Tokyo Soft Rice King.

Akira Kuroba not only worked for a large game company, but also developed independent games with friends in his spare time, although they were just small games made with RPG Maker.

Because of staff shortages, he also took on the role of game tester, not only finding bugs but also learning to fix simple bugs.

Furthermore, every time the game content progresses to a certain extent, a full-process stress test is conducted, so Kuroba Akira himself has probably played this game dozens of times.

Even the best game gets boring after playing it dozens of times, let alone a game test riddled with bugs, which can be a disaster.

The game was eventually released successfully, but sales were mediocre, making it a poor return on investment compared to the time and effort invested.

But Akira Kuroba felt that it was much more interesting than being a ruthless cog in a big company.

Although he was almost entirely driven by passion, Akira Kuroba felt spiritually fulfilled when creating the games he designed.

Those were some of the few happy times he had after graduation.

Now that Junko Ohno has exposed him to his face, Akira Kuroba can't help but ask himself: Did he really write light novels about game development simply because it was a subject and content he was most familiar with? Was there also an element of reminiscing about those happy years in the past?

"I knew it! I knew you really had made games!"

Junko Ohno got completely excited and grabbed Akira Kuroba's hand, urging him on again.

"So come on! Let's play games together! We already have plenty of talented people in our club!"

Kuroba Akira was thus drawn into the other party's rhythm and began to think about the conditions required for developing the game.

"Yes, that's true. We have plenty of talent in art, but if we're going to make a game, we're lacking the most crucial person: programmers. I can't write code, you know?"

Of course, Kuroba Akira knew two top programmers, Yu-shu and Nishimura-senpai, but these two were probably skilled in web development, server development, and engine development, and they likely had no experience in game program development.

Although those two are skilled enough that they should be able to learn quickly if they wanted to, they are both very busy and unlikely to find time to make games.

At that moment, Junko Ohno patted her incredibly flat chest and said in a "leave it to me" gesture.

"That's no problem! I can write game programs! Although I'm self-taught, I dare say I have the skills to get a job at a major game company!"

Then why did you become a teacher...?

Junko Ohno saw through Akira Kuroba's inner thoughts and immediately explained the reason.

"I know you're probably wondering why I became a teacher. It's because I want to make my own game. Working for a big company would just mean completing the game, right? Although I've never worked for a game company, this is just my assumption, but I do know some people who actually work for game companies. After talking to them, I found that they're not making the game they want to make."

"..."

It really is.

Her hypothesis is based on Akira Kuroba's experience.

That really hit the nail on the head for Kuroba Akira.

After joining a large company, no matter how much enthusiasm you have, it will be worn down, and you will feel like you are not in control of your own destiny.

Then Junko Ohno explained why she wanted Akira Kuroba to join her team.

"While I might be good at programming, my game design skills are really questionable... To be honest, if I were to design it myself, it would turn into a garbage game with chaotic level progression and broken stats..."

She must have already made the game herself, and then realized that she was really not good at this kind of work, so she came to find a helper.

Making games requires planning, programming, art, sound effects, as well as testing and operation.

Of course, this refers to the personnel needed by a relatively formal game development team, and it's just a broad category. There are many more subcategories, such as system designers, level designers, numerical designers, script designers, quest designers, and so on. In the art field, there are concept artists, 3D modelers, 2D artists, special effects designers, animators, UI designers, and so on...

A large number of people are needed.

Therefore, for very large projects, the PM is needed to plan and coordinate the task schedule, and the producer is also needed to control the overall situation.

However, for indie games, at least one person who can code can make a game, although whether it's fun or not is another matter.

While there are indeed game developers who can handle everything themselves and create impressive and excellent games, such as the famous Shanghai Alice Fantasy Orchestra, which is actually just one person, zun.

However, such all-rounders are extremely rare, and the time spent developing the game would increase exponentially.

If you want to make a good game, building a team is the most reasonable approach.

"But Kuroba, you're good at game design, right? Designing core gameplay and quest lines, writing the world view, building the system framework, adjusting numerical balance... you can do all of that! Because you've written it all into the novel! The older brother in that light novel is actually based on yourself, isn't he!"

Junko Ohno, as if she had stumbled upon Akira Kuroba's secret, became more and more excited as she spoke, her whole being caught up in a state of heightened excitement.

"..."

See, writing novels really is about exposing yourself, wasn't I right? Shiori?

After mentally grumbling to himself, Kuroba Akira scratched his head, looking quite troubled.

"But I already..."

I no longer want to work in the gaming industry...

Because that could already be considered a psychological trauma.

After all, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Akira Kuroba died for the sake of making games.

So now, even if you were to tell Kuroba Akira to "let's play a game," he wouldn't be interested at all...?

Is it really?

Why work yourself to the point of sudden death?

Is it really just for that salary, which is not bad but far from being top-tier?

Is the reason for staying here also for the moment when the game is officially launched?

When faced with Ohno-sensei's sincere invitation, Kuroba Akira discovered that there were still lingering feelings in his heart.

Indeed, compared to Tsukimi Ryou, she has made progress and has let go of the past... but has she really let go 'completely'?

What he is doing now, whether it is writing light novels, making comics, or training entertainers and virtual idols, can only be considered Kuroba Akira's hobby, not his main job. He has been able to succeed repeatedly only because of his past experience and the innate talent of geniuses.

Ultimately, making games is his original profession, the job he has done the longest and is the one he is best at.

Maybe, perhaps, probably... is what I most want to do.

This feeling affected Kuroba Akira, causing him to hesitate and ultimately decide to hold off on his reply for the time being.

"Ohno-sensei... could you give me some time to think about it?"

"Your reply feels like I'm confessing my feelings to you... Well, in a sense, it is indeed a confession."

Junko Ohno seemed a little embarrassed, but she still felt it was worth it to muster up the courage to invite Akira Kuroba.

The fact that Kuroba Akira didn't directly refuse means there's hope for this!

"Then I'll look forward to your reply, but don't drag it out too long... I believe you'll eventually give in to me, Kuroba! After all, your light novel is full of your passion for making games!"

After Junko Ohno finished speaking, she patted Akira Kuroba's head like an adult and then left.

"A passion for making games...?"

After Junko Ohno left, Akira Kuroba wasn't thinking about whether or not to agree to her request; his mind was completely occupied with...

What type of game does Teacher Luo want to make?

Action game? Shooter game? No, since it's Japanese, they're most likely making a JRPG, right? It can't be a gacha game, can it?

Akira Kuroba couldn't suppress his curiosity.

Damn it... I really want to know!

"Uh……"

At this moment, Kuroba Akira suddenly realized that the answer had already been in his heart all along.

Kuroba Akira covered his face, letting out a self-deprecating laugh.

How embarrassing! Turns out, I haven't given up on this idea after all...

Just being invited made me incredibly eager, like rekindling my first love.

Hitomi Anri once asked Akira Kuroba what he really wanted to do, and he said he wanted to fulfill their dreams, which was not a lie.

But why didn't you think of making your own game back then?

Perhaps it's because they're afraid of repeating the same mistakes that they subconsciously ruled out this option.

Moreover, Akira Kuroba has never been a planner; he is not the type to initiate something on his own initiative, so he needs someone to push him to make decisions.

Junko Ohno is the second person, after Hitomi Anri, to force Akira Kuroba to confront his own inner feelings.

"Ugh... what should I do..."

To be honest, Akira Kuroba doesn't have the resources to make games right now.

I already have so many things to do. If I were to make games on top of that, I might not have the extra energy to enjoy my youth.

But rather than enjoying my youth, I definitely want to do what I truly want to do.

And isn't this another kind of youth?

Perhaps only young people can truly act according to their own will.

At this moment, Kuroba Akira felt a surge of inexplicable energy welling up inside him.

What the world becomes in the future is none of your business. Your own future is the most important thing, so stop worrying about those messy things and just go ahead and do what you want to do... Kuroba Akira seemed to hear her sister encouraging her like this.

"Haha, you're right..."

Indeed, looking back, I realize that what I've always been most passionate about is my own interests, and even my romantic relationships were something I was drawn into.

"……it is good!"

Then let's make a game!

This can be considered as fulfilling a last wish from a previous life!

This time, I absolutely must live to see the game launch!

“Here, here, Kuroba-kun.”

Just as Kuroba Akira was getting off the massage chair and mentally making this kind of flag-like statement, he heard someone quietly calling to him.

Akira Kuroba looked toward the source of the sound and spotted Motoko Kobayashi waving at him from around the corner.

What's going on today? Why are all the teachers coming to see me separately?

Kuroba Akira walked over in confusion and asked.

"Xiaozao... um, Momoko-senpai."