How to raise a random guy's wife

Aki Tomoya let out a desperate wail.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's smile grew even more delighted. "So what are you planning, Rinri-kun? If you're going to say that this project is the result of you pushing your abilities to the limit, squeezing out every last bit of scraps, then I might take a closer look."

Aki Tomoya bowed to the senior, "...I will bring a new proposal and ask you to see the results next time."

Eriri scoffed, "You want me to keep entertaining you?!"

"Please," Aki Tomoya said, clasping his hands together. "I'll bring the final draft next time."

Eriri was about to say something when Kobayashi Sora spoke first, "Tomoya, actually I have a suggestion for you that might be helpful, but..." As agreed, he wouldn't interfere with the game's content.

"What suggestion?!" Aki Tomoya pressed.

Instead of stitching a bunch of things together, how about doing it the other way around?

Chapter 84 Unchanging Green Hills

“Complex systems and massive settings—these things may seem interesting to the designers, but to the players, they're just background for the story.” Kobayashi Sora pointed out the crux of the problem: “Ultimately, the player's emotional response should come from the story, not the settings or the system, right?”

"Hmm...that seems to be the case." Aki Tomoya fell into thought.

"So, it's better to go back to the basics, eliminate complex settings and systems, focus on the story, and aim for visual novels," Kobayashi Sora summarized. "Simply put, it's about subtraction, removing everything that can be deleted, leaving only what you are best at, and using that as a breakthrough point to cover up the shortcomings in other areas."

Aki Tomoya is passionate, proactive, and has far more gaming experience than the average person.

But something very important is missing.

Eriri isn't good at plot design, so she draws simple and crude 18+ content. As long as the human body and fluids are depicted well enough, no one cares about the plot.

Kasumigaoka Utaha isn't good at writing sweet stories, so she writes complex ones, emphasizing emotional fluctuations and changes, immersing readers in the entanglements of love. As long as there are enough heart-wrenching moments, the peaceful daily life becomes sweet.

This is what is known as playing to one's strengths and avoiding one's weaknesses.

Although they all had the idea of ​​breaking through their own limitations, none of them were arrogant enough to think that they could do it easily. Instead, they rationally gave up the parts they were not good at, tried to make the most of their strengths, and cautiously explored small areas while ensuring their basic strengths.

That's right.

What Aki Tomoya lacks is self-awareness.

Because he has never done anything, he thinks he can do anything.

Kobayashi Sora also had this mentality: I'm just too lazy to work hard, otherwise I could easily get first place in my grade. Peking University is so-so, Tsinghua University is alright.

Actually?

I will cry if I continue.

Wash up and go to sleep; you can have anything in your dreams.

This is why creative experience is necessary.

You'll never know your own capabilities until you actually start.

"It seems like it could work!" Aki Tomoya's eyes lit up. "Next time, I'm sure I can come up with a decent plan!"

Eriri made no attempt to hide the annoyance in her voice, "Go play by yourself!"

"Well, I'll keep him company one more time, Sawamura." Kasumigaoka Utaha said meaningfully, "Or is it that you have something else to do and can't take care of Rinri-kun?"

"I just hate wasting precious time in my life!" Eriri glared at Kasumigaoka Utaha. "You still have a new book to write!"

"The first volume is finished," Kasumigaoka Utaha chuckled. "After all, I don't have to rack my brains trying to figure out the plot anymore."

"I don't need it either!"

“That’s truly something to celebrate,” Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow. “But who did you rely on?”

Kato Megumi looked at Kobayashi Sora.

Kobayashi Sora remained silent.

"Please, please." Aki Tomoya clasped his hands together. "Really, really, really this is the last time! I'll finish writing it during the long weekend and bring it to class on the first day after the long weekend ends."

Eriri stared at him. "Next time really will be the last time. There won't be any more chances!"

“No problem!” Aki Tomoya nodded vigorously. “Leave it to me.”

“Next time…” Kasumigaoka Utaha’s gaze swept over Aki Tomoya, “I want to see a decent plan, or your sincere apology.”

"Huh?" Aki Tomoya hesitated before speaking, "Isn't this a bit too much?"

"A naked dogeza (a type of prostration)."

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

That's really going too far.

Kobayashi Sora smiled, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons.

Initially, he was interested in the relationship between Aki Tomoya and Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha. He planned to use Aki Tomoya to bring these two excellent creators into the club, leveraging Aki Tomoya's gaming experience and enthusiasm to ensure Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha's creative passion, while also preventing major errors in the game.

He has two projects in hand. If Aki Tomoya's project is rejected by everyone, he can break through his previous agreement not to participate in content production and promote his own project.

However... just as Aki Tomoya said, Kobayashi Sora's project was not suitable; although it was good, it was not well executed.

Unfortunately, Aki Tomoya only raised questions but couldn't come up with a satisfactory plan.

So Kobayashi Sora then turned to looking for other members who shared the same passion as Aki Tomoya, but were more capable than him.

But then that happened...

Kato Megumi wanted to help Kobayashi Sora, and made her own efforts and choices.

Kobayashi Sora didn't want her efforts and choices to be in vain, so she decided to trust Aki Tomoya one more time.

Aki Tomoya has finally found the heroine he was looking for. He had been using the excuse of not finding a heroine before, but now he should finally come up with a decent plan... right?

not at all.

Kobayashi Sora has already started gathering information on those people. After Golden Week, the initial information gathering will be completed, and she can begin to gradually contact enthusiastic and capable people to form a new club.

Eriri continues to draw "One-Punch Man", and Kasumigaoka Utaha continues to write "Bunny Girl Senpai".

With these two works as a safety net, even if the new club's game production fails and Kobayashi Sora temporarily loses her representative position, she can regain it once the work becomes popular.

Besides, failure is not guaranteed.

Having had the experience of going to Yuuka Girls' High School before, Kato Megumi should also be willing to go to other schools with me and meet other people.

As for Aki Tomoya...

I gave you a chance, but you didn't do it.

The green hills remain unchanged, the clear waters flow on forever; we will meet again in the future.

After returning from my business trip during the Golden Week holiday, things will finally settle down.

So...

Kobayashi Sora's gaze swept over Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Favorability rating is a really important statistic.

If it were someone like him with low likeability, and he didn't come up with anything to attract them the first time, there would be absolutely no hope for future cooperation.

Aki Tomoya has already produced two terrible projects; he still has a third chance.

If Kobayashi Sora had that level of affection, he would have delivered the decisive blow.

Unfortunately, no.

As she spoke, Eriri slammed the door and left, just like last time.

Aki Tomoya also found an idea and went home to write a proposal.

Kato Megumi nudged Kobayashi Sora, and seeing that he didn't react for a while, asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Hmm." Kobayashi Sora turned her head and saw Kato Megumi's curious eyes. "I was thinking, there's no need."

"Huh? What do you mean it's unnecessary?"

"Affection level." Kobayashi Sora's eyes flickered slightly. "When playing games, don't you always have the urge to max out the affection level of all the characters?"

“I do have those thoughts sometimes,” Kato Megumi nodded, “but it’s too much trouble, so I just let it go.”

Kobayashi Sora chuckled, her eyes reflecting Kato Megumi's face. "That's why I said it wasn't necessary."

Chapter 85 That Day

"You made me stay after the meeting," Kasumigaoka Utaha said, crossing her arms and staring at the two of them with hostility, "just so I could see this?"

Be careful, or I might write you into my book!

Have you ever seen a tragic love story? How about a life-and-death separation?

"I wanted to talk to you about the release of my new book," Kobayashi Sora said, gathering her thoughts. "Have you decided on a title yet?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow, “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai.”

Upon hearing the name, Kato Megumi instinctively remarked, "It's so long."

“An inch longer, an inch stronger.” Kobayashi Sora pressed, “You’ve certainly got enough hype. Can you tell me about your thought process?”

“The brave protagonist is called a pig-headed boy, and the good-for-nothing is even worse than a pig.” Kasumigaoka Utaha made no attempt to hide her resentment towards someone.

Kato Megumi shrank back. "Is she hinting at someone?"

"This is already an explicit statement."

"Because it's so obvious, it feels like a hint."

"Hmm?" Kobayashi Sora sorted out her thoughts. "Is an explicit statement a disguised implication?"

"That's what I was just about to say."

"Then we're thinking the same thing."

"You just said it was an explicit suggestion..."

"Now I also feel it was an implication."

"These two guys..." Kasumigaoka Utaha started shaking her leg. "Just asking for the title of a book, and they want me to stay here?"

"Ah, no." Kobayashi Sora took out a few sheets of printed paper from her bag. "The new book needs a cover and illustrations. I found some works by several artists. Which one do you like best?"