Volu 9, Chapter 4 – Karen Tendou and High Score Challenge
Translator: your_pingas
There’s a slly cardboard box inside the dust-filled storage closet of the Ga Club.
I can’t help but clap my hands in celebration when I decided to open it.
“Ara, I miss this!”
As for the people in the sa room, the three club mbers was influenced by this happiness-
“…………”
“…Tck!”
“Ah, w-what’s wrong, Tendou-san?”
Two of the three ignored . One of them even cursed for breaking his attention. What a terminal reaction. It’s late January, and the cold breezes slipped passed from the window are sending chills down our spines.
I can’t help but sigh. Then, the only normal mber in this club, …Eiichi Mizumi-kun, stopped playing his ga. After that, he ca next to , who bent down at the corner of the room.
“Did you find anything good?”
With that said, he squatted down and glanced at the box I opened.
I answered, “Yeah.” Then, I gently took out one of the consoles inside of it.
“I played this in elentary school, and it’s a short-lived one. …Don’t you rember?”
“I see. …Sorry, I lost my mories, after all.”
“R-Right. I’m sorry.”
Mizumi-kun’s still who he is. Even though he’s normal, his experiences are ridiculous.
I cleared my throat and stared at the console intoxicatedly.
“Look. It’s a cassette, a cassette! …Sigh, when it was the age of CDs, …I’m shivering for its bravery to fight with a cassette.”
“Uh, I don’t understand how romantic that is though…”
Mizumi-kun changed the topic slightly after he smiled bitterly.
“But why is there such an old thing here in the club room? Tendou-san, didn’t you register the club in this year’s spring?”
“Ah, well, right, I never explained this to you before?”
“Hmm? What do you an?”
Mizumi-kun tilted his head confusedly. I put the console back temporarily and turned to him.
“I think I talked about this a bit before. Before I recreated the club, there was a Ga Club in Otobuki too. They are famous for their skills.”
“Ah, co to think of it, I did hear that. However, I think the club was abandoned before you entered the school…”
“Yes, you’re right. So, I can only dash around in the first year. …Most of my effort was spent on convincing Kase-senpai and Nina-senpai to join. Then, I barely managed to recover the club in the second year’s spring. Also, these two senpais were really just ‘lone wolf gars’ before I brought them in. They weren’t connected to the last Ga Club at all.”
“I see. …Well, we’re totally separated from the last club.”
Mizumi-kun mumbled in a lonely manner. However, I smiled and told him this.
“Well, about that, we shouldn’t skip to the conclusion. Indeed, just like what you said, we have no direct interaction with the last mbers. However, …in terms of materials, we did inherit sothing more or less.”
At this point, Mizumi-kun seems to have figured out sothing and mumbled.
“Ah, do you an this club room?”
“Exactly. Even though this place isn’t a ‘Ga Club’ when I’m in the school anymore, luckily, no other clubs wanted to use this room. In the end, all the way until I revived the Ga Club, this room barely changed at all.”
“I see. So, that box full of old gas is…”
“Yes, it’s from the last generation. Sigh, since gaming equipnt is expensive, all of the soft and hardware were left for the forr mbers. So, there aren’t too many things left. …However, it looks like there are still so unwanted goods, and here they are.”
I said that as I searched the box. Aside from the old console I picked out, the rest are basically complicated wires and plugs with no purpose. …It’s hard to say I gained sothing.
Mizumi looked at from behind. At the sa ti, he understood sothing and mumbled.
“Ah, you already knew the stuff inside isn’t really useful. So, that’s why you didn’t unbox them until just then, right.”
I nodded and said yes as I’m searching the wires.
“After all, there are a lot of things I need to do in the beginning, like recruiting mbers. It’s just that, …uh, from what this room looks like now, we’re not in a position to say that…”
“Yeah…”
Mizumi-kun glanced at the club and smiled bitterly. The reason for that is because…this Ga Club clubroom is already filled with things. It’s on a whole different level than when Amano-kun paid us a visit.
Naturally, there are software and consoles. Aside from that, the room’s filled with a bunch of ga controllers and trophies from the competitions.
The expert mbers often win in e-sports events on their own. Then, they spend their rewards on improving this room. Therefore, this club is having more and more stuff as ti goes on.
At this point, …I, as the president, have to deal with the mysterious boxes left by the last club mbers. I have to save as much space for the club as possible.
By the way, the nostalgic console is an unexpected reward to .
I continued searching in the box and seeing if there are any cables or gas for this console. So, around 10 minutes later…
“…Everything’s here.”
I didn’t expect the whole set required for playing on this console to be included in this one box. Mizumi-kun gave a round of applause.
“Wow, I feel like this is similar to < Lucky Strike>.” [Note: It’s a show for identifying antiques in Japan.]
“Yeah, …even though there’s only one, it has a cassette inside too.”
“I see. I think it’s a shooting ga from the package…”
Mizumi-kun’s interested as he looked at the box of the ga. I started explaining excitedly.
“Yep, you’re right. Strictly speaking, this is a ‘shoot ‘em up’ action ga. The protagonist will dash between huge waves of enemies automatically. The player has to move left and right, aim, fire, and attack in close range to pass the level. There’s no experience at all. Also, even though I thought it’s for gars, the easy mode provided more-“
Just as I’m talking, suddenly, I can hear a greeting from behind. “Excuse .” After that, I heard the door of the clubroom being opened.
I turned back, and the person is…
“Ara, Amano-kun, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, Tendou-san, thanks for the work. Uh, I’m sorry. I thought the club was almost over, so I wanted to get you. …It looks like I’m still early.”
Amano-kun backed down a bit after seeing the flurry of activity in the clubroom. My heart can’t help but beat faster after seeing his “effort.”
Actually, recently, …after the winter holiday, Amano-kun started inviting to go ho after school enthusiastically. Usually, he’s not used to showing up in the Ga Club…
Amano-kun scratched his cheeks and took a step back.
“Uh, then I’ll wait in the classroom. Please tell once you’re done-“
“Wait, Keita Amano.”
He prepared to leave, yet, unexpectedly, Kase-senpai told him to stay. Senpai put down his mouse and turned to Amano-kun. He suggested this calmly.
“You’re waiting for Tendou, anyway. Just stay here. It’s more efficient.”
“Eh? But, won’t I bother you guys…?”
“Ha, you think a little brat like you can never interrupt playing gas? Don’t underestimate .”
“I-I’m sorry. Well, thanks, senpai…”
“…K.”
Kase-senpai said that as he pushed his glasses a little and went back to gaming.
…I was shocked at how he treated Amano-kun. Mizumi-kun whispered to .
“Actually, Kase-senpai already treated him as a friend. After all, we owed him one for making him help us a while ago…”
“You owed him one? I’m not sure about that. …But, Kase-senpai did already accept Amano-kun. ...Well, even though he was mad at just then.”
“Ahaha, I-I think that’s also the proof of him opening his heart…”
After Mizumi-kun smiled bitterly like this, Amano-kun ca in front of us. He greeted Mizumi-kun and then imdiately showed interest in the box. After that…
“Ah, isn’t this the brilliant console that still used cassettes during the CD era!? Hiya, it’s so admirable to have such a determination like that!”
“Yes! You’re right, Amano-kun!”
I can’t help but look at him with sparkling eyes. Then, both of us held each other’s hands tightly.
So, Mizumi-kun mumbled dumbfoundedly next to us.
“…Can I ask, if I rembered correctly, you two broke up, …right?”
However, we already can’t hear what he said.
I explained the last club issue to Amano-kun just like what I did to Mizumi-kun. Of course, he seems to also feel the romanticism behind it. His eyes are sparkling even more brightly. …I’m relieved to know that.
Then, Amano-kun found out about the package of the ga, and his voice got even higher.
“Ah, this one!”
“Yes, Amano-kun! This is that hidden masterpiece, < Gods and Evil>!”
“T-This is way too moving! That’s aweso! I can’t believe this is the only ga left!”
“You get it!? Can you feel it, Amano-kun!? It’s this aweso! Ay, really!”
At this point, both of us looked at the ga’s box intoxicatedly like it’s our child.
…During this ti, Mizumi-kun put his hand on the forehead and mumbled sothing again.
“Right now, I feel like my definition of words like friends and couples are shaking violently…”
It looks like he’s talking about personal troubles. What he’s mumbling shouldn’t have to do with us.
So, Amano-kun noticed sothing and spoke up.
“Ah, speaking of < Gods and Evil>, if I rembered correctly, …the score records of the ga are stored in the cassette, right?”
“…Eh?”
Mizumi-kun and I can’t help but look at each other after hearing what Amano-kun said. We questioned him.
“This ans that…”
“Yes.”
Amano-kun nodded with a smile, and then he brought up that “possibility” excitedly.
“If it can be turned on, I guess it has the last Ga Club’s high score records.”
*
In summary, Amano-kun’s guess is entirely on-point.
“This score…”
The console is connected to the TV screen at the corner of the clubroom. …With holding the controller as the center, all of us stared at the screen intensely.
After that, Mizumi-kun sighed and asked.
“…Sorry, I don’t know whether my score’s good enough since I never played it before. …What do you two think?”
“Uh…”
Even for Amano-kun and I, we’re not too sure of the score standards of a ga we played a few years ago. Although we don’t rember…
Amano-kun still answered Mizumi-kun.
“Let’s forget whether it’s fantastic or not. Anyway, the record is really inside. Look, gas like this will usually let the player create a na with three letters. All of the record holders are nad < MAI>. All of the high score players are nad < COM > in a row, if I rembered correctly. Also, their scores would be in integers…”
“Ah, I understand. This ans that it’s almost certain that this is the last club’s record. However, the problem is…”
“Yes, we’re not sure how good this score is. …The standard is kind of vague.”
After Amano-kun sighed, -I closed the score record screen. Then, I returned to the title screen and selected < New Ga > as I suggested to them.
“Can I spend so ti beating the ga? I think it should take less than an hour if I skipped all of the plots…”
Both of them imdiately nodded and answered. “Of course.” It looks like they are just as interested in the last club’s skill as I do.
After I thanked the two, I took a deep breath and started the ga…under ultra concentration.
So, around 40 minutes passed after that.
“Phew, …it’s done.”
“Tendou-san, you’re amazing!”
I withdrew from my concentrated state and wiped the sweats on my forehead. Amano-kun cheered up with a smile.
“Shooting gas like this only allows you to challenge a high score after rembering the pattern. I didn’t expect you to pass it with no deaths on the first try!”
“Thanks. Sigh, I did already forget all of the levels. …However, I managed to get my feel back in the middle. I was surprised at how fast I picked up the pace too.”
After I smiled, Mizumi-kun nodded and answered.
“It looks like we can expect a lot for your score.”
“Yes. After all, I gave it everything I got. I guess so.”
Just as we’re chatting, the screen showed the final score during the playthrough.
The number is…
“Around 60 million points...?”
I think this score is pretty decent, …yet I’m not sure. I just glanced at the last club mbers’ score briefly, so I didn’t rember it.
Anyway, I inserted < TEN > into the na and switched the screen to the ranking.
This is the mont to identify the last generation’s skills. Did I surpass the previous club’s highest score? I’m a little bit confident in that.
The three of us waited for the results anxiously, so-
“…Eh?”
-We were shocked.
“…Seriously?”
I put down the controller subconsciously, and it smacked the table loudly. Mizumi-kun and Amano-kun are just as speechless.
…There are two parts that we’re surprised about.
First of all, -this ga’s high score record only includes the top 8 players. …My score wasn’t even on the top 8. In other words, it’s not worthy of discussion. I can’t even stand on the competition stage.
However, …this doesn’t really matter. Shooting gas are all about getting a higher score. It would be unrealistic for one to think that they can surpass an expert on the first attempt.
So, …while not being included in the ranking did hurt , that’s still okay. The real problem is…
“…300…million points…?”
The top 8 scored 5 tis higher than my 60 million points, …300 million.
“…………”
To that, all of us fell silent.
In reality, …even though it’s basically my first playthrough, I didn’t make any serious mistakes, and I beat the level quite cleanly too. However, …there’s still such an overwhelming and hopeless difference.
I feel like my pride was utterly destroyed.
I can’t help but plop my head down. Amano-kun and Mizumi-kun scrambled to smooth things over.
“Y-You don’t need to mind too much. Even though you lost, this is still your first ti trying to break the record! It’s…hard for things to not end up like this.”
“A-Amano-kun’s right! Tendou-san, there’s no use competing with soone who knows how to play the ga! You can definitely get a score like this after trying a couple tis-“
“-I don’t think I can do it.”
However, I abruptly rejected what they said. …After all, I was the one that played until that mont. …I know our skill disparity the best.
I can’t help but bite my thumb nail forcefully and glare at the screen.
“…I rembered it. The highest score I got back then…is at max 100 million…”
“B-But, Tendou-san, that was when you were in elentary school, right?”
“…Yes, you’re right. Amano-kun, …you’re right…”
I answered, yet my cloudy eyes are still staring at the scoreboard. …I stared at my worthless and miserable score…
“Hey, Tendou, the club’s ending soon.”
During this ti, I can hear Kase-senpai from behind. It seems that it’s ti to go ho.
“…………”
…Amano-kun and Mizumi-kun are glancing at tremblingly for so reason.
However, facing the end of the club today-
“Okay, I got it.”
-I smiled and answered honestly. Amano-kun and Mizumi-kun let out a sigh in relief sohow.
I smiled and turned off the console, and then I smiled and ejected the cassette. …After that, I smiled and pulled out all the cables. Then, I smiled and put all of those back into the tiny box. Finally, I smiled and-
“Phew.”
“-Eh?”
-I held the box under my arm.
Amano-kun and Mizumi-kun started sweating profusely. I asked for permission from Kase-senpai.
“Uh, senpai, can I ask for sothing? …Can I keep this console and ga for a while? I’ll bring it to the club room when there are activities.”
“Hmm? Sure, it should be fine. No one’s using it, anyway.”
“Thanks, senpai. Well, …let’s go, Amano-kun.”
“…Eh?”
Amano-kun answered densely for so reason. I can’t help but tilt my head slightly.
“Hmm? You’re walking ho today, right?”
“Eh? Ah, yes, right…”
For so reason, Amano-kun said that as he glanced at the box instead of . Also, even Mizumi-kun is doing the sa thing. …What’s wrong with them?
I chuckled at them. “Let‘s go.” After that, I urged everyone to leave the room and go ho.
“You two, the room’s closing. Please leave first.”
“Ah, okay…”
“Hmm? What’s wrong with you guys? Why are you two staring at so passionately…”
“Uh, no…”
They keep looking at my face and the box for so reason. …Then, the boys only managed to squeeze this question out.
“…Please rember to sleep, okay?”
“…Haha, I have no idea what you’re talking about, no idea at all.”
I turned away and answered, …yet they’re still glaring at .
…………
…Anyway, I, Karen Tendou-
-started to lose a bunch of sleep.
*
Using the weekend, I imdiately got back on track with < Gods and Evil>.
Don’t get hit. Don’t miss any enemies. Don’t miss the bonus items.
Co to think of it, all of these are basics in shooting gas. However, that’s why you need to get really familiar with it. A high score requires you to master all of that. Therefore, as long as you achieve those perfectly, you’re close to your final goal.
-That should be the case.
“1-130 million…”
“Yes, …you’re right.”
I dropped my shoulders and sighed depressingly with dark circles under my eyes. Amano-kun looked at worriedly.
It’s after school Monday. Coincidentally, there’s no eting of the Ga Club or the Ga Hobby Club today.
I almost said that I want to grab the chance to dash ho even a second earlier. I didn’t even bother to wait for the bus. -However, I bumped into my ex-boyfriend, who seemingly expected and ambushed next to the shoe shelves. His eyes told , “I’ll walk you ho,” determinedly. I have to back down. So, we’re walking together toward the residential area.
-Quickly.
Amano-kun’s catching his breath next to as he continued.
“Uh, …if I rembered correctly, the last mber < MAI>’s record is over 300 million points, right?”
“Yes.”
“But, Tendou-san, you already passed the level perfectly at this stage, right? Yet, you only got 130 million points?”
“Yes.”
“Uh, how?”
“I don’t know.”
I can’t help but grin after saying that.
“Really, I have no idea at all. Honestly, all I can do right now is to hold my hands up and surrender.”
While I said that, my cheeks still relaxed for a bit. I can’t help but bite the nail on my thumb again.
…Oh no, I really want to investigate it right now. Since this ga’s from the last generation, there are no walkthroughs on the internet anymore. Therefore, I can only rely on myself if I want a chance at surviving.”
This is overwhelmingly attractive to right now…
“…Please don’t force yourself too much. I’m serious.”
“Eh?”
I hastily turned to him. Amano-kun’s looking at sincerely and worriedly.
I snapped out of it, slowed down, and then answered him.
“I-It’s okay, Amano-kun. I, Karen Tendou, have absolute confidence in self-control!”
“…That’s good to hear.”
“Yeah, no problem at all! So, let’s move quickly, Amano-kun!”
“Eh? …Uh, well, Tendou-san?”
“Eh? W-What’s wrong?”
I quickly tidied up my bangs and turned back to him. …So, Amano pointed to his right secretly and reminded while shivering.
“But, we’re already at your house…”
“What?”
I didn’t realize it until he said that. …This is indeed my ho. I didn’t notice it because I kept thinking about stuff while walking hastily.
I laughed stiffly and answered him.
“O-Of course, I know it. Yes, I know everything. This is that renowned and beautiful gar girl, Karen Tendou’s house. Yes, I always wanted to pay a visit here.”
“No matter what you say, you’re too nervous, Tendou-san.”
I got my cool back when Amano-kun complained. So, I cleared my throat. …Yep, I have to calm down.
I smiled again and bid farewell to Amano-kun.
“Well, I’ll see you-“
-However, I quickly realized this in the middle of my speech.
(T-This isn’t right, Karen Tendou! Amano-kun’s walking ho! Also, it’s still early! This way, no matter how much you want to play the ga alone, you should…!)
I stopped abruptly and changed my farewell to an invitation.
“-D-Do you want to co to my house, Amano-kun?”
“…Uh.”
For a second, Amano-kun looked really excitedly. …However, for so reason, it imdiately turned into a bitter smile.
“Ah, no, thanks. My whole family has to go out today.”
“R-Really? What…a sha.”
Even though I said that, I also want to focus on < Gods and Evil > today.
“Uh, well, Tendou-san, I’ll see you in school tomorrow!”
“Eh? Ah, sure, see you tomorrow…”
Just as I’m lost in my gloomy thoughts, Amano-kun waved with a smile before leaving chicly.
I watched until he disappeared…and mumbled.
“Amano-kun, …are you being considerate to …?”
I think he realized it just then. I actually want to go ho and play < Gods and Evil > right away. Also, he even said that he had things to do to avoid feeling guilty.
That’s…really smart. He’s gentle and considerate. It doesn’t feel like Amano-kun at all. …At least, that’s entirely different from him prioritizing his mobile ga first when I invited him to the Ga Club. That was really impolite. Yeah, he has improved a lot…
…………
“Karen? What’s wrong? You’re idling in front of the house.”
During this ti, soone suddenly called from behind. When I turned back, my mother was poking her head from the door and stared at dumbfoundedly. I guess she heard talking outside and ca to see what’s happening.
I sighed and answered with a smile. “It’s nothing. I’m back, Mom.”
So, I took a step toward my house, where < Gods and Evil > is waiting for .
*
In the end, I made virtually no progress for the following 3 days. Slight improvents were made in small mistakes or predicting the enemy sequence. However, the score only increased by less than 10% with all of that.
After I reached 140 million points, my orthodox strategy reached the bottleneck ultimately.
This way, -there’s nothing much I can do to double the score.
“You want the Hobby Club to co up with new strategies?”
“Yes.”
I nodded repeatedly and answered my beloved Ga Hobby Club mbers.
It’s the 4th Thursday of January, after school. I, Karen Tendou, finally decided to ask my friends for suggestions. Also, I’m asking people in the Ga Hobby Club instead of the Ga Club.
After Chiaki-san heard what I said, she raised her hand silently.
“Well, …uh, we don’t dislike helping Karen-san at all…”
“Thank you, Chiaki-san. You’re reliable.”
“It’s fine. B-But, uh, …can I ask why are you asking the Hobby Club? Also, you went out of your way to make sure all of us ca here…”
Chiaki-san said that as she looked around. So, other mbers started to beco restless too.
It’s hard to bla them. After all, this isn’t the 2F classroom we use to hold Hobby Club etings. -It’s the Ga Club.
I smiled and started explaining to calm them down.
“First of all, I chose here simply because this is the playable environnt. It’s because I want to play while listening to everyone’s suggestions.”
After I explained, Uehara-kun answered this ti.
“Well, I do get that. …However, is it really necessary to close the Ga Club for today? Moreover, aren’t Kase-senpai, Nina-senpai, and Mizumi more reliable when it cos to beating gas?”
“Well, that’s not actually true.”
“Hmm? What do you an?”
“Everyone in the Ga Club is indeed pros, …but all of them are specialized on one kind of ga. Also, regrettably, no one in the club has experience with shooting action gas like this.”
“How about Mizumi? Think about it, that guy is super talented, right? Well, even though I don’t really know him.”
“Yes, he does have amazing talents. It’s just that, …how should I put it? Honestly, I think he’s running wild recently. I should say his powers already exceed the ‘gaming’ realm by a lot, right?”
“Ah…”
For so reason, Amano-kun and Uehara-kun nodded convincingly. …Did they deal with troubles caused by Mizumi-kun recently? Aguri-san and Chiaki-san still don’t understand.
I continued.
“Anyway, a guy like him is really not fit for suggestion or help. I feel like he’s full of special abilities that can’t help us.”
“He’s the protagonist, after all…”
The two boys agreed again. As for the girls, they didn’t say anything. All of them seem to have accepted my explanation.
However, Aguri-san raised her hand and asked . “Yes, yes, yes!”
“But, are you sure we can do it? …From Tendou-san’s point, aren’t Tasuku, Amanocchi, and Hoshinocchi are all trash gars, not to ntion ?”
“Ugh!”
Aguri-san’s innocent speech made Amano-kun, Uehara-kun, and Chiaki-san suffered massive ntal damage. I cleared my throat and helped the three out.
“I-It’s not like that. I’m not trying to see an expert’s demonstration. At this point, my strategy has already reached its limit. What I need is a way that I never thought of before.”
“Oh, I see. So, instead of finding those Ga Club pros, we need a player that’s far from Tendou-san’s amazing skills. In other words, you want Amanocchi’s suggestion, right!”
“Ugh!”
In the end, they took even more damage. …For so reason, Aguri-san’s innocence made all of that hurt so much.
Anyway, they get what I an. After I took a seat near the club room entrance, I started playing on the giant screen in the room. The four of them are next to . This way, I can play the ga while exchanging opinions from everyone.
I started the ga skillfully. When the plot is skipped, Amano-kun looked at the screen and mumbled embarrassingly.
“However, if Tendou-san can’t think of how to think of a creative strategy, ordinary people like us won’t be able to do that too…”
Aguri-san casually suggested this and retorted to him quickly.
“Why don’t you just kiss with Amanocchi as you beat the ga?”
“Creative!”
Everyone dropped their jaws. The whole board agreed that it’s a creative strategy. It’s not just that you can’t find any examples in the shooting gas history. The strategy can’t even be found in all of the video gas.
Aguri-san laughed and continued explaining to us, who fell speechless.
“Love can solve everything in the world, right?”
Amano-kun sweated profusely and stopped her right away.
“No, it’s not. Love can only solve everything in a fictional world.”
“Aren’t gas fictional?”
“The players are real!”
“Amanocchi, but your face looks fictional.”
“What did you just say!? Eh! You want to fight!? Got a problem!?”
“That’s not important. Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
“Stop it. Don’t yell it like a slogan! Are you a toddler!? No one will do it! The kiss between Tendou-san and isn’t cheap enough to show in a ridiculous environnt like this!”
“Well, it’s okay for Hoshinocchi to kiss Amanocchi as well.”
“Ehh!?”
Amano-kun and Chiaki-san yelled at the top of their lungs. Also…
“Ah, you died.”
Uehara-kun looked at the screen and mumbled. …This is the first ti I lost a life after I rembered the basics of this ga. Of course, …after all, I dropped the controller entirely just then.
Amano-kun slamd the table and retorted Aguri-san.
“What does Chiaki kissing has to do with a shooting ga’s strategy!?”
“I already said it’s the power of love.”
“Can love really give the person in question power when she’s not even participating!?”
“I don’t know. We have to try everything we can. It’s worth a try.”
“It’s not! Please don’t use such excuses to prank Chiaki and !”
Amano-kun’s so pissed off that he’s about to bite Aguri-san. As for Aguri-san, she curled up her lips and turned away. “Tck…” …They are still as close as siblings.
I coughed. After that, …since getting hit reduced the score multiplier, I have to try again. …I’ll have to be careful this ti.
So, I finally got to the level where I died.
…This ti, Chiaki-san was the one that made up her mind. …She suddenly stood up and yelled.
“W-Well, …it’s not like I can’t assist you guys beating the ga that way!”
“Huh!?”
Amano-kun looked at Chiaki-san shockingly. Aguri-san even cheered up at the sa ti. “Nice, Hoshinocchi!” Also…
“Ah, you died.”
Uehara-kun looked at the screen and mumbled again. …This is the first ti I lost a life after I rembered the basics of this ga. Of course, …after all, I threw out the controller just then. Full power. I threw it into the clubroom’s…seating pad.
Just as I’m picking up the controller faintly, Amano-kun blushed and yelled.
“Why are you accepting such a ridiculous request, Chiaki!?”
“…It’s because I don’t dislike it, …yes!”
“You do! You have to dislike it! Isn’t this too weird!? This devilish gal just arranged the worst kissing scene in history, and yet you’re playing along. It’s so pointless!”
“…Keita, …I think, …I think a girl has tis where she must fight! This is what I think!”
“Now’s not the ti for that! Your impressive determination should never be used now, Chiaki!”
“Let’s go, …Keita! Please! G-Give a painless one!”
“Kissing definitely doesn’t involve a painless one! I don’t want to!”
“Amanocchi’s a coward, weakling, virgin, midget!”
“Very well, that gal will die first.”
Finally, this turned into Amano-kun and Aguri-san bickering with each other again. So, Chiaki-san seems to have regained her consciousness too. She mumbled embarrassingly and sat down while blushing heavily.
“…Sigh.”
I regained my cool as well and restarted the ga again. This ti, Aguri-san also stopped bringing up those ridiculous strategies. …Huh, even though this girl always sses with Amano-kun, she knows when to quit. I should say she really understands Amano-kun’s bottom line…
“Oh, that was close.”
Uehara-kun mumbled again. While I dodged everything this ti, I clutched the enemy bullets really close. I continued either way since it doesn’t affect my score.
Then, when I finally defeated the first boss, …Chiaki-san mumbled.
“Hmm, …Karen-san’s indeed really good at this. This still doesn’t work?”
“Regrettably, I can’t break the record this way. So, that’s why I hoped for a different strategy…”
“Ah, how about I just kiss with Keita-“’
“That’s not possible.”
After I said that, I swept the entire wave of minions with an overpowered attack. Sweat appeared on Chiaki-san’s forehead. She cleared her throat and changed the topic.
“But, the real question is how we should improve the score. I think it has to reach that ridiculous ‘I didn’t know this work!’ level. Well, even though that doesn’t an the power of love.”
“Hmm, yes, Chiaki-san. Did you think of sothing while watching? It would be great if you can give so suggestions, even if it’s not directly related to improving the score.”
“Hmm, …w-well…”
Chiaki-san crossed her arms and closed her eyes as she fell into deep thought. …Later, when she opened her eyes suddenly, she brought this up.
“I worry about the cost-performance ratio of bullet hell attacks.”
“That’s really irrelevant!”
Everyone yelled at the sa ti when her mumble is even less relevant than we thought.
However, Chiaki-san switched to her serious “creator” face for so reason and continued explaining.
“No, no, no, but don’t you guys have questions about this? A massive amount of bullets were sprayed in the entirely opposite direction to the player. Is there a reason? Also, the bullet hell’s colors are so sharp and bright!”
“I-I think it’s not wise to complain about the ga this way. Moreover, < Gods and Evil > isn’t really a bullet hell ga…”
“I’m not talking about < Gods and Evil>, Karen-san! I’m talking about all bullet hell gas!”
“Uh, can you please talk about < Gods and Evil>!? I was asking for suggestions of achieving a new score here!”
“Right! Well, I’ll first hide my eternal issue of bullet hell systems inside my heart secretly!”
“It would be great if you can do that.”
“…………”
“…………”
“…Uh, basically, if they are powerful enough to spray such bullet hell, why don’t the enemy just cut off all of my escape? That’s-“
“Chiaki-san?”
“Alright, I will be quiet!”
Chiaki-san straightened her back and saluted . …S-Sheesh, that’s what weird people look like…
So, just as I’m sighing dumbfoundedly, I realized that Amano-kun’s getting restless. He mumbled to himself quietly.
“…Yes, yes, yes, co to think of it, it’s weird to set the hitbox of the player in the center…”
However, he only kept that to himself…without sharing the topic with Chiaki-san.
“…………”
I bet he realized what will happen next. If he started chatting with Chiaki-san passionately after that, my mood is guaranteed to turn sour. It’s not hard to imagine what’s next. I will imdiately remind him, “Amano-kun?” After that, both of them will squeak and shrug their shoulders.
That’s why he explicitly kept the topic to himself. …This is a reasonable choice. Also, he didn’t want to distract from playing the ga.
…Even though that should be the case…
When I’m tangled up in an indescribable knot of complicated emotions, Uehara-kun, who had remained silent, spoke up.
“Honestly, you’re so good at it, yet the record score is nearly twice as much. …From my view, I can only guess that you missed sothing important. You’re Tendou, after all.”
“Although I don’t understand what does that last ‘after all’ an, …what did I miss?”
“Think about it, there should be so hidden or bonus levels where you can only enter under special conditions. I don’t think you’re that fated to encounter those bonus rewards.”
“You’ve been really noisy since then! Moreover, if I’m really not fated with bonuses, then what should I do!?”
“Of course, the best way is to find two matching people playing the ga together, right?”
Uehara-kun looked at Amano-kun and Chiaki-san after saying that. …Indeed, few boys and girls are blessed by “fate” or “coincidence” more than them.
Also, both of them love gaming, and they are getting restless after seeing playing. After Uehara-kun suggested it, both of them are quite interested in accepting-
‘Alright, please-“
-Amano-kun smiled bitterly in the middle of his sentence suddenly and quitted.
“-I wanted to accept it, but Chiaki should be the one to try.”
“Hmm? Keita?”
Chiaki-san tilted her head confusingly. Amano-kun explained.
“Even though two people can play this ga, in the end, it’s just spreading the control of one main character to two players. I feel like this can ruin what makes the ga interesting. Of course, you can have a different kind of ‘fun’ playing that way too.”
“I-I see. Indeed, perhaps you’re right.”
“So, anyway, let’s have Chiaki try playing it first? Although it’s different than Uehara-kun’s suggestion, I think Chiaki will do a lot of things that Tendou-san wouldn’t.”
R-Really? Uh, well, …if Keita and Tendou-san are okay with this, I’d be more than happy to play…”
Chiaki-san glanced at . I nodded with a smile. Then. I restarted the ga and handed her the controller.
So, Chiaki-san imdiately…and “uncharacteristically” cheered herself up with a breath.
“Alright, I’ll give it my best!”
“…………”
My heart’s getting tortured by a wave of complicated emotions again after seeing her face. …She just wants to play with Amano-kun, right? The ga doesn’t really matter. Only I can…acknowledge this painfully, about how she feels.
On the other hand, Amano-kun’s attitude and suggestion weren’t wrong either. I can also understand that. In reality, he’s way too sincere to us recently. The evidence Is that- during these few weeks, my heart didn’t ripple at all. Surprisingly, the weird misunderstandings never happened again. Also, I’m sure that the reason…wasn’t because fate has stopped ssing with us.
It’s because the annoying seed of misunderstanding…has already been carefully removed one by one. The one that used to lay the roots has improved.
…In other words-
It’s all because of Amano-kun’s effort and consideration. This sentence can summarize everything.
“Wow, wow, wow.”
-Once I snapped out of it, Chiaki-san imdiately lost a life in the first level.
She complained while looking at the screen tearfully.
“U…Ughh, I can’t even beat the level! I was a bit confident at first!”
“Ahaha, that baffling confidence is quite common! You can’t help but think you can also do it after watching experienced people nailing it!”
“Yeah, Keita! Ugh, I should’ve let you play first…”
“W-What are you trying to say, seaweed-san?”
“It’s exactly what you’re thinking right now, bean sprout-san.”
…They are enjoying themselves and started bickering intimately. For so reason, …I was relieved after seeing that. Co to think of it, it’s weird to feel relieved when your loved one is hanging out with your rival.
(Why is that…? …Is it because Amano-kun is still Amano-kun…?)
Even I have no idea what I’m saying at all. I turned around, and Uehara-kun and Aguri-san are showing a similar expression to mine. …I feel like this atmosphere is unbelievable.
However, I reaffird sothing in this mind-boggling web of emotions.
That is-
“Ah! I didn’t even reach the capital on the first level! No, I don’t accept this!”
“Okay, Chiaki, you’re out. I’ll go next! My turn! Alright, let show you-“
“Eh? Amano’s playing too? Well, I’ll go to the toilet first.”
“Yeah! I’m going with you! There’s no point watching a replay, anyway!”
“Wait right there, you two!”
-The five of us are the happiest when playing video gas together. Nothing tops that.
*
It’s midnight on that day.
“I-I’m finally at 280 million points…!”
I’m wearing my pajamas in the gloomy room. My eyes are staring at the bright screen sparklingly.
“I didn’t expect Aguri-san to find the breakthrough…!”
Even though I held the eting to hope for an unexpected idea, I didn’t expect a non-gar like her got the solution.
I restarted from the first level again. Then, I rembered what happened as I’m fighting for a better score.
Yes, that was when the eting’s almost over.
Aguri-san was looking at other people playing dazedly, except when it’s Uehara-kun’s turn. Suddenly, she seed to have realized sothing and said, “Borrow this.” Then, she robbed the controller away from Amano-kun, who was playing at that ti.
Of course, Amano-kun complained a lot. At that point, Aguri-san started playing the ga unfamiliarly like a total newbie. She didn’t press the attack button at all and missed enemy after enemy. The bullets even hit her, and the score multiplier dropped a lot. Also, at last-
“Ah.”
-The flight directly collided with the middle boss battleship and crashed in an explosion. After that, “Here you go.” Aguri-san said this, satisfied. She returned the controller to Amano-kun.
As for Amano-kun, …of course, he’s about to blow up from anger.
“No, no, no! What the hell were you trying to do!?”
“Eh, colliding with the enemy.”
“Why!? Are you trying to ss with ? What’s the point of-“
“Eh, it’s because all of you are trying to increase that number, right.”
“Eh?”
Aguri-san said that as she pointed. -We confird her score, and we saw…
“H…Huh?”
Even though she was hit a couple of tis and lost a life, her score is still slightly better than our “normal” thod.
We fell silent while Aguri-san yawned and explained.
“Ah, that mainly happened when Amanocchi and Hoshinocchi were playing. When the two of them dropped dead, that number will SOTIS go up a bit. At first, I thought it was just an unbelievable bonus from god since they suck. …However, I realized it afterward.”
“R-Realized what?”
We gulped anxiously. Aguri-san answered calmly.
“When the protagonist collides with the enemy directly, the enemy dies due to the protagonist’s explosion. Then, at that ti, I think the number jumps up a lot.”
“!”
“Also, it increases more when you’re hitting big enemies. But, I think that’s called the boss, right? Since you can’t defeat that by collision, that’s why I thought hitting the middle boss is the best, right? That’s all.”
Amano-kun paused the screen as he fell speechless and stared at the score. …Since he died from the bullets, the score multiplier did drop a lot. While that’s true…
(…I think the score’s even higher when you play it that way!)
I calculated that and took over from Amano-kun. After that, I purposely collided with the middle boss during the critical levels and replayed the level. The end result…is actually 200 million points.
“OHHHHHHHHHHH!”
Aside from Aguri-san, everyone in the Ga Hobby Club exploded.
At that mont, I finally managed to break my limit.
I snapped out of my mories and mumbled in the dark room alone.
“Also, after I investigated the ‘collision thod’ even more, …I got 280 million points this ti!”
300 million points are finally within range.
All that remains is…
“At this point, I can’t believe I have to practice grinding this…!”
The flow is already complete. I know where I need to use the collision thod.
The only thing left is to charge into the boss at the right ti, …but here’s the problem.
“I didn’t expect the ga to have counterasures against this too…”
While you can get points by directly colliding with the boss, …aside from the level Aguri-san’s in, other levels’ bosses will always hit you with a bunch of minions and bullets. I didn’t realize that until now.
In other words, it’s actually not that easy to charge into the middle boss.
I was left speechless by that as well.
“T-This ga is designed so brilliantly…”
You won’t realize that at all if you play it usually. After all, the most crucial part of the ga is defeating the middle boss ASAP. Letting it stay on the screen isn’t great for your score multiplier and lives.
However, it’s just that, …after I knew the collision thod, the ga changed completely. It’s not just a change. They thought about the balance as well. From this point, …it’s absolutely not a bug.
Clearly, this is purposely designed by the developer – a shocking fact that won’t be revealed until 10 years after release.
Yes, this is it. When you play video gas or encounter entertainnt like video gas, …a surprise like this awaits you!
“…I must break the record and show everyone…!”
At this point, I only wasn’t able to use the collision thod on the last level. The middle boss in this level is crashing at an incredibly tricky position. It’s designed for the protagonist to get hit by bullets or other enemies.
Even so, since this is the last level, it takes a long ti to reach here if you restarted. It’s designed so that people can’t practice easily.
If this isn’t evil, I don’t know what is. The barrier is hopelessly tall.
However, that’s why, …that’s why…!”
“…AHH!”
My blood turned boiling hot from excitent as I spent all night gaming in a long while.
Keita Amano
It’s Friday morning. When I’m walking towards the 2F classroom and holding my yawn, …I bumped into a mysterious blonde creature heading forward wobbly.
…Without using an if, I bet that’s my beloved ex-girlfriend.
Every other classmate was scared by her unusual aura and kept their distance. As for , …of course, I chased after her and spoke up.
“A-Are you okay, Tendou-san!?”
“Fweuh?”
Tendou-san didn’t even open her eyes when she looked back. …She was totally not sleeping.
She looked at my face and smiled.
“Ah, oh, …nice to et you, …sir, you remind of Amano-kun.”
“No, I’m Amano. A-Are you alright?”
“I’m okay. …Ah, …nice to et you, …sir. You remind of Amano-kun.”
“Your mory can’t even last for 2 seconds!?”
This is anything but okay. When I take a good look, parts of her hair are curled up. The uniform and the tie aren’t really tidy either. It’s hard to imagine such a languish Tendou-san from her usual appearance. …Sigh, even so, she’s still adorable to the extre! Ah, she’s so cute. I can’t take it anymore! I literally want to bring her ho like a doll!
However, I managed to suppress this desire and coughed. Then, I put my hand on Tendou-san’s shoulder.
“Uh, anyway, you shouldn’t force yourself. Should I take you to the health room?”
“Eh? Going to the health room with Amano-kun, alone…!?”
“T-Tendou-san?”
Tendou-san’s eyes slowly bulged. Also, her cheeks started to regain their usual redness again. …After that, she stood straight and cleared her throat.
“Thanks for your love. …Sadly, my consciousness has already recovered.”
“I-I guess so.”
While I’m not sure why, her heart seems to be experiencing so intense emotions that caused her to wake up. …Well, even though Tendou-san looks pretty regretted now.
We first stood next to the hallway to avoid blocking other classmates. Then, we started the conversation again.
“By the way, Tendou-san, you’re clearly lacking sleep. Don’t tell …”
“Don’t tell you what? Amano-kun, don’t tell you’re still trying to show your dull logic to Karen Tendou? Ah, that would be way too funny. I’m the one talking to you right now, the renowned Karen Tendou. I’m the incarnation of self-control, Karen Tendou. There’s no reason for Karen Tendou to be this exhausted aside from-“
“You stayed up all night playing video gas, right?”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
Tendou-san bowed down and sincerely apologized to her ex-boyfriend. …The other classmates are staring daggers at from the hallway. But, even I’m getting used to it.
I sighed and smiled bitterly at Tendou-san.
“There’s no need to say sorry. After all, I sotis do that too. It’s just that…I can’t help but worry when I see a girl I love is in this situation.”
“Amano-kun, …t-thank you.”
“Y-You’re welco…”
Tendou-san’s blushing slightly, while I’m feeling a bit embarrassed.
There’s this embarrassing rom-com mood radiating between us.
…………
Sigh, even though we’re actually talking about staying up all night playing video gas and not having enough sleep. That’s a terrible topic.
I changed the topic and asked Tendou-san again.
“So, Tendou-san, uh, well, …your result?”
“Hoho, that’s a good question, Amano-kun.”
So, Tendou-san put her hands on her waist and puffed up her chest. I mumbled, “Eh, don’t tell …” Then, she…put up an adorable V sign and announced it to with a bright smile.
“I finally broke the record this morning! I even got first place!”
“Ohhhh! You did it, Tendou-san! That’s amazing! Congratulations!”
“Yeah, thank you, Amano-kun!”
“Even though I’m pretty aware that you said ‘this morning’ instead of yesterday!”
“Yeah, don’t ntion it, Amano-kun!”
The two of us just cheered each other next to the hallway excitedly. I didn’t expect Aguri-san to bring light to the high score challenge yesterday after school. …It only took her a day to surpass the last club mbers! That’s our Tendou-san!”
I smiled and cheered Tendou-san excitedly.
“This way, you’re finally free from your painful struggle, Tendou-san!”
“…Eh?”
However, Tendou-san tilted her head confusingly at what I said.
I don’t know what she’s thinking about, so I continued.
“Eh, Tendou-san, aren’t you exhausted during this week?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“So, …that’s why I said you’re finally free from your painful struggle…”
“…Then you’re wrong, Amano-kun.”
Suddenly, Tendou-san abruptly rejected what I said. I was surprised as I answered.
“Eh, don’t tell you’re trying to reach an even higher record…?”
“No, I’ve already achieved the goal, so I’ll stop here. It’s not what you think. When I say you’re wrong, I an you’re describing this whole thing as painful.”
“Eh?”
During this ti, Tendou-san turned her body toward the window of the hallway. She looked up to the blue sky. …After that, the girl spoke up with sparkling eyes that don’t look exhausted at all.
“I wasn’t struggling painfully this week. Instead, I’m having fun playing gas.”
“…………”
What she said made , …no, she’s way too charming. I fell speechless.
Tendou-san continued.
“Amano-kun, you said this before, right? The reason that you didn’t join the Ga Club is that you lacked the determination to improve. Sothing like that.”
“…I did.”
“At this point, I have to retort what you said.”
Tendou-san said that as she looked at again. …Then, facing the sunny sky in the morning, she told this to .
“I’ve never brought determination into gaming. However, I’m still, …no, the Ga Club is still dedicated to improving. There’s only one reason for that.”
“…And that is?”
After she heard my question, Tendou-san, she- showed a childish and carefree smile.
“-That’s because we’re all really happy!”
“…………”
…I lost, …what should I do?
That smile is way too charming, and I can’t even look at her face properly.
What’s with this warmth in my heart? Yep, I’m really into this girl…”
I slightly looked away from her. Then, I tried to answer while scratching my cheeks.
“That’s nice. …I’m really, really envious of your attitude on gaming.”
“Hoho, thank you. However, you can find a lot of fun outside of winning and losing. We’re pretty envious of your attitude as well.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
At this point, we smiled at each other again. …This reminded of our first date. We were like that at that ti…
Then, Tendou-san looked at the window again. After that, she saw what she looked like on it and hastily spoke up.
“S-Sorry, Amano-kun! I have to tidy up my looks…”
“Eh? Your look? But, you’re always extrely adorable.”
“Eh?”
“Ah, are you minding that curled up hair? I do feel that’s pretty cute in its own way too. …Ah, please wait.”
“Eh? Eh? Eh?”
I took a step closer to Tendou-san. After that, I combed her curled hair gently and carefully using my hand. So, after I swept it silently a couple tis. I was so relieved that I can’t help but express what I’m sincerely thinking.
“…Haha, Tendou-san, it feels like I’m coaxing you to be a good girl.”
“!”
I guess she wanted to have an easy ti combing. Tendou-san plopped her head down. I continued.
“Ah, but let’s say I do an that, perhaps it’s nice too. It’s because you got such a brilliant score today. I think the teacher or your parents won’t praise you for beating the ga. …So, the least I can do is to help and praise you for loving gaming. Moreover, I also hope for a little that can be what I an to you."
“!!!”
Tendou-san seems to be mumbling sothing. Is it because it hurts when I’m combing her hair?
I paid attention to be more gentle with my hands as I continued chatting.
“Ah, co to think of it, even though it’s a bit late, this is the first ti I combed a girl’s hair.”
“!”
“But, sohow, whenever I’m with you, …my wish to do all this for you always wins against embarrassnt. It’s just like when I confessed to you. This is unbelievable. I guess it’s because I really do love you…”
“!!!!!!”
Perhaps it’s because Tendou-san’s hair is incredibly soft and smooth. I’m revealing all of my emotions defenselessly like I’m in my bed.
With that, …Tendou-san suddenly raised her head as if she’s trying to stop . After that, she rolled her eyes and started protesting.
“W-What were you doing j-just then!?”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
After she said that, I finally realized that this is the school hallway in the morning. When I turned around, a shocking amount of people are looking at . …However…
“Ah, but, Tendou-san, it’s great now that you cheered up!”
I smiled and answered. So, …Tendou-san’s blushing harder and harder like a red apple. Her lips are trembling.
“A-A-A-Amano-kun! …Y-Y-Y-You’re literally R-R…”
“R? …Ah, I get it! I bet you’re trying to say ‘romantic player’ just then-“
“You’re literally Roo! I LOVE YOU!”
“What’s with that reaction!?”
My ex-girlfriend made that shocking confession as she yelled at the top of her lungs and ran away. …Uh, …how should I say this? What just happened? I think I didn’t mishear anything, yet I feel like I shouldn’t take her word for it. I can’t just get excited like that.
…………
…Sigh, even so, I’m excited. Yay.
“…A-Amano, why are you bouncing around in the hallway alone? That’s disgusting.”
Soone suddenly talked to from behind. I turned back and saw a familiar face.
“Ah, good morning, Uehara-kun. …Eh, huh, Aguri-san and Chiaki are here too.”
“Hi, Amanocchi.”
“Good morning, Keita.”
The two girls poked her head out behind Uehara-kun. …I can’t help but glare at Uehara-kun.
“…That’s our Uehara-kun. You can get two girls next to you once you arrive at school…”
“Your eyes are full of darkness. Well, Aguri is going to school with , but we bumped into Hoshinomori on the road.
“Ohhh…”
“What’s with your reply? Ah, forget about that, Amano, is Tendou alright?”
“Hmm? What do you an?”
“I an, the three of us saw a wobbling and mysterious blonde creature near the entrance. But, we lost her because she’s wobbling too much. After that, we walked around the entire school and got here…”
“Ah, I see. Yes, honestly, she’s miserable in terms of sleeping ti. …However, I think she got better.”
When Uehara-kun and I talked about that, Chiaki suddenly freaked out for so reason and asked .
“A-Also, K-Keita, …w-were you chatting happily with Tendou-san just then?”
“Eh? Uh, hmm, I guess so…”
“Can I ask…what did…you two talk about?”
“Eh?”
Chiaki glanced up at as she asked that question, …even I know what that ans. I feel like, …right now, she seems to be a bit jealous. Ugh, …t-this is embarrassing.
So, the sharp-eyed normie couple secretly looked at us with an annoying expression. So, I cleared my throat and decided to explain to them.
“Tendou-san said that she has already broken the record of that ga.”
“Ohh!”
These three imdiately cheered up. …My heart’s getting warm when they’re so engaged in their friend’s score in a ga.
After that, when I told them Tendou-san is really exhausted, Chiaki suddenly grabbed her phone out and said, “Co to think of it-“
“I discovered this mobile ga after yesterday’s eting.”
“Mobile ga?”
Uehara-kun, Aguri-san, and I tilted our heads as we looked at Chiaki’s phone. So, the ga is…
“Is this…the mobile version of < Gods and Evil>? I didn’t know they have this version!”
“Yes, Keita. I didn’t know that either. However, I think this got on the shelves 3 days ago. I can’t help but download it since it’s a one-ti purchase.”
Chiaki then showed us the new ga. The screen is showing the exact sa thing we saw at the Ga Club yesterday.
Uehara-kun sighed admirably.
“Oh, it’s almost the sa.”
“Yeah, all of the comnts are positive as well. I also think that they did a good job. It’s just that the impossible part to replicate is…”
“Huh, Hoshinocchi, how do you control this?”
“This is the issue…”
After Aguri-san asked that, Chiaki rotated her phone and continued playing the ga. …However, no matter how you look at it, the controls are pretty restricted.
“Uh, well, they already tuned it a lot for a mobile ga. Therefore, the comnts have no problem with that too. …Even so, the controls are still worse than a ga controller…”
“It has to be. The original ga already required you to press a lot of buttons…”
I glanced at the screen as I said that. Once I got my face close, Chiaki ssed up and got a ga over. …A slightly awkward atmosphere enveloped us.
Then, when the screen switched to the scoreboard, my eyes turned to the tiny button at the top right corner.
“Eh, there’s an online ranking in the mobile version too.”
“Eh? Ah, there is. I didn’t even notice that.”
Chiaki said that as she pressed that button unintentionally. The loading screen showed up.
Uehara-kun mumbled.
“The controls in the mobile version aren’t great, right? How high can the score be when it’s just 3 days old…”
“Yeah, …ah, there it is. Uh, the current first place is…”
“Let see! Let see!”
All of us looked at the screen excitedly. In the end, the score and na above is-
< No.1 – MAI – 457 million points >
“…………”
Everyone froze and fell speechless. …All of us are thinking of the sa thing.
(Huh, I think I just saw one of my friends staying up all night to reach the 300 million goal…)
After that, Chiaki suddenly laughed stiffly and clicked on her phone.
“T-Think about it, the score multiplier in the mobile version…is definitely higher, right?”
She opened the official webpage and scrolled down to the comnts. However, it showed…
< The mobile version is excellent. But, the controls are terrible, and the score increases very slowly.>
< It’s still just as fun! But are there fewer enemies in the mobile version? Thanks to that, I think the score can’t be as high as the console version…>
< There are cheaters on the online scoreboard, right? MAI dominated. How could soone get a score like that?>
< Developers: We didn’t discover any cheaters at this stage. It would be our honor if the players can continue to enjoy the ga.>
“…………”
The four of us read these comnts. The mood is getting heavier and heavier.
The classmates saw our faces and left without a trace.
At this point, Chiaki finally…
“…Phew, phew.”
She pressed the power button and turned off the screen silently.
…………
…An exhausted gar girl floated up in our minds.
…………
The four of us looked at each other’s face and gulped.
Then, we mumbled the sa thing at the sa ti.
“There’s no mobile version at all.”
Sotis, we have to look away from reality for our friend’s health. …This realization ca to the high school year 2 students on a cold winter morning.
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