Glancing up towards the sky,
Whenever I turn my back
Against this perfect world
I mumble out
"Where should I go?"
With you, someone who shares the same thoughts I do.
In the shadows of an alley, the hands on a clock
Restart the time that stood still
The arms extended out to you
And the unfinished puzzle
Have been left behind
Until we met
And realized something was missing.
So the last piece
Must be found
In order to move forward.
Onii-chan!
Don't tell me... those people...
Torotoro-san... You're Torotoro-san, aren't you?
It's me, Mia!
If I recall correctly, Torotoro was the name of a character that helped me during the dragon hunt.
Was it this person?
Huh? Huh?
What do you think you're doing?
Megumi, didn't I tell you not to bring people into the house?
I'm sorry, Onii-chan.
Leave this room now!
Megumi! Humiliating your brother like this... What's wrong with you?
I'm sorry, Onii-chan.
Stop screwing around!
Don't... I mean, I've prepared your meal... so please...
You guys... still haven't gone home?
Here.
Aren't you relieved, Satou-kun?
You're not in debt any longer.
Although my repayment schedule has been delayed...
U-Um... about the story of taking these to cure a hikikomori way of life...
If the hikikomori lifestyle could be overcome with these, I wouldn't be struggling.
You saw my brother's condition, didn't you?
So he's a hikikomori as well.
"If you join Mouse Road, not only will you be able to obtain dietary supplements that will cure your brother's hikikomori lifestyle,
you'll also earn considerable income."
Those were the words that lured me in the beginning... but what you see is the truth behind them.
Despite all the supplements I gave to Onii-chan, his hikikomori state didn't improve.
I couldn't fulfill my quotas and my debts accumulated.
I realized I was caught in a predicament.
But... I thought maybe even the slightest turn of events could change things for the better.
In retrospect, I didn't know when to quit.
Really... How long must I continue living like this?
Onii-chan, your meal is ready.
My brother came to Tokyo two years before I did.
I also passed the entrance exam for a university in Tokyo, so we decided to live together, but...
He was already a hikikomori for more than a year at that time.
Not attending college and unemployed...
All he did was indulge in online games.
I heard the hikikomori recovery procedures required patience, so I was initially intent on caring for him on a long-term basis.
I also tried playing online games in an attempt to understand Onii-chan's state of mind.
However, shortly after, I wouldn't have any time to play games.
Huh?
I think I already told you about it.
My father collapsed.
Our allowance was terminated, so I had no other choice but to earn our living expenses and my tuition on my own.
Since it wasn't possible for Onii-chan to work...
I had no choice but to strive out by myself.
I didn't have the luxury of being concerned about my appearance.
I selected part time jobs that paid well...
But bad things often occur at the worst possible moments.
The places where I was employed folded one after another...
I never once received decent pay.
It was during that time... when I was invited to Mouse Road.
The rest is history.
I'm done telling my story.
Are you convinced, Satou-kun?
How such a strict, egotistical class president could become like this...
If you understand, leave.
I have to look for new prey to replace Satou-kun.
Are you going to continue like this?
Haven't I told you? I can't turn back anymore.
Satou-san...
Onii-chan...
Let's go home, Satou-san.
Our business is finished.
I guess so.
Wait a second, Satou-kun.
Huh?
Onii-chan wants to talk to you...
Me?
Please!
Okay.
Not in person...
Huh?
Over the Net?
I've been waiting for you, SA10-kun.
Torotoro-san...
That's Onii-chan?
Didn't you know about it?
I knew he was playing this game, but I didn't know the type of character he played as.
I wonder what he has to say.
How's RMT?
Are things going well?
I quit playing games.
I'm not going to RMT.
Surprisingly enough, you lack grit.
Didn't you just start?
I bet you haven't been able to successfully complete a single trade.
The world of games is a world of fiction.
The story of those who make large profits through RMT is like an urban legend, isn't it?
It's absolutely impossible for a novice.
You understand that, don't you?
However, perhaps someone might be successful at it someday.
That "someone" may be you... or me.
There might be a bright, "get-rich-quick" future lying ahead for us.
That's the last straw!
What do you mean by "get-rich-quick"?
What do you mean by bright future?
Face reality! Are you that stupid?
The Pres... your sister...
In order to support both you and herself, she got involved in some shady multi-level marketing scheme, you know!
Her future is bleak, you know!
What you're doing is simply running away.
Dreaming convenient dreams... You're not facing reality!
I didn't expect you to be so outspoken.
What?
Since I thought both of us were running away.
What to do from here on out, how to improve my life... I actually know the answer.
I've read around two hundred books on self-improvement.
I've even thought about writing one myself.
I know everything.
Then... why?
I'm scared.
Scared?
I'm scared of changing my way of life.
If I do, I feel like something unexpected will occur.
When my old man collapsed, no one told me to change my lifestyle.
I know things can't continue like this forever.
But... I also want to remain like this.
I don't want to log out.
Although I know it isn't realistic, I keep thinking that suddenly, one day, a surprise will occur and everything will resolve itself.
Those feelings... I know about them, too.
You mustn't know!
Huh?
You can still turn back.
Don't end up like I did.
Before you make those around you unhappy...
You must log out.
Forever.
Farewell.
I'm leaving.
Okay.
S-Sorry for intruding.
Excuse us.
He's crying...
Sa-Satou-kun...
Thank you for coming along to shop with me!
I don't know much about this world yet. That's why I want you to choose the clothes that fit me best!
Huh? This? Hold on. Let me try it on!
How is it... ? Does it look good on me?
Really?! I'm glad! Then I'll wear this next time!
What... is this?
It's an special event that occurs once you've cleared the game.
You can choose the heroine's default attire the next time you play through it.
It's a small twist so users won't get bored the second time around.
You put a lot of thought into this, didn't you?
But isn't making features like this useless when the main route hasn't been completed yet?
Whose fault is it for not completing the scenario?
My work has stopped because Satou-san's scenario hasn't made any progress.
That's why I can only work on features like this!
I'd like to start working on the main route as well... seriously!
I-I get it... I get the picture.
No, you don't get it at all! Today is the day I'm going to make it clear to you.
Remember what you told me after the MLM incident?
I have a completely new mindset!
I hereby promise to devote myself to game production.
How many weeks do you think have passed since then?
Four weeks, you know! Four weeks!
You've only done a few kilobytes of work on the scenario since that time!
There's less than two months until the Fuyucomi.
We won't be able to sell a trial version as an excuse next time.
It'll also be the moment of truth to determine whether you're capable of becoming a creator or not, Satou-san!
Whoa, it's that time already... C-Come in!
Um... If I'm interrupting something, I'll come back later.
You can come in and feed Satou-san.
Not maguro again...
DHA is a substance present in tuna that causes the brain to become active.
By eating maguro, it will definitely have a positive influence on your creative activities.
If I could write a scenario simply by eating maguro, I wouldn't be having a hard time.
Don't complain!
On whose account is it that Satou-kun, who had his living expenses cut in half, is able to avoid starvation?
I-It's not like I asked you to...
Then do you want to starve to death?
Or would you rather be entangled in debt, just like Miss President?
Itadakimasu.
Okay.
A new animal facility has opened today at the popular Yuuhiyama Zoo.
Say, what was the name of that company you exercised the cooling-off option on?
Huh? Oh...
We have breaking news.
Amidst accusations of conducting fraudulent multi-level marketing schemes...
What was it...
My...
Mouse Road Headquarters has been the target of a search warrant from the Tokyo District Prosecutor's Office.
I am now reporting from Mouse Road Headquarters in Yotsuya, Tokyo.
That's it...
Mouse Road.
Amidst multiple allegations, the Tokyo District Prosecutor's Office has initiated a search raid of Mouse Road.
Huh?
It's hot!
I-I'm sorry!
Something to wipe... Hurry!
Okay.
Hot! It's hot!
Satou-san, are you watching the news?
Mouse Road has...
E-Excuse me!
Huh?
W-Wait, Yamazaki!
Furthermore, there are approximately fifteen thousand Mouse Road members in Tokyo alone.
It's a misunderstanding!
Regarding the ongoing investigation of the Mouse Road scandal...
A search of Executive Sagawa Sukekiyo's house was conducted today.
Some of his possessions, including his expensive import car, were confiscated.
What are you doing, Megumi?
Where's my food? I haven't eaten anything in three days, you know...
Megumi!
Am I going to die like this?
I'm sorry, Onii-chan...
For being absent the past few days.
There were some small complications and...
Are you hungry? I'll make something quickly.
Onii-chan?
Onii-chan!
I'm telling you the heroine's attitude during this scene is strange.
Is that so?
I don't think it's strange, but...
Unacceptable! The users won't be convinced by this.
Even if you say so, there's only one month before the Fuyucomi.
If I have to revise this now...
Huh?
What's the matter?
It's from the Pres.
Mouse Road should be over with by now.
Could it be another MLM solicitation?
Hello? Yeah, it's me...
Huh? Are you serious?
Torotoro-san has disappeared!
Huh?
I already contacted all possible leads!
The only person left was Satou-kun!
I see... So he hasn't contacted you.
Yeah, I'll report it to the police, but...
If you happen to receive mail or anything from him, let me know.
What a horrid face...
What am I going to do from now on?
Should I go back to college?
Here! The katsudon set and the tendon set are ready.
I'm off to make deliveries!
Be careful.
That boy sure became energetic.
Don't call him a boy! He's a grown man.
But the first time he came to this shop, he was practically a ghost.
Saying "I'll do anything, just as long as I can have something to eat!"
Not only that, he said he was a hikikomori or something like that... who never worked in his entire life, so I was worried about him.
They say when you're out at sea, you either sink or sail.
Those who are hungry work!
Thank you!
What star is that?
A person's life is like trash.
Are you pretending to be God?
Next episode, Welcome to the Winter Days!