How to raise a random guy's wife

"Judging from your attire and relaxed demeanor," Kasumigaoka Utaha guessed, "Is the problem solved?"

"Of course, it's all thanks to Megumi." Kobayashi Sora briefly explained Kobayashi Megumi's solution.

“That’s definitely a good method.” Eriri nodded, then asked curiously, “Megumi, how did you come up with that?”

"Well..." Kobayashi Megumi's gaze wandered, "I just thought of it while I was working on it."

"Hmm?" Kasumigaoka Utaha noticed something was off. "It doesn't seem that simple."

"You're just imagining things," Kobayashi Megumi said calmly.

“However, this would require significant modifications to the game,” Kobayashi Sora explained the purpose of her trip. “During the game’s delay, we need to fill in the gaps with some content.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha is aware of the current situation of Star Cluster, "Aren't they doing a great job with their live streams? Their influence is also growing."

“Superstar is a comprehensive multimedia project, and developing a single entity has very limited impact on the overall project,” Kobayashi Megumi explained. “After all, their positioning is that of idols, not broadcasters.”

"So," Kobayashi Sora invited directly, "would you be interested in joining us?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha pointed out, "Isn't the story already about Sakurako-sensei?"

Eriri had a similar thought: "CG Mayu's drawing is also very good, although it's still a bit behind mine... But under these circumstances, I can't rashly join in."

Eriri was actually being somewhat restrained in saying that.

Regardless, as a creator who participated in the production of games like "Sakura Promise" and "Chronicles of the Universe XIII," and who has long collaborated with industry leaders and multimedia queen Akane Akasaka, successfully completing tasks under her intense pressure, the gap between her and Mayu Sagara, an illustrator who has just entered the commercial field, is not small.

If Eriri joins the game's production, then Mayu Sagara will inevitably become her assistant.

They couldn't even become an assistant.

Even at a big company like Maltz, five of their CG staff members have left.

If Eriri were to take charge, all the previously completed CGs would probably have to be redone.

“Mayu’s art style is very suitable, and it’s best to keep the style of the game and the character illustrations consistent in order to attract more fans to buy into it.” Kobayashi Sora also considered this point, “So my idea is light novels and manga.”

“Ah, filling in the gaps doesn’t require our involvement in the game’s production.” Kasumigaoka Utaha understood. “You want us to release light novels and manga during the game’s revision period to maintain Star Cluster’s popularity in other media.”

Kobayashi Sora nodded, "That's the idea. The compensation will be based on the same standard you have at Malz, plus a profit-sharing contract."

“I understand what you mean,” Eriri frowned slightly, “but the game can only be revised within a month at most. To produce a satisfactory work in such a short time…”

Kobayashi Sora and Kobayashi Megumi exchanged a glance, seeing similar sentiments in each other's eyes.

Chapter 437 Major Decision

Kobayashi Sora smiled and said, "There's no need to be in such a hurry."

“The Superstar project production team isn’t as efficient as Malz,” Kobayashi Megumi further explained. “Just the revisions alone would probably take a month, and with subsequent adjustments and discussions on any new issues that might arise, it would probably take two months.”

Eriri is clearly used to the same high-intensity work as Akane Kousaka, but as a long-term project, stable operation is more important than short-term results.

Therefore, the production team members were not under much pressure, and correspondingly, their work efficiency could not be compared with that of the previous Akane and Benisaka trio.

“But our work is meant to fill a gap, which means it needs to be announced before the game’s release.” Kasumigaoka Utaha shrugged. “We still only have one month left.”

"What I meant by releasing new works is a future plan, while filling in the gaps is to maintain the buzz," Kobayashi Sora explained. "We don't need complete works, just enough to attract viewers and maintain the buzz. For example, four-panel comics and short stories."

After all, Kobayashi Sora is quite averse to the idea of ​​filling a void with her works.

“Or combine the two,” Kobayashi Megumi added, “using four-panel comics to tell short stories.”

“A four-panel comic strip isn’t too difficult,” Eriri said, glancing at Kasumigaoka Utaha. “As for the story…”

"The story itself isn't difficult," Kasumigaoka Utaha tilted her head. "It's a manga, after all..."

"I don't think there's a big problem with the creative work during the hiatus. The key is the complete light novel and manga that follow." Kobayashi Sora reminded him, "This is a huge project that will take a lot of time and effort. You can think about it more carefully."

“A long-term project…” Eriri looked thoughtful.

"We'll head back now." Kobayashi Megumi took Kobayashi Sora's hand. "We've worked all day and need a good rest."

As Eriri watched the two leave, her mind began to wander.

Okay, okay, take a rest~

Do they really get to rest?

Eriri was deeply suspicious.

“I said…” Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at her sideways, “Do you want to get married, or do you want to…”

"Who wants to get married!" Eriri snapped.

"Oh~"

“I didn’t think about that!” Eriri quickly added.

So, what are your thoughts?

"You...it's none of your business!"

“This is a project involving two people,” Kasumigaoka Utaha analyzed. “However, unlike before, if the previous ones were short sprints where you had to give it your all for a short time, this time it’s a long-distance race that tests your endurance.”

You mean the project planning...?

What do you think?

"I...I thought it was a project." Eriri blushed. "They helped us so much before, we can't just leave them like this."

“So working with Sora was quite pleasant.” Kasumigaoka Utaha picked up her now-cold coffee and took a sip. “He didn’t talk about personal relationships at all; he went straight to the content, the plan, and the compensation.”

"He doesn't want to use emotional blackmail?"

“There are many ways to repay their help, but participating in their project is definitely not a good one,” Kasumigaoka Utaha clarified the key point. “Sora repeatedly pointed out that this is a long-term project, which is to make us realize that many things can happen over time. When do you want to repay a favor? When you feel that you have repaid it, do you want to continue to give, or do you want to renegotiate the terms and contract with them again?”

"That's why he only talks about interests..." Eriri muttered.

"The clearer the interests are discussed, the less it will affect the relationship. Unless your feelings for him are the same as his feelings for Hui."

“Who wants the same thing…” Eriri frowned slightly, following Kasumigaoka Utaha’s train of thought, she gradually realized the importance of the problem.

Fortunately, Kasumigaoka Utaha was there, which prevented her from impulsively agreeing.

If she participates in this project, she will have to create for it for a considerable period of time.

Moreover, this kind of creation doesn't seem like a commission from Maltz, where the project ends once a game is completed.

As long as the project continues, she needs to keep producing work.

She could have stopped creating art at any time, or even quit being an artist and did something else.

However, after participating in this project, this matter needs to be carefully considered.

By then, her withdrawal will no longer be her own decision, but will affect everything related to the project.

“If the project doesn’t go well, Sora will undoubtedly cut her losses in time, and that’s it,” Kasumigaoka Utaha explained her understanding. “If the project goes well and its influence gradually increases, we will also be able to enjoy the influence brought by the full-scale expansion of multimedia. As the project progresses, as one of the main creators, our names will become known to more people, and other works released will have a good exposure from the beginning. In contrast, we need to keep creating works related to the project for a considerable period of time until a creator who can take over our task appears.”

“If we want to continue down the path of being a creator, participating in projects can be a lot of help.” Eriri is not stupid either. “It’s not just a question of whether or not to participate in projects, but also a question of our future career planning.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha recalled Kobayashi Sora's businesslike demeanor just now, "That's why Sora asked us to [reconsider it more seriously]."

Eriri puffed out her pink cheeks slightly, "These things should be explained clearly."

"How so? This is an important issue involving future career planning, so it's hard to say no matter how you look at it." Kasumigaoka Utaha thought for a moment, "That's one reason."

Eriri asked curiously, "One reason? Are there other reasons?"

“Didn’t Hui say that?” Kasumigaoka Utaha’s red eyes narrowed slightly. “I’ve worked all day and need to rest properly—if we explain things clearly, they’ll talk for a long time, and then we’ll have to wait a long time before we can leave.”

That's such a waste of time.

"..." Eriri let out a long sigh. "What are your thoughts?"

“My thoughts are very simple…” Kasumigaoka Utaha was about to say, but then she shut her mouth again, “but I don’t want my thoughts to influence your decision.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha's idea was simple: given her personality, the profession of light novel writer was the most suitable for her, and she was also good at it, so naturally she wanted to participate.

"...The script for the four-panel comic," Eriri looked up at Kasumigaoka Utaha, "Do you have any ideas now?"

Chapter 438 Price List

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked relaxed. "Four-panel comics don't require much from the scriptwriter. The four panels just need to introduce the characters, highlight their traits and personalities, and depict their charm."

Eriri looked speechless. "How is it simple...?"

"And to ask you the other way around: how difficult is it to create a four-panel comic strip?"

"It's just four panels. The background and details can be omitted. Just use a simple chibi style to highlight the character's features..." Eriri realized halfway through her sentence, "I understand."

What's difficult for those who don't know how is easy for those who do.

"The problem is..." Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri earnestly, "Are you really going to participate?"

"I've thought about this before." Eriri twirled a strand of her golden hair with her slender fingers. "What do I want to do in the future? What can I do? What can I do well..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha pressed further, "And the conclusion?"

"do not know."

"As expected of you."

So what kind of image do I have in your heart?

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked away. "It's better if you don't find out, since it's a problem anyway."

"..." Eriri was curious, but she felt that hearing it would make her angry, so she simply continued with her own words, "There is a very interesting saying."

"Oh?"

"When you don't know what you're doing, look back at your life and choose the thing you've spent the most time on."

Kasumigaoka Utaha thought for a moment, "Sleep?"

"Of course, it's about things other than sleeping!"

So, your decision is to become a professional illustrator? Or a comic book artist?

“Then we’ll have to see how it goes.” Eriri thought for a moment. “Right now, I love drawing and I’m good at it. I also have a great opportunity right now, or rather, a really good one.”

"Very good?" Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't expect Eriri to take this project so seriously.

"How should I put this..." Eriri wondered how she could explain this to Kasumigaoka Utaha, who wasn't an artist.