My Girlfriend's Secret Chapter 180: Rin Ito’s Ambition

Rin Ito: [How is it? Did he not co looking for you two?]

The next day after Rin Ito advised Tomoya Aki, Rin Ito ssaged Eiri to ask for the result.

Eiri: [He really didn’t co to find us today. How did you do it?]

Rin Ito: [He runs a website, right? I told him to recruit like-minded people online and form a club. It seems his recruitnt is going smoothly.]

Eiri on the other end of the phone screen quickly opened her mobile browser. The website he ran was initially a fan site for Utaha Kasumigaoka. Back when Utaha Kasumigaoka’s book sales were poor, Tomoya Aki had created a website and enthusiastically promoted it. After Utaha Kasumigaoka gained more fans, he also posted reviews of GALGAs, as well as reviews of other people’s novels and manga. The website had evolved from a fan site into a comprehensive ACGN information site.

Given the help he’d provided Utaha Kasumigaoka, she shouldn’t have refused to write a GALGA script for him. As for Utaha Kasumigaoka’s attitude the past few days... besides her own sharp tongue, it was because they were currently in an argunt over her novel.

Eiri opened the webpage and saw that there was indeed a recruitnt announcent. Clicking on the announcent, Eiri saw his project. Although it was still terrible, there were quite a few supportive comnts below, and so people even expressed interest in participating in the production.

Eiri: [I see it.]

Rin Ito: [He shouldn’t bother you anymore, so you can relax now, right?]

A faint smile unconsciously crossed Rin Ito’s face on the other end of the phone. Based on his understanding of Eiri, both Eiri and Utaha Kasumigaoka must have been feeling quite complicated. He had been giving them new proposals every day, but now he had suddenly stopped. If you compared it to buying breakfast, it was like a regular custor suddenly going to the breakfast shop next door. While there was nothing wrong with it, it always made them uncomfortable... that was human nature.

If Eiri felt this way, Utaha Kasumigaoka definitely did too. Just as so strears frequently search for themselves online, Utaha Kasumigaoka surely checked her fan site often. She must have noticed his announcent long ago. Coupled with their slightly tsundere and proud personalities... while it might seem a bit petty, there was only one thing they would do.

Eiri: [Mhm, I’m relieved.]

After replying to Rin Ito, Eiri put down her phone and looked around. After several searches, Eiri finally found gumi Kato playing with her phone in the classroom.

"Kato-san, can you step outside for a mont?"

"Eh... that’s a hassle." Although she grumbled about it being a hassle, gumi Kato still walked out of the classroom with Eiri.

"Is sothing the matter, Sawamura-san?"

"Nothing much... Has that Tomoya Aki bothered you again the past couple of days to be his heroine?"

"No." gumi Kato shook her head and waved her hand casually. "He doesn’t want as his heroine. He didn’t even know we were classmates. The heroine he wants is the one in his imagination."

"But... doesn’t it bother you that he’s using you as a substitute for his idealized heroine?"

"Huh? No, not at all. It actually makes things easier for ." gumi Kato blinked. "Does it bother you, Sawamura-san?"

"Mhm..."

"Eh... that’s a hassle."

"Did you say sothing, Kato-san?"

"N-No..." gumi Kato looked away, feeling a little guilty, and quickly changed the subject. "If Sawamura-san is bothered, what are you going to do? Teach him a lesson? Or tell him you want to join?"

"I already refused; how can I shalessly join now! Besides, I don’t think much of his childish project. So..."

"So?" gumi Kato tilted her head.

"So let’s make a GALGA together too! You’ll be the heroine! We’ll design a heroine based on your personality, and the story will be about an everyday background character becoming a shining heroine!"

"..." gumi Kato hesitated. Oh, great, so that’s how we’re going to play? Sawamura-san... what a botherso personality.

But... a heroine, huh? That was sowhat exciting. gumi Kato had always had a low presence since childhood, and it was common for people not to rember her na. The reason the normally hassle-averse gumi Kato went to the multidia room the other day, even though she didn’t know what a GALGA was, was largely because she wanted to see what it felt like to be a heroine. After seeing Eiri and Utaha argue, gumi Kato regretted it a little... it would definitely be a hassle with them around.

But now... it seed she had gotten herself into an even bigger hassle.

...

Ti quickly ca to the afternoon. As soon as class ended, Eiri took gumi Kato to the Art Club. After greeting her Art Club friends, Eiri hurried to the door of her exclusive studio. The door was ajar, clearly indicating soone had arrived early.

Bang! Eiri abruptly pushed the door open. The black-haired, long-legged, large-chested light novel author was in the studio, examining Eiri’s drawings.

"Utaha Kasumigaoka! You gloomy woman ca so early just to peek at my drawings, didn’t you?"

"Please don’t use my full na, Eiri Spencer Sawamura." Utaha Kasumigaoka paused. "Besides... didn’t you personally beg to co?"

"Beg you? When did I beg you? Don’t make things up." Eiri closed the studio door and leaned her hips against the table. "I want to make a ga that sells more than his. Do you want in?"

Hearing the suggestion, Utaha’s heart raced. She admitted she was tempted. However... in front of Eiri, even if she was tempted, she couldn’t agree imdiately.

"A ga where you, the pervert, are in charge of the original art? No, thank you. I don’t want to be associated with Kashiwagi Eri, the synonym for pervert. I’m a legitimate light novel author, not an erotic novel author."

"Utaha Kasumigaoka, you..." Eiri gritted her teeth. "If you don’t want to be credited, we can just release the ga under the club na. Hmph... Fine if you won’t join. I’ll just write the script myself."

"If you, the pervert, write the script, the ga will truly be dood. But... if you kneel and beg , I’ll help you write the script."

"Hehehe... then you just wait and see my ga, Eiri Sawamura’s ga, crush his sales."

"Eiri Sawamura alone is definitely going to lose. Just to ensure victory, I’ll reluctantly help you."

In the industry, sales were everything. The more sales, the better. Although Tomoya Aki had never ntioned any kind of competition, Eiri and Utaha Kasumigaoka had unilaterally decided on one.

gumi Kato sighed deeply next to them... You refused to join before, and now that he has found other people, you decide to make your own ga. What complicated and stubborn personalities... Wait!!! Why are they both looking at !

"Kato-san, you should join us too."

"That’s right! You join too."

"Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh!????"

...

Amidst gumi Kato’s despairing cry, Eiri and Utaha Kasumigaoka unilaterally decided that gumi Kato would join. After making the decision, Eiri ssaged Tomoya Aki, who readily accepted the challenge. The limit was the Winter Comiket. Both sides would create a GALGA with a heroine based on gumi Kato’s personality to see whose sales were higher. There was no prize for winning and no penalty for losing... it was simply a matter of pride for both sides. Even gumi Kato was doing it out of stubborn pride.

He treats as his destined heroine, yet he didn’t rember my face even though we’ve been classmates for two years, and it’s not just that... When Tomoya Aki was trapped on the rooftop during the entrance exam, gumi Kato was the one who found him and reported it to the teacher to rescue him, yet he forgot her after they were placed in the sa class.

Although the three were motivated by pride, making a GALGA was not sothing that could be solved with sheer willpower. While one was an artist and the other a novelist, both, having worked in the industry, understood the difficulties of GALGA production far better than Tomoya Aki. Average enthusiasts might think, A GALGA... they take it for granted that all they need is a good script and exquisite illustrations.

But in reality, it was much more than that. Original art and script were for the players, but there was a lot of work that players didn’t see.

The most basic was programming. Although there were ready-made production tools and tutorials, mastering them required a considerable amount of programming knowledge.

For example, music. Inserting the right BGM at the right ti would amplify emotions. Should they use public domain music? Or hire soone to compose it? Who would decide when to play which song?

For example, voice acting. If they were to hire voice actors, who should they hire? Good voice acting could make a character more vivid and outstanding. Voice acting would also require a voice director.

These were things players could hear and see. There was much more that players wouldn’t see, such as scheduling deadlines... Without deadlines, let alone the Winter Comiket, they might drag it out until the next year’s Winter Comiket. There was also the coordination and communication between various processes and departnts, all of which required dedicated personnel. Otherwise, the ga wouldn’t be finished before the original artist and scriptwriter started fighting to the death.

These were not things the three of them could handle alone. Just as they were contemplating this, Rin Ito’s phone rang on Eiri’s mobile.

"I heard you are making a GALGA too?"

"How do you know... Did he tell you?"

"What else?"

"Tsk, tch..." Eiri clicked her tongue slightly. "Did you call to laugh at us?"

"You’re a mber of [Baumkuchen], and I’m the president. Isn’t it normal for to show concern when you’re making a ga?" Rin Ito smiled. "Do you need any help?"

Currently, [Baumkuchen] didn’t have many mbers, and its main focus was manga. Besides Rin Ito as the president, the mbers included Mashiro, who could leave at any mont, Eiri, who drew degradation doujinshi, Sagiri, who would probably never draw doujinshi again, and Saho, the manga artist’s assistant.

Unlike the girls pursuing their dreams, Rin Ito’s current goal was to expand [Baumkuchen] and make it famous so he could earn more money. Although there were quite a few rich girls around Rin Ito who would be willing to give him money if he asked... at least Mashiro and Karen definitely would. However... he was a man. Rin Ito hadn’t reached the point where he no longer wanted to strive for success.

Ever since he t Akane Kosaka, Rin Ito had been itching to succeed... Rin Ito also wanted to grow [Baumkuchen] into a large ACGN-encompassing, even multidia, organization like Akane Kosaka’s [rouge en rouge]. If he specialized in manga, becoming a publisher similar to Crab Editorial was also a good option.

However, this was just Rin Ito’s goal. [Baumkuchen] was currently in its initial, exploratory phase and was a very loose organization. To grow and gain influence, the first step was to expand the organization. But this couldn’t be rushed; blind expansion wouldn’t lead to a good outco.

He would start with the people around him. For example, Eliza, for example... Utaha Kasumigaoka.

...

"Good afternoon, I am Rin Ito, the president of [Baumkuchen]."

After hanging up the phone, Rin Ito arranged to et the three girls at a dessert shop near the school. When they saw Rin Ito, gumi Kato and Utaha both looked surprised.

"I thought club presidents were usually older, but Ito-san looks so young," gumi Kato said with a hint of quiet surprise.

"I’m just the president of a newly ford manga club, not the president of so large company." Rin Ito smiled, then beca serious. "I don’t have experience with GALGAs either. Just tell what help you need, and I’ll do my best to assist, as I’ll also be gaining experience."

Oh, great... Utaha had thought Rin Ito was experienced in making GALGAs, but he was a beginner too. Rin Ito was also here to gain project experience. However... it was better than just the three of them.

"First, what kind of ga do you want to make? All-ages or 18 ?"

Utaha: "All-ages."

Eiri: "18 "

Utaha and Eiri spoke almost simultaneously, but their answers were nearly opposite. The two exchanged glances, sparks instantly flying.

"Utaha Kasumigaoka, we’re competing on sales. Who is going to buy an all-ages ga?! Naturally, 18 sells more!"

"Eiri Sawamura, unlike those who sell illustrations and include toilet paper as a bonus, 18 will only contaminate my script. Besides, a well-made all-ages ga will still have an audience. I have confidence in my script. As for you, Eiri Sawamura... are your drawings only worth looking at if they include lewd content?"

"Hah? How can you say that! How can such a cute girl not be looked at? As for you... 18 contaminating your script? Don’t underestimate 18 ! Hmph... You just can’t write it, can you?"

"Eiri Sawamura..."

"Utaha Kasumigaoka!!!!"

Hiss... Rin Ito sucked in a cold breath. Wow, these two are sothing else. Rin Ito had expected their personalities to clash, but not this exaggerated... How in the heck are they going to make a ga?

Rin Ito had planned to break even for the sake of publicity. Whether it was manga or GALGA, releasing more content to get the na [Baumkuchen] out there and at least get noticed was the goal. And while he was at it, he wanted to see if he could kill two birds with one stone and recruit Utaha Kasumigaoka into the club.

The result now... Rin Ito was on the verge of tears.

"Calm down... calm down a little."

"Hmph..."

"Hmph!"

Rin Ito spoke, and the arguing pair finally quieted down slightly.

"Many clubs now sell their gas online. We can sell the main ga as an all-ages version, and then offer the 18 part as DLC."

Hearing Rin Ito’s suggestion, the two finally nodded and didn’t continue arguing. If they had kept arguing, Rin Ito would have considered asking Eliza to write the script instead.

Sighing inwardly, Rin Ito continued to ask about related matters.

"You’re the original artist, you’re the scriptwriter, and you’re the mascot."

"I’m the heroine," gumi Kato added calmly.

"Mhm, fine, the heroine, Kato-san." Rin Ito sighed again and continued his confirmation. "Do you have any friends who can handle voice acting or music?"

Before the two could answer, gumi Kato quietly said, "Mr. Ito, do they look like people who have friends?"

"Good point, then we skip that."

"Don’t skip it! Of course we have friends! Hey! Utaha Kasumigaoka, you refute him!"

Seeing Utaha look away guiltily, Eiri imdiately deflated. Although Eiri had the money to hire professional voice actors, the opposing team was working for love of the craft. Wouldn’t hiring professionals be considered cheating?

"I’ll ask Nanami if she’s interested." If it were the working girl Nanami before, she wouldn’t have been interested, being focused solely on working and saving for training classes, but Rin Ito was sure she’d be interested now.

"BGM... Forget it, I won’t ask. You definitely don’t have friends."

The two flushed but couldn’t refute Rin Ito’s words at all. However, Rin Ito didn’t really have any friends who played music... Wait. Speaking of music, Rin Ito rembered seeing a girl with a guitar case who looked like Hitori Gotoh (Bocchi-chan) when he went to pick up Marin and Misaki after school. Maybe he could lure her over... Ahem, not lure, but help her make friends.

Rin Ito sighed. "In short, Eiri, you handle the original art. Utaha, you handle the script. I’ll take care of the rest." Rin Ito’s purpose this ti was to recruit Utaha Kasumigaoka into the club and gain project experience. It was fine if it was tiring; he would gain more experience that way.

"Um... what about ?" It wasn’t until gumi Kato spoke that Rin Ito realized he had unconsciously ignored her again. However, Rin Ito truly didn’t know what gumi Kato could do.

"Hmm... Kato-san, you haven’t played many GALGAs, have you?"

"Mhm... I’ve only heard him talk about so." Tomoya Aki had recomnded so to her before, but he often talked about himself and sotis used jargon, completely ignoring whether she could understand.

"In that case, Kato-san, your current job is to play several GALGAs, familiarize yourself with the various aspects of GALGAs, and then find a part that interests you."

"Okay."

"Then Eiri, send Kato-san so gas to play tonight."

After distributing the work, Rin Ito was temporarily relieved. Even just being responsible for project managent was this exhausting. Rin Ito could now understand how an editor felt when dealing with procrastinating writers. Deadlines were constantly broken, and the project schedule was repeatedly thrown off and rearranged, where one action affected everything.

If they procrastinated... then Rin Ito would have to turn into a demon like Editor Satou.