Game Developer in the World of Anime

Umiko was all business when she was in work mode.

With Umiko staring at her so seriously, Sakura Nene couldn't help but shrink back slightly, her voice timid as she said, "Um, Umiko-san?"

Arms crossed, Umiko fixed her gaze on Nene and asked, "Nene-san, how's the optimization work assigned to you going?"

"Ah! I'm on it right away!"

Letting out a small yelp, Nene spun her chair around to face her computer and started furiously typing on her keyboard.

As for Narumi and Momiji, they had already retreated to their workstations the moment Umiko approached, quietly abandoning Sakura Nene to her fate.

The busy hours ticked by, and afternoon came around.

After having lunch outside, Yagami Kō returned and saw Ichin idly scrolling on his phone. She spoke up, "Ichin-kun, I've started packing my things. I'll move in the day after tomorrow. Is that okay?"

"Sure," Ichin nodded, gesturing toward the break room. "The rest area you've been using often is free now. You can tidy it up in your free time, and it'll be yours. Don't worry about rent; just help me with some light cleaning here and there."

The cleaning he mentioned was fairly simple. With vacuums and robotic cleaners already in place, it was mostly a matter of wiping windows or taking out the trash.

"No problem!" Yagami Kō beamed. "I'll save the rent money and send more back home!"

Hearing this, Ichin pondered for a moment before asking, "Kō-san, you're from Tokyo, right? Why don't you live with your family?"

"Oh, that's mostly because of work," Yagami Kō explained. "After I graduated and joined Eagle Jump, I spent most of my time working. Some nights, I worked so late that by the time I got home, it was already 10 or 11 PM. Coming home so late would disturb my parents, so after about a month, I moved out to live on my own.

"Here, we're located between Shinjuku and Chiyoda, but my parents live in Kōtō Ward, which is a bit far. I rarely ask them to visit me, so I usually go back to see them on weekends when I'm not working. Over the years, I've gotten used to it."

"That must've been tough," Ichin remarked with a touch of sympathy. He set his phone down and stretched, preparing to dive back into his afternoon tasks. "By the way, Kō, do you need help moving?"

"No, that's okay. I asked Hazuki to give me a ride. I don't have much stuff to bring."

On the other side of the room, Rin overheard their conversation, a slight frown crossing his face.

If Kō moved into the studio, it would mean no more weekend visits where she could cook for her. Living at the studio would make it harder for her to have those private moments since Ichin and the others would always be around.

That... wouldn't be ideal at all.

Rin fell into silent contemplation.

Unaware of her internal struggle, Yagami Kō and Ichin continued their conversation. After reminding her not to overwork herself even after moving in, Ichin got back to his tasks. Yagami Kō put on her headphones, picked up her pressure-sensitive pen, and began drawing.

---

Two days later, Sunday arrived, and it was finally time for Yagami Kō to move in.

Ichin didn't go to help with the move—having Hazuki and Rin assist was more than enough.

After waking from his afternoon nap, Ichin washed his face and checked his phone. He saw the messages and photos sent by Yagami Kō, showing that she and Rin had already packed up everything from her old apartment and were just waiting for Hazuki to arrive with the car.

"Quick work as usual," he murmured.

Yagami Kō had told him the moving plan earlier, and even though they'd only started in the afternoon, it was barely 2 p.m. By his estimation, they'd probably arrive at the studio around 2:30.

Meanwhile, Utaha was still asleep in the bedroom. She had spent the entire morning writing, so Ichin decided not to wake her. He turned on the air conditioning in the living room, sat down, and started playing Mario Kart.

However, just after connecting online and finishing a single round—coming in third place—the doorbell rang.

With no choice, Ichin exited the online lobby, set down the controller, and headed for the door.

"Could it be Kō? No, they shouldn't be this quick. Maybe it's a delivery for Utaha?"

Thinking aloud, he didn't bother checking the peephole and simply opened the door.

The moment the door swung open, Ichin froze. Standing in front of him, holding a suitcase and smiling brightly, was his mother.

"!"

"..."

Ichin stared in disbelief, scanning her up and down several times before blurting out, "Mom?!"

"What? Surprised?"

His mother chuckled, patting his head before wheeling her suitcase into the apartment. "Come on, let me in. It's getting hotter by the day out here."

Stepping aside to let her in, Ichin asked, "Mom, why are you here all of a sudden? Where's Dad?"

"Your father is busy with work, so of course, he couldn't come. I came by myself. Actually, I've been planning this for a few days, but something came up. We had to attend a full-month banquet for one of your distant cousins' newborns, so I could only come today."

As his mother changed into indoor slippers, her eyes landed on a pair of women's slippers near the entrance. She raised her head and glanced at her son.

Only then did Ichin realize—Utaha was still napping in the bedroom.

"Uh, well... Mom, come on in. Let me take your luggage," he said, quickly grabbing her suitcase and heading inside ahead of her.

He planned to warn Utaha and give her time to prepare, but it seemed fate had other ideas. As soon as he placed the suitcase in the living room, the bedroom door creaked open.

Utaha stepped out, still wearing her sleepwear and rubbing her eyes, her voice groggy. "Ichin, I thought I heard the doorbell?"

Her expression froze the moment she saw the woman standing beside Ichin.

Thanks to the photos she'd seen on Ichin's phone, Utaha immediately recognized her as his mother.

Ichin sighed, realizing the situation had spiraled beyond his control. He turned to his mom and said, "Mom, this is Kasumigaoka Utaha, the girlfriend I told you about. We're currently dating."

Although Ichin spoke in Chinese, Utaha, who had been studying the language for a while, caught several key words, including her name and "girlfriend."

Her back straightened as she instinctively prepared to introduce herself, only to realize she was still in her sleepwear. Her cheeks flushed red, and she spun around, dashing back into the bedroom.

"I'll go change first!"

Bang!

The bedroom door shut behind her, leaving Ichin and his mother alone. Ichin shrugged, spreading his hands. "She was taking a nap."

...