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[Game] Chapter 167: A Night Out
🕑 Added 2025-03-13 14:09:22 +0000 UTCAfter Umiko’s segment, Hazuki’s recording was completed smoothly as well. The next step involved creating some in-game demo footage and adding voiceovers. But there was no rush for that; they could take their time with it.
From here on, everyone had the freedom to either continue working on their tasks, rest, or even play games if they wanted.
Eriri pulled Yukino, Umiko, and Sakura Nene into a game of Left 4 Dead. Meanwhile, Hajime went to tinker with the new figurine she had just bought. The others continued working on their projects.
While editing the demo videos, Ichin glanced at the exhausted Kō Yagami and asked, “Kō, how’s the progress on the final boss redesign?”
Hollow Knight had quite a few bosses. Most of them were already completed, but some were still in progress, and others needed revisions. Ichin had reviewed some designs and sent them back for further improvements.
The final boss, Radiance, was one of those that needed adjustments. Not only was the action design rejected and sent back for a complete redo, but Ichin also found the boss design itself, created by Kō Yagami, lacking in terms of a menacing presence.
Scratching her head with the back end of her stylus, Kō replied, “I have some ideas, but I need to draw them out and see if they work. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely have a good finished product for you within three days.”
“Alright, no need to rush. We have enough time.”
The rejection of her design wasn’t due to poor drawing skills. It was more about her experience. As the lead artist, Kō mostly focused on designing protagonist characters and allies throughout their previous projects. Designing antagonistic bosses was something she didn’t do as often, so struggling with it was understandable.
On the other hand, Iijima Yun, who had been consistently working on the monsters and bosses, was proving herself to be incredibly talented. Her work on Hollow Knight had demonstrated her unique style, whether it was regular enemies, elite monsters, or bosses.
Ichin had already decided that moving forward, boss designs would primarily be handed over to Iijima Yun. The results would undoubtedly be better than expected.
In the afternoon, Ichin didn’t keep everyone working for too long. At five-thirty, he announced the end of the day’s work, telling everyone to head home and rest.
Kō Yagami wasn’t staying at the studio tonight and was going home for the first time in a while, leaving the place unusually quiet.
After a final check of their tasks, Ichin and Utaha headed upstairs.
Once inside their home, Utaha stretched her body as she sat on the sofa and asked, “Ichin, what should we do about dinner? Mom and Dad went out to meet friends, so they didn’t prepare anything.”
“Dinner, huh...”
Ichin grabbed two cans of fruit juice from the fridge and thought for a moment. “How about eating out?”
“I don’t feel like going out. I’m so tired.”
Utaha placed her long, slender legs, wrapped in black stockings, on Ichin’s lap and looked at him. “Let’s just order takeout.”
“That works. What do you feel like eating?”
“Something simple. Sushi and tempura from that place we usually order from.”
“Alright, sounds good.” Ichin pulled out his phone and skillfully placed the order.
After dinner, the two of them took a break and showered before heading to their bedroom to get some work done.
Since they had played games for a while in the afternoon, Utaha planned to spend her evening writing to finish the remaining half of Volume Four of her novel as soon as possible.
As for Ichin, he continued working on the character designs for Persona.
After several days of consideration, Ichin had made his decision. The next game he would develop would be Persona. Once the main characters’ designs were completed, he could start drafting the game’s world-building and storyline. Once Utaha finished her novel, she would take over writing the detailed plot.
After writing a short section of her novel, Utaha lifted her head and looked at Ichin, who was focused on his work in front of the computer.
“Ichin.”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
Ichin’s hands kept moving, his eyes glued to the screen as he replied.
Then, he suddenly felt his computer chair being kicked.
Turning around, Ichin saw Utaha sitting on the bed, stretching out her long legs and playfully kicking him.
Ichin smiled and lightly tickled the sole of her foot. “What’s wrong? Feeling bored?”
Utaha couldn’t handle being tickled and quickly pulled her foot back. Looking at Ichin, she said, “I’m feeling a bit hungry.”
“Hungry?”
Ichin thought about it for a moment. Although dinner was takeout, there was plenty of food, and they definitely had their fill. So, he figured it out a second later.
“You’re just craving something, aren’t you?”
Utaha didn’t deny it, nodding with her eyes half-closed. “A little... I feel like having some bubble tea.”
“Bubble tea at this hour?”
Ichin checked the time—it was already past eight.
Utaha’s foot nudged over again, resting on the armrest of his chair. “Ichin, let’s go out and get some?”
“Can’t we just order delivery? Wouldn’t that be more convenient?”
“But I also want to watch a movie.”
“Huh?”
Ichin was stunned, recalling her earlier words. “But didn’t you say you were tired before dinner?”
“A girl’s feelings are always changing, Ichin. You should understand that.”
Utaha wiggled her small foot and looked at him expectantly. “So, are we going or not?”
“Of course, if you’re asking, I can’t say no. It’s not like it’s some difficult task.” Ichin saved his work on the computer, shut it down, and stood up. “But before that, we need to get changed.”
The pajamas they were wearing were definitely not suitable for going out.
They took about ten minutes to change their clothes. Utaha also did some light makeup before they headed out into the night.
They bought two cups of bubble tea and went straight to the cinema. Picking a recently released sci-fi movie, they bought tickets and began their rare nighttime movie date.
The movie itself wasn’t exactly amazing, but at least the visual effects were decent. Just watching the grand scenes was worth the ticket price.
By the time they finished the two-hour movie, it was already past 11 p.m.
Given the time, Ichin and Utaha decided not to head back home. Instead, they booked a room at a high-end hotel to spend the night.
### The Next Day: Sunday
Around nine in the morning, Ichin’s phone started ringing.
Half-asleep, he groped around for his phone and squinted at the screen with bleary eyes. To his surprise, it was a call from Machida Sonoka.
“Why is she calling me?”
Glancing at Utaha, who was still fast asleep in his arms, Ichin answered the call.
“Hello, Sonoka-san?”
Machida Sonoka’s slightly anxious voice came through. “Ichin, is Utaha with you? Her phone is off.”
“Huh? Yeah, she’s here. She’s still sleeping.”
“Mmh... Ichin, did you call me?”
Just as Utaha woke up, Ichin handed her the phone directly.
...
