It was Monday morning, Eriri waking up in her bed at the villa she was staying at. She felt sweat pooling down her face, but she thought nothing of it, leaning up so she could look out the window.

Eriri: It's been a long time since I've done that...

Blinking a few times, she checked the clock that was in the room. The time was currently 8:50. This made her eyes widen.

Eriri: Monday! No way! I haven't sent it, have I? I didn't email it to Tomoya, did I? Quick! I have to send it quick--

As she goes to remove herself from the bed, bringing her feet down to touch the ground, it was something soft. A bit soft, at least. In fact, the thing she stepped out let out a noise. A pained grunt. When she looked down, she her foot was on Tomoya's face, who was doing nothing to get it off.

Eriri: Tomoya...? (pushes foot down a few times)

Tomoya: (struggling under) Stop...stop...stop!

(A/N): Cue the season two opening!

Before...

Iori: Yo, Tomoya-kun! Sorry I took so long.

Tomoya: Wait a minute, Iori.

Iori: (gestures to driver) This is Enaka-san, who takes care of our circle's taxes. 

The girl in the car took a glance to Tomoya, with Y/N standing next to him. Tomoya bows in a greeting way.

Tomoya: (smile) Ah, hello, I am Aki.

Y/N: Hey, Tomoya.

Tomoya: Yeah?

Y/N: (punches Tomoya's head) Why'd you have to call this asshole?

Iori: (sweat drops) Rude.

Tomoya: At least you didn't have to punch my head! And oba-san scares me!

Y/N: Well, yeah, I get that. My mom is basically the demon incarnate, but at least she's still a loving person when you don't do anything stupid.

Tomoya: That's the thing! I always do something stupid in front of her!

Y/N: (sigh) Whatever. I'm going to sleep, you bloody wanker.

Tomoya: What the hell is that supposed to mean!?

Y/N: Figure it out, dumbass.

After Y/N departs back into the house, Tomoya focuses his attention back to the other two.

Tomoya: I mean, what in the world is this about!?

Iori: Tomoya-kun, when you called me, I was in a meeting with Enaka-san concerning store deals. Once I told her about your situation, she said she'd bring the car!

Y/N: (from inside the house) Which I don't understand you could've gotten me to get my car and brought it here to take you there, but it's whatever! 

Tomoya: (looking to window before looking to Iori) That's not good! I only asked to borrow money for travel expenses, anyway. 

Iori: Taking a train and taxi will take a long time. And what if you miss the last train? (laughs) Come on, let's go, Tomoya-kun, to Nasu Highlands. You should join us, Y/N-san!

Y/N: (from inside house) ...Fine! But this does not mean I'm coming back to Rouge en Rouge, you playboy piece of shit!

Iori: (sweat drops) Must you be this rude?

Y/N: Fuck you!

Timeskip

After getting into Iori's car, although Y/N begrudgingly doing so, the three of them were on their way to Nasu Highlands.

Iori: I see, she's all alone at the villa, and suddenly got sick, huh?

Y/N: Well, it wasn't the worse scenario I was thinking.

Tomoya: Both her parents are back in England, and there's nobody who can go check on her, so Y/N and I are going instead.

Y/N: Eh, more or less doing this so she'll owe me a favor or two. You know, for my personal gain.

Iori: So, what about your development deadline? Can you make the print shop's deadline?

Tomoya: I can't worry about such things now. Our friend is sick.

Y/N: I mean, she's more of your friend than my friend, but what do I know? She's more of a tsundere.

Iori: (looks to Tomoya) Saying things like that is not very much like you. 

Tomoya: (grits teeth) ...I'm not as clever, composed, or indeed heartless like you.

Iori: And that is why you've come this far, exhibiting last-minute power I'd never have expected. 

Tomoya: Eh?

Iori: I've heard it's major work with a scenario of over two megabytes, more than thirty music tracks, and better than 100 event illustrations once the art is done. Your game.

Tomoya: We just...ended up getting more of everything.

Iori: Normally, that'd lead to setbacks in an instant. How did you push everyone forward?

Y/N: Uh, he used the Talk-no Jutsu? Like, what every anime protagonist does?

Iori: Not the time for sarcastic remarks, Y/N-san.

Y/N: Fuck off, prick.

Iori: (looks to Tomoya) What is a high schoolers' play circle doing?

Tomoya: It's not play...

Iori: That's right. You've always been unbelievably serious. 

Y/N: And a stubborn ass person.

Iori: But what about this time? Tomoya-kun, you are in no position to head for Nasu Highlands now. You should have left this to somebody else, and not leave your house before the development deadline. 

Y/N: (scoff) He isn't the type to leave like that conveniently and selfishly to the other members.

Tomoya looked out the window, ignoring the fact that Megumi was calling him. Iori looks at the glasses wearing teen, then back to Y/N.

Iori: Is that really all?

Tomoya: What do you mean?

Iori: As for me, Tomoya-kun, I can only think that you seem to want to keep Eri Kashiwagi--no, Eriri Sawamura, for yourself.

Y/N: You're making it sound like he's keeping her as a hostage.

Iori: Is he not?

Y/N: No...he's not. 

Tomoya only kept silent, the black car pulling into the driveway of the villa. Both Y/N and Tomoya exit out of the car, Tomoya running in as he unlocks the door and bolts inside. As Y/N calmly walks in, he took a look around the room. He hadn't been in here for nine years.

Tomoya was parked in front of the living room, the various pictures Eriri had made during her time here. He was amazed at the different pictures, but he was knocked out of his senses when Y/N kicks his back, him turning around to see Y/N and Iori standing there.

Y/N: Don't just stand there, idiot. Look around for her. Oh, wait. There she is.

The other two boys look to where Y/N was looking, seeing the blonde artist wrapped in a blanket and unconscious on the floor. Both Y/N and Tomoya run over to her.

Tomoya: Eriri! Eriri! Hey, Eriri!

Y/N: (puts hand on forehead) Tsk, shit. She's got a high fever. Iori, get the door to her room open. Tomoya, get a wet rag.

Iori: S-Sure.

Tomoya: R-Right!

Gently, Y/N lifts the girl up and follows Iori to Eriri's bedroom. Tomoya had ran off to get wet towels and rags. Enaka waited by the door.

Iori: Enaka-san, please bring the luggage in from the car. 

As they walked past her, Y/N narrowed his eyes at the girl, clearly suspicious of her. And he was right to be suspicious of her. The only thing he could see on her face was a wide grin.

After putting the girl in her bed to rest, Tomoya was by the door, Iori and Y/N standing in front of him. 

Iori: Okay, we're going now.

Y/N: I'll pick you guys up in the morning. If not, just tell me when. 

Tomoya: Right. Thank you so much. 

Iori: What? We help each other in times of trouble. I contacted a shop we use. They said they can wait until noon today, but no more. 

Tomoya: Huh?

Iori: Contact your friends in Tokyo right away, and make the final version. You have half a day. You can just about make it, can't you?

Tomoya: ...Sorry, Iori.

Iori: It's fine, really. If you can solve it with money and diplomacy, it's not a huge effort. See ya!

Doing their waves, Y/N and Iori go down the steps and go back into the car. Tomoya watches the car depart and he bows in appreciation. In the car, Iori glances to Y/N, who was resting his face on his fist, looking out the car window.

Iori: So, what are you going to do, Y/N-san?

Y/N: ...Do what?

Iori: After you and your little circle publish your game, Akane-san will most likely call your contract between you and her into effect. So...what are you going to do?

Y/N turned to the burgundy haired male for a moment before he looked out the car window again. The only thing he could really do was make the most of his time in Blessing Software.

Present...

Eriri: So, what did the doctor say?

Eriri was now fully awake with Tomoya now awake as well. Tomoya sat on the side while Eriri was now sitting up on the bed, clutching a water bottle.

Tomoya: Apparently you may even have the flu, so you'll have to rest for now.

Eriri: (sigh) That's the worst. I haven't caught a cold in a while, either. 

Tomoya: You used to go to bed right away. For Hinamatsuri, Shichi-Go-San, and Christmas, too. 

Eriri: Shut up. ...By the way, my pictures. 

Tomoya: Eh? Oh, yeah, I saw them. 

Eriri: So, how were they?

Tomoya: (small nod) Yeah, all seven were fine. 

Eriri: R-Really? (giggles excitedly) That's great!

Tomoya: So you're done with all your work now. So sleep a bit more. 

Eriri: Yeah! (lays back down in bed) So, did you finish the game? You being here means that it's okay, right? You added my pictures to the game, debugged it, and sent it for printing, yeah? I finished the illustrations! So you finished the game, right?

Tomoya had bit his lip. He wasn't sure what to tell her. He obviously didn't finish the game, considering he had spent the whole night watching over her, concerned for her health instead of the game. He then begins to explain the situation to her.

Eriri: ...What are you doing!? What are you doing, Tomoya!? 

Tomoya: Don't push yourself too hard! Come o--

As he goes to help her, Eriri having falling over as she tried to pull his shirt, she slaps his hand away. He looked at her in shock as he reeled his hand back in slight pain.

Eriri: Stop idling here and go work right away! (panting heavily) Wasn't working hard without giving up until the very last moment one of your few good points!? 

Tomoya: Someone falling ill and the development deadline...isn't it obvious which you'd pick?

Eriri: Of course you'd pick both!

Tomoya: It's too late now. 

Eriri: Do you want to waste my week? Do you want to waste all of our half a year?

Tomoya: (looks down guilty) It just means that the packaged version won't make it to Winter Comiket. It's pretty much done already. It doesn't matter when we release it. 

Eriri: (verge of tears) What are you saying, Tomoya? Nee!? 

The glasses wearing teen had then closed his eyes, remembering the fond moments his development team had gone through. The crazy shenanigans they did.

Tomoya: (thoughts) It really is nothing but contradictory.

Eriri: Baka, baka! (crying) Tomoya, you big idiot!

Tomoya: You're right. 

Eriri begins to cry her eyes out while Tomoya looked down. He then remembered a memory when she was sick.

Tomoya: (thoughts) ...Because there's no way I can neglect her.

After about a few hours, Eriri's eyes were red, the girl laying in her bed as she buried her face into her pillow. Soon after, Tomoya had come back in the room, carrying a tray with soup on it, placing it on the side table.

Tomoya: Cheer up and eat something. The value of this game won't fade from just being a little late. Also, we'll be able to release at Winter Comiket. A hundred home-burned ones, anyway. 

Eriri: (muffled) But that's not enough to beat Rouge en Rouge...to beat Izumi Hashima. 

Tomoya: Forget about that fight already. 

Eriri: (lifts face from pillow slightly) But I can't become your number one then. 

Tomoya: There's no way that's true. 

Eriri: Eh?

Tomoya: (gazes at Eriri's pictures) These are amazing. They're the best pictures I've seen all year. I felt chills when I came here and first saw these pictures. They're realistic but moe, beautiful but cute, amazing pictures, unlike anything I've seen before. 

Eriri: S-So, can I ask again? (deep breath) Are my pictures more amazing then hers?

Tomoya: (nods) Yes. 

Eriri: Better than hers, or any other illustrator's?

Tomoya: Yes.

Eriri: I became your number one!

Tomoya: Yes!

Eriri: I see...I won! Izumi Hashima, Michiru Hyodo, Y/N L/N, and Utaha Kasumigaoka...I beat all of them! (flicked forehead by Tomoya) Ow!

Tomoya: I didn't say that much, baka.

Eriri: (laughs awkwardly) 

Tomoya: Come on, your rice gruel. 

Eriri: Oh! I'd prefer cup yakisoba!

Tomoya: Oi!

Later on in the day, after eating lunch, the two were resting in the living room.

Eriri: Hey, which present? Tomoya, you pick!

Tomoya: You should just pick it yourself.

The two were sitting in front of the TV in the living room, Tomoya playing LitRhap. Eriri was seated next to him.

Eriri: But it's the one and only Christmas present. 

Tomoya: W-Well...it's a good chance, so I'll pick this red brooch. 

Main Protagonist: (TV) This is for you.

Eriri: Eh? Pick the ring! That's how you can hear Servis' proposal!

Tomoya: Servis is more clingy than I thought, going for the Christmas proposal. 

Eriri: (pinching Tomoya's cheeks) What? I won't forgive anybody who disses Servis, not even you, Tomoya!

Tomoya: What are you doing?

After playing for hours on the game, the sun was now setting. The two were still lazing about in the living room.

Eriri: Even so, we're still the same as back then, aren't we?

Tomoya: Well, yeah. 

Eriri: From morning to evening, without stepping foot outside, watching anime and playing games...

Tomoya: Because you're sick. Back then, and even now. 

Eriri: You're right.

Servis: (TV) I have something I want to tell you.

Eriri: ...But let's go back tomorrow. 

Tomoya: Will your health be good enough?

Eriri: Yeah. I'll have the driver come pick us up. So let's go home together. 

Tomoya: I see.

Eriri: Once we're back, I'll apologize to everyone. That I'm sorry we couldn't make the deadline. 

Tomoya: I'll apologize. I'm the circle representative, after all.

Eriri: (shakes head) No, let me apologize.

Tomoya: But I was the one who gave up in the end--

Eriri: Tomoya. I want to apologize. 

Tomoya: Eriri...

Eriri: Because failing to meet the deadline due to my obsessing over quality...is my fault, my responsibility, and my pride. You too, Tomoya. I'm sorry. ...I'm sorry.

Tomoya: (smiles) ...Yeah.

December 31, 3rd Day of Winter Comiket

At the building they were holding the Comiket, Tomoya had rallied everyone around. 

Tomoya: Hurry, everyone! I'll go do a round of greetings before the doors open, so let's finish our preparations quickly!

Eriri and Megumi were helping set up the booth, Utaha, as usual, taking refuge in Y/N's lap, reading a book. Michiru looked bored, a random had walked up to her and started flirting with her. Y/N on the other hand was asleep, leaning his head back as drool went down his mouth.

Eriri: In the end, we ended up being busy until the very last moment, like every event.

Utaha: We were supposed to have plenty of time.

Y/N: (waking up and yawning) If the trial version hadn't been released before hand, and added a 4-koma manga to the manual, or added bonus content to the game, we would've been done much faster. 

Tomoya: Urk...! B-But if you have extra time, doesn't it feel natural to add something extra?

Eriri: T-That's right! For a doujin game, lame inside jokes are absolutely necessary!

Y/N: ...I've seen games with better bonus content.

Michiru: Well, everybody seems to have been busy, so that's nice. But compared to that, I've been just a bit bored. 

Utaha: That can't be helped, Hyodo-san. We have a spot along the wall. 

Y/N: Normally, this spot would've been taken by a big shot circle and they prepare to sell four-digit numbers.

Utaha: It is way too much for a small to medium circle trying to sneakily sell a hundred home-burned copies--

Eriri: Sorry I missed the deadline! I apologized properly, but you two keep complaining!

Y/N: Well, sorrrryyy! Utaha-senpai and I had warned someone many times of the current fucking situation.

Tomoya: (bows repeatedly) I'm very sorry!

Y/N: Shut up. And stop doing that. You're not Iida Tenya. 

Utaha: (to Eriri) What you just said was pretty much the same, but I've never heard such an arrogant apology before. 

Michiru: Right. I thought she apologized, but it ended up being nothing but bragging.

Y/N: Eh, Eriri's always been an ass. 

Eriri: That's how confident I am with my future work! And I am not an ass, Y/N!

Y/N: Yeah you are.

Eriri: A-Anyway, the final seven illustrations in particular are all-time top artworks...worthy of being part of Eri Kashiwagi's brilliant works collection--

Y/N: Yeah, yeah, we get it already.

Tomoya: So don't get too carried away, it's not a pretty sight.

Eriri: (sheepish smile) But Tomoya...

Megumi: Eriri is not at fault for anything. Eriri did her very best for this game and the circle. We all know that. Also, when the circle fails, all members together have to take responsibility for it. Right?

Y/N: (sigh) I suppose.

Utaha: Well, that she did her very best, and that they are all-time top artworks, is impossible to deny. 

Michiru: Really. How did she draw these?

Y/N: Now, now. Don't feed her ego.

Eriri: Megumi, I'm really sorry. 

Megumi: I don't know how to feel about you apologizing to me, the one who said you don't need to apologize. 

Tomoya: But Kato, you worked really hard, too. 

Megumi: Enough about that already. You two are okay with that, right?

As Megumi had went back to preparing the booth, Tomoya and Eriri had left to head over to Rouge en Rouge's booth. This left the rest of the members to do what they want, Utaha continuing to read her book while Y/N and Michiru were currently arm wrestling each other. 

After awhile, Y/N went on his phone and his eyes had widened. Utaha had sat up from her seat and looked over his shoulder. From his official Twitter account, through his newsfeed, it started to blow up as links to TAKI-kun's blogs were there, showing reviews of what they thought about the trial test. Apparently, a lot of hype had surrounded their circle when Utako Kasumi, Akira Makabe, and Eri Kashiwagi were singled out. Y/N's eyes were then drawn elsewhere, the maroon hair of someone familiar caught his eyes.

Y/N: (thoughts) Why is she here?

Akane Kousaka's magenta eyes took a glance at Y/N, her gaining a slight grin as she flashed one of the discs for their game. Y/N narrows his eyes as Akane walks out of the building, doing a small wave while she still kept her smirk.

Soon, Tomoya and Eriri came back, looks of disbelief on their faces. Michiru then pops out from behind a pillar to face the two.

Michiru: Aaaahhh! Finally, you're back! Hey, Tomo! What should we do about this!?

Dozens and dozens of people were lined up in front of Blessing Software's booth. Not only that, a crowd of females, the Akira Makabe fan club, were also huddled in front of the booth. Y/N sweats drop at the sight, but his face soon morphs to fear as he feels killing intent behind him.

They all took their turns handing out the copies of the game, Y/N occasionally having to sign some and stop Utaha from trying to murder the fan club members when they got in range. After about thirty minutes, all one-hundred copies were sold, Blessing Software announcing that packaged versions would be sold in stores. But Y/N couldn't help but wonder why Akane had a copy of their game. It puzzled him way too much. After the event, they begin to head home, Michiru the first across the crosswalk.

Michiru: Hey! Quick, everybody!

Utaha: (sigh) So sluggish...I really can't handle crowds.

Y/N: You remind me of a certain ice queen.

Utaha: Do I now?~

Y/N: While she doesn't fit the archetype of my usual waifu, she still one of the best girls in anime. No denying that. 

Utaha: Hmm...

Y/N: Wh-What!? Why are you looking at me like that!?

Utaha: Nothing. Simply nothing.

Y/N: Your tone of voice says otherwise. S-Senpai!

Utaha: Nothing.~

Y/N: Senpai!

The group had failed to notice that Tomoya Aki and Megumi Kato weren't following them. In fact, Tomoya was behind, watching as Megumi Kato kept a straight face and turned around to head back to her own home. Something inside Tomoya made him feel distraught, made him feel hurt. He just wasn't sure what he did.

---

Shorter than the usual chapters, but had to cut some parts out as it mostly didn't revolve Y/N, despite about half of this was Eriri and Tomoya, but hope you still enjoyed it nonetheless.

I may put the next chapter out this Saturday, that's if I work on it tomorrow and Friday, but who knows. If it doesn't come out Saturday, it will make it's original schedule release of Wednesday. Anyway, until the next one.

-okami