Game Development Club Clubroom.
Thanks to the unexpectedly positive reactions from users about the web version of Tales Saga Chronicle 2, everyone had found some level of confidence and relaxation.
But that would change when the day of the awards ceremony arrived; however, for now, that was the current situation.
In that case, what actions would the Game Development Club take…?
“Ahhh!!! This is so unfair!”
“It’s okay, Momo! I will showcase the new technique that Aris has mastered to overcome this crisis!”
“Wait, sticky stone… hang on! Aris-chan, that’s not a technique, that’s a bug…!”
[Main target achieved]
“What was that damage just now…?”
“Aris-chan, that’s a bug that has not been fixed because the developer stopped updating it…”
“… So it wasn’t a new technique?”
“You really found that all on your own. I guess that’s impressive in its own way!”
Meanwhile, in a spot slightly separated from the three who were doing a four-person cooperative hunt with the teacher.
In one corner of the clubroom, Miyu and Yuzu were controlling two characters in a cooperative game to rescue a princess captured by a demon king.
“…”
“…”
Unlike the ruckus on the other side, these two exchanged thoughts only through their glances, advancing towards game completion with near perfection.
In the Game Development Club room, which was only half noisy today, everyone was immersed in their gaming bliss.
Looking at the reactions to the web version was tedious. They started to refrain from observing people’s responses out of fear of negative reviews popping up.
It was inevitable that these people would once again grab onto their games.
Suddenly, bang.
“…?!”
At that moment, the door to the clubroom burst open. Someone revealed themselves from beyond it.
“Hello♪”
“…Noa?”
“Oh my, you were here too, sensei. It’s been a while.”
“I-I’m here. The 2nd in the ranking of the Student Council Four Heavenly Kings…! The secretary who kills people with a smile, Ushio Noa!”
“That’s a terrifying nickname. But, an idol wouldn’t kill someone… right?”
Noa, eyes wide from Momo and Aris’s reactions, smiled gently and approached them.
“Hi-heeek… Don’t come any closer! No, if anyone has to die, just kill me instead of Aris-chan!”
“Momo…!”
“I will protect Aris-chan…!”
Noa, who approached Momo standing resolutely in front of Aris, casually stated.
“If you cancel that statement from just now, I’ll speak nicely to the president about the consideration of disbanding the Game Development Club.”
“Cancel! I take it back! So please spare our lives!”
“Actually, that was just a joke♪”
“… What the heck?!”
Noa, lightly covering her mouth with her hand, turned her gaze towards Aris.
“Hello. You’re Tendo Aris, right? I need you to come with me for a bit.”
“Wait! Noa-senpai, can I ask why you want to take Aris-chan…?”
“Of course. It’s because our president wants to have a conversation with Aris-chan. But there’s no need for everyone to be too on guard.”
“What could the seminar president want with Aris-chan…?”
“Of course, it’s only natural that she wants to see the face of a new student whose admission she didn’t personally approve… right?”
“…!”
Everyone was startled, but only the teacher, who felt a slight unease, casually asked Noa.
“Noa, just to be safe. This isn’t related to Mika, is it?”
“Oh my. How did you know, sensei?”
“I just had a feeling…”
At that moment, the teacher realized it would be odd if Mika’s name didn’t pop up at some point.
“Our president, Rion-senpai, can be quite strict… but the person with Rion-senpai today is genuinely good-hearted. So you don’t have to worry about Aris-chan being harmed or anything like that.”
“Hey, that Mika person… she’s the same one, right? The student council president and idol from Trinity. By the way, Noa-senpai is also a member of that group…”
“Yes, exactly. Anyway, Aris-chan, you don’t need to worry because I… or rather, Mika will ensure you are brought back safely.”
“I understand. So, I’m supposed to go with Noa-senpai right now?”
“Yes, right now. They are waiting for you. It would be rude to keep them waiting any longer, especially since they live such busy lives as if a day has 25 hours.”
With determination, Aris nodded.
“Aris-chan, be careful. If someone tries to get you because of the mirror incident, just shoot a signal and we’ll come running.”
“Momo, please don’t say unnecessary things. If you escalate the situation, we will be the ones to suffer.”
“Right, sis. But Noa-senpai is trustworthy, so she’s probably not lying.”
“Of course, Midori-chan. I heard you indirectly express that Yuuka-chan is untrustworthy. I’ll make sure to pass that along♪”
“Wait, Noa-senpai, please don’t! Not that!”
Having said that, Noa glanced around the clubroom.
The club leader Yuzu was nowhere to be seen, and it felt like there was also someone else present yet oddly invisible.
‘… It must be a good thing, right? As for me, I just need to guide Aris-chan.’
“But Noa. Is Yuuka here…?”
“Oh, Yuuka-chan? She’s been busy tallying up the damage from the ruckus you all caused at Millennium Tower and yesterday at the Old School building.”
“… Please tell her I’m sorry.”
“I’ll think about it, sensei♪”
With a gentle smile, Noa gestured for Aris to follow.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. And… I hope for a great battle in this Millennium Price.”
Nervously, Aris followed Noa out of the clubroom.
“Whoa?! We’re doomed!!!”
“Uh, sis. Just calm down… we need to breathe… screams!!!”
And thus, an unexpected chaos erupted in the Game Development Club’s room.
“Of all times! We’re finished now…”
As the clubroom door closed, a cabinet swung open and Yuzu stumbled out, collapsing onto the floor.
“… Hey, why is everyone suddenly acting like this?”
Seeing all of this, the teacher blinked in confusion, unable to comprehend the reactions.
“Um, uh… it’s because Noa-senpai is the one who submitted the winning entry from last year’s Millennium Price…”
“Wahhh… we’re done for…”
“Hum.”
As the teacher lightly stroked her chin, she spoke with a look suggesting ‘is that all?’
“Teacher, I don’t think that just because a powerful competitor has joined, it means you will completely lose your chances. So, don’t you want to believe in the passion and love for games that you’ve shown over the past two weeks?”
“…”
The Game Development Club members, who had been panicking, exchanged glances.
And from their mouths, at the same time, a single phrase emerged.
“… Love gaming.”
“That’s right. Believe in yourselves who love games more than anyone. And, if by any chance you fail to win… then I’ll go to the student council and kneel to ask them to reconsider disbanding you.”
“Not happening! Our T.S.C 2 will definitely win. Because you and Aris are with us!”
“Yes, exactly! The game we made together can’t possibly fail!”
“… And Miyu-chan too.”
If it weren’t for Yuzu mentioning Miyu, the twins would likely have completely forgotten her presence.
*
Just a few days ago, Aris had visited Millennium Tower as an intruder. Now, guided by a student council officer, she was looking around.
There were no signs left of what she and the Game Development Club had done. As if nothing had happened at all.
But the memories of that day were still vividly clear to Aris, having cemented as a cherished memory.
It must have been a nightmare for Yuuka.
“Heehee. This is the spot where I was trapped for over two hours, thanks to all of you.”
“… I’m sorry, Aris.”
“What? No, I actually wanted to thank you.”
Aris looked at Noa with confusion as she smiled and said that.
“Those two hours were incredibly precious to me. So I’m grateful. Even though Yuuka-chan is still sulking about it. Isn’t that cute?”
“Um, Noa-senpai, I’d like to ask you something. Are you wanting to meet Aris on Rion-senpai’s behalf?”
“Well, I don’t really know? I’ve just been instructed to guide Aris-chan here. I’m not aware of the specifics…”
After Noa gave a somewhat troubled answer, the conversation broke for a moment until they reached the front of Rion’s office.
“Ah, Aris-chan. Just a heads up… it’s best to be careful not to get too immersed.”
“…?”
“By the time you realize it, it may already be too late, so perhaps it’s better to live unaware.”
Noa’s expression, which bore a bittersweet smile, abruptly turned serious as she cleared her throat, calling Rion through an intercom-like device.
“Rion-senpai, I’ve brought Tendo Aris-chan.”
[… Let her in.]
“Hey, Noa-senpai, aren’t you going in?”
“No, I’m quite busy with my own matters. And I can meet Mika-chan before I head back anyway. Now… go on in, Aris-chan♪ The two highest-ranking individuals in Kivotos are looking forward to meeting you.”
“… I understand. It’s like being summoned by the king, huh?”
“Huh…?”
Leaving Noa, who tilted her head, Aris confidently entered the office.
And the moment her eyes locked with Rion, who was waiting inside… she regretted not running away.
[Hero, Aris has entered ???.]
