Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu) waited for a while without receiving a response, then typed in confusion:
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "Chinatsu, you're there, right?"
A while later...
Lollipop (Yūki Chinatsu): "Mmm~~ Happy~~ New Year~~ So the new project has already been decided~~ Congratulations~~ congratulations."
Even through the screen, Kamiyā Yuu could sense an exhausted aura of weakness.
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "What? You don't seem interested at all."
Another long pause followed, enough to make Kamiyā Yuu a little irritated.
Lollipop (Yūki Chinatsu): "Nothing really. It's just that curling up under the kotatsu at home gives me this overwhelming urge to sleep~~~ It's so warm, and I can reach oranges just by stretching out my hand. At this rate, I'm probably going to turn into a useless person~~~."
Kamiyā Yuu's face darkened.
Before he could type a reply, another person joined the chatroom.
Yuunosora (Kamiyā Sora): "I can understand that."
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "Sora, of course, you understand. Aren't you curled up in the kotatsu in the living room right now? But just so we're clear, don't sleep inside the kotatsu. You'll catch a cold."
Lollipop (Yūki Chinatsu): "Comrade!"
Yuunosora (Kamiyā Sora): "Partner."
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "..."
The moment the topic of the kotatsu came up, Kamiyā Yuu became acutely aware of the cold around him.
Especially his feet—they practically felt frozen solid.
Sitting in front of the computer, he exhaled a puff of white breath. He shivered several times before continuing to type with stiff, aching fingers.
Japanese kotatsu really were magical things. Once you crawled inside during cold weather, you absolutely never wanted to come back out.
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu) typed indignantly:
"Then both of you come out."
Lollipop (Yūki Chinatsu): "Unbelievable! Are you a demon? A demon who forces people out from under the kotatsu in the middle of winter actually exists in this world! Too terrifying! Yuu, you're on the same level as the school disciplinarian!"
Purple Embroidery, Sunflower has joined the chatroom.
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "What is the new project like?"
Sunflower (Morishita Aoi): "I'm back at my countryside hometown, too. My blanket is all warm and comfy. (～﹃～)~zZ"
Thinking that there were still several days left before the holiday ended, Kamiyā Yuu figured there was no need to rush things.
Ignoring Yūki Chinatsu's playful teasing, Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu) typed with a laugh:
"Looks like everyone's having a pretty relaxing New Year. I don't want to increase everyone's workload, but if you have free time, you can start gathering some related reference materials and familiarize yourself with them first. Think of it as preparation time for everyone.
The setting tone of the new project:
A mountain railway in the wilderness during autumn, with maple trees as the primary vegetation.
Location:
Specifically, a train traveling along the mountain railway.
Characters:
I'll discuss that in detail with Sensei later."
Lollipop (Yūki Chinatsu): "Eh~~ Then I guess I'll go search for some reference materials online."
Sunflower (Morishita Aoi): "Then, is there anything I can do? (☆▽☆)"
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "As for Aoi's task... you'll probably get one after we come back."
Sunflower (Morishita Aoi): "QAQ, understood. Then I'll wait for the holiday to end with great anticipation."
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu) couldn't help laughing.
"No, you don't need to go that far."
...
Private chatroom between Yosuganosora and Purple Embroidery
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu) hesitated for a while before slowly typing:
"Sensei is already officially a member of 'Yosuganosora' now, so would it be alright to leave the character design for this new project to you?"
When it came to understanding character design, Uehara Etsuki was far superior to him.
This major redesign of Blake's character, which was already approaching an original creation, would be best handled by Uehara Etsuki herself.
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "Of course. I am very much looking forward to Kamiyā-kun's new project."
Kamiyā Yuu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you very much. Then I'll briefly explain the basic character settings for the protagonist of the new project.
Appearance:
Long straight black hair.
Personality:
Kuudere, calm, sharp, but unexpectedly possesses a cute side. More specifically, a girl is very similar to a cat.
Background:
A member of something similar to a special operations unit who has undergone all kinds of rigorous training."
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "There are several points I don't understand. What do ' long straight black hair' and 'kuudere' mean?"
Kamiyā Yuu remembered that anime culture in this world was still underdeveloped, so such terminology probably didn't exist yet.
He typed an explanation awkwardly:
"'Long straight black hair' generally refers to appearance. The most iconic feature is hair that is black, long, and straight. Sensei can reference the heroine from 'The Girl of the Immortal Institution.' An even faster method would simply be for Sensei to let down your hair and look in the mirror.
'Kuudere' refers to a character personality type—quiet, expressionless, emotionless, yet absolutely not cold-hearted. You can think of it as someone who doesn't understand what emotions or smiles are."
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "I understand now. I've learned some interesting new vocabulary."
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu) typed curiously:
"Speaking of which, what has Sensei been doing during the holiday?"
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "In what regard specifically?"
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "Daily life."
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "Not much different from ordinary holidays. During my free time, I make some New Year celebratory dishes."
Uehara Etsuki's situation was actually very similar to Kamiyā Yuu's.
Both of them seemed to have escaped from large traditional families.
Kamiyā Yuu recalled the woman, sharp as a Japanese sword, and asked with interest:
"Spending it together with Miss Busujima Murasaki?"
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "Yes."
After thinking for a moment, Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu) jokingly typed:
"Sensei's home shouldn't be too far away, right? Then can I come visit for New Year's greetings? :-D"
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "You're welcome. It just so happens we can also discuss the new character designs in person."
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "..."
He hadn't expected Uehara Etsuki to agree so quickly.
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "What's wrong?"
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "Uh... I was just thinking that I still don't know where Sensei lives."
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "When does Kamiyā-kun plan to come over?"
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu) quickly replied:
"Anytime is fine."
Purple Embroidery (Uehara Etsuki): "Then tomorrow morning at nine, take Subway Line 5 and get off at Kyoto Station Exit 2. I'll have Murasaki waiting for you there. Rather than telling Kamiyā-kun my address, it would be easier to simply bring you here directly."
Yosuganosora (Kamiyā Yuu): "Understood. Then I'll be troubling Sensei tomorrow."