rose, quietly packing her schoolbag.
Haruno got to her feet, walked over to Yuuya, and leaned close enough for only him to hear.
"You can pursue her without hesitation, Yuuya-kun."
With that, she smiled and slipped out of the clubroom.
Hayama Hayato, who had seen Haruno depart, gave Yuuya a quick "See you tomorrow," before leaving as well.
Hiratsuka stood and looked him over, her eyes narrowing in mild surprise.
"I didn't expect you to be this wealthy."
"Money's just a worldly possession. Not worth mentioning."
"Only the rich say things like that."
"Are you short on cash, Hiratsuka-sensei? I can lend you ten billion yen if you like."
"I'm not short on money. What I am short on is a boyfriend."
"P-Please don't joke like that."
Takumi immediately stepped back, flustered.
Hiratsuka shot him a sharp look, then strode out.
Yuuya watched her leave, then turned to find Yukino shouldering her bag.
At the gates of Sobu High—
Takumi wheeled his bicycle over.
Yukino stood waiting nearby, naturally drawing the gaze of every boy who passed.
Some turned their heads to stare. One poor guy even walked straight into a lamppost with a clang.
Well… at least it was a pleasant sound.
Takumi parked beside her.
"Yukino, you're almost unfairly beautiful."
"Where exactly are we going?"
"Karaoke? Interested?"
"I don't like singing."
"Then maybe a love hotel? I've always been curious about the places couples sneak off to."
Her eyes sharpened. "Are you planning to challenge me today?"
"Just kidding. Relax. I'll take you somewhere you'll definitely like."
"And how could you possibly know that for certain?"
Yukino studied him with suspicion.
Takumi only smiled without answering.
Ten minutes later, they stopped in front of a pet shop.
Yukino froze the instant she spotted the cats inside.
Takumi stepped in first, spoke briefly to the clerk, and paid at the counter.
The clerk handed him a bag of cat treats.
He brought it back and held it out to her.
"See any you like?"
"I…"
"We've only got thirty minutes. If you don't like it, we can just leave."
"I like that one."
She pointed toward a white cat.
Takumi waved the clerk over.
The young woman gently lifted the cat and set it on a table.
Takumi handed the treats to Yukino.
She placed one before the cat, her lips curving into the faintest smile.
"You're not going to thank me? If you were on your own, you probably wouldn't have come to a pet shop at all."
"…Thank you." Yukino glanced briefly at him.
[Affection +10 from Yukinoshita Yukino]
[Affection +30 from Yukinoshita Yukino][Affection +30 from Yukinoshita Yukino][Affection +30 from Yukinoshita Yukino]
Takumi snapped photos of Yukino with the cat, each shot earning him another bump in affection.
She was being unusually generous.
That was when his phone began to buzz.
He checked the screen.
A call from Sawamura Spencer Eriri.
A glance at the time—five o'clock already.
She had probably been waiting out front for half an hour.
He stepped outside to take the call.
"Where are you? I've been waiting thirty minutes. How much longer are you going to make me stand here?" Eriri's voice was tight with irritation.
"I'm on a date. I'll be back soon."
[Disgust +30 from Sawamura Spencer Eriri]
"Hurry up."
"Got it."
He hung up.
"My car should be here soon," Yukino said softly behind him.
"I was hoping to give you a ride home on my bike," Takumi admitted.
"Bicycles aren't meant for passengers."
"Oh? Then what's the point of this rear seat?"
"You really don't know even that much? Unbelievable."
"All of my common sense comes from anime, you know."
As he spoke, a car rolled up from the direction of Sobu High.
"You brought me here, and I appreciate it. But that doesn't mean we're friends now," Yukino said quietly.
"You're such a tsundere, Yukino."
The car pulled to a stop.
Yukino slid into the back seat.
"See you tomorrow."
"I dream about you every night. Hopefully you'll dream about me too."
[Disgust +30 from Yukinoshita Yukino]
"Drive," she told the chauffeur firmly.
Takumi watched the car pull away before mounting his bike and pedaling toward home.
Back at his house—
Even before he reached the door, he spotted Eriri waiting.
"I know you're angry, but hear me out first," Takumi said quickly, cutting her off before she could speak.
"Next time, keep track of your schedule." Eriri clenched her small fists at her sides.
"I couldn't help it. The girl I was with was gorgeous, and we had a really good time." He shrugged.
"That has nothing to do with me. Be punctual, that's all I'm asking."
"I already sent my address to Aki Tomoya, and I told him I'd be seeing you today. Didn't you run into him?" Takumi held out his phone for her to see their chat log.
"…."
Eriri read in silence.
The last message was clear: Yuuya was going to meet her, and he had sent Tomoya the address.
And yet… Tomoya hadn't shown up.
It looked like she'd been waiting for Yuuya.
But in truth, she'd been waiting for Tomoya.
Watching her silence, Takumi parked his bike, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
"Come wait here. He'll show up eventually."