Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna

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Chapter 4 | "Not So" | Remake our Life!


Part 1

    One month later. I was in Nishi-Ikebukuro.

    I walked through the street by the park and stood in front of a high-class apartment building that stood out from the rest.

    One, after taking a deep breath, I pressed the intercom.

    "Yee ~ s"

    A cheerful voice came over the speakers.

    "This is Hashiba"

    "Ah, I've been waiting for you ~"

    I said my name, and the door opened easily like last time.

    In front of the large glass door, I take a deep breath.

    "Yoshi..."

    I reconfirmed the contents of the conversation in my head and went inside with determination.


    The room is clean and tidy as usual.

    Despite her flashy appearance, she was always meticulous and polite.

    "This time, it looked like Hashiba-san came alone."

    Minori Ayaka sipped tea from the cup in her hand and smiled.

    Today, she was not dressed in gothic lolita, but in a normal outfit.

    "Yes, I thought it would be easier to talk to you alone."

    "Right, if with Morishita-san, we will always talk about work from the start ~"

    She giggled aloud and placed the cup on the saucer.

    Then she carefully brought her hands together on her lap,

    "Thank you for your help with the recent disturbance."

    "Ah no no..."

    The series of ruckus over Mystic Clockwork had, of course, reached her ears.

    She was close to perfect when it came to handling social networking. Since she was in charge of the main character design, and since she couldn't create the characters in time for the release, there was a tendency to criticize her based on speculation, but she didn't refute them at all, and kept a quiet attitude of watching the process.

    "I apologize to sensei for any inconvenience this may have caused."

    "I wasn't harmed in any way. More than that..."

    Ayaka's eyes shone with curiosity.

    "I heard that it was thanks to Hashiba-san that the fire was extinguished. Can you tell me how you did it?"

    At one point, what had happened in the company had been kept confidential. It wasn't something that I would tell anyone else, and I wanted to keep it to myself.

    She is one of the parties involved and has been indirectly affected. In terms of accountability, it is morally possible for her to hear out if she asked me to do so.

    I think she probably understands that and is listening. As a compliment, she was a really smart person.

    "...I understand. Assuming that sensei will not divulge any of this, please."

    "Yes, I promise."

    Ayaka gave a friendly smile.


Part 2

    On the day of the commotion, there was a strange atmosphere in front of the development office.

    In the room, the president was shouting this and that, and the development staff was responding to him in a half-hearted manner.

    Then I suddenly shouted loudly.

    The area was instantly quiet, and all eyes turned to me, the sound of the voice.

    "H-Hashiba-kun, why are you suddenly shouting so loud!"

    The president turned his anger toward me and approached me.

    "I'm sorry, I just thought to get out a little motivation."

    "Motivation? What do you mean motivation?"

    Then the president made a surprised look,

    "Ah, I see, by any chance you are that, you're going to solve this mess like you always do, that's helpful!"

    He suddenly changed his attitude and tapped me on the shoulder with a smile.

    "What are you talking about?"

    "You already know! MysClo is on fire! And according to Kawasegawa-kun, the program is in bad shape, isn't it? If we don't take action right now, the company is in danger!"

    MysClo is an abbreviation for Mystic Clockwork. The president told us to call it by its official name or the development number APG08, but it is not time for that.

    Nevertheless, I wonder if there is something I can do about this way of talking about the Kawasegawa, which is the head of development.

    I made eye contact with Kawasegawa, "Leave it to me".

    "Then, you're okay with me deciding what to do?"

    "F-Fine, but you will have to protect the parts that are in the specifications!"

    It came. He was probably talking about in-house engines.

    "Please listen, President"

    I stand right in front of the president and tell him straight out.

    "It's an engine we developed ourselves, but it's useless. Let's throw it away."

    This kind of person can't be understood even if I say it in a roundabout way. It's better to talk about it from the conclusion first.

    "……Ha?"

    The president's eyes darted.

    "You didn't hear what I said? I said we're abandoning our own engines."

    "What did you say!!"

    I could see the president's face turn bright red.

    "No way I'll let you do that! Do you have any idea how important our engine is going to be as a pillar of our company!"

    "I understand what you're saying, but it's too reckless to do in this project."

    "What's so reckless about it, an announcement of such a large work will surely attract more attention and be a good material for the public listing!"

    Aa~, As I thought he was doing it for the attention, huh...

    I didn't know why he would take the risk, but it made sense now.

    "But the errors are so frequent now that if we don't do something about it, the credibility of this game will fall to the ground. Are you okay with that?"

    "Just fix it and it will be okay! Then, it will be managed somehow, Kawasegawa-kun said it too!"

    Kawasegawa was standing aside with a bitter look on her face. Perhaps she was forced to say so.

    "It's a waste of time and effort to spend for that. Considering the amount of work that needs to be done at the script and material level, it is better to recreate it here for later use."

    "So what do we do! How are we going to build an engine when we don't even have a programmer!"

    Alright, I've brought the talk this far.

    It's not a good idea to leave the engine as it is, with that flow, I knew he was going to say these things. He knew from the start that there was no way that a replacement could be prepared quickly enough.

    "We have, if it's an engine"

    " ......Eh?"

    The door to the development office opened energetically behind the disheartened president.

    "I'm sorry, I'm late!"

    Kishida, the B team sub-leader, came in.

    "That engine thing we were talking about, do you think we can implement it yet?"

    Kishida grinned and said,

    "Of course, as long as you have the script and materials, we can get it running immediately."

    From his PC, Kishida sent a link to the A-team members to let them know where the engine was located.

    "Can you load the script file from the file I just sent you?"

    "Yeah, but don't we need to make any adjustments?"

    "Okay, just as it is"

    The director of Team A copied the file from his PC with a half-confused look on his face. As he was told, he immediately put the script data into the engine and ran it.

    "Eeeh?"

    After a while, a surprised voice came up.

    "You're kidding... it just works without any adjustments!"

    "Really? And it's so light! It doesn't even crash with errors!"

    The staff began to gather around the director's desk.

    "What did you do...?"

    Kawasegawa is looking at me like she has no idea what is happening.


Part 3

    "...So what did you do?"

    Ayaka, who was listening to the story, didn't seem to understand.

    "For some time, MysClo's development had come to a standstill. That's why I told Kishida, our sub-leader, to investigate and take action."

    If I didn't use it, I thought it would be a blessing in disguise. Unfortunately, this engine became the key to this story.


Part 4

    "The engine is made by Anyde, which has a reputation for stability, so it's stable."

    "A-Anyde, you said! It's expensive, right!"

    "Well, it's pricey for the quality."

    "Order such a thing without permission... This is a big problem!"

    Of course, it would be a problem if we ordered just the engine without any reason.

    "Yeah, that's why I used the B-team budget."

    "It's totally misused! Oi, what are you doing as a team leader?"

    I used my index finger to control the president's mouth,

    "Please calm down. Indeed, I used the B team's budget. As the cost of the engine that runs Team B's game, though."

    Kawasegawa nodded.

    "I see, the engine used by the B team has been made into a general-purpose model that can be used by the A team."

    "That's what I mean"

    Oh, everyone shouted, but the president rolled his eyes and yelled.

    "B-But the cost of usage and customization would be excessive! So if it doesn't work there, what's the point... What is this document!"

    In the middle of talking, I thrust a piece of paper at him.

    "We have a budget that the team has cut down on and saved for unforeseen circumstances. We're trying to make it work for us with a zero margin."

    I knew from the start that he would complain.

    That's why I turned the part of the budget that was floating around to us. This way, we can avoid the B team's expenses sticking out in the books and causing a deficit.

    "No complaints, okay?"

    "........."

    The president turned his head away in frustration.

    In fact, I don't even have a better idea. If we don't use this exit, I can see us all burning to death.

    "All right, then we'll decide on the official response. This was decided in consultation with Producer Kawasegawa."

    Team members roar.

    "W-Wait, Hashiba..."

    Kawasegawa tried to intervene, but it didn't matter,

    "Just do it. First, you're in charge of SNS and other official stuff..."

    I turned around and saw Morishita-san's face, who was just there.

    "Morishita-san, do it"

    "Eh, Eeeh, me?"

    The person who was told seemed more surprised than anyone else.

    "Out of all of us, you're the one who sees things from a bird's eye view, and above all, you're the one who's closest to the users."

    She is serious but also funny and has a good sense of application. This type of person is better to deal with than someone who is too rigid.

    "Kawasegawa will only check what kind of text you upload only at the beginning. But when you start to get the hang of it, I'll leave it to you."

    "I-I got it!"

    Morishita-san replied with a military-like salute.

    "Apologize to Suenomori-san's agency both by phone and email, and promise that you'll make it known that he's not at all to blame. Also, tell them that the casting of any new characters to be introduced in the future will be given to you for the time being."

    "Oi! What are you talking about, giving away casting rights! It's so important..."

    "We give it to them because it's important. If we were to get libel and indemnity instead, that would be a bigger loss, wouldn't it?"

    The other side is also in business. If we can build a relationship with them in the future, they won't make unreasonable demands.

    "Okay, next... the person in charge of the script, raise your hand."

    The man sitting at the desk in the back of the room raised his hand fearfully.

    "How long does it take to fine tune, check, etc., the system?"

    "Etto... I can't say for sure, but I'm guessing it'll take about six days, including detailed verification."

    Upon hearing that, the president jumped in.

    "Six days? It's too long, it's three days, do something about it in three days!"

    "Okay, then I'll give you two weeks, so please do something about it."

    "Don't say stupid things! Are you insane to stop the service for two weeks ?!"

    Ignoring the president's voice, I continued.

    "Let's say 10 business days, 5 days for adjustments, 3 days for validation, and 2 days for reflection. How's that?"

    "T-That's more than enough!"

    "Then, we’re counting on you. Then next..."

    I ask the director, looking at the progress chart.

    "How many apology stones do we usually give out?"

    "Etto... depending on the game of course, but for this project, I'd say around 2 or 3 times 10-round gachas is about right."

    "Hmm. Then prepare ten times that amount."

    "T-Ten times?!"

    "I-I've never heard of a game that gives out that many stones! Something like that, just add one more time!"

    The director and the president jumped in at the same time.

    "That's not even enough to make the news, only the negative aspects will stand out and that's it. The impact of the response should be enough to make people talk about it."

    As the president continued to rant and rave, I stood in front of all the members,

    "And this is the most important task, so please listen carefully. Listen?"

    I could hear them all gulping for air.

    When it was as quiet as water, I,

    "I want all the members to take two days off from today for complete rest. Don't work. You can start working on Wednesday."

    I could see everyone's faces stunned at once.

    Then, as a matter of course, the president spoke up.

    "T-Take a rest?! What do you mean by taking a day off without doing anything in this emergency!"

    "Of course, we'll just do the first response on SNS. If we suspend the service after that, there will be no problem."

    "Gu, Gugugu..."

    With the president at a loss for words, I,

    "That's what you were thinking, isn't it?"

    I told Kawasegawa, and she nodded silently.

    If you put more weight on a person who is working to the limit, they will either collapse or run away.

    So let them rest first. It is much more efficient and successful to let them think about the next thing after they have refreshed their minds and bodies.

    "If I'd just shut up, you, from a while ago...!"

    Finally, the president grabbed my chest.

    "You can't just decide to do this and that. This is a major project that involves the entire company! Do you understand that!"

    "Because I know it, I think about it and deal with it properly."

    "You don't understand! Everything you're saying is to the detriment of the company! Look, a company is supposed to make a profit and gain trust through that..."

    As if to interrupt the president, I shook off his hand that was grabbing my chest.

    And,

    "President!!!"

    I yelled, so loudly that everyone in the room was surprised.

    The entire floor fell silent, and the eyes of everyone there turned to look at me.

    Even the shipping staff was waiting patiently to see what we would do.

    "Hie... What is it?"

    The president was clearly flustered but still tried to argue.

    I continued in the calmest tone I could muster.

    "You said before that you trusted me, didn't you?"

    "Yeah, I said that. But so what?"

    "And, you said this too. It's also a time when trust as a company is important."

    "I said it... I think."

    "You said it. The president is very aware of the importance of trust. That's a very good thing. And here's the important part."

    I took a single breath. And then,

    "Indeed, meeting deadlines is a form of trust. In that regard, all of us here in development deeply regret that we were not able to adhere to it."

    "R-Right! So at least provide service as soon as possible."

    "But once a major failure has occurred, regaining trust is not a matter of resuming service quickly. It's about demonstrating our remorse in a tangible way and taking measures to prevent a recurrence in the most reliable way possible. "

    With patches, the operation is running every minute between maintenance. There is no way one can play the game properly under such conditions.

    "Right now, the impression of this game is the worst. That's why we need to do something far better than what we should, or users won't come back."

    The president's face had turned completely pale.

    "...has such a bad reputation, this game?"

    "Yes, I'm afraid so."

    The reputation of this game has unfortunately fallen to the ground.

    It is too difficult to regain the trust that once fell.

    But we are going to have to take on that impossible challenge. To do so, we need to do something different from the norm.

    "Let's be honest and let me explain. What's happening in this game right now, and how we're going to deal with it. It's only when you speak without lies that you gain trust. If you lose trust in the game, you have to gain it back in the game."

    That's why the service was suspended for an unusual period of time, and the items were distributed as apologies. It's still not enough, though.

    "...I once told a big lie."

    It was a story I didn't want to remember.

    But I thought it was the only way to talk about it now.

    "In order to finish what I was working on and to gain their trust, I said a few off-the-cuff things. They believed me. But after it was completed, everyone scattered. Words without truth do not lead to trust."

    Kawasegawa shut her mouth as she tried to say something.

    "The president also apologized for the inevitable bug that occurred in a mobile application you developed a long time ago, didn't you? You could have kept it quiet, but you overcame the objections of the sales staff and said you didn't want to lie to the users."

    The president looked surprised,

    "Hashiba-kun, that story..."

    "I thought it was amazing. And by being honest and public about it, the app's credibility went up as a result. It's a bit similar... don't you think?"

    Immediately after the development crisis became apparent, I visited a former colleague of the president and asked him about the development of the hit app.

    The president was also one of the many venture entrepreneurs. In the beginning, he just did it because it was fun. He enjoyed the service together with the users. However, as the company grew in size, it had to change.

    I know the pain of it all. No matter how far you go, money will always follow you, and the more people you have, the more money you will have.

    "I understand what the president is saying from your standpoint. But still, in this emergency situation... Can you please think again about what is important?"

    I looked straight at the president.

    "It doesn't have to be all of it. Can't you just look at this side a little?"

    To the president, everyone here must be the person he used to be.

    The eyes of every member of the development team were on him.

    The president stared into space as if remembering something.

    And after exhaling one big and deep breath,

    "...Okay. Do what you want."

    Then he left the development room. The members cheered.

    "Thank goodness... I think we can handle this somehow!"

    "Let's just prepare for verification, and when it's done, we'll go, to our home!"

    The development team, which had been in a state of weariness and resignation, quickly came back to life.

    "The text for SNS is ready! Please check it!"

    Morishita-san ran into Kawasegawa's seat.

    She has a serious look on her face as she checks it.

    "You'd better get home, too. Otherwise, what's the point."

    "I'll go home without being told. I really want to take a bath and sink in it."

    Sighing heavily,

    "...Hashiba"

    Kawasegawa turned to me and smiled.

    "Thank you"

    "You're welcome"


    After confirming that the development was beginning to function, I left the room and visited the president's office.

    The door was left open. I gave a token knock and entered the room.

    "……Thank you very much"

    As soon as I entered, I bowed my head deeply.

    "Yeah, you put me in a situation where I had to answer."

    The president replied, with a bit of a wry smile.

    "Do you want to sit down?"

    "No, I'm fine as is"

    The president said, "I see" and blinked slowly.

    "Did you make that suggestion because you knew I'd lose?"

    "No, I honestly didn't know."

    "You're quite a gambler, aren't you? One wrong move and you could lose your job."

    "It wasn't a gamble. That... I was serious, and I just didn't have any other answer."

    Fufu, he replied with a bitter smile.

    "Are you serious? It must be strong."

    I was able to appeal to him there because of what I had heard about the development in the past. If I hadn't heard about that episode, I wouldn't have been able to push through.

    The president was also a person who was standing here after a serious struggle. That's why I was able to fight too.

    I'm going to show my respect to him for facing me head on.

    "In return, I'll make you a promise."

    "Promise... what is that?"

    I slowly opened my mouth to the president who looked at me curiously.


Part 5

    "... That's about getting you to draw a new character."

    Ayaka laughed, ahaha, and looked up.

    "It's been brilliantly incorporated into the scenario."

    "Yes, it installed."

    Mystic Clockwork managed to calm the fire down after that. Of course, there was some criticism of the long term maintenance, but some users defended the project by talking about the reasons and plans.

    And when the service resumed, the uncommon number of apology stones and the previously unthinkable lightness of the system were able to turn the impression around. The quality of the original materials was good, and the number of new users increased, as if they would give it a try if it was such a big deal.

    But there was one last thing that was missing in my mind.

    That was the new character creation by Minori Ayaka.

    "Please... can you do it?"

    A moment of silence followed.

    Eventually, she opened her mouth,

    "...I would like to do that if possible."

    The words that came out with a sigh were negative.

    "I tried to think of various reasons why I couldn't draw."

    She was the type of creator who turned outside stimuli into art.

    That's why she has been trying new things one after another. There were activities overseas, live drawings, and even a single analog illustration that took several months to complete.

    That is why the lack of stimulation was the biggest pinch for her now that she had risen to the top.

    I slowly opened my mouth.

    "The reason why Ayaka-san started to draw. I think there is a hint."

    A surprise spread on her face.

    "Hashiba-san, is it okay to talk... that story?"

    With those words, I became convinced of the hypothesis I had formulated.

    "The other day when I was here, you were drawing a picture, right?"

    "Yes, it reminded me of the touch of someone I used to admire..."

    "That person's drawing... I know it well... very well..."

    A touch of watercolor. A figure with a solid presence against a large expanse of background. A moment of dynamism, as if about to start moving.

    The reason why Minori Ayaka started to draw seriously.

    It seemed that I, in this world, had been keeping this fact from her for a long time. She also seemed to understand the reason.

    I didn't know how it happened because I didn't remember anything about it. So when I met Ayaka and talked to her, I didn't understand what she meant, including why she liked me so much.

    However, by collecting the scattered pieces and tracing the past of an illustrator named Minori Ayaka, I finally arrived at the right answer.

    "This is for you, Ayaka-san."

    She unwrapped the package I had brought and spread it out in front of her.

    "Ah, this is...!"

    Ayaka held her mouth in her hands and stared in amazement at what was spread out in front of her.

    "Yes. It's an image visual for a game I made once called "Haru Sora"."

    For me, creating doujin games was a big, too big turning point.

    In the process, I forced Shinoaki, the illustrator, to compromise on many things.

    However, there was only one illustration that she had drawn just the way she wanted it.

    As the top picture of the site, this is the image visual that we have been showing since the announcement.

    The picture was constructed with all of the features of hers, both the background and the characters. With cherry blossom petals flying all around, she depicted the characters from the game walking around, laughing, angry, and confused, all in accordance with their personalities and settings.

    When I received the finished version of the illustration from Ayaka, which she said she had drawn after returning to her original inspiration, I had a very nostalgic feeling. From there, it wasn't long before I came across Shinoaki's work.

    I checked every inch in my PC. I knew that I must have kept it somewhere, because I couldn't throw it away. And my hunch was right.

    I stretched the file I found into a large format and framed it. I wanted to give it to the illustrator, who had a special attachment to this illustration.

    "When I was in high school, I once thought about quitting drawing."

    Ayaka began to talk about her memories while looking nostalgic at the picture.

    "I was praised for my sketching and my color composition was given the seal of approval to go to art school. However, my teacher told me that my pictures were just technical skills. It's not attractive at all. And then I got depressed, and I hated drawing... It was during that time that I was introduced to Haru Sora by senpai who liked games."

    She raised her eyes and looked at me. She had innocent eyes.

    "I was impressed. An illustration that has appeal is such an amazing thing. It can move people's hearts in a big way. And then..."

    With a faraway look in her eyes,

    "I really felt that I wanted to draw this kind of picture. And one day... I wanted to work together with the person who drew this picture."

    Ayaka knew about me and Shinoaki. She also knew how she was doing now. That's why she told me this in the past tense.

    I think it must have been hard for me, who was originally in this world, to look at Shinoaki's pictures. I guess that's why the conversation with Ayaka never went beyond a certain point.

    However, due to the coincidence of my existence being switched, Shinoaki's drawing and she were able to meet again.

    "Thank you very much. This picture has saved me twice. I will treasure it...... forever."

    Ayaka stood up and bowed her head to my side,

    "Please give me a week for the rough. I can go from line drawing to coloring in a few days. If there are any differences or such... please email me again."

    It was a statement of intent to raise a new character design.

    I also stood up and bowed to Ayaka.

    "Thank you very much, sensei"

    "It tickles me when the person who encouraged me to draw calls me "sensei"."

    Ayaka smiled, looking embarrassed.


Part 6

    Minori Ayaka began to move actively, as if the time that had stopped so far was a lie.

    "Ha-Ha-Ha-Hashiba-san, Ayaka-sensei was called me!"

    At the office, I received such a report from Morishita-san, who was trembling.

    "What's she saying?"

    "W-Well, she said that she had made a rough draft of the character and that she would send it to me right away, and I told her that that's such a waste so I'll come directly to her!"

    "Oh, I think it makes her happy."

    After the "meeting" that day, I had heard many words of trust in Morishita-san from Ayaka.

    Some people are happy to finally be rewarded for it.

    "Yes... Thank you very much, Hashiba-san!"

    Morishita-san bowed deeply as usual, then hefted her bag onto her back.

    "A-Anyway, I'll be going!"

    She waddled out of the office, muttered wawawa, and banging her body all over the place again.

    "This is okay... I wonder."

    When I saw that figure, I breathed a sigh of relief.


    And she uploaded the design drawing of the new character on the promised date.

    The quality was unquestionable, and it was a significant piece of work for her, as she tried a new style of drawing while following her past style.

    "Ayaka-sensei contacted me and said she'd love to do the next character!"

    Overjoyed, Morishita-san reported to me.

    "I see, that's good to hear."

    She hadn't raised a new illustration for a long time, and this new character was truly a savior for MysClo. As if the bad reputation of the game at the time of its release was a lie, the game was flooded with users looking forward to the next development.

    "With this, it's a relief... I wonder?"

    "In the meantime, yes. But now that the expectations have been raised, it's going to be tough."

    In fact, it is easier to take measures from a negative point of view. This is because the original expectation value is low, so even a small amount of good news will be biased and turned into a positive.

    But from now on, it will be different. As long as people see that the management there is doing a good job, even a small negative will be seen as a big deal.

    "Don't worry, Kawasegawa-san has created a very thick manual for this purpose."

    Kawasegawa's follow-up response was as good as expected.

    A detailed policy and countermeasures were presented, including detailed changes due to the change in the game engine, points of support for SNS, and future development plans.

    "I never thought she'd bring the president to negotiations."

    In addition, we shared the development plan with Succeedsoft, and they agreed to take the initiative in creating the development from now on.

    According to the president, Kawasegawa had been in control of the meeting.

    "I've made it so you can run for three years without me, Kawasegawa-san said that."

    "As I thought she is awesome, that girl."

    A series of bad circumstances prevented her from setting the pace, but she had a lot of ability to begin with, so she wasn't worried about what would happen once she got back on track.

    Just then, the 12 o'clock chime rang. It was lunchtime and the area was noisy.

    "Then, let's go for lunch with that person."

    I said, and looked towards her seat.

    "Huh, Hashiba-san didn’t hear it? It looks like she's leaving from Haneda at 14:00."

    "Eh?"

    I looked at Kawasegawa's seat. Her desk was always neat and tidy, but today it stood out. Oddly enough, nothing had been left on the desk.

    She is a person whose sense of responsibility is like walking around with clothes on. She was the type of person who needed to do everything herself, which is why she was confused by the management position.

    Even if the manual was made well, there was a point where she would end up doing it herself. That's why the process of making it was already planned. But after that, it was strange.

    It will continue without her.

    Suddenly go out by plane.

    A clean and tidy desk.

    "Morishita-san!"

    I hurried back to my seat, grabbed my bag and took off.

    "Tell them, I'm taking the afternoon off!"

    "Eh, eeh?"

    Before I could hear her reply, I rolled down the stairs and out.

    I stopped a taxi that was just coming,

    "Hurry to the domestic terminal in Haneda!"


    I wonder why I didn't notice.

    If I were to intervene at the site where she was working as a supervisor, she would certainly find herself in a difficult position. Even if the president guaranteed her the position, the trust of her subordinates would decline.

    Even though it was a decision made by me and Kawasegawa, it was obvious to those who were there that I took the lead.

    Indeed, things went well. But I thought the rest of it would be okay.

    She's excellent, she has a good understanding, so she'll be fine.

    But I didn't understand.

    It's the opposite. It's the other way around.

    The better she is, the more she is driven.

    I had not learned a single thing after Tsurayuki. I didn't think about what will happen after we have moved, and the only solution I could find was just to burn the problem.

    In the end, it's all about me. As long as I look good, I guess that's all that matters.

    "What a fool, I am...!"

    I hit the seat with my fist, over and over again.

    I wanted to go to her as soon as possible.


    When I arrived at Terminal 1, I didn't have time to pick up my change and just rolled into the lobby.

    The clock had already struck 13:00. The plane would close the gate half an hour before. It was just barely in time.

    I looked at the baggage check line. But there was no sign of her.

    "Kawasegawa, please still here..."

    I walk, I run, I look around with my eyes.

    However, I looked at the seats and scoured the lobby, but there was no sign of her.

    "Kawasegawa...!"

    Out of breath, I sit down on the spot.

    I didn't make it in time. She would probably submit her resignation immediately. Once she did, there would be no way to make her change her mind.

    And then she's going to leave in front of me. Just like Tsurayuki did.

    "Sorry, Sorry……"

    I clench my fists on my knees on the floor.

    What is the reason I came to this world? What is seriousness? How was I supposed to make everyone happy with such a poor strategy?

    I was a person who couldn't protect anyone at all. I over-interpreted Nanako's words and took them as I saw fit, and this is the result.

    "Uuu... Uu..."

    I don't know if it was a cry or a moan, but I felt like I was going to burst out of my throat. This pitiful state of affairs seemed very fitting for the end of the world.

    The white-polished floor reflects my pathetic appearance.

    There was a shadow approaching. A bright red travel cart and a woman in the same color skirt approached me.

    A voice came from above me.

    "W-Why... is Hashiba here?"

    I turned around, and there was.

    "Kawase, gawa..."

    The very person I had been looking for was standing there.


Part 7

    I sat down on a bench not far from the departure lobby and waited for her.

    Soon after, she returned with two cups of coffee.

    "Here"

    "A-Ah. Thank you..."

    I thanked her, took it, and sipped it.

    The bittersweet scent quickly escaped my mouth and into my nose, and I felt relaxed.

    "Good grief, don't you have any idea how to send a RINE or make a phone call ".

    "......Sorry"

    "Well, I feel bad that I came out here without telling you, but."

    Kawasegawa was really nothing out of a big deal, just a refreshing vacation.

    If it was a coincidence that she showed unusual behavior, it was also a coincidence that she cleaned up her desk more than usual.

    "There's no way I'm quitting. It's so pathetic that you turned things around so spectacularly and I ran away without being able to return the favor. If I don't pay you back and make you say, "I lose" I won't be able to relax".

    I had underestimated her. Kawasegawa Eiko hadn't changed at all, even as an adult. She hadn't given up on fighting, and she hadn't given up on the sparks that flew. I guess that one incident just happened to coincide with a time when she was weak.

    In the end, it seems that was me jumping to conclusions.

    "Um, what about Okinawa?"

    "I changed my mind. I've canceled it, so it's all good."

    "... Sorr"

    "You don't have to apologize, mou."

    Kawasegawa was strangely angry. Well, it's not surprising that the mood for refreshment is blown away when a big, misunderstood man comes running at her.

    On weekdays, the airport was full of people on business. Unlike on weekends, it was somewhat hectic and time seemed to be moving faster.

    Both Kawasegawa and I were different in this context. I wore a polo shirt and jeans, and she wore a cutaway, cardigan, and skirt. It had a holiday atmosphere, as if it had been cut out.

    As I was thinking about how to apologize, Kawasegawa said to me.

    "Why were you so worried about it?"

    "……That is"

    The words stopped.

    I was alone in the crowd, rewinding time.

    Ten years ago. I met a great group of people. I thought, if I can make something with them, I'll do anything. I moved with all my might. And... I thought I would use my 10-year experience to my advantage.

    As a result, I lost one of my friends. And what awaited me in the future was the sight of me losing my other friends as well.

    "I was scared. Everyone was gone, and Kawasegawa, too, would be gone."

    Kawasegawa's expression hardened.

    "Hashiba..."

    A look of concern and pity for me.

    "Both Shinoaki and Tsurayuki... they were so amazing, but when I realized they both stopped being creators. Nanako also..."

    She didn't quit singing, but it didn't change the fact that her talent was destroyed.

    It was all my fault.

    In the end, no matter what happened to the world, I was still the same person who got carried away with the feeling of being all-powerful and thought I could solve anything. I had just thought that vandals should at least live quietly and not conflict with the world, but I still acted in a shallow manner.

    "It's all my fault. I think I'm thinking about others, but in the end, all I think about is myself."

    I believed that if I did what was expected in this world, it would be a recompensation. I thought that what Nanako had said had affirmed me in no small way.

    But that was wrong. The more I moved, the more someone else lost their place.

    What the heck produce. What the heck be the person who creates the place?

    That the result was only the creation of my own comfort zone was really well done, a great future to show off. This epilogue with a happy ending was meant to show me despair to the fullest.

    "Yes, you've been saying that all along. I'm sorry for them, I can't help. When I asked the reason, you always said it's useless."

    "Yeah... That's correct."

    After all, it seems that I, who was here, was thinking the same thing.

    And I guess he was just mumbling his regrets in words only.

    "They're all unhappy because of you. You really think so, don't you."

    "...Yeah. It was a mistake for me to be there."

    The silence continued. The guide to Okinawa was finished and the gate was closed.

    Kawasegawa stared at the scene. Then, she gently laid her right hand on my left hand beside her.

    "Kawasegawa..."

    Our eyes met each other's.

    "That's right"

    She replied shortly and quickly picked up the pouch on her left side and held it in her right hand.

    And,

    "Kawasegawa... Eh? Gyaa!"

    BASHIN!!

    With all her might, she smashed the pouch she was carrying against my back.

    "What! What are you doing!"

    "Shut up! You're really pissing me off!"

    Kawasegawa continued to smack me hard on the back. To be honest, it hurts a lot.

    All eyes around us were completely focused on us. The airport staff was pointing at us and asking if they should get involved. Some of the customers were even trying to take pictures of us with their phones.

    "S-Stop it, Kawasegawa, d-did I say something strange?"

    "You never said it!"

    "Eh......?"

    I saw something unbelievable.

    Kawasegawa's eyes were moistening. No, two or three tears had already fallen.

    "Everything you do is like honor student that it makes me feel inferior, and you have nothing to complain about, you know!!"

    "Ka, Kawasegawa..."

    "Why, why don't you ask for help? Do you try to do everything by yourself? Does everyone around you seem so unreliable? When you're not sure what to do, don't you think of leaning on someone......?"

    Kawasegawa is Ha~a Ha~a, breathing heavily.

    "You can't support yourself anymore. It was the same at that time. You were chasing the shadow of Tsurayuki who is gone, all the time, and even wrote your own scenarios even though you weren't really suited for it. You never thought about finding someone to write. You didn't think about it at all. You didn't resist Shinoaki's decision to quit drawing, and you couldn't help Nanako's frustration. But... but!"

    She stood up. She glared at me from above.

    "You don't have to take on that much responsibility for everyone's future! You didn't ask them to do that, right! Why are you blaming yourself so much and becoming depressed and falling apart on your own! You said I was useless, why... What makes you think that!"

    And then, she showed me her tear-stained face, with a mixture of anger, sadness, and many other emotions.

    "Y-You've always been really, re-really doing your best. You were always putting yourself aside, always striving to move someone else, to make someone else create something. When laughed, we laughed together, and when cried, you cried alone. There's nothing wrong with that. I'll never, ever forgive anyone who says that. I won't forgive it!"

    Gushi, she sniffed,

    "That's why!!"


    Kawasegawa grabbed my chest.

    "So be confident! Was it a mistake for you to be here? Of course not. So you're saying it was a mistake for you to be here now, helping me?"

    I shake my head as hard as I can.

    "Isn't that right? You're amazing! I guarantee it. You're the biggest, most inspiring, most unpredictable person I've ever met, and I love and admire that about you, so don't be such a downer!"

    I was stunned and just let her do her thing. Kawasegawa dismissed the onlookers with a quick glare, then suddenly turned red and let go of my clothes.

    "……E-Etto……"

    It was unusual for her to be upset.

    As expected, I knew the reason.

    At the end of what she said, it was obvious... That's exactly what it meant.

    "U-Um"

    I wondered if I should say something.

    Right, as if to distract me from trying to pay attention,

    "...The last two were unnecessary. I take them back."

    In a low voice that seemed to come from the depths of the earth, a request was made to remove it from her mouth.

    "O-Oh..."

    As expected, I didn't have the courage to pursue those two here.

    Instead, what came out of my mouth was,

    "Um, so-sorr"

    It was a pathetic apology.

    Immediately, Kawasegawa's menacing eyes flew at me. "Apologize? Are you an idiot?" Her gaze was telling me.

    "No, etto..."

    That's right, it’s not sorry, isn't it?

    "...Thank you, Kawasegawa"

    I canceled it. The beam disappeared from her eyes.

    I felt really embarrassed, so I looked away from Kawasegawa. She seemed to be the same, staring at the floor with a red face.

    The coffee was completely cold. She and I both picked up our cups at the same time and took a sip.

    At the same time, we said "it's lukewarm".

    We looked at each other and were both embarrassed again. I wondered what I was doing at my age. In fact, I felt ashamed that I couldn't say anything to her at this point.

    "If, If..."

    Kawasegawa murmured in a low voice.

    "If I could go back to that time when you were in suffering, I would have helped you in any way I could."

    It was a small voice. But it was firmly directed at me.

    "But back then, you were... never asked for my help "

    She said with a bitter smile.

    "That's not true... Thank you."

    I'm sure I would have been very happy if I had heard it back then.

    There was something about Kawasegawa that made her seem unreliable. It was because she herself was trying so hard to be something that she was afraid to step in.

    "All right, I'm going to Okinawa after all "

    "Eh?"

    "I lied about the cancellation. I'll ask if I can change my flight, and if I can, I'll take the next one."

    She stood up and stretched, hmm,

    "Don't worry, I'll be back."

    She said, reaching for the handle of the cart and grabbing the pouch.

    Then, as she was about to walk away, she suddenly looked back.

    "And you said everyone disappeared because of you, but."

    As if I remembered,

    "You've made one flower bloom properly."

    "Eh?"

    "Minori Ayaka. That girl started drawing pictures because of the game you made, right."

    …… I see.

    If I hadn't created the game in the first place, she wouldn't have taken the path to becoming an illustrator. It makes sense that she wouldn't have existed as an illustrator in the world I was originally in because I didn't create the trigger.

    She was very grateful to me. She even told me that I had given her the trigger to start drawing. The truth is, it was only because of Shinoaki's pictures, but without that game, I would not have been able to release her pictures to the world at that time.

    Just one. It is true that just one... Was I able to create a great opportunity?

    "In the world"

    Kawasegawa cut off her words there, and for a moment, her eyes seemed to look into the distance.

    "There is nothing in vain, I'm sure."

    She smiled and walked to the gate with a slightly mischievous smile on her face.

    She is so gallant. I kept watching her dashing back in silence.


Part 8

    I didn't feel like going back to office.

    I walked up to the observation deck of Haneda Airport and watched the flow of planes coming and going.

    Perhaps because it was a weekday, there was no one on the deck.

    In the blue sky, colorful planes landed one after another and flew away. Some of them were probably carrying Kawasegawa to Okinawa.

    A strong wind was blowing from the sea. With the smell of sand and salt on my face, I decided to find a place to sit.

    Shortly after, I found a bench. I lightly brushed off the sand and sat down.

    "Yoisho..."

    The shouting that I would have never said 10 years ago has become a natural part of this world.

    I sat down on a blue bench, the same color as the sky, and watched the plane go by again.

    The wind had stopped. Except for the sound of airplanes flying, it was quiet and still.

    Strangely enough, I felt calm. With a strangely clear head, I reflected on everything that had happened so far.

    I was thrown into the world of 2018 with no idea why. While despairing over the future that is the result of misunderstanding and hubris, I am cheered up by Nanako, helped by Shinoaki's pictures, and even saved by Kawasegawa.

    Kawasegawa affirmed to me that I could live. She accepted with all her might the life that I had been denying for a long time since I came back ten years ago.

    I wanted to burst into tears right there. I don't mean to sound too harsh, but I truly felt that "it was okay for me to be there".

    I thought this world was a punishment game. I thought it was a bad ending disguised as a happy ending. However, Kawasegawa's words have blown away that meanness. I knew that I had to come here, and that this world existed because it was absolutely necessary for me in the future.

    The future me. It will not be the me of 2018, but the me of 2007.

    So, somehow, I had a hunch. Perhaps this world is about to end. And the next world is probably beckoning me to open the door.

    I don't have any evidence or predictions for the future.

    I wondered if this world full of happiness would soon come to an end ――.

    "Hmm?"

    Fu, suddenly, I saw someone at the edge of my vision.

    It was a girl. She was a cute girl with pink hair.

    "Who is that......"

    I wondered if she had gotten separated from her parents. When she saw me, she walked straight up to me.

    She stood in front of me, and...

    The girl approached me, looked at me and smiled,

    She said, in Kansai dialect.

    "Yo, Hashiba-kun. How have you been?"

    At that moment, the pieces of my memory that had not been filled in began to flood into my brain.

    "... Keiko-san, it's been a long time."

    I greeted her as if I had known that would happen.


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