"Yukinoshita, just like how your strengths and weaknesses in operation were clearly distinguished while playing, my game doesn't just separate players by skill—it also highlights differences in observation. Between you and Hikigaya, his observational ability is superior."
Raize looked straight at Yukino, whose expression had darkened slightly and who was lightly biting her lip.
"As for whose opinion carries more weight, you should already have the answer in your heart."
She lost. She really did lose to Hikigaya.
Her observational skills were inferior. She hadn't seen the deeper meaning behind Raize's game, and when her suggestions were compared to Hikigaya's, they turned out to be unnecessary additions.
In every other aspect, Raize's game was already perfected. The key point was simply balancing the difficulty so players could accept such a high level of challenge.
"Hikigaya-kun, you win. I accept it wholeheartedly."
Proud as she was, Yukino could admit defeat. She wasn't someone who couldn't afford to lose.
Her observation and insight couldn't match Hikigaya's—there was nothing to argue about.
"You can make one request of me, but I absolutely won't agree to anything indecent."
Yukino took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, lightly brushed her hair behind her ear, and admitted seriously to Hikigaya. At the end, she still couldn't help adding her signature sharp tongue.
She crossed her arms and stared at Hikigaya, who looked slightly stiff.
I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already calling my request indecent. Your thoughts aren't very clean either.
"Hikigaya is my classmate. Although I usually don't interact much with him, he is indeed an outstanding person—just like you, Yukinoshita."
Raize began packing up the items and laptops on the table while speaking to them.
"But outstanding people aren't perfect. He has his flaws, and so do you. Even I'm no exception."
"Just like how Shizuka-sensei is so outstanding, yet still single."
At first, Hiratsuka nodded in strong agreement with Raize's words, since they really did hit home for those two problem children.
But after processing the latter part, she instantly exploded. Veins popped on her forehead as she shouted angrily:
"I'm single right now, and I'm really sorry about that, okay?!"
Faced with her rage, Raize merely smiled indifferently. Slinging his backpack over his shoulder, he said to Yukino:
"If you want to correct Hikigaya, try understanding him first. Acting without understanding is just forcing your own will onto him. That benefits no one."
"And you don't need to prove anything to me, Yukinoshita…"
With that, Raize left the Service Club room, leaving behind an indignant Hiratsuka and a boy and girl who exchanged glances and fell into thought.
Compared to Yukino's sharp words, Raize's way of speaking had been much better, without making either side uncomfortable.
As for Yukino, Raize's stance was simple: if you want to change Hikigaya, understand him first.
You haven't even known him for long, and you think you can change him just by talking? Are you kidding?
Because of Raize's final words, Yukino's heart became complicated.
Whenever she recalled his calm smile, she thought of her sister. Although Raize's personality wasn't as irritating as Haruno's, he and Haruno somehow both saw through her nature all too easily.
Haruno was her sister, so it made sense for her to understand her—but how could Raize understand her so well?
Was his observational ability even sharper than Hikigaya's, enough to see through her at a glance?
It made Yukino feel like, in front of Raize, she was nothing more than an immature child, everything she did seeming like playacting in his eyes.
Who was she really trying to prove herself to—Raize, or Haruno?
Even though she always insisted on following her own ideals, she was still lost about the future, forced to keep walking forward through a fog where the road ahead couldn't be seen.
---
On the other side, with game testing finished for now, Raize began preparing for the official release.
Devil May Cry and Sekiro would be released simultaneously.
He had prepared long ago. During this period, Raiden Games had been focusing heavily on these two titles, rolling out waves of advertisements and promotions.
Many longtime fans of Raiden Games were confused. Why weren't they making online games anymore? Why switch to this kind of game?
That was the shared thought of players familiar with the company. Under Raize's father's management, the company had excelled mainly at online games.
Other titles weren't terrible, but they were nothing special either.
Trailers, promotional videos, and even some real gameplay footage had already been released.
To ensure buzz, Raize personally recorded several gameplay sessions, showcasing Sekiro's intense boss battles filled with flashing blades, as well as Devil May Cry's flashy combat sequences.
This kind of promotion proved extremely effective.
In this world hidden behind gods and devils, entertainment was relatively scarce. The gorgeous visuals released by Raiden Games immediately caught attention. Combined with the vaguely revealed worldbuilding, Wolf's fierce blade clashes, and Dante's stylish greatsword combat against bosses, players' excitement was instantly ignited.
The games looked stunning, the action smooth and blood-pumping. It was obvious these were carefully crafted titles—worth playing.
With that thought, countless players chose to pre-order.
Whether they were drawn in by the marketing or longtime fans of Raiden Games, interest was high.
The background settings and promotional impact of Devil May Cry and Sekiro alone were enough to make people want to try them.
Finally, amid widespread anticipation, Raiden Games' titles were officially released.
Some people with special connections got the games early—such as Doma's younger sister, Doma Umaru.
"Everyone, take a look! These are Raiden Games' newest titles—Sekiro and Devil May Cry!"
Umaru, transformed into an adorably unrealistic chibi form and wearing a hamster hoodie, proudly held up the game cases to show off to her audience.
Although she never showed her face on stream, her exceptional gaming skills had earned her a large following of clumsy players.
She had obtained these two games early after seeing the promotional campaign, asking her insider older brother to help her secure them first.
Some viewers who had already placed orders were shocked by how quickly Umaru got her copies.
She didn't bother hiding anything, simply telling her audience that she had an insider.
(Damn, so the streamer has connections!)
(So jealous, I want my pre-order already!)
(At least if the streamer gets it first, we can see whether the hype matches reality.)
(Yeah, I haven't bought it yet—let the streamer test whether it's trash or not.)
After choosing between the two, Umaru selected Sekiro. Seeing the chat asking her to test it, she didn't bother arguing.
This was a game her brother's company made, and he had personally guaranteed it would be good.
She would prove through action that this game—containing part of her brother's effort—was absolutely not a pile of garbage.
Once the game launched, the opening cutscene alone stunned a huge number of skeptics.
The visuals were crisp and beautiful, like watching a 3D blockbuster. The immersion was incredible.
A fiery red maple leaf slowly drifted into a stream. The opening story that followed silenced the chat as viewers watched the exquisite animation together with Umaru.
A Sengoku-era epic tone, bloody clashes between soldiers, the battle between Isshin and the demonic masked warrior.
Then the scar-faced, vicious Owl raised his blade and carved a scar into the face of "Wolf," whom he had picked up from the battlefield.
Time passed. Under Owl's guidance, Wolf grew into a highly skilled warrior.
From narration, players learned that more than twenty years after Isshin's rebellion, the Ashina clan had gradually declined.
Wolf, the protagonist, lost everything.
Until one day, a female apothecary named Emma delivered a letter from the Divine Heir, Kuro.
"For the sake of your master, awaken."
"Wolf…"
Hamster-hoodie Umaru looked left and right, unable to find any flaw in the game. With no negative comments in the chat, she simply immersed herself in the story.
The audience exploded as well.
(Are we watching the streamer play a game, or an animated movie?)
(Just this opening cutscene already won me over. Sengoku background? I'm sold.)
(The visual clarity is insane. It's a waste if Raiden Games doesn't make animation.)
(So epic, so war-like.)
(They must have spent a fortune on just this intro.)
(The protagonist's silent, weathered face is insanely cool.)
(I think the general who cut down enemies earlier was cooler.)
(Isn't the adoptive father cool too? So tall and imposing!)
(Go go go! Streamer, start playing already!)
The chat was filled with praise. The story and visuals alone were enough to hook them.