"I see. Then you and Yukino should fill out the club application form first!"
Qianshu Lian nodded. Although he knew she definitely had other intentions for joining the club, he had no intention of delving deeper.
After all, there were only one or two possibilities, and it was basically impossible for any other outcome to occur.
The two finished filling out the application forms, and waited a while longer before Sakura Chiyo finally arrived, fashionably late. There wasn't anything too pressing happening at the Art Club at the moment.
So even though taking leave on her first day of reporting felt incredibly embarrassing, Sakura Chiyo still successfully managed to get permission to leave thanks to her personal social skills.
She even received a send-off from the Art Club members. If it had been anyone else, it would surely have caused displeasure among other club members.
This would have created a rift, but because of Chiyo's extraordinary ability, none of this was an issue.
"So, our club finally has five people, barely meeting the minimum number of members for a club, although for our club, this isn't important~"
After Sakura Chiyo also finished filling out her application form, Qianshu Lian finally walked to the front of the classroom and clapped his hands, attracting everyone else's attention.
"The purpose of me founding this club is to create games that I myself can enjoy playing!"
Qianshu Lian said, while taking out chalk and starting to write on the blackboard.
"But if I want to create games that even I can enjoy and have fun with, simple mini-games are completely out of the question!"
"Because as the creator, I have countless times understood their inner workings. How can a small game with no secrets and no surprises bring joy?"
"So, although we've established a game club, there's actually a large game company providing us with assistance! If necessary, other resources will also be provided for help!"
"Woah, woah, woah, aren't you exaggerating a bit? I originally thought it was already absurd enough for one company to help our small club develop games!"
Hachiman Hikigaya complained from below as he watched Qianshu Lian gradually sketch out the blueprint. A large game company being able to provide full assistance to a high school game club was already terrifying enough.
And there were other resources available for this small club to use?
Under these conditions, could it still be considered a small club?
"Such trivial matters are not important!" Qianshu Lian emphasized, tapping the blackboard with chalk.
"The work we can arrange right now is to be responsible for the initial planning!"
Because he only needed to provide the initial framework and some of the planning, character designs, etc., it counted as satisfying his sense of participation in game production. The rest could be left to the real game company.
"In other words, although we are nominally a game production club, in reality, we only need to be responsible for designing some small elements in the early stages!"
Hachiman Hikigaya instantly understood. Rather than calling them a game club, it was more like they were just satisfying a desire to participate in game production.
"Don't say that~ At least this way, we can avoid tedious production and don't have to worry about code execution!"
Qianshu Lian felt this was better; at the very least, it could ensure their interest remained, and their enthusiasm wouldn't be extinguished by the boring parts of game production.
"Excellent, now that you all understand!"
"Who understands?" Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but speak up.
"Although we know we're only nominally making games, nothing else has been explained. Why do we suddenly understand everything?"
"Knock, knock—"
Just as the atmosphere was getting tense, a knock suddenly came from the door.
Everyone instantly returned to their seats, resuming their usual demeanor, leaving only Qianshu Lian standing on the podium, shaking his head helplessly as he turned to open the classroom door.
"Long time no see, Mr. Chisaki Ren~" A voluptuous senior walked in from outside the door, a gentle smile on her face.
Sakura Chiyo pouted angrily after seeing the other person's figure, but then deflated after carefully comparing their differences.
Her figure development was considered normal; after all, her body was very petite to begin with, and her size, when proportioned, was actually quite good.
Unfortunately, compared to someone whose development was completely unreasonable, she was still quite far behind.
Yukino Yukinoshita also gently tightened her grip on the book in her hand. Other things aside, her figure was also a weakness for her.
Yui Yuigahama was about to say something, but Hachiman Hikigaya, who had already sensed the awkward atmosphere, covered her mouth.
Are you kidding me? Why would you interject at a time like this? Is that something someone of your level can meddle with?
"Could it be that this is a senior Mr. Chisaki Ren knew from outside of school? I remember isn't today our first official day of school?"
Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at the disheartened Sakura Chiyo, and finally, feeling frustrated, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
"No, that's not it. I just ran into the senior when I went to the rooftop for lunch today. Senior, are you here to return my bento box?"
Qianshu Lian was eager to change the subject, but the moment he blurted out "bento box," his heart gave a jolt as he realized his mistake.
"Bento box? Qianshu also brought this woman a bento box?"
Sakura Chiyo, who had just been disheartened, was no longer disheartened. She instantly stood up as if facing a formidable enemy, staring at Qianshu Lian with disbelief.
This made Qianshu Lian feel a little guilty and avert his gaze, but a moment later, he suddenly remembered that he hadn't done anything wrong, so why should he avert his gaze?
So he looked back at Sakura Chiyo, his gaze righteous, which made Sakura Chiyo involuntarily turn her attention to Kasumigaoka Shiwa.
"Hehe~ I forgot to introduce myself, my name is—" Kasumigaoka Shiwa chuckled, intending to introduce herself and thus integrate into the group.
"Kasumigaoka Shiwa, one of the top students in humanities in Soubu High School's second year, and also one of the popular girls in the second year. I wonder why senior you are acquainted with Qianshu?"
Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Kasumigaoka Shiwa with a knowing gaze. The other party must also be one of the holders of Qianshu Lian's diary duplicate!
Because of the other party's personality, Qianshu Lian had mentioned her in his diary duplicate before. It seemed that was when Qianshu Lian first met Aki Tomoya.
However, he hadn't gone into much detail, but Qianshu Lian did mention her personality: sharp-tongued and not very approachable.
Under the circumstances of a first meeting, wanting the other person to immediately remember Qianshu Lian's name, and even actively accepting the bento box Qianshu Lian handed over, and then striking up a relationship, was simply impossible.
Unless something had changed her personality!
And based on Qianshu Lian's caution over the years, even with the changes of a merged world, aside from potential alterations in some aspects, the personalities of the main characters should not undergo such drastic changes.
"I'm truly sorry~ If I hadn't been so hungry at noon and couldn't resist, perhaps I wouldn't have had to trouble Mr. Chisaki Ren—"
The smile on Kasumigaoka Shiwa's face never faded, and it seemed to gradually turn into a hint of provocation due to Yukino Yukinoshita's actions.
However, Yukino Yukinoshita almost immediately calmed her fluctuating emotions, looking at Kasumigaoka Shiwa with a composed gaze once more.
"In that case, our club president should thank her first, after all, the senior went to great lengths to specifically return your bento box—"
Qianshu Lian, finally being talked about, his mouth twitched slightly, wishing so much that he wouldn't be mentioned at this moment.
"Then thank you, Senior, for returning it. You've gone to a lot of trouble!"
Qianshu Lian smiled, reached out, took his lunchbox, and placed it on the podium table.
"You're welcome. I heard, Mr. Chisaki Ren, that you also founded a club. I wonder if I have the honor of learning more about it~"
Unexpectedly, Kasumigaoka Shiwa didn't leave after Qianshu Lian took the bento box, so even the slow-witted Yui Yuigahama finally realized something was amiss.
It seemed this senior was somewhat ill-intentioned, especially compared to Yukino Yukinoshita and Sakura Chiyo.
Qianshu Lian, however, knew that this senior had such a wicked sense of humor. Even if it meant joining his club for the sake of that wicked humor, she would accept it.
It's just that his club was essentially a front, and besides, he had all the necessary resources here, so he didn't really need that many people to do the work.
"Since Senior is so eager to join, I believe Qianshu would not refuse Senior's kind offer!"
Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Qianshu Lian, her eyes clearly containing the idea of making Qianshu Lian agree.
Qianshu Lian was a little puzzled, but considering that agreeing wouldn't cause him any loss, he still nodded and handed a club application form to Kasumigaoka Shiwa.
"Since that's the case, we now have six people in our club. I'll be in charge of the overall planning, taking responsibility for the framework and all the important plotlines!"
Although it was just a facade, there was still something to sell, so Qianshu Lian still allocated some specific tasks.
"Later, I will distribute the background. Then, the design of some character branch lines and similar plot designs will be handed over to you three: Senior, Yukino, and Hachiman!"
Qianshu Lian thought it over and finally made this division. Those less important plot designs and character branch lines could still be entrusted to the senior, Yukino, and Hachiman, as he could still revise and polish them based on the original plot later.
Everything was still under control, and the senior herself was engaged in related creative work, Yukino was almost omnipotent, and Hachiman's literary grades were also quite outstanding.
Just designing a portion of the plot, they should still be competent, right?
Then Qianshu Lian looked at Sakura Chiyo, paused for a moment, and then continued to instruct.
"Then, for some of the original character art, I'll leave it to Chiyo to recreate. I'll give you the character's personality and clothing style later!"
However, even with the corresponding personality and clothing style provided, what the final drawing would look like was still uncertain.
Qianshu Lian would also compare it to the original character illustrations. After all, the creation location was Japan, so in some aspects, there was no need to be too conservative.
Of course, it couldn't be too open either, but the corresponding plot didn't even need to be maintained at 12+, which was quite comfortable.
"What about me? What about me?!"
Yui Yuigahama, who had been quietly staying by the side, looked at Qianshu Lian with eager anticipation.
Sometimes, when everyone else's tasks had been assigned, she would be quite eager to see what task she would be assigned when it was just her left.
"…"
Qianshu Lian looked at Yui Yuigahama in silence, unsure how to specifically assign her a suitable task.
After all, Yui Yuigahama's grades, while not bad, could only be described as not good. Failing exams was not an unbelievable occurrence.
Yui Yuigahama looked at Qianshu Lian's expression. At first, she didn't react, but after waiting for a while, she gradually understood that he seemed unsure what kind of work to assign her.
"How about this, I'll install a simple small kitchen here in the classroom. From now on, during every club activity, you'll be in charge of preparing coffee and snacks!"
Qianshu Lian thought for a moment and then added, "To save time, these will all be prepared in advance. You just need to get them ready at that time. That kitchen is purely for you, for you to practice your cooking skills!"
"I look forward to the day you can prepare snacks and coffee for us with your own cooking skills. I'm sure it will be very satisfying then!"
Qianshu Lian's words made a hopeful light rise in Yui Yuigahama's eyes. It just so happened that she also had a desire to practice her cooking skills to make delicious food for her friends, food that she poured her heart into.
This also happened to coincide perfectly with her inner thoughts. She truly wondered why Qianshu Lian's suggestion fit her desires so perfectly!
"Mm-hmm!"
Yui Yuigahama nodded vigorously, responding with a brilliant smile.
"Please leave this to me! One day, I will use my efforts to make delicious snacks for all of you!"
"Then I'll be looking forward to it!" Hachiman Hikigaya also quickly chimed in, going along with the atmosphere. It would be quite nice to be able to eat snacks and drink coffee during club activities in the future.
Even Kasumigaoka Shiwa, who had originally come on a whim, following her mischievous inclination, nodded with satisfaction.
Sakura Chiyo, even more, had a look of longing. She knew Qianshu Lian would definitely prepare her favorite snacks among them.
Only Yukino Yukinoshita remained calm, watching everyone's smiling faces with a slight smile on her lips.