The next day, Monday, Toyonozaki High School, at the doujin game club "Blessing Software."
This club had been founded by Tomoya, originally inspired by a chance encounter he had with Kato Megumi during spring break, before the new school year started.
The image of her turning around in a flutter of cherry blossoms left such a beautiful and dreamlike impression on him that he felt as if he had received a divine revelation.
In that moment, he resolved to create the ultimate bishoujo game that could capture the emotion he had felt.
To that end, with extraordinary determination, Tomoya recruited the rising light novel author Kasumigaoka Utaha, whom he already knew, and his childhood friend—famous in the industry as the 18+ ero-artist "Kashiwagi Eri," who was in fact none other than Sawamura Eriri.
Together with Megumi, who served as the inspiration for the heroine, he founded this doujin circle.
For a high school club, the lineup was undeniably luxurious.
The first draft of the game script had already been completed by Utaha.
However, after reviewing it, Tomoya did not approve its use. After three days of deliberation, he said this:
"Though it's really interesting and well-written, I just feel like... this doesn't satisfy me."
When pressed by Eriri about what exactly was wrong with it, Tomoya replied earnestly:
"It's my fault for not being able to express it properly, but even so, this isn't it. If we go with this, it won't be my work."
Utaha had been given full responsibility for the script.
Other than the genre being a bishoujo game, Tomoya hadn't even provided a framework. So, on the surface, what he said might've seemed rather shameless.
However, as the game's director and producer—the so-called "client" in industry terms—it was his role to oversee the general direction and quality of the game.
He had the authority to approve or reject any content. So, his stance wasn't entirely unreasonable.
If Tomoya couldn't be satisfied, this stagnation might continue indefinitely.
Eriri was the one who voiced the strongest objection.
During Friday's club meeting after school, she slammed the desk in anger over it. And now, in Monday's session, she had made up her mind to settle the matter once and for all.
Filled with frustration, Eriri entered the clubroom and saw Tomoya sitting in the front row, staring blankly at the ceiling, while Utaha sat in the back row, head lowered, reading a novel.
Good, everyone was here.
Casually closing the classroom door, Eriri strode up to Tomoya, raised both hands high, and slammed them down.
Bang!
The sudden loud noise startled Tomoya so much that he nearly fell out of his chair. In the back row, Utaha also jumped, accidentally tossing her book across the room.
"Is this really the time to be spacing out?! The weekend's over! Have you decided on the script or not?!"
Faced with Eriri's furious question, Tomoya blinked in confusion, adjusted his glasses, and stared at her blankly for a few seconds.
Then, as if waking from a dream, he muttered dully, "Oh… oh, the script…"
That response lit Eriri's fuse.
"Hey! Tomoya, you bastard! Don't tell me you forgot something this important! You—"
Before she could finish, someone tugged gently at the corner of her skirt.
She spun around in shock and saw Megumi standing there, which made her suddenly realize—right, Megumi was in the room.
Where had she been just now? Did she see her when entering? Uh… probably? She did feel like everyone was present…
Just as Eriri was once again stunned by Megumi's lack of presence, Megumi silently raised her hand, gesturing for quiet.
Eriri frowned. Only now did she notice the atmosphere was off.
The air was heavy—not just with the usual creative pressure over the script, but with something more oppressive, more suffocating.
Looking again, she realized that Tomoya didn't just look conflicted or absentminded.
He looked devastated, as if something terrible had happened. And usually, with this kind of outburst, Utaha would've already launched into a sarcastic jab.
Yet today, she was unusually silent.
Tomoya's reaction, like he had forgotten about the script entirely, ruled out the script as the cause.
So—
"What happened?" Eriri asked nervously.
Tomoya opened his mouth but said nothing, simply lowering his head again. Megumi also shook her head, offering no explanation.
Now Eriri wasn't just anxious—she was upset.
"Hey! Someone tell me already! Aren't we part of the same club?! Don't shut me out like this!"
Still, no one answered.
Eriri and Megumi weren't close enough for her to grab Megumi by the collar and demand answers. Naturally, the one she could manhandle was Tomoya.
"Tomoya! Are you going to say anything or not?!"
"Let him go, Tomoya-kun isn't the one who should explain. Since this involves me, they can't tell you—only I can."
A calm, cool voice came from the back of the classroom.
Eriri released her grip, crossed her arms with a scowl, and waited for Utaha to speak.
"This weekend, Tomoya-kun was… spoken to rather harshly by someone I know."
Utaha furrowed her brow. She couldn't decide whether the words were best described as mockery or insult.
And she didn't want to repeat them in front of Eriri—doing so might only bring more damage to the club.
"What did he say?" Eriri asked.
"What he said doesn't matter," Utaha shook her head. "What matters is who he is, and why I was with him. Tomoya-kun, do you want to know?"
Tomoya turned his head slightly, managing a strained, ugly smile.
"If senpai doesn't want to say, that's okay."
A predictable answer.
And the one she least wanted to hear.
Utaha closed her eyes, concealing the pain within them.
She couldn't deny that her question was a kind of test.
Girls who lack a sense of security often resort to these kinds of tests—to see whether the person they care about also cares about them, to seek comfort.
She knew Tomoya was kind.
But in moments like this, only emotions driven by strong concern could give her courage—help her bring up the heavy burdens buried in her heart.
And this kind of "I won't force you" kindness… once again ignored the hand she was reaching out with, leaving her to struggle alone in the mire.
Forget it. Wasn't she planning to overcome it on her own anyway…?
"Hey, Utaha… you…"
Even though Utaha had shown no obvious emotion, a girl's instinct made Eriri suddenly feel uneasy—and without realizing it, she had called her by a more familiar name.
She reflexively covered her mouth. But to her surprise, this slip—something that would normally be met with biting sarcasm—received no reaction from Utaha.
This only deepened Eriri's sense of dread, and she quickly moved closer.
By the time Utaha had finally calmed down and opened her eyes, she was met with Eriri's concerned face—and a cup of water offered by Megumi.
"Thanks."
Utaha accepted the cup and took a slow sip.
The warmth of the water brought a tangible comfort to her body, and Eriri's uncharacteristic gentleness had a surprisingly healing effect.
Putting aside their differences, these two girls… really were quite nice.
Her once gloomy gaze softened a little.
"That man's name is Ogiwara Akira. As for why he said such hurtful things to Tomoya-kun, I think it's because he sensed something… and developed hostility toward him," Utaha said casually, setting down the cup.
"He wants my body."
With a loud clatter, Tomoya's chair fell backward as he shot to his feet.
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