Furthermore, once the game company grew larger and stronger in the future, there was no reason they couldn't start their own major game company.
'Thinking through the game's plot was taxing enough. It would be better to find help for the illustrations and voice acting.'
Lost in thought, Yusei looked at the [Kashiwagi Eri] name in his computer's community friends list, gradually forming an idea.
'Indeed, the R-18 restricted portions would require an R-18 artist to handle.'
Opening the greyed-out avatar of Kashiwagi Eri, Yusei typed a message.
At the Sawamura Residence.
Sawamura Eriri, the daughter of a diplomat, should have been a carefree young lady.
But recently, she was troubled.
The Winter Comiket was approaching.
For every Summer and Winter Comiket, she, as the artist [Kashiwagi Eri], would sell her works at the event.
This winter, because she was busy with her end-of-term practice exams, and as they were for her second year of high school, even she had to take them seriously, she hadn't had much time to draw her doujinshi, despite having many ideas in her head.
While she didn't need the money, not having anything to sell this time would be a blow to her reputation.
"Sigh, what should I do? How can I possibly finish in such a short time?" Eriri lay slumped over her desk, sighing dejectedly.
Just then, a message notification sounded.
Eriri lifted her head and opened the message, seeing it was from a somewhat unfamiliar contact.
'Unfamiliar' wasn't entirely accurate, as Eriri remembered this person had once asked her for advice on drawing manga, and she, feeling interested, had offered some tips.
'But it seemed like we hadn't messaged for over half a year, right? Why so sudden today?'
[What is it?] Eriri typed back.
[I'd like to ask for your help. More precisely, I want to commission some work from you.]
[No.]
Eriri refused without hesitation. She didn't even have time to finish her own doujinshi right now, how could she take on a commission for someone else?
Besides, she wasn't short on money herself, and it was purely a matter of interest and hobby.
[Huh? Why?] Yusei, over in Bunkyo Ward, was taken aback and instinctively typed the question.
[I'm not exactly idle either. I have my own busy schedule, I have no time to help others.] She added a helpless emoji at the end.
Yusei stroked his chin. He had wanted to find a long-term ero-illustrator, and Kashiwagi Eri was the best choice, but now she was unwilling...
[Can you tell me what's keeping you busy? If it doesn't take too long, maybe I can help you first, then you can help me.]
[Oh, you'll help me? Since you're asking me for help, it must be for ero-illustrations, right? So you know what kind of work I do.]
[Ah, yes, I know. But the thing I want to commission might be long-term work. So we should discuss it properly.]
[I see. Well, let's talk about it together after this Winter Comiket is over. Since you've decided to help me, first draw these planned ero-manga ideas for me. They need to be finished before Comiket.]
[Okay.]
Yusei then received a file containing rough drafts and textual descriptions of the plots.
Yusei skimmed through them briefly. Most were Yuri (girls' love) Doujinshi.
The quantity wasn't too large, and it shouldn't take too much time to complete.
As for the deadline before Comiket, Yusei checked the date, and found there was still a week left, which was sufficient time.
Having secured the game's illustrator, and planning to handle the music composition himself, thanks to the musical talent within his [All-Rounder] skill and Chika's piano skills, he could manage it.
The most complex part, the programming, would be handled by Yui.
'For Yui, this kind of game would be incredibly simple, right?'
Yusei yawned and fell asleep.
He had to go to Megumi's place tomorrow, so staying up too late wouldn't be good.
The next day, Yusei woke up early, stretched, and went to the living room. Seeing the empty living room and kitchen, he sighed.
The clock on the wall showed 8 a.m., but alas, the dragon maid of the house was still sleeping in.
"This won't do. How can the maid make me cook for myself?"
Yusei, his eyelids heavy, opened the door to Tohru's room.
Kanna was sleeping together with Tohru. The two dragon girls were sleeping soundly.
Seeing this, the corner of Yusei's mouth twitched. He thought for a moment, then closed the door again.
"Never mind, no need to wake Kanna."
After washing up, Yusei instinctively went to the fridge, only to remember it was empty. They had just moved in yesterday, and dinner had been Tohru's tail meat plus takeout.
Shaking his head, Yusei decided to skip breakfast. He changed clothes, left a note at home saying he had business outside today, and headed out.
Just as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he ran into Utaha, wrapped in thick pajamas, heading upstairs.
"Good morning. Taking out the trash?" Yusei greeted her with a smile.
"Yes. But are you heading out?" Utaha noticed Yusei's outfit, clearly dressed to go out. She didn't say much else, said goodbye, and immediately left.
He was going to Megumi's house next. Saying that would only aggravate the situation.
Utaha watched Yusei leave thoughtfully. She instinctively felt that him dodging her like this meant something was up.
But Yusei was leaving now, and she had no real reason to pursue him, so following him was impossible.
'Better go back and brainstorm my new book. He's probably going on a date with Yuuki-san.' Thinking this, Utaha returned home.
Taking the train according to the address Megumi provided, Yusei arrived at her house.
Megumi's home was an ordinary Japanese residence with a decent amount of space. It seemed her family circumstances were fairly comfortable.
Yusei knocked on the door. After a moment, footsteps sounded from inside, and the door opened.
It was Megumi who answered.
"Good morning, Yusei-kun." A barely perceptible hint of pleasure showed on Kato Megumi's face.
Yusei also smiled and greeted her: "Good morning, Kato-san."
When she heard 'Kato-san', a flicker of loneliness passed through Megumi's eyes, but it vanished almost immediately.
"Please, come in. Have you had breakfast, Yusei-kun? If you haven't, please try my cooking first."