[Game] Chapter 427-428

Chapter 427: Toyama Rin’s Little Plan

Under the gaze of Ichin and Utaha, Toyama Rin’s cheeks turned slightly red. Though she was a few years older than the two of them and carried herself like a reliable big sister, in this moment she looked more like a shy young girl.

That only piqued Utaha’s curiosity and gossip-loving heart.

But since there were still the masseuses around, it wasn’t convenient to pry, so Utaha simply said:

“Once we’re done here, let’s find a place to talk slowly?”

“That would be best,” Rin quickly nodded. She wasn’t comfortable talking about such things in front of strangers anyway.

Half an hour later, once their foot massages were finished, the three of them went to a bar inside the hotel.

The atmosphere was very nice—booths, soft music—it felt perfect for relaxing and chatting.

They ordered three cocktails and settled into a booth.

Ichin glanced around at the surroundings with satisfaction, then looked at Rin.

“Well then, Rin, tell us what you wanted to consult about.”

Rin lifted her glass, took a sip, then glanced cautiously around before lowering her voice.

“I’m asking for your advice… but please don’t tell anyone else, alright?”

After the two nodded in agreement, Rin, her face flushed, spoke very shyly:

“I… I just wanted to ask… how do you deepen a relationship?”

“Hm?”

Both Ichin and Utaha instantly perked up. After exchanging a glance, Ichin was the first to ask:

“Rin, don’t tell me your relationship with Kō hasn’t progressed at all?”

“I–It’s not that there’s no progress,” Rin mumbled, her face red. “It’s definitely not like before anymore, I just… don’t know how to take it further.”

“Oh?”

Utaha rubbed her chin with interest, then nudged Rin’s shoulder and asked directly:

“So, Rin, what stage are you at now? Have you kissed yet?”

Utaha’s straightforwardness made Rin’s face burn even hotter.

She quickly took another sip of her drink to calm herself before whispering:

“Y-Yes… but you know how Kō is, always so carefree… so I was thinking, maybe we should take it a step further.”

“If it’s going to the next step…”

Ichin spoke while exchanging another glance with Utaha. Both of their lips curled into small smiles, and a shared sense of amusement rose between them.

Utaha narrowed her eyes, unable to resist saying:

“What a shame Eriri didn’t come along. If she heard this, I’m sure the doujin artist side of her would instantly come roaring back to life.”

“Don’t! Absolutely don’t let anyone else know!” Rin shook her head furiously, her cheeks burning bright red.

Usually she carried herself like a caring big sister, but when it came to this kind of topic, she absolutely didn’t want too many people to know. It was just too embarrassing.

Ichin gently squeezed Utaha’s hand and reassured her:

“Don’t worry, we won’t say anything. Utaha’s just teasing you. But honestly, Rin, your idea makes sense. After all, you and Kō getting closer is perfectly natural. And isn’t tonight the perfect chance? Compared to being at home, the hotel atmosphere is definitely better. If I’m not mistaken, you and Kō are sharing a room, right?”

Rin nodded. “Mm, the same room.”

“Then there you go.”

Utaha snapped her fingers with a smile.

“Hotels are places couples go all the time. Ichin and I often do the same—after going out together, we’ll just book a hotel for the night. The atmosphere of being alone in a hotel room is already intimate. If you, Rin, pour a couple glasses of red wine and take the initiative just a little bit, wouldn’t that settle everything?”

After Utaha finished, Ichin rubbed his chin and said:

“Hmm, but… it feels like something’s still missing.”

“What’s missing?”

Both Utaha and Rin turned to look at him.

Ichin thought for a moment, glanced at Rin, then shook his head.

“Forget it, I probably shouldn’t say it.”

Utaha immediately rolled her eyes.

“Honestly, Ichin, leaving people hanging like that is a terrible habit!”

Ichin spread his hands helplessly.

“But really, it’s not something that suits me to bring up.”

In the end, it was Rin who spoke up.

“Um, Ichin, it’s just the three of us here. It’s fine, you can say it.”

“…Really?”

Scratching his head, Ichin sighed.

“Alright, I’ll say it then. I just thought… before coming to the hotel this afternoon, Rin, you should’ve gone home and brought some clothes. More importantly, I don’t know if you’ve got any, uh… decisive lingerie ready.”

The moment he said “decisive lingerie,” Rin understood immediately. Her face flushed crimson, and she quickly grabbed her cocktail, downing it all in one go.

Utaha, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as flustered. She thoughtfully nodded.

“True, why didn’t I think of that? Ichin, do you think we could have the hotel staff buy some for her?”

“No, no, no, no!”

Rin frantically waved her hands. Between embarrassment and the alcohol, her face was already bright red.

“Alright, alright, forget it then.”

Seeing Rin that shy, Ichin decided not to tease her with any more outrageous ideas.

Crossing his arms, he mused aloud:

“Fine, forget the lingerie. What about this instead—why not have the hotel staff decorate your room? Scatter some rose petals on the bed, add a bit of candlelight for atmosphere. But then again, everyone’s rooms have twin beds… only Utaha and I have a king-sized bed. Should I get your room changed?”

Rin hurriedly shook her head.

“No need! This is enough—I know what to do now. I’ll just ask the hotel to send up a bottle of red wine later. Tonight, I’ll make sure to seal the deal!”

Though Rin said it with determination, neither Ichin nor Utaha truly believed she could pull it off exactly as she claimed.

Well, they would just have to wait and see.

After finishing their drinks, the three didn’t linger in the bar any longer and went off to find the others.

The hotel had plenty of entertainment facilities, and everyone else was already having a blast.

When Ichin spotted the ping-pong room, he couldn’t resist joining in. He ended up sweeping through Yagami Kō, Hajime, Aoba, and Eriri one after another.

A little sweaty from the games, he gathered everyone together—time to go soak in the baths.

On the way to the reserved hot spring, Aoba suddenly remembered something.

“Ah, but what about a change of clothes?”

Outer clothes weren’t too much of a problem, but underwear was another story. For a group of girls who all liked to stay clean, not having spares could be troublesome.

Yukino’s older sister, Haruno, remained calm.

“Don’t worry. The hotel provides clothing—you just have to pay for it. And if you want designer brands, the hotel can even contact the brand shops and bring them over for you. It’s really simple.”

“Really? Then I’m relieved.”

Aoba patted her chest in relief—at least she didn’t have to worry about going to bed with nothing to change into.

***

Chapter 428: Next Week’s Work Plan

Night passed, the sun rose, and when the sunlight began filtering through the curtains into the room, the sleeping Ichin slowly opened his eyes.

“What time is it…?”

He reached for his phone on the nightstand and saw that it was just a few minutes before ten.

“Feels like I barely slept at all…”

Turning his head, he saw that Utaha was still sound asleep beside him, not stirred in the least by his movements.

Quietly getting up, Ichin ruffled his slightly messy hair, tucked the blanket back around Utaha, and got out of bed to wash up.

The night before, after playing around for a while, everyone had gone for another soak in the baths. Afterwards, they had gathered again to play cards, and didn’t head back to their rooms until past one in the morning.

As for what exactly happened between Toyama Rin and Yagami Kō, Ichin didn’t know—and he hadn’t had the time to ask. After all, once he and Utaha returned to their room, they had spent quite a bit more time “busy” themselves.

After taking a shower in the bathroom, Ichin returned to find Utaha awake, sitting on the bed still drowsy.

Seeing him walk in, she yawned, stretched, and said, “Ichin, I’m a little hungry.”

“Of course you are. We only ate a few snacks last night while playing so long. How could you not be hungry?”

Walking over, Ichin pinched her cheek with a smile. “Go wash up. I’ll message everyone to see who’s awake. Let’s all find a restaurant for lunch together, then head home afterwards.”

Utaha nodded, slipped out of bed in her pajamas, grabbed some clothes, and went to the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Ichin boiled some water in the kitchen, sat on the sofa, and sent messages to everyone.

Replies came back quickly.

Most were awake, though only a few had actually gotten out of bed. The rest were still buried under their blankets.

Since it was the weekend, and there was plenty of time left before checkout, Ichin told them it was fine to sleep more—as long as they came out before lunch. So, some stayed wrapped up watching TV or chatting, others just scrolled on their phones.

Of course, there were still a few completely knocked out—like Sakura Nene, Aoba, and Shinoda Hajime. They’d been the wildest at cards last night, and it seemed after everyone else had finished, the three of them went back to their room to keep playing. Who knew until when?

Soon enough, Utaha emerged, washed and changed. They shared some snacks and coffee that the hotel provided, and by then it was about time.

Heading downstairs, they waited in the lobby for a little over ten minutes before everyone slowly gathered.

Ichin’s eyes naturally fell on Yagami Kō and Toyama Rin.

Rin had her usual smiling face, but her bright mood was obvious at a glance. Kō, however, flushed uncontrollably the moment she met Ichin’s slightly teasing gaze.

Judging by that, the two of them had quite the pleasant evening.

They checked out together, then piled into cars to head to the restaurant for lunch.

The hotel’s cuisine had been good, but everyone agreed a change of place and flavor would be better.

After a shared lunch, the group split up to go home.

Ichin and Utaha drove the three Gokou sisters back.

Inside the car, Utaha glanced at the backseat where Gokou Hinata and Gokou Tamaki sat on either side of Gokou Ruri, and smiled.

“Hinata, Tamaki—did you have fun?”

“Yeah!”

The two little girls beamed.

Ruri also had a small smile, but still reminded her sisters:

“If you had fun, then make sure to study properly at home today, alright? Keep your grades up. If you both manage to get into the high schools and universities you’re aiming for, I’ll take you on a trip myself. Anywhere in the country you want to go.”

Ruri’s salary had risen, and with her year-end bonus, taking her sisters on a trip after their entrance exams next year wouldn’t be a problem at all.

Hearing their sister’s promise, the two girls happily nodded again and again.

Soon, they arrived at the Gokou house. Ichin and Utaha greeted the sisters’ parents, chatted briefly, then bid the family goodbye before heading home.

At their own place, their two cats weren’t the least bothered by their owners being away all day. With plenty of toys and food, and as cats hardly required much fussing over, their quality of life was more than comfortable. Besides, they had each other for company.

Only George seemed a little pitiful—unlike Peppa, who’d been neutered after leaving behind a litter, George had been neutered shortly after being adopted, so he would never sire kittens of his own.

After rubbing the cats’ heads, Ichin tossed their used clothes into the washing machine, then settled onto the sofa with his tablet and turned on the TV.

It was Sunday. Tomorrow, classes resumed at school.

But beyond collage-work, there were also plenty of work-related tasks waiting. First and foremost was the GARO game adaptation. After Hazuki had reached out, it was decided that next week they would head to New Northeastern Pictures for a meeting. The other side wasn’t against the idea of a game adaptation, and they knew full well the studio’s development capabilities. Since the meeting was set, Ichin felt optimistic.

Before then, though, he planned to rewatch GARO from the beginning, review the story, and consider carefully how best to adapt it into a game.

Besides that, he also needed to draft the proposal for Tales of Berseria and work on the main character designs. Unlike most games, this one had a female protagonist—a rarity in the medium. That meant the portrayal had to be handled differently from usual, and Ichin didn’t have much experience there. He would need to think it through carefully.

Lastly, there was preparation for Fall Guys’ testing. It was May now, and the public network test was scheduled for next month.

The first test would be on NS and Steam, with the second test in August expanding to additional platforms.

Right now, the dev team was focused on optimizing performance for NS. With levels growing more elaborate—large maps, complex mechanisms, plus multiplayer elements—there was inevitable strain. Optimization was critical.

Ichin’s requirement was clear: the game needed to run stably at 30 FPS on NS with no drops. Anything higher would be even better.

As for Dark Souls and Titanfall, their development no longer demanded his immediate attention.

After finishing writing up the work plan on his tablet, Ichin rubbed his temples.

“Looks like time is going to be tight again…”

***