A week passed quickly, and the final ranking of the Indie Game Festival was also posted on the game's official website by the official staff.
'Final Ranking
1. to the moon
2. Eientei
3. alahato α
...'
to the moon still left the second place far behind with a cliff-like gap, and the final data difference was more than ten times, while Bronya's Alahato, perhaps because it belonged to the same Fantasy Township Company as to the moon, also gained some attention and rushed to third place.
"How is it, do you admit defeat?"
Arriving at Bronya's home, Nangong Yu asked Bronya with a smile.
However, even though she had already started packing with Seele's help, she still responded stubbornly: "This is just the last bit of popularity. After all, yours is a story-driven game. What if everyone decides not to pay after watching it?"
There is indeed some truth to that. As a game focused on the story, many people lose interest in playing it a second time after playing it once. If you can get it for free, why pay?
But, this situation only occurs when the popularity difference is not significant. Given the current gap, it can only be said that Bronya is being a bit whimsical.
At noon, all participating games were released on the Titan Game Platform on time. Since the game size was not large, Nangong Yu only priced each copy at 29 Titan Game Points. It was compatible with both mobile and PC, allowing downloads and play. This was quite conscientious; he didn't take advantage of the popularity to raise the price at all.
And well, it undoubtedly sold out.
Bringing up the backend parameters, Nangong Yu, Seele, and Bronya huddled together, watching the almost vertically rising sales curve.
Ten thousand, fifty thousand, a hundred thousand, two hundred thousand...
This scene made Nangong Yu nod in satisfaction, Seele's eyes were full of adoration, and Bronya sighed, letting go of her last glimmer of hope.
Ultimately, to the moon sold 840,000 copies within an hour of its release. After that, it also came with several weeks of banner recommendations, so breaking a million, or even two million in sales, should only be a matter of time.
This had already far exceeded the achievements of to the moon in his previous life. It could only be said that Elysia + Eden, the buffs Nangong Yu stacked for it were simply too sufficient, not a bit could be buried.
"Convinced now?"
Crossing his arms, Nangong Yu happily looked at the somewhat withdrawn Bronya again.
"...It's just riding on Eden's popularity..."
"Even without Eden, do you think you could win?"
"..."
Nangong Yu's rhetorical question silenced Bronya. Having played it herself, she naturally understood how high the game quality of to the moon was, almost touching the ceiling for similar games. How could she have confidence?
Even without Eden, this would still be a game destined to be popular, not something her Alahato could compare to.
Seeing this, Nangong Yu stopped provoking her and started rolling up his sleeves to get to work.
Starting today, Bronya finally moved back in with them. After nearly two years of separation, the three inseparable companions were finally reunited.
However, naturally, some small incidents occurred after she moved back.
There weren't enough rooms on the second floor. The studio naturally needed to be kept, and the remaining bedrooms were also occupied.
At this moment, Seele proactively raised her hand, indicating that she would give her room to Sister Bronya to live in, as for herself, hehehe~
This made Bronya glance at her indifferently, then curl up the corner of her mouth and say with a hint of pleasure: "Alright then, Seele, we'll live in the same room from now on."
Seele: "?"
She immediately widened her eyes and looked at the smiling Sister Bronya. This, this, this, this isn't right, Seele didn't mean that!
Soon, Nangong Yu saw the pleading look Seele cast towards him.
For that warm, soft, fragrant little bolster in the future, Nangong Yu naturally chose to step forward and intervene between Seele and Bronya.
"Cough, cough, Seele has already given up her room, so let her live wherever she wants. Anyway, the rooms are big enough, more than enough to accommodate one more person."
Seele also stood behind Nangong Yu, holding his arm and leaning out halfway, nodding repeatedly at Sister Bronya.
"Hmph."
Bronya snorted disdainfully, didn't say much, picked up her things, and started moving towards the second floor.
How could she not know what this girl with spring fever was thinking? What she said just now was just to tease her.
As the afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the street, the three people who had been busy all afternoon finally sat on the second-floor terrace and got some leisure time to rest.
After drinking a sweet drink, Seele, who couldn't sit still, ran downstairs again to cook, saying that since Sister Bronya was finally back, they must have a grand celebration meal.
Without Seele's chattering, the second-floor terrace returned to tranquility.
Outside the residential area, there was no hustle and bustle of the market. Looking at the orange-yellow sky, Bronya was slightly lost in thought.
She had thought she would be very sad after losing, but ever since she took her first step into this house in the afternoon, her heart had involuntarily relaxed.
It seemed she hadn't experienced this feeling of ease and freedom for almost two years. This feeling made her a little spaced out, and she couldn't help but recall the scene of them arguing with each other two years ago in her mind.
Thinking about it now, Nangong Yu was actually right. Without sufficient capital, how could one have the qualifications to pursue their dreams? The painful experience of not being able to afford food after her first game failure was still vivid in her memory. Without Nangong Yu's support, she should have lost long ago.
Only after playing to the moon did she understand. What contract? It was just Nangong Yu indulging the mood of someone throwing a little girl's tantrum, patiently playing along with her. Back then, she was still too proud. The participants are confused, while the bystanders are clear.
With a sigh, Bronya relaxed her body against the back of the chair, turned her gaze to look at the equally quiet young man beside her.
The afterglow of the setting sun draped him in a golden veil. His eyes were closed, and he leaned back against the chair, breathing evenly. It seemed he had fallen asleep.
Two years had stripped away the boy's former childishness, making him look a bit more mature. His quiet sleeping face touched the softest part of Bronya's heart.
Unable to resist, Bronya took out her phone, aimed it at Nangong Yu, and with a click, captured this scene. After making some slight adjustments and setting it as her phone wallpaper, she finally nodded in satisfaction.
A gentle breeze swept past, lifting a strand of her hair. Bronya suddenly stood up and quietly walked to Nangong Yu's side.
Bronya, who had originally intended to play a small prank, suddenly paused as she lowered her head.
Looking at the face that was getting closer and closer, the various emotions from two years of separation suddenly erupted at this moment. There was anger, unwillingness, but more than that, there was longing for the boy who used to be by her side every day and opened her heart.
Feeling his still even breathing, Bronya used her finger to tuck the side hair from her forehead behind her ear, took a deep breath, and slowly leaned down.
Her heart suddenly began to beat rapidly, an unresolvable blush appeared on her face, and her slightly dizzy head couldn't tell if this was a sudden impulse or premeditated. The eruption of two years of pent-up emotions made her temporarily abandon thinking.
"Consider this, your reward after winning."
Barely finding an excuse for herself, the scene she had imagined countless times was turned into reality by her at this moment.
The setting sun stretched out their shadows long, reaching all the way down the stairs to near the kitchen. And at this moment, two long shadows slowly overlapped.
Sorry, Seele.
Bronya said slowly in her heart.