Urgh... I'm so tired...
It's mostly rejects and design tweaks, but this stack has sure gotten thick.
Aoba-chan, you've sure drawn a lot.
Yeah. Before I knew it, I had so many.
They sure do stack up.
I like this fox type,
Kon front
so I've asked to be assigned to work on it next.
Thank you!
I think I like the boxing gorilla the most.
I bet I can animate some fun movements with those long arms!
On that note, could you tie these laces for me?
Buying things, again?
Oh, come on.
I'll be animating the gorilla, so this is for research.
You know what they say: objects are the best inspiration!
No one says that.
Don't they make ones with Velcro? These are a pain to tie.
But the ones with laces looks cooler.
Huh? Are ones with laces more popular?
I just gave the gorilla Velcro ones.
It's more that... Oh, could you untie these?
What?!
You can pose like this or hang them from hooks.
Isn't that cooler?
I hadn't thought that far!
You don't need to take her seriously.
You should draw the boxing gorilla posing like this real big in the key visuals!
Who's that supposed to appeal to?
The key visuals?
Yeah! You know...
The promotional images that end up in game magazines like this.
Or on huge billboards in Electric Town.
You're the main character designer this time, Aoba, so you'll be asked to draw them.
Oh, I knew it.
Me? Do the key visuals?
You'd better put your all into it. This is an artist's moment to shine.
They'll be the face of the game and will directly affect sales.
Man, that's a lot of responsibility.
Aoba-chan?!
Sorry! I didn't mean to put more pressure on you!
Y-You'll do just fine, Aoba-chan!
You Beat The Game!!
I did it! I finished the game!
It took me over six months. It's been a long journey.
All right! I'm going to surprise Aocchi!
But would a professional like Aocchi even be all that surprised?
Sorry to keep you waiting, Nenecchi.
Hotarun!
What's the occasion?
Well, actually...
Ta-da! I finally finished the game I've been making!
What? You made a game on your own?
That's why I invited you out. I wanted to show you and Aocchi.
That's amazing! What kind of game is it?
I can't wait to play it!
Oh, but it's still a secret from Aocchi.
It's a secret until the very last minute!
A secret?
Here you are!
The parfaits here are so good!
They sure look good. Let's dig in!
So this must've been your secret.
Huh? Er, yeah, partly...
I was also nervous when I showed Umiko-san the game,
but it was still incomplete back then.
I know!
Maybe if I tell her it's still incomplete, I won't feel as much pressure!
No, no, no! It's finished, and I stand by it. No excuses.
That's some internal conflict.
Nenecchi, are you nervous?
Yeah... I don't know how Aocchi's going to react...
That's just how it goes.
Even I get nervous when I first show someone a piece of my art.
You, too, Hotarun?!
Huh?
Y-Yeah! My parfait is delicious, too!
Being nervous just proves you put your heart and soul into it.
My heart and soul...
Still, you of all people got a nervous belly ache? I don't belly-ve it!
Get it?
She's cracking up at her own joke.
Actually, Aocchi, I...
I made a game!
Huh? You... made one?
Yeah.
I kept it quiet from you, but I've been working on it since leaving Eagle Jump.
And now it's finished.
So...
You're kidding!
Wait, really?! You made one?!
Hey, you're spitting on me!
S-Sorry! I was just so surprised.
Well, that was kinda the plan.
Anyway, give it a try.
I brought earphones and controllers.
Look! The title here is in 3D!
Single Player Two Player Quit
Cool! Oh, now it's 2D.
It took all I had just to get the 3D to render, so I only used it there!
Did you make the graphics, too, Nenecchi?
Yeah.
The BGM and sound effects were free assets, but I did everything else!
If you had told me, I'd have drawn some for you.
B-But you're a professional, so I'd have to pay you for your help.
Th-Thanks...
I-I only stated the obvious!
But I'm a student, so I could've helped you.
Jeez! The whole point was to study programming, so forget the graphics!
Just hurry up and play!
Hey! Don't you think that boar's too powerful?
It only attacks in a straight line, so you gotta dodge and attack.
Like this?
There. Take that!
I did it!
Yeah, like that! Hotarun's better at this.
Like this, right?
Wait, huh?!
The one with big tusks fakes you out. You fell for it!
This is more intricate than I expected.
Yeah, I'm getting sucked in.
Like this? This?
I hit it!
Okay! Let's keep going like that!
Yeah!
Hup!
Oh! Aocchi, if you do that—
Sorry. It's because I went charging in.
No, it's okay.
Isn't the boss strong?
One more try!
Hotarun, you're in the way!
Oh, sorry!
M-Maybe I made it a little too hard.
Nah. One more try!
This time, I'll pin it down with arrow fire from behind,
so you attack when you can, Aocchi.
Got it!
We did it!
Pardon me, but could you keep it down? You're disturbing the other customers.
We're so sorry!
Still, I had no idea that you were making a game, Nenecchi.
I also just found out earlier and was so surprised!
Also, Umiko-san gave me a bunch of advice.
Umiko-san knew, too?!
Quiet down, Aocchi!
That's amazing, Nenecchi.
I've never even considered making something by myself.
I didn't know you had it in you.
Not to make excuses, but I know what parts need improvement, too.
It's okay.
We can see just how much you put your heart into it, Nenecchi.
I'm so happy I showed it to you.
She was so nervous before she showed it to you.
Nervous? You?
Yeah, I get nervous, too!
That explains the furtive phone fiddling.
Is everything going well at work, Aocchi?
Yeah, I'm staying on schedule and all, but...
What? Are you stuck on a difficult assignment or something?
I wouldn't say hard so much as high-pressure...
And now I've reminded myself of the key visuals!
Doing the key visuals is way too much responsibility for me!
I'd never even considered the possibility!
Of course, I'm glad that my art will show up all sorts of places.
Places where a lot of people will see it!
But if it doesn't sell, it'll all be on me.
On the other hand, if the art's well-received, it'll sell!
We're sorry. We're currently awaiting stock...
And now Aocchi's doing it!
Good morning, Shizuku.
Good morning, Christina.
You're here in the morning today?
Yes. I'll be here all day, what with the alpha version and all.
This project's been well-received at my company, too.
Most importantly, our president loves it.
I'm glad to hear it.
But your face says it's not all good news.
There's a bit of a problem.
It's about Suzukaze-san...
Aoba, meeting!
C-Coming!
Aoba-chan sure seems busy.
And the game's shaping up to be fun.
Aoba-chan's gonna be all famous.
Maybe we'll need to call her "Aoba-san."
Just kidding!
You're awful, Hajime. Aoba-chan's working really hard.
Don't make fun of her.
I wasn't trying to...
But...
I think... you two are working hard, too...
Hajime-chan... You've gotten some game design proposals accepted...
And Yun-chan... I'll be asking you to model the queen...
Huh?! Are you sure about letting me do the final boss?
Yeah... Do your best...
Way to go!
I guess good things happen when you work hard!
Why don't we have some tea?
Already getting complacent?!
Oh... I have snacks...
Wow, thanks! Let's eat!
Somebody, feed me!
Seriously?
Now, the new game's title will be PECO.
The schedule leading up to the alpha seems in order,
so please continue working as you have been.
PECO's gotten good feedback at our company, as well,
and we have high expectations.
However, because it's a new IP,
we want to promote it immediately after the alpha version goes through
to ensure that this title sells.
Which means we'll need to get some key visuals ready, right?
Indeed.
All right, Aoba. First, you need do a rough draft.
I'll do my best!
Huh? What's wrong?
The thing is, Yagami—
No, I'll explain it myself.
The key visuals will not be drawn by Suzukaze-san.
We will have you do them, Yagami-san.
Huh?
Sure, I'm helping with the character designs, but the main character designer is Aoba.
If I draw them...
There will be no change in the credits.
However, we'll be promoting this title as the latest collaboration
between Hazuki Shizuku and Yagami Ko, the Fairies series' director and lead artist.
What?! Why?
You can't expect me to accept that!
Are you two seriously okay with this?!
I've accepted it.
There's a lot of money involved.
This is the best way to ensure sales.
This is ridiculous!
Count me out. I won't do it.
Aoba's the main designer. She should draw it!
You can't be okay with this either, Aoba.
I...
If that's what everyone wants... then I'm okay with it.
Why do you have to be so understanding?!
Calm down.
This didn't happen with Fairies 1, did it?
I was also a newbie, and I still drew them!
It was my first project as director, too.
Nobody was expecting anything.
Our production budget proved that.
If you don't draw them, Yagami-san,
we'll get a famous freelance illustrator to do the job.
U-Um...
If I'm to be perfectly honest, I'm upset.
But I understand your reasoning, Yamato-san.
This game doesn't just belong to me.
But...
Could I... Could I have just one chance?
I would like to have another competition with Yagami-san for the key visuals!
No.
Sure.
Shizuku?
Let me be upfront about this. It'll be a foregone conclusion.
Even supposing you draw something better than Yagami,
it won't have any bearing on our decision.
What you're up against, Suzukaze-kun,
is the reputation Yagami's built over the past eight years.
But if this will satisfy you two, go ahead.
Then we'll have you both submit one key visual each
on the same date the alpha version is due, one week from now.
Does that work for you?
Yes.
Yagami, don't you go easy on her.
I know that.
I'm going to put everything into it.
Just four more days until the deadline.
The requirement for the key visual
is that it demonstrate that the heroine, Peco, can wear kigurumis.
But the only type we can reveal right now is the bear.
I've done a lot of character designs, but this is my first illustration job.
Maybe it's the change of mindset, but I'm getting nowhere on this rough draft.
How can I expect to draw something better than Yagami-san?
Snap out of it! I was lucky enough to get this chance, so I can't waste it!
What's with all the tension in the air?
Might be best not to bug her.
Yun, you think Aoba-chan's gonna be okay?
No idea
Cold!
But this is the path that Aoba-chan chose
Let's just quietly support her
Yun...
You can do it, Aoba-chan! I'm rooting for you!
Send
It's no use... I don't know what I should say!
Good work today.
You, too.
Oh, see you tomorrow!
Aoba-chan, don't overwork yourself.
Right. Thank you very much.
But I need to do my best.
Here, Aoba.
Yagami-san...
Making progress?
No, not at all.
This is black!
You fell for it!
What was that for? Honestly...
It's because you were looking so glum.
Here, sugar.
I'm sorry that things got so awkward.
But it's nothing you need to apologize for, Yagami-san.
I mean, if I hadn't helped you out during the competition,
you wouldn't be stuck with such mixed-up feelings.
D-Don't treat me like a child!
It's true that my character designs wouldn't have gone through without your help,
but it was my choice to accept it!
Aoba? What about the sugar?
A couple of bitter experiences are nothing I can't handle!
Aoba...
All right. Come at me with all you've got.
And the same to you, too!
I'll work from home over the weekend.
I've got to make some progress here.
It's no use...
Peco... Peco...
SuFamitsu
Peco... Peco... Peco...
How should I draw Peco?
How should I draw her?
...but you should just figure out what works for you, Suzukaze-kun.
Tomorrow's the deadline.
I'm having fun drawing this. I am, but...
I'm nowhere near done.
But I'll do everything that I can.
I'm sure Yagami-san will see this for what it is—
my best effort so far!
Good work!
You, too.
I'm rootin' for you, Aoba-chan. I really love that drawing.
Thank you very much!
I'm rooting for you, too.
Me, too.
I'll do my best!
Are you staying the night, Aoba?
Yes. I'm still so far from finished.
It looks pretty darned good!
You think so?
Yeah. I can tell you're having fun drawing it.
Um, did you already finish yours, Yagami-san?
Yeah, just barely.
But I have other work to finish, so I'm staying the night, too.
Would you mind showing me?
Knowing I'll be scrutinized is making me nervous, too.
Loading "PECO Key Vis"
Wow... It's so amazing...
Well, there you have it.
I'm so sorry for crying!
I need to get back to work on my illustration!
I have to finish it!
Yeah. Don't you leave anything incomplete.
I'll wait for you.
SuFamitsu
Wow, it's on here! And the back cover, no less!
Seeing it in print makes the upcoming release feel all the more real.
I feel the same way!
But I honestly preferred your illustration, Aoba-chan.
It's just, Yagami-san's sort of feels too polished.
That's fine and all, but do you mind not saying that when I'm around?
Ack. She heard me...
But I can accept this outcome, so I don't mind.
You're such a good kid, Aoba-chan.
Of course, if I get another chance, I won't let it slip away again!
I'll be looking forward to it.
So it goes on sale this winter. First I'm hearing of that.
You're right! Things are going to get busy.
Aw, but our current workload is just right...