In the afternoon, Sato returned to the Gensokyo Company.
After a whole morning of sales following the opening, feedback data from merchants in various regions had already been sent back.
Someone had compiled the data into tables.
Sato and Kosaka Akane looked at the figures in their hands, both of them visibly relieved and pleased.
Although there was still relatively little feedback from players, the positive reviews were quite numerous!
And judging from the sales figures, it seemed certain that the game would sell extremely well. There was no doubt that it would become one of this year's big hits!
"Congratulations, Miyabi-sensei!"
Sato was still holding the report in his hands. When he heard Kosaka Akane, he did not immediately understand what she meant.
He looked at her in confusion.
"Congratulations on what?"
Kosaka Akane lightly waved the report in her hand. Her slender, fair fingers were painted with pink nail polish, a delicate color like cherry blossoms, as though it carried the gentle warmth of early spring.
"This is your first time making a game. Even though you already have considerable influence in other fields, a result like this absolutely cannot be attributed to your existing influence alone."
"At this point, you can be called an outstanding director. If you can make several more games like this in the future, then you can be called a renowned director."
"A renowned director?"
Sato was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
"I don't want to become a Warrior of Love."
"A Warrior of Love?"
"Mm... It's just a joke."
"Is that so? But... why have I never heard of it?"
Kosaka Akane still looked at Sato strangely. Although the phrase seemed to mean "Warrior of Love," there was clearly some deeper, unknown implication hidden behind it.
Sato did not want Kosaka Akane to investigate any further. After all, Urobuchi Gen did not exist in this world.
(TL/N: "Warrior of Love." He earned the ironic title because his stories feature extreme psychological trauma, brutal character deaths, and bleak despair, contrasted with his own claims that he only wants to write heartwarming tales about love.)
If he let Kosaka Akane keep asking questions, he would definitely give himself away.
He stood up and looked at Kosaka Akane.
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back first. You can send the rest to me by email."
"Ah, okay!"
...
After leaving the Gensokyo Company, Sato returned to the Aoyama Apartments.
"Click!"
He pushed open the door and saw a pair of shoes placed in the entryway. They were women's shoes, looking small and delicate.
"Konomi?"
Sato called toward the inside.
Soon, the sound of footsteps approached, and Fujimiya Konomi's figure quickly appeared in his field of vision.
"Heehee, you're back!"
The girl wore her usual sweet smile, bright and infectious enough to make anyone smile along with her.
Sato seemed to be infected by her cheerfulness as well, and a smile appeared on his face.
He glanced at what the girl was wearing, then subtly flared his nostrils and asked, "What are you doing?"
Fujimiya Konomi was wearing casual clothes and jeans, along with the red apron that had originally been hanging in the kitchen.
"Tomato and potato braised beef brisket."
"I knew it. That's why it smells so good."
"Really? I never heard you say that before!"
Fujimiya Konomi rolled her eyes cutely at Sato, then continued, "Back at school, you ate plenty of my bento lunches, but I never once heard you say something like that!"
"Really? Hmm... Maybe it's because I didn't know you were the one who made them."
Sato lowered his head and thought for a moment before giving the girl a smile.
Fujimiya Konomi stood in the entryway, looking slightly taller than Sato. Upon hearing that, her cheeks puffed up as she reached out and pinched Sato's cheek.
"Little brother! You've been eating my cooking for so long and you still didn't know your big sister was the one making it?"
Sato grabbed Fujimiya Konomi's hand and smiled.
"Don't I know now? It's not too late, is it?"
The girl's face reddened slightly. She carefully pulled her hand back and said coquettishly, "Go change your shoes!"
After saying that, she turned around somewhat flusteredly and walked toward the kitchen.
From behind her, Sato teased, "You're already my girlfriend. Why are you still getting embarrassed?"
"I'm just worried the food will stew too long and burn!"
The girl's giggling voice came from the kitchen.
...
Although Sato had returned relatively early, by the time they sat down at the dining table, it was already evening.
The table was covered with an abundant spread of dishes, their aromas wafting through the room.
Fujimiya Konomi's cooking was quite good.
However...
"Can we finish all this?"
Sato looked at the huge spread on the table. Although every dish was the result of the girl's hard work, there was still far too much.
"If we can't finish it, we'll just eat it tomorrow."
"Won't that affect the taste? What if I think your cooking isn't delicious tomorrow?"
"Hmph, then you won't get to eat it ever again!"
"..."
The two chatted and bickered as they ate, and Sato once again felt as though he had returned to his days in Asahigaoka.
Peaceful and tranquil.
As they continued talking, it was inevitable that the conversation turned to things that had happened at school.
"I'm actually very popular at school. If you ever dare to be mean to me, I'll find some rich and handsome guy and run away with him."
"There are still people who like country girls?"
Sato put on an expression of shock.
There was some pasta made by Fujimiya Konomi on the table. She was holding a fork at that moment, and upon hearing Sato's words, her eyes narrowed as a fierce glint appeared in them. She raised the gleaming fork slightly.
"I'll stab you!"
Sato smiled.
"Then has anyone confessed to you?"
"Of course!"
Fujimiya Konomi rested her elbows on the table and propped up her chin. Her eyes gleamed with amusement as she looked at Sato.
"So? Are you worried now? Feeling the pressure?"
"What about love letters?"
"I've gotten those too!"
"Is that so?"
Sato rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then said to Fujimiya Konomi, "Wait here for a moment."
With that, he turned and walked toward his bedroom.
"What are you going to do?"
"Get something."
Sato returned to his bedroom. Before long, he came back under Fujimiya Konomi's curious gaze, carrying a large cardboard box.
The box was enormous. Even Sato was tall enough that carrying it almost completely blocked his view.
Thud!
He set the cardboard box on the floor.
Fujimiya Konomi looked at the box curiously.
"What's inside?"
Sato stood up and gestured for her to open it.
Fujimiya Konomi left her seat and crouched beside the box.
Whoosh!
She opened it, revealing envelopes packed tightly enough to fill the entire box.
Fujimiya Konomi stared at Sato in shock.
Just as Sato was smiling and enjoying the expression on her face, the girl spoke.
"Sato, where did you steal so many letters?! Let's turn ourselves in before the police come knocking!"
"Cough, cough..."
Sato nearly choked. The corner of his mouth twitched as he looked at the girl, whose eyes were filled with amusement.