It had been a while since they last saw each other, so while Haruno was visiting, Ichin took the opportunity to fill this shareholder in on the company's plans for the remaining four months of the year.
"We're planning one to two livestreams per month to promote the game. Besides me and our studio members, we'll probably invite a voice actor to join each time."
Haruno nodded. "Livestreams are important, but I won't get involved in that—don't really know much about it. But for other promotional work, like billboard ads in Akihabara or elsewhere, just let me know if you need help. I know a bunch of advertising agencies."
Ichin gave her an OK gesture.
"No problem. As for outdoor advertising, we won't need it just yet. If we do, it'll probably be in the two months leading up to launch. The current plan is to release the game sometime between June and August next year."
"June to August, huh..."
Haruno tapped her chin with a slender finger. "In that case, I'll go ahead and help you scout some good billboard spots for May and June. You can decide which ones you want later."
After all, this was a company she'd invested in. While her main reason for buying in was to give Yukino a safety net for the future if she decided to go independent, it would obviously be ideal if the investment turned profitable too.
With Persona currently enjoying massive online buzz, Haruno was more than happy to lend a hand.
After talking business for a while, it was already past 10 a.m.
Ichin looked at Haruno and asked, "Haruno-san, why not stay for a simple lunch at our place?"
Haruno blinked, her gaze shifting between Ichin and Utaha. "Am I not interrupting your little love nest?"
Ichin waved her off casually. "It's fine, you're not the only one—Kō called just yesterday and said she's coming over to freeload lunch too."
With that, he pulled out his phone and gave Yagami Kō a quick call to let her know Haruno had come over.
"Eh? Haruno's there? Okay, we'll head over right away!"
After hanging up, Ichin grinned at Haruno. "As soon as she heard you were here, she said she's coming immediately."
Haruno smiled back. "Well then, I guess I'll be intruding for lunch."
The group shared a pleasant lunch, and since Haruno happened to have the afternoon free, she and the other girls decided to go shopping together.
Ichin didn't join them—he stayed home, planning to go over the upcoming series of promotional tasks and also get to work on the unfinished project proposals for Apex and Dark Souls.
Originally, he had told Utaha that it was fine to have dinner out, but just past 5 p.m., she unexpectedly came back home.
Hearing the bedroom door open behind him, Ichin turned around in surprise—only to see Utaha walking in with shopping bags in hand.
"You're back already?"
"Of course I am! If you're home, then of course I'll come back!"
She set the bags down on the floor and walked over to Ichin, glancing at the dense wall of text on his screen.
"Still working?"
"I wouldn't really call it work," Ichin said with a smile, shaking his head. "When I'm doing this kind of thing, I'm genuinely happy. It doesn't feel tiring at all."
"You don't feel tired now, but you definitely will later."
After helping him save his files and close the laptop, Utaha took his hand and pulled him up. "Come, Ichin, look—I bought you some clothes. And I also picked up ingredients for dinner. I found some really good eel and pork belly. Tonight I'll make unagi don and braised pork for you."
Looking at Utaha's smiling face, Ichin gently pulled her closer, holding her in his arms. "Unagi don, huh? That's a lot of work to make."
Utaha wrapped her arms around him as well, closing her eyes and whispering softly, "It's not that bad. My mom already taught me the full recipe, and I've practiced several times under her supervision—the taste is absolutely fine. Besides, if it's for you, Ichin, I'm more than happy to cook."
Just as she finished speaking, she suddenly felt herself lifted off the ground—Ichin had scooped her up in a bridal carry.
"I suddenly don't feel like waiting for dinner anymore… I want to eat you first."
Ichin's blunt words, despite Utaha being well accustomed to this kind of teasing at home, still made her blush.
"It's not even evening yet… and I just got back, I haven't even showered…"
"Then let's head to the bathroom. We'll do both."
Dinner was delayed by about an hour, but for Ichin, it was well worth it.
The unagi don and braised pork turned out delicious—and Utaha before dinner had also been… just as delicious.
Very soon, September arrived—and it was time to return to school.
As usual, Ichin and Utaha drove to the parking lot near the campus and then walked toward the school gates together.
But today, as they approached the school, Ichin noticed a lot more eyes on him than usual.
Exchanging a puzzled glance with Utaha, he asked quietly, "What's going on?"
Utaha shook her head and whispered, "I have a feeling it has something to do with the studio."
"You mean…"
"Most likely," she replied, thinking it over. "Not just this time—you actually showed your face during Nintendo's Direct. And the hype around Persona is off the charts right now. You haven't been looking at any discussions outside of Bilibili and YouTube recently, have you?"
Ichin nodded. "I checked during the first few days after the Direct, but then I dove back into work. I haven't had time for game forums."
As they stepped into the school building and were about to change their shoes, they ran into two male classmates and a girl from their class.
"Wow, Ichin, you've really made a name for yourself this time!"
The girl chimed in excitedly, "Everyone online is talking about you! The youngest well-known game developer! Even my friends who don't usually play games know who you are now!"
Welp… looks like the fame is real.
Heading upstairs to the classroom and briefly chatting with a few classmates, Ichin took out his phone—and sure enough, there were tons of discussions about him online.
Most of them were focused on his age. Some posts had even dug up details about his family background and academic performance. There were even reports about his relationship with Utaha.
Rubbing his chin, Ichin frowned. "This really isn't a good thing. Looks like showing my face in that Direct wasn't the best idea after all."
Ichin didn't mind being seen as a star developer—but with the game still unfinished, all this media coverage felt dangerously like overhype waiting to implode.
Utaha scooted her chair over and, after glancing at his phone, asked, "Ichin, are you alright with this?"
Ichin shook his head. "It's nothing. Don't pay attention to it. Just focus on what we need to do."
There was still some time before the next livestream, so for now—it was better to lie low.
...
Enjoying the story? Can't wait to see what happens next? 👀
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon, and you can read 25+ advanced chapters right now! 💥
👉 Patreon.com/RedX43 👈
Your support means the world and helps me keep the chapters coming faster than ever! ❤️🔥