RedX43
patreon
[Game] Chapter 227: Perfecting the Music
🕑 Added 2025-05-17 11:26:18 +0000 UTCDinner was ready, and everyone gathered around the table, chatting as they ate.
Ichin took a sip of chicken soup, let out a satisfied sigh, and said, âGetting the game on the Switch is basically no problem. Theyâre actually really eager for us to launchâideally within six months. Of course, thatâs impossible. Weâll just stick to our own pace. By the way, Hazuki, I havenât checked the sales numbers these past few days. How are things looking?â
âSales, huhâŠâ
Hazuki swallowed a bite of meat and smiled. âAs of yesterday, Hollow Knight reached 970,000 units sold, and Slay the Spire hit 980,000. Hollow Knight saw a big boost of nearly 60,000 thanks to its first discount. Judging by the current sales trends, both games should break the one-million mark by the end of this month.â
âThatâs even better than I expected!â
A grin spread across Ichinâs face. Slay the Spire crossing a million was already a sure thing, given how long it had been on the market. But Hollow Knight, which had only launched last November and hadnât even been out for three months, was already approaching the million mark.
While the pricing strategy certainly played a role, Ichin had read plenty of user reviews to know that the real reason was the gameâs quality.
A combination of quality, content volume, and priceâthose factors together had driven Hollow Knightâs rapid sales climb.
âHmm⊠we can start working on Hollow Knightâs post-launch updates now. Letâs do a basic update first, and maybe add a new area that unlocks before the final section. Itâs not a huge workload. Hazuki, Umiko, Iâll leave that part to you two.â
âWhat about you, Ichin-kun?â
âAs for meâŠâ Ichin tapped the table lightly. âThereâs still a lot of music left to finish for Persona.â
In terms of music, Ichin was the only one in the studio capable of handling that side of development. No one else could really help.
Sure, he could outsource the work to a partner studioâbut he didnât believe anyone else could fully capture the exact sound and feel he wanted. So, heâd decided to do it all himself.
It might take more time, but the result would be the best and most fitting for the game.
Of course, once the compositions were complete, he could get professional arrangers to help with orchestrationâsince his skills in that area werenât quite up to par.
After dinner, everyone returned to their tasks. Ichin, however, went to the lounge area alone, sat on the sofa with a notebook, and began writing slowly.
After jotting down some notes, he picked up his laptop and started working on the composition software, trying to bring the music to life. If something didnât feel right, heâd tweak it again and again.
Even though Ichin had already written music before, he was still very much a beginner. There was no shortcutâthis process would take time.
Over an hour later, Utaha came over with a cup of hot tea and sat beside him.
âHave something to drink. Youâve been at it for a while.â
Rubbing his eyes, Ichin set the laptop aside and took the cup from her, sipping gratefully.
âHas everyone gone home?â
âMhm, they have. Only KĆ is still here,â Utaha nodded. âEveryone saw how focused you were, so they didnât want to interrupt you.â
She glanced at the notebook in Ichinâs hands, which was filled with scribbled notes, countless edits, and visible signs of wear. Just from that, she could tell how much energy he had poured into it.
âHow about continuing later? Take a shower, relax, and reset your mind a bit?â
Ichin didnât insist on pushing through. He nodded, stood up with Utaha, and brought his things with him back to the work area.
Yagami KĆ wasnât working at the moment. She was lounging around, munching on snacks while watching the latest anime episode.
When she saw Ichin coming out, she paused the video and asked, âHeading home? Youâve got class tomorrow, donât overdo it. Writing music is a creative processâyou canât rush it.â
âDonât worry, I wonât force it,â Ichin replied.
As soon as they got home, Utaha handed him a change of clothes and practically pushed him into the bathroom.
With a bang, the bathroom door shut behind him. Ichin scratched his head and turned back around.
âSigh, itâs not like Iâm even that tired. And if you really wanted me to relax⊠wouldnât you come in and shower with me?â
Well, whatever. Time to take a bath.
Over the next few days, Ichin was completely immersed in composing. Even during school hours, most of his time was spent working on music. His backpack was stuffed with multiple books on composition.
Finally, after a lot of effort, Ichin managed to complete two BGM tracks for daily scenes and story events, as well as one iconic theme for the game.
Now that this track was done, he decided against having the wind instrument clubâs music teacher arrange it. Instead, he wanted to find someone more professional.
But who?
In this world, there was no Shoji Meguroâthe composer best known for Personaâs iconic soundtracks. If Ichin wanted someone who could handle this properly, heâd need a musician skilled not only in pop music, but also in orchestral and jazz styles.
That kind of talent was rareâespecially in Japan.
He twirled a pen between his fingers, then looked over at Eriri, who was chatting with Yukino about some juicy celebrity gossip.
âEriri, is Aunt Sayuri free today? I want to treat you both to dinner.â
âDinner?â Eriri turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. âWhatâs with the sudden invitation? You need a favor or something?â
Ichin waved his notebook and said, âIâm looking for a good musician to help arrange my tracks. But you know I donât have many connections. Aunt Sayuri knows a lot of people in Tokyoâs music sceneâI was hoping she could help.â
âA composer, huh? Got it. Iâll call Mom and ask.â
Without hesitation, Eriri pulled out her phone and made the call.
It connected quickly, and she said, âHey Mom, are you free tonight? Ichin wants to treat us to dinner, and heâd like to ask for your help finding a good arranger. Uh-huh, okay, got it.â
After hanging up, Eriri gave Ichin a thumbs-up. âMomâs driving over in a bit. You can go ahead and book a restaurant now. Yukino, wanna come with us? Itâs not every day you get a free meal like this.â
Not every day? I think we eat for free at the studio quite oftenâŠ
The second princess grumbled inwardly, then shook her head. âNah, I already made dinner plans with my sister today. Weâve got it set.â
âAh, I see. Oh well, next time then.â
The Service Club hadnât received many requests this semester, but one of their previous cases was starting to make some progress.
That girl, who had submitted the request, joined the soccer club and gradually got closer to her crush, Sato. From the looks of it, things might take a big step forward soon.
After all, next Monday was February 14thâValentineâs Day.
...
