121. Helping Eriri Draw... an Illustrated Book? (Part Two)

Watching Eriri and Itsuki snapping at each other again over some trivial matter, Jiang Yu rubbed his forehead with a sigh. “...Alright, you two, hold on for a moment. According to Sawamura, what we need to do now is think about the story’s plot, right?”

Hearing this, Eriri snorted softly and turned her head away, smoothing her hair as she gave a nasal, “Mhm.” Itsuki cleared his throat lightly and said, “...Yeah, something like that.”

Jiang Yu nodded knowingly and clapped his hands. “Then first, we need to confirm something... Sawamura, which work are you creating fan content for?”

Eriri turned slightly and murmured, “Amber Concert...”

Itsuki’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Ah! That one! The collector’s edition I gave you, Eriri—you actually played it properly, didn’t you? That’s a masterpiece of moe galgames!”

Eriri glanced at Itsuki with a sigh, whispering, “...I only found out about it from your website, you know. And—! What do you mean ‘gave’? I paid for it properly, thank you very much.”

Her tone grew firmer and louder as she furrowed her brows, staring seriously at Itsuki.

Seeing this, Jiang Yu interrupted, “Alright, alright. So, is the fan work an after story?”

After story, or After Story, usually appears in galgames. It supplements the main storyline with extra scenes focusing on the heroine and the protagonist after the main plot ends. In most galgames, these after stories eventually become ‘later stories’—though this typically applies only to the adult versions.

Itsuki looked dreamy and said, “Well, I really want to see a heartwarming after story between main heroine Koi and protagonist Yagami.”

Eriri frowned and spoke sharply, “An after story, huh? The naughty love story between Yagami and his childhood friend Soraginoko!”

“Wait, hold on, Eriri!” Itsuki’s voice betrayed his shock.

“Can’t help it, I’m a die-hard childhood friend faction~” Eriri turned her head with a soft snort.

“Um... Isn’t that beside the point?” Jiang Yu said with a subtle expression.

“Exactly! Eriri, are you seriously dragging us two guys into this and planning to make adult doujinshi?!” Itsuki’s expression turned awkward, his tone incredulous.

Eriri snapped impatiently, “Like I said before, it’s the industry standard—if it’s not erotic, it won’t sell. Instead of telling me this stuff, why don’t you two go and change the industry?”

By the end, her tone was clearly sharp, suggesting she had faced plenty of trolls online. Although, as Eri Kashiwagi, she did have a fair amount of online support.

Jiang Yu let out a breath and, breaking the silence since Eriri’s words, said firmly, “The industry will change.”

“???” Both Eriri and Itsuki looked puzzled.

Jiang Yu shook his head, signaling them not to mind, then smiled lightly. “Well then, let’s focus on the story. I haven’t played this game. Itsuki, why don’t you start by explaining the two characters Sawamura mentioned?”

“Ah! No problem! The story takes place in...”

...

“Is it... over already?” Jiang Yu leaned back on the sofa, utterly exhausted.

“Yeah, it’s probably finished...” Itsuki sprawled on the floor, equally drained.

Eriri tossed her sketches carelessly across the table, cheeks still flushed with a suspicious red, looking utterly embarrassed.

Looking outside at the still-high sun, Jiang Yu rubbed his empty stomach weakly. “Well, that’s good... But what time is it now? I’m starving...”

Wait, did I forget something?!

Jiang Yu jumped up, quickly grabbing his phone to call Ume Doma.

He suddenly remembered telling Ume before leaving that he’d message her if he wasn’t back for lunch. But now it was nearly 3 PM!

With the phone ringing unanswered, Jiang Yu frowned and paced anxiously.

The call went unanswered.

Gritting his teeth, Jiang Yu anxiously said to Itsuki, “Itsuki! Please scan all these sketches into the computer and send them to me on LINE. As for the art book, just give it to me at school tomorrow. Thanks!”

Without waiting for Itsuki’s stunned reply, Jiang Yu dashed out of Eriri’s room. Heading to the entrance to put on his shoes, he suddenly heard the door lock click shut.

He instinctively looked up and saw a young woman who looked like she was cut from the same mold as Eriri.

The only difference seemed to be hair and eye color: Eriri had golden hair and blue eyes; this woman had purple hair and purple eyes.

The young woman looked surprised at the unfamiliar male figure at her doorstep but then covered her mouth with a laugh. “Oh my~ Could you be... Eriri’s boyfriend?”

“...Sorry to intrude. Actually, I’m just a clubmate of Sawamura’s,” Jiang Yu explained honestly after putting on his shoes.

She clearly didn’t believe him, her expression asking silently, “Can classmates just drop by each other’s homes so casually?”

Just as Jiang Yu felt a headache coming on, footsteps sounded behind him, followed by...

“Gweh—!” That was Eriri.

“Oh, Sawamura Auntie’s back? Long time no see,” said Itsuki.

“Oh dear, isn’t this Itsuki-kun? Call me Sayuri-chan, okay? By the way, Eriri, have you started playing those games your mother never expected?” The young woman at the entrance teased.

“Ugh ugh ugh—! What are you talking about, Mom!” Eriri shouted, blushing furiously and flustered.

Itsuki smiled wryly at Sayuri’s nonsense and sighed helplessly. Even after all this time, Sawamura Auntie hadn’t changed...

Jiang Yu looked bewildered between the purple-haired young woman and Eriri, clearly at a loss.