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[Game] Chapter 303: Kirino Kousaka Wants to Join
🕑 Added 2025-07-18 03:21:41 +0000 UTCSeeing the look on her friend’s face, Ruri Gokou rolled her eyes and said,
“Didn’t you watch the livestream? All I can say is, he looks even better in person than on camera. By the way, during the September livestream, I was standing right behind the camera—got a full close-up view the whole time. And before the stream started, I even got signatures from Jun Fukuyama and Mamoru Miyano. We all took a group photo with the voice actors too.”
As if showing off, Ruri pulled out the group photo with the voice actors and displayed it for Kirino to see.
Kirino was absolutely seething with envy.
“Signatures and a group photo...”
Kirino sucked in a breath and stared at Ruri. “Kuroneko, does your company still have any openings?”
“We’re not hiring models, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Ruri smiled. “Though we do need cleaning staff. You could always apply for that.”
“No way! Who are you calling a cleaning lady? If anyone’s doing that, it should be you!”
Kirino glared at Ruri. “I could totally apply for a writer role, you know! Don’t forget, I used to write web novels—and one even got adapted into an anime!”
“You?”
Ruri nearly burst out laughing. “The fact that your web novel actually got an anime adaptation still feels unreal. But seriously, we don’t need writers right now. Our boss writes all the lore and main storylines himself. Plus, we already have other scriptwriters, and if needed, we can always collaborate with professionals in the industry.”
Kirino nodded. “I know, Kasumi Utako-sensei, right? I heard she’s involved in the Persona project too. But really—there’s no chance for me to join at all? I mean, I’m in my third year now, so I’ve got to start thinking seriously about post-grad work.”
“I thought you were going to continue modeling?”
“That’s just a side gig, a side gig!” Kirino declared firmly. “I’m not going to model forever. Right now, I’m just doing magazine shoots, but if I go further, it means getting into runway work and stuff—and I’m not into that. As for entering the entertainment industry? No chance. Once my contract with the agency ends after this year, I’m not renewing. So of course, I need to start thinking about another job.”
So that’s how it is.
Ruri nodded. She supported Kirino’s thinking. The entertainment world wasn’t really suitable for girls like them anyway. Neither of them ever had any intention of diving into that chaos.
Resting her arms on the table, Kirino leaned in closer with a grin and said,
“So, if there’s ever a chance, could you recommend me? Even if it’s not a dev role—HR, admin, something like that is fine too. I could even get certified in accounting if needed. I am majoring in economics, after all.”
“That might be possible,” Ruri said thoughtfully. “The company does plan to expand, and we do have an internal referral system.”
She nodded, almost agreeing—then looked at Kirino and narrowed her eyes.
“Wait... You’re not asking just because of our boss, are you?”
“Hehe, of course not! I’m mainly looking for a good job!”
Kirino wagged a finger and said with a smirk,
“But come on, who doesn’t like a good-looking guy? If I get a chance to meet him, I’d be more than happy—especially since he made some of my favorite games!”
Arms crossed, Ruri replied,
“Ah, I see. Understood. If there’s an opportunity, I’ll put in a word. After all, you are from Chiba University. But just so you know—if your goal is to chase after our boss, don’t bother. He already has a girlfriend.”
“Huh? He really has a girlfriend?”
“Yep. You didn’t know?”
As soon as she said it, Ruri realized—Kirino only got into Slay the Spire and Hollow Knight recently. Utaha had already appeared in the studio’s livestreams last year, so Kirino probably missed that part entirely.
So, she scrolled through her phone gallery and found a photo they’d taken during a company barbecue dinner.
“There, look. See that girl with the long, straight black hair sitting next to the boss? That’s his girlfriend. She’s younger than you, just as pretty, and—most importantly—has a better figure. You’ve got absolutely zero chance.”
After seeing the photo of Utaha, Kirino finally accepted the truth: just based on looks and body alone, that girl was clearly ahead of her.
“Ugh, why is it so hard to find a good guy these days?”
“No, no, no. The issue isn’t that good guys are hard to find—it’s that your taste is awful. You even had a crush on your own brother.”
“Pfft, like you’re one to talk.”
To Kirino’s retort, Ruri shrugged coolly and said,
“Exactly. That’s why I’ve already moved on. Doesn’t bother me at all anymore. By the way, how’s Kyousuke doing lately? I heard he got a job after graduating?”
“Yeah, he’s working at a company in Chiba. Dad helped him get the position. He’s doing... alright, I guess.”
Speaking of her older brother, Kirino couldn’t hide her annoyance and pouted slightly.
“That guy’s been getting awfully close to that old hag Manami lately. I bet they’ll be talking marriage soon.”
“Oh? Well, that’s actually a good thing, isn’t it?”
Ruri had long let go of any lingering thoughts about that mess. It had been years—people need to look forward, not backward.
Looking at her friend across the table, even though Kirino’s tone had a hint of irritation when she talked about her brother, her expression was calm. Clearly, she’d already moved on too.
“But hey…”
Kirino said, smiling as she took a bite of cake,
“Your bestie Ayase—did she ever try chasing after Kyousuke again?”
“Ayase, huh? Do you really think she’s the type to do that?”
Kirino spread her hands and continued,
“Sure, we had a falling out back then because of that whole situation, but we made up pretty quickly. As for Kyousuke—who cares? It’s been years. Ayase’s not some clueless little girl anymore. We all grow up. And honestly, Kyousuke was never a good match for her.”
Kirino was absolutely right—they weren’t the same naïve girls they used to be. No one clings to the same childish thoughts forever. First loves are unforgettable, yes, but that doesn’t mean you stay trapped in the past.
After catching up on each other’s lives and polishing off their food, the two girls paid the bill and left the maid café, spending the rest of the afternoon strolling around Akihabara.
As expected, by the afternoon, Kirino ended up following Ruri home—wanting to visit Hinata and Tamaki after so long.
—
On Sunday afternoon, Ichin and Utaha finally returned home.
After dropping their luggage in the living room, Utaha collapsed onto the couch.
“We’re finally back!”
Stretching out with a sigh, she looked at Ichin as he sat down beside her.
“Even though it was technically a vacation, there were just so many people everywhere. I’m exhausted.”
“Tired? Want me to give you a massage?”
“No need for that.”
Utaha laughed and straddled Ichin’s lap, wrapping her arms around him.
“It’s mostly because we were staying at your place these past few days. With your parents and my parents all there—it was hard to really relax.”
As she said that, she leaned in and kissed him.
...
