What's the matter, Shii?
Honda fainted.
Countdown
Shii, how is Honda?
Aya...
I'm really sorry, but Honda...
She looked at too many manga for men and can barely breathe.
T-Thank you so much for coming to see me.
It's just a cold and I'll be up and about in no time.
It's the changing weather. Get a good rest.
Thank you.
How nice of you to come so far.
Oh, we're sorry we came unannounced.
Your mother is out today?
She's busy at work, but she said she'll try to be home early.
37.9 deg. C. You've got a fever.
Will you stay with Tamaki for just a while?
I'm going to the pharmacy to buy cold medicine.
Oh, we can go.
You might get lost on these roads.
It's around the station in a maze of shops.
Well then, sure.
It's Sunday and we have lots of time.
All right, thank you.
Don't worry. Take your time.
Be careful.
Shii, you mentioned lots of manga for guys?
Oh, that's...
I thought I could at least draw the characters, but it's no good.
No good?
All the faces I draw when I'm feeling sick look like old men.
But at least you seem to be better.
Shii, don't be so dramatic next time.
I'm not good when go out by myself.
I'm not much of a talker either, so I wanted someone to come with me...
You're always so negative.
Oh, and I left a present at your house.
When?!
Hello?
Hi, Aya's brother?
In the living room is a story Aya wrote. You can read it.
What'd you do?! My family doesn't know about it!
Aya, not so loud.
Oh, sorry!
I-I'm sorry. It's okay.
Hello, what's going on?
Oh, it's nothing. Please highlight any wrong or missing words.
Haruma's gonna tease me. I just know it!
Hey, don't laugh! You just laughed at my story!
This is proofreading!
Why do I have to help you?!
Shucks, I'm outed.
I'm sorry. Is it hard to rest if we're here?
We'll work in the hallway.
N-No. I'm so sorry.
I didn't finish today's work...
Yes, we needed one character expression.
Fujikawa, please finish as soon as you can.
No worries, Prez.
I'm sorry I'm stuck in bed and can't do anything.
What are you saying?
Today, this room is our club office. That's fine enough.
What does she mean?
Now she's writing a program.
Does she want me to hurry up and draw?
We'll be here until you get well.
Does she think I can do the program even in this state?
President, I'm really not sure...
Umm...Aya, you can watch her?!
Hey, running away?!
Oh, Ayame!
I can't do it alone. Please don't leave me.
Honda, what're you doing over there?!
Shut up, Haruma!
You and President are friends from childhood, right?
Yeah, from about 5th grade.
She's never been much of a talker.
She was even nervous around Fujikawa in the beginning.
She hates crowds too.
Even the winter Comiket, she got back on the train and went home.
Winter Comiket? You mean, the winter Comic Market?
Y-Yeah! Winter Comiket. Yup, you're picking up lots of knowledge.
Anyway, getting back to Shii...
She's never been good at expressing her opinions.
But lately, she's getting the hang of being president.
Before that outing, when I was late finishing my plot...
Missing the deadline at the plot stage bodes ill for the future.
Do you want me to take over?
No! Since I set up the project, I'll do it...
Would you rather let me take over, or
have me reveal your black secrets to everyone if you miss the next deadline?
Please take over. Thank you.
Thoughtful, isn't she?
President is late.
Um... What did she mean earlier?
Earlier?
About this being the club office for the day.
Was she upset because I wasn't doing any work?
- I think she was pleased. - You can tell?
I've known her a long time.
This is our club room today.
You're battling a cold in here. So just get better.
We have your back. Something like that.
Shii cherishes the SNS Club in her own way.
Besides, you always give it your all.
She wouldn't show disappointment in a valued member...
Can you stop analyzing me? It's so adolescent.
Oh, welcome back.
Oh, so you were making rice soup!
I just zapped it in the micro. It's from home.
Thank you!
Thank you for the food!
There's lots of time in the schedule until the summer Comiket.
So don't worry about the work load.
Really?
We're still in early June.
I want to finish all the artwork by the end of the month.
The line drawings are nearly done.
You'll have a whole month to color and finish.
July is exam month, so let's take it slow.
And we'll have lots of time to finish the subtitles.
I'm so relieved. You're very dependable, President.
Please concentrate on getting over your cold.
Why so quiet, Aya?
I-I hope you didn't catch my cold?!
No! I'm fine!
I'm back.
I bought medicine.
Granny's home.
Now drink your medicine and rest up.
I will!
I was over my cold by the following day.
Honda! Over here!
Hello, everyone.
Sorry I couldn't go yesterday.
President told me to work at home.
I'm sorry I worried you.
Thank you for coming yesterday.
Seki, please say hello to Haruma.
Sure thing.
Sis, you were able to write a love story when you've never been in love?
My time in high school is a joy thanks to my senior classmates.
I wish every day is like this.
Oh yeah, we didn't make it.
Didn't make what?
The summer Comiket.
Huh?!
Sorry, I couldn't bring myself to tell you yesterday!
Your club name was not pulled in the lottery drawing.
Oh well... There was always that possibility.
Umm...so...?
Even if we complete our game, we can't enter it.
Yeah, b-but it's okay!
I entered the club in a back-up event and we're in!
We just have to finish in time for this! Thank goodness!
When does it start?
In six days.
I'm on my way.
Tama! How come you're in uniform?
Today's Saturday.
I have an overnight club activity.
You mean to work on the game?
Did you get permission?
We asked the Student Council.
The deadline is real tight, but we decided to go for it.
We all worked hard on it, so...
See! My scanned pages, my sketchbook and overnight things.
When must you finish?
By tonight.
We're going straight to the event tomorrow morning.
See you, Yumine.
Okay, good luck.
I doubt if you'll use that pillow.
Good morning!
Thanks for coming so far.
Okay, we're all here.
Fujikawa can't come?
She needs her equipment at home to finish the songs and stuff.
Otherwise, she's limited to playing around with the melody.
She wants good headphones for mastering the music.
It sounds so professional.
Now then...
Did you bring what I requested?
Items to give us a second wind when we've reached our limit, right?
I brought these.
These are mine.
What'd you bring, Honda?
This.
A photo?
- Is that your dad? - Yes!
I didn't get good grades before.
But whenever I looked at this photo, I was inspired to study for Dad.
I-It's blinding me.
Did we do the right thing in recruiting such an angel?!
Okay, let's confirm our tasks.
Honda, it would be great if you can complete the cover art by 7p.m.
R-Right!
You can use my extra notebook PC.
O-Okay!
Wait a minute! How come I have more work?!
Your penalty for not telling us about Comiket.
I figured there was no way we'd finish in a week.
Don't you think we should postpone this...?
Dad, I'll do my best today with my friends.
Oh, whatever! Let's just get to work!
Good idea.
Huh? It's from Fujikawa.
Using open source libraries for sound effects is too ordinary.
Can I do the sound effects as well as BGM?
We don't have time, so stick to the schedule!
Yikes! I will!
Will this do for a line drawing?
Yes, that looks good.
It's a little different from what we originally planned.
Really? It's not noticeable.
But when I compare it, it bothers me.
So I'd like to re-do it...
- We don't have time. - Yes, I thought so.
My designs are pretty much done.
Wow... I like the monotone effect.
You just blended it in and added the icons.
It's called flat design and trending now.
Yeah, but it looks sort of amateurish...
It's the flat design.
Oh, right.
Lunch made me sleepy.
But I have to hang in there. We don't have time.
Those two are hard at it.
I-If he reads it, my script will instantly...!
A bug at the front gate... an abnormal end at the back gate...
- Bug...bug... - I must hang in there!
It's evening. How's it going?
I-I'm okay... It's going okay...
No!
I have to focus more!
- Ayame, if you cross your legs like that... - Not now!
Hello! Delivering three tantanmen!
Later!
Did they deliver the noodles we ordered?
Later!
I'm interested in joining the club...
Later!
I'm done!
I still have to tweak it, but it's pretty much done.
Look at the time! We were told by 7!
I'm sorry it's late! Um...
Oh, Honda...
I can't reach Fujikawa.
Maybe she's just taking a snooze.
For five hours?
Um...
I'll try again.
She's not answering.
I'll go over to her house!
I'm sorry. I don't know her address.
Maybe it was just too many songs for her.
Perhaps...
She probably had songs in mind, but we insisted...
In the worst case, she may just quit.
Anyway, we have to do what we can.
I guess... We can look for open source music.
Why?
President... Seki...
Aren't you going to have faith in Fujikawa?
I don't know her as well as you two.
But we had fun working together to create this!
We did overnighters, went shopping... So I'm sure Fujikawa is...
Oh...
I'm sure...
How do I know that Fujikawa is doing her best?
Can I really say...
that we've had fun doing this?
Don't get so depressed.
I told you at the start that creating games isn't easy.
We're just members of a school club.
We can't force anyone to work on a game.
We don't pay anyone to work.
If she's out, then we just have to accept it.
But still... I still want to believe in Fujikawa.
Hurrah! I finished the six songs you ordered! I'm going to sleep now!
Way to go!
Oh my...
Talk about improvisation. She's amazing!
Yes, I think it's a great melody!
Okay, let's get this done!
- Right! - You got it!
Aya, go and make copies of Honda's drawings. I need 30!
Roger!
I finished one different angle.
Okay, I'll load it.
Did you open and play it?
Not yet, but it'll probably work.
- What about the installer? - Zip it.
I'm done with the last differential. I'm sending it over now.
Loading it now.
Uploading the master.
- I'm gonna burn a disk! - Yes!
The Magic of Stella. That's a cute title.
Stella is the name of the heroine,
but there's actually a hidden meaning.
A hidden meaning?
Yes... Role-sharing in a game.
Role-sharing?
Writing the program, creating the art and music...
You can't create a game by merely collecting individual pieces of work.
Having someone in charge to synergize the pieces into a whole...
this phenomenon is what I call stellar magic!
And "stella" means star!
Yes, there are five aspects, like a star... hence, the Magic of Stella.
Huh? It's morning.
That's right... We worked in the club room until late...
The Magic of Stella...
We did it, Dad.
I feel like I've overcome one giant wall.
Hey, there's no time to relax!
- We're going to exhibit and sell these. - R-Right!
It's so bright!
Did you get much sleep?
Just a short snooze.
But who cares?! I'm so excited, I'm not tired at all!
This event is pretty huge. And I'm raring to go!
How many groups will there be?
180!
Last year's attendance was 1300!
Yes, it's quite a huge event.
I was so focused, I didn't think of anything else.
But this is my first self-published game event.
I wonder what it'll be like?
- Hurry up, Honda! - O-Okay!
Finished!
Our treasured work!
I can't go on anymore.
I heard you defended me?
Tama's on the offensive!
Exhibition Sale