Chapter 39: The Unease in Aki Tomoya's Heart
Although Eriri was just on the verge of exploding, fortunately, Aragaki Moeha was there at the critical moment. The Blonde Girl's anger was quickly soothed by the little blonde loli beside her. As for Aki Tomoya, he was ordered to research where the problem with the drafts lay.
"What the... it feels like the game has crashed before it even took off. This isn't a good omen..."
Aragaki Takiya muttered under his breath, but he didn't expect his low-voiced complaint to be overheard by Kasumigaoka Utaha next to him.
"They've always been like this. They clash every time they meet, then they make up without even realizing it. So, Aragaki, you don't need to worry..."
The girl with long black hair replied while typing away.
"Kasumigaoka Senpai... I can call you that, right?"
"You can."
The girl's reply was only two words, but from the brief pause of her fingers, it was clear she was still paying attention to her conversation with the boy.
"Kasumigaoka Senpai seems to know them very well. Uh... I mean Eriri and Aki-san."
"I wouldn't say I know them that well; it's just that I've been around them for quite a while, so I've naturally become familiar with their personalities."
Seeing Aragaki Takiya ask this, Kasumigaoka Utaha simply paused her typing. How should she put it? Writing the script was a long-term task, and the review work was Aki Tomoya's responsibility, so Kasumigaoka Utaha wasn't in a hurry at all.
"Aragaki... you seem very interested in Sawamura?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha adjusted her sitting posture and asked with interest.
"Ah? I wouldn't say I'm that interested. It's just that we're all club members, and if a conflict arises, as a member, I naturally want to understand the situation first."
Hearing Kasumigaoka Utaha's words, Aragaki Takiya was a bit surprised, but he didn't show it. Instead, he chose to change the subject. Little did he know that while Kasumigaoka Utaha was speaking, Kato Megumi was also quietly listening.
"I see. Then you don't have to worry. According to Rinri-kun, he and Sawamura are Childhood Sweethearts, so an occasional minor conflict is normal. If they were ever perfectly harmonious, that would be a real problem."
As Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke, she observed Aragaki Takiya's reaction, but since there was nothing special on the boy's face, she dropped the subject.
"But if it's like this, can we really make a good game? Even though everyone is spending their free time to get together, it feels like there's a new problem every time we meet..."
Looking at Aki Tomoya, who was still deep in thought, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but voice his concerns. This was the first club he had ever joined in his life. If possible, he still hoped to complete the club's tasks properly, but right now, it didn't look like it would be easy.
"Huh? Do you actually intend to produce a game?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Aragaki Takiya with interest, as if she had heard a joke.
"I do have that intention, but looking at the situation, it seems like it will be hard to achieve. Didn't you join for that reason too, Kasumigaoka Senpai?"
"I don't have such lofty ambitions. I joined this club because Rinri-kun helped me a lot. When my light novel sales hit rock bottom, he was the one who pulled me up."
Kasumigaoka Utaha said softly.
"Was it that part with the second volume?"
"As I thought, you're one of my readers too~"
As if she had gotten the answer she wanted, Kasumigaoka Utaha narrowed her beautiful red eyes, and even her tone became gentle.
"How should I put it... I guess I'm a loyal fan. After all, I've bought the entire set of your light novels..."
"And they're the signed editions, with the serial number being the first one, right?"
Looking at the stunned expression on Aragaki Takiya's face, Kasumigaoka felt the long-lost pleasure of teasing someone.
"I found them on the bookshelf last time when Moeha was asleep."
With Kasumigaoka Utaha's explanation, Aragaki Takiya gradually pieced everything together. However, they both tacitly agreed not to pursue the topic further and turned their gaze back to Aki Tomoya.
"I found it! I found where the problem is!"
After a long period of deep thought, Aki Tomoya finally figured out what was missing from the drawings. Now, he was eager to announce his answer.
Along with Aki Tomoya's voice, not only were Aragaki Takiya and the others drawn in, but even Aragaki Moeha, who was in Eriri's arms, cast a curious glance.
"It's like this, Eriri. Your drawings don't convey the sense of excitement the heroine gives me at all. To be precise, they don't give me a 'wow' factor. So, these drawings can't be used in the game..."
As Aki Tomoya's voice trailed off, the Living Room fell into silence. If what Aki Tomoya said was true, the reason Eriri's drawings weren't used was... the quality was too subpar.
"You... you... you!"
Everyone else understood the implication of Aki Tomoya's words, and Eriri was naturally no exception. However, just when everyone thought she was about to explode, she strangely reined in her temper.
"I understand. I'll go back and revise them thoroughly..."
The Blonde Girl's reply was flat, but it carried an indescribable sense of intimidation.
"Uh, I guess that counts as a peaceful resolution..."
Aragaki Takiya had originally been ready to step forward and mediate, but given Eriri's current state... for some reason, he suddenly abandoned the idea of stepping in.
"Forget it, I'd better observe a bit longer..."
"Aragaki, you really don't need to worry about it. Instead of spending time on that, you should continue with your task."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice echoed from the side.
"True. Kato, let's get back to studying programming..."
On the other side, although Eriri hadn't lost her temper, Aki Tomoya still had a strange feeling. He didn't think he had done anything wrong, but that feeling kept lingering in his heart. Finally, when he turned his head, he saw Kato Megumi reading a book with Aragaki Takiya.
He understood where the problem was...
Loving Book So Far Check Out 40+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FictionsTL