New Game and Plan

I approached Senior Takumi curiously, asking, "So, Senior, what do you have in mind for the club bazaar next week?"

Senior Takumi pondered for a moment before answering, "That's a good question. We're going to make a game, just the three of us."

"A video game? Are you sure about that? We only have a week to complete this project. Maybe we should consider recruiting other members or seeking outside help," I suggested, worried about the time constraints.

"Don't worry about it too much, Valdo. I have a solution, and that's why Ayame is here. She'll help us develop our video game project," Senior Takumi assured me.

"I can't complain about that. We need all the help we can get. But what kind of video game are we going to make?" I asked, curious about our direction.

Senior Takumi stood up from his chair and walked towards the chest where we keep video game tapes and game-related items.

As a game development club, we proudly have an actual chest in our club room. So, please don't ask if it's a chest from a mediaeval fantasy game. This is indeed the chest you're thinking of.

Senior Takumi reached into the chest and took out a cassette tape, showing it to all of us.

"Valdo, do you know what this is?" he asked.

"Yosuga no Kona? Is that a game? It sounds like a game I heard about from a friend," I replied, unsure of what he meant.

"No, it's not just a game. It's an eroge, but given our circumstances, especially with Ayame staring at us with a piercing gaze."

Senior Takumi cleared his throat, "it's a visual novel, Valdo."

"Visual novel? You mean those novels you used to play when I first joined the club," I recalled, recognising the type of game he was referring to.

Ayame glared at me with an angry expression and retorted, "It seems like this kid doesn't know the time and place when talking about inappropriate things."

Senior Takumi quickly intervened, saying, "I'm sorry, okay? I won't talk about it anymore. Please don't leave us alone here."

With a dismissive tone, Ayame replied, "Hmph, alright. But if I hear anything like that again, I'm leaving."

"Thank you, Ayame. You really understand the situation. Now, let's get back to the topic. A visual novel is not just an ordinary novel that you read. It's an interactive experience where you can make choices and establish relationships with many girls in the game," Senior Takumi explained.

Ayame scoffed, "Sounds like a game for people who have no life."

Senior Takumi shrugged and said, "I mean, it's popular among boys, especially those who are regarded as people who have no life." He chimed in and then turned to Ayame, urging her not to interrupt again. "Ayame, please don't interrupt when I'm talking, okay?"

Ayame looked away, crossing her arms in slight annoyance.

"Thank you. So, we're going to make a new visual novel," Senior Takumi said.

Intrigued, I asked, "Is it just a regular online novel with moving text and voice acting during dialogue?"

"Valdo, why don't you understand? It's a visual novel, not an online novel. It does have similar features, but it offers additional elements called routes. You can choose different endings and decide which girl to choose," Senior Takumi explained.

I expressed my doubts, saying, "It seems like a very simple game. I don't think it can be considered a game."

Senior Takumi replied, "It's still a game because you interact with this visual novel by choosing options. So, it's still considered a game."

Realising the urgency of the situation, I relented, and admitted, "I guess I don't mind now that we're running out of time."

Senior Takumi took over, stating, "So, we'll divide the tasks."

Curious about Ayame's role, I asked, "Here's a question: why is Ayame here?"

Ayame replied in an angry tone, "So you think I'm just an ordinary girl who can't do anything? Let me be clear, I can draw characters, backgrounds, and other elements for our visual novel. I can also write the story, unlike you who always complains."

While mocking her abilities, I replied, "Oh, so you're showing off your abilities now? I can also write the story, and I'm sure your drawings will be awful because you're so arrogant."

Frustrated by our argument, Senior Takumi slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "Enough! We're not here to fight with each other. We're here to support each other in our common hobby. You two, shut up."

Senior Takumi looked at both of us and continued, "Ayame joined this club because she wanted to help us. It's a noble mission, and she can contribute instead of being a burden to everyone. Valdo, I hope you don't mind if I divide up the duties now."

I listened attentively as Senior Takumi discussed Ayame's behaviour and reminded us of the importance of our situation.

Ayame and I nodded in agreement, realising the seriousness of this project.

Senior Takumi continued his explanation, saying, "Since we have limited time, we won't be able to make something perfect like a project that takes a year or two. Instead, we will focus on making a visual novel with two endings. We can introduce other love characters, but we haven't developed their stories yet."

I fell silent, absorbing Senior Takumi's words.

Senior Takumi looked at Ayame and said, "Ayame, don't highlight Valdo here. I know you might not like him or anything, but for God's sake, let's work together normally. We're in a serious situation right now."

Ayame and I nodded in agreement.

Curious about our specific task, I spoke up, "So, what's our task, Senior?"

"That's a good question. I'll handle the programming, since that's what I usually do in game development," Senior Takumi explained. "Ayame, you'll be in charge of drawing the assets we need, such as backgrounds and characters. And Valdo, your job is simply to write the stories for the two main characters."

Feeling unsure of my ability to write stories, I expressed my concern, "I have no experience writing stories, Senior."

Senior Takumi whistled and signalled for me to come closer. "Okay, come here," he said.

I hesitated, thinking that he might do something unkind, but eventually I approached him.

"Don't worry," Senior Takumi whispered while lowering his voice. "I have no experience in writing stories either, especially when it comes to romance. But you, Valdo, have read many stories. Your reading has given you valuable references and experience. I trust you, so you will write the story."

After that, Senior Takumi sat back in his chair and said, "Alright, everyone has their own tasks. Let's get started. Ganbatte!"

I sighed, feeling the weight of the task at hand.

Ayame, realising my frustration, replied sharply, "If you're here to complain, leave the room. We don't need losers like you to be a burden to our work. Just do what you can."

"Alright, alright," I replied, trying to ease the tension. "I'll try my best. Just stop teasing me, okay?"

Ayame opened his laptop and picked up a drawing pad to start working on the digital graphics, while Senior Takumi sat at his computer desk to handle the programming.

An hour passed, and Ayame's drawings were starting to look good. Senior Takumi seemed to be making progress with the programming of this game. As for me, I was still having trouble finding inspiration for the story I had to write.

I scanned around the room, desperately looking for a spark of creativity.

"Do you need help?" Ayame asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she looked at me.

"No, no, I'm fine," I replied, trying to hide my frustration.

"Are you sure?" Ayame remained adamant. "You seem stuck in the writing process. You keep twirling the pen back and forth."

"Don't rush me, woman," I replied, feeling the mounting pressure. "I need some time."

"Alright," Ayame agreed, giving me space.

An hour passed, and I was still stuck, unable to come up with an interesting plot. Writing was proving much more difficult than I had anticipated. I didn't want this project to end up a mess or be thrown away like rubbish.

I had to collect my thoughts and find something worthwhile to write about. I had to think, Valdo, think. What do you want to write about?

"You could try writing a comedy romance about school," Ayame suggested.

"Good idea," I reply, looking at Ayame who is sitting next to me, peering at a blank document on the computer screen.

"It's blank. You don't know what you want to write about, do you?" she commented.

"Shit, yeah, I admit it. I don't know, so can you stop teasing me?" I responded in frustration.

Ayame suggested, "How about asking for help?"

Reluctantly, I replied, "No."

"Come on, ask a favour," she insisted.

"Alright. Ayame, can you help me with this story?" I finally asked.

She was silent for a moment before answering, "Not really. I've read a few romance novels. You can start by introducing the main character and the surrounding setting. Since we're at school, you can use it as a backdrop. That's all I can help you with. You'll have to think of the rest. I'll continue drawing now. Bye."

Ayame walked away and continued her drawing, leaving me alone.

I sighed, realising that her input was not as helpful as I had hoped. Nevertheless, I decided to write whatever came to my mind. At least I was making progress instead of staring at the computer for several hours.