Whoa, this soup is delicious!
I'm glad.
It wasn't a mix or anything, I actually made it from scratch!
Mommy's good at cooking, right?
Right!
Because of me, Shinoaki lost her desire to draw,
and put down her pen.
She lost the future where she becomes Akishima Shino.
And yet...
It's okay now.
I'm sorry, Shinoaki.
I'm so sorry.
To make sure her sacrifice wasn't in vain...
I have to live as best I can in this world that's so different from the one I know.
I'll do what I can, at least for now.
And carefully, so that I don't repeat the same mistake.
Hashiba-san, can you check this?
What do you think?
The body should be good to go.
But I think the cloth here might overlap with the other characters when they're lined up,
so make it a little smaller.
Got it.
And about the empty space for a symbol,
I had the design for that made separately, so just stick that in there.
Wait, you did?
Yeah. It'll reduce the workload on the illustrators, and be easier to reuse.
I should've known! That will be a big help.
Hashiba-san, three of the backgrounds that were in the pipeline are ready.
Got it. I'll check them right now.
The files are pretty big, so I put them in the shared folder.
All right.
Downloading 1 file...
10 minutes remaining
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Huh, guess I'll respond to this email first.
It's been a month since I was sent into 2018,
and I'm finally starting to get used to my job.
From the information I grasped in the meantime,
Entertainment Group 3 is working on social games.
We're split up into four teams, labeled A through D,
and each of us are working on different projects in parallel.
Kawasegawa is charge of the A Team,
which is the team everyone thinks of regarding this group.
She's the Chief of Entertainment Group 3, too,
What are you doing?!
which means she's got one rough job.
Sorry! I'm sorry!
As for me, I'm the leader of the B Team.
B Team is known for its consistency in making headway,
along with stable contributions in terms of revenue,
so we seem to get put onto projects that need a steady hand.
It was hard to figure out how to do a job I have no memories of,
but once I got used to it, it wasn't that hard.
It's not easy, but it's stable work.
This is for the best, right?
Hey, Daddy, let's play! Come on!
Is it okay if I rest today?
That's boring!
Come on, Daddy! Daddy, let's go!
Maki, don't bother him after he said no.
It's Sunday, so let him enjoy his rest.
Don't wanna!
Maki, stop it!
Are you going to apologize to Mr. Bear?
I'm sorry.
Now, listen, Maki...
Whether it's a stuffed animal or anything else,
all things people make have spirits in them.
Spirits?
Yep.
And those spirits care a whole bunch about all those creations.
So if you throw one of them around, what will they think?
They'll be sad.
Right?
So be sure to be nice to Mr. Bear, Maki.
Okay.
All creations have a spirit in them, huh?
It's times like this that I'm sure the woman I'm looking at
is the same Shinoaki I knew.
I've got a warm home life here.
Hey, why don't we go for a walk?
But the brilliant light I used to look up to...
Yeah!
Can I take Mr. Bear, too?
There's no trace of the glamour of the Platinum Generation anymore.
Of course!
Well, uh, our company
in keeping with our aim to go public next quarter,
must absolutely ensure we hit our sales goal for this quarter.
In light of that, Mystic Clockwork,
the title that our company is betting its future on...
will require everyone's support
as we work towards its completion.
That is all.
I feel terrible for them.
Team A's been working overnight again.
Is it really that bad?
Well, there's the problem with Minori Ayaka...
Right.
But there are apparently other illustrators they haven't been able to contact.
It sounds like a disaster.
They've had to cut characters that were previously in the planning,
which results in changes to the script.
Is Minori-sensei still having trouble drawing?
Yes...
I just got an email from her
saying that she doubts she'll manage to meet the deadline,
no matter how much she works.
I thought we had a good conversation with her the other day.
It's not that she's slacking or anything!
But she didn't offer any other explanation.
Yeah, and when an artist runs into a block,
they're usually the ones it bothers the most.
Right. I'm a little worried that she's letting it overwhelm her.
That's strange.
There's still no answer.
Even though I arranged an appointment beforehand.
Should we wait a bit?
I'll try and ask her about it.
Excuse—
Okay, I'll open it up!
That was amazing, Hashiba-san!
She opened it as soon as she responded!
Yeah, but... wasn't that a little too fast?
Of course not!
She seems to be feeling well, so come on, let's go!
Hey, thanks for bringing—
Well...
I opened the door because I thought it was the deliveryman.
I thought it was odd, considering you let us in
before we told you who we were.
I don't dress like this outside at all.
It's just something I mess around with at home.
Every once and a while, that's all.
Well, sure, but... it really suits you well.
Oh, thank you.
This is kind of embarrassing!
I mean, you know what they say about a change of pace.
I was just... really restless.
So this is about the character designs, right?
Yes!
I'm sorry! It's exactly like I wrote in the email.
I've been trying to get things done, but...
I just... haven't been able to so far.
I've been trying all kinds of things to motivate myself since we last talked,
but it's like none of it works... even dressing like this.
I just... can't find the right thing.
You mean, you can't find the thing that you want to draw?
What about the illustration from the other day?
That's...
When you started creating art seriously,
you said that you were drawing with a style similar to an artist you idolized.
Is there any chance that getting a look at their work might help you?
I'm sorry. Right now, I just... can't.
I'm seriously so sorry.
But... that's not the problem.
Hashiba-san, I think that's enough for today.
Yeah... okay.
I'm sorry, Morishita-san. I'll try and figure something out.
Right.
There's something she mentioned before.
The longer you continue in this work,
you're bound to get into a rut,
where you'll be completely unable to draw anything.
And I guess now is that time.
Yes. But there was more to what she said...
Once you get the right trigger,
you're suddenly able to draw again,
like you were never blocked in the first place.
A trigger, huh...
For now, I think even being able to meet with her today was a big accomplishment!
Thank you so much.
Nah...
The expression I saw on Minori-sensei's face last time...
There's an artist I used to idolize,
and this is their style.
I seriously, seriously love their stuff!
There has to be something to that.
Something that'll get her drawing again.
That's the impression that I got.
Kawasegawa-kun, do you realize what you're saying?!
The characters designed by Minori Ayaka are the headliners this time!
It's already been announced to the public.
Delays are out of the question!
In the end, it was decided that Minori Ayaka's illustrations
wouldn't be ready in time for release.
Team A is already running on fumes with little sleep and no time off...
Add this to it all, and I can't help but feel sorry for them.
Is it really that bad?
Take a look here.
Delayed
They're talking about releasing in a month, despite all this.
They're going through hell.
Not to mention this mandate that they do it on an internally developed engine.
Look, just get it done! All right?!
It's been a while since you last asked me to join you for lunch, hasn't it?
I guess.
We've both been busy lately.
You want to talk about my team's project, don't you?
W-Well... yeah.
I was looking at the progress sheet.
Things don't seem to be going very well.
That's one way of putting it. Another is that we're doomed.
I'm tempted to fly the coop to Okinawa.
Wait, so Mystic Clockwork was originally a SucceedSoft title?
You didn't know that?
I mean, of course I did!
If it came from a major player like Succeed,
I bet all the pre-production materials were in good shape.
Wouldn't that make things relatively easier?
Everyone thought that, at first. But...
Get a load of the requests they sent in.
These are all requests for different takes?
And there's a lot...
There wasn't a limit set on this kind of thing beforehand?
I wouldn't be in this mess if there were.
By the time it was put into my lap,
the contract was already signed under these conditions.
And when you top it off with an independently-developed, internal engine...
Yeah. Yet another source of headaches.
We don't have enough time to outsource anything,
and when there are errors in the engine, they rear their head in scripting, too.
Since the art assets are so late, we're still using placeholders...
Which means the presentation can't be finalized.
It's like we're making every possible mistake.
Listen, Kawasegawa...
I know.
The release needs to be delayed or major changes need to be made,
one or the other, or there's going to be major fallout.
Right?
But it's not happening.
Things are already beyond my ability to make any kind of positive difference.
Sorry for worrying you.
But there's just... nothing that can be done.
Nothing... that can be done?
This isn't like you!
You've always tried to do your best, until the very last second!
You're right. Thank you.
But you're the only person who thinks that anymore.
That's...
Sorry. I'm gonna head on back.
You just don't get it!
But sir, if they proceed at this rate, they game will have bugs,
which could lead to defects nobody's imagined.
You deal with bugs and defects as they pop up.
That's the whole point of maintenance.
Look, I know that you need time to make something good.
But in this business, timing is everything!
And delaying the release is out of the question!
But—
Enough!
This period is going to be crucial for the company's trust going forward!
We're going to go public at the same time
as we release a big title developed on an internal engine!
You don't need to be a manager to understand how important this is!
But the engine isn't trustworthy. It might not even be practical.
Mystic Clockwork will be released on schedule.
It's set in stone.
Hashiba-kun...
This is Kawasegawa-kun's job.
You need to focus on your own tasks.
Don't meddle where you're not needed.
Understand? I trust you.
Right...
Don't meddle, huh?
Thinking about it now,
when I showed up in their lives ten years ago, I changed the world.
My friends, who were supposed to have become
the stars known as the Platinum Generation...
lost their dreams because of me.
I might have been trying to help,
but my interference ended up taking something important from them.
From the Desk of Rokuonji Tsurayuki
Magic
And if that's the case...
There's nothing that can be done.
The month after that, Mystic Clockwork launched on schedule.
Hey, did you play that already?
Yeah, I installed it, but...
We were able to start the service,
but bugs started popping up, the server kept going down...
There was no shortage of issues.
The staff is working to put out fires, while still having little sleep and no days off,
but the problems are outpacing them.
Plus, the characters by Minori Ayaka got delayed...
Which sucks all the wind out of my gacha sails.
Huh, really?
There's nothing that can be done.
Hey, Mommy, draw a horse right here!
I'm sorry, but Mommy's not a very good artist.
Aw, come on!
I can't draw a horse right!
I'm making dinner right now, okay?
Okay, let Daddy draw it for you.
Yay!
I appreciate it, honey.
It's nothing. Don't worry.
What kind of horse do you want?
Shinoaki used to be able to draw anything incredibly well.
A zebra!
A... zebra?
Her art always pulsated with an energy
that made you feel like it could jump to life.
But now... she doesn't draw anymore.
Even when her beloved daughter asks her.
Looks weird!
Daddy, you suck!
You think?
Don't be like that, Maki.
Daddy was nice enough to draw one for you.
But look!
Oh, that's a cute puppy!
Sorry, one sec.
Hello, Morishita-san? I'm at home right now.
Did something happen?
Okay. Okay.
I understand.
Was that work?
Sorry. I need to step out.
I'm so sorry to bother you on your day off!
So what's happened?
It seems that the gacha rates are varying from account to account!
Seriously?! That shouldn't be possible!
Yes, but...
Are you familiar with the voice actor, Suenomori Yuta?
Suenomori Yuta My pulls on MySClo are going super well Done with a recording session so gacha time! #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta I'm super happy! I didn't think it'd be out this quick And it's my character lol #MysticClockwork #MysClo
It all began when the voice actor who portrayed the main character, Suenomori Yuta,
Suenomori Yuta Got another new character in MysClo's gacha! #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta Did a single-pull gacha and got a new characterrrrrr! I didn't have them before so I'm so happyyyyyy #MysticClockwork #MysClo
Suenomori Yuta I got an SSR on the free roll too! My luck is on fire #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta With so many SSRs, it's p. easy to max a character out lol #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta I did a ten pull, six of which were SSRs lololol These rates must be bugged lololol #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta oh, got an SSR #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta Another SSR!!! MysClo rocks! #MysticClockwork #MysClo
managed to draw consecutive SSR characters.
Suenomori Yuta These great SSR rates... Are you guys not getting them? #MysticClockwork #MysClo #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta I'm cracking up I keep winning lol #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta Again?!?!?!?! #MysticClockwork #MysClo
Suenomori Yuta I got another one... Am I using up a lifetime's worth of luck on this game???? #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta I'm cracking up about all these SSRs lol I've never seen anything like it lololol #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta Keep the SSRs coming #MysticClockwork #MysClo Suenomori Yuta For real?! My first ten-pull and I got an SSR! #MysticClockwork #MysClo
This resulted in the already simmering resentment at the low SSR rates...
Kaze-san
Is this fraud?
mixing together with the persistent bugs to create a storm of discontent.
Usakichi
Celebs get special treatment.
Taiyoushin
Don't screw with gamers!
Attraction Point Co. Ltd
An Apology and Update Regarding Mystic Clockwork
And to make things worse...
It's very unfortunate that a certain number of malicious users are causing problems with the service, and the issue will be resolved in an update to the application.
The company totally blew it with their response.
Which led to a surge of complaints...
The app's currently undergoing an indefinite period of maintenance.
And to make things even worse...
You have to do something, Kawasegawa-kun!
The internally-developed engine that had been a potential problem from day one
was now a major problem.
Sir, I already told you...
Unless we address the fundamental issues causing all this—
Well, we obviously can't do that at this stage, can we?!
So you expect us to keep a house of cards from falling apart
with more temporary stopgap measures?!
Yes! Exactly!
We can't do anything else at this point!
Hashiba-san!
There's no stopping the train once its going!
That's the kind of business we're in!
I'm trying to say—
Enough already!
I don't care what kind of bull you have to spew. Just deal with it!
Hashiba-san!
I'm sorry...
But there's nothing I can do.
It doesn't matter what comes later, so stop worrying about it.
I decided not to make the same mistake again.
Everything in this business comes down to speed and timing.
So that I can protect this world.
While we're having this chat, users are already ditching the service!
Which is why... there's nothing I can do.
Even if it ends up taking longer,
An update for you... N@NA has posted a new video.
we'd be better off admitting our mistakes,
and prioritizing an effort to fix the underlying problems!
Pretending like we're fixing things when we're not while taking our audience for granted
will be the exact thing that makes people give up on this game!
Excuse time!
Hey there! It's N@NA!
Um... first, well...
I'm sorry!
I just said I was going to give up, yet here I am, posting again.
And with an original song!
Man, how long has it been since I uploaded something original?
Y'know, a long time ago, during college...
There was someone who told me to sing.
That was what set me down the road of singing.
Yeah... it's his fault.
It's all his fault.
But... because of him,
someone as unremarkable as me started singing!
I found something I could be serious about.
But I didn't keep at it...
I just relied on him, instead of working hard myself...
And the second he was gone, I started slacking.
I blamed it all on him, and wanted to give up.
But... I... even if it's only me...
I don't want to be the one who invalidates everything he did!
Which is why I'm going to be singing some more!
I don't think what I did can ever be forgiven.
And yet...
In this world made by my own failings, I found some small salvation.
Not from the popular singer, N@NA...
But Kogure Nanako was still singing...
She hadn't given up on the thing that she took seriously.
She blamed me... and said it was thanks to me.
And that I wasn't just meddling.
Thanks for listening all the way to the end!
Well, see you next time!
I am the president of this company!
It can't be done!
If we do that, it'll mean more bugs—
Thank you, Nanako.
There's nothing else we can do!
Now would you just do as I tell you?!
There's no way... there's nothing...
that we can do!
We're going to figure something out, damn it!