Chapter 67: Do you still remember "white album"?
Sagiri's awakening surprised Eriri, but it wasn't unacceptable.
Just as depicted in anime and novels, it was already very difficult for a renowned master to seek further breakthroughs. Therefore, at this time, the emergence of a strong opponent was needed to provide pressure, and then, under that pressure, to undergo a transformation.
Now, for her drawing skills to improve, daily routine self-practice was no longer enough, because she had already formed a natural psychological inertia, her body's consciousness couldn't keep up, and her skills naturally couldn't break through.
About two years ago, her progress speed had already slowed down to a snail's pace, so she estimated that the point in time when Sagiri could pose a threat to her would be at least around two years.
…
"By the way, Eriri, how's your work?"
Izumi Chihiro suddenly spoke, and then clarified, "I'm talking about the doujin game club, not your main job."
Her main job, of course, referred to the great doujinshi business.
"It's just so-so. That's Kasan's responsibility. They make the game, and I just need to be responsible for a portion of the exquisite original art."
Eriri rolled her eyes at him.
"Why are you suddenly asking about this? Could it be that you want to buy a game to play? How about this, I'll give you a friendly price, 10,000 Japanese Yen to take it home, and it even comes with a doujin illustration drawn by me personally, you definitely won't lose out!"
She showed a cunning smile.
"I'll pass on that… Speaking of which, shouldn't this be given for free? As childhood friends."
Izumi Chihiro refused this seemingly wonderful invitation.
"Why didn't you give me a set of the deluxe edition of demon slayer? As a childhood friend, you should have."
Eriri argued, standing her ground.
What a retort!
Izumi Chihiro chuckled inwardly.
"If Eriri really wants it that much, it's not impossible. I can ask the editor for a set another day."
He changed his tone.
"Hmm?"
Eriri looked surprised.
"On second thought, never mind."
She shook her head, refusing.
"Why?"
He looked puzzled.
"Nothing good comes from unasked-for favors; it's either a trick or a theft!"
Eriri looked at him with wary eyes.
"When did our relationship become like this, Eriri… so full of mutual suspicion!"
He sighed deeply.
"Did I really misunderstand?"
Eriri blinked, her face flushed, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Didn't you help me before? When the initial promotion was scarce, you helped me gain quite a bit of fame."
He brought the matter up again.
"Oh, that thing. I honestly forgot until you mentioned it… You don't need to dwell on it. I don't care for your favor; it's useless to me anyway."
Eriri said with a tsundere tone.
Although the girl claimed not to care verbally, as the recipient of the favor, he couldn't ignore that point.
Reciprocity is necessary even in a relationship like childhood friends.
One-sided giving is not advisable; it will eventually affect the relationship between both parties.
Coincidentally, Izumi Chihiro thought of a way to return the favor.
"Eriri, do you still remember that white album I wrote?"
He looked up and asked.
"white album? Oh, you mean that discarded draft that was already cut before it even debuted?"
While speaking, Eriri didn't forget to mock him.
"That wasn't a discarded draft. It's just that I wasn't capable of handling that work at the time, so I couldn't debut with it. But actually, I think its plot structure itself is fine."
He shook his head.
"So, you think you're capable of handling it now?"
Eriri smiled mysteriously.
"I'm not sure, maybe… But that's not the point."
Izumi Chihiro was vague about it, because his ability to create empathy had indeed improved, but when it came to directly depicting the emotional changes of young boys and girls in love, he wasn't very confident.
Originally, he had planned to see if there was a chance to restart it someday, but now he had a more suitable idea.
"Not the point, you mean…?"
Eriri's eyes sharpened.
"How about making white album into a game?"
Izumi Chihiro said with sparkling eyes.
In his previous life, both white album 1 and white album 2 were excellent galgame adaptations into anime, so making it into a game would be truly restoring it.
"Making a game? An original galgame, huh… Let me think."
Eriri frowned, falling into thought.
She didn't consider it a matter of returning a favor, but rather a serious project.
She had read white album, and the character designs and plot in it were indeed suitable for a galgame.
However, producing such an original game is a relatively risky endeavor for a club that started with doujin games.
Doujin games have some basic popularity due to their doujin elements, while original works don't have this advantage and are judged entirely by the quality of the work itself.
This is a relatively risky move, and most doujin game clubs wouldn't consider it until they reached a very mature stage.
But if it could succeed, it would also mean that the club could advance further, and her, Kashiwagi Eri's, fame would also suddenly increase again.
She couldn't help but be tempted.
As for the consequences of potential failure, she felt they could be completely disregarded.
Because Sawamura is indeed not short on money.
"Eriri, what have you decided?"
In fact, Izumi Chihiro already knew the answer from the girl's wavering expression.
"It sounds pretty good. Since you insist on returning my favor, I suppose I can accept it…"
Eriri twirled the ends of her golden ponytail with her fingers, her voice shy.
"However, I have one more condition."
Then Izumi Chihiro spoke again.
"Huh? You still have conditions?"
Her expression changed.
"It's nothing, I just want you to give me the lead writer position."
He explained.
"What are you planning?"
Eriri narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him.
The lead writer position meant being responsible for all the route issues, a significant responsibility that also greatly impacted the quality of the work itself.
"Didn't you say I couldn't write the feeling of love? This is a good chance to see if I've made any progress compared to before."
Izumi Chihiro gave a reason.
While this was true, the main reason was that he wanted to see an authentic "white album," especially some classic scenes, which he believed should also be promoted in this world.
"You can do whatever you want with this…"
Eriri said, shrugging her shoulders.
If someone insisted on doing the hard work for her, why wouldn't she be happy about it?
"Then leave it to me."
A smile appeared on Izumi Chihiro's face.