Bokutachi no Remake Ver. β V1 Chapter 2 By: thai130898

At Succeed Soft, the morning in Development Department 13 doesn't start particularly early. It's normal. 

By the designated start time of 9 AM, everyone is at their own desk, and after a 15-minute meeting, they move on to their respective tasks.

"Uhm~ well then, let's begin the morning meeting..."

Takoyaki-san's words were met with scattered replies from all the department members. After confirming this, he stood up from his seat with a "heave-ho."

"Whoops, that was close..."

Perhaps from a lack of exercise, he stumbled just by standing up on the spot.

"Today, we have the tallying and compilation of survey postcards, and the shredding and disposal of unneeded promotional goods. The survey postcards are as usual, and for shredding the goods, please separate them into paper and plastic waste..."

He's an older man who gives off an unreliable vibe and looks older than his age. He often seems spaced out, not noticing when spoken to, and it's common for it to take about three tries for him to snap out of it.

He's supposedly the manager, but he doesn't do anything that seems manager-like.

"Well, that's all from me... Section Chief, you're next."

Called on by Takoyaki-san, the brown-haired guy stood up next.

"Uhm, about the old HDDs, please make sure you confirm they're wiped before you throw them out. The other day, accounting gave me a hard time about that."

The Section Chief, Charaji. He's in a vice-manager-like position... but he has no sense of dignity whatsoever.

This person is unreliable in a different way from the manager; he rarely does anything you ask him to. He likes to push troublesome things onto others and is always thinking about slacking off. He looks young with his brown hair and good looks, but there's almost no benefit to be felt from that.

"...You were the one who messed up wiping the HDD, weren't you, Chief?"

From next to me, Risuko mutters discontentedly.

"He's really good at making it sound like it's everyone's fault..."

He often makes moves like a middle schooler, which is endearing, but I do wish he'd act his position and age.

"Alright, next, please."

Prompted by Charaji, the woman sitting right next to him stands up listlessly.

Her nickname is Joou (Queen). Today, her bright red hairpin stands out against her black one-piece dress.

"...The surveys. I'd like to finish compiling them today if possible, so send them to me as you finish. I'm only here until 5, so please do."

She spoke flatly and quickly sat back down.

The Queen apparently used to work in accounting and is proficient with spreadsheet software. In any case, she is exceedingly unmotivated and will not do any work beyond the prescribed amount. Her policy is to arrive and leave on time, and when it comes to overtime, she loses her motivation with incredible speed.

However, she carries out the tasks entrusted to her thoroughly and without much hesitation. Perhaps she finds it a pain to make a mistake and have to redo it. Also, after work, she often drinks at bars with foreigners and has many friends of that sort.

After confirming that the Queen had finished speaking, the girl next to me popped up.

"Ah, um, I have nothing to report! Oh, sorry, I do! Everyone, when the trash can gets full, please put it in the big garbage bag by the door! It's actually a lot of work to go around and collect the overflowing trash~!"

Risuko, huffing and puffing, turned a not-so-scary angry face towards everyone.

She's in her second year out of college, energetic, bright, and motivated, but she's clumsy and makes a lot of mistakes. Her skills aren't particularly high either. However, as she joined this company out of her love for games, she seems to have an awful lot of knowledge about them.

"Um, okay, lastly from me. Regarding the correction stickers from the publishing department that were delivered the other day, there are a few redos..."

And finally, there's an announcement from me, Hashiba Kyouya.

The meeting flows by dispassionately like this. Things rarely get held up. Everyone just wishes for it to be over quickly.

And at the end, Takoyaki-san looks around at everyone and says,

"Um, well then, are there any new proposals or opinions... No? Okay."

Naturally, everyone is silent.

"Well then, let's do our best today, too."

With his words, the meeting ends, and it becomes everyone's turn to work.

◇

About 30 minutes after the meeting, the usual work scene returns.

The main task for today was to manually convert the data from the survey postcards that were included with the released game into digital data. It was simple work, but many parts couldn't be automated, making it a very tedious job.

The sound of postcards being flipped and keyboards being tapped can be heard periodically. Working while listening to music is also allowed, so everyone wears earphones or headphones and silently proceeds with their work.

(This department is really quiet...)

In Development Department 13, there is almost no personal chatter. That in itself is a very good thing, but in its place, there are two employees who are very active on social media personally.

"Ah... crap, what's with this guy... seriously, don't mess with me, I'm a pro... amateurs shouldn't be saying such high-and-mighty things..."

Section Chief Charaji, who clicks his tongue and complains a lot, seems to often be arguing with someone on Twitter, and he frequently uses less-than-calm words. I'm secretly worried he's going to get into a flame war eventually, but he himself is not aware of it.

"Pfft... hee hee, kff hff... haha... no way, this is... kkh, eh? Wah, no way, that's insane... pfft, haha."

The one laughing endlessly while looking at her screen is the Queen. The source seems to be videos from her favorite YouTuber and a young comedian. The YouTuber, in particular, apparently uploads daily, and suppressed laughter can be heard around that time.

"Ah, well, I'm going out for lunch~"

And then, just before 12 o'clock, Takoyaki-san goes somewhere to eat lunch. That in itself isn't a problem, but the amount of time he takes is somewhat of an issue.

Once he leaves, he doesn't come back for two hours, so any communication, confirmation, or approvals get held up during that time. This is a huge problem.

"Hashiba-san, please check this!"

Risuko is the only one who approaches her work with a serious attitude.

She's a rare case in this department, with a very serious and solid work ethic, but...

"Ah, yeah... um, Sakurai-san."

"Yes, what is it!"

"This data, the text is sticking out of the frame, I can already tell you've entered it in the wrong tab, the font is different in some parts, and you've somehow pulled in some weird shape data that's messing up the display."

"Eek, I-I'm sorry! I'll fix it right away!!"

Letting out a scream, Risuko turns back to her PC.

(Being serious is a really good thing, but...)

This will require about two more rounds of corrections. I wish she would make sure the corrections I point out once don't need a second pass, but it seems that's not how it works.

And then, when the clock hand points to 5 PM and the company chime starts playing "The Sun Sets on the Distant Mountain," Charaji and the Queen suddenly become agile.

"Okay, I'm heading out, excuse me."

"If anything comes up, please email me. Sorry, but I won't answer my phone."

Leaving behind their standard, oft-repeated phrases, the two of them depart.

"Well, I'll be leaving too... Mom asked me to stop by the co-op on the way home to do some shopping, so I have to get back while the store is still open..."

Without being asked, he shares his family matters and by 6 PM, Takoyaki-san is also gone.

And so, only Risuko and I are left behind.

It's a daily life that repeats almost like a set route, even though no routine was established. No one knows if tomorrow will certainly come, but if it does, there's one thing I can say for sure.

That this department, at least, will surely be the same as always.

◇

"Hah... I'm bored."

Pulling a checklist from the bundle of survey postcards and filling it into a spreadsheet, I muttered something so fatalistic.

"It's unusual for you to say something like that, Hashiba-san."

Risuko retorted.

"Ah, sorry... it just slipped out."

As I said that, she nodded deeply and said,

"But I get it~. We've been doing nothing but survey-related work lately, haven't we?"

"Yeah..."

Development Department 13. As I've said many times, it's a development department in name only.

Since being assigned here, I haven't been involved in any creative work. If anything, there was the time we all brainstormed ways to reuse promotional POP displays that were no longer needed. Even then, that idea was ultimately rejected.

But, there is no one in this department right now who tries to make an issue of it. This is because there's no difference in salary compared to other development departments, and aside from working in a dim basement, there are many days we can go home on time. In other words, it's a cushy workplace.

(If you don't have anything you particularly want to do, it's the perfect environment to get paid for easy work...)

I recall the dispassionate, repetitive daily actions of Charaji and the Queen.

There's a derogatory nickname that other employees use for Department 13.

(The Execution Chamber, huh──)

It's a well-known term, an allusion to the number of steps on a gallows. You don't do any development-like work, it's a cushy job with no tough tasks, and once you're in, you can never get out. If that's the meaning behind it, you could say it's a fitting name.

However, in my opinion, this derogatory nickname is just too disrespectful.

Work is, in many cases, a system where you get paid in exchange for taking on tasks that someone else doesn't want to do, or tasks that are time-consuming and troublesome.

A company like Succeed Soft, which creates entertainment works, is only able to function because it has a development department. They use a vast amount of personnel, effort, and skill to create software for wide distribution, in order to make works that let people forget their daily lives and have fun.

Supporting their daily operations are the tasks performed by Department 13, known as general and administrative affairs. It may be extremely plain work, but a company shouldn't be able to function without people who do this kind of job.

And yet, to turn a blind eye to that and give it such a derogatory nickname is just in too poor taste.

...Well, it's true that I, too, was disappointed when I first came here.

(But, I have proper insurance, and I'm getting a salary, so...)

Considering my previous job where I didn't get paid for months, even if my daily life is so boring it makes me yawn, my current job is dozens of times better.

"So, do you think you'd want to keep working here forever?"

I ask her casually as she's creating her fifth set of corrections for the day.

"Eh, am I going to get fired for messing up too much!?"

Her train of thought really jumps around.

Well, if someone suddenly asked me that, I might think it was some kind of foreshadowing, so I guess it can't be helped.

"I don't have that kind of authority. Besides, it's not like you're doing anything that would get you fired..."

Well, if she's this bad at learning things, we might have to consider a transfer for efficiency's sake, but that's another story.

"That's not it, I'm asking if you're okay with being in Department 13."

"Ah... is that what you mean?"

Risuko stopped her work and groaned.

"Of course, I do want to go to a proper development department. But... I think it's probably impossible for me now."

"Impossible?"

When I asked, she laughed and said,

"I think... I might not be cut out for making games in the first place."

Scratching her head, she opened the largest drawer of her desk.

Inside were three enormous files, packed to the brim.

"What in the world is...?"

When I asked, she gave an embarrassed, wry smile and said,

"They're proposals. For games."

With a "heave," she took out the heavy files and placed them on the desk.

"At the end of the meeting, we always ask if there are any proposals, right?"

"Ah, now that you mention it, we do."

"That's a rule that all development departments have to follow. It's the founder's wish that anyone who submits a good proposal can have a chance to succeed as a planner."

I thought that in itself was a very good thing.

The fact that any employee can get an opportunity means the company is very open.

"So, ever since I joined the company, I've been continuously submitting proposals."

"Could it be that what's in these files is... them?"

To my question, she answered with a small "yes."

It was no small amount. I don't know how they were organized in the files, but it looked like there were easily in the triple digits.

Naturally, I was curious about the content of the proposals.

"...Can I see these?"

However, she shook her head vigorously and said,

"N-n-no, you can't look at those!"

"Why not? They're proposals you worked hard on, right?"

"That's true, but, um..."

She looked hesitant, glancing at the files,

"I'm sure you'll be appalled, Hashiba-san."

"Appalled? Why?"

"It's embarrassing to say it myself, but they're kind of... pointless, or strange..."

Being told that just makes me more curious.

"It's okay, I won't laugh or be appalled."

"...Really?"

Risuko looked up at me timidly.

"Then, um... forgive the eyesore, but."

Pushing them with both hands, she slid the stack of files towards me.

"Don't regret it, okay?"

"I won't, it's fine."

Wondering why she would go that far, I answered with a wry smile and opened a file.

With the sound of peeling plastic sheets separating, the first proposal came into view.

◇

"...So, what did you think?"

To Risuko's question, I chose my words as carefully as I could and said,

"I thought they were... unique proposals..."

That was the best answer I could give.

"You're very kind, Hashiba-san."

Hearing my words, Risuko laughed sadly.

The proposals she had made could only be summed up as "I don't really get it."

A proposal about eliminating aliens encountered on the moon by stacking them with elements of backlog games, and a proposal about managing one's health by judging the differences in animal cries; they were filled with a different-dimensional tone that made you wonder what kind of things she'd encountered to come up with them.

I didn't laugh or get appalled, but the thought "how did it come to this?" sprang up every time I turned a page.

"This is the reason. That I'm not cut out for making games."

Placing the file on her lap, she sighed.

"Making games, I thought of it as my life's goal."

"You were... that passionate about it, huh."

Risuko nodded, and then haltingly began to talk about herself.

As a child, she was an apathetic kid who showed no interest in anything.

"Because of my parents' work, we moved a lot, and it was hard for me to make friends."

Spending time alone was apparently her daily routine.

"I think it was when I was in elementary school. My parents bought me a handheld game console."

That game, which you could play together with friends via its communication feature, was explosively popular at the time. It's a series that continues to release new titles even now.

"It was just so, so much fun, and what's more, I made friends because of it."

Because of games, the world around her expanded. When she drew illustrations of games at school, more friends would gather to see them.

"I was so happy, I played more and more new games. 'Let's play this one, let's play that one.' It was like opening one treasure chest after another, a truly happy time."

Her joy eventually connected from playing to a desire "to create." She studied hard, went to university, and even managed to join Succeed Soft, the company that made the games she loved.

But that's where her dream was cut short, and she was forced to face reality.

"I loved it... but I was made to realize that love alone isn't enough."

And so, she was pushed out of the development field. Her proposals were useless, she made too many mistakes, and as a result, every development department found her too much to handle.

"I wanted to make games."

she muttered. Her eyes looked slightly moist.

I couldn't answer. I felt that anything I said now would be empty.

I never imagined that a casual question would lead to such a heart-wrenching story. She was serious. Behind her shy smile after making a clumsy mistake, there was always a coexisting passion and frustration.

I was remembering my feelings.

In that development room in the multi-tenant building where I was isolated and helpless. On the overnight bus where everything had ended and disappeared. In front of the screen reflecting the shining Platinum Generation.

I wanted to make games. The dream that barely came true was mercilessly extinguished. The path was cut off. The connection forged by chance cruelly placed that dream at the closest, yet furthest point.

Why did I think that was okay?

Because I had no income? Because I had already given up on my dream? Because it was something that could be crushed so easily? Why did I try to make things easier for myself by affirming the way Department 13 is?

I looked forward. There was a girl, biting her lip, blinking her eyes over and over.

I wanted to do something for her.

The person in front of me isn't some girl with a silly name like Risuko. I, too, had misjudged her, just like the guys who named this place the Execution Chamber.

She was another version of me that might have existed—one who loved games, wanted to make them, but couldn't.

──Sakurai Ritsuko.

To her, who had re-ignited something that was starting to fade deep inside me, I spoke, filled with a sense of gratitude.

"Sakurai...san."

"Yes?"

She replied with a blank look on her face.

"Could we... talk about these plans a little more seriously?"

I made the suggestion to her in a tone that was clearly different from before.

"O-oh."

Although she seemed puzzled, Sakurai-san grabbed something to write with and stood up from her seat

With her proposals in hand, we moved to an empty, unused desk. And on it, we laid out the proposals in a row.

And then, I checked each and every one of them again. Not by skimming, but by reading them through carefully.

"Um... Hashiba-san, you don't have to read them so seriously."

She seemed perplexed by the clear change in my attitude.

But I wanted to grasp something. Inside this mountain of seemingly unusable plans, her extraordinary passion must have been packed.

That's why I wanted to find it. The very core that made her who she is.

"Why did you decide to make these kinds of plans?"

First, I asked for the reason behind these unique proposals.

"Like, I wanted to make something that has never existed before."

The answer was a phrase one hears very often when thinking about proposals.

"The games I played and was moved by were all overflowing with incredible originality. So, I decided that when I make something myself, it would definitely be like that."

Originality. It's an incredibly sweet word. The ultimate sweet wine of victory, where you place a piece in a domain no one else can reach and win overwhelmingly.

Everyone gets drunk on that dream at least once, and then is utterly defeated and falls. Behind the beauty of perhaps becoming the "one and only," a terrifying demonic realm lies in wait.

(But, that alone is just self-satisfaction...)

Even works that at first glance seem overflowing with originality are, in fact, often the result of carefully combining elements built up from the past. The fundamental principles of what humans find fun are the same, so new emotions aren't born so easily.

Be it VR or social games, even media hailed as new are an extension of something from the past. If you lose sight of that, or pretend not to see it, you'll create something that is merely new and emotionally inert.

(That's why knowing the past is so important...)

Not limited to games, past hits and notable works are filled with hints for the future. Moreover, there are works that, though not achievable back then, can create new values thanks to technological advancements.

If only her proposals had that kind of perspective...

The desk where the proposals were spread out. Various characters danced upon it.

I vaguely recalled a story I had heard before.

Apparently, when scouting for new idols or talents, there are times when one application among all those submitted seems to clearly shine.

Moreover, the newcomers chosen at such times were said to go on to be successful later on.

(Well, there's a lot of occult-like elements to it, but still.)

In the entertainment industry with its many uncertain factors, I thought it wouldn't be strange for something fateful to be lurking somewhere.

That's exactly why I can't help but think.

That perhaps, among these, there is something like that.

Within this mountain of seemingly useless proposals that she herself had already relegated to the past.

"--Hm?"

That there might be a treasure chest, just as she had mentioned.

"What... is this?"

For some reason, only that one caught my eye.

The format of the proposals was identical, and there wasn't any particularly eye-catching element.

But to me, right now, only that proposal... seemed to be clearly shining.

Was it fate, or just my imagination?

I picked it up and traced the words on the cover with my eyes.

"An Anything-Goes RPG that Turns Established Concepts on Their Head and Overturns All Common Sense"

That's what was written at the beginning of the proposal.

There have been RPGs where you don't fight. There have been ones that used meta-worldviews with system-level gimmicks, like enemy characters force-quitting the software. There have been ones that gave characters quirky designs and broke down the concept of good versus evil.

But, combining all of those and incorporating them organically as parts... that had never been done before.

(Eh, this... is interesting.)

True, as a proposal, it's rough. There are many weak points that could be criticized. But those are trivial matters in the face of an idea backed by how interesting it is. If we examine it carefully, trim the fat, and add supplements, it can compete.

I finished reading the proposal and looked up.

"Hashiba-san, what's wrong? You were reading with a kind of scary look on your face..."

Perhaps my atmosphere while reading was clearly different, as she looked at me with an anxious face.

Facing that face head-on, I

"This'll work!!"

couldn't help but shout.

"Wah! E-eh, what will...?"

Ignoring the surprised Sakurai-san, I questioned her with the proposal in hand.

"Th-this proposal... why was it rejected?"

When I asked without thinking, she tilted her head slightly and said,

"Eh, um... I was told, 'Are you really going to do something like that on a console?'"

"H-huh?"

"'There's no way a force-quit gimmick would pass certification.' I thought, well, that's true, so I pulled it right away."

...You've got to be kidding me.

Why did she shelve it at such a very, very basic stage?

(Well, it was probably because her batting average was low...)

Looking at her previous proposals, they probably never imagined a raw gemstone was buried there. But those kinds of preconceived notions cloud all ideas.

Even I didn't think there was potential in this mountain of proposals. If you don't look at everything carefully, you can commit that same folly.

I calmed myself as much as possible and then said.

"This is a good proposal, a really good one... So, let's put it together properly."

Risuko's eyes widened, and then her mouth gaped open.

"B-but, like I said before, you can't make it for a console, right? I don't have the power to get something like this approved, so how would we make it...?"

She looks up at me with eyes that say, "What are you talking about?"

"The media for releasing a game isn't limited to just consoles. For that matter, a game can be made just by writing on paper and rolling dice."

While I said it trying to sound cool, inwardly I was also thinking, "What should we do?"

Judging from what she wrote in the proposal, making it a non-electronic game would be wrong. It's precisely because it's in the realm of computer games, and an RPG at that, that this content becomes interesting.

On top of that, a platform with fewer regulations than consoles, where we can fight relatively freely, would be...

"On PC... it might work."

"PC...?"

"Yeah. We'll produce it as a personal computer game. That way, we should be able to make full use of this plan."

She had said that she presented this at a console planning meeting.

Well, if you bring out something with a barrage of system gimmicks and strong meta elements, it would be hard to get it accepted on the spot.

But, if there's a medium that can properly cover for those weak points and leverage only its interesting aspects...

This plan will undoubtedly be brought back to life.

"On PC, we can use a force-quit gimmick without regulation, and we could even pull off tricks like embedding multiple apps. As long as it doesn't involve sexual or grotesque depictions, there won't be strict restrictions on sales."

"I-I see...!"

Life returned to Sakurai-san's face as well.

Maybe the plan she came up with could be revived. She seemed to be excited herself that her impossible dream now had even a 1% chance of possibility.

"But, will that sell...? I've only heard bits and pieces, but personal computer games don't sell very well right now, do they...?"

She was right. Depending on the title, some still sell steadily, but looking at the overall market, PC games are on a downward trend.

But, there are still surviving markets. In fact, by revitalizing this area from now on, the possibilities will likely expand greatly.

"How about using a download site?"

"Like DL Site or DMM, you mean?"

The names of famous download sales services were mentioned.

"Right. We'll move with the internet as our main focus from the start. This kind of plan will definitely be well-received online. If we focus on spreading it through word-of-mouth, we can keep promotional costs down, and since it won't be a physical package, there's no risk of stock shortages."

"Th-then it might just work, right!"

This time, it seemed she too recognized the possibility as something real.

"But... will it really work out?"

Sakurai-san, unable to shake her anxious expression.

Well, being told something like this without any experience of success, it's natural to be half-convinced, half-doubting. Even for me saying it, it's not like I have any backing.

Making a game on PC, using a download site, both are things we won't know for sure until we try. Unless I came from the future, there's no way I'd know what lies ahead.

But still.

"We'll do it. We're doing it. We've found this much potential... Even if we have to cling to it, let's strengthen this plan into something realistic!"

Kawasegawa's words come back to me. So that I can always love games.... Fortunately, I was confident in the strength of that passion.

I didn't have time to soak in a lukewarm situation and become useless. I've been given a precious opportunity. If I don't make something happen here, what am I even here for?

I switched the proposal to both hands and glared at the gray ceiling.

As if to ensure the faint hope wouldn't disappear.

"We'll figure something out, we have to figure something out...!"

It was already late, so I didn't go as far as shouting.... But more than my words, my determination was firmly overflowing.

◇

The next day. At the regular meeting, there was an announcement from Takoyaki-san.

"Um, today's main task will be to list up the commemorative gifts from the company recreation event and distribute them to the relevant employees. For the people who won the A, B, and C prizes, please make sure you give them the correct prize."

The usual work, for which I have no impression other than that it's lax.

"And also, we've received a notice that we're out of toilet deodorizer spray. Let's coordinate with the accounting department and purchase some."

Then, after looking around the department from the exact same angle as always,

"Well, if there's nothing else, let's get to work--"

I raised my hand right as he was about to say "please."

"Eh, Hashiba-kun...?"

At my unexpected hand-raise, every member except Sakurai-san showed a surprised face.

"Yes, may I?"

"Ah, of course. Go ahead, go ahead."

Normally, for someone to raise their hand at this timing was simply unthinkable.

But now, things are different from before. The first step lies in this raised hand.

"Starting today, please allow me to leave on time for about three days."

I stated my request clearly.

"Ah, yes... leaving on time, I understand."

Perhaps this too was unexpected, as Takoyaki-san tilted his head while giving an okay.

"What's this, Hashiba, you're starting to get it."

Charaji smirked, crossing his arms.

"Keep a moderate amount of work and go home sharp on time. That's the way of life in Department 13, right?"

He said, turning the conversation to the Queen next to him.

"Yeah, yeah, leaving on time is great~. You have all the time in the world."

Yes, that "all the time in the world" is what I need right now.

"Well then, thank you for your understanding."

The manager looked around again and,

"Eh, well if there's nothing else, then this meeting is..."

just as he was about to end it, Sakurai-san's hand interjected this time.

"Um, I will also be leaving on time for three days starting today!"

At Sakurai-san's statement, everyone's suspicious eyes turned this way.

"...It's not for the reason you are all imagining, you know."

I made sure to set the record straight, just in case.

◇

That day, having left work sharp on time, we set up camp at the "Sutabo" near the office and decided to begin our strategy meeting.

"Sutabo" is a knock-off... a similar store to a famous coffee shop, and upon asking, Sakurai-san said she often thought of proposals here.

In that case, we decided to make this our front-line base, a place to think about the future.

"Umm~, I still don't really get it, but what exactly is this 'strategy'...?"

Crushing a tall-sized strawberry float with her spoon, Sakurai-san showed me an anxious face.

"First, let's think from the beginning about what the problem is."

"The problem? The problem with what?"

"About the problems that Development Department 13 is currently facing."

Why are we in this situation now? And why can't we do any development, even though we're a development department?

The idea was to rethink that.

Acting only out of the impatience of "we have to do something" could lead to a result where it would have been better to do nothing at all.

That's why, I thought, we first need to get a firm grasp of the current situation and then derive a solution from there.

"It might take a little time, but I think it's worth talking about."

"Y-yes... okay."

Sakurai-san nodded, but still seemed unconvinced.

"You want to get your proposal approved, right?"

"Eh?"

"The proposal we talked about yesterday. The one you came up with, Sakurai-san. My strategy is to make time to get that approved."

As that proposal stands, even if it has something that shines, it's still in a very rough state.

By firmly adding numerical targets, marketing, and evidence to it, this plan will gradually become closer to reality.

Right now, we're in the preparatory stage for that, or rather, one step before it.

"So, I know it's outside of work hours and I'm sorry, but I'd really like your cooperation--"

As I started to say that, my words got stuck.

It was because Sakurai-san was staring at me intensely with a seriousness I had never seen before.

"S-Sakurai-san...?"

As I spoke, feeling intimidated, she nodded her head vigorously, float-cup and all.

"I'll do it! I will! As long as it's nothing shameful for a person to do, I'll do anything! If it means I can make the game I thought of, anything!!"

Perhaps because her voice was louder than I expected, everyone around us turned to look at us at once.

"D-don't worry, it won't affect your dignity at all!"

The future seemed a bit daunting, but for now, I decided to start from the very beginning.

First, the premise. Let's summarize the situation we're in now.

"We are in a development department. Yet we are not developing games."

This is the part that snagged me at the very beginning.

"But, that's a development department in name only, and in reality, isn't it not...?"

I cut off Sakurai-san's words mid-sentence and shook my head.

"That's the point. Just because that's how things were, doesn't mean we were told not to do development."

"Eh, is that so...?"

I nodded and said,

"I checked properly. It seems Development Department 13 doing general and administrative tasks is a convention, not written down as a rule anywhere."

A company basically operates according to rules, be they company regulations or documents. So, if it had been clearly written there, we would have been in a major pinch, but luckily that wasn't the case.

"Then, we can do development too!"

Sakurai-san's voice was buoyant.

"That's right, but in reality, no one tries to. Why do you think that is?"

After humming and tilting her head,

"Because we have so many other things to do, we can't find the time for it."

General and administrative tasks fall into that category.

"Do you think those things to do are absolutely unmovable?"

"Aren't they?"

My question was answered with a question.

That's probably how firmly it was established in her mind.

"First, let's get rid of our preconceptions. We'll start from the point that everything can be changed."

"Y-yes...!"

Sakurai-san's eyes sparkled, but I was still in a state of lingering anxiety.

(I'm not confident, so I have to be bold yet think cautiously...)

I can't show my anxiety in front of her, so I'll act confident while continuing to deliberate internally.

"Okay, first, tell me about Department 13 before I came."

"Understood!"

To her, who returned a sharp salute, I began to ask questions.

Was this department like this from the beginning? Which department does the work come from? Are there any particularly concentrated tasks... and so on.

After listening to her talk for a good three hours,

"Alright, I think this is good. Thanks for today."

"Eh, we just finished by you listening to me talk... is that okay?"

Risuko with a blank face.

"It's fine. And tomorrow, we'll classify the work list you gave me earlier."

"Oh."

"And the day after that, we'll think about countermeasures."

What I learned at the bishoujo game company.

With no one teaching me anything, I learned that there is a "flow" to problem-solving.

Everything has a cause. If you crush the cause, things will start to move. To find that cause, you need to explore the flow of the event.

First, research. Then, analysis. Finally, practice. If you follow this flow properly, about 80% of things will move towards resolution.

Of course, there are also helpless factors that cannot be solved by that.

"For that stuff, we'll need to call in someone who can play politics..."

"Eh? Who are you calling?"

"Ah, sorry, sorry, just talking to myself."

◇

The next day. We set up camp at Sutabo again and, as previously announced, began classifying the work.

"I've divided the classifications into three according to the content of the work. I've written the rules here, so follow them and write it all out here."

"Yes, understood!"

As she was told, Risuko used her laptop to classify the elements.

A: Things that require physical strength, like transport and organization.

B: Information processing tasks like data entry, classification, and sorting.

C: Support-related.

D: Other miscellaneous chores.

After dividing them into these four categories, it was found that the tasks corresponding to B and C were the most numerous.

"Alright... good, this looks easier to handle than I thought."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, I think this is the best result for saving time."

Having obtained a not-so-bad result for the time being, I moved on to the next phase.

The next step, analysis. We would think about how to shorten the time for each individual case by looking at its details.

"I'll email the main department in charge of this one, and toss this one into Slack."

"Um, this explanation text is ready!"

"Alright, then upload it to the Drive. I'll check and use it later."

In the coffee-scented shop, we worked in silence.

"It would be nice... if it goes well."

"It's fine, I'll make sure it does."

If we're just treading water here, nothing new will ever be born.

I compiled the finished files and nodded as if to confirm.

◇

The following Friday, it was time for the usual regular meeting.

"Well then, let's begin the meeting..."

Starting with the manager, the contentless reports from each person proceed.

Charaji, the Queen, Sakurai-san, and then me. Everything goes by without incident, and finally it returns to Takoyaki-san.

"Um, well then, are there any new proposals or opinions... No? Okay."

It became the usual, standard greeting time.

Having arranged it with Sakurai-san next to me, I quickly raise my hand.

"Excuse me, I have a new proposal. May I have a moment?"

"Ah, y-yes... Hashiba-kun, what's with all this, so suddenly?"

Takoyaki-san nods, looking bewildered.

"What is it? Were you and Sakurai up to something after all?"

I ignore Charaji's heckle and distribute a printout to everyone.

"What's this?"

The Queen tilted her head as she flipped through the printout.

"It's a business improvement plan."

"Huh?"

"It's just as I said. This department has too much waste in what it's doing."

As a result of analyzing all the operations of Development Department 13, it was found that data entry, analysis, etc., were overwhelmingly numerous, followed by support tasks, which accounted for a large portion.

"So, first, we decided to automate the data-related tasks."

First was the reform of the survey postcards.

Previously, the handwritten response sections were numerous, but we simplified them into a mark-sheet format. With this, the data can be easily compiled by scanning.

"Also, I contacted the person in charge of the official website and prepared an FAQ."

Based on the data we've cultivated so far, I compiled frequently asked questions and answers into a list. On top of that, we decided to have them send only what was still unclear by phone or email.

By doing this, the time spent on support and data organization was supposed to be dramatically reduced.

"Oh, well, if it makes things easier, that's fine."

Charaji glances at me while flipping through the document.

"There were some old geezers in development who were like, 'Surveys should be handwritten,' right? How did you deal with them?"

It's true that this simplification of the survey received backlash from the older employees.

"That's fine, it's been resolved."

"Oh, how did you persuade them?"

"I requested their cooperation. With support tasks."

"Cooperation... you say?"

I nodded and explained the circumstances.

Leaving the handwritten section is fine. But up until now, the majority of what fell into that category were things that required confirmation from the development team, like detailed game content or system bugs.

So, instead of having support investigate and confirm each time as before, I requested their cooperation in answering, as we would be forwarding the content to them.

"When I did that, they all said it was fine to get rid of the handwritten section."

"...Well, those guys hate doing things themselves."

He spat out, but nodded as if convinced.

"Next is the simplification of data entry."

Until now, all entry into Excel data was done manually by each person. By automating that and using a uniform format, the aim was to shorten the time.

"That is indeed a good idea."

The Queen nodded.

"But, if you want to do that properly, you should need to develop an internal app... how did you arrange for that?"

"App development naturally costs money. Even if we were to order it internally, I don't think they would easily spare a programmer for us."

"Then, what did you do?"

I smiled and said,

"I had you do it. That development."

The Queen blinked her eyes, her face saying, "What are you talking about?"

"Eh, you were doing something like that?"

Charaji also looks at the Queen with a surprised face.

"I told you, I didn't. Hashiba-kun, what do you mean by that?"

I opened my laptop and showed them the Excel file the Queen had made.

"Sorry, I took the liberty of analyzing the macro you created."

"Ah..."

"That's right, I remade the macro file to be easier to understand and increased its versatility. So that all department members can use it."

When I was checking the Excel files after data entry, I found that only the Queen's files were more orderly and had fewer mistakes than anyone else's. So, when I checked the files one by one, I discovered that she had created macros for each item to speed up her work.

"So, I'm the one who reconfigured it."

Even if app development is impossible, if you try hard enough, you can read macros to some extent.

Using tutorial sites, I spent all my free time on creating this macro.

"What the hell, if you have something this good, you should share it."

Charaji said discontentedly.

"No one asked me to, and I didn't know it was necessary."

Right, until now, it wasn't particularly necessary. That's probably why she was only thinking about the efficiency of her own work.

"I've compiled how to use the new macro in this document. I've also put a PDF version on the shared drive, so if you forget how to use it, please look there."

In addition, I made small improvements like assigning common numbers and attaching labels to organize the warehouse, and introducing useful gadgets to shorten the time for the task of applying correction stickers.

"That's amazing, Hashiba-kun! We can get all our work done in less than half the time it used to take!"

Takoyaki-san was clearly overjoyed, happily flipping through the documents.

"But hey, in a department like ours, what are we going to do with all this time we've made?"

A comment that was far too much of a basic premise flew from the Queen.

"Development."

"Huh?"

"I said development! What do you think our department's name is? We make time, and then we develop games!"

At my words, Charaji and the Queen couldn't hide their surprise.

"What are you talking about, are you sane?"

"Development or not, what are you going to do without any tools or decent PCs?"

Well, I figured that concern would naturally be raised.

"Of course, I'm not saying to suddenly start doing development work. What I want to do is... this."

I turned to the last page of the document.

This was the purpose of this whole thing from the start. By doing this, by making it so we can do it, I believe we can undoubtedly take the first step in development.

"Let's have a planning meeting!"

A meeting that has never been held since the founding of Development Department 13.

To revive something that would be held as a matter of course in a normal development department. What I had planned was to build the roots to grow a tree... so to speak.

"Every Friday afternoon will be dedicated to this time. Is that clear...?"

With the groundwork thoroughly laid, there were no opposing opinions to the proposal.

◇

Succeed Soft has a break space for all employees in the middle of the building. The people from Department 13 find it a hassle and don't use it much, but it was always a place bustling with people.

"Inviting me to lunch, that's unusual of you."

"Unusual? It's probably the first time."

When I said that maybe drinks would have been better,

"Don't try to make me out to be some alcohol-loving character. Lunch is perfectly fine, really."

For some reason, I was strangely scolded.

I went out from the wide balcony and sat down at a terrace seat. Although the parasol served as a sunshade, the direct sunlight made it quite hot.

Kawasegawa said, "It's hot, isn't it," but with her usual cool expression, she didn't seem to be sweating at all. Perhaps her body is just built differently from mine.

"So, how have you been lately, how are things?"

"Me?"

"Yes, I am worried, you know... as the one who invited you."

I thought it was a kind thing to say, but if that too was causing her stress, my honest feeling was that I wanted to lighten her burden even a little.

(I guess I'll tell her the whole story...)

I wasn't keen on it because it seemed like bragging, but I told her everything about what happened in Development Department 13 and its reforms.

"...So that's what happened."

Having picked up a sausage from her homemade bento, Kawasegawa seemed somewhat speechless.

"Don't drop that."

"I-it's fine, I'll eat it properly."

And she hurriedly threw the sausage into her mouth.

The business improvement plan for Development Department 13 was beginning to produce remarkable results. The tasks that had been chronically performed were streamlined, and general and administrative duties were now clearly being done in less time.

The objective of creating time to think was firmly achieved.

"I had heard things about Department 13, but... I didn't know it was that bad."

"But well, we were able to properly show that things have changed, and now we can finally do 'development'."

Everything was there.

A department with the name "development," yet unable to develop.

If you say it's just convention, then that's that, but I wanted my joining there to have a proper meaning.

Besides, that department still has elements that can't be discarded. First of all, I want to somehow give shape to Sakurai-san's proposals and ideas.

For that purpose, it's necessary to properly compile the proposals. I'm hoping for a constructive discussion at the first planning meeting this weekend.

"You're more active than I imagined. Your ability to take action is splendid."

"I wonder... well, for now, I think this will head in a good direction."

It's still a long way to go, but I've managed to create an initial foothold.

From now on, I'll make it my immediate goal to give shape to the proposals born from the meetings, and to motivate all the department members, and work towards that.

"How's that other project going? Is it going well?"

When I asked about the high-profile major project,

"Well..."

she furrowed her brow and started to think, so,

"Wah, i-it's fine, it's okay, you don't have to say it!"

I understood the situation from that.

According to rumors, the direction between the top of the maker and the creative team did not align, and there was even talk of a review from the planning stage.

(If that's the case... the director's stomach won't hold up.)

I felt like I could see a little fatigue in Kawasegawa's expression. It seems it would be better to take her out for drinks next time instead of lunch.

"Hey, if you have things bottled up, let's go for drinks again. You can vent there..."

As I was about to say "it's fine," she cut me off,

"Drinks? Are we going? When can we go?"

Her usual calm demeanor was gone, and she eagerly jumped at the offer.

"T-today is a bit difficult because I have things to do, but if we decide on a date, I'll keep it free, okay?"

When I hurriedly stopped her, she seemed strangely dejected and said,

"I see... I understand. You have your own schedule."

"Y-yeah..."

She backed down easily. Perhaps she herself knows well that she can't push strongly when it comes to work.

(But well, it seems it would be better for her to get a break as soon as possible.)

I open the schedule app on my phone and check my upcoming plans. Luckily, I quickly found a day with an opening in the evening.

"Well then, tomorrow evening."

I started to say, and looked at her.

"Kawasegawa...?"

However, she ignored my words and seemed to be deep in thought while checking her own schedule.

"I can do this on Friday... this is for next week... I don't have to do this on this day either, and if something comes up, I can move it to Sunday..."

"Um, if there's something complicated, we can reschedule."

As always, whether she was listening to me or not, she muttered something to herself while fiddling with her schedule app.

Then, she suddenly clenched her fist and,

"Alright, I can do it!"

nodded deeply as if she had accomplished something.

Then, she turned to me with a sharp expression and asked,

"Are you free this weekend?"

"Eh...?"

she had abruptly asked to confirm my plans.

◇

Saturday. I was in front of the west exit ticket gates of Shinjuku Station, looking for someone.

"I'm a little too early... but oh well."

I checked the time on my phone and saw I was 15 minutes earlier than the planned time.

But this was fine. After all, the person I was meeting would probably be punctual, so waiting a little early should be just right.

She's probably using this line too, so if I move to a place where I can easily see the exit and check when the train arrives...

"You're early."

"Whoa!? How?"

I was suddenly spoken to from behind and let out a loud cry in surprise.

"There's no 'how' about it, we made a promise for today..."

Kawasegawa Eiko was looking at me with a somewhat discontented expression. Her soft, light spring-green blouse and yellow long skirt looked brilliant on her.

She, who wore her suits beautifully at the office, also looked great in casual clothes.

"Well, yeah, but... you said we were meeting at 11."

It was currently 10:45.

"When I have an appointment, I always make sure to arrive thirty minutes early."

"Th-thirty minutes...?"

When I confirmed this with my mouth agape, she gave me a sharp look as if to say, "What's so strange about that?"

"If you're that early, you won't be late even if something happens. That's why."

Well yeah, that's true, but...

Kawasegawa Eiko, I understood very well that she was brilliant, but I felt this might make life a little difficult in its own way.

"So, what are we doing today? All I heard was that you wanted me to 'come along for a bit'..."

That's right. I was asked if I was free on the weekend and I answered YES, but I hadn't been told anything about what we would do after that.

"It's not... a big deal or anything."

"Is that so?"

When I asked, she averted her eyes a little and said in a much smaller voice than usual,

"I want you to... come shopping with me."

"Eh, for what?"

"Just come on! We're going, so please!"

Suddenly looking embarrassed, she straightened her back and walked away briskly.

"Hey, wait up!"

Being jerked around by her rapidly changing expressions, I followed after her.

Shinjuku is divided into east and west towns with the station in between.

East is the commercial district, while west is the business district. That's the broad division.

As a city with decades of history as a secondary urban center, both areas are already complete as towns, while the south side of the station still has an air of room for development.

Kawasegawa took me to a department store on that south side. For me, who had been through a long period of having no money, including my previous job, it was a place I had no connection to at all, except for the major home improvement center attached to it.

When we reached the floor lined with women's clothing brand shops via the escalator, Kawasegawa's feet finally stopped.

It was a floor with almost no men, except for those who looked like they were accompanying someone. The discomfort of it made me want to shrink back from the get-go.

Kawasegawa stood there like a guardian king where she could overlook the floor, her expression like that of a general surveying a battlefield.

It didn't look like an atmosphere for enjoying casual shopping, but for now,

"Do you have any specific clothes or brands you're looking for?"

I asked.

At that, without breaking her general-like expression, she

"No."

stated flatly.

"Eh... but your outfit today is super cute."

When I mentioned the clothes I had just praised in my mind a moment ago,

"R-really...? But this, I just bought everything the store clerk recommended."

"A-all of it?"

"Yes."

"Even the shoes?"

"From head to toe, all of it."

If you want to call it surprising, it was surprising.

Certainly, there are people who leave everything to the staff when buying clothes. That in itself isn't unusual. But I had thought that someone like Kawasegawa, who does everything perfectly, would have a keen antenna for fashion as well, someone who finds and decides for herself.

(Is it a lack of interest, or the result of pursuing rationality to its extreme?)

I felt it could be both, but in any case, she seemed to be "that kind of person."

"Well, shall we call a clerk over?"

I asked, thinking that would be the natural course of action, but

"That's not it."

I received an unexpected reply.

"Would you choose for me?"

"Huh?"

"You. I want you to pick out clothes that would look good on me."

"W-whaaaat?"

As my eyes went wide at the completely unexpected answer,

"It's not something to be so surprised about!"

she shot back strongly, as if to say she was offended.

"No, I mean, I don't know anything about women's clothes at all, you know?"

If I had a past in apparel or as a former shop clerk, it would be one thing, but my background only includes knowledge of car accessories and bishoujo games. You could say my knowledge of clothing is practically zero.

"B-because you seem to have an eye for things like 'pretty' or 'cute'."

She said, looking at me with strangely strict eyes,

"So choose. Clothes that would look good on me. I'll buy them."

she stated firmly.

"O-okay...?"

I wonder what this is all about.

Could this be some kind of test? After all, she was the one who helped me get my job, so it wouldn't be strange for there to be some kind of intermediate test...

I saw it in a foreign documentary the other day, but maybe it's something similar to how a top chef invites their apprentice to a meal and suddenly gives them a surprise taste test.

"O-okay! I'll do my best to pass the test!"

"Y-yes... a test...?"

Ignoring her somewhat puzzled look, I began to stare at the summer clothing section with the eyes of a predator stalking its prey.

◇

"S-so, what do you think...?"

About thirty minutes later.

I took her around to the stores I had scouted out and showed her the clothes I thought were "the one."

The numerous items I had somehow settled on after much effort, thinking "maybe this one," were

"...I thought you were a person with good taste, but it seems my judgment was off."

all dismissed and shot down with incredible ease.

"Well, thank you... I'm sorry."

Even if she says that, I've never chosen girls' clothes before, so there's nothing I can do.

I don't even know the so-called basic sets, so I tried picking out things like patterned T-shirts thinking they'd be easy and nice to wear, but those seemed to be a total miss.

"T-shirts look disastrously bad on me."

I don't think that's the case, but this is up to her personal feeling, so I don't know.

So, all the clothes I brought were shot down one after another with a single glance, but finally, there was just one that caught her eye.

"This one is a little better, I guess..."

What she picked up was a light pink cardigan.

Kawasegawa seemed to prefer relatively subdued colors, so I had chosen something she could lightly wear for both work and her private life.

"I'll take this one."

"Y-yes..."

I was starting to feel like I was doing some kind of post-defeat cleanup, but anyway, it seemed she had decided on the clothes to buy.

(In the end, what was the purpose of all this...?)

I felt like asking, but thinking that it itself might be some kind of test, it seemed better to stay quiet.

After paying, we went out from the second floor of the department store onto a wide, protruding deck.

Since it was just lunchtime, we decided to have lunch at one of the restaurants that had outdoor seating. Inwardly, I was wary that it would be expensive since it was a prime location, but lunch was reasonably priced, so I was relieved for the time being.

However, the situation of having lunch with a girl on a holiday was nerve-wracking for someone like me who was unaccustomed to such things.

(I wonder what Kawasegawa is thinking...?)

Even when I looked at her, curious, she just had her usual "normal expression."

Originally, she wasn't a person whose emotions fluctuated greatly. While she might make a slightly sullen face, it wasn't the kind to get hysterically worked up, and it remained within the bounds of common sense.

"What's wrong, did something happen?"

I had been staring at her so intently that she gave me a suspicious look.

"Ah, no, it's nothing. Sorry for making you worry."

Wondering if I had made her uncomfortable, I apologized for the time being,

"Come on, you don't have to apologize for something like that."

"S-sorry..."

I ended up apologizing again without thinking, and she ended up glaring at me.

(But still, I wonder what her intentions are, this girl...)

Kawasegawa Eiko was the manager of Development Department 2, said to be a core part of the company, and it was rumored that she worked so much she didn't even have days off.

I had thought that on her rare days off, she would either be resting her body slowly, or would have a firm schedule that she was carrying out.

And yet, here she was now, having a cool lunch in front of me.

Her clothes, unlike when she was at the office, were soft-looking casual wear, and her expression was calm. That always-on-edge feeling was nowhere to be found.

Yes, how to put it... she had a very girly feel.

(Come to think of it, she was pretty drunk when we went drinking, too...)

From her relaxed profile, it looks like she's let go of her tension now.

I feel humbled that someone like me is with her, but if her heart is even a little at ease, that's what matters most.

"...I'm sorry, really."

Suddenly, Kawasegawa said, apologizing.

"Eh, for what?"

"Because, inviting you out so suddenly like this, even though it was your precious day off, I thought you might have actually had plans."

So that's what she was worried about.

"You don't have to worry about it, I mean, I would have been home alone anyway."

When I told her that, perhaps relieved,

"Then that's good, but..."

she sighed, swirling the cup of caffe latte in her hand.

"I told you not to apologize, yet I'm doing it myself. How selfish of me."

"That's right, so you don't have to apologize either."

"I understand."

Kawasegawa nodded and gazed towards the station beyond the deck. It was a holiday in Shinjuku, and daytime at that, so a staggering number of people were coming and going on the street.

"So many people."

"It's Shinjuku, after all. Well, I'm used to it by now."

My parents' home in Nara wasn't a particularly crowded place, but I've been in the metropolitan area since I started working, so it wasn't that unusual a sight.

"I can't get used to it. Even in college, I was in a very rural area."

"Oh... is that so."

Come to think of it, I had never had this kind of personal conversation with her.

I was a little curious, so I decided to bring it up.

"Kawasegawa, was there anything you liked when you were a student?"

"When I was a student?"

"Yeah, like hobbies, sports, music, that kind of thing."

It was supposed to be a light topic.

But unexpectedly, Kawasegawa, with a very serious expression,

"You see, I love movies."

stated, looking straight ahead.

"I've seen a lot, from masterpieces to recent works, and I've even tried filming some myself."

"Oh, movies, huh..."

Since she does this kind of work, it's natural to have some interest in film, but I thought that actually making movies was a rather deep hobby.

"My father and my older sister were in that line of work, you see."

......I see, that sounds like the fruit of an elite education.

"So I thought I'd try it too, but I had a sad lack of talent."

She said she dedicated herself to film, deciding it was only for her student days, and did everything she could. And then, upon graduation, she completely cut off that path.

"But, I was good at preparing things and making arrangements, so I've been able to work somehow like this."

Kawasegawa gave a lonely, wry smile.

There was a sense that she had already given up, but it looked like the kind of laugh where something was still smoldering somewhere.

Because I understood.

Because when you come to love something, and you can't give up on it, but you have no choice but to pretend you have, that's the kind of face people make.

"That's not... true, I think."

"Eh...?"

Kawasegawa turned around.

"I mean, Kawasegawa, you're working incredibly hard, and you're getting real results..."

Even if she says she has no talent, she passed through a narrow gate to get a development job at a game company, and became a leader at a young age.

For someone who can work that hard to give up on something they loved, it might be a naive thing to say, but,

"So, giving up here and now just feels..."

I can't say it concretely, but it feels really...

"...like a waste."

Kawasegawa showed a slightly surprised expression.

"S-sorry, I just felt like I had to say it..."

I thought maybe I had scared her off by suddenly rattling on, but

"Thanks."

she said her thanks in a happy voice, and

"If someone like you had been in my class... then maybe a lot of things would have been different."

Saying that, Kawasegawa gave a very soft smile.

The kind I had never seen before....

◇

After lunch, without doing anything in particular, we headed to the Odakyu station.

"What a coincidence. To think our stations were almost next to each other."

"I had heard we were on the same line, but I never expected this."

I was at Komae, and she was at Noborito. In terms of stations, we were only about two apart.

"Thanks for today, it was fun."

she said as we walked to the station.

"Same here. It was a good change of pace."

From what I could see, it seemed she was saying it from the heart, not just as a pleasantry.

Kawasegawa, a distant, distant existence, who has always been in the upper class as a creator.

It was truly unexpected that I had gotten this close to her.

(We do work at the same company, after all...)

Unlike the past where I had given up on many things, now I feel like it might be okay to think about "what if."

Today was a day where I could have such hope.

(I have to do my best.)

As I walked, I looked at my own hand and tightly made a fist.

"Oh, this is out already."

I heard her voice and looked up.

"Ah..."

The sight that suddenly entered my vision stopped me in my tracks for a moment.

"Amazing..."

On the path connecting JR to the Odakyu line, there is a large advertising space.

There, an announcement illustration for "our company's" big title was spread across the entire wall.

(Is it newly drawn? It's the first time I've seen this illustration.)

A single girl is gazing into the distance.

It was a refreshing illustration, captured from a side view.

A lean composition and brilliant colors.

As a matter of course, I know its artist.

--Akishima Shino.

That artist, who should be the same age as me, invited me into this world and continues to fascinate me with her work even now.

That press conference I saw in despair when my previous company went under.

She, who I thought was on the other side of the screen, in a place far, far beyond my reach, but

"now, we work at the same company..."

According to what I heard from Kawasegawa before, she comes to the office once a week for meetings.

Of course, we don't even see each other, but I was happy that it felt like the distance had somehow shortened.

For a while, I was engrossed in the illustration.

"This is amazing. I was just staring at it."

I said, pointing at the ad.

"Yes, I think it turned out well."

As expected of someone involved in its production, she replied in a calm tone.

"Y-yeah..."

I got a little embarrassed and ended the conversation there.

(I see, for me she's an idol, but for her...)

it was something she was involved in as a reality, as a job.

The distance I thought had shrunk in just one day, that wasn't the case. There is a vast distance between the work the two of us do.

The dream-like day ended with a dose of reality at the very, very end.

◇

And from the next day, the usual routine began again.

I wonder if Kawasegawa got busy again; her responses to the casual LINE messages I sent were getting slow. Looking at the window filled with weird mascot character stamps, I cracked my stiff neck.

"Well then, I'm off."

At 5 PM, Charaji stood up from his seat right on time today as well.

"Um, Section Chief, the proposal."

"Hm, ah, it's hard to think calmly here, so I was thinking of doing it at home. There's no specific place designated, right?"

That's true, but from the looks of it, this guy is definitely not doing it at home.

"Well, I'll present it if I can, if I can..."

and with that completely unpromising announcement, he left.

"I'm off. Well, if anything comes up, email me."

This one also stands up briskly and starts to walk towards the door.

"W-wait a minute. The proposal, are you making progress...?"

"There's a social gathering at the bar I always go to today. Don't you think a five-nation summit of Japan, the US, China, Korea, and Germany is super important?"

"The words alone make it sound like a grand affair, but in the end, it's just a drinking party, right?"

"The world can change at a drinking party. So, well, that's that."

The Queen, just like Charaji, quickly left.

"I didn't improve the workflow just so they could go home on time..."

I sigh.

"Hashiba-san, look, the system has only just changed."

Sakurai-san said, comforting me.

Well, it's true that people's habits don't change so easily. If we take our time with it, they should understand eventually.

(I hope this one changes too...)

I glanced at the seat where Takoyaki-san was until a moment ago.

This person too, taking advantage of the reduced workload, has made it a habit to leave promptly on time.

It seems he stopped somewhere today, but as soon as he realized he wouldn't be back until after 5 PM, he promptly went straight home.

"Hashiba-san, could you check my proposal?"

"Ah, yeah. Of course."

There are people who have clearly changed like this.

If we change things little by little, it should be fine.

◇

And finally, the weekend arrived.

On Friday afternoon, with the week's tasks duly completed in the morning, an internal meeting was held at the conference table placed in the cleared-out space.

"Well then, let's begin the first planning meeting."

Everyone bows awkwardly.

"Um, Hashiba-kun. You see, this is my first time in this kind of meeting..."

"It's alright, for this time, I will be chairing the proceedings for now."

The manager nodded, looking relieved. But still, for a manager of his age to have no experience chairing a meeting, isn't that really bad...?

"This time, there is a proposal for a new game production. I would like to share this with everyone and build a solid framework for it as a plan... Sakurai-san."

When I prompted her, Risuko, looking somewhat nervous, answered, "Yes."

"It's okay, your proposal is really interesting. Present it with confidence."

"O-okay...!"

The first page of the proposal was displayed on the slide, and Risuko's explanation began.

Compared to when I first saw it, the content of the proposal was organized, and with the addition of explanations using images and such, it had become quite easy to understand.

(Alright, good... it's become a presentation that clearly conveys the content.)

The selling points and production merits, which were initially hard to understand, were also conveyed clearly. With this, it probably won't get a terrible evaluation, at least.

"That is all...!"

The explanation finished, and Risuko bowed her head. She seemed to have been sweating profusely, as she was wiping her forehead repeatedly with a handkerchief.

"So... what do you think?"

Timidly, she asked for everyone's opinion.

"Well then, first from the Section Chief, please give us your opinion."

As the chair, I decided to ask for opinions from each person.

Charaji pointed at himself as if to say "Me?", then scowled and flipped through the document,

"I think it's... interesting."

Surprisingly, he gave a positive opinion from the very start.

"Ah, thank you so much...!"

"But this is a proposal you submitted before and was rejected, right? Why did you submit something like that?"

"Eh..."

Risuko went from joy to speechlessness. I followed up with a question.

"Is resubmitting a revised proprosal not allowed?"

Charaji clicked his tongue lightly and said,

"You don't even get that? Something that's been rejected once is a bad plan at that point, so it's a waste of time to rework it or do anything else."

As if agreeing with his resigned tone, the Queen also spoke up.

"That's right. Our company is particularly sensitive about that kind of thing, so even if it gets approved in this department, it's better not to mention that it was once rejected and so on."

She sighed and said,

"But well, I think it's pointless to get the plan approved anyway, and it's a pain, so I think it's better not to do it."

It was a rather pessimistic opinion, or rather, one that seemed to have given up from the start.

"U-uhm... I also think, maybe we should stop."

And last was Takoyaki-san.

"Recycling ideas, as everyone just said, isn't favored in our company culture, and besides, redoing things that are set by convention is a lot of trouble..."

"Exactly. We just changed the way we do surveys the other day. It's us managers who'll get targeted and have a hard time, right?"

Even with the recent business improvements, the atmosphere was as if to say, "Don't do anything unnecessary."

A subtle silence covers the area.

"...I'm sorry, I'll go back and rethink it a bit."

It seemed Sakurai-san had no words to reply to this, and the result was that she would try again later.

"Well, then that's that."

With Charaji standing up as the trigger, the Queen and the Manager also stood up one after another and returned to their own seats. The result was that Sakurai-san and I were left standing there.

And so, the first planning meeting came to an end.

◇

"Ugh, was that proposal no good after all...?"

On the way home after leaving Department 13, Sakurai-san let out a huge sigh and spoke with a gloomy expression.

"That's not true. I gave it my seal of approval, saying it was a really interesting proposal, didn't I?"

"But..."

She seemed unable to accept it, and her steps up the stairs had been heavy for a while.

"Besides, I think today's planning meeting was a success."

"Eh, even though it was rejected so much?"

"Yes, of course."

In the first meeting, there were two things I had hoped for.

One was for everyone to attend properly.

And the other was for everyone to say some kind of opinion about the proposal.

"After all, it's a department where no meetings were held at all before. Just having a place to discuss things is something to be very happy about."

Before the work improvements were made, we were just wasting every day.

Just by including thinking and discussing, the level of proactiveness changed splendidly.

"Even the Section Chief said it was interesting once, right? Honestly, there were some helpful points, weren't there?"

"Yes... I learned things I didn't know."

Internal company matters and conventions are things you don't understand without experiencing them, after all.

Just gaining experience and knowledge in that area should have been a plus for her.

"I see... you're right. Talking about it with everyone, that was a first..."

Brightness finally returned to her face, which had been dark with depression.

It's true that at first glance, today's meeting seems fruitless. The proposal that was brought up was met with nothing but rejection, with no counter-proposals or supplements whatsoever.

But, with this, a flow has been created. In a department where for a long time there wasn't even any discussion about proposals, a form of submitting and considering proposals has been established. That alone is a big first step.

From here, all we have to do is slowly and carefully crush the "NO" opinions and present it confidently as a polished plan.

After all, we have time.

Unlike other development departments, we have more than enough time to be able to focus on refining the proposal.

If we continue to hold meetings like this, I'm sure more constructive opinions will start to emerge. From there, it won't be so difficult to develop it into one's own proposal.

In conclusion, all things considered, it was a "success."

(Don't rush, if we take our time... it'll work out.)

I recalled my exchange with Kawasegawa the other day.

Because you can't reach your dreams that easily.

"So, well, try not to get too down, okay?"

Even though I said that to comfort her, Sakurai-san still didn't seem completely convinced.

"Ugh, but my pride and confidence were shattered into pieces."

"I'm sorry about that..."

I thought she would be fine since she's had a mountain of proposals rejected, but she seemed to be quite shocked, so I felt bad.

"But it's from here. We'll make a comeback from here."

"Really...?"

"Yeah."

After all, we got the seal of approval that the proposal itself isn't bad. Now, it's just a matter of how to properly supplement the pointed-out parts so they can't be criticized.

"And so, to prepare for next week, today..."

I was about to say, "Shall we leave early," but I stopped talking for a moment.

It was because as I climbed the dim stairs and reached the first-floor elevator hall, I saw a group from another department entering from the entrance.

It's not that I'm keeping it a secret, but at this stage, I don't want to do anything that would arouse suspicion from other departments. That was why.

(I wonder which department... doesn't look like development.)

At Succeed Soft, there was no dress code for employees who mainly worked indoors, such as in development. So, everyone often came to work in casual clothes.

In contrast, the group approaching us were all neatly dressed in suits. The composition was one young man about my age, three employees walking around him, and one female employee accompanying them.

"By the way, what's happening with that?"

"Yes, while they are convinced by the plan itself, everyone continues to insist that their own departments not be touched, so there seems to be no other way than to proceed starting from the areas with the least impact..."

The female employee answers the male employee's questions with a grim expression.

Apparently, the male employee in the center held the highest position in the group, and the woman seemed to be his secretary-like assistant.

"They're saying that? They're really hopeless, those guys. They probably don't even realize it's their own fault. We need to clean up that kind of stuff soon, or the company will seriously rot."

After letting out a scornful laugh,

"Well, tell them to keep monitoring as is. If anything useful comes up, I'll use it as leverage and crush them without mercy."

"Understood, I will convey it as an order from the Managing Director."

The female employee bowed deeply.

The group didn't even glance at us and went straight into the elevator and up to the higher floors.

"Is that the Managing Director...?"

I said in a low voice, and Sakurai-san,

"That's right, you didn't know?"

replied as if it were obvious.

"No, I didn't know... wow, he's so young."

He looked to be about the same age as me, or perhaps even younger.

I couldn't tell what kind of person he was, but I understood that he was talking about something quite dangerous, and that he seemed quite cold-hearted.

(I wonder if there's some kind of conflict within the company.)

In any case, it's probably a story that has nothing to do with a low-ranking person like me.

"Well, that's it for today..."

Just as I was about to say that, Sakurai-san's hand firmly gripped the hem of my clothes.

"Um, Sakurai-san...?"

"Hashiba-san, are you planning on going home just like this?"

"Eh?"

"Because today, my proposal got completely torn apart! I have to vent this feeling somehow!"

She shouted, brandishing an izakaya's point card.

"That's why I'm drinking today!!"

She declared forcefully.

"W-well then, shall we stop by for just a little bit?"

Just as I was about to caution her to keep it moderate,

"No! I've decided I'm drinking today!!"

in a completely gone tone, she declared that she was going to get wasted.

◇

And then, several hours later.

"Bleeeearrrrgghhhhhh."

"You okay~? Tell me when you've gotten it all out, okay?"

"Y-yes, sorry Hashiba-sa... bleeeearrrgh."

As expected, Sakurai-san, who had gone all out from the very beginning of the drinking party, spectacularly became a resident of the toilet.

Since it's the women's restroom, I naturally have to wait outside the door.

"Things have been developing so quickly lately..."

With a slightly tipsy head, I was looking back on recent events.

After my bishoujo game company went bankrupt and I became penniless, I returned to my parents' house a wreck, and then, by some chance, I ended up getting a job at the game maker I had longed for.

Such good fortune couldn't last, and I was pushed into a dead-end department, but I've somehow managed to muddle through to this point.

When I think about that gray life, I can say that I'm completely happy now.

"Sorry to keep you waiting..."

Finally, a completely worn-out Sakurai-san came out.

"For now, drink some water, and let's rest here for a bit."

"Okay..."

We sat down side-by-side on the bench next to the restroom and decided to wait for her to sober up.

Being a Friday, the restaurant seemed to be full today. Loud voices were flying from all over, blossoming into secret conversations and foolish chatter.

(Next time, I want to get some information on this area.)

When I was at my previous workplace, I used to go into Akihabara izakayas alone to eavesdrop in order to get information on other makers.

Surprisingly, you hear interesting things, and thanks to that, I was able to learn about delays in advance and use that information when deciding on our own company's release date.

Though, in the end, it all went to waste...

(Now, I could probably make more effective use of it than back then.)

Our company too, and I've heard that people from other companies in the same industry also drink here. It might be interesting to try it out, combining hobby and practical benefit.

A casual-looking guy in a polo shirt and jeans tried to pass in front of where we were sitting.

"Ah, excuse me, coming through."

"Sorry, it's hard to get by."

We both pulled our legs back, and the guy gave a light nod and headed for the smoking area next to the restroom.

"Sorry, can I bum a smoke?"

Apparently, he was bumming a cigarette.

"Come to think of it, you don't smoke, do you, Hashiba-san?"

"I used to smoke a little, a long time ago. But I've completely quit now."

At the same time as Sakurai-san replied with a "Heeh~," some kind of conversation had started in the smoking area.

For some reason, we also lowered our voices.

"Hey, did you hear about that place?"

"What place?"

It seems they're having a secret conversation.

I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but due to the volume of their voices, it naturally entered my ears.

"Ookawa from HR was saying it, but that department consolidation we were talking about before, apparently they're really going through with it."

"Seriously? Hope we're okay. We were in the red last term..."

They're talking about something that really hits close to home.

(...Come to think of it, we don't have a deficit or anything, do we?)

(We're not a department that generates sales in the first place...)

I thought that maybe just not being counted was actually better. In times like these, it must be very tough for departments that are expected to produce numbers.

"They're apparently starting with the places with the least impact, but hey, you know that story about how that certain place improved our general affairs system and stuff?"

"Oh yeah, there was talk about digitizing the surveys, wasn't there?"

"That's it. And, because it became easier to outsource, it seems they're just going to throw it all to an outside contractor and crush the whole department."

...Huh?

The words coming up in the conversation strangely caught my attention.

"I see, even though it's 'development', there's no problem crushing that place anytime."

I felt a cold sweat run down my back.

General affairs system.

Digitization of surveys.

And the word "development."

Everything was matching up to one word after another.

As if to easily trample on my hopes that it wasn't so,

"Yeah, if it's the 'Execution Chamber'."

finally, the definitive words were delivered.

It would be another story if there were an execution ground around here, but since there isn't, it seems natural to assume they're referring to Department 13, which is called by that derogatory nickname.

(Eh, um, Hashiba-san... is this...)

Next to me, Sakurai-san, who had grabbed my clothes, let out a faint voice.

I couldn't respond to that and just stood there dumbfounded, mulling over the words from before.

Department consolidation.

Crushing the ones with the least impact first.

And the "Execution Chamber."

With everything matching up this much, I wasn't so brazen, nor was my intuition so conveniently bad, as to still be able to declare, "That's not it."

In addition to that, the Managing Director we just passed.

I didn't understand the specific details, but if it was about department consolidation, the content matched up to an unsettling degree.

"...For now, let's go."

Sakurai-san nodded silently. The conversation was still going on, but we didn't listen any further and quietly got ready and paid the bill.

And when we got outside the restaurant, a completely sobered-up Sakurai-san looked up at me with a face on the verge of tears.

"Hashiba-san... is the department... going to be eliminated...?"

Honestly, I wanted to ask that myself, but

"It hasn't been decided that it's about us yet, and it's just a rumor, right?"

While saying something reassuring, I too was filled with anxiety.

If the story from that pair earlier is true, then the business improvements I made have completely backfired.

Of course, it's possible that the talk itself had been around for a while, and that incident was just the trigger, but either way, it's no longer a situation where we can wait around leisurely.

"It means we have no choice but to do it now..."

The proposal, which I had been considering including a long-term battle for, was about to face its crucial moment without my heart even being ready.