Tokyo: Oreimo

Ryosuke's lips twitched slightly; such an explanation was bound to be misunderstood.

If we hadn't had such a deep conversation beforehand, he might have taken it seriously.

Phoenix Saori didn't say anything more, just chuckled softly, her eyes once again hidden behind thick glasses, and turned to walk back into the shop, waving at him.

"You can repay me properly at the victory celebration banquet."

Chapter 76 Life Consultation

Back inside the shop, Phoenix Inu Saori sat on a high chair in front of the counter, resting her feet on the footrests, her posture slightly relaxed.

"Uncle Yamazaki, what do you think of the person I chose?"

She leaned against the counter, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at the store manager, Yamazaki.

"Great, I've run your game, and it's much better than I expected."

In computer programming, Yamazaki Hisatsuka had always been Hououin Saori's teacher.

I remember when he was just entering junior high school, he was often taken to his shop by his "friends". Over time, he began to develop an interest in computers.

I've only been formally learning programming for a year or two, and to be able to achieve this level in such a short time and keep up with the times is already beyond my own expectations.

"You've already completed your apprenticeship; there's nothing more I can teach you."

"whispering sound."

Phoenix Institute let out a slight sneer, "You know that's not what I meant, don't play dumb."

Yamazaki Hisatsuka paused in his wiping of the table, a wry smile appearing on his face.

"You're too rebellious. If it's about dating, I suggest you think about it more carefully. At least find someone from a similar social class to get the support of your elders."

"Rebellious? That word doesn't fit me."

Phoenix Inu Saori gave a soft hum.

"It's because of you that Auntie married someone else. You're all too weak and don't know what you want."

Yamazaki Hisatsuka shook his head, put down the rag in his hand, and said calmly:

"You should know the rules of the Phoenix family better than I do. The old man will not agree to it."

How will you know if you don't try!

Phoenix Inu Saori retorted without hesitation.

"You haven't told him about your family background yet, have you? With such a huge difference, anyone with a brain would give up on their own."

Yamazaki Hisatsuka heard Phoenix Inu Saori's laughter.

"He won't."

Where did the confidence come from?

Yamazaki still had some things he hadn't made clear.

Even if the boy I met earlier was just as ungrateful as I was years ago, the outcome would be the same.

"I haven't won him over yet."

"Ok?"

Yamazaki Hisatsuka was surprised. With his apprentice's good looks, why would he take the initiative to pursue her?

Phoenix Inu Saori suddenly stuck out her tongue playfully.

“That guy doesn’t give up easily once he starts something. He’s a very opinionated person. He’s different from you, Uncle Yamazaki.”

“…”

Yamazaki Hisatsuka was at a loss for words, feeling ashamed of being belittled by his own apprentice to the point of being worse than a high school student.

"You should figure out how to deal with the engagement first; the deadline is fast approaching, isn't it?"

Yamazaki Hisatsuka sighed.

As soon as she said it, Phoenix Inu Saori's expression turned rather unpleasant.

"What a disappointment. I don't know why my aunt liked you back then."

"Oh."

Yamazaki Hisatsuka wiped the tabletop again with the rag in his hand.

......

Evening, at Takashiro's house.

After dinner, following their agreement from earlier in the day, Ryosuke was pulled into Takashiro Ryouno's room.

"What's the matter?"

He sat on the tatami mat, still leaning against the wall.

This time, Ling Nai did not sit in the high position, but sat directly in front of him.

She rested her hands on her thighs, a somewhat troubled expression on her face.

"It's about Ruri. I want to try again to see if she can accept the idea of ​​being an otaku."

"Hmm? I thought you would keep your head down and wait for her to find out on her own, or give up your so-called hobby for the sake of your friend."

Ryosuke knows his younger sister fairly well.

They are the type who, when faced with problems, never take a proactive approach but instead choose to run away at crucial moments.

"What are you talking about? It's because you don't want to give up either of them, that's why you're here to discuss it, right?"

Takashiro Ryou grumbled in dissatisfaction.

In addition, Ryosuke also saw unease on her face.

So who said something to you?

"That black cat... told me that the website has already started advertising, and asked if I wanted to display my pen name prominently, saying that it would be more effective."

"You agree?"

"Of course, I can't show weakness in front of that guy and be called a fake otaku, someone who is an otaku but doesn't dare to admit it."

This makes Takashiro Ryōno angry.

Gokou Mao is like a hedgehog; whenever you argue with her, you always lose your temper briefly.

They should have controlled the speed of the spread, or at least marginalized themselves.

"In that case, Ruri will find out about the pen name sooner, right?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

Ryosuke felt a headache coming on.

No wonder my sister suddenly sought me out for a talk.

She didn't grow up; rather, she sensed that she was about to face a great disaster.

The credits that appear at the end of the game might not have been noticed by many people.

Just like in real life, most fans will only remember the key figures of a work, such as 'Kinoko Nasu' and 'Jun Maeda' who leave a very deep impression.

Or it could be the logo of a company or brand.

Even when watching anime, most fans don't specifically look for members of the production committee.

This kind of thing gets a lot of attention, mostly from industry insiders.

However, using one's pen name as a means of publicity is a different matter.

Presumably, even those users on the website who aren't interested will still check it out because of the reputation of the genius female comic artist.

From the perspective of game promotion, it is undoubtedly a positive effect.

But this also means that Rumiko Takashiro's name will spread rapidly within the area and be labeled as a visual novel illustrator.

This move is practically suicide bombing.

"However, it does sound like something you would do."

"What? Are you mocking me?"

"Yes, so what?"

"Waaah..."

Faced with Ryosuke's sarcasm, Takagi Ryouno fell silent for the first time, looking preoccupied.

What should we do now?

The blonde girl lowered her head, looking somewhat uneasy.

"The only way is to start with her interests and find a way to get her to play visual novels first, and then gradually change her opinion."

"How could that be? She would never touch such a game. Just seeing it would get her thrown in the trash."

Takashiro Ryouno knows her best friend very well.

"That's not necessarily true."

Ryosuke thought of the text message from a few days ago, in which the model girl was willing to take on a job she didn't like and try cosplay for Ryosuke's sake.

It's not impossible to go even further.

"I can't do that. Recommending visual novels to her would definitely be met with disgust..."

Takashiro Ryou hugged her legs, buried her face in the crook of her knees, and curled up into a ball.

Wearing only shorts at home, she made this gesture, inadvertently revealing the top of her fair thighs.

This posture made Ryosuke awkwardly look away.

This guy should be more careful around me.

He stood up, reached out and vigorously ruffled the girl's hair, making a mess of her soft blonde hair.

"What are you doing? Don't suddenly touch my head like that."