Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend

One day, an otaku high school student Tomoya Aki has a fateful encounter with a girl. This meeting inspires Tomoya to design his very own “gal-game” featuring a heroine modeled after the girl he saw. In order to make his desire a reality, Tomoya must persuade a few eccentric “creators” such as the ace member of the art club, Eriri Spencer Sawamura and the school’s top student, Utaha Kasumigaoka to join his development team. Meanwhile, Tomoya is shocked to learn that the girl he idolized as his muse for this whole project was none other than his boring classmate, Megumi Kato!

Season 1

Season 1

E0 - Fan Service of Love and Youth

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:03] ---
    Come now, that's your top
    recommendation, Sawamura-san?
[00:07] ---
    Isn't that a lame harem anime
[00:09] ---
    that was packed with panty shots
    and nudity right from episode 1?
[00:12] ---
    I'm ashamed that I stuck
    with it through episode 3.
[00:15] ---
    By any metric, that was an epic anime!
[00:17] ---
    The artwork was consistent from beginning
    to end, the motion was fluid,
[00:21] ---
    and the girls in it were all super cute!
[00:24] ---
    You do realize it's the people who worship
    any anime with good artwork as a classic
[00:29] ---
    who are behind the decline of
    the anime industry, don't you?
[00:33] ---
    No, it's because of smug people like you,
    who criticize shows based on preconceived notions
[00:38] ---
    because they can't be bothered
    to watch the whole thing!
[00:42] ---
    You two...
[00:44] ---
    It boggles my mind
[00:46] ---
    that two girls in high school can
    still get so worked up over anime.
[00:51] ---
    Before you start finding fault
    with the mental age of others,
[00:53] ---
    I suggest you stop swimming in
    the bath like some child, Hyodo-san.
[00:57] ---
    Seriously. How about cultivating
    some ladylike traits, huh?
[01:02] ---
    Fine, whatever...
[01:09] ---
    I have to say, though,
[01:11] ---
    this feels great...
[01:13] ---
    Hot...
[01:15] ---
    I'm glad we came.
[01:18] ---
    Yeah, though I don't care
    for the members I'm with.
[01:23] ---
    I don't have much to complain about,
    with one notable exception.
[01:29] ---
    Now that you mention it,
    I wonder what Tomo is up to?
[01:33] ---
    I bet he's peeking or something.
[01:37] ---
    You have nothing to be ashamed about.
[01:41] ---
    So what are you so flustered
    about, Sawamura-san?
[01:48] ---
    U-U-U-Utaha Kasumigaoka!
[01:56] ---
    Anyway, that show got way more
    interesting when it switched over
[01:59] ---
    to a pure love story
    midway through its run.
[02:01] ---
    Then they should have gone that route
    from the beginning and stuck with it.
[02:05] ---
    Pandering to the audience only results
    in an inconsistent, half-baked product.
[02:10] ---
    Damn it.
[02:11] ---
    Why are they having this
    conversation when I'm not around?!
[02:15] ---
    Talk about anime after
    you're back in your room!
[03:54] ---
    I'm Tomoya Aki.
[03:56] ---
    I'm the spokesman for a doujin game circle
    at a private school in the city.

SIGN    #0 "Fan Service of Love and Youth"
[04:00] ---
    I'm a second-year high school student
    who's openly an otaku, inside and out.

[04:04] ---
    Today, on a weekend
    in the middle of October,

[04:06] ---
    I was heading out with
    my fellow circle members

[04:09] ---
    to scout locations for
    the game we're working on.

[04:12] ---
    I suppose that's my cue to introduce
    the members of the circle.

[04:15] ---
    First, to my left is—
[04:17] ---
    Opening with a pointlessly long monologue
    from the main character is as low as it gets.
[04:23] ---
    If you open with such an unnatural,
    boring info-dump of a story setup,
[04:27] ---
    everyone is going to fall asleep.
[04:29] ---
    I let you take a stab at it because you said
    you wanted to try scenario writing,
[04:33] ---
    but I see you need to study how
    it's done from the very basics.
[04:35] ---
    But it's the prologue, so
    the player has no information yet.
[04:38] ---
    You have to give them some details.
[04:40] ---
    So we sneak it in.
[04:43] ---
    For instance, casually slipping the story setup
    into a conversation between two characters.
[04:48] ---
    Oh, I get it...
[04:49] ---
    That's my Utaha Kasumigaoka-senpai!
[04:52] ---
    She's in charge of scenario writing
    for our circle, "Blessing Software,"
[04:56] ---
    as well as high school student
    light novel author Utako Kasumi!
[04:59] ---
    Why are you suddenly breaking
    into clumsy exposition?
[05:01] ---
    Come on,
[05:03] ---
    what are you two whispering
    to each other about?
[05:06] ---
    Seriously, macking on each other
    while people are trying to sleep...
[05:11] ---
    Oh, you're awake?
[05:13] ---
    It's our illustrator,
    top-selling doujin author,
[05:16] ---
    as well as my childhood friend,
    Eriri Spencer Sawamura.
[05:19] ---
    And there's our music head, as well as
    singer for an anime cover band,
[05:22] ---
    my cousin, Michiru Hyodo!
[05:25] ---
    What in the world
    are you babbling about?
[05:28] ---
    Are you sure it isn't Tomo
    who's been sleeping?
[05:36] ---
    Beet red as far as the eye can see!
[05:46] ---
    Megumi, I'm gonna do
    a sketch here, so I'll need you.
[05:49] ---
    Sure.
[05:50] ---
    For location scouting, isn't it
    better to take lots of pictures
[05:52] ---
    instead of going to the hassle
    of drawing pictures?
[05:55] ---
    It's not the same, Hyodo-san.
[05:57] ---
    Sketching a scene as you see it
    gives you a sense of being there
[06:01] ---
    that's totally different from
    painting a copy of a photograph.
[06:05] ---
    I don't really get it,
    but you sure are a perfectionist...
[06:07] ---
    Well, Sawamura-san's pointless
    perfectionism notwithstanding,
[06:11] ---
    I'm going to take pictures,
    so don't worry.
[06:15] ---
    Hey, Utaha Kasumigaoka!
[06:15] ---
    Oh, I see.
[06:16] ---
    The characters' names and future actions
    have been slipped into a natural conversation.

[06:16] ---
    What do you mean, pointless?!
[06:18] ---
    Oh, I simply meant in terms of what is
    reasonable and most efficient.
[06:21] ---
    This is the casual story setup
    that she was talking about.

[06:22] ---
    What do you know about art?
[06:27] ---
    Megumi, would you mind
    emoting for me?
[06:31] ---
    Um, what were you looking for?
[06:33] ---
    Let's see...
[06:35] ---
    You want to stop the protagonist,
    who's going off to the final battle,
[06:38] ---
    but you can't stop him because
    he's doing it for world peace.
[06:40] ---
    So something wavering between love
    and duty with a hint of resignation,
[06:43] ---
    with a bit of a sad
    smile thrown in.
[06:45] ---
    Oh, and with tears welling up
    in your eyes, of course.
[06:49] ---
    You can't give an amateur model
    complicated directions like that.
[06:54] ---
    Megumi, you're our main heroine!
[06:57] ---
    How can you not give me
    an expression that says,
[06:59] ---
    "I've been cast aside by my man,
[07:00] ---
    but I'll endure it, even as
    I'm drowning in sadness"?!
[07:03] ---
    Anyway, isn't that not how
    the main heroine usually ends up?
[07:07] ---
    All right, fine.
[07:09] ---
    Do exactly as I say and
    let's see how it works.
[07:11] ---
    Okay, I'll try.
[07:14] ---
    First, picture this.
[07:16] ---
    You've had a childhood friend
    for the past 10 years.
[07:20] ---
    Childhood friend...
[07:23] ---
    You've been attached at
    the hip since childhood,
[07:25] ---
    and even though you've fought,
    even though you've been separated,
[07:29] ---
    you had always intended in your heart
    of hearts to be with him forever.
[07:31] ---
    Eriri? Um...
[07:33] ---
    But then he's suddenly
    snatched away by some floozy,
[07:36] ---
    and she flirts with him right in front
    of you and rubs your face in it,
[07:39] ---
    but you're forced to wish them
    the best even as you're crying inside
[07:43] ---
    and you force yourself
    to keep smiling.
[07:50] ---
    You didn't have to press your
    own emotional trauma buttons.
[07:50] ---
    It's so heartbreaking!
[07:57] ---
    Huh?
[07:58] ---
    Where's Tomoya?
[08:00] ---
    Kasumigaoka-senpai dragged
    Aki-kun away a minute ago.
[08:06] ---
    Senpai, I don't think the inside of this thicket
    is gonna work as a backdrop in the game.
[08:13] ---
    Is there a good spot up ahead?
[08:16] ---
    Let's see...
[08:17] ---
    I guess right around here will do.
[08:20] ---
    Here?
[08:22] ---
    Yes, it's just as I pictured it.
[08:24] ---
    I want to plan out a situation, so
    will you help me with it, Mr. Ethical?
[08:29] ---
    Sure, what do you need me to—
[08:34] ---
    Before the final battle,
[08:36] ---
    the heroine, no longer able to restrain
    her feelings for the protagonist,
[08:39] ---
    leads him into a thicket
    and tries to act on her passion!
[08:44] ---
    That's a mainstream game!
[08:46] ---
    That depends on how we tweak
    the depiction, it could be anything.
[08:50] ---
    Like teasing the audience
    with a faint sigh.
[08:52] ---
    Or the scene changes, and it's suddenly
    dawn and the sparrows are chirping.
[08:55] ---
    If somebody spent the night
    out here, they'd freeze to death!
[08:58] ---
    Anyway, help me with my
    scenario building for now.
[09:02] ---
    Assuming that you want to finish
    this game, of course. Okay?
[09:05] ---
    No fair, holding that over me!
[09:08] ---
    At first, it's the heroine
    who initiates the embrace.
[09:10] ---
    W-W-W-Wait a minute!
[09:12] ---
    Unable to refuse her, the protagonist,
    simply stands still as a statue.
[09:13] ---
    Wait!
[09:16] ---
    Yes, the concept is coming to me!
[09:19] ---
    No...
[09:20] ---
    Finally, the protagonist smiles
    in spite of himself
[09:22] ---
    and gently strokes her hair.
[09:24] ---
    I mean it...
[09:27] ---
    Why won't you act out
    my scenario, Mr. Protagonist?
[09:31] ---
    It's an unreasonable demand...
[09:35] ---
    All right, we're coming
    to the climax now.
[09:38] ---
    He holds her around the shoulders,
    looks her straight in the eye, and says...
[09:42] ---
    Utaha-senpai?
[09:44] ---
    I've always...
[09:45] ---
    you—
[09:46] ---
    Hold it right there!
[09:50] ---
    Kasumigaoka!
[09:55] ---
    Utaha!
[10:06] ---
    You only have yourself to blame, but
    are you all right, Sawamura-san?
[10:10] ---
    You did this to me,
    no two ways about it!
[10:13] ---
    Actually, I think that you running full-tilt
    and you slamming your head into a branch
[10:18] ---
    and you tumbling spectacularly down
    the hill were all done by you.
[10:21] ---
    Says the person who created
    the situation that made it happen!
[10:24] ---
    I was simply hard at work working
    out a scenario for our game.
[10:28] ---
    And you, Tomoya!
    You're to blame, too!
[10:31] ---
    You let yourself get seduced by Utaha
    Kasumigaoka's feminine wiles, and I—
[10:34] ---
    Huh?
[10:37] ---
    Mr. Ethical?
[10:39] ---
    Look at this, Tomo!
    Isn't this place amazing?
[10:43] ---
    I found this!
[10:46] ---
    The water's gorgeous, too!
[10:48] ---
    I wonder if we could go swimming
    here once it's summer?
[10:51] ---
    Hey, why don't we set that climax
    scene you were talking about here?
[10:56] ---
    My head's being flooded
    with music ideas!
[11:02] ---
    M-Michiru...
[11:05] ---
    For now, let me go...
[11:09] ---
    It's freezing! This feels great!
[11:14] ---
    Oh, so you kidnap me out of the blue and
    don't offer one word of apology, is that it?
[11:20] ---
    Come on, I wanted to show you
    this awesome spot right away!
[11:25] ---
    Put yourself in my shoes, okay?
[11:28] ---
    I swear, you're always doing
    stuff without thinking of—
[11:33] ---
    Feels good, doesn't it?
[11:35] ---
    Listen to what I have to say and
    then reflect on what you've done!
[11:39] ---
    Want a piece of me, huh?
[11:42] ---
    Hey!
[11:43] ---
    Strike!
[11:43] ---
    Cut it out! Michiru!
[12:02] ---
    Cut it out, Mitchan! Michiru!
[12:05] ---
    Damn it, knock it—
[12:09] ---
    Knock what? Knock boots?
[12:14] ---
    Um, I just meant...
[12:18] ---
    Say, Tomo...
[12:21] ---
    Wha...
[12:26] ---
    Hey, the others are talking about
    checking in at the inn.
[12:30] ---
    Oh, did I interrupt something?
[12:34] ---
    No, I just wish you had
    said something right away...
[12:39] ---
    That stealth mode of yours is
    always engaged, Kato-chan.
[12:48] ---
    This is the end for you,
    Utaha Kasumigaoka!
[12:52] ---
    I'm sorry, Sawamura-san,
    but you've got no shot.
[13:14] ---
    Oh, dear...
[13:17] ---
    Whoa, hey!
[13:41] ---
    Game goes to Hyodo-san, 11-3.
[13:45] ---
    Yes! I'm the champion!
[13:47] ---
    The juice is mine!
[13:49] ---
    Damn.
[13:51] ---
    I thought I could at least
    beat you at ping pong.
[13:56] ---
    Don't underestimate the girl
[13:58] ---
    who swept the captain of the table tennis
    club at the ball game tournament!
[14:04] ---
    You have way too many useless talents.
[14:07] ---
    By the way, Aki-kun...
[14:08] ---
    Yeah, what is it?
[14:09] ---
    When should we finally call
    their match for last place?
[14:13] ---
    Ignore 'em.
[14:16] ---
    Okay, good night.
[14:17] ---
    We have an early day tomorrow, so
    don't stay up too late messing around.
[14:21] ---
    C'mon, Tomo...
[14:22] ---
    Stop by our room later and hang out.
[14:25] ---
    If you peek, you're a dead man.
[14:27] ---
    Mr. Ethical doesn't have the wherewithal
    to sneak into the girls' room.
[14:32] ---
    Thanks for your entirely
    unsolicited opinion.
[14:35] ---
    But there's still a lot
    that I have to do!
[14:39] ---
    Ah, reminiscing over the many things
    that have happened today.
[14:43] ---
    You prefer to do that alone?
[14:48] ---
    Yes, I do!
[14:51] ---
    But I call it organizing today's
    pictures and materials!
[15:22] ---
    Kato? What's going on?
[15:24] ---
    Oh, um, I stopped them.
[15:29] ---
    What's gotten into you guys?
[15:32] ---
    Sure, you're always mean to me, but
    you've never pulled anything this crazy.
[15:38] ---
    I think you have that backwards.
[15:40] ---
    What's mean is the way
    you treat us, don't you think?
[15:45] ---
    Tomoya, you're a jerk!
[15:47] ---
    You're mean... So mean...
[15:51] ---
    Kato!
[15:53] ---
    Well, Eriri said her father's souvenirs from
    England have been piling up at home, so she...
[15:59] ---
    What have you done?!
    The O won't be...
[16:03] ---
    Would you please
    shut up for a minute?
[16:06] ---
    Yes.
[16:07] ---
    We're going to make you lay your
    cards on the table today, Mr. Ethical.
[16:11] ---
    What's your plan for this circle?
[16:15] ---
    You talk about your dream of making
    the ultimate dating sim that you'd come up with,
[16:20] ---
    luring in girl after girl...
[16:23] ---
    I draw people in because
    I'm a brilliant creator!
[16:25] ---
    It's a coincidence that
    our roster is all girls!
[16:27] ---
    Plus, after we've joined up,
[16:29] ---
    you work us to the bone and you don't give us
    so much as a single candy for our trouble.
[16:35] ---
    Yeah, Tomo has that
    side to him for sure...
[16:40] ---
    You're so mean, Tomoya...
[16:42] ---
    What's mean is all this one-sided
    interpretation of yours.
[16:46] ---
    I habn't done adythig...
[16:49] ---
    I feel terrible about
    forcing you all to join
[16:52] ---
    and making constant,
    unreasonable demands.
[16:55] ---
    If you hate that, then I don't
    blame you for calling me out for it.
[16:58] ---
    Tomo!
[16:59] ---
    So go ahead and quit
    if you haven't had fun.
[17:01] ---
    If it was nothing but hard
    times, feel free to leave.
[17:02] ---
    What's the big idea?
[17:04] ---
    You're trying to weasel
    your way out of this?
[17:05] ---
    But is that really all there was?
[17:06] ---
    Come here a second.
[17:07] ---
    Was it nothing but bad times?
[17:08] ---
    Sheesh, what is it?
[17:09] ---
    Was it never fun?
[17:10] ---
    Rock-paper-scissors.
[17:11] ---
    Working as hard as we could,
    bit by bit, slowly but surely,
[17:12] ---
    Fair and square, ladies.
    Fair and square.
[17:13] ---
    our dream was taking shape
    before our very eyes!
[17:16] ---
    All right, fine.
[17:18] ---
    Can we finally put an end
    to this prank?
[17:19] ---
    One, two, three!
[17:19] ---
    Isn't that why every
    last one of us is here?
[17:21] ---
    Three, three, three!
[17:23] ---
    Now, I have nothing on my mind but
    creating the ultimate game with all of you!
[17:27] ---
    I haven't given any thought
    to what comes after that!
[17:29] ---
    That's why I want to
    see this through with—
[17:33] ---
    Hup!
[17:37] ---
    All right, I'll go first.
[17:42] ---
    You'll pay with your body, Mr. Ethical!
[17:45] ---
    Resign yourself to your fate!
[17:46] ---
    Senpai! Not there, I'll get an—
[17:47] ---
    This is the spot, right?
    No, I bet it's here!
[17:49] ---
    No, not there! I'll get an—
[17:54] ---
    Oh, Mr. Ethical!
[17:55] ---
    No!
[17:56] ---
    Mr. Ethical, you devil!
[18:08] ---
    While I do appreciate
    you rescuing me,
[18:11] ---
    maybe you could have
    done it sooner?
[18:14] ---
    Nothing doing.
[18:16] ---
    I wasn't about to step into
    the middle of that.
[18:19] ---
    Kato, why are you always
    so damned reactive?
[18:23] ---
    That's why you'll always be
    like a background character:
[18:27] ---
    inconspicuous, zero presence, and
    swallowed up by your surroundings.
[18:31] ---
    Well, I don't have the presence to cut loose
    and say such rude things to a girl like you, Aki-kun
[18:38] ---
    Look... Here's the thing, Kato.
[18:41] ---
    You're not some ordinary girl.
[18:43] ---
    You're the main heroine of
    the game we're making!
[18:46] ---
    No matter how much time passes,
    I'll never be a fit for that role.
[18:51] ---
    There's no replacing the main heroine.
[18:53] ---
    You have to be the face of our game.
[18:57] ---
    What's the big idea,
    always complaining like that?
[19:02] ---
    I don't know what I should work on,
    or how, so complaining is all I can do.
[19:06] ---
    Then the first step is to start
    acting like a main heroine!
[19:10] ---
    What does that even mean,
    acting like a main heroine?
[19:14] ---
    Well, you know...
[19:15] ---
    Like being hated by your rival so much
    that she puts a tack in your shoe.
[19:19] ---
    Or just when you're about
    to marry your beloved,
[19:21] ---
    he gets into an accident
    and he goes missing.
[19:23] ---
    And even though you're
    finally reunited years later,
[19:25] ---
    the two of you were going through
    with a loveless marriage,
[19:27] ---
    so you get bogged down
    in a love-hate drama.
[19:29] ---
    In what genre, in what country, and
    in what era, is that a main heroine?
[19:33] ---
    She has the guts to tell herself
    to live day by day in spite of it all!
[19:36] ---
    At least understand that much!
[19:38] ---
    Fine, fine, I'll give 110%
    each and every day.
[19:42] ---
    Sheesh...
[19:51] ---
    Your hair's gotten pretty long.
[19:54] ---
    Sure, it's been growing out
    for six months.
[19:56] ---
    Ever since you noticed
    that I existed, Aki-kun.
[20:02] ---
    We've been through a lot
    these past six months, huh?
[20:04] ---
    I haven't.
[20:06] ---
    You have.
[20:08] ---
    You've definitely upped your
    "deadpan retort" game, Kato.
[20:13] ---
    That's what happens when you hang around
    tactless otaku boys for six months.
[20:25] ---
    Our game is almost finished, isn't it?
[20:29] ---
    Yeah, we're almost there.
[20:32] ---
    I hope it's ready for Winter Comiket.
[20:35] ---
    I hope lots of people pick it up.
[20:38] ---
    I hope everybody enjoys it!
[20:42] ---
    We can do it. I know we can.
[20:46] ---
    This is our story.
[20:49] ---
    Otaku and non-otaku coming together,
[20:52] ---
    fooling around, getting frustrated,
[20:55] ---
    laughing together,
    having disagreements,

[20:58] ---
    working hand in hand, fighting...
[21:01] ---
    And, well, all kinds of other stuff.
[21:06] ---
    And it's a story of how we made
    our dream come true together.

[21:12] ---
    Oh, and I hope the circle
    doesn't crash and burn.
[21:16] ---**
    Don't jinx us.

Season 1

E1 - An Error-ridden Prologue

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:02] ---
    And we're down to the final spurt!
[00:56] ---
    One spring day...
[00:59] ---
    I came face to face with my destiny.
SIGN    #1 "An Error-ridden Prologue"
[02:48] ---
    Oops...
[03:00] ---
    See you tonight!
SIGN    Amber Concerto
[03:07] ---
    'Morning, mister!
[03:08] ---
    Hm? You deliver papers now, Tomoya-kun?
[03:12] ---
    What happened to that other job?
[03:14] ---
    I'm still working at the video store
    and restaurant.
[03:17] ---
    I took on a morning job, that's all.
[03:19] ---
    You're such a go-getter.
[03:21] ---
    But isn't it hard to balance
    all those jobs with school?
[03:23] ---
    I can handle it! After all,
    I've got a big goal now.
[03:27] ---
    Which is why I don't have
    time to dawdle! See ya!
[03:32] ---
    What anime is that boy
    hooked on this time?
SIGN    Toyogasaki Private Academy
[03:48] ---
    Class B
    Tomoya Aki
[03:51] ---
    Good morning, Sawamura-san.
[03:52] ---
    Good morning.
[03:53] ---
    Oh, how are you, Ishimaki-san?
[03:57] ---
    And you, Satomi-san?
[03:59] ---
    Sawamura-san!
[04:00] ---
    Good morning!
[04:01] ---
    Sawamura-san, good morning!
[04:02] ---
    Sawamura-san, how have you been?
[04:04] ---
    It's been too long, Sawamura-san!
[04:04] ---
    Hey, look at this, we're all in Class G!
SIGN    Class G Kiyo Ishimaki
[04:09] ---
    Oh, so we are.
SIGN    Azusa Satomi Eriri Spencer Sawamura
[04:14] ---
    Let's have a good year together, then.
[04:32] ---
    Sawamura-san?
[04:33] ---
    Hm? Oh, it's nothing.
[04:43] ---
    Hey, Tomoya!
[04:45] ---
    Oh, hey, Yoshihiko.
[04:46] ---
    Looks like we're in the
    same class again this year!
[04:48] ---
    I'm kinda busy right now.
    Don't bother me.
[04:50] ---
    What's so important? Are you doing
    a roundup of the winter anime?
[04:53] ---
    Or reviewing light novels
    that came out in March?
[04:56] ---
    I finished that stuff ages ago.
[04:58] ---
    For anime, within 24 hours
    of the finale's airing.
[05:01] ---
    For light novels,
    within three days of publishing.
[05:03] ---
    For games, within a week of release.
[05:04] ---
    My mission is to post useful news,
    divided into spoilers
[05:07] ---
    and spoiler-free, that
    anyone can see and enjoy.
[05:10] ---
    You big-league bloggers sure talk different.
    So, what are you working on?
[05:15] ---
    What you see here is a mission
    of the utmost importance.
[05:18] ---
    It's an epic project that's worthy of
    the beginning of my new otaku life.
[05:20] ---
    Whoa, check that out, Tomoya!
[05:22] ---
    Hey, what kind of friend asks a question
    and then ignores me while I'm answering?
[05:25] ---
    Look, it's Sawamura-san!
[05:28] ---
    Eriri Spencer Sawamura.
[05:30] ---
    Half-Japanese, wealthy,
    father an English diplomat...
[05:33] ---
    Plus, she's the super ace of the
    art club who got accepted into
[05:36] ---
    the municipal art exhibition
    right after she enrolled here!
[05:39] ---
    What's the point of getting so
    worked up over her now?
[05:41] ---
    Man, it's like her cuteness has been honed
    even more now that she's in second year.
[05:46] ---
    You still haven't let go of 3D girls?
[05:49] ---
    I made a point of fixating on 2D girls
    all through first year, but listen to you!
[05:53] ---
    What are you saying, you idiot?
    That's exactly why!
[05:56] ---
    She's got fair skin!
    She's half-Japanese!
[05:58] ---
    Blonde hair! In pigtails!
    And she's in knee-socks!
[06:01] ---
    She's a moe heroine with every box
    on the 2D checklist ticked off!
[06:05] ---
    You're the idiot.
[06:06] ---
    3D girls are way too much trouble.
[06:13] ---
    Hey, Tomoya, aren't you going
    to the opening ceremony?
[06:16] ---
    Sorry, go on ahead.
    I'll catch up.
[06:24] ---
    First Press Limited Edition
    Amber Concerto
[06:28] ---
    That was careless, Eriri. It's not like you
    to let a limited-edition pass you by.
[06:34] ---
    Well, online retailers stopped
     taking orders quite a while ago...
[06:38] ---
    I placed orders at all the shops
    that were getting exclusives
[06:41] ---
    the day they started taking pre-orders—
[06:41] ---
    I told you not to talk to me at school!
[06:44] ---
    And what do we say to the
    guy who lugged five boxes
[06:49] ---
    weighing 1.8kg each
    all around Akiba on release day?
[06:52] ---
    I gave you the bonus
    wall scroll, didn't I?
[06:55] ---
    You should be thanking me.
[06:58] ---
    Anyway, why did you come over
    to Class G? You're in Class B, aren't you?
[07:02] ---
    You know what class I'm in?
[07:04] ---
    They were only announced today.
[07:08] ---
    If you don't need anything, I'm leaving!
[07:10] ---
    Hey, wait! I have something
    important to discuss.
[07:13] ---
    The opening ceremony
    is about to start.
[07:15] ---
    It's now or never!
[07:18] ---
    Please!
[07:24] ---
    Well?
[07:26] ---
    It's a project proposal.
[07:28] ---
    For what?
[07:29] ---
    For the ultimate dating sim
    that we're gonna make!
[07:32] ---
    I'm dying to find out how
    someone would arrive at
[07:35] ---
    such a nonsensical, stupid,
    downright painful notion.
[07:39] ---
    I'm glad you asked!
[07:42] ---
    A life-changing event
    happened to me last week!
[07:47] ---
    I felt the hand of something
    at work that day.
[07:49] ---
    Call it fate, call it a divine revelation...
[07:52] ---
    Did you now?
[07:53] ---
    I know, isn't it amazing?!
[07:55] ---
    Isn't it like a girls' manga,
    a romantic anime,
[07:57] ---
    a moe light novel, or the prologue
    to some dating sim?!
[08:00] ---
    Yeah, it sounds like an event I've seen
    a million times that's been done to death.
[08:03] ---
    Winning formulas work
    because people love them!
[08:06] ---
    So I just had to express what
    I was feeling at that moment.
[08:11] ---
    You want to base a game around
    your encounter with that girl?
[08:15] ---
    When I saw her, game text and visuals
    and music cascaded through my brain.
SIGN    Mystery Girl That's right. This is actually my first time in town...
[08:20] ---
    That's how I knew.
[08:22] ---
    The only way to depict
    this story is in game form.
[08:25] ---
    I didn't mean that,
[08:27] ---
    I meant, why don't you track her
    down and tell her how you feel?
[08:32] ---
    Why would I want to profess
    my feelings for some 3D girl?
[08:39] ---
    And? Why are you trying to drag me into
    your little masturbatory fantasy?
[08:44] ---
    It's because you're the best
    illustrator I know of!
[08:50] ---
    By day, you are Eriri Spencer Sawamura,
    star of the Toyogasaki Academy Art Club.
[08:54] ---
    But by night,
[08:55] ---
    your secret otaku identity is a member
    of the super-popular 18+ doujinshi circle,
[08:59] ---
    "Egoistic Lily,"
[09:02] ---
    Eri Kashiwagi!
[09:03] ---
    Damn it, I keep telling you not to
    say that name on school grounds!
[09:07] ---
    You'll do it, won't you?
[09:09] ---
    You're going to do it, right, Eriri?!
[09:11] ---
    As if, you moron!
[09:13] ---
    You promised me back when
    we were in elementary school!
[09:16] ---
    I'm gonna be the president of a game
    company one day, mark my words!
[09:20] ---
    When I do, I'll come hire you!
[09:22] ---
    I'll wait for you as long as it takes!
    I'll be your game company's artist, Tomo-kun!
[09:27] ---
    Eriri...
[09:29] ---
    Tomo-kun...
[09:31] ---
    As if schoolkids would make a promise
    that specific and that mundane!
[09:35] ---
    We did! I know we did!
[09:38] ---
    If you're that gung-ho to do it,
[09:39] ---
    why don't you just do the illustrations
    and scenario yourself?!
[09:42] ---
    That's the doujin way!
[09:44] ---
    It wouldn't work.
[09:46] ---
    My skills couldn't depict that
    girl's beauty in a million years.
[09:51] ---
    She was really that cute?
[09:53] ---
    The scene is still
    seared into my eyes.
[09:55] ---
    She wore a white one-piece dress
     and a white beret.
[09:58] ---
    That fleeting glimpse of her
    standing atop the hill,
[10:01] ---
    colored by cherry blossoms
    dancing on the breeze...
[10:04] ---
    That doesn't tell me
    a damn thing about her face.
[10:07] ---
    You don't remember what
    she looked like, do you?
[10:09] ---
    You're wrong!
[10:10] ---
    My power of expression isn't up to
    capturing that perfect image, that's all!
[10:15] ---
    Even trying to would demean her.
[10:17] ---
    That's why I need the power of
    your illustrations, Eriri!
[10:22] ---
    Anyway, Tomoya,
[10:25] ---
    your way of thinking is
    warped from the get-go.
[10:29] ---
    I never expected to hear that from
    a girl who draws porno doujinshi!
[10:33] ---
    When you say this is a passion project
    but then foist off a key element,
[10:38] ---
    that tells me you aren't
    serious about it at all.
[10:40] ---
    That's exactly like a con man
    who claims to be a producer
[10:43] ---
    who just wants to kick back
    and enjoy the profits.
[10:45] ---
    I'm nothing like those halfhearted types!
    I have drive and passion!
[10:50] ---
    And I'm overflowing with ideas!
[10:53] ---
    I'm the only man for the job of
    bringing this project proposal to fruition!
[10:56] ---
    Wow, all those overflowing ideas can
    fit on that scrap of paper, huh?
[11:01] ---
    "Boy meets mysterious girl, they flirt,
    then share a joyous kiss, the end."
[11:06] ---
    That idea that "only you can bring to
    fruition" fits into one sentence.
[11:09] ---
    Stop it, stop it, stop it!
[11:10] ---
    Later.
[11:12] ---
    Wait, Eriri!
[11:14] ---
    One more time! Hear me out
    just one more time!
[11:19] ---
    There's nothing more to say.
[11:22] ---
    I'll be waiting in the
    AV room after school.
[11:28] ---
    It's too late to be saying
    that now, Tomoya.
[11:35] ---
    And now, the presentation of the top
    prize in the last month's mock exam.
[11:37] ---
    You look depressed.
[11:39] ---
    Did you already get shot down by a girl
    on the first day of the new semester?
[11:41] ---
    It's not that...
[11:45] ---
    But I'll admit that I'm now
    facing a huge crisis.
[11:47] ---
    Utaha Kasumigaoka-san, Class 3C.
[11:50] ---
    Between me and the epic project that's worthy
[11:52] ---
    of the beginning of my new otaku life stands—
[11:54] ---
    Look, Tomoya!
[11:56] ---
    Hey, Yoshihiko, you ask a question and then don't listen...
[11:57] ---
    Check it out, it's Kasumigaoka-senpai!
[12:06] ---
    Utaha Kasumigaoka,
    the smartest girl in school,
[12:09] ---
    who's never lost her seat as top
    in her class in her two years here.
[12:14] ---
    Always lost in her own world...
[12:17] ---
    She's always nodding off in class
    and never does her homework,
[12:21] ---
    but I hear the teachers
    can't touch her.
[12:24] ---
    You've never seen her do it, so don't act
    like you know what you're talking about.
[12:28] ---
    She sure is pretty, though...
[12:31] ---
    She's one of the two top beauties
    of Toyogasaki Academy.
[12:33] ---
    It's not for nothing that they say Sawamura is
    the light side to Kasumigaoka's dark side.
[12:39] ---
    If you start comparing those two, it's
    going to come back and haunt you.
[12:43] ---
    But Kasumigaoka-senpai
    has long, black hair!
[12:47] ---
    And big boobs!
    And black stockings!
[12:51] ---
    Don't you think she's a moe heroine
    who's neck and neck with Sawamura-san?
[12:54] ---
    Look, those are two books you don't
    want to judge by their covers.
[12:58] ---
    I have to say, though, it's weird
    how I never see them with guys
[13:02] ---
    even though they're so sought-after.
[13:05] ---
    Are they just good at hiding them?
    Or do they hate guys?
[13:08] ---
    Don't ask me.
[13:10] ---
    True, it wouldn't help to talk
    to you about it, Mr. 2D-only.
SIGN    There is class in the afternoon too! Don't go home just yet.
[13:27] ---
    I had a feeling you'd be here.
[13:32] ---
    You haven't had lunch yet, right?
[13:37] ---
    Mind if I join you?
[13:45] ---
    Oh, right.
[13:49] ---
    Here.
[13:57] ---
    Bell?
[13:57] ---
    "Bell"?
[13:58] ---
    Oo an do azg be zumding, ite?
[13:59] ---
    Sorry, I don't follow you.
[14:07] ---
    Well? You want to ask
    me something, right?
[14:10] ---
    That's why you have the gall to
     show your face to the girl
[14:13] ---
    you cast aside
    long ago, isn't it?
[14:15] ---
    Don't say stuff that will give
    people the wrong impression!
[14:21] ---
    Well, what do you think
    of my project proposal?
[14:24] ---
    I've never written one before, so I'd
    be glad if you could offer any advice.
[14:30] ---
    Here's where I ask you for
    an even bigger favor.
[14:34] ---
    I'd be even happier if you came on
    board the project, so if you...
[14:39] ---
    Trash to trash, rubbish to rubbish, ashes to ashes.
[14:40] ---
    I poured my heart and soul into that!
[14:44] ---
    Listen, Mr. Ethical.
SIGN    Ethics
SIGN    Slacker
[14:46] ---
    It's Tomoya.
SIGN    Tomoya
[14:47] ---
    Your misguided passion, your
    woefully ill-advised naiveté,
[14:53] ---
    and even your wildly misplaced tenacity
    aren't without their charms.
[14:57] ---
    Those all say the exact same thing
    in slightly different ways.
[15:03] ---
    I can offer no counsel to something
    that I find undeserving.
[15:07] ---
    It's that bad?
[15:09] ---
    I suppose I'd give it a zero
    as a project proposal.
[15:12] ---
    All I see is a mishmash
    of parts I've seen elsewhere.
[15:16] ---
    Look at any part of the story, and the
    source material is easily recognizable.
[15:19] ---
    And what's worse, the whole thing
    is of such poor quality
[15:21] ---
    that it doesn't even rise to
    the level of a degraded copy.
[15:25] ---
    The more of this I read,
    all I can do is sigh.
[15:28] ---
    It's that terrible?
[15:30] ---
    Anyway, I'm busy right now.
[15:34] ---
    I can't join you in your spur-of-the-moment
    "production house" games.
[15:37] ---
    It's not spur-of-the-moment!
[15:41] ---
    I've always wanted
    to make a game.
[15:43] ---
    I've always wanted to get closer to
    the creators I've admired, even if just a little.
[15:49] ---
    Utaha-senpai, remember
    what you told me once?
[15:52] ---
    That I might, or might not, have what
    it takes to be a game creator!
[15:58] ---
    Did I say that?
[16:01] ---
    Anyway, aren't you just trying to change
    the topic with cunning pleasantries?
[16:05] ---
    To me, those words were like the spider's
    thread lowered by Buddha!
[16:11] ---
    The smartest student in the history
     of Toyogasaki Academy, Utaha Kasumigaoka...
[16:15] ---
    is actually...
[16:17] ---
    the super-popular high-school author,
[16:19] ---
    writer of the "Metronome in Love" series,
    which has sold over 500,000 copies!
[16:23] ---
    Utako Kasumi!
[16:25] ---
    Given that you know that, you should
    understand that I really am busy.
[16:32] ---
    I've heard that you've started on a
    new series, right? Congratulations!
[16:36] ---
    Thank you. Goodbye, then.
[16:38] ---
    But be that as it may!
[16:39] ---
    One more time! Hear me out
     just one more time...
[16:44] ---
    I'll be waiting in the
    AV room after school today.
[16:57] ---
    Why did you have to
    pick now, Tomoya-kun?
[17:06] ---
    All done...
[17:07] ---
    It's done!
[17:11] ---
    Just you wait, Eriri!
    Utaha-senpai!
[17:34] ---
    Oh... Aki-kun.
[17:38] ---
    Miss Hasumi says to come
    to the faculty room.
[17:41] ---
    It sounds like she wants you to take
    some class materials to the AV room.
[17:47] ---
    Sorry, but I can't go now.
[17:49] ---
    There's something that I absolutely
    have to do right now.
[17:53] ---
    Oh, okay. I'll go tell her you said no, then.
[17:57] ---
    Sorry, tell her I'll come in early
    tomorrow and do it then.
[18:00] ---
    All right, I will.
[18:02] ---
    Later.
[18:03] ---
    Oh, and one more thing.
[18:05] ---
    What is it now?
[18:07] ---
    Thanks for earlier.
[18:08] ---
    For what?
[18:10] ---
    Remember? You picked up my hat
    over spring break. That white beret.
[18:14] ---
    Did I do that? I don't remember.
[18:17] ---
    I'm not surprised.
    It was quite a few days ago.
[18:21] ---
    See you.
[18:22] ---
    Yeah, see you tomorrow.
SIGN    AV Room
[18:42] ---
    Just because I'm here doesn't
    mean I plan to sign on, got it?
[18:45] ---
    I'm only hearing you out because
    I wouldn't be able to get to sleep
[18:48] ---
    if I thought you were
    waiting here all night.
[18:50] ---
    That's a laudable sentiment, Sawamura-san.
[18:56] ---
    I suppose I've never begun
    a conversation with you...
[18:59] ---
    Utaha Kasumigaoka?!
[19:01] ---
    but would you mind not
    calling me by my full name,
[19:06] ---
    Miss Eriri Spencer Sawamura?
[19:07] ---
    What are you doing here?
[19:10] ---
    What a coincidence, Sawamura-san.
[19:12] ---
    I was just about to ask you
    the very same question.
[19:16] ---
    Wait, you weren't asked here
    by Tomoya, were you?
[19:18] ---
    I had a nagging suspicion when he
    said he wanted to make a game,
[19:22] ---
    but I can't believe he had his eye
    on you to do the character designs.
[19:27] ---
    What's that fool thinking, asking a gloomy
    girl like you to write the scenario?
[19:31] ---
    If you're going to play that card,
[19:33] ---
    is it wise to entrust the illustrations
    to a mega-delinquent
[19:35] ---
    who is a sham of a proper young lady,
    perfect on the outside but rotten to the core?
[19:39] ---
    Who are you calling
    a delinquent?!
[19:41] ---
    I confess that I am gloomy, but I think
    that I'm truer to myself than you are.
[19:48] ---
    Anyway, don't get roped in by that idiot just
    because he was there for you once, you loner!
[19:54] ---
    You're not one to talk, seeing as how
    you're doing exactly the same thing.
[19:59] ---
    I only came here to stop him!
[20:01] ---
    No way is a crazy project
    like that going to work out!
[20:05] ---
    If it were that crazy, wouldn't it implode
    on its own even if you hadn't come?
[20:13] ---
    I'm out of here.
[20:15] ---
    Good day, then.
[20:16] ---
    Wait, are you going to stay?
[20:19] ---
    Do you seriously buy
    that absurd tall tale of his?
[20:22] ---
    I don't see how that is
    any of your concern.
[20:29] ---
    Wait a minute!
[20:37] ---
    What?
[20:39] ---
    You're...
[20:40] ---
    You're the...
[20:42] ---
    I'm the what?
[20:45] ---
    That hat, it was—
[20:47] ---
    Looks like we're in the same class again.
    Let's have a good year together, Aki-kun.
[20:52] ---
    One spring day... I came
    face to face with my destiny.

[20:57] ---
    Um, Megumi Kano, right?
[21:01] ---
    It's "Kato."
[21:02] ---
    Right, that's what I thought it was!
[21:04] ---
    But that was apparently a misunderstanding.
[22:42] ---
    We've been stood up.
[22:45] ---
    Yeah...

Season 1

E2 - A Girlfriend Without a Raised Flag

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:01] ---
    One spring day, I had
    an encounter with destiny

[00:04] ---
    and remembered
    a dream I'd always had.

[00:06] ---
    To create a dating sim that makes
    people laugh, and touch their hearts.

[00:10] ---
    And to create a main heroine
    that would make everyone's heart sing!

[00:14] ---
    Yes, just like that girl did!
[00:17] ---
    The response from those around me
    to me and this dream was chilly at first.

[00:21] ---
    However, by not giving up and
    telling them of my dream,

[00:24] ---
    these newfound comrades
    returned one by one!

[00:28] ---
    And, having had a dramatic
    reunion with that girl,
[00:31] ---
    I have taken the first steps
    to realizing that grand dream!
[00:34] ---
    Don't drop huge lies in
     the middle of an episode recap!
[00:37] ---
    And don't you blow off anime tropes
[00:40] ---
    by having a character
    interrupt the voiceover!
SIGN    #2 "A Girlfriend Without a Raised Flag"
[02:17] ---
    Say, Kato...
[02:19] ---
    Yes?
[02:20] ---
    I never really noticed it before,
    but you're actually pretty cute.
[02:24] ---
    Thanks, but what you never
    noticed isn't that I was cute,
[02:29] ---
    but that I even existed.
[02:31] ---
    I guess.
[02:33] ---
    Toyogasaki Academy,
    Class 2B, Megumi Kato.

[02:36] ---
    In the same class
    as me since first year.

[02:38] ---
    A girl who's always been nearby.
[02:39] ---
    Thank you for waiting!
[02:41] ---
    The layered cheesecake, please.
[02:41] ---
    Now that I look at her, she's definitely cute.
[02:43] ---
    Coming right up!
[02:44] ---
    She has classic features.
[02:46] ---
    She's not too tall or too short.
[02:48] ---
    Her skin is reasonably smooth.
[02:50] ---
    She curves out where
    she's supposed to curve out.

[02:52] ---
    And where she's supposed to
    curve in, she curves in, too.

[02:54] ---
    I mean, it's only natural
    to think she's cute.

[02:57] ---
    After all, I felt the hand of
    fate at work with this girl.

[03:02] ---
    And yet...
[03:03] ---
    I didn't order this!
[03:04] ---
    what's up with this
    total lack of presence?

[03:06] ---
    I'm so sorry!
[03:08] ---
    I'll go ahead and dig in, then.
[03:10] ---
    Sorry for making you treat me.
[03:12] ---
    No, I should apologize for
    asking you out so suddenly.
[03:15] ---
    It's okay, I didn't have anything
    in particular planned today.
[03:18] ---
    That reminds me,
    what happened to that hat?
[03:21] ---
    Oh, I gave it to a relative.
[03:25] ---
    My cousin was visiting, and she liked it,
[03:27] ---
    so I gave it to her as
    a souvenir before she left.
[03:31] ---
    So our fateful encounter is worth
    less than familial obligations?
[03:34] ---
    Excuse me?
[03:35] ---
    No, I was just thinking, "Boy,
    that sure was a coincidence that day!"
[03:39] ---
    If you had known I existed
    like I knew you did,
[03:42] ---
    I suppose that might
    count as a coincidence.
[03:44] ---
    Gosh no, you just have
    one heck of a memory!
[03:47] ---
    You must, to have remembered
    a unremarkable otaku like me!
[03:50] ---
    You're an otaku, I'll give you that,
[03:53] ---
    but don't call yourself unremarkable.
[03:55] ---
    Why not? There's not a single
    thing about me that stands out.
[03:59] ---
    You're one of the top three
    celebrities at our school.
[04:05] ---
    Come again?
[04:07] ---
    You got light novels
    added to the library
[04:09] ---
    and you hold anime film
    screenings at the school festival.
[04:11] ---
    There isn't a student at our school
    who doesn't know the name Tomoya Aki.
[04:15] ---
    How can that be?
[04:17] ---
    Even now, with the otaku population
    having climbed as high as it has,
[04:20] ---
    the eyes of society are still
    on us, and not in a good way!
[04:24] ---
    I wasn't talking about
    otaku in general.
[04:28] ---
    I had no idea! Am I
    really that well known?
[04:31] ---
    But I'm the opposite of you.
[04:34] ---
    I'm totally boring.
[04:36] ---
    Boring... you say?
[04:37] ---
    Look, I didn't order this.
[04:38] ---
    My grades aren't particularly good,
[04:40] ---
    and I'm not in any clubs,
[04:41] ---
    I'm so sorry!
[04:42] ---
    and I've never served on
    any class committees.
[04:45] ---
    I don't have all that many friends,
[04:47] ---
    but I'm not particularly interested
    in trying to make more.
[04:51] ---
    So with all that, it's not all that surprising
    that you didn't remember me.
[04:55] ---
    You're wrong!
[04:56] ---
    Kato... You aren't boring!
[04:58] ---
    Hey, what's gotten into you?
[05:00] ---
    Don't call yourself boring!
[05:02] ---
    Stop pigeonholing yourself
    based on mistaken typecasting!
[05:06] ---
    Kato, I guarantee you this.
[05:08] ---
    You're anything but boring!
[05:10] ---
    Aki-kun...
[05:11] ---
    Your character is dialed way down!
[05:14] ---
    It's just because your character isn't
    fleshed out! You're unfinished!
[05:17] ---
    That's why you don't stand out!
[05:22] ---
    Excuse me.
[05:23] ---
    If I might interrupt?
[05:25] ---
    What is it?
[05:26] ---
    Isn't that worse than being boring?
[05:28] ---
    Of course it is.
[05:29] ---
    Don't underestimate
    boring characters, Kato.
[05:31] ---
    Not many characters are
    as well developed as they are.
[05:35] ---
    For instance, braids, glasses, freckles!
[05:39] ---
    If you combine such
    utterly boring elements,
[05:42] ---
    they become something
    charming that attracts people!
[05:44] ---
    The character becomes defined!
[05:46] ---
    Kato, do you have a trait of being
    unforgettable once someone sees you?
[05:51] ---
    You don't! You don't at all!
[05:54] ---
    You've been sorta cute all along.
[05:57] ---
    There's no disconnect there!
[05:59] ---
    So what are we gonna do
    about your lack of individuality?!
[06:02] ---
    Sorry, mind if I interrupt again?
[06:04] ---
    Now what?
[06:05] ---
    Setting aside the fact that
    you're not one to talk,
[06:05] ---
    How about now?!
[06:06] ---
    Still wrong.
[06:08] ---
    is my lack of individuality
    a problem for you?
[06:08] ---
    Um, maybe you should
    read back my order.
[06:12] ---
    It does! It's a huge problem!
[06:13] ---
    Kato, you have to be
    special or it won't work!
[06:15] ---
    Your personality traits
    have to be well defined!
[06:18] ---
    For what reason?
[06:19] ---
    Because you're the girl who was supposed
    to become my main heroine, that's why!
[06:24] ---
    Uh, was that you professing
    your feelings for me?
[06:28] ---
    Me? To you?
[06:29] ---
    Why would I do that?
[06:30] ---
    I thought so.
[06:31] ---
    You might be speaking to me,
[06:34] ---
    but it's felt like your eyes have been
    looking at something far away.
[06:39] ---
    Not far away in distance.
    In another set of dimensions.
[06:44] ---
    Kato...
[06:44] ---
    Give me back my creative urge.
[06:46] ---
    I'm sorry, I don't understand
    how you arrived at that.
[06:50] ---
    Give me back my dream girl!
    Er, my dream!
[06:55] ---
    Be that as it may, Aki-kun...
[06:56] ---
    Don't change the subject!
[06:58] ---
    Are you going out with
    the most beautiful girl in school?
[07:02] ---
    Two of them, no less?
[07:03] ---
    Kato, there were three errors
    in your statement just now.
[07:07] ---
    The first is "the most
    beautiful girl in school,"
[07:09] ---
    which is a dating sim trope
    that doesn't exist in reality.
[07:12] ---
    The second is having two of the "most beautiful girl in school" is contradictory.
[07:16] ---
    And the third is the wildly mistaken
    notion that a 2D-only otaku like me
[07:20] ---
    could possibly have a 3D girlfriend!
[07:22] ---
    What are those people
    outside the window, then?
[07:33] ---
    Excuse me? Aki-kun?
[07:35] ---
    What is it?
[07:36] ---
    What are Sawamura-san and
    Kasumigaoka-senpai doing here?
[07:39] ---
    Oh, if you know who they are,
    that simplifies things.
[07:43] ---
    Actually, I don't think there's a student
    at our school who doesn't know them.
[07:47] ---
    I mean, they're the top two
    beauties of Toyogasaki Academy.
[07:49] ---
    Please stop using dating sim
    terms with real people.
[07:52] ---
    Add you into the mix, and the three
    celebrities of Toyogasaki Academy are here.
[07:56] ---
    It's a small world!
[07:57] ---
    I'm just saying that
    I stick out like a sore thumb.
[08:01] ---
    Don't worry.
[08:03] ---
    They might look stuck up,
    but they're not so bad.
[08:06] ---
    Really?
[08:08] ---
    Yeah. In addition to having foul
    mouths and nasty personalities,
[08:11] ---
    they're both even bigger
    otaku than I am.
[08:14] ---
    Let me introduce you, Kato.
[08:16] ---
    These two ladies are the members
    of my game creation circle.
[08:19] ---
    Eriri Spencer Sawamura, my illustrator,
[08:22] ---
    and Utaha Kasumigaoka, my scenario writer.
[08:25] ---
    I'm sorry, I don't know
    what that means.
[08:27] ---
    I certainly don't understand
    this either, Mr. Ethical.
[08:31] ---
    Is this what a man says
    when he stands up one girl
[08:34] ---
    and has been on a date
    with another one?
[08:37] ---
    And this is Megumi Kato.
[08:39] ---
    The newest member of the circle,
[08:41] ---
    as well as the main heroine of
    the game we will make.
[08:44] ---
    Heroine?
[08:44] ---
    Not only is that news to me,
[08:47] ---
    am I imagining things, or are you
    giving me an inappropriate job title?
[08:51] ---
    Her?
[08:53] ---
    Um, Aki-kun...
[08:54] ---
    Sawamura-san is staring daggers at me.
[08:58] ---
    Don't sweat it, she's incredibly nearsighted.
[09:00] ---
    It just looks like she's giving the stink-eye.
[09:02] ---
    Actually, I have my contacts in at the moment.
[09:04] ---
    I went to bat for you, so don't blow it!
[09:09] ---
    So, you're Tomoya's...
[09:11] ---
    Um, his classmate.
[09:13] ---
    I really couldn't care less
    if you're his classmate,
[09:16] ---
    girlfriend, fellow otaku,
    or friend-with-benefits.
[09:19] ---
    Um, I think that last one
    is rather mean. To me.
[09:23] ---
    That's the real her. She just
    acts all innocent at school.
[09:27] ---
    Stop it!
[09:28] ---
    Don't talk about me like you know me!
[09:31] ---
    We've been acquaintances
    for years, that's all!
[09:33] ---
    Stop picking a fight with someone
    who's only been an acquaintance for years.
[09:37] ---
    What's with you?
[09:38] ---
    What's with you?
[09:39] ---
    Please stop embarrassing yourself, Sawamura-san.
[09:42] ---
    It's nobody's business but mine
    what I do to this jerk!
[09:42] ---
    Says the girl who's been
    embarrassing herself just as much...
[09:45] ---
    Won't it cause problems later
    if Toyogasaki students are here,
[09:48] ---
    Miss-not-so-innocent Sawamura-san?
[09:50] ---
    That's none of your business,
    Utaha Kasumigaoka!
[09:59] ---
    Enough, enough!
[10:03] ---
    Zero points yet again.
[10:04] ---
    This one's useless, too.
[10:07] ---
    It's still no good?
[10:08] ---
    This tells me nothing about what
    you want to show the players
[10:11] ---
    or what emotions you want to
    make them experience.
[10:14] ---
    Is it because you yourself still can't
    envision what you really want to make?
[10:19] ---
    Wow, you two are talking like creators.
[10:22] ---
    - Because we are!
    - Because we are!
[10:23] ---
    You two are actually friends.
    You are, aren't you?
[10:26] ---
    In any case,
[10:27] ---
    the way things stand now, you trying to
    make a game is a dream within a dream.
[10:31] ---
    What will it be?
[10:32] ---
    Rewrite it yet again?
[10:34] ---
    Or will you give up?
[10:36] ---
    I...
[10:37] ---
    I'd say it's about time to
    throw in the towel, don't you?
[10:40] ---
    True, it looks like Mr. Ethical is
    about to have his heart broken
[10:44] ---
    by the gap between ideals and reality.
[10:46] ---
    For one thing, pictures showing
    stuff like fateful encounters
[10:50] ---
    aren't the same as cute,
    shallow light novels.
[10:52] ---
    I have no intention of
    disagreeing with you on that score.
[10:56] ---
    If fate or coincidence played
    no role in encounters,
[10:58] ---
    the world's couples would be composed
    of nothing but childhood friends.
[11:02] ---
    What's wrong with that?
[11:04] ---
    That's not what I'm saying!
[11:07] ---
    I've decided.
[11:08] ---
    - On who?!
    - On who?!
[11:09] ---
    I won't give up yet.
[11:11] ---
    I'll rewrite it as many times as it takes
    to get your stamp of approval.
[11:15] ---
    That's what you meant.
[11:17] ---
    And one day,
[11:18] ---
    I'll create the ultimate dating sim
    that will make everyone's heart sing!
[11:22] ---
    Yes, and I'll turn Megumi Kato into a main
    heroine who will melt everyone's hearts!
[11:31] ---
    When did she...
[11:33] ---
    I didn't even see her get up...
[11:35] ---
    Dial down the stealth
    settings, would you?
[11:43] ---
    Sorry I'm late!
[11:45] ---
    Hey.
[11:46] ---
    I'm glad the weather
    turned out to be nice today.
[11:48] ---
    The forecast was on the fence,
    so I was worried.
[11:53] ---
    Oh, so this is where your house is.
[11:55] ---
    I pass by here sometimes.
[11:58] ---
    Kato, do you remember
    what kind of place this is?
[12:02] ---
    Sure, the locals call it Detective Hill.
    Because there's a detective agency over there.
[12:08] ---
    No, that's not what I meant...
[12:11] ---
    What do you think the point is
    of my choosing here to meet up?
[12:15] ---
    Isn't this near your house?
[12:16] ---
    No, that's not why!
    That's not why at all!
[12:20] ---
    It's far away?
[12:21] ---
    Oh, come on!
[12:23] ---
    This is the spot where
    you and I first met, remember?!
[12:26] ---
    Well, the first time we actually met was
    at the entrance ceremony a year ago.
[12:32] ---
    Anyway, do you fully comprehend
    what today's objective is?
[12:36] ---
    You said you had something to talk
    about, so I should come to your home.
[12:40] ---
    Starting right there, there's a problem!
[12:42] ---
    Which girl goes to the home of
    a guy she hardly knows?!
[12:45] ---
    Plus, don't get dressed up
    like a normal person would.
[12:49] ---
    Nobody's ever come to
    my place looking that normal.
[12:52] ---
    Right, I thought that was strange.
[12:54] ---
    I figured that you would
    never ask a real-life girl over.
[12:58] ---
    You thought it was strange
    and you still agreed to come?
[13:00] ---
    If a guy's an otaku, you'll go to
    his house without batting an eye?
[13:04] ---
    I certainly didn't expect
    to be lectured like this
[13:07] ---
    by the boy who asked me to come over.
[13:09] ---
    Listen, Kato.
[13:10] ---
    You've been living
    your life haphazardly,
[13:13] ---
    and today I'm going to
    give you a lesson in reality!
[13:17] ---
    Could it be that your room is set up
     so that nobody could hear cries for help?
[13:23] ---
    Yes, prepare yourself.
[13:25] ---
    I'm going to drum the conventions
    of moe content into your head!
[13:30] ---
    Isn't that incredibly unrealistic?
[13:34] ---
    Come on in. Sorry for the clutter,
    but don't let it bother you.
[13:38] ---
    Thanks for having me—
[13:39] ---
    Wow, talk about the very
    image of an otaku's room...
[13:43] ---
    Come on, that's wrong, too!
[13:44] ---
    Why are you so totally relaxed?
[13:47] ---
    You're supposed to casually say,
    "Gosh, it's so warm!" and open a window.
[13:50] ---
    Or inadvertently sit on the bed
    out of habit and get all flustered.
[13:55] ---
    Stick to the established
    heroine behavior patterns!
[13:58] ---
    How do you expect me to tense up
    with you ruining the mood like that?
[14:05] ---
    Whatever.
[14:06] ---
    I'll be able to get the proper
    reactions out of you soon enough.
[14:09] ---
    After all, today is a boot camp that will
    hone your 2D heroine sensibilities.
[14:14] ---
    I don't have any say in this, do I?
[14:16] ---
    So, which shall we play?
[14:19] ---
    All that you see before you
     are preeminent dating sim titles
[14:22] ---
    that will make you
    laugh, cry, and swoon.
[14:24] ---
    Uh, whatever's shortest,
    if you don't mind.
[14:26] ---
    I know, let's play this one!
    Total sales, 300,000 units!
[14:30] ---
    A legendary dating sim that was spun off into
    various media, including an anime adaptation!
[14:35] ---
    I really don't have any say in this...
[14:37] ---
    I had fun today.
SIGN    Go straight home. Go see the night view. Give her a present.
[14:41] ---
    No, that was the wrong choice!
[14:42] ---
    Thank you.
[14:44] ---
    Shouldn't giving her a present
    here be a surefire thing?
[14:47] ---
    It's to commemorate their date.
[14:49] ---
    You don't get it...
[14:50] ---
    You just don't get it, Kato!
[14:52] ---
    But going to look at
    the night view now wouldn't—
[14:55] ---
    Look, what she's looking for at
    this date event isn't some trinket!
[15:00] ---
    I think I'd be better off getting
    what I can while I can.
[15:03] ---
    Take it more seriously!
[15:05] ---
    What's important isn't things,
    it's shared memories!
[15:08] ---
    Oh, right.
[15:09] ---
    When you get a present, it makes
    things awkward after you break up.
[15:14] ---
    Kato... Put down
    the controller for a minute.
[15:17] ---
    It's Break & Lecture time.
[15:19] ---
    I'm all for a break, but why a lecture?
[15:22] ---
    Kato, you don't have the first clue
    about heroines in dating sims.
[15:25] ---
    They might just be symbols,
    but they aren't automata
[15:28] ---
    that always give the same reply
    when you press them in certain spots.
[15:31] ---
    They're human beings who are
    more appealing than real girls
[15:34] ---
    with warm blood running through
    their veins! That's what you have to be!
[15:37] ---
    But if that's the case, wouldn't they sometimes
    be incredibly fickle and break up with you?
[15:42] ---
    Let's call it quits...
[15:42] ---
    Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it!
[15:44] ---
    If even 2D girls stop
    wanting to go out with me,
[15:46] ---
    what can I hope to live for?!
[15:49] ---
    Oh, sorry. Let's pretend
    I didn't say that.
[15:55] ---
    Thank you for everything.
[15:57] ---
    Isn't this sad?
[15:58] ---
    Doesn't this scene make you tear up?
[16:00] ---
    Sure, I suppose it's emotional.
[16:04] ---
    Now do you see it, Kato?!
[16:05] ---
    The way it flows from this dialogue
    to the insert song is so epic!
[16:10] ---
    But get this! Get this!
[16:12] ---
    This isn't the real climax!
[16:14] ---
    Something even more
    astonishing will come after this!
[16:17] ---
    Oh, is that so? I sure am looking
    forward to seeing that.
[16:20] ---
    Prepare to be astonished, Kato!
    To save the protagonist, she offers...
[16:20] ---
    It's something that I decided,
    so it's time for me to go.

[16:24] ---
    You're right, it's interesting.
[16:26] ---
    If I had played this alone in peace
[16:28] ---
    without someone offering commentary
    or spoilers, I might have cried.
[16:33] ---
    I guess it's over.
[16:35] ---
    Yeah...
[16:36] ---
    Huh, I wasn't expecting it to end
    that way. That was a little surprising.
[16:41] ---
    And I'm a little surprised that you're
    this fun to hang out with, Kato.
[16:45] ---
    Though I guess I'm not one to talk.
[16:47] ---
    That's definitely a "I dunno
    about that..." sort of thing.
[16:50] ---
    So, now that you've played one
    all the way through, what do you think?
[16:54] ---
    It had its ups and
    downs, but it was fun.
[16:57] ---
    Right? Right?
[16:59] ---
    The artwork was really cute,
    the performances were passionate,
[17:03] ---
    the music was good, and
    the story was interesting, of course.
[17:06] ---
    Kato...
[17:07] ---
    I've never touched one of these
    "moe" games or anime before,
[17:12] ---
    but it's not what I always mocked.
[17:14] ---
    Kato...
[17:16] ---
    You're exactly the girl
    I knew you would be!
[17:19] ---
    It's not that big a deal.
[17:20] ---
    No, but it is a big deal!
[17:22] ---
    Anyway, this is the sort of main
    heroine I'm going to mold you into!
[17:26] ---
    Meaning that I'm going to suddenly
    drop dead at the end like in this game?
[17:31] ---
    Kato... You aren't mocking this
    game as one of those tearjerkers
[17:34] ---
    that kill off a heroine just to elicit
    an emotional response, are you?
[17:40] ---
    You don't get it...
[17:41] ---
    You just don't get it, Kato!
[17:43] ---
    Well, maybe I don't.
[17:46] ---
    I certainly don't understand
    what you are saying.
[17:48] ---
    Have a seat for a second.
[17:49] ---
    I already am sitting.
[17:51] ---
    Listen, no matter how facile
    and worn-out a weapon it is,
[17:55] ---
    if it has the support of lots of players,
    it should be used without hesitation!
[17:59] ---
    Um, I haven't really given it
    that much thought.
[18:02] ---
    There's no greater weapon in a creator's
    arsenal than a short attention span!
[18:06] ---
    Don't let criticism lead you astray!
[18:08] ---
    Look at the big picture with big eyes!
[18:09] ---
    Do a general assessment of
    what will hook the players the most!
[18:17] ---
    This tells me nothing about what
    you want to show the players
[18:20] ---
    or what emotions you want to
    make them experience.
[18:22] ---
    Is it because you yourself still can't
    envision what you really want to make?
[18:27] ---
    Now I see...
[18:28] ---
    I was the one who didn't understand.
[18:32] ---
    Thank you, Kato.
[18:33] ---
    Thanks to you, I've learned
    the most valuable lesson of all!
[18:37] ---
    Okay...
[18:38] ---
    Good for you?
[18:40] ---
    And with that, today's study session
    has ended on a happy note.
[18:46] ---
    I'll see you at school, Aki-kun.
[18:49] ---
    Hold on.
[18:53] ---
    This game actually has a sequel.
[18:58] ---
    It's been three years since the shocking
    bad ending with the heroine's death!
[19:01] ---
    This is the series' conclusion which is the best
    and went on sale at the right time!
[19:04] ---
    It's the beginning of a tale
    of rebirth and resurrection!
[19:08] ---
    Wait, she comes back to life?
[19:09] ---
    I won't spoil it!
[19:11] ---
    I won't say a word!
[19:12] ---
    See how it plays out
    with your own eyes, Kato!
[19:17] ---
    But if I start a new game now, I won't
    finish until the middle of the night.
[19:21] ---
    It's okay. My parents are out of
    town on an overnight trip today.
[19:25] ---
    Isn't that not okay at all?
[19:26] ---
    Besides, today's Saturday.
[19:28] ---
    There's no school tomorrow, right?
[19:30] ---
    Look, that's not the problem...
[19:33] ---
    I'm begging you, Kato! Don't leave!
[19:36] ---
    Aki-kun?
[19:37] ---
    For the sake of my— no,
    our dream — stay the night!
[19:42] ---
    Make a man of me!
[19:51] ---
    Well, I did tell my folks that I might be
    out late today, so I guess it's okay.
[19:55] ---
    You'll stay?!
[19:56] ---
    Hang on, Kato!
[19:57] ---
    Are you sure it's okay?
[19:59] ---
    To be blunt, the way
    things are now,
[20:00] ---
    I can't excuse my behavior
    if something happens!
[20:02] ---
    But you're you, Aki-kun, and all we're doing is
    staying up all night playing a game.
[20:06] ---
    Yeah, but you—
[20:07] ---
    I mean, you're right, but still...
[20:10] ---
    I think such an irresponsible and carefree
    attitude is crazy for a 3D girl, though.
[20:15] ---
    Again, I'm hardly one to talk, but still...
SIGN    Play from beginning Resume Options
[20:18] ---
    That's definitely a "I dunno
    about that..." sort of thing.
[21:56] ---
    It's over...
[21:57] ---
    It is.
[21:59] ---
    So, how was it for you?
[22:01] ---
    Reaching the true ending, I mean.
[22:04] ---
    I'm so sleepy...
[22:06] ---
    I won't let that be
    your only impression.
[22:09] ---
    Cut me some slack for now...
[22:12] ---
    Listen, Kato.
[22:13] ---
    If this game made you
    feel something,
[22:16] ---
    it means you're
    a member of my circle.
[22:19] ---
    Fine, I'll join. I'll join, okay?
[22:22] ---
    So let me sleep for a bit...
[22:25] ---
    Don't make a crucial decision that might
    alter the very course of your life
[22:30] ---
    based on you being sleepy or bored!
[22:33] ---
    Sheesh, you're so annoying, Aki-kun...
[22:37] ---
    I mean, this is just gonna
    end up being a circle
[22:39] ---
    where everybody plays games
    every day instead of making them, right?
[22:43] ---
    Don't pull me down to the level of
    people who have no ambition.

Season 1

E3 - Retake the Climax

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:01] ---
    Oh, so those two still haven't
    given you the go-ahead.

[00:04] ---
    Yeah, the road to creatordom is a hard one.
[00:08] ---
    So, when is the next deadline?
[00:10] ---
    The end of Golden Week.
[00:12] ---
    That's my final chance.
[00:15] ---
    You only have a few days, then.
[00:18] ---
    Oh, but the long holiday starts today.
[00:21] ---
    You're right! Though the days may
    be few, the hours are many!
[00:25] ---
    I just need to think of nothing
    but the game starting today!
[00:28] ---
    There's a proficiency test at the
    beginning of the week, though.

[00:31] ---
    Be that as it may, given the situation,
    we need another camp cram session!
[00:35] ---
    Come in for a meeting, Kato!
[00:37] ---
    No matter what it takes, we have to win those
    two over and create our ultimate dating sim!
SIGN    Proposal
[00:42] ---
    Sorry, I can't make it this time.
[00:45] ---
    Why not? I thought you
    had joined my circle.
[00:49] ---
    I have, but well...
[00:51] ---
    I'm sort of... in Hokkaido.
[00:56] ---
    Today's the first day
    of our family trip.
[00:59] ---
    How long will you be gone?
[01:00] ---
    Um, through the end of Golden Week.
[01:07] ---
    So that's how it is...
[02:40] ---
    Okay, let's do this!
    Four days 'til the deadline!
SIGN    #3 "Retake the Climax"
[02:44] ---
    Absolutely no anime. No games.
[02:46] ---
    And no light novels!
SIGN    Date A Live
[03:03] ---
    If I just read one, that'll give me
    the final push I need!
[03:12] ---
    Huh?
[03:13] ---
    Oh, crap... I screwed up.
[03:18] ---
    I need some water.
[03:19] ---
    A cola for me, thanks.
[03:21] ---
    Sure thing.
[03:25] ---
    An entire day down the tubes...
[03:30] ---
    Well, I've still got three left,
    so I guess it's okay.

[03:39] ---
    What are you doing here, Eriri?!
[03:43] ---
    Oh, leave it over there, okay?
    I'm screwed if it spills on my roughs.
[03:47] ---
    My schedule is being screwed
    by you letting yourself in!
[03:51] ---
    I had to! I kept pressing the
    doorbell and no one answered!
[03:56] ---
    My point is, you haven't come
    over here these past few years!
[04:00] ---
    Because we haven't said two words to
    each other these past few years.
[04:08] ---
    So let me ask you again:
    Why did you come over?
[04:12] ---
    To work on my drafts for an event
    this weekend, obviously.
[04:19] ---
    Don't come over to a guy's house to
    work on hardcore 18+ illustrations!
[04:23] ---
    What else could I do?
[04:24] ---
    I have monthly deadlines,
    so don't be so unsympathetic, okay?!
[04:31] ---
    No matter how you interpret that, it's only
    a pathetic case of misdirected anger,
[04:36] ---
    so surely you can draw
    that crap at home!
[04:38] ---
    Dad has guests over for a garden party,
    so I came here to get away.
[04:43] ---
    Lock yourself up in your room, then.
[04:45] ---
    If I was at home, I'd have to
    put in an appearance.
[04:48] ---
    People like the previous Minister
    of Foreign Affairs were there.
[04:51] ---
    The complete disconnect between your posh
    home life and the girl I see here is deliberate?
[04:58] ---
    Bite me.
[05:05] ---
    So, are you making progress?
[05:06] ---
    I have three more days.
    That's plenty of time.
[05:08] ---
    Meaning you haven't made any at all.
[05:11] ---
    How did you know?!
[05:13] ---
    When a creator uses the number
    of days left as an excuse,
[05:18] ---
    it's always, without exception,
    because he's behind schedule.
[05:21] ---
    Don't make it sound so painful.
    That's way too much reality for me.
[05:26] ---
    Why not give up? Game creation
    was always too much for you.
[05:31] ---
    We don't know that yet!
[05:33] ---
    I mean, we used to suck
    equally badly back in the day!
[05:38] ---
    We'd draw lousy pictures and make
    lousy stories to go with them
[05:41] ---
    and happily show them to
    each other, remember?
[05:43] ---
    I don't remember that far back.
[05:46] ---
    But you're a member
    of a popular circle now.
[05:49] ---
    Anything that you can do,
    I have to be able to do, too!
[05:52] ---
    Have it your way, then.
[05:54] ---
    Fine, I will have it my way!
[05:57] ---
    And one day, I'll become a creator who's so
    popular that you won't hold a candle to me!
[06:02] ---
    If you can make a comeback like that,
    I guess I was worried over nothing.
[06:07] ---
    Worried?
[06:10] ---
    It's nothing.
[06:11] ---
    Hang on, did you come here to motivate me?
[06:14] ---
    What are you talking about? Are you stupid?
[06:16] ---
    Don't get the wrong idea
    like some crazy person!
[06:19] ---
    What's with that textbook tsundere reaction
    that stinks to high heaven?
[06:23] ---
    I'm not "dere"-ing!
    I couldn't care less about you–
[06:28] ---
    Who is it?! We're in the middle of
    an important conversation here!
[06:32] ---
    That was an important conversation, huh?
[06:34] ---
    Isn't it more like you're acting
    like you own the place?
[06:37] ---
    Gueh!
[06:39] ---
    Gueh?
[06:42] ---
    Come on in, sorry about the mess.
[06:49] ---
    This is tidier than I was expecting.
[06:52] ---
    Although there can be no doubt
    that this is an otaku's room.
[06:55] ---
    Sure... I guess...
[06:58] ---
    So, what brings you here today?
[07:00] ---
    This is the first time you've
    ever come over to my house.
[07:04] ---
    True, this is a first for us.
[07:07] ---
    But don't worry, I'm not flustered just yet.
[07:11] ---
    It's more a case of the day that
    was looming over you has come.
[07:14] ---
    Or there is nowhere for
    you to run, Mr. Ethical.
[07:17] ---
    The rule at my house is to
    treat guests like a king!
[07:21] ---
    I guarantee you a safe return home!
[07:28] ---
    I'm kidding.
[07:31] ---
    I'm just visiting a soldier at the front.
[07:33] ---
    So, how fares the battle?
[07:37] ---
    Um, well...
[07:39] ---
    It isn't, at all.
[07:42] ---
    I was expecting more of a
    simpering excuse from you.
[07:44] ---
    That was refreshingly honest.
[07:46] ---
    I learned to my chagrin quite recently
[07:49] ---
    that such things don't work on
    people in the same industry.
[07:55] ---
    There's really no need to force
    yourself to do this, you know.
[07:58] ---
    Utaha-senpai?
[07:59] ---
    If you give up now, your former daily routine
    as a consumer pig awaits you, that's all.
[08:06] ---
    I don't think that was a particularly
    difficult life for you, Mr. Ethical.
[08:11] ---
    No, it wasn't...
[08:14] ---
    But I have mixed feelings about being
    called a consumer pig to my face.
[08:20] ---
    The life of a creator might seem glamorous,
    but it's not all wine and roses.
[08:26] ---
    It isn't?
[08:29] ---
    The deadlines are murder,
    the competition is rough,
[08:32] ---
    and there's no telling
    when your talent will dry up.
[08:35] ---
    I don't want to hear
    hackneyed cliches from
[08:38] ---
    a young up-and-comer who's at
    the height of her powers!
[08:41] ---
    And worst of all are the haters.
[08:44] ---
    When reviews are good, they deride
    them as stealth marketing.
[08:48] ---
    If a book doesn't sell well, they laugh
    that the quality has dropped.
[08:51] ---
    If you make excuses or rationalize, they say
    you're refusing to accept responsibility.
[08:57] ---
    I'd love nothing better than to round up
    those ****s and get rid of them all!
[08:59] ---
    Utaha-senpai, calm down!
[09:04] ---
    That's why you should go on consuming my
    works as you always have, Mr. Ethical.
[09:09] ---
    Senpai...
[09:11] ---
    Utaha-senpai, remember what
    you said to me earlier?
[09:17] ---
    You said that I still can't envision
    the game I want to make.
[09:21] ---
    Those words really struck
    a chord with me.
[09:24] ---
    I figured out that I didn't
    know anything then.
[09:28] ---
    But that's exactly why...
[09:30] ---
    When I do see what
    I want to create,
[09:33] ---
    will I be able to find a solution
    that will win you over?
[09:37] ---
    That's what I'm not sure about.
[09:41] ---
    So wait just a while longer.
[09:44] ---
    Because I'll put together a project proposal
    that will knock your socks off!
[09:50] ---
    If you're that insistent, I can't stop you.
[09:53] ---
    Do as you wish.
[09:55] ---
    Thank you!
[09:57] ---
    But in return, I won't
    extend your deadline.
[09:59] ---
    I'll be looking forward
    to the end of our vacation.
[10:02] ---
    You can count on me!
[10:03] ---
    I'll put together a project that you
    will be dying to take part in!
[10:09] ---
    In that case, here's one more
    piece of advice, Mr. Ethical.
[10:12] ---
    Yes?
[10:14] ---
    If you are serious about
    wanting to form a circle...
[10:18] ---
    If you are serious about wanting to create a
    game with us all, drag all the members into it.
[10:23] ---
    All the members?
[10:25] ---
    If you don't, you'll never put out a quality
    product no matter how hard you try.
[10:30] ---
    You won't be able to keep
    yourself motivated, either.
[10:33] ---
    So for now...
[10:35] ---
    if nothing else, make the circle members
    you do have give their all.
[10:42] ---
    Oh, and one more thing.
[10:46] ---
    You should have hidden her bicycle, too.
[10:48] ---
    Bicycle?
[10:49] ---
    Until next week.
[11:02] ---
    Utaha Kasumigaoka!
[11:04] ---
    If you were going to curse her name,
    you shouldn't have hidden.
[11:08] ---
    No way am I gonna bump into
    that woman in your room!
[11:12] ---
    Anyway, she'd just be
    condescending and say,
[11:14] ---
    "I knew you were there all along"
    all sarcastically!
[11:17] ---
    She knew all along even without
    bumping into you.
[11:26] ---
    What? I'm sorry,
    I can't hear you.

[11:29] ---
    Wow, it's pretty noisy there.
    Where are you? Sapporo?
[11:33] ---
    Uh, well... Something like that.
[11:37] ---
    Are you having fun?
[11:39] ---
    Yes, lots.
[11:40] ---
    Oh...
[11:42] ---
    So anyway, Aki-kun...
    How is the deadline coming?

[11:45] ---
    About that, Kato...
[11:49] ---
    If nothing else, make the circle members
    you do have give their all.

[11:52] ---
    Don't worry about me,
    just focus on having fun.
[11:54] ---
    I'll muddle through
    on my own, just you watch.
[11:58] ---
    Well, I'll let you go, Kato.
[12:00] ---
    Sorry, one more thing.
[12:02] ---
    What?
[12:05] ---
    What was it about me
    that appealed to you, Aki-kun?
[12:11] ---
    You know, like, "Boy, it sure
    was fun when we did that,"

[12:15] ---
    or, "Wow, I sure love that about her,"
[12:17] ---
    or even the opposite, and something
    that you didn't like.

[12:21] ---
    Have you contracted a fatal disease
    and you won't live to see tomorrow?
[12:26] ---
    It's nothing that dramatic,
    but, well, is there?

[12:32] ---
    Let me think...
[12:37] ---
    Well, everything was fun. Really fun.
[12:40] ---
    Then there's no room
    for improvement?

[12:43] ---
    But, well, I guess if there was
    one change I could have...
[12:47] ---
    One thing?
[12:50] ---
    Maybe you could've been
    more overbearing.
[12:53] ---
    Wait, are you saying that you wished
    I was more mean-spirited?

[12:58] ---
    No, not like that at all.
    Those two are plenty.
[13:03] ---
    How are they different?
[13:05] ---
    Never mind. I'll think
    of something myself.

[13:07] ---
    What?
[13:08] ---
    Talk to you later, Aki-kun.
[13:12] ---
    Sure.
SIGN    Title: (to be decided) Production concept: Prologue: Appeal Point of the Work: Character setting: Heroine A (name to be decided)
[13:22] ---
    I can't, I can't...
SIGN    This LN is Hot! Breaking Light Novel News Blog
[13:26] ---
    Well, maybe just for a bit.
[13:32] ---
    Whoa, I wasted another whole day!
[13:38] ---
    Two days left...
SIGN    Title: (to be decided) Production concept: Prologue: Appeal Point of the Work: Character setting: Heroine A (name to be decided)
[13:40] ---
    No... There's still plenty of time!
SIGN    Give Up
SIGN    Give Up
[13:59] ---
    I never had any talent...
SIGN    Give Up
[14:06] ---
    I knew it, it's nothing but a hill.
[14:09] ---
    I thought that if I came here, I'd get
    some ideas or remember something.

[14:15] ---
    I can't see anything,
    not as I am now...

[14:18] ---
    The blossoms in full bloom.
    The hat flying through the air.

[14:21] ---
    Or even the heroine in her white
    one-piece dress standing atop the hill.

[14:26] ---
    Is it over? Is my dream at an end?
[14:29] ---
    It began here... Will it also end here?
[14:46] ---
    It's been a long time.
[14:48] ---
    We meet again.
[14:52] ---
    Gosh, what a coincidence... Just kidding!
[14:57] ---
    Kato?
[14:58] ---
    Oh, you recognized me,
[15:02] ---
    Tomoya Aki-kun!
[15:13] ---
    What are you–
[15:17] ---
    What are you doing?
[15:22] ---
    Tell me, Aki-kun...
[15:24] ---
    Tomoya-kun, I should say.
[15:27] ---
    Is this the me that you were hoping for?
[15:33] ---
    In anime, in games,
    and in light novels,
[15:39] ---
    does your ideal girl talk like this?
[15:43] ---
    Move like this?
[15:45] ---
    And fall in love like this?
[15:55] ---
    Do I pass?
[15:59] ---
    Could this me become the heroine of
    the story you're trying to make?
[16:05] ---
    Could she help you?
[16:10] ---
    Hang on, weren't you in Hokkaido?
[16:15] ---
    I came home a bit early.
[16:18] ---
    Three days ago.
[16:20] ---
    I didn't think they'd make the deadline
    the last day of the long holiday.
[16:23] ---
    I thought maybe I shouldn't go.
[16:25] ---
    Don't give me that!
[16:28] ---
    Why would you skip a family vacation
    over a little thing like this?
[16:31] ---
    Well, if I didn't help out, I think
    you'd hold it against me forever.
[16:37] ---
    Don't make me sound like
    some clingy, creeper otaku.
[16:40] ---
    Those are real, though!
[16:41] ---
    More to the point, why didn't you
    come by as soon as you got back?
[16:45] ---
    Well, I wouldn't have been much use
    even if I'd come in for a meeting.
[16:49] ---
    Then what's the point
    of you coming back?!
[16:51] ---
    I thought I'd participate in circle
    activities to provide motivation.
[16:59] ---
    It's not just me, though.
[17:01] ---
    Sawamura-san and Kasumigaoka-senpai
    helped me out a lot.
[17:06] ---
    They did?
[17:08] ---
    Sawamura-san redesigned this dress
[17:12] ---
    and tweaked it so it would
    match your tastes precisely.
[17:15] ---
    She said her concept was
    "Mini, fluttery, 2D-y."
[17:21] ---
    Those aren't my tastes, that's
    the dream of all moe-otaku!
[17:25] ---
    And my speaking style and performance were
    straight from Kasumigaoka-senpai's script.
[17:31] ---
    Her stage directions
    are really precise...
[17:34] ---
    I'm amazed you survived.
[17:36] ---
    She wrote a script for
    the Drama Club once,
[17:39] ---
    and she wound up kicking three
    people out of the club over that.
[17:42] ---
    It was pretty fun, though.
[17:45] ---
    I think I'll hit it off with those two.
[17:49] ---
    As fellow circle members.
[17:51] ---
    Kato... Are you on board with this?
[17:55] ---
    Like I said, it's not just me.
[17:57] ---
    You believe in my dream that might
    be unrealistic and haphazard?
[18:03] ---
    To be honest, I still have no clue what
    it is that you're trying to accomplish.
[18:08] ---
    You wouldn't...
[18:09] ---
    But even so,
[18:11] ---
    I understand all too well
    that you're dead serious
[18:14] ---
    about wanting to make
    your dream come true.
[18:17] ---
    Kato...
[18:26] ---
    So hang in there, Tomoya-kun!
[18:30] ---
    Make me a heroine whose happiness will
    be the envy of everyone, okay?
[18:36] ---
    Yeah, I promise I will!
[18:38] ---
    I'm gonna turn you into a main heroine that
    will tug at everyone's heartstrings!
[18:44] ---
    Boy, I wish you would have phrased that
    in a slightly less mortifying way...
[18:50] ---
    And on that note, we're gonna convene
    a meeting right now, Kato!
[18:53] ---
    We're gonna make our ultimate
    dating sim no matter what,
[18:56] ---
    one that will bring those two on board!
[19:00] ---
    Right now?!
[19:02] ---
    Of course right now!
    The deadline is tomorrow!
[19:05] ---
    That's only a problem because you
    haven't made any progress at all!
[19:10] ---
    If you can nitpick, you can offer ideas!
[19:13] ---
    Whisper to me in that
    same style! Moe me up!
[19:17] ---
    But we have school tomorrow, and I
    really need to stop off at home.
[19:20] ---
    Not to worry! I'll let you go
    by 7AM tomorrow!
[19:24] ---
    It takes girls longer to get ready,
    so let me leave by 6!
[19:29] ---
    Fine!
[19:30] ---
    It would be crazy to end the
    same way two episodes in a row!
[19:33] ---
    What's crazy is your attitude!
[19:37] ---
    Looks like we're going
    to get roped into this.
[19:39] ---
    His project proposal isn't done yet. We don't
    know if he'll finish it by tomorrow.
[19:44] ---
    The instant the main heroine came
    on board, the battle was over.
[19:49] ---
    If it annoys you so much, perhaps you
    shouldn't have helped Kato-san.
[19:54] ---
    What're you saying?
    I couldn't care less!
[19:57] ---
    Or that's not the issue. This has
    never had anything to do with me.
[20:02] ---
    If you don't do something about this habit
    of being stubborn when push comes to shove,
[20:07] ---
    you might come to regret it one day.
[20:12] ---
    I already do.
[20:13] ---
    I can't believe I'm in the same circle
    as the Utako Kasumi of all people.
[20:17] ---
    Actually, I'm rather looking forward
    to working with the Eri Kashiwagi.
[20:23] ---
    I am not gonna pick up after
    a hack author like you!
SIGN    Game Project Proposal, 3rd Draft
[22:07] ---
    Whatever anyone else
    might say, this is a 0.
[22:09] ---
    Hey, just a minute! I think this one
    turned out pretty good!
[22:12] ---
    All I see here is your cruel desire to
    make out with your ideal heroine.
[22:18] ---
    You were the one who told me to show you
    the game I want to make!
[22:21] ---
    It's rather annoying when
    something is too overt.
[22:24] ---
    I poured my heart
    and soul into it!
[22:26] ---
    I stayed up all last night to finish this,
    the project proposal of my soul!
[22:29] ---
    I know that, it's your attitude
    that I don't care for.
[22:32] ---
    It wasn't just me!
    Kato worked her heart out, too!
[22:35] ---
    Hey, say something!
[22:37] ---
    Don't fall asleep!
[22:39] ---
    Anyway, if you're the heroine,
    sleep on your man's shoulder!
[22:44] ---
    Ow! Hey! Wha–? Cut it out!
    Stop that! Ow, damn it!

Season 1

E4 - Budget, Deadline and New Development

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:01] ---
    Tomorrow should be fine, Machida-san.
[00:04] ---
    I'm also making good progress
    on the plot for the new books.
[00:08] ---
    I can trust you on that?
[00:10] ---
    Have I ever lied to you before?
[00:13] ---
    About your books? Never.
[00:16] ---
    About deadlines? All the time.
[00:19] ---
    I see.
[00:21] ---
    In that case, I can't spare any
    time for an interview tomorrow.
[00:25] ---
    I retract my previous statement.
[00:28] ---
    Hold on!
[00:29] ---
    Wait just a little bit, Shi-chan!
[00:32] ---
    I'll give you just three seconds
     if you call me Shi-chan again.
[00:36] ---
    How does that sound?
[00:37] ---
    We've already reserved some pages,
[00:39] ---
    and we ran the announcement
    in last month's magazines!

[00:42] ---
    An exclusive interview with Miss Utako
    Kasumi announcing her next book!

[00:46] ---
    Look, my job is to put
    words on the page,
[00:49] ---
    not to speak in front of someone.
[00:51] ---
    Oh, so that's the problem.
[00:54] ---
    I worked hard to make these arrangements
    because I thought you would be happy.

[00:59] ---
    Meaning what, exactly?
[01:00] ---
    You see, I...
[02:44] ---
    I have to go.
[02:48] ---
    I'm sorry, Naoto-kun.
[02:50] ---
    Why are you apologizing, Sayuka?
[02:53] ---
    I can't be a girl
    who tearfully clings to you.
[02:55] ---
    I'm sorry that I chose
    my dreams over love.
[03:00] ---
    I'm sorry.
[03:02] ---
    Goodbye.
[03:07] ---
    And I'm sorry that I will
    always love you anyway.
SIGN    #4 "Budget, Deadline and New Development"
[03:18] ---
    You read it all the way to the end?!
SIGN    "Metronome in Love"
[03:21] ---
    So, what did you think?
[03:23] ---
    I'm a little short on sleep
    today because of it.
[03:26] ---
    I couldn't find a good
    place to stop reading.
[03:28] ---
    Wow, really?
[03:29] ---
    I had always thought that light
    novels were strictly for boys,
[03:33] ---
    but this one is a tearjerker
    even for a girl.
[03:36] ---
    Kato...
[03:38] ---
    I'm so proud of you!
[03:40] ---
    Are you sure it's okay
    for me to keep all these?
[03:43] ---
    Of course it's okay!
[03:44] ---
    Anyway, the ones I gave you
    were for advocation.
[03:47] ---
    I have two other sets: one for
    reading and one for archiving.
[03:50] ---
    Really? Well, if you have extras,
    I guess I'll accept them with gratitude.
[03:53] ---
    I'll buy more, of course!
[03:55] ---
    We have to replenish your stocks
    when your advocation runs low!
[03:58] ---
    Sorry, I haven't gotten the hang
    of standard otaku procedure yet.
[04:02] ---
    I have to say, I can
    still hardly believe it.
[04:05] ---
    It boggles my mind that it was
    Kasumigaoka-senpai who wrote these.
[04:09] ---
    True, when it comes to
    high school girls and authors,
[04:11] ---
    they usually just see light novels.
[04:14] ---
    Um... Well, yes.
[04:17] ---
    That's part of it, but
    when you see her at school,
[04:20] ---
    you'd never picture her as someone
    who would write a romance novel.
[04:25] ---
    It's that dichotomy that really
    establishes her character!
[04:28] ---
    Learn from her example, Kato!
[04:30] ---
    No ordinary human could
    hold down a job writing books
[04:34] ---
    while being a top student in school.
[04:36] ---
    Yeah, it's not just God-given talent,
[04:39] ---
    she must also be working
    hard enough to sweat blood!
[04:42] ---
    Utaha-senpai...
[04:43] ---
    or rather, Miss Utako Kasumi is like a god to me!
[04:47] ---
    Yes, I can see.
[04:48] ---
    You've got the eyes of
    a true believer, Aki-kun.
[04:51] ---
    Man, I can't wait until her next book.
[04:53] ---
    There has to be an anime
    adaptation for this one!
[04:55] ---
    I wonder what the story will be about?
[04:57] ---
    Another pure love type along the
    same lines as Metronome in Love?
[05:01] ---
    Good point.
[05:02] ---
    I'll have to ask her about that, too.
[05:04] ---
    Will she tell you
    something that important?
[05:07] ---
    Isn't that bad, ethically speaking?
[05:10] ---
    Ethical...
[05:15] ---
    What's with that reaction, like
    you're reliving past trauma?
[05:18] ---
    I'm not reliving anything!
[05:20] ---
    I'm not hurting in the least,
[05:22] ---
    so don't get the wrong idea!
[05:26] ---
    Um, okay...
[05:27] ---
    I won't pry any deeper
    on that particular topic.
[05:30] ---
    Anyway, today is the one day
    I can ask her about anything.
[05:34] ---
    Why's that?
[05:37] ---
    You see, the reason is...
[05:40] ---
    My name is Aki, and I'll be
    conducting today's interview.
[05:45] ---
    It's good to meet you, Miss Kasumi.
[05:49] ---
    What in the world is
    the meaning of this, Mr. Ethical?
[05:52] ---
    Um, I got a job offer email
[05:55] ---
    from your assistant editor
    last week through my website.
[06:00] ---
    I mean, you're shy around strangers,
    uncooperative, and foul-tempered,
[06:05] ---
    so an ordinary writer wouldn't be able to
    get any comments out of you, right?
[06:09] ---
    So I figured that if it was someone
    you knew, it would help you relax.
[06:13] ---
    I'm leaving. I'm going
    home and sleeping.
[06:15] ---
    Wait a minute, Utaha-senpai!
[06:17] ---
    But I'm shy, uncooperative,
    and foul-tempered.
[06:21] ---
    Well, that's certainly true...
[06:24] ---
    Thank you for your time, then.
[06:25] ---
    I'm sorry, I mixed up polite
    euphemisms for genuine opinions!
[06:29] ---
    You still seem to be doing so.
[06:31] ---
    I also thought that you wouldn't
    want to do this, Utaha-senpai.
[06:34] ---
    But when I was told
    this is my chance
[06:36] ---
    to learn about your
    new book before others,
[06:39] ---
    there was no way that
    I could turn it down!
[06:42] ---
    Just let it happen, Shi-chan.
[06:44] ---
    This is childish behavior for
    an author who's sold 500,000 books.
[06:48] ---
    Says the immature woman who has defiled our
    sacred workplace by bringing in an amateur!
[06:55] ---
    Utaha Kasumigaoka.
    Toyogasaki Academy, Class 3C.

[06:59] ---
    Her true identity is that of
    best-selling author Utako Kasumi,

[07:02] ---
    who won the Fushikawa Fantastic
    Grand Prize in her first year,

[07:04] ---
    and had a hit in her second year when her
    five-volume debut series sold 500,000 copies.

[07:08] ---
    And now, in her third year,
[07:10] ---
    she is about to embark on her
    eagerly-awaited new series

[07:14] ---
    with the full backing of
    Fushikawa Shoten!

[07:19] ---
    So, I'm told your new book
    that fans are dying to read
[07:21] ---
    is going to be unveiled in this
    issue of Undead Magazine.
[07:24] ---
    True, it is.
[07:26] ---
    I see this series is, like Metronome in Love,
     going to be set in Wago City.
[07:30] ---
    I'm reusing it, yes.
[07:32] ---
    Does that mean we can expect
    a link to the previous books?
[07:35] ---
    For instance, is it set in the same school,
    or will the same characters appear?
[07:39] ---
    Possibly.
[07:41] ---
    Don't fall asleep 30 seconds
    into the interview, Senpai.
[07:44] ---
    I can't help it. I was up all last night
    working out the plot for the new series.
[07:50] ---
    We're the ones who are worried sick
    over you making no progress
[07:53] ---
    despite your all-nighter and not
    getting an introductory article.
[07:57] ---
    Can't say that's me.
[08:00] ---
    Goodnight... forever.
[08:06] ---
    Your new series is the
    eagerly-awaited follow-up
[08:09] ---
    to your previous hit series,
    Metronome in Love.
[08:11] ---
    I expect that you're under pressure
    from high expectations.
[08:14] ---
    Not especially.
[08:15] ---
    Um, by that, are you saying "Regardless of
    how much my circumstances have changed,
[08:19] ---
    it doesn't affect the job at hand.
    I will continue to give it my all"?
[08:23] ---
    Is that what you mean?
[08:24] ---
    Actually, I don't think that my last series
    sold as well as it did because of me.
[08:29] ---
    Oh, I see!
[08:30] ---
    "It was thanks to
    the support of my readers
[08:32] ---
    that Metronome in Love
    was such a big hit.
[08:35] ---
    So I'm praying that you all enjoy
    my new series just as much."
[08:40] ---
    I said no such thing.
[08:41] ---
    I have to hand it to you,
    Miss Utako Kasumi!
[08:44] ---
    Your sincere engagement is
    the key to your popularity!
[08:47] ---
    It was because of you that Metronome in Love
     sold so well, Mr. Ethical.
[08:52] ---
    Hang on a second.
    What I do isn't that important.
[08:56] ---
    Well, what Shi-chan
    says is about half right.
[09:00] ---
    There was a clear jump in sales after
    we were featured on your site,
[09:06] ---
    super-blogger TAKI-kun.
[09:09] ---
    Prior to that, it seemed like we were going to
    have to wrap it up in volume 2 or 3.
[09:13] ---
    They were never on display,
    there were no reprints,
[09:16] ---
    we were getting no word of mouth.
[09:17] ---
    To be honest, it wouldn't exist if it weren't
    for hardcore Fantastic Bunko fans.
[09:23] ---
    Come on, don't give me dodgy
    revelations like that, not now!
[09:26] ---
    Anyway, that's because
    the publisher wasn't doing its job!
[09:30] ---
    That's for sure.
[09:31] ---
    Fushikawa Shoten is cold to newcomers.
[09:34] ---
    That's for sure.
[09:35] ---
    Our sales department
    has zero enthusiasm.
[09:38] ---
    I can't write a single thing
    you've told me in this interview!
[09:47] ---
    Okay, let's start to wrap things up.
[09:50] ---
    Considering how long
    we've been at it,
[09:52] ---
    this interview has been
    precious thin on content.
[09:55] ---
    If the subject had been
    a little more cooperative,
[09:58] ---
    we wouldn't have
    had to do it like this.
[10:00] ---
    Your mistake was trying to get a bunch
    of inoffensive comments from me.
[10:05] ---
    Then let's wrap things up
    with one honest answer!
[10:09] ---
    Please tell my readers what you hope
    to accomplish in your next series.
[10:14] ---
    Just recently, I was able to bring my maiden
    effort, Metronome in Love, to a happy conclusion.
[10:21] ---
    In addition, whether or not I am
    a maiden has no bearing on this.
[10:25] ---
    Keep your mouth shut...
    Keep your mouth shut...

[10:27] ---
    And, thankfully, it has allowed me new
    work opportunities such as this one.
[10:32] ---
    And that is the result of
    you, my readers,
[10:36] ---
    supporting the books of this newbie
    who doesn't know right from her left.
[10:40] ---
    And so, in order to
    repay that kindness,
[10:43] ---
    I will give my best in
    my upcoming projects.
[10:45] ---
    No, even more than that.
[10:49] ---
    I look forward to your
    continued support.
[10:53] ---
    How was that, Mr. Part-time Editor?
[11:00] ---
    It was fine.
[11:01] ---
    "My gratitude will be repaid
    in full with my books."
[11:04] ---
    That's the Utako Kasumi I know!
[11:06] ---
    Is that all?
[11:10] ---
    You'll note that I used the plural.
    "Upcoming projects."
[11:13] ---
    Are you sure that you aren't
    forgetting something, Mr. Ethical?
[11:16] ---
    Do you mean...
[11:17] ---
    It means that I currently have
    two job offers on the table.
[11:22] ---
    Client.
[11:25] ---
    My project proposal...
[11:26] ---
    You're going to do it?!
[11:28] ---
    Can I take part in your circle
    starting from next week?
[11:32] ---
    Utaha-senpai!
[11:33] ---
    In return, prepare yourself.
[11:35] ---
    If I'm going to participate, I won't
    stand for any slacking off from anyone.
[11:39] ---
    I'm a little concerned that
    Sawamura-san might quit, though.
[11:42] ---
    Thank you...
[11:44] ---
    Thank you, Utaha-senpai!
[11:46] ---
    So I suggest that you do your damndest
    to keep up with me, Mr. Ethical.
[11:50] ---
    I'll run for dear life to make sure
    I'm not left in your dust!
[11:55] ---
    Now, you two,
[11:57] ---
    can we have a quick meeting
    to discuss work priorities?
[12:02] ---
    How long have you been awake?
    How long have you been watching?
[12:04] ---
    And wow, it's late!
[12:06] ---
    It's fine, it's fine.
[12:08] ---
    This is pretty much when our
    editing department starts work.
[12:12] ---
    Wow, life in the publishing
    biz sounds rough...
SIGN    Audio-Visual Room
[12:28] ---
    Get this straight, I haven't
    decided if I'm going to join up.
[12:31] ---
    But I can see that you're
    helpless by yourself,
[12:34] ---
    so I guess I can help out just a little.
[12:37] ---
    If you have time to showcase
    the appeal of tsundere characters,
[12:42] ---
    perhaps you should simply
    join up, Sawamura-san.
[12:45] ---
    What kept you, Eriri?
    We've already started.
[12:49] ---
    Wait, why are you here before me,
    Utaha Kasumigaoka?!
[12:52] ---
    We were all informed that the club
    meeting would begin at 3:30, yes?
[12:56] ---
    You arrived late, that's all.
[12:58] ---
    No, not that!
[12:59] ---
    That's not what I meant!
[13:01] ---
    Last weekend, I was personally courted
    by Mr. Ethical here, so I had no choice.
[13:07] ---
    What's up with that?
    I wasn't courted!
[13:10] ---
    Please stop saying things that could
    be misconstrued, Utaha-senpai.
[13:13] ---
    And you should pay attention
    to what you say, Eriri.
[13:17] ---
    Honestly, you're the type who can never
    rest unless she's top dog at everything.
[13:22] ---
    A person who would be
    a poor choice as a lover.
[13:24] ---
    Or one who loses everything as
    she doesn't know how to back down.
[13:27] ---
    Utaha Kasumigaoka!
[13:31] ---
    Fine! Fine! It's all my fault,
    so please take your seat!
[13:35] ---
    Without any further ado, here is the production
    schedule for our ultimate dating sim!
SIGN    Scenario 69 Master UP Illustrations 710
[13:42] ---
    The game will be
    complete in December!
SIGN    Plot Scenario 69
SIGN    Character Design Illustrations 7
10
[13:44] ---
    The unveiling will be at
    the Winter Comic Market!
SIGN    Master UP
[13:49] ---
    In short, our legend will begin
    on New Year's Eve this year!
[13:54] ---
    Impossible.
[13:55] ---
    That's insane.
[13:57] ---
    I'd have to devote 100% of my time
    to meet such a tight schedule.
[14:01] ---
    I have my own club and
    circle activities, remember?
[14:05] ---
    And this conflicts with the writing
    period for my own book.
[14:08] ---
    Let's see...
[14:09] ---
    If we push back the scenario
    start date a month...
SIGN    Plot Scenario 7~10
[14:13] ---
    I could manage that.
[14:14] ---
    Wait a minute,
    wait a minute, wait a minute!
[14:16] ---
    There isn't enough time
    for me to do my work,
[14:19] ---
    so what's with pushing back
    the scenario development to the end?!
[14:22] ---
    Please don't shorten other people's
    schedules at your convenience.
[14:25] ---
    If the scenario isn't done,
    it will just be a crap game!
[14:28] ---
    Dating sim players only
    look at the pictures, anyway!
[14:31] ---
    Isn't it because of people who say such
    things that the industry is shrinking?
[14:33] ---
    Mr. Ethical is a slacker.
SIGN    Small boobs
[14:35] ---
    Stop it, stop it, stop it!
SIGN    Gloomy loner
[14:37] ---
    For now, let's just have you two
    focus on the plot and character designs.
SIGN    Plot: May Character designs: May-June The rest: Adjusted separately
[14:42] ---
    For now, roger.
[14:43] ---
    For the time being, I'll try.
[14:45] ---
    Great! Now that we've settled
    on a course of action for now,
[14:47] ---
    let's all get down to work.
    So, what should I be doing?
[14:50] ---
    Let's see... For now, go out
    and buy us some snacks.
[14:53] ---
    I'll have a sweet bun.
[14:55] ---
    And a coffee-flavored milk.
[14:56] ---
    Um, excuse me?
[14:58] ---
    I'm this circle's representative-
    slash-producer-slash-director.
[15:06] ---
    If you're that eager to do something,
    you're welcome to do the character designs.
[15:10] ---
    And if you're so gung-ho, you can handle
    the plot, scenario, and everything else.
[15:14] ---
    Are chocolates
    and a melon bun okay?
[15:17] ---
    Oh, come to think of it, I remembered
    one more vital mission for you.
[15:21] ---
    What? What?
[15:22] ---
    Fundraising, Mr. Producer.
[15:25] ---
    Beg pardon?
[15:26] ---
    Making a game also involves
    DVD pressing fees,
[15:29] ---
    packaging and manual design
    and printing fees, and so on...
[15:32] ---
    That can cost anywhere from
    hundreds of thousands to a million yen.
[15:35] ---
    A million?!
[15:38] ---
    A high schooler doesn't
    have that kind of money!
[15:40] ---
    Really? At a single Comiket,
    I sell ** books for ** yen.
[15:44] ---
    My printing costs are 0,000 yen
    so the remaining 0,000 is profit.
[15:49] ---

    When I put out a light novel,
    the first printing is ** books at ** yen each,
[15:53] ---
    and since my royalties are %,
    I earn 0,000.
[15:56] ---

    You guys file income tax returns?
[16:01] ---
    That being the case, I can
    front you the money if needed.
[16:05] ---
    Utaha-senpai?
[16:07] ---
    It won't be for free, of course, but I won't
    charge you illegally high interest rates.
[16:12] ---
    You simply need to agree
    to do a little favor for me.
[16:16] ---
    F-Favor?
[16:18] ---
    You see, it's my...
[16:22] ---
    Th-That's about enough of that,
    Utaha Kasumigaoka!
[16:25] ---
    But the money issue cannot be avoided.
[16:28] ---
    Someone has to see
    that it's taken care of.
[16:31] ---
    Oh, you know that isn't what I'm
    objecting to, so don't play dumb!
[16:34] ---
    Please don't denigrate my desire
    to help the circle run smoothly.
[16:39] ---
    You're always doing that, talking to people
    like you're looking down on them!
[16:41] ---
    Look, cut it out!
[16:43] ---
    Enough with this infighting that's the cliched
    model of a circle that's going to implode!
[16:48] ---
    I'll come up with something
    to deal with the money situation.
[16:51] ---
    But...
[16:53] ---
    Are you sure, Mr. Ethical?
[16:54] ---
    And in return!
[16:55] ---
    Eriri, you draw seriously moe artwork!
[16:58] ---
    Utaha-senpai, you write a scenario
    that will make people cry!
[17:00] ---
    Can you do that, you two?
[17:05] ---
    Who do you...
[17:06] ---
    ...think you're talking to?
[17:14] ---
    So, what should I be doing?
[17:18] ---
    Well...
[17:20] ---
    She was here.
[17:21] ---
    ...if you could be a wee bit more conspicuous,
[17:21] ---
    I'd completely forgotten.
[17:23] ---
    sorta like a main heroine,
    that would be great.
SIGN    Target is 1,000,000 yen!!
[17:38] ---
    I'll do it!
[17:39] ---
    I'll see this through, mark my words!
[17:42] ---
    We're gonna make the ultimate
    dating sim with our own two hands!

[17:46] ---
    And I'm gonna make Kato...
[17:47] ---
    I'm gonna take that utterly
    moe-less heroine and...

[17:50] ---
    ...raise her into the ultimate main heroine
    that everyone will worry about!

[17:57] ---
    Welcome. How many are you?
[17:59] ---
    Gosh, when was the last
    time we were here?
[18:03] ---
    Oh, Aki-kun?
[18:05] ---
    Oh, is this a friend of yours, Megumi-chan?
[18:07] ---
    Who is this?!
[18:09] ---
    You can't be doing this!
[18:14] ---
    Oh, you mean Keiichi-kun?
    He's my cousin.
[18:17] ---
    Cousin?
[18:18] ---
    His whole family came yesterday for a visit,
    but our parents went out to see a play.
[18:23] ---
    We got tired of waiting for them, so we thought
    we'd go out for dinner by ourselves.
[18:27] ---
    Cousin?
[18:28] ---
    I had no idea you had a job
    at that restaurant, Aki-kun.
[18:32] ---
    I go there about once a month.
[18:35] ---
    What's the matter, Aki-kun?
[18:37] ---
    I know I told you to stand out more,
[18:41] ---
    but I didn't say it was okay for you
    to stand out in a bad way like that!
[18:45] ---
    Kato, do you understand
    your position here?!
[18:49] ---
    I'm a second-year high-school girl
    with absolutely no agency
[18:51] ---
    who was brought into a game circle
    by the biggest otaku in school?
[18:55] ---
    That's your pre-transformation,
    assumed identity!
[18:58] ---
    The real Megumi Kato is a pure
    beautiful dating sim heroine
[19:02] ---
    who makes everyone's
    hearts beat faster!
[19:04] ---
    Hearing you say that out loud again,
    I'm really stumped as to how to react.
[19:09] ---
    A heroine who exists solely
    for the protagonists
[19:11] ---
    who will play the game
    would never do such a thing!
[19:14] ---
    She would never forsake him
    to mess with some other man!
[19:17] ---
    "Other man"?
[19:20] ---
    You mean Keiichi-kun, my cousin?
[19:22] ---
    The "cousin" thing makes it
    even more problematical!
[19:27] ---
    Days long gone by when
    you two played at your granny's...
[19:30] ---
    You ran too much and sprained
    your ankle, and your cousin carried you.
[19:34] ---
    The two of you walked
    home that night as you cried.
[19:36] ---
    Memories of the faint
    signs of love...
[19:37] ---
    C'mon! In dating sims,
    that always leads into memories!
[19:40] ---
    Even so...
[19:45] ---
    So please, Kato. I'm begging you.
[19:48] ---
    Fine.
[19:49] ---
    Maybe I'm being unreasonable.
    Maybe I'm being obnoxious.
[19:52] ---
    Maybe you're thinking,
    "What kind of idiot is this guy?"
[19:54] ---
    Um, I'm sorry. Leave off the "maybe."
[19:58] ---
    But still, I don't want you
    to see your cousin anymore!
[20:01] ---
    Stay as a heroine who's saving herself
    for the users, at least until the game is finished!
[20:05] ---
    Aki-kun...
[20:06] ---
    Please, Kato!
[20:08] ---
    Um, I'm sorry.
[20:10] ---
    We're supposed to go out
    together this weekend.
[20:14] ---
    That's right out!
[21:49] ---
    Look, it isn't a date or anything.
[21:52] ---
    See?
[21:52] ---
    Finally Open!
    Grand Opening Sale!
    Everything 20% Off!!
[21:53] ---
    Rokutenba Mall?
[21:55] ---
    Some girls in class invited me, but
    I said no because it would be crowded.
[21:59] ---
    But then Keiichi-kun asked me, and–
[22:00] ---
    Spare me the farfetched excuse!
[22:03] ---
    Going shopping with
    a guy is totally a date!
[22:07] ---
    Your delusions sure
    are impressive, Aki-kun.
[22:10] ---
    In the bad way, as well as...
    No, just the bad way.
[22:13] ---
    If you're going to be that
    stubborn, I have a plan!
[22:18] ---
    What?
[22:19] ---
    Go, but with me, not Keiichi-kun!
[22:23] ---
    With you?
[22:24] ---
    With me!
[22:25] ---
    It's not a date, right?
[22:27] ---
    You just want to buy
    some things, right?
[22:29] ---
    So going with me shouldn't
    be a big deal, right?
[22:34] ---
    Sure. I don't mind going with you, Aki-kun.
[22:37] ---
    I'll turn down Keiichi-kun, then.
[22:40] ---
    Wait, seriously?
[22:41] ---
    You're okay with
    going out alone with me?
[22:45] ---
    This really is a date, right?
    Is this a good idea?

Season 1

E5 - The Date Event of Crossing Paths

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:01] ---
    All right, Kato-san.
    Try and look huffy this time, please.
[00:05] ---
    H-Huffy?
[00:07] ---
    Ummm, here, it's like if you got
    stood up by your boyfriend,
[00:11] ---
    and you're all, "Come on, come on!
    It's like I don't even know you anymore!"
[00:14] ---
    That's the kind of feeling I mean.
[00:16] ---
    There's no situation in real life where
    you'd actually behave or talk that way.
[00:22] ---
    So our circle activities begin at last.
[00:26] ---
    Here, have some, Utaha-senpai.
SIGN    Ahn!
[00:33] ---
    Utaha-senpai?
SIGN    Ahn! Ahn! Ahn! Ahn!
SIGN    Ahn! Ahn! Ahn! Ahn! One more! One more! One more!
[00:58] ---
    This won't do, my pencil broke.
    Go buy me another right now, Tomoya.
SIGN    #5 The Date Event of Crossing Paths
[02:36] ---
    What? Kato-san, you can't even
    do a disgusted glare?!
[02:42] ---
    Fine, next just try an angry expression.
[02:45] ---
    Imagine you've got an anger mark
    on your temple.
[02:49] ---
    That doesn't work either?
    Well, what about a sweatdrop?
[02:53] ---
    Can you not even get those
    vertical lines on your face?!
[02:58] ---
    So you can't even make
    one standard manga face!
[03:02] ---
    What exactly am I supposed to do now?!
[03:04] ---
    There's not much I can say to that...
[03:08] ---
    I'll go try a little self-study.
[03:11] ---
    "Come on, come on,
    it's like I don't even know you anymore..."
[03:16] ---
    "Ah, don't get me wrong,
    I didn't do this for you anyway..."
[03:22] ---
    Looks like she's putting up a good fight.
[03:24] ---
    I've never taken on a mission
    as tough as this in my life.
[03:28] ---
    Is that so.
[03:29] ---
    If she were really expressionless,
[03:31] ---
    we could maybe play her off
    as a Rei Ayanami-type character,
[03:34] ---
    but in her case, it's more that her
    personality's just flimsy and half-baked...
[03:37] ---
    Ah, that's true.
[03:39] ---
    It's not so much that
    she's expressionless,
[03:42] ---
    just that the expressions she does have
    are really noncommittal.
[03:45] ---
    Seriously, I've never had a character
    I can't use before...
[03:48] ---
    Right? She's just got no character, right?
    Isn't it just like I said?
[03:51] ---
    That's such a pointless thing to boast about,
    hearing it just annoys me.
[03:56] ---
    That aside, we don't have a lot of time
    left before the character design deadline.
[04:00] ---
    We really don't...
[04:02] ---
    Should we meet at your house this weekend
    and knock it all out in one go?
[04:06] ---
    Wait, this weekend?
[04:08] ---
    What? Do you have other plans?
[04:10] ---
    No...
[04:15] ---
    By the way, Eriri...
[04:16] ---
    What?
[04:18] ---
    Have you ever gone on a date?
[04:26] ---
    Was it really that big a question?
[04:28] ---
    Just hearing the word from the mouth
    of a gross otaku like you
[04:30] ---
    would give anyone goosebumps!
[04:33] ---
    A d-d-d-date...
    d-d– are you asking me out?
[04:37] ---
    No.
[04:39] ---
    Is this an away game strategy?
[04:42] ---
    Look, this is really just hypothetical,
[04:45] ---
    but that's what you'd call it if you got
    roped into going to the mall to look at clothes
[04:48] ---
    and stuff with a girl, right?
[04:50] ---
    I wouldn't go. Places like that
    are full of human garbage.
[04:54] ---
    They're just called "crowds."
[04:56] ---
    If you need clothes,
[04:57] ---
    why don't you just mail order them or
    have a coordinator pick them out for you?
[05:01] ---
    Try to put aside your special
    Milady Shut-in quirks for a minute.
[05:05] ---
    Basically, if you got caught in a suffocating
    situation like that, what would you do?
[05:09] ---
    Why are you asking me?
[05:11] ---
    I figured you would probably
    know what to do.
[05:14] ---
    You're the one who always
    wears a mask at school.
[05:19] ---
    Ah, sorry... that was weird
    of me to say. Forget about it.
[05:29] ---
    Well, if we're talking away game strategy...
    you should aim for a tie.
[05:33] ---
    A tie?
[05:35] ---
    Do a little bit of prior research, stay on
    her conversational level as much as you can,
[05:38] ---
    and if even that gets too hard,
    just smile and fake it.
[05:42] ---
    Smile?
[05:43] ---
    Yes, even if you don't understand
    what the other person's saying,
[05:46] ---
    just smile in the meantime.
[05:48] ---
    Restrain yourself from asking
    any unnecessary questions.
[05:50] ---
    Don't say anything
    that seems too out of place.
[05:53] ---
    And definitely don't do anything absurd
    like bulldoze your opinions over hers...
[05:57] ---
    Doesn't that sound boring to you?
[05:59] ---
    If we went to all the trouble
[06:01] ---
    of finding time to spend together,
    shouldn't it be, you know, deeper?
[06:03] ---
    That's what I mean,
    that's the home game strategy.
[06:05] ---
    It's good for if you're playing
    in the otaku field.
[06:12] ---
    But I... I just want to always be my usual self.
[06:16] ---
    That's impossible.
    Everyone's got a secret side to them.
[06:21] ---
    But... Kato doesn't, does she?
[06:24] ---
    She's a non-otaku, but even when
    she got mixed up with us otaku,
[06:27] ---
    she stayed exactly
    the same as she was, right?
[06:29] ---
    In a way, I think that's actually
    pretty amazing about her.
[06:33] ---
    So, I mean, I feel like I shouldn't just settle
    for a tie and a forced smile with her...
[06:40] ---
    So this was about a real date
    after all, wasn't it?
[06:42] ---
    You're going on a date
    with Kato-san, aren't you?
[06:44] ---
    Huh?
[06:45] ---
    So after all you've relied on me,
    in the end I was just a trial run?
[06:48] ---
    I, Eriri Sawamura, was just being deceived!
[06:51] ---
    That's not true!
    We're just going shopping!
[06:54] ---
    I'm going with her to
    the Rokutenba Mall opening sale!
[06:57] ---
    Which is exactly what you'd call a date!
[07:00] ---
    So it really is a date? Even with your own
    cousin, that's still a date, isn't it!
[07:04] ---
    What are you even talking about?
[07:07] ---
    U-Utaha...
[07:09] ---
    ...senpai?
[07:17] ---
    It's here... the plot appears at last!
[07:19] ---
    The protagonist disregards the yandere
    heroine, and dates another girl...
[07:23] ---
    but returns home and is knocked unconscious
    by a sudden blow to the back of the head.
[07:26] ---
    He awakens to find his
    arms and legs bound;
[07:28] ---
    unable to move, he calls out for help,
    when who should appear before him but...!
[07:31] ---
    That... That's kinda...
[07:33] ---
    It comes out now and then during the creative
    process... the dark side of the creator.
[07:38] ---
    She's just getting carried away,
    though, right?! That's all?!
[07:41] ---
    Looks like you need
    a punishment, Mr. Ethical...
[07:44] ---
    Hang on a second!
    You just called him Mr. Ethical!
[07:47] ---
    Umm...
[07:48] ---
    "W-Why do I have to worry so much
    about a guy like that..."
SIGN    Dating Sim Proposal
[08:00] ---
    And so...
[08:02] ---
    I pulled an all-nighter last night,
    and came up with the plot.
[08:04] ---
    That was fast!
[08:05] ---
    Whoa, it's really thick...
    You wrote all this in one day?
[08:09] ---
    It looks like it's about five times bigger
    than the proposal Tomoya wrote.
[08:13] ---
    I can't pretend it's not painfully true,
    but that's Utaha-senpai for you!
[08:19] ---
    Just give it a read-through for now
    and let me know what you think...
[08:23] ---
    I'm just gonna sleep for a while...
[08:28] ---
    That was quick...
SIGN    For Mr. Ethical, By Mr. Ethical Overflowing with Ethics Super Healthy Dating Sim Plan (Tentative)
[08:54] ---
    When his parents' job forces them to move
    to a suburban city, the protagonist

[08:59] ---
    Seiji Azumi transfers to a new school where,
    atop a hill with the falling cherry blossom petals,

[09:03] ---
    he has a fateful encounter
    with a certain girl...

[09:05] ---
    Umm, Sawamura-san,
    is this protagonist your design too?
[09:09] ---
    Well, he's based on
    the handsomest guy I could think up...
[09:14] ---
    The next day, by chance, they meet again...
    in the class into which he's transferred.

[09:18] ---
    That's such a cliched development!
[09:20] ---
    The girl's name is Meguri Kano.
[09:22] ---
    Huh, I feel like I've heard
    that name somewhere...
[09:26] ---
    Little by little, the distance between Seiji
    and Meguri's hearts draws closer,

[09:30] ---
    until finally they confirm their feelings
    for each other and are bonded.

[09:34] ---
    Wh-wh-whoa!
[09:37] ---
    Wow, this is clearly modeled on Kato, but
    she really gets that heart-pounding feeling!
[09:41] ---
    Why don't you just stick to the narration?!
[09:44] ---
    But all the while, Meguri's behavior
    is slowly changing.

[09:50] ---
    Her strange obssession with Seiji, her
    unconscious fear that appears now and then,

[09:54] ---
    and her memories of a time
    before she was born.

[09:57] ---
    On one such strange day, Seiji worries over
    Meguri's changing state and calls out to her,

[10:01] ---
    when suddenly she calls him...
[10:03] ---
    Go, Kato!
[10:04] ---
    Huh? A-ah, um...
[10:07] ---
    "No, nothing's wrong... big brother."
[10:11] ---
    "Big Brother!" There it is!
[10:12] ---
    Keep it down.
[10:14] ---
    At last, Meguri begins to recall
    herself from a past age...

[10:18] ---
    her immoral love, and family tragedy.
[10:20] ---
    Every time she starts to regain her memories,
[10:23] ---
    inexplicable events begin to take place
    around the two of them.

[10:27] ---
    Finally, before them appears an enemy whose
    life goes back through centuries of history...

[10:34] ---
    Whaaaat, what happens next is insane!
[10:37] ---
    Ugh... come on...
[10:39] ---
    Determined at last to protect each other
    and defeat their enemy,

[10:43] ---
    the two lovers assume the roles of the older
    brother and younger sister of old!

[10:46] ---
    Wait, there's no such thing as older brothers
    and younger sisters in love, is there?
[10:50] ---
    What are you talking about, Kato?
    Of course there are, in the 2D realm!
[10:53] ---
    Yes, Tomoya's exactly right. Can't you take
    this a little more seriously, Kato-san?
[10:58] ---
    What? Sawamura-san?
[11:00] ---
    And then, the final battle!
[11:02] ---
    When the difficult fight is done, the victorious
    two at last sever the chains of past tragedy.

[11:07] ---
    The sibling lovers finally face
    their long, entwined future...

[11:12] ---
    Go, Kato!
[11:13] ---
    Ah, right, right, um...
[11:16] ---
    "We'll always be together from now on,
    won't we... I love you, big brother."
[11:21] ---
    Hnnnnngh! There it is, there it is, there
    it is, there it is... the "Big Brother" is back!
[11:25] ---
    The word itself was there, but that careless
    performance doesn't make it mean much...
[11:30] ---
    Sorry, I'm still not used to
    the rules of making 2D...
[11:36] ---
    So, what do you think?
[11:37] ---
    This is really exciting!
[11:39] ---
    It's a whole different direction
    from all your old Utako Kasumi works,
[11:43] ---
    but it's so full of
    tension and plot twists,
[11:46] ---
    every time something new happened
    I could hardly breathe!
[11:48] ---
    So the main heroine was a little sister
    in her past life, plus a yandere...
[11:53] ---
    it was uncharacteristically sly of you.
    But, well, I didn't hate it.
[12:00] ---
    Um... I thought the setting was kind of stiff.
[12:04] ---
    Ah... yeah.
[12:09] ---
    Well, it doesn't seem like anyone's really against
    it, so... should we call this the final draft?
[12:15] ---
    Uh...
[12:16] ---
    That's fine, isn't it?
[12:17] ---
    I've got to get the character design finalized
    soon, so it'd be best to have the plot finished.
[12:24] ---
    Well then, it's finally finished...
[12:27] ---
    Hang on a second!
[12:28] ---
    Mr. Ethical...?
[12:30] ---
    It's definitely exciting, I have no complaints
    in that department, but...
[12:34] ---
    I'd like if it had more of a conclusion.
SIGN    Dating Sim Proposal
[12:41] ---
    Get a hold of yourself, Tomoya. This has
    been in the works for three days already!
[12:45] ---
    Sorry.
[12:46] ---
    More so even than doing nothing,
[12:49] ---
    dragging at her feet is just going to bring
    the creator's motivation down.
[12:51] ---
    You're just such an idealistic, "this is a hundred
    kinds of wrong and no right" type of director.
[12:57] ---
    This should be fine,
    it's plenty exciting already.
[13:01] ---
    You said so yourself, didn't you?
    So let's just move on already, all right?
[13:05] ---
    I'm sorry, I can't allow that.
[13:06] ---
    Tomoya!
[13:07] ---
    It's absolutely exciting, it's amazing...
    but it's just not satisfying enough to me.
[13:13] ---
    Subjective, feelings-based criticism
    like that doesn't get us anywhere!
[13:17] ---
    Yeah. I wish I could explain
    what I mean better, that's my fault...
[13:21] ---
    But still, it's a waste. I just can't
    call it a work of mine in this state.
[13:25] ---
    Then why don't you write it yourself?
[13:27] ---
    If you start saying things like that,
    it's all over, Sawamura-san.
[13:31] ---
    You know how there are things that a
    director should never say to his creators?
[13:35] ---
    Creators have things they should never
    say to directors, the same way.
[13:39] ---
    What you just said is one of them.
[13:40] ---
    Utaha Kasumigaoka...! You... Who do you
    think I'm trying to stand up for?
[13:45] ---
    What you said just now, at least,
    wasn't for my sake.
[13:52] ---
    It's happening again.
[13:53] ---
    Huh?
[13:54] ---
    You won't give me an
    answer now, either... Mr. Ethical...
[14:03] ---
    Aki-kun...
[14:06] ---
    Um, about our promise for tomorrow...
    where we said we'd go to the Rokutenba Mall?
[14:13] ---
    Huh, is it the weekend already?
[14:15] ---
    Let's... postpone that, shall we?
[14:18] ---
    Kato...
[14:19] ---
    You're not really in the right mood for it
    at the moment, right? So let's say, next time?
[14:26] ---
    Aki-kun?
[14:29] ---
    No, let's go after all.
[14:31] ---
    Hm?
[14:32] ---
    Let's have that date tomorrow.
[14:34] ---
    Huh?
[14:35] ---
    So we'll give this date thing a try, then?
[14:41] ---
    There're so many people!
[14:43] ---
    Y-Yeah...
[14:44] ---
    Still, this is fun. I wonder
    how many times it wraps around?
[14:52] ---
    Are you all right, Aki-kun?
[14:54] ---
    I-I'm fine...
[14:56] ---
    Do you feel okay? Did the crowds put you off?
[14:59] ---
    No, I'm fine with crowds... if it's a crowd
    of otaku all under someone's leadership.
[15:05] ---
    I think I might be less than fine with that.
[15:08] ---
    Kato, does this really not bother you?
    This chaotic throng of normals?
[15:13] ---
    Well, normals or no, this is just
    what happens with bargain sales, isn't it?
[15:18] ---
    Really?
[15:20] ---
    Ah, Aki-kun, it's open!
[15:28] ---
    Sorry to call a break after we waited
    in line since first thing in the morning and all.
[15:32] ---
    No, I'm the one who should be sorry.
[15:34] ---
    How is everyone this bad at forming lines?
[15:38] ---
    The staff's just looking back and forth,
    not even trying to rein in the chaos.
[15:42] ---
    The customers are just barging in
    everywhere and breaking the lines.
[15:44] ---
    And the couple rate is unbelievably high!
    Just go die, normals!
[15:49] ---
    Regardless of the truth, though, from the
    outside it looks like we're raising that rate...
[15:54] ---
    So this is my away game baptism...
    Bring it on, Rokutenba Mall.
[16:00] ---
    I have no idea what you're saying,
[16:02] ---
    but we probably should have come at least a
    month after this place opened, shouldn't we?
[16:07] ---
    No, I think it'd be the same
    no matter when we came.
[16:09] ---
    Do you think so?
[16:11] ---
    I mean, it's not a problem of numbers, it's
    about the sense of the people participating.
[16:15] ---
    The sense?
[16:16] ---
    The biggest line in Japan that I know
    is nothing like this.
[16:20] ---
    No one runs down the aisles, or walks
    on the escalators, or cuts in line.
[16:25] ---
    Everyone is highly aware that
    they're surrounded by other participants,
[16:28] ---
    and brims with enthusiasm
    to make their event a success...
[16:32] ---
    Ah, you must mean Comic-thingy, right?
[16:35] ---
    It's not "Comic-thingy," it's a Comic Market, also known as Comiket!
[16:39] ---
    It runs twice a year, in summer and winter.
[16:41] ---
    More than 500,000 people gather and form
    the largest doujinshi sales event in Japan–
[16:44] ---
    No! In the world! And you want to call
    something so grand, "Comic-thingy?!"
[16:50] ---
    Wow, you really livened up all of a sudden.
[16:52] ---
    That's right, at Comiket I would never
    show this unsightly appearance!
[16:57] ---
    Not even if ten times this number
    of people were crowded in here...
[17:01] ---
    I see... so that was the problem...
[17:01] ---
    Well, this isn't Comiket, though, so there's
    not much we can do about it.
[17:05] ---
    You're wrong, there is something we can do.
[17:08] ---
    I just have to think of them as otaku...
    these are my people... those lovable asswipes...
[17:14] ---
    Aki-kun?
[17:15] ---
    Kato... Tell me all the stores
    you wanted to go to today.
[17:19] ---
    Just checking them off
    on the map is fine.
[17:22] ---
    Huh? But if I told you all of them,
    do you know how many that'd be?
[17:26] ---
    Don't worry about it, just list them all for now.
[17:30] ---
    The conducting line...
[17:32] ---
    Yes, here it is.
[17:35] ---
    Which means, if we connect the route here,
[17:37] ---
    then our procession from south to north
    would be like this... Kato.
[17:41] ---
    Hm?
[17:41] ---
    Which one of these two circles –
    I mean, stores – is more popular?
[17:46] ---
    Ah, hmm, let's see... the closer one, I think.
[17:51] ---
    Meaning it might be a little far,
    but counter-clockwise is better...
[17:55] ---
    since we were late starting
    because of me. Got to be careful here.
[17:58] ---
    You really don't need to
    worry so much about it,
[18:00] ---
    we can just go around however we want
    and check out what stores we can.
[18:04] ---
    I won't let this become a war of attrition
    beyond what I've marked off!
[18:07] ---
    Aki-kun?
[18:08] ---
    Now then, Kato... It's time for me
    to win this away game... Let's turn the tables!
[18:16] ---
    Sorry for the wait!
[18:17] ---
    Hey, did you get to buy what you came for?
[18:20] ---
    Got it exactly!
[18:21] ---
    Right, on to the next.
    We'll make our way north like this.
[18:25] ---
    Huh? Wasn't there one more place
    we were going to go?
[18:28] ---
    Unfortunately, my information shows that
    the wait there is around two hours.
[18:32] ---
    Whoa, guess we'd better give up
    on that one then.
[18:35] ---
    No, it's too soon to say yet.
[18:37] ---
    It looks like right now, it's crammed with
    people there to buy today-only limited things,
[18:42] ---
    so once those are sold out,
    it should clear up...
[18:44] ---
    The situation is changing rapidly,
[18:46] ---
    so we're going to need some very precise
    information gathering and flexible judgment.
[18:52] ---
    I can't believe how far you're going
    for a simple shopping trip.
[18:55] ---
    Otaku and normals know the ache
    of being unable to buy something
[18:59] ---
    you were looking forward to
    just the same, don't they?
[19:02] ---
    Well, I guess they must.
[19:04] ---
    Let's go, Kato! This high-stakes
    information warfare is already beginning!
[19:08] ---
    Roger!
[19:13] ---
    Keep going! Only a little bit left!
[19:15] ---
    It seems like even more people
    have gotten here since it turned to afternoon.
[19:19] ---
    We'll have a surplus of time if we can just clear
    this connecting walkway, go on!
[19:23] ---
    O-Okay...
[19:27] ---
    Kato!
[19:32] ---
    We're moving, don't let go!
[19:36] ---
    Aki-kun...
[19:49] ---
    We made it, this is the last store!
[19:52] ---
    Hell yeah!
[19:55] ---
    Honestly, I didn't believe we could make it
    through in one day... nice work, Aki-kun!
[20:02] ---
    Don't tell me "nice work," it just
    triggers the memories of it all again...
[20:08] ---
    You can just rest there for a little while.
[20:11] ---
    That's exactly what I'll do.
[20:29] ---
    Huh? Hey, what's this store...
[20:40] ---
    Yeah, not bad... these look good on you!
[20:44] ---
    Um, I think.
[20:46] ---
    Kato...?
[20:47] ---
    This is for coming with me today.
    Thanks, Aki-kun.
[21:03] ---
    Kato...
[21:04] ---
    Hm?
[21:05] ---
    Oh, just...
[21:07] ---
    Thanks.
[21:09] ---
    Not at all.
[21:11] ---
    But... I'm sorry.
    I can't see you home after all.
[21:15] ---
    There's somewhere I've got to go right away.

Season 1

E6 - Deciding the Night for Two

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:00] ---
    You're my inspiration, Kasumi-sensei!
[00:02] ---
    I'm such a huge fan of Metronome in Love!
[00:05] ---
    I must've read the first
    book more than 20 times,
SIGN    Metronome in Love Vol. 2 Release Commemoration Utako Kasumi Signing Event
[00:07] ---
    I still cry every week
    when I reread it.
SIGN    Metronome in Love Metronome in Love 2
[00:09] ---
    The way Naoto works hard for Sayuka
    in chapter six, it's a total slam dunk,
[00:13] ---
    but then they have this delicate little
    misunderstanding. It's so frustrating!
[00:17] ---
    Honestly, I couldn't identify
    that much with Sayuka at first,
[00:21] ---
    and I didn't understand
    her thought process either.
[00:24] ---
    But around the fifth time I read it,
[00:26] ---
    I realized, "Oh, I guess this is
    all the history you've got behind you."
[00:31] ---
    I feel like I get more of
    it every time I read it.
[00:34] ---
    Maybe I'm just a bad reader,
    but it seems so deep.
[00:39] ---
    You...
[00:40] ---
    Yes?
[00:41] ---
    Tomoya Aki-kun of Toyogasaki Academy?
[00:44] ---
    Huh...
[00:45] ---
    Utaha Kasumigaoka, the second year?
[00:48] ---
    That's "Senpai" to you, kouhai.
SIGN    #6 "Deciding the Night for Two"
[02:31] ---
    What's up, Shi-chan,
    not gonna answer?
[02:35] ---
    It's fine.
[02:38] ---
    Damn it, she's mad at me again.
[02:52] ---
    Was that call from TAKI-kun just now?
[02:55] ---
    What gives you that idea?
[02:56] ---
    I haven't said a word
    about him all day, have I?
[02:59] ---
    Right, you've been deliberately
    avoiding the subject for a whole day,
[03:03] ---
    which sure makes me
    think he's on your mind.
[03:06] ---
    Bingo, huh?
[03:07] ---
    He is not on my mind.
[03:08] ---
    So it was TAKI-kun!
[03:10] ---
    I've got nothing to talk
    with him about anyway.
[03:15] ---
    I have no interest in him.
[03:19] ---
    Senpai...
[03:21] ---
    Hey, Utaha-senpai.
[03:24] ---
    Was I boring you that much?
[03:27] ---
    No, I was paying attention, I swear...
[03:30] ---
    it was... you were talking
    about... all that stuff, right?
[03:32] ---
    Come on, you sound like
    a mom trying to fool a little kid.
[03:36] ---
    I worked through
    the night again yesterday.
[03:38] ---
    This week's full of deadlines,
    with the plot for the fourth book.
[03:41] ---
    Exactly!
[03:42] ---
    That's just it, that's what
    I was talking about!
[03:45] ---
    That cliffhanger at the end of
    book three was brutal!
[03:47] ---
    So what about book four...
    what's going to happen?
[03:50] ---
    There's no need to get so worked up about
    some trivial thing like the plot of a novel.
[03:56] ---
    It might be a "trivial thing like"
    that to a god or something,
[03:58] ---
    but if you'll think from
    the perspective of those characters
[04:01] ---
    and readers who
    you wield so carelessly.
[04:06] ---
    So then,
[04:08] ---
    how do you think things will
    go from here, Tomoya-kun?
[04:11] ---
    What would best suit your desires?
[04:13] ---
    Wait, what? Am I allowed to say?
[04:15] ---
    It's natural for an author to ask her readers
    for feedback and requests, surely?
[04:19] ---
    For reference purposes only, of course.
[04:22] ---
    Well, don't mind if I do then.
[04:24] ---
    First, this double-heroine
    rivalry is against the rules.
[04:27] ---
    There's no way Mayu should
    stage a comeback now.
[04:30] ---
    Generally, you'd expect a happy ending with
    Sayuka, who's been there since the first book!
[04:34] ---
    There's something wrong about these Utako Kasumi
    works. You're wasting two heroines on one book!
[04:39] ---
    If you split them up across two works,
    you'd have two hits, Senpai!
[04:43] ---
    Although, it could be because of the double-heroine
    situation that Metronome in Love is...
[04:51] ---
    Excuse me, sir, is it just you today?
[04:53] ---
    Ah, I'm sorry.
[04:55] ---
    I was meeting someone, but
    looks like they're not here.
[05:02] ---
    All right. That's it
    for today's assignment.
[05:05] ---
    I'm going back to the hotel
    to have a beer and go to bed!
[05:08] ---
    Please stop. Your words
    reek of an old man.
[05:14] ---
    If you're this bothered,
    why don't you just reach out to him?
[05:17] ---
    I'm not bothered.
[05:19] ---
    I've just been out on business a lot,
    and am I supposed to say "What's up?"
[05:23] ---
    What, is this something you've absolutely
    got to meet up with him and talk about?
[05:27] ---
    In that case, just stop being
    so stubborn and embrace it.
[05:31] ---
    This is why you can't get
    yourself a guy, you know?
[05:33] ---
    I don't...
[05:34] ---
    Whoa, it started raining
    at the very last minute.
[05:38] ---
    I'm gonna go buy
    an umbrella real fast.
[05:42] ---
    I...
[05:48] ---
    ...don't understand...
[05:49] ---
    guys like him.
[05:52] ---
    I can't read a thing like this.
[05:54] ---
    Why not? You're the one who
    always asks to read things early.
[05:59] ---
    But how come you want to
    show it only to me in advance?
[06:03] ---
    The last book, especially?
[06:04] ---
    I want to know if it's everything
    you were hoping for or not.
[06:08] ---
    The conclusion, the protagonist's
    decision, the heroine's futures...
[06:13] ---
    But why?
[06:15] ---
    Because I don't know if your
    answer will affect the conclusion.
[06:19] ---
    How can you have that
    little confidence in it?
[06:22] ---
    Either way, I want to
    hear what you think.
[06:25] ---
    I want to know how you feel.
[06:27] ---
    I want to know what
    Utako Kasumi has decided.
[06:30] ---
    I don't want an ending that
    turns out exactly how I hoped.
[06:35] ---
    I'll ask you one more time, Tomoya-kun.
[06:37] ---
    Will you read my last manuscript for me?
[06:43] ---
    I can't, no.
[06:46] ---
    I'm not responsible for this work.
[06:49] ---
    Why not?
[06:52] ---
    Not even a word of explanation?
[06:54] ---
    Do you really need me to say it?
[06:59] ---
    It's because I'm such a big fan!
    How could it be anything else?
[07:12] ---
    I wonder when she'll
    finally forgive me.
[07:15] ---
    It's been six months already.
[07:19] ---
    The last train to
    Ikebukuro is now arriving.

[07:22] ---
    Please stand behind the yellow line.
[07:50] ---
    Thank you for seeing me off.
[07:52] ---
    I think here will be fine.
[07:55] ---
    Utaha-senpai, I...
[07:57] ---
    I hope you're looking forward
    to the last volume.
[08:06] ---
    Goodbye... Mr. Ethical.
[08:13] ---
    Anyway, we've got an early start
    and a tough schedule tomorrow,
[08:18] ---
    so we should probably call it a day.
[08:21] ---
    You listening?
[08:29] ---
    Shi-chan?
[08:42] ---
    How's he look?
[08:44] ---
    For now, I just made him
    get in the bath.
[08:46] ---
    What'll you do?
[08:48] ---
    Should we have him go
    once his clothes are dry?
[08:50] ---
    Why would you suggest
    something so cold?
[08:53] ---
    Weren't you saying earlier that
    you weren't at fault, Shi-chan?
[08:57] ---
    But that doesn't mean
    I can just toss him out.
[09:01] ---
    The last train's left already.
[09:03] ---
    True... well then, guess
    the rest is up to you.
[09:06] ---
    Sorry?
[09:07] ---
    It's a twin room, isn't it?
[09:10] ---
    We asked for the change
    at the front desk.
[09:13] ---
    Anyway, take care and good luck.
[09:14] ---
    We're meeting in the lobby at 8 AM.
[09:17] ---
    What you do between now and
    then is none of my business.
[09:21] ---
    Wait... Machida-san!
[09:22] ---
    Gooood night!
[10:16] ---
    Sorry for the wait.
[10:27] ---
    Um... thanks for
    letting me use your shower.
[10:29] ---
    So, I'll be leaving!
[10:34] ---
    Mr. Ethical.
[10:35] ---
    Y-Yes!
[10:51] ---
    So? Why did you come to Goushi?
[10:53] ---
    Well, just, I couldn't reach you
    on your cell, Utaha-senpai,
[10:57] ---
    so I just took a gamble and called your house
    to see if I could find out where you went.
[11:02] ---
    You know, Senpai, your mom does
    have a high-school-age daughter,
[11:08] ---
    she should probably have
    a better sense for danger.
[11:11] ---
    She knows I'm dependable.
[11:13] ---
    I'm always top of the class, never cause any
    problems, and never talk back to my parents.
[11:20] ---
    And for better or worse,
    you don't have many friends?
[11:23] ---
    That's right.
[11:24] ---
    So she'd probably faint if she saw
    how things are going right now.
[11:28] ---
    S-So you're staying overnight here
    to gather material for your next book, right?
[11:32] ---
    Well, that and making
    courtesy calls at stores, and...
[11:36] ---
    Awesome!
[11:37] ---
    I've never heard of one working this hard
    before a book is even released!
[11:41] ---
    This is on track for getting made
    into an anime, isn't it?
[11:43] ---
    That's enough about me for now.
[11:46] ---
    Okay.
[11:48] ---
    Basically, you, Mr. Ethical,
[11:50] ---
    came chasing after me, didn't you?
[11:53] ---
    I...
[11:55] ---
    Yeah.
[11:56] ---
    Even after the last train left?
[11:58] ---
    Well... yes.
[12:01] ---
    You really are an idiot.
[12:04] ---
    Yeah, I know...
[12:10] ---
    Um, Senpai...
[12:15] ---
    Utaha-senpai!
[12:20] ---
    Um... I have a favor to ask you!
[12:23] ---
    Senpai...
[12:25] ---
    Please, make me... a man...
[12:30] ---
    No, I mean, please make me a creator!
[12:35] ---
    Could it be you made that incredibly
    confusing slip-up on purpose?!
[12:40] ---
    What are you talking about?!
[12:43] ---
    Fine then, let's hear
    what you have to say.
[12:45] ---
    What flaws have you
    found in my plot, Mr. Ethical?
[12:49] ---
    Today, I went to
    the Rokutenba Mall with Kato.
[12:53] ---
    On a date?
[12:53] ---
    Just gathering material.
[12:54] ---
    Do you think you can hide the fact that you were
    out with a girl, with an excuse like that?
[13:00] ---
    Wait, I don't want to
    get caught up in definitions.
[13:03] ---
    What are you trying to say, then?
[13:06] ---
    I had a really good time.
[13:08] ---
    Wait, hear me out, I haven't
    gotten to the main part yet!
[13:13] ---
    We went on the first day they opened,
    and the crowds were insane.
[13:16] ---
    I started feeling a little rough
    all of a sudden once we got there...
[13:20] ---
    but Kato didn't get
    fed up with me or anything.
[13:23] ---
    She was concerned for me,
    like someone normally would be.
[13:27] ---
    She even waited for me
    until I recovered.
[13:31] ---
    We visited all the stores
    together after that, too.
[13:33] ---
    She even put up with my crazy act.
[13:36] ---
    She helped me have a good time,
    and had fun herself too.
[13:39] ---
    She even thanked me!
[13:41] ---
    And yet I still left her after
    all that so I could come here.
[13:46] ---
    But even then,
    Kato saw me off with a smile.
[13:50] ---
    I wonder if she might have
    been upset on the inside?
[13:53] ---
    I doubt it. Kato's just
    that good a person.
[13:56] ---
    So, having heard all these fond words
    for Kato, what am I supposed to do now?
[14:01] ---
    That's why I came for a retake!
[14:03] ---
    It's about your plot, Utaha-senpai!
[14:05] ---
    The plot you came up with
    was really exciting!
[14:08] ---
    The scale was grand, it just
    felt like an epic work!
[14:11] ---
    Your vocabulary needs work.
[14:13] ---
    That all meant about the same thing.
[14:16] ---
    So why does it need a retake?
[14:18] ---
    Well, to amend my
    assessment before,
[14:21] ---
    if you leave it like this, Meguri,
    the heroine, won't be happy.
[14:24] ---
    Really now?
[14:26] ---
    She's faced the destiny that waited
    since before her reincarnation,
[14:29] ---
    and she's bound forever
    to her beloved elder brother.
[14:31] ---
    So how can you say
    she won't be truly happy?
[14:34] ---
    Is that...
[14:35] ---
    really the happiness
    she was searching for?
[14:38] ---
    What do you mean?
[14:40] ---
    Tying herself to memories
    before she was born,
[14:42] ---
    and saving her past self can't be
    the future Meguri was hoping for!
[14:46] ---
    Do you really believe
    the players will be happy
[14:49] ---
    to see her throw away all the happy
    memories she's made until now?
SIGN    More of Meguri's Happiness!
[14:55] ---
    What's wrong with
    being caught in the past?
[15:00] ---
    There's nothing wrong with it!
    Of course, it's an option.
[15:05] ---
    But while I like that way,
    I like the other way just as much!
[15:11] ---
    I had a really good
    time being with Kato...
[15:15] ---
    with a regular girl who I had no ties to.
[15:17] ---
    I think the players will be happy to
    have Kato, I mean, Meguri with them.
[15:22] ---
    I think having an everyday life
    with Meguri was just as fun.
[15:25] ---
    That's why I want them to ignore fate
    and take back their normal lives!
[15:29] ---
    I want a play route that lets plain old casual
    love rise above the ties of past-life fate!
[15:35] ---
    Would that really be interesting?
[15:36] ---
    It would!
[15:37] ---
    I believe that you, Utaha-senpai...
[15:39] ---
    or Utako Kasumi, could make that
    development into something riveting!
[15:43] ---
    I just want to flirt with Meguri more!
[15:45] ---
    I want to make our friends sick of us!
[15:48] ---
    To go on dates, have
    eye contact, and smooch!
[15:50] ---
    Ah, but it's all-ages,
    so it stops at kissing.
[15:52] ---
    So then, we should forget
    the story up until now?
[15:57] ---
    You're saying that it's a waste of
    time letting the past affect you?
[16:02] ---
    What are you talking about?
    Obviously we should keep the past.
[16:05] ---
    A centuries-spanning romance?
    That's incredibly moe!
[16:08] ---
    Plus, she's an obsessive character,
    and sisters are amazing!
[16:10] ---
    Doesn't it sound so perfect,
    watching them regress together?
[16:13] ---
    Leaving everything else behind,
    living in a world only meant for them!
[16:17] ---
    Ah, but it's all-ages,
    so it stops at kissing.
[16:20] ---
    How wishy-washy.
[16:21] ---
    But that's the true charm of
    the gal game protagonist, Utaha-senpai!
[16:34] ---
    Is this how the sample lines should be?
[16:36] ---
    No, try and make them less distinctive.
[16:40] ---
    That's the first time I've ever been
    told that, in all my creative career.
[16:44] ---
    If you make the character
    as flat as possible,
[16:46] ---
    the player gets caught up when big
    changes come. All of a sudden, they're cute.
[16:51] ---
    The moe sense that comes from
    the gap in her character?
[16:53] ---
    But then the next moment,
    they're back to flat again.
[16:57] ---
    Like, "Oh, I guess I was wrong,
    they're not that cute after all."
[17:02] ---
    What kind of joke character is this?
[17:04] ---
    Look, we can't do anything about it,
    people like this exist in real life.
[17:08] ---
    I don't even want to acknowledge that
    a character like this could be the main heroine.
[17:19] ---
    Senpai...
[17:21] ---
    Damn it! Who does
    this girl think she is?
[17:25] ---
    Coming from behind, trying to
    steal my man from the side!
[17:29] ---
    I'll kill you... I will murder you!
[17:31] ---
    I'll never accept you
    as my reincarnation!
[17:33] ---
    Return my big bro to me!
[17:34] ---
    What the hell! The obsessive
    little sister's possessing you?!
[17:37] ---
    I loved you, and yet...
[17:38] ---
    I loved you so much, and yet...
[17:41] ---
    Why will my feelings not reach you?!
[17:46] ---
    Calm down...
[17:48] ---
    Just calm down, Utaha-senpai...
[17:49] ---
    How dare you!
[17:50] ---
    Are you saying it's wrong
    for an author to feel love?!
[17:52] ---
    That she can't go
    all out for her fans?!
[17:54] ---
    Wait, isn't that the author's
    line, not the character's?
[17:57] ---
    Isn't it?!
SIGN    The Morning Tune
[18:13] ---
    Mr. Ethical.
[18:15] ---
    Good morning, Mr. Ethical.
[18:18] ---
    I'm going ahead, but you can
    sleep in a little more if you want.
[18:22] ---
    You're going already?
[18:25] ---
    I've got work all day again today.
[18:28] ---
    That's rough.
[18:30] ---
    If you really love what
    you do, it's nothing at all.
[18:38] ---
    You look a little sluggish.
[18:40] ---
    Still basking in the afterglow
    of that intense night?
[18:43] ---
    By "intense," you do mean that
    work we did on the plot, right?!
[18:49] ---
    Can you check out by ten?
[18:51] ---
    You just need to return the key.
[18:53] ---
    Sure.
[18:59] ---
    I'm very glad we had last night.
[19:03] ---
    I think you've worn that
    joke down pretty well now.
[19:05] ---
    It's pretty fun making
    things with you after all.
[19:09] ---
    I reconfirmed that last night.
[19:12] ---
    Welcome to the creator's
    world, Tomoya Aki.
[19:16] ---
    I know that if it's you, you can do it.
[19:18] ---
    Because you had the passion
    to bring out my determination.
[19:23] ---
    And you certainly have the creativity
    and expression in you.
[19:26] ---
    One year ago, I was pouring my blood,
    sweat and tears out writing for just one fan.
[19:31] ---
    One obstinate, annoying, troublesome
    fan I wanted to triumph over.
[19:35] ---
    So I revised over and over again,
    and clashed with the editing process...
[19:40] ---
    But still, my will never broke,
    and I finished writing.
[19:44] ---
    And that's exactly
    what I'm asking of you now.
[19:48] ---
    I'll be counting on you from now on.
[19:50] ---
    So let's give this our blood,
    sweat and tears, together.
[19:53] ---
    Yeah.
SIGN    Our Morning Now
[21:50] ---
    Um... Sawamura-san...
[21:52] ---
    Models shouldn't move.
[21:54] ---
    Why are we doing this
    at the Rokutenba Mall?
[21:56] ---
    Such a coincidence
    meeting you here, right?
[21:57] ---
    Are you really planning
    to follow that logic?
[22:00] ---
    What...
[22:00] ---
    You're being awfully annoying.
[22:02] ---
    Even though you're the loser whose date
    ran away to chase after another girl.
[22:10] ---
    What are you saying Sawamura-san...
[22:13] ---
    Sounds like you're
    trying to imply something.
[22:16] ---
    Is that so?
[22:17] ---
    Oh, but anyway this is the first time we've
    spoken one on one with each other, isn't it?
[22:22] ---
    I wonder.
[22:24] ---
    If I think about it, I should be thankful
    we ran into each other today.
[22:29] ---
    It's finished!
[22:31] ---
    What is?
[22:32] ---
    Look!
[22:33] ---
    The angry expression you made
    the moment you were rejected!
[22:36] ---
    What a relief!
[22:37] ---
    I've finally got a grasp
    on the character!
[22:39] ---
    I'll really have to be thankful
    for running into you today!
[22:43] ---
    I don't make a face like that at all.

Season 1

E7 - Friend, Foe or a New Character

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
SIGN    #7 "Friend, Foe or a New Character"
[02:01] ---
    So, the reason
    you called me here was...?
[02:03] ---
    Well, old chap, I'm in rather
    a spot of trouble, rather indeed...
[02:08] ---
    Please, drop the fake accent!
[02:10] ---
    Your English grades are
    even worse than mine.
[02:14] ---
    We're pretty short on time for
    the manuscript for Summer Comiket.
[02:16] ---
    I had a feeling that's
    what this was about.
[02:19] ---
    Just so you know, I have
    absolutely not been slacking!
[02:22] ---
    You've been getting us into these
    ridiculous situations, so we got a late start.
[02:27] ---
    I know.
[02:29] ---
    I intend to take responsibility for that.
[02:31] ---
    T-t-t-t-t-t-take... responsibility?
[02:34] ---
    So, what should I do?
[02:37] ---
    Confirm our setup?
[02:39] ---
    Put a Summer Comiket notice on our
    homepage? Negotiate with printing places?
[02:43] ---
    I want you to look at the storyboard and
    help think about the story and setting.
[02:48] ---
    Hang on!
[02:49] ---
    I'm still an amateur at this
    doujin thing, you know!
[02:52] ---
    Believe me, I know.
[02:54] ---
    But at this point I have no choice
    but to turn to an anime freak like you!
[02:58] ---
    You're like an arrow that breaks after
    one use, or a reed that sinks right away.
[03:03] ---
    Thank you so much for
    that incredible demotivation.
[03:07] ---
    Look, when it's finished, I'll do the game
    character design, so be quiet and help.
[03:12] ---
    If I stay quiet, I can't
    give you my ideas, can I?
[03:15] ---
    What's the basis, anyway?
[03:18] ---
    That Snow Prism.
SIGN    That Snow Prism
[03:21] ---
    Oh, I know that one!
[03:22] ---
    I saw the whole thing!
[03:24] ---
    You know its spring season
    got to number one?
[03:28] ---
    Yeah, I know.
[03:30] ---
    I heard about it from
    your blog in the first place.
[03:33] ---
    I see now, I see.
[03:34] ---
    Maybe I'll help you out after all.
[03:37] ---
    Are you even listening to me?
    You couldn't have refused anyway!
[03:41] ---
    So, what kind of story should we do?
[03:43] ---
    I'd like to do a heartwarming
    epilogue about Kouhei the protagonist
[03:47] ---
    with Ui, the main heroine.
[03:50] ---
    Well, it'll be an epilogue about him and
    Mariko, the childhood friend heroine!
[03:54] ---
    Wait, hang on!
[03:56] ---
    I'm Team Mariko, so
    there's no changing it.
[03:59] ---
    I mean, Ui's too flawless,
    she's like a doll.
[04:03] ---
    She seems like she's getting
    forced along through the story.
[04:06] ---
    That's not what I'm talking about
    at all, you're missing the point!
[04:09] ---
    You're getting me, a man, caught up in
    this and making something 18-and-over?
[04:13] ---
    If there's no sex, it won't sell.
[04:14] ---
    You're a minor!
    You can't sell it with sex!
[04:16] ---
    That's why my mom
    and dad will sell it!
[04:18] ---
    There's nothing illegal
    about me making it!
[04:21] ---
    You're unclear about the derivative
    work guidelines, right?
[04:24] ---
    It's not like we're suddenly getting
    sucked into the seedy doujin underworld!
[04:28] ---
    Now, you're going to become
    Kouhei the protagonist,
[04:31] ---
    and you're going to passionately
    whisper your loving words to Mariko!
[04:47] ---
    Hurry up!
[04:48] ---
    Fine.
[04:52] ---
    Hey, smile, Mariko.
[04:55] ---
    K-Kouhei...
[04:57] ---
    Yes, that's it.
[04:59] ---
    You've got the cutest smile I know.
[05:03] ---
    I hope you'll always
    be smiling, at my side.
[05:09] ---
    Y-Yeah.
[05:11] ---
    I'd like that.
[05:16] ---
    But why change clothes all of a sudden?
[05:19] ---
    Well, it's our first time and everything.
[05:23] ---
    I'm not reading the script,
    I'm asking you, Eriri.
[05:27] ---
    I'm Mariko right now!
[05:29] ---
    Don't get caught up in idle thoughts.
[05:32] ---
    Hope you don't think
    it's a good excuse.
[05:34] ---
    Come on, next line!
[05:35] ---
    All right, so, what
    should we do from here?
[05:39] ---
    Well!
[05:42] ---
    I guess we better get started.
[05:48] ---
    S-Started...?
[05:49] ---
    Hurry up, we're running out of pages!
[05:52] ---
    Here we go then, Mariko.
[05:54] ---
    Ouch!
[05:55] ---
    Sorry, are you okay?
[05:57] ---
    I just told you, we don't
    have the pages left!
[05:59] ---
    Just keep moving!
[06:01] ---
    Um, okay!
[06:03] ---
    Come on, love me more...
[06:06] ---
    Didn't I tell you?
[06:08] ---
    I love you more than
    anything in the world.
[06:12] ---
    I can't believe you...
[06:14] ---
    with words alone.
[06:16] ---
    So how can I make you believe me?
[06:18] ---
    Mess me all up.
[06:23] ---
    Do something so amazing
    to me that I'll never forget.
[06:32] ---
    Don't get out of character now!
    You'll make me want to die!
SIGN    Next School Day
    August 5 (Thursday)
    Please don't get into an accident during summer break
[07:07] ---
    Kato!
[07:08] ---
    Today, at last, I'll finally
    tell you what I mean to say.
[07:11] ---
    Have you been actually holding
    something back any other day before this?
[07:15] ---
    Never mind that, just listen.
[07:17] ---
    You don't have any idea
    what a character is really about.
[07:20] ---
    Yeah, that's true.
[07:23] ---
    Their personality, speech style, birthday,
    three sizes, favorite underwater-only Mobile Armor!
[07:29] ---
    A character's important points.
    You can't just go changing them.
[07:33] ---
    The Megumi Kato that readers
    fell in love with would die!
[07:38] ---
    Really? That's too bad.
[07:42] ---
    So how could you do this?
[07:44] ---
    What?
[07:45] ---
    How could you suddenly
    change your whole hairstyle?
[07:48] ---
    Well... I just kind of did it.
[07:51] ---
    You just kind of did it?!
[07:53] ---
    Did you take this gamble that could
    destroy your entire character?!
[08:00] ---
    Wait, but look, doesn't it
    happen in manga sometimes
[08:04] ---
    where a heroine will change her
    hairstyle one day and get noticed?
[08:07] ---
    But you're not!
[08:09] ---
    Basically everyone but me is
    looking through you!
[08:12] ---
    I guess the closing ceremony
    was a tricky time for it.
[08:15] ---
    Maybe the opening ceremony
    would've been better?
[08:17] ---
    If you have to rely on curveballs like that,
    you'll never be a first-rate main heroine!
[08:23] ---
    Protesting that much about a girl's hairstyle
    means you're paying some attention, right?
[08:30] ---
    So are you going anywhere
    for break, Sawamura-san?
[08:33] ---
    Me? Uh...
[08:35] ---
    How am I supposed to
    go out in this stupid heat?
[08:38] ---
    Y-Yeah, I haven't decided yet, but maybe
    to our villa in Nasu, or my papa's family home?
[08:45] ---
    Your father's home is
    in England, right? Amazing!
[08:49] ---
    He doesn't live in a castle
    or anything, does he?
[08:51] ---
    No, it's nothing special.
[08:55] ---
    Not that I've ever been there.
[08:56] ---
    You understand, Kato?
[08:58] ---
    It's not the little tricks
    that latch onto readers' hearts.
[09:02] ---
    It's the core traits that have been
    polished and tested by time!
[09:06] ---
    Ah, so maybe blonde pigtails
    or plain old long black hair?
[09:10] ---
    Okay, sure, maybe those.
[09:13] ---
    But this applies to your overall
    character too, you know?
[09:18] ---
    Ah, like the tsundere childhood
    friend or the ultra-harsh senpai?
[09:24] ---
    Sure, yes, you have those too.
[09:26] ---
    But there's more to a core
    than that, isn't there?
[09:29] ---
    Such as?
[09:31] ---
    Such as, I don't know, how about
    a little-sister-type kouhai?
[09:36] ---
    Oh, just a kouhai,
    not an actual little sister?
[09:39] ---
    Well, a real little sister would cause
    controversy, so let's leave that out.
[09:44] ---
    I see. It takes all kinds, huh?
[09:47] ---
    But anyway!
[09:49] ---
    Think about a younger girl
    who's always saying "senpai,"
[09:52] ---
    sticking to you all the time, looking up at you
    in admiration, isn't that just the most moe?
[09:57] ---
    Um, I'm still not used to speaking
[10:01] ---
    under the assumption that
    "moe" is part of conversing.
[10:05] ---
    How great it would be to see her leaning against
    the school gate, waiting to leave together!
[10:11] ---
    Tomoya-senpai?
[10:13] ---
    Yes, just like that!
[10:18] ---
    I knew it! It is you, Tomoya-senpai!
[10:21] ---
    Thank goodness I finally found you!
[10:25] ---
    I'm back. I came back for you, Senpai!
[10:30] ---
    Senpai! Senpai! I missed you!
[10:33] ---
    Even core traits have limits.
[10:45] ---
    Is that really you, Izumi-chan?
[10:47] ---
    Well, of course it is!
[10:50] ---
    Don't tell me you forgot about me.
[10:54] ---
    No.
[10:57] ---
    Izumi Hashima?
[10:59] ---
    That was definitely her name.
[11:02] ---
    So she's your and Mr. Ethical's kouhai?
[11:05] ---
    I don't know anything about her.
[11:06] ---
    Our elementary schools were
    different, and she's two years below,
[11:09] ---
    and above all, she moved to Nagoya
    before she went into middle school.
[11:13] ---
    "Don't know anything about her"
    seems like a stretch, then.
[11:18] ---
    The point is, I've never talked to her.
[11:22] ---
    All I know is she was always
    following Tomoya-kun around!
[11:28] ---
    So wait, if she's two years below us...
[11:31] ---
    she's still in middle school?
[11:37] ---
    Funny, you seem more like
    the middle school type here.
[11:41] ---
    Die in a fire.
[11:43] ---
    Do I really look that different?
[11:45] ---
    You're practically another person!
[11:47] ---
    You used to have really short hair,
    and you were tan all the time.
[11:54] ---
    So I look a little more girly now?
[11:57] ---
    Yeah.
[11:58] ---
    Well, if I do, that's all
    because of you, Senpai!
[12:04] ---
    After all, you taught me
    the pleasures of being a girl, Senpai!
[12:13] ---
    Hang on a second.
[12:14] ---
    You've not seen her in three years
    since she was in elementary school?
[12:18] ---
    Wait, just hang on, Kato!
    All I taught Izumi-chan was...
[12:21] ---
    So, Tomoya-senpai...
[12:26] ---
    Please accept this!
[12:34] ---
    We're on the second day, East Hall, 29b,
    and we're called "Fancy Wave!"
[12:40] ---
    Come and see us!
[12:44] ---
    So you started working
    in doujins too, Izumi-chan.
[12:49] ---
    And on Little Love Rhapsody books, too.
[12:51] ---
    Yes! Last year was my first time
    in an event, so I'm a beginner.
[12:56] ---
    Hey, Aki-kun.
[12:57] ---
    Is that Little-Whatever
    a dating sim too?
[13:00] ---
    It's not "Little Whatever,"
    it's "Little Love Rhapsody!"
[13:03] ---
    Little Love Rhapsody!
[13:05] ---
    Also known as LitRhap, or LLR,
[13:08] ---
    and it's a popular series over three volumes that
    sold more than two million copies, so get it right!
[13:14] ---
    Okay, got it.
[13:16] ---
    So you're Aki-kun's
    teacher's-pet, Izumi-chan.
[13:22] ---
    I'd never seen any games
    or anime until I met Senpai.
[13:28] ---
    He took the ignorant little girl I was
    and showed me a whole new world.
[13:34] ---
    He got me LitRhap 2 on every
    system for my birthday!
[13:41] ---
    If Senpai hadn't gotten me
    LitRhap 2 as a present,
[13:44] ---
    I wouldn't have this happy life full of
    games and anime that I do now.
[13:50] ---
    I can never pay back
    what he's done for me!
[13:55] ---
    Huh, I see.
[13:56] ---
    So this is the little-sister-type
    kouhai core trait you meant, Aki-kun.
[14:01] ---
    I can't pretend there's
    nothing off about this.
[14:04] ---
    I might be saying
    weird stuff, but...
[14:06] ---
    It's a very "I wonder..." kind of deal.
[14:10] ---
    So he corrupted a pure, innocent
    elementary schooler with dating sims.
[14:15] ---
    He's really been wily from
    the start, hasn't he, Mr. Ethical?
[14:19] ---
    Little Rhap...
[14:21] ---
    What's wrong, Sawamura-san?
[14:22] ---
    N-Nothing, nothing's wrong!
[14:25] ---
    Are you not feeling well?
[14:27] ---
    If you're looking for the slide,
    it's over there. I'll take you.
[14:31] ---
    Why would you try and
    lead me to the slide?
[14:35] ---
    So, Senpai, that's why you have to, have to,
    have to come to Summer Comiket!
[14:42] ---
    Sure, I'll definitely go.
[14:44] ---
    I'm looking forward to seeing
    what you made, Izumi-chan.
[14:47] ---
    All right, see you,
    Tomoya-senpai, Kato-senpai.
[14:50] ---
    And you too, Sawamura-senpai!
[14:53] ---
    Ah, uh, um...
[14:55] ---
    So you and Izumi-chan knew
    each other too, Sawamura-san.
[14:58] ---
    No, I just knew who she was.
[15:01] ---
    She was one of the biggest names
    in our school district, after all.
[15:12] ---
    Ah, that's right, Senpai!
[15:13] ---
    What?
[15:14] ---
    You should come over to
    our new house sometime!
[15:17] ---
    I know Big Brother would be
    happy to see you too!
[15:19] ---
    All right, goodbye!
[15:23] ---
    Yeah, see you.
[15:34] ---
    So Big Brother would be happy too?
[15:40] ---
    Has something been
    making you mad?
[15:43] ---
    Not really.
[15:44] ---
    An old friend just came back
    after three years.
[15:47] ---
    Isn't it natural we'd
    have a lot to talk about?
[15:49] ---
    I told you, I'm not mad.
    You're just being too self-conscious.
[15:52] ---
    Not to mention misunderstanding.
[15:54] ---
    That so? Well, that's fine then.
[15:57] ---
    The way you just settle for whatever
    explanation suits you is the worst.
[16:03] ---
    Well, which is it?
[16:05] ---
    So... you were talking up LitRhap to her.
[16:10] ---
    Hey... it's a masterpiece.
[16:12] ---
    It's just—
[16:14] ---
    Well, it's been a while, both of you.
[16:24] ---
    I want to get good works
    played by many people.
[16:27] ---
    It's probably otaku instinct.
[16:29] ---
    But it's an otaku instinct to keep people
    from jumping on the bandwagon.
[16:34] ---
    Even so, if someone is important,
    it's normal to want to talk it up!
[16:37] ---
    I don't need your lowest common
    denominator opinions right now!
[16:41] ---
    This is on purpose, isn't it?
[16:43] ---
    You must have noticed me, right?
[16:46] ---
    All right, so what's the problem?
[16:48] ---
    I can't understand
    if you don't tell me!
[16:50] ---
    You already know!
[16:51] ---
    You know exactly
    what I want to say!
[16:53] ---
    Can I ask you to not just ignore me?
[16:57] ---
    I've been waiting here for
    more than half an hour already.
[17:01] ---
    What do you want, Iori?
[17:04] ---
    Thanks to my father's work, I could
    come back to Tokyo after three years.
[17:08] ---
    A greeting would be nice.
[17:10] ---
    No need to come all this way.
[17:12] ---
    You could have stayed in Nagoya eating
    all the good food I've heard about.
[17:16] ---
    Have you heard, Tomoya-kun?
[17:17] ---
    There's a famous jumbo fried shrimp in
    Nagoya that uses imported black tiger shrimp,
[17:23] ---
    not even a famous Nagoya food!
[17:25] ---
    When Hakata's marinated pollock roe doesn't
    use Kyushu-made cod roe, does that matter?
[17:30] ---
    You two sure picked the most
    whatever thing possible to fight about.
[17:34] ---
    Why have you appeared
    before me again?
[17:36] ---
    I seem to recall
    severing ties with you.
[17:38] ---
    You're so cold, Tomoya-kun.
[17:40] ---
    Weren't we once true friends, who agreed
    to rise through the otaku world together?
[17:46] ---
    Yes, there certainly was
    a time when we said that.
[17:49] ---
    I haven't forgotten the shock when I found out
    you, one of the best-looking guys in class
[17:54] ---
    who I thought I couldn't have a conversation
    with, were an even bigger otaku than me.
[18:00] ---
    You think so? I had
    the opposite impression.
[18:04] ---
    I thought of you as the only person
    that would ever understand me.
[18:09] ---
    I... Iori.
[18:10] ---
    Do you know how many girls in your class
    were into that weird dynamic of yours?
[18:20] ---
    But...
[18:22] ---
    but you were too
    different from me after all.
[18:27] ---
    You didn't become an otaku so you could
    enjoy and spread the things you liked.
[18:33] ---
    You just wanted to ride the coattails of famous
    works and creators, and show off to the big shots.
[18:40] ---
    I told you from the beginning.
[18:43] ---
    My goal was to rise up
    through the world of otaku.
[18:47] ---
    So start building up from the bottom!
[18:49] ---
    Don't just feed on the creators!
[18:53] ---
    Have you tried turning those
    exact words back on yourself?
[18:58] ---
    Iori! The way you do things is wrong!
[19:01] ---
    Is that so?
[19:02] ---
    You're doing some pretty
    shady stuff, aren't you?
[19:06] ---
    That's why you couldn't show yourself
    as you are to Izumi-chan, your own little sister?
[19:11] ---
    I wonder about that.
[19:14] ---
    But one thing, Tomoya-kun.
[19:17] ---
    This is who I am now.
[19:19] ---
    Representative
[19:22] ---
    Rouge en rouge?
[19:24] ---
    Akane Kousaka's circle?!
[19:27] ---
    Akane-san's very busy and rather fickle.
[19:30] ---
    I've helped them out with many things,
    and they couldn't turn me down anymore.
[19:35] ---
    Hold on.
[19:37] ---
    This is the ultra-big creator who hasn't come out
    in front of a camera in more than a decade, right?
[19:43] ---
    I did everything it took to get me here.
[19:45] ---
    See how my methods that
    you so revile worked for me?
[19:55] ---
    I look forward to our
    fruitful relationship.
[19:59] ---
    I don't need a business card
    from a greedy doujin punk like you.
[20:03] ---
    Oh no,
[20:06] ---
    I'd like you to have one most of all...
[20:09] ---
    Eri Kashiwagi-sensei.
[20:11] ---
    I, no, my circle is
    quite interested in you.
[20:17] ---
    Did you know?
[20:19] ---
    About Eriri's secret identity?
[20:21] ---
    That's not all.
[20:23] ---
    We know all about what you're
    planning to make, Tomoya-kun.
[20:27] ---
    You're making a game with Eri
    Kashiwagi and Utako Kasumi.
[20:31] ---
    You know what kind of impact this will
    have on the otaku world, don't you?
[20:36] ---
    You're the producer behind this
    grand design, aren't you?
[20:39] ---
    Aiming to send shockwaves
    through the industry?
[20:42] ---
    You're wrong! I'm not doing this
    to get further up in the industry!
[20:45] ---
    And yet, Tomoya-kun, my circle just
    happens to have the exact same plan.
[20:53] ---
    You see, as we were
    searching for that animator...
[20:56] ---
    What... you...
[20:58] ---
    Hashima, did you...
[21:01] ---
    It's a contest now, Tomoya-kun.
[21:03] ---
    Iori...
[21:05] ---
    Does this brand-new, baby circle of yours
    deserve to have Eri Kashiwagi on board?
[21:10] ---
    Or might she perhaps be
    better able to shine with us?

Season 1

E8 - A Wingman's Traumatic Recollection Mode

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
SIGN    Little Love Rhapsody
[01:06] ---
    It's hot...
[02:43] ---
    So, wasn't today's club meeting supposed
    to be on character design direction?
SIGN    A Wingman's Traumatic Recollection Mode
[02:50] ---
    Yeah, in particular the main heroine
    that you're the model for, Kato.
[02:59] ---
    Nobody said anything about
    me taking my clothes off!
[03:01] ---
    Relax, Kato. That isn't artwork for our game.
[03:05] ---
    They're the manuscript for the book
    Eriri's circle is doing for Summer Comiket.
[03:07] ---
    Sorry, Kato-san. I'm a little behind schedule.
[03:12] ---
    Oh, that's why...
[03:17] ---
    Sounds rough...
[03:19] ---
    I forget, when does Summer Comiket start?
[03:22] ---
    Tomorrow.
[03:23] ---
    It starts tomorrow.
[03:24] ---
    Um, so you're going to start
    printing it right now?
[03:28] ---
    It's all right, Comiket runs for three days.
[03:30] ---
    My circle is attending on the third,
    so it's no problem.
[03:35] ---
    Oh, it's not?
[03:36] ---
    Of course it's a problem!
[03:37] ---
    Not only will there be a surcharge
    tacked on to the printing fee,
[03:40] ---
    stealing the print shop's Bon vacation
    is the worst thing you can do!
[03:43] ---
    I helped you with the storyboards, so why are
    you still working at the 11th hour?!
[03:48] ---
    That's no reason for a creator holding
    up delivery of finished pages.
[03:52] ---
    That's kind of cool.
[03:53] ---
    Of course it's not cool!
[03:56] ---
    Still, Comiket, huh? It's finally here.
[03:59] ---
    Yeah, finally.
[04:01] ---
    But remember, this Comiket is nothing
    more than an opening skirmish.
[04:05] ---
    Our true battle will be Winter
    Comiket at the end of the year!
[04:07] ---
    It will mark the beginning of the legend of
    super-producer and director Tomoya Aki,
[04:10] ---
    who will march in, his debut
    mega-production dating sim in hand,
[04:13] ---
    and set off a revolution in the doujin world!
[04:16] ---
    Now that you mention it,
    aren't you going, Sawamura-san?
[04:18] ---
    After all, you're releasing
    your own book there.
[04:20] ---
    Of course I'm not going.
    I'm having my mom and dad man my table.
[04:24] ---
    You must have awfully
    understanding parents.
[04:27] ---
    Are you planning to go?
[04:29] ---
    If a civilian casually strolls
    onto that battlefield,
[04:32] ---
    the world's largest gathering
    of otaku, she'll regret it.
[04:35] ---
    But I already got
    a ticket from Izumi-chan,
[04:39] ---
    and I thought I would go as a sort of
    rehearsal for the end of the year.
[04:43] ---
    I'm really looking forward to
    seeing Izumi-chan's doujinshi.
[04:46] ---
    Yeah! With all her enthusiasm,
[04:48] ---
    I bet it's gonna be a fun book that's
    brimming with love for LitRhap!
[04:54] ---
    I'm not asking for much, I just pray
    that it won't be like this book.
[04:58] ---
    You don't have to worry about that.
[05:01] ---
    An LitRhap book probably won't have any
    girl nudity even if it's 18+.
[05:06] ---
    What kind of nudity are we talking
    about, then? Is it really safe?
[05:12] ---
    Are you sure that you want to play this game?
[05:14] ---
    Well, Izumi-chan said it was really fun,
    so my curiosity is kinda piqued.
[05:20] ---
    It was LitRhap3 that Izumi-chan was raving about.
    This one's the first game.
SIGN    Little Love Rhapsody
SIGN    New Game Continue Options
[05:25] ---
    You don't have 3 here,
    so this will have to do.
[05:28] ---
    Besides, isn't it better for your first exposure
    to be with the first entry in the series?
[05:34] ---
    You're saying that you want to play girls' dating
    sims of your own volition now!
[05:38] ---
    Kato! You've grown up so fast as an otaku!
[05:42] ---
    I guess I have.
SIGN    Megumi
[05:45] ---
    Whoa, you're jumping right in,
    playing under your own name?!
[05:47] ---
    That's getting way too into it!
[05:49] ---
    Not even I could do something
    that embarrassing!
[05:51] ---
    You can go back to work, Aki-kun.
    I'll pass the time on my own.
[05:57] ---
    Uh... Okay.
[06:02] ---
    Eriri?
[06:03] ---
    What?
[06:05] ---
    Um, how are those pieces coming?
[06:08] ---
    I was taking a little break, that's all!
[06:10] ---
    You're so annoying, constantly
    nitpicking every little thing!
[06:13] ---
    Am I now?
[06:14] ---
    I, the guy you are forcing to help
    with your artwork for some crazy reason,
[06:16] ---
    am annoying, am I?
    I'm ever so sorry.
[06:19] ---
    Oh. I have to select a character.
SIGN    Symphonne Jeas Servis Erral
[06:22] ---
    Right. This is where you choose your knight
    attendant who will keep watch over you.
[06:27] ---
    By the way, once you choose, you only
    get events specific to that character
[06:31] ---
    for the first month, so you
    need to choose carefully.
[06:33] ---
    I'll be fine, Aki-kun. I'm reading the manual as I go.
[06:38] ---
    Oh, I see.
[06:41] ---
    Hm, who should I pick?
[06:43] ---
    Big brother Erral, Prince Jeas,
    or Lord Symphonne...
[06:48] ---
    Oh, I think I'll go with this one.
    Servis, my childhood friend.
SIGN    Childhood Friend Servis
[06:52] ---
    You picked Servis?!
[06:56] ---
    Look, I'm not telling you not to, but
    his flags are really hard to manage,
[07:01] ---
    and he has pretty specific
    hidden event triggers.
[07:04] ---
    He's a character that's geared
    towards advanced players.
[07:06] ---
    Look, Sawamura-san, I can do this on my–
[07:09] ---
    Come to think of it, you've always
    been a Servis fan, haven't you?
SIGN    Servis
[07:16] ---
    The fireworks sure are pretty...
[07:18] ---
    I've always had feelings for–
[07:20] ---
    What should I do, Aki-kun?
    How should I answer?
[07:23] ---
    Don't ask me, Megumi!
[07:25] ---
    I mean, this love confession
    seems really profound...
[07:28] ---
    In dating sims, once you accept
    a confession of love, that's it.
[07:32] ---
    After that, it's a straight line to eternal love.
[07:35] ---
    No cheating or changes of heart allowed.
[07:38] ---
    But we're still high schoolers...
[07:40] ---
    Don't try to escape back to reality!
[07:43] ---
    Sawamura-san, how would you...
[07:50] ---
    I'm sorry. Really, I'm sorry for
    distracting you from your inking.
SIGN    Little Love Rhapsody
SIGN    New Game Continue Options
[07:57] ---
    I have to say,
    your doujinshi are really consistent.
[08:01] ---
    It would be an insult to my buyers
    if my artwork was sloppy
[08:04] ---
    just because I was pressed for time.
[08:06] ---
    Eriri, couldn't you already make it as a pro?
[08:09] ---
    Apparently, industry editors keep
    coming to my circle's tables.
[08:14] ---
    I never go to events, so I've never talked
    to any of them in person, though.
[08:21] ---
    My circle is quite interested in you!
[08:29] ---
    Say, Eriri...
[08:30] ---
    Yeah?
[08:31] ---
    What are you going to do about that
    invitation from Rouge en Rouge?
[08:37] ---
    It's a tempting offer.
[08:40] ---
    I think so, too.
[08:42] ---
    They're a shutter circle, so I bet
    I could more than double my sales.
[08:46] ---
    Success would pretty much be assured.
[08:49] ---
    Where do you want to go from here?
[08:51] ---
    From here?
[08:53] ---
    Keep on drawing as a hobby like you do now,
[08:56] ---
    or strive for something bigger?
[08:59] ---
    If you say that you really want
    to make a go of it, I won't–
[09:03] ---
    All done!
[09:06] ---
    Ever since I watched Kato-san play,
    I've been itching to have a go!
SIGN    Little Love Rhapsody
SIGN    New Game Continue Options
[09:12] ---
    Wow, it's like I still remember
    all the event triggers...
[09:16] ---
    How can you be so good at it?
[09:20] ---
    I know, right?
    I haven't touched this in 8 years.
[09:26] ---
    I wonder why...
[09:29] ---
    Hey, Tomoya, do you remember?
[09:33] ---
    This game, it–
[09:34] ---
    Oh... It used to belong to you.
[09:36] ---
    You borrowed it and
    never gave it back.
[09:38] ---
    Well, I wasn't in
    a position to return it.
[09:43] ---
    Hey, Tomoya.
[09:45] ---
    Starting now, I'm Eri Kashiwagi,
    a member of your circle, got it?
[09:52] ---
    Until Winter Comiket,
    I won't attend any events,
[09:55] ---
    and I don't intend to take on
    a single guest artist job.
[10:00] ---
    Wait, are you saying...
[10:03] ---
    Anyway, if I did get poached, I sure as
    hell wouldn't let it be by Hashima.
[10:07] ---
    He's only in it for the money and discards
    creators and women when he's done with them.
[10:10] ---
    Wow, that's a pretty harsh thing
    to say about a former classmate.
[10:15] ---
    I knew it, you really like Hashima, don't you?
[10:18] ---
    In the way that fangirls love to see.
[10:20] ---
    I don't need a secret backstory!
[10:25] ---
    Unbelievable...
[10:27] ---
    Dinner's ready!
[10:30] ---
    You two sure seem cozy for some reason.
[10:34] ---
    This, from a girl who cooks dinner
    at a guy's house like it's nothing?
[10:39] ---
    I'm not sure how I feel about that.
[10:42] ---
    Hurry, Kato! But don't run!
[10:45] ---
    It's almost the cutoff time for circle entry!
[10:48] ---
    By the way, Aki-kun...
[10:49] ---
    What?
[10:50] ---
    What is all that?!
[10:53] ---
    Surprised, huh?
[10:54] ---
    This is the legendary stairway
[10:56] ---
    that makes everyone who turns around here
    want to shout, "Look, people are like garbage!"
[11:02] ---
    I don't think it's the stairway that's legendary.
[11:06] ---
    But today, we're not like those poor
    schlubs standing in line there!
[11:10] ---
    We're circle ticketholders, chosen by the world
    order that is the Planning Committee!
[11:14] ---
    So it's perfectly fine to treat them like garbage!
[11:17] ---
    It is not, and you know it.
[11:19] ---
    Hey, Izumi-chan.
[11:22] ---
    Tomoya-senpai!
[11:26] ---
    You really came!
[11:28] ---
    Of course, this is a once-in-a-lifetime,
    huge deal for you, so how–
[11:32] ---
    I'm so glad!
[11:36] ---
    I...
[11:38] ---
    I...!
[11:43] ---
    Excuse me? I'm here, too.
[11:46] ---
    You too, Tomoya's girlfriend!
    Thank you so much!
[11:52] ---
    Since I'm being mistaken for
    his girlfriend and all,
[11:56] ---
    get your mitts off my Tomoya,
    you homewrecker.
[11:59] ---
    Is that what I should have said?
[12:01] ---
    If you're going to do that,
    at least put some feeling into it.
SIGN    Sample
[12:15] ---
    Thank you so much for all your help, you two!
[12:19] ---
    This is all you're going to do?
[12:20] ---
    Yes, now we wait for the hall to open.
[12:23] ---
    But those people there seem
    to be hard at work.
[12:30] ---
    Kato...
[12:31] ---
    Um, did I say something wrong?
[12:34] ---
    Circles that get placed
    there are, well...
[12:36] ---
    They have sales in the thousands of units
[12:38] ---
    and proceeds ranging from the millions of
    yen on a bad day to the tens of millions.
[12:42] ---
    They're veritable superstar circles
    who attract lots of attention
[12:44] ---
    for various reasons, even from
    the National Tax Agency.
[12:46] ---
    Compared to them,
[12:48] ---
    we're happy if we sell half of the 100 units
    we ordered with a smile always on our faces.
[12:52] ---
    We're Fancy Wave, whose ledger
    is always in the red.
[12:54] ---
    Oh, I didn't know. Sorry, I guess?
[12:57] ---
    Well, that's true for over 90% of the
    circles that take part in Comiket.
[13:03] ---
    No, I like it better that way!
[13:05] ---
    When it comes to selling
    doujinshi from a table,
[13:06] ---
    there's something that's far more important
    than moving lots of units!
[13:10] ---
    There is.
[13:11] ---
    I mean, lots of people who share
    a hobby are coming together,
[13:15] ---
    showing each other their wares,
    and having passionate discussions!
[13:18] ---
    Don't you think that's great?
[13:21] ---
    So what you're saying is, everyone
    here is like you and Aki-kun?
[13:30] ---
    Hey, what's with that disgusted reaction?
[13:33] ---
    Um, exactly what it looked like.
[13:36] ---
    This place is filled with doujinshi,
    with dreams, and with fellow fans.
[13:42] ---
    There are so many wonderful things here.
[13:45] ---
    It's only been a year since
    I started making doujinshi,
[13:49] ---
    but I've had all kinds of fun experiences,
[13:51] ---
    and I think that there will
    be many more to come.
[13:54] ---
    That's why, even if our books don't sell at all,
[13:57] ---
    even if I can't go buy books from other circles
[13:59] ---
    because I have to man
    the table by myself,
[14:02] ---
    and even if my wheeled suitcase weighs a
    ton because it's full of unsold books,
[14:05] ---
    you can bet that I won't shed a single tear.
[14:08] ---
    Izumi-chan...
[14:09] ---
    We'll be here today,
    so feel free to go buy books.
[14:13] ---
    I-I will! Thank you, Miss Girlfriend!
    I'm forever in your debt!
[14:18] ---
    Um, you can call me by name.
[14:20] ---
    I will, Kamo-san!
[14:22] ---
    Er...
[14:23] ---
    Izumi-chan!
[14:24] ---
    Yes?
[14:26] ---
    How many years did you say it was since
    you started making doujinshi?
[14:29] ---
    Like I said, just barely one year.
[14:31] ---
    Up until then, I only bought them.
[14:33] ---
    You drew this... after only a year?
[14:37] ---
    Tomoya-senpai?
[14:39] ---
    Aki-kun... Are you all right?
[14:42] ---
    Look, Izumi-chan...
[14:43] ---
    About this book...
[14:46] ---
    Would you be mad if I sold all of these?
[14:50] ---
    The second day of
    Comic Market is now open.

[15:00] ---
    Crap... Crap...!
[15:02] ---
    This is why I can't
    walk away from doujinshi!
[15:14] ---
    Miss Megumi?
[15:16] ---
    Um, Megumi-san?
[15:18] ---
    Oh, I'm sorry. What is it?
[15:21] ---
    Where do you suppose Tomoya-senpai went?
[15:24] ---
    Who knows? But I'm sure that
    he'll come back before long.
[15:28] ---
    You aren't worried?
[15:30] ---
    Anyway, I'm the one
    that no one worries about.
[15:33] ---
    Oh, you're a little angry?
[15:35] ---
    For one thing, you're the reason that
    Aki-kun is working so hard right now.
[15:39] ---
    Kokusai-Tenjijo Station
[15:40] ---
    How can you know that?
[15:42] ---
    How can you have so much faith in him?
[15:44] ---
    I know it because I don't
    believe in him at all.
[15:48] ---
    Did I make you angry again?
[15:50] ---
    Um...
[15:51] ---
    What is it, Izumi-chan?
[15:53] ---
    Megumi-san... Are you
     really Tomoya-senpai's girlfriend?
[15:57] ---
    No, I'm his main heroine.
[15:59] ---
    What does that mean?
[16:01] ---
    That is a very good question.
[16:08] ---
    Sorry... I got held up.
[16:09] ---
    Tomoya!
[16:12] ---
    Tomoya...
[16:15] ---
    How many have we sold?
[16:17] ---
    About 30, I think.
[16:19] ---
    Which means we have 70 to go, huh?
[16:21] ---
    No sweat.
[16:31] ---
    Come on, step right up!
[16:33] ---
    Please take a look!
[16:35] ---
    W-Wait a minute, Tomoya! Why did
    you make such a huge poster?!
[16:42] ---
    Izumi-chan...
[16:44] ---
    That stuff about not caring if your
    books didn't sell was a lie, right?
[16:48] ---
    You want lots of people to read them, right?
    That's why you create doujinshi, right?
[16:52] ---
    But why did you have to pick that page?
[16:55] ---
    I'll be a laughingstock!
[16:58] ---
    Why would you think that?
[16:59] ---
    Because it's...
[17:01] ---
    It's an unfinished page!
[17:04] ---
    Let me guess, you ran out of time to ink it?
[17:06] ---
    Well, I came up with a new story idea the day
    before the finalized artwork delivery day.
[17:11] ---
    What, you scrapped the artwork you had
    already finished and drew new material?
[17:16] ---
    But one day was nowhere near enough time,
[17:19] ---
    so the end is still un-inked drawings.
[17:23] ---
    Right, right, the second half is totally rushed.
[17:27] ---
    So please stop using it as a billboard!
[17:30] ---
    No, it's this page or nothing!
[17:32] ---
    Why are you being
    so mean to me?!
[17:34] ---
    He's not being mean.
[17:36] ---
    Megumi-san?
[17:38] ---
    From that point until the last page,
    I didn't get a chance to catch my breath.
[17:42] ---
    It was really interesting.
[17:45] ---
    Hello?
[17:47] ---
    Excuse me, would you mind if I took a look?
[17:49] ---
    By all means, browse all you want!
[17:52] ---
    But this book isn't geared towards men–
[18:06] ---
    Thank you.
[18:10] ---
    One, please.
[18:13] ---
    Thank you!
[18:21] ---
    How about it?! It's really interesting!
[18:22] ---
    Thank you.
[18:23] ---
    Thank you.
[18:24] ---
    Take a look!
[18:25] ---
    Two orders over here.
[18:26] ---
    You can just hold it if you like!
[18:31] ---
    You just had to butt in, didn't you, Tomoya-kun?
SIGN    One, please.
[18:39] ---
    I was expecting to market it like crazy
    through my own circle next year.
SIGN    Thank you!
[18:45] ---
    Sorry, everyone!
[18:47] ---
    We're sold out!
[18:51] ---
    I mean it...
[18:54] ---
    I really mean it...
[18:55] ---
    Thank you so much!
[19:02] ---
    Comiket day two is now over.
[19:12] ---
    Eriri.
[19:14] ---
    I thought it was you.
[19:15] ---
    You bought a book from Izumi-chan's
    circle earlier, didn't you?
[19:27] ---
    You don't have to be embarrassed
[19:29] ---
    just because you came
    to the dealer's hall without telling us.
[19:31] ---
    Wasn't it because playing a game for the first
    time in years rekindled your passion for LLR?
[19:36] ---
    That's not why.
[19:37] ---
    And Izumi-chan had nothing to do
    with trying to poach you.
[19:41] ---
    I know.
[19:43] ---
    What's the matter?
[19:45] ---
    Nothing.
[19:47] ---
    Don't tell me it's nothing. Come on, Eriri,
    you're mad about something.
[19:55] ---
    How was this book?
[19:58] ---
    How was it? You read it too, didn't you?
[20:03] ---
    So you know how it was.
[20:08] ---
    Yeah, I know.
[20:09] ---
    I mean, you seemed incredibly happy, Tomoya.
[20:12] ---
    You were totally gung-ho about selling them.
    You were hyping it like crazy.
[20:16] ---
    Of course I was. Izumi-chan's amazing.
    She's come so far so fast–
[20:20] ---
    You never reacted like that to my book!
[20:26] ---
    You don't get worked up when
    you look at my artwork...
[20:30] ---
    You don't go all-out to sell my books!
[20:33] ---
    You don't feel anything at all!
[20:36] ---
    Hey, wait a second.
[20:37] ---
    You and Izumi-chan are totally different.
[20:40] ---
    Different genres, different popularity,
    different places in life, everything.
[20:43] ---
    So you think I'm better?
[20:46] ---
    Come on, answer me!
[20:48] ---
    Are my books better than hers?
[20:51] ---
    Do they make you want to pull out
    all the stops to sell them?
[20:54] ---
    You... Your books sell just fine
    without any help from me!
[20:58] ---
    That's not an answer!
[21:00] ---
    Tomoya, you haven't given me one
    straight answer for a while now!

Season 1

E9 - One-on-one Route After 8 Years

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:27] ---
    That's not an answer!
[00:29] ---
    Tomoya, you haven't given me one
    straight answer for a while now!
[00:43] ---
    Good morning, Mr. Ethical.
[00:53] ---
    Stay calm, everything is all right now.
[00:55] ---
    No, this current situation
    is anything but all right.
[00:58] ---
    What are you doing here, Utaha-senpai?
[01:00] ---
    Because I had zero screen time
    in the last episode, obviously.
[01:04] ---
    That's not a reason!
[01:06] ---
    And what do you mean, "screen time"?
    What do you mean, "last episode"?!
[01:09] ---
    Oh, you're awake, Aki-kun.
[01:11] ---
    Senpai, what are you doing?!
[01:13] ---
    Don't look! Stop her, Kato!
[01:15] ---
    Um, okay.
[02:50] ---
    Oh, so Kato called you here, Utaha-senpai.
SIGN    #9: One-on-one Route After 8 Years
[02:53] ---
    Setting that aside,
[02:55] ---
    isn't your casually entering his house
    a topic for discussion, Kato-san?
[03:00] ---
    Actually, isn't the real topic of discussion
[03:02] ---
    the fact that you rushed over in 15 minutes
    just because I said "Aki-kun is in trouble"?
[03:09] ---
    So, what happened?
[03:11] ---
    What do you mean?
[03:13] ---
    I got the gist of what happened from Kato-san,
[03:16] ---
    but I won't understand why you and Sawamura-san
     ended up in that situation
[03:20] ---
    unless I hear it from your own mouth.
[03:23] ---
    Come on, out with it.
    And then let's think of a way to fix it.
[03:28] ---
    But this is a problem between me and Eriri.
[03:31] ---
    I can't drag you into it.
[03:33] ---
    Kato-san, what you see here
    is a textbook example of
[03:37] ---
    the "wimp protagonist" who is so
    common in the dating sim world.
[03:39] ---
    Whenever there's trouble, he makes
    a show of indecisive worrying,
[03:42] ---
    and then annoys everyone around
    him by dragging them into it.
[03:44] ---
    If you are going to be the main heroine,
[03:46] ---
    you are going to have to deal
    with his sort in the future,
[03:49] ---
    so observe his behavior closely.
[03:51] ---
    That sounds like a hassle...
[03:53] ---
    Uh, I'm sorry, but I genuinely am worried.
[03:58] ---
    Ah, I see.
[03:59] ---
    Basically, when you sang the
    praises of Hashima-san's book,
[04:02] ---
    Sawamura-san flew off the hilt
    for some reason, berated Hashima-san,
[04:05] ---
    and then, after she tore her book to shreds,
[04:08] ---
    she shoved her into a mud puddle and
    laughed at her with her posse.
[04:12] ---
    Right?
[04:13] ---
    That turned into a certain someone's
    writing style halfway through,
[04:16] ---
    but the first part was pretty much accurate.
[04:18] ---
    That's rather immature.
[04:19] ---
    That's for sure.
[04:21] ---
    She doesn't act like the big-name
    doujinshi creator that she is.
[04:25] ---
    I was referring to you.
[04:27] ---
    Me?!
[04:28] ---
    Was it really necessary
[04:30] ---
    to praise someone else's book
    in front of Sawamura-san?
[04:34] ---
    You were going to put your foot in your
    mouth no matter what you said to her,
[04:38] ---
    so perhaps you should have kept how
    you actually felt to yourself?
[04:42] ---
    I... can't do that.
[04:45] ---
    I can't say that something
    that I think is great isn't.
[04:49] ---
    I'd sooner quit being an otaku than say
    Izumi-chan's doujinshi or your novels aren't great.
[04:56] ---
    B-B-Be that as it may!
[04:59] ---
    Be that as it may, your words were
    a fatal blow to Sawamura-san.
[05:04] ---
    Nothing I say could make a dent
    in Eriri's popularity or ability.
[05:09] ---
    But it certainly made a dent in her heart.
[05:12] ---
    It's possible that this might
    leave her unable to draw.
[05:15] ---
    Come on, that would never happen.
[05:17] ---
    Sawamura-san must have felt like everything
    had been stolen from her.
[05:21] ---
    What do you mean, everything?
[05:23] ---
    Her dignity as a creator, as well as
    her position as "childhood friend."
[05:28] ---
    I mean, Hashima-san had grown close to you,
    so it was like she had an extremely high
[05:34] ---
    initial likability stat in spite of the fact that
    she had only recently appeared.
[05:36] ---
    The sort who will confess her love for the
    protagonist when he fails to conquer his intended girl...
[05:41] ---
    That makes me so angry...
[05:42] ---
    A "hidden savior heroine" should stay
    hidden until the very end!
[05:43] ---
    Senpai!
[05:48] ---
    In any event, for the circle to overcome
    this threat to its very existence,
[05:52] ---
    you will have to work hard, Mr. Ethical.
[05:54] ---
    What do you think I should I do?
[05:56] ---
    Conquer the childhood friend heroine,
    Mr. Wimp Protagonist... Mr. Ethical, rather.
[06:02] ---
    That would have made for a
    touching scene, but you wrecked it.
[06:06] ---
    Hazy memories, fond recollections,
    promises made as children...
[06:10] ---
    Use every last childhood friend advantage
    to raise Sawamura-san's flags.
[06:15] ---
    Do you think she'll fall
    for something that obvious?
[06:18] ---
    I think it will work.
[06:21] ---
    Aki-kun, you need to be the
    heroine here, not the protagonist.
[06:41] ---
    Eriri, daddy and I are leaving, okay?
[06:45] ---
    Summer Comiket, day three! The final
    day! The day of the sacred battle!
[06:49] ---
    Yes, off to bask in works of
    the "male-oriented" genre!
[06:53] ---
    Have fun.
[06:54] ---
    Oh, and about the party tonight...
[06:57] ---
    I know.
[06:58] ---
    I wouldn't dream of embarrassing daddy.
[07:16] ---
    You're heading out already?
[07:18] ---
    Yeah, I'm leaving.
[07:21] ---
    To Summer Comiket day 3,
    East A276, Egoistic Lily.
[07:26] ---
    Do you think Sawamura-san will come?
[07:29] ---
    Probably not, but I have to go.
[07:33] ---
    Sure. Good luck.
[07:35] ---
    Kato, thanks.
[07:37] ---
    But I haven't done anything.
[07:39] ---
    It was Kasumigaoka-senpai who
    did all the work last night.
[07:43] ---
    Maybe, but thanks all the same.
[07:50] ---
    That reminds me, you need to come up
    with a name for our circle soon.
[07:54] ---
    Oh, you're right.
[07:57] ---
    Well, I'm off.
[07:59] ---
    Sure. See you later.
[08:22] ---
    Iori.
[08:23] ---
    My goodness! Tomoya-kun!
     Funny seeing you here!
[08:26] ---
    Uh, you've been watching me since I got here.
[08:29] ---
    To what do I owe the honor of
    you paying our space a visit?
[08:33] ---
    I hate to break it to you, but I'm not
    going to back down on Eri Kashiwagi.
[08:37] ---
    I don't want you to back down.
    I just want your help.
[08:42] ---
    My help? Doing what?
[08:44] ---
    What else? To drag Eriri back to my circle!
SIGN    Servis
[10:13] ---
    Over here, Eriri!
[10:22] ---
    What are you doing, Tomoya?
[10:24] ---
    May I take you away from it all for a while, Eriri?
[10:28] ---
    What are you–
[10:29] ---
    Come into town with me!
[10:38] ---
    Let's go, Eriri!
[10:40] ---
    Aren't you embarrassed doing that?
[10:41] ---
    Totally embarrassed! I could die of shame!
[10:45] ---
    But I can't die, not yet!
[10:47] ---
    I refuse to die until I've
    patched things up with you!
[11:10] ---
    All right, the plan will be
    carried out tomorrow night.
[11:12] ---
    I assume the location will be
    Sawamura-san's balcony?
[11:15] ---
    Every year, her family throws a party
    the night of the fireworks display.
[11:19] ---
    So that will be my only opportunity
    to win her back.
[11:21] ---
    Very well.
[11:22] ---
    We'll base the situation on the fireworks
    display event in Little Love Rhapsody.
[11:26] ---
    Kato-san, can you play that scene right now?
[11:30] ---
    Sure.
[11:31] ---
    This plan will be designed to stimulate
[11:33] ---
    past memories and nostalgia
    to get her to make up with you.
[11:36] ---
    Do you think it will work?
[11:37] ---
    Don't worry.
[11:38] ---
    Because Eriri Spencer Sawamura
    is by nature a maiden!
[11:43] ---
    She's a nerdy girl waiting for her otaku prince to
    arrive in his white itasha and sweep her off her feet!
[11:51] ---
    Can you believe that? Isn't that a bit
    too romantic for a porn doujin artist?
[11:54] ---
    I'm not so sure. Maybe she's a romantic
    because she's a porn doujin artist.
[11:58] ---
    Utaha-senpai is one thing,
    but don't you join in, Kato! That's mean!
SIGN    Shimamura Grade School
[12:10] ---
    I guess they built a new school
    building since we left...
[12:14] ---
    They rebuilt it the year before last, I think.
[12:18] ---
    Oh.
[12:23] ---
    Say, Eriri...
[12:26] ---
    Why are you trying to make up now?
[12:28] ---
    LitRhap was the first game that
    I made you a convert to.
[12:31] ---
    You're right. I never knew that girls'
    dating sims were a thing before then.
[12:35] ---
    But when I tried one, I had a blast playing it.
[12:37] ---
    And then you turned another girl onto them.
    Don't you think that's a betrayal?
[12:44] ---
    Eriri...
[12:46] ---
    I'm glad that you found a nice book!
[12:48] ---
    And the girl who made it is both a childhood
    friend and your #1 disciple?
[12:53] ---
    How could anything top that?
[12:55] ---
    I guess you don't need me anymore.
    Just let her into the circle.
[13:00] ---
    So leave me alone.
[13:07] ---
    Sorry, Utaha-senpai. Sorry, Kato.
[13:13] ---
    Eriri, hear me out!
[13:19] ---
    There's something that I've never
    been able to say to you.
[13:22] ---
    Even if you apologize, it's too late.
[13:27] ---
    For a long time now, I've felt–
[13:30] ---
    That's no fair, playing that card now!
[13:32] ---
    I've felt incredibly pissed at you!
[13:37] ---
    Make up with you, my ass!
    How can I do that?!
[13:41] ---
    I can't forgive you, not after what you did!
[13:43] ---
    What do you mean?
[13:45] ---
    What's that supposed to mean?!
[13:47] ---
    I'm the one who was wronged here!
    What's this crap?!
[13:51] ---
    You're the one who turned
    your back on me, Eriri!
SIGN    Otaku Couple: Sawamura + Aki
SIGN    Little Love Rhapsody
SIGN    Class Meeting
SIGN    Little Love Rhapsody
[14:37] ---
    Eight years ago,
[14:39] ---
    you're the one who pretended you'd quit
    being an otaku and made new friends
[14:43] ---
    and abandoned me!
[14:45] ---
    You...
[14:48] ---
    You're still carrying a grudge
    over a little thing like that?
[14:50] ---
    "Little thing"?! How can you
    call that a little thing?!
[14:53] ---
    I didn't have a choice!
    Back then, that's all I could do!
[14:57] ---
    You think that excuses it?!
[14:58] ---
    Was making new friends
    that important to you?!
[15:02] ---
    Was it more important than
    talking to me about anime?!
[15:05] ---
    Tomoya?
[15:06] ---
    Do you have any idea how much
    you meant to me back then?!
[15:10] ---
    I'd made enemies of just about all the guys!
[15:13] ---
    It was all to protect what we had!
[15:17] ---
    Back then, you were all I had!
[15:23] ---
    It took years, but I can finally
    talk to people normally now!
[15:28] ---
    But even so, I'll never forget how
    badly you treated me back then!
[15:32] ---
    That was... that was just you
    getting carried away on your own!
[15:36] ---
    Apologize!
[15:39] ---
    I won't apologize.
[15:40] ---
    No matter what happens,
    I'll never apologize to you!
[15:44] ---
    You don't know how much
    I cried, Tomoya!
[15:48] ---
    Eriri?
[15:49] ---
    Because I severed ties with you and couldn't
    talk to you at school and had to ignore you!
[15:54] ---
    Because of how lonely, how frustrating,
    and how painful it was!
[15:57] ---
    I've suffered way more than you have!
[15:59] ---
    All these years, I've had a
    boomerang stuck in my heart!
[16:03] ---
    So I have no reason to apologize!
[16:04] ---
    Even though it was your own fault?!
[16:06] ---
    Yeah! Is that so wrong?!
[16:07] ---
    It is!
[16:08] ---
    I couldn't care less!
    You apologize to me!
[16:11] ---
    Why?!
[16:12] ---
    Why would you choose
    that girl's book over mine?!
[16:15] ---
    My popularity and ability and the amount of
    time I've known you, they're all way higher!
[16:20] ---
    Why wouldn't you pick me?!
[16:26] ---
    I like what I like!
    I don't care about our history!
[16:31] ---
    Izumi-chan's book excites me more!
[16:33] ---
    You're saying I'm inferior to that girl?
[16:34] ---
    That's right!
[16:36] ---
    You're beneath her!
    Inferior to her! Not as good!
[16:39] ---
    Even with all that hard work? Even though
     I work myself into the ground?
[16:43] ---
    Screw talent and hard work! The book you put
    out at Summer Comiket today was a loser!
[16:47] ---
    Right now, you don't have what it takes!
    Not even close!
[16:50] ---
    But I worked so hard...
[16:53] ---
    I wore a mask outside,
    but worked myself to death at home!
[16:57] ---
    I wanted to get back at those
    jerks who split us up!
[17:00] ---
    I wanted to go back to how it was.
    I thought I'd come so far...
[17:05] ---
    You're right. You've come a long way.
[17:08] ---
    You're fast and skilled and consistent.
[17:11] ---
    So next, become great!
[17:13] ---
    Let's see you become great and
    fast and skilled and consistent!
[17:17] ---
    How do I do that?!
    I can't work any harder or any better!
[17:20] ---
    How should I know?! It's your art!
    Figure it out yourself!
[17:24] ---
    That doesn't make any sense!
[17:25] ---
    That's right! It's crazy!
[17:27] ---
    So if you don't want to,
    you don't have to become great!
[17:30] ---
    I don't care if you're my #1!
SIGN    Egoistic Lily New edition is sold out!
SIGN    East Hall 5, Shi-46A Egoistic Lily Line Ends Here
[18:07] ---
    Just watch me.
[18:09] ---
    I'm gonna become your #1.
[18:14] ---
    Until then, I'm never gonna apologize.
[18:33] ---
    Whatever.
[18:49] ---
    U-Uh, so, Eriri...
[18:52] ---
    You twisting your ankle, that was lie, right?
[18:56] ---
    You can walk, right?
[18:57] ---
    A knight who pulled the princess away from
    her castle doesn't get to complain.
[19:05] ---
    But I guess we haven't made up.
[19:10] ---
    I guess not.
[19:12] ---
    We're still on the outs, aren't we?
[19:25] ---
    Finished!
[19:27] ---
    The circle banner illustration is done!
[19:29] ---
    Show us, show us!
[19:32] ---
    For you, that's almost pleasant, Sawamura-san.
[19:34] ---
    Hey, wait a minute! Is it just me,
    or is that girl not wearing anything?
[19:39] ---
    It's fine, Kato-san.
[19:41] ---
    I think I've perfectly captured the
    figure of her model, meaning you.
[19:45] ---
    That's not perfectly fine at all!
[19:47] ---
    What are you saying? A real heroine
    is one who strips when told to strip
[19:50] ---
    and who breathes heavily
    when told to breathe heavily.
[19:55] ---
    Oh, I had no idea.
[19:56] ---
    Relax, this is a game for everyone.
[19:58] ---
    One more thing, Tomoya.
[20:00] ---
    Put the finishing touch on it, Producer.
[20:04] ---
    Sure.
[20:09] ---
    "Blessing Software," huh?
[20:12] ---
    Good name, huh?
[20:14] ---
    For you, I guess.
[20:16] ---
    Loosely translated, that's
    "Megumi Software," though.
[20:23] ---
    Um. Uh, I just thought–
[22:01] ---
    Big brother, you know Eri Kashiwagi?
[22:05] ---
    You also got to know her
    without realizing it, Izumi.
[22:08] ---
    Hey, wait a minute!
[22:10] ---
    Why would an artist from a famous
    circle draw something for me?
[22:14] ---
    Actually, she says she's a longtime LitRhap fan
[22:16] ---
    and that your doujinshi
    really touched her.
[22:20] ---
    Hang on, did you give Eri Kashiwagi
    a copy of my book?!
[22:24] ---
    No, it sounded like she stood
    in line and bought it herself.
[22:27] ---
    Why?! She should have introduced herself!
SIGN    To Izumi Hashima-san: Keep up the great work! Eri Kashiwagi (egoistic lily)
[22:34] ---
    Oh, wow!
SIGN    To Izumi Hashima: I'm not about to lose! You bet your ass I'm gonna win! Eriri Spencer Sawamura

Season 1

E10 - A Melody of Reminiscing and Support

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
SIGN    #10 "A Melody of Reminiscing and Support"
[01:45] ---
    And so,
[01:47] ---
    I'd like to go with something
    along these lines
SIGN    SEIJI
    Huh...!?
[01:49] ---
    for the 2nd encounter event
    with the main heroine.
SIGN    MEGURI
    Aieee!
[01:51] ---
    Isn't the "lucky perv"
    trope a bit of a cliché?

[01:55] ---
    That's dangerously close
    to harem show territory.

[01:57] ---
    What's wrong with clichés?
[01:59] ---
    Harem shows are great, Utaha-senpai!
[02:01] ---
    It doesn't exactly fit my writing style.
[02:04] ---
    I hate to say it, but what Tomoya is
    saying makes sense in this case.

[02:10] ---
    I don't know about novels,
    but this is a dating sim.

[02:12] ---
    It's not literature, it's
    a piece of entertainment.

[02:15] ---
    No matter how serious the game,
    if the girls aren't cute and a little sexy,
[02:19] ---
    the users won't come along,
    and most of all, it won't be fun.
[02:22] ---
    Anyway, what do you
    think I'm here for?

[02:25] ---
    If there aren't scenes with girls being cute,
    it'd be a waste of my talent, right?

[02:30] ---
    Eriri...
[02:32] ---
    Sawamura-san,
[02:33] ---
    ever since Summer Comiket ended,
    you've been strangely motivated.

[02:37] ---
    What in the world happened?
[02:39] ---
    Wh-What about you?!
[02:40] ---
    You've been gung ho since
    before summer vacation!

[02:44] ---
    I'm a professional writer.
[02:46] ---
    We give 100%
    regardless of the project.

[02:49] ---
    What's this I hear about your new book
    being hopelessly behind schedule?
[02:53] ---
    Who said such a silly thing?
[02:55] ---
    I suppose there are times when it is necessary
    to plug both the leak and the leaker.
[03:00] ---
    A-A-Anyway, with that in mind, would you
    please revise the early events, Utaha-senpai?
[03:06] ---
    Surely you aren't the leaker, Mr Ethical.
[03:09] ---
    That topic is closed!
[03:10] ---
    We only look to the future here!
[03:12] ---
    Very well. I'll make slight
    revisions to the scenario.

[03:15] ---
    Anyway, the key thing is that
    the heroine gives a cute shriek, got it?
[03:19] ---
    Hey, main heroine!
    Show us what you've got!
[03:21] ---
    Uh, okay.
[03:23] ---
    Aieee.
[03:25] ---
    Where do you think
    you are looking, you pervert?
[03:28] ---
    Uh, that was a bad example.
[03:31] ---
    Line reading aside, I forgot that
    you were there, Kato-san.
SIGN    Has left the chat Has left the chat Has left the chat
[03:35] ---
    Eriri Utaha Megumi
[03:40] ---
    Wow, I had no idea it was so late...
[03:42] ---
    I'd better take a bath
    and hit the sack.

[03:54] ---
    Well, if it isn't Tomo!
    Long time, no see!
[03:56] ---
    Oh, you want to use the bath?
    I just finished, so help yourself!
[04:13] ---
    Sorry about that!
[04:14] ---
    I guess I should've
    hollered before getting in.
[04:17] ---
    You're doing it all wrong!
    You're not supposed to apologize!
[04:20] ---
    You're the one who's supposed to
    shriek and then blow up at me
[04:22] ---
    and go, "Where do you think
    you're looking, you pervert?"
[04:25] ---
    Nah, it's no big deal.
[04:27] ---
    I'm gonna be crashing here a while,
[04:28] ---
    so it was my bad for not
    saying hi the instant I arrived.
[04:31] ---
    I appreciate your consideration,
[04:34] ---
    but you blowing off what I said is
    just as awkward in its own way.
[04:38] ---
    Man, this is one seriously
    otaku room you've got here!
[04:41] ---
    Tomo, you still into video games, too?
[04:46] ---
    Look, why are you here, Michiru?
[04:47] ---
    Oh, right! You're not gonna believe this, Tomo!
[04:50] ---
    My dad is so terrible!
[04:52] ---
    What's terrible are those
    clothes and that pose.
[04:57] ---
    You and Uncle got into it again and you ran
    away, right? Always the same old story.
[05:03] ---
    You don't have to sound
    so put out about it.
[05:06] ---
    We have a cousinly bond!
    Cousins who are the same age.
[05:09] ---
    Not just the same age, but we were born
    on the same day in the same hospital.
[05:13] ---
    If you look at it like that, ours
    must be a fateful bond, Tomo!
[05:20] ---
    So, what brought it on this time?
[05:22] ---
    I told you at New Year's, remember?
[05:24] ---
    I started a band when
    I started high school.
[05:27] ---
    An all-girl one.
[05:29] ---
    Oh, right, you did say
    something about that.
[05:31] ---
    I'm surprised you're still at it.
[05:33] ---
    Hey, don't be rude!
[05:35] ---
    I can't quit when it hasn't
    even been a year yet!
[05:38] ---
    You quit Volleyball, Drama Club,
    and Basketball after six months.
[05:42] ---
    And you were this close to going
    to regionals in each of them.
[05:45] ---
    Wow, if you look at it that way,
    I'm some kinda genius.
[05:48] ---
    It pisses me off, the way you're so
    talented but get bored so easily!
[05:52] ---
    We're related, so how can
    we be so different?!
[05:55] ---
    Right, you stick with things, Tomo.
[05:58] ---
    You've been into anime and
    games since we were kids.
[06:02] ---
    We seem to be having two
    different conversations,
[06:05] ---
    but you got into it
    over the band, I assume?
[06:07] ---
    Right, yeah, we got a ton of buzz
    over our show at the student festival.
[06:11] ---
    A scout from a live house came to see us,
    so I asked dad to chip in some money.
[06:15] ---
    Ah, I can picture what went down next.
[06:19] ---
    He blew up at me! He was all like,
    "This is not what I agreed to!"
[06:24] ---
    Well, obviously... I told him today.
[06:26] ---
    Enough... I've heard enough!
[06:28] ---
    You damn happy-go-lucky types...
[06:30] ---
    So anyway, that's why I'll be
    crashing here a while, Tomo.
[06:35] ---
    What did my folks
    have to say about it?
[06:38] ---
    They said I can stay until
    we both cool down.
[06:43] ---
    My mom and dad never
    raise a fuss about anything.
[06:45] ---
    It's not like they ever
    show their faces.
[06:48] ---
    I can always count on my relatives!
[06:51] ---
    Isn't this a problem, though?
[06:56] ---
    Why?
[06:57] ---
    For starters, that uninhibited
    outfit is already right out.
[07:01] ---
    What's the big deal? It's not like
    anybody can see me in here.
[07:04] ---
    I can see you.
[07:06] ---
    I am a male high schooler, you know.
[07:09] ---
    Oh, right.
[07:11] ---
    You're the only guy
    who gets to see me like this.
[07:14] ---
    Call it an added bonus!
[07:18] ---
    Dear God, please do something about
    this girl's crazy notion of familiarity.
[07:22] ---
    What're you mumbling about?
[07:25] ---
    If you've got something to say,
    say it loud and clear to my face.
[07:31] ---
    You know I can't turn around!
    Put on something decent!
[07:38] ---
    For the last time,
    turn around, damn it!
[07:47] ---
    Whoa, hey! What are you doing?!
[07:49] ---
    Look me in the eye, damn it!
[07:52] ---
    You know I can't!
[07:54] ---
    Not like this, and not even
    if I turned around!
[07:57] ---
    You give up yet?
[08:00] ---
    Stop it, Mitchan!
[08:11] ---
    You look exhausted, Aki-kun.
[08:13] ---
    Yeah, a little.
[08:15] ---
    Did you get a crick in your neck
    and couldn't fall asleep?
[08:19] ---
    No, I twisted it before I went to bed.
[08:23] ---
    That takes skill.
[08:24] ---
    I guess.
[08:34] ---
    Don't push yourself, Mr. Ethical.
[08:36] ---
    Huh?
[08:37] ---
    You've already infected us all
    with your passion for game-making.
[08:41] ---
    But if you ruin your health,
    it will all be for nothing.
[08:47] ---
    What's with this exquisite
    change of position?
[08:50] ---
    Let me have that.
[08:51] ---
    I'll step in for you and
    do the work today.
[08:55] ---
    I can't let you do that.
[08:57] ---
    You've finished the scenario, Senpai,
    so let me take it from here.
[09:02] ---
    But Mr. Ethical, you're in no shape to—
[09:05] ---
    You spent so much time working on our
    scenario that your own novel was pushed back.
[09:11] ---
    I can't cause any more trouble for you.
[09:14] ---
    At this rate, I'm going to
    ruin your writing career.
[09:18] ---
    M-Mr. Ethical?
[09:20] ---
    I could never atone
    for that in a million years.
[09:25] ---
    Tomoya-kun! Say that again!
[09:27] ---
    I'm sorry, I don't even
    remember what I'm saying...
[09:28] ---
    K-K-Kato-san!
[09:29] ---
    How do I record with this thing? Hurry!
[09:36] ---
    You're completely ignoring that I exist,
    aren't you, Utaha Kasumigaoka?
[09:41] ---
    I ignored you for a bit, but then
    I completely forgot about you.
[09:48] ---
    Would an expression a bit
    more like this work better here?
[09:51] ---
    But this is the scene where the protagonist
    goes to the home of another heroine.
[09:55] ---
    I suppose that's how a scenario
    writer would interpret it.
[09:58] ---
    Hey, Sawamura-san. Don't crowd in.
[10:01] ---
    Oh, shut up! Cool your heels
    in there, you conniving seductress!
[10:07] ---
    I-I'm just saying, wouldn't it be better
    if the expression was a little sadder?
SIGN    Meguri
[10:14] ---
    Maybe...
[10:16] ---
    Out of curiosity,
    what's this you're doing?
[10:19] ---
    It's called scripting.
[10:21] ---
    It's like a simple form of programming
    that the game runs on.
[10:24] ---
    You say it's simple, but you have to
    study such a thick book...
[10:30] ---
    Well, I'm a novice.
[10:35] ---
    I know a thing or two about scripting,
    so I can help out if you need it.
[10:39] ---
    Though you haven't finished with your
    illustrations, you still intend to help Mr. Ethical?
[10:44] ---
    No matter how you put it, that's too much love—
    weight, rather, to place on someone.
[10:49] ---
    A novelist who's gotten
    so absorbed in a man—
[10:52] ---
    a scenario, rather, and neglected
    her other work isn't one to talk!
[10:56] ---
    Enough with this pro-wrestling style feud!
[11:02] ---
    So, looks like all that's
    left now is the music.
[11:06] ---
    Yeah, and that's the biggest issue.
SIGN    Meguri
    Seiji-kun...
[11:10] ---
    Oh, it plays music... That's amazing.
[11:14] ---
    There's no such thing as a game without
    background music these days.
[11:17] ---
    The time when people were satisfied with
    bleeps and bloops ended decades ago.
[11:22] ---
    Plus the power of music is crucial
    to building up the climax.
[11:26] ---
    Yeah, definitely.
[11:27] ---
    With a good soundtrack,
[11:29] ---
    you can picture a specific scene
    just from hearing the music.
[11:33] ---
    It would take a really crappy producer
[11:36] ---
    to neglect finding the all-important
    music team member, huh?
[11:46] ---
    From: Michiru
    Sub: When will you be home tonight?
    I'm already home, wanna order pizza for dinner?
[11:54] ---
    Sorry, I couldn't help but look.
[11:57] ---
    K-Kato...
[11:59] ---
    Don't worry, though.
[12:01] ---
    I wouldn't dream of telling anyone
    who the e-mail was from or what was in it.
[12:08] ---
    It would be bad manners.
[12:10] ---
    Wait, did you see the whole thing?
[12:13] ---
    Yeah.
[12:15] ---
    See what?
[12:26] ---
    Oh, so this "Michiru"
    person is your cousin.
[12:33] ---
    And she is at your house now?
[12:36] ---
    Sh-She got into a fight with
    her family and ran away.
[12:40] ---
    So the long and short of it is
[12:43] ---
    that you have moved in together with
    a female cousin who is the same age as you.
[12:48] ---
    Moved in with? Living under the same roof?
    Running into each other in the bath?
[12:52] ---
    Are we talking a real-world example
    of the "lucky perv" trope?
[12:54] ---
    No! It's a coincidence!
[12:57] ---
    Er, except for that one time...
[13:00] ---
    That one time?
[13:02] ---
    Er, um...
[13:04] ---
    It would seem that you're still
    hiding many things from us.
[13:07] ---
    Now, it's time to tell us everything
    that did and didn't happen.
[13:11] ---
    Uh, I can't tell you about
    things that didn't happen.
[13:16] ---
    Wait, what's this?
[13:18] ---
    You and your cousin girlfriend were born on
    the same day and in the same place?
[13:22] ---
    The family ob/gyn clinic is
    near our house in Nagano.
[13:26] ---
    Everyone in my family is born there,
    and we get left with them sometimes.
[13:31] ---
    Meaning that you're childhood friends
    going back to not just infancy, but to birth.
[13:38] ---
    And every summer and
    winter vacation since,
[13:42] ---
    you've gone back
    to stay there with her.
[13:45] ---
    Hey, our other relatives were there, too.
[13:47] ---
    Cavorting around
    the fields and mountains,
[13:50] ---
    spending time all alone in a
    secret cave that you discovered.
[13:53] ---
    Because she was my only cousin who was
    anywhere near my age, that's why.
[13:58] ---
    So... You did it, didn't you?
[14:03] ---
    At night, you would climb
    into the bath together
[14:05] ---
    and examine the differences
    between male and female bodies.
[14:09] ---
    Hey! That image is a little too vivid!
[14:14] ---
    This makes her the archetypal childhood
    friend, the one who reigns supreme over
[14:18] ---
    all your childhood friends, doesn't it?
[14:20] ---
    The special relationship makes other
    childhood friends seem like cheap knockoffs.
[14:25] ---
    Hey, hold on!
[14:26] ---
    That's going too far!
[14:32] ---
    Sawamura-san, are you okay?
[14:35] ---
    Ch-Cheap knockoff childhood friends...
[14:38] ---
    It would seem that this would be
    a good place to call it a night.
[14:53] ---
    Hey! Wake up, Michiru!
[15:01] ---
    Sheesh, you're home late, Tomo...
[15:04] ---
    I had a circle meeting.
[15:08] ---
    Hey, check it out!
[15:10] ---
    My guitar finally came!
[15:13] ---
    I went home yesterday and
    sent some of my stuff here.
[15:17] ---
    About that, Michiru.
[15:19] ---
    How long do you plan to stay—
[15:28] ---
    Hey, wait a minute!
[15:29] ---
    Michiru, what's the meaning of this?!
[15:32] ---
    This room was pretty cluttered,
    and all my stuff wouldn't fit.
[15:37] ---
    So I figured I'd do a little housecleaning.
[15:39] ---
    Where are my treasures?!
[15:40] ---
    I'm way ahead of you!
[15:42] ---
    I put 'em in a garbage
    bag in the living room
[15:44] ---
    so they'd be ready for
    the weekend garbage pickup!
[15:53] ---
    Please forgive me, my heroines...
[15:57] ---
    I bet it hurt.
[15:58] ---
    I bet you couldn't breathe.
[16:00] ---
    I'm sorry, I didn't realize
    they meant so much to you.
[16:04] ---
    Get out! Go back to your
    own damn house right now!
[16:07] ---
    Whoa, don't bite my head off!
[16:11] ---
    I thought we were buddies.
[16:12] ---
    You chuck your "buddy's" most
    precious possessions into the trash?!
[16:17] ---
    That happens with married
    couples all the time, right?
[16:20] ---
    The wife throws out her
    husband's collections.
[16:24] ---
    Like anyone would stay in
    such a miserable marriage!
[16:27] ---
    But it's as good a time as any.
[16:29] ---
    Tomo, it's time to walk away
    from this stupid otaku stuff.
[16:32] ---
    What are you calling stupid?!
[16:33] ---
    Why don't I introduce you
    to some girls?
[16:36] ---
    I go to a girls' school,
    so you could have your pick.
[16:40] ---
    Don't be ridiculous.
[16:41] ---
    As if a real, non-otaku girl
    would ever go out with me.
[16:46] ---
    Really? I think you'd be a hit
    with girls if you acted normal.
[16:52] ---
    That's just a relative seeing me
    in a positive light!
[16:54] ---
    Besides, the standards at
    my school are a little, you know...
[16:58] ---
    Just mentioning Toyogasaki High would
    get the attention of lots of girls.
[17:03] ---
    Seriously?
[17:04] ---
    Yeah!
[17:05] ---
    So let me set up
    a group date right away!
[17:08] ---
    You can't fool me!
[17:09] ---
    It'll take more than that
    to get me to leave otakudom!
[17:13] ---
    Come on, what's your deal? You'll have
    way more fun hanging out with girls.
[17:19] ---
    You're one to talk.
[17:20] ---
    You don't have
    a boyfriend either, right?
[17:23] ---
    Look, I...
[17:24] ---
    The thing is, I'm totally
    focused on my band right now.
[17:27] ---
    Romance is a distant second.
[17:30] ---
    Well, it's the same with me.
[17:32] ---
    I have a big dream, too.
[17:35] ---
    Until I make it come true,
    I can't leave the otaku life.
[17:40] ---
    What kind of dream?
[17:42] ---
    I thought you'd never ask.
[17:44] ---
    My dream is to gather together
    the ultimate creative staff
[17:50] ---
    to make the ultimate dating
    sim that I've envisioned!
[17:54] ---
    I heard that the dating
    sim industry is failing.
[17:57] ---
    Where did you hear that?!
[17:58] ---
    I should say, that's not true at all!
[18:00] ---
    In any case, you don't plan
    to make a job of it, do you?
[18:03] ---
    Think about your future.
[18:05] ---
    You can't make a living
    off of just your hobbies.
[18:07] ---
    Wh-Wh-What are you, my mom?!
[18:10] ---
    Hasn't Auntie said anything?
[18:12] ---
    You just have a year
    to decide on your plans.
[18:15] ---
    Do you really want to
    be that irresponsible?
[18:17] ---
    A runaway has no business
    talking to me like that!
[18:22] ---
    There, all better.
[18:26] ---
    Good job.
[18:27] ---
    And whose fault is that?
[18:28] ---
    You're all sweaty, go take a bath.
[18:31] ---
    I was gonna take one anyway!
[18:33] ---
    And this is my house!
[18:35] ---
    Have fun.
[18:37] ---
    You can play your guitar, but
    do not plug it into that amp, got it?
[18:41] ---
    It would annoy the neighbors.
[18:42] ---
    Relax, I won't!
[18:51] ---
    I can't take any more...
[18:53] ---
    Whatever it takes, I'll call Uncle
    and have him come pick her up.
[18:57] ---
    It's nothing personal, Michiru.
[19:12] ---
    Got it.
[19:20] ---
    I told her not to plug it into the amp!
[19:26] ---
    Give it a rest, Michiru!
[19:29] ---
    Who cares about her band?!
    Who cares about her live sets?!

[19:33] ---
    This is just a racket!
[20:49] ---
    Tomo?
[20:53] ---
    Oh, this? Um, I...
[20:59] ---
    Sorry.
[21:02] ---
    Michiru...
[21:03] ---
    Will you join me in making
    the ultimate dating sim?

Season 1

E11 - Ready to Start Resolving the Subplots

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:02] ---
    And so, on the right is Eriri Sawamura,
    who is in charge of the art.
[00:07] ---
    On the left is Utaha Kasumigaoka-senpai,
    who is in charge of the scenario.
[00:12] ---
    And this is my cousin, Michiru Hyodo.
[00:14] ---
    H-Hang on, she's Tomoya's...
[00:17] ---
    Who dresses like that
    in front of a guy?
[00:20] ---
    Perhaps you could get to the point, Mr. Ethical?
[00:23] ---
    What are you hoping to gain
    by introducing her to us?
[00:27] ---
    Well, I want to have her do the music
    for the game we're making.
[00:32] ---
    What, you're forcing her on us, Tomoya?
[00:35] ---
    You want this girl that badly?
[00:38] ---
    Even if she is in a band,
    don't you think it's a bit rash
[00:42] ---
    to suddenly have her do
    videogame background music?
[00:44] ---
    I didn't decide on her
    for some half-baked reason.
[00:47] ---
    Once you hear her music, Utaha-senpai, I know you'll–
[00:50] ---
    C'mon, Tomo, let's not get ahead of ourselves!
[00:53] ---
    - I never actually said I'd do it!
    - M-Michiru! Cut it out!
[00:55] ---
    This is important!
[00:59] ---
    "T-Tomo"? What's with that excruciatingly
    familiar term of address?!
[01:02] ---
    I mean, they're just too close!
[01:05] ---
    Th-They're cousins...
    Childhood friends by birth...
[01:08] ---
    And now they're even
    fellow circle members...
[01:10] ---
    Thanks for waiting.
    I brought drinks and snacks, so...
[01:14] ---
    Uh, what's the matter, Sawamura-san?
[01:16] ---
    I can see that you're not going
    to be of any use here.
[01:20] ---
    You cheap knockoff of a childhood friend.
[01:23] ---
    Then you really shouldn't kick her
    while she's down like that.
[03:01] ---
    Please, Michiru!
[03:02] ---
    I just need you to write a few songs for us!
SIGN    #11: Ready to Start Resolving the Subplots
[03:05] ---
    Oh, and the MIDI programming
    and background music cues.
[03:08] ---
    And while you're at it, you can tie it all together
    by doing the theme song with your band!
[03:11] ---
    Ooh, I'm writing that down!
[03:13] ---
    I see that your way of asking for favors
    is equally rude in the extreme to all, Mr. Ethical.
[03:18] ---
    I keep telling you,
    I'm not interested!
[03:21] ---
    If you have the talent to write a song that great,
    don't you want to put it to good use?
[03:26] ---
    That's why I'm in a band!
    I have my hands full with that!
[03:29] ---
    It'll work out!
    If anybody can juggle it, it's you!
[03:33] ---
    Just give it up, Mr. Ethical.
[03:35] ---
    If you force someone who isn't interested to join,
[03:37] ---
    you're only going to make both of you unhappy.
[03:40] ---
    I seem to recall you being
    pretty much the same at first, Utaha-senpai.
[03:45] ---
    There is still time.
    Just look for someone else.
[03:48] ---
    It has to be Michiru!
[03:51] ---
    Just like the scenario
    has to be by you, Utaha-senpai!
[03:54] ---
    And the art has to be by Eriri!
[03:56] ---
    And Kato...
[03:59] ---
    Anyway, she's important!
[04:01] ---
    Ah. Thanks.
[04:05] ---
    Look, I'm saying that I'm not
    interested in this otaku stuff!
[04:09] ---
    You need to grow up from this
    otaku stuff and face reality, Tomo!
[04:13] ---
    I never thought I'd hear the word "reality"
    from a happy-go-lucky type like you.
[04:19] ---
    And what, pray tell,
    is wrong with being an otaku?
[04:22] ---
    Has my or Mr. Ethical being an otaku
    caused you any hardship?
[04:27] ---
    For starters, that "Mr. Ethical" nickname
    positively reeks of otaku!
[04:33] ---
    U-Utaha-senpai!
[04:37] ---
    Do you think that otaku are beneath you?
    That they oink away,
[04:41] ---
    mindlessly consuming the stream of otaku
    content that's vomited out on a daily basis?
[04:46] ---
    That they are a race who contributes
    nothing to society, doing only harm?
[04:51] ---
    I wouldn't go that far.
    Do you know people like that?
[04:54] ---
    I think not. And I'll thank you
    to not underestimate otaku.
[04:58] ---
    There are those who devote themselves
    to anime, games, or light novels:
[05:01] ---
    creators who work their hardest
    to entertain one and all.
[05:04] ---
    And there are the users who keep
    the otaku economy turning,
[05:07] ---
    those who support and enthusiastically
    buy the works released by such people!
[05:11] ---
    These are the people who sacrifice all
    else in order to accomplish something!
[05:16] ---
    Do you think you have the right
    to look down on such nobility?!
[05:20] ---
    Utaha-senpai!
[05:22] ---
    Right. As human beings, there is no difference
    between otaku and ordinary people.
[05:25] ---
    There is no barrier between
    creator and user.
[05:29] ---
    Alleged "fans" who do nothing
    but cheer from the sidelines,
[05:30] ---
    only to suddenly chicken out and run away when
    we feel like doing something ourselves...
[05:34] ---
    Damn it! Wimp otaku like them should just die!
[05:38] ---
    Utaha-senpai!
[05:41] ---
    Look, it's not about who's better or worse,
    it's just that our cultures are different.
[05:45] ---
    I mean, I could never
    make friends with an otaku.
[05:49] ---
    That's not true!
    You get along just fine with me!
[05:52] ---
    Well, you're not an otaku to me.
[05:56] ---
    You're just Tomo.
[05:58] ---
    Ever since we were kids, no matter
    what we did, I was always better.
[06:02] ---
    And I usually treat you as my lackey.
[06:04] ---
    But whenever the chips were down,
[06:07] ---
    you've always been that cool guy
    that I can always count on.
[06:09] ---
    I'm not sure if dragging up
    ancient history is helping here.
[06:12] ---
    Yeah, yeah!
[06:13] ---
    He was, he was!
[06:15] ---
    Eriri?
[06:16] ---
    Oh, right! Come to think of it,
    this happened one time!
[06:22] ---
    We were climbing the mountain
    behind our grandpa's house,
[06:25] ---
    and I got carried away
    and ran way out ahead.
[06:28] ---
    I twisted my ankle
    and couldn't walk on it.
[06:31] ---
    Th-That's terrible!
[06:33] ---
    It was so creepy, with the woods dark
    all around me and the crows cawing!
[06:36] ---
    I was seriously scared!
[06:40] ---
    And then Tomo showed up!
[06:43] ---
    His arms and legs and face
    were covered in scratches
[06:45] ---
    from searching everywhere for me!
[06:48] ---
    Um, I was also lost and got those
    when I was wandering around.
[06:51] ---
    Tomo carried me on his back
    all the way down afterwards!
[06:55] ---
    H-How old were you...?
[07:00] ---
    Remembering that really
    pisses me off for some reason!
[07:03] ---
    That was the first and last time
    you ever saw me cry!
[07:07] ---
    Damn it, Tomo!
[07:08] ---
    How old were you when that happened?!
    Which of you was older, Tomoya?!
[07:12] ---
    We've gotten totally
    off topic here, you two!
[07:16] ---
    - Out with it!
    - I can't breathe!
[07:18] ---
    - What kind of event was that?!
    - You're suffocating me! Stop–
[07:24] ---
    Huh?
[07:27] ---
    Tomo, the bath's all yours.
[07:29] ---
    What're you doing?
[07:31] ---
    Looking for something.
[07:34] ---
    M-My d-dress shirt!
[07:40] ---
    Why are you wearing
    even less than usual?!
[07:43] ---
    Well, all my clothes
    are in the wash right now.
[07:47] ---
    For crying out loud...
    I wish it'd finally sink in that I'm a guy!
[07:55] ---
    Hey, Michiru.
[08:00] ---
    I really do want you.
[08:06] ---
    You as my first, huh...?
[08:09] ---
    Well, it's not that I'm not interested,
    and I don't think it would be terrible with you.
[08:16] ---
    I guess I can live with that.
[08:20] ---
    Sorry, I should've
    explained myself better!
[08:23] ---
    What I want is your songs!
[08:27] ---
    I'm not to blame for that
    little misunderstanding, okay?
[08:33] ---
    Um, to get back to what we were talking about,
    are you sure that you can't do it?
[08:36] ---
    I don't mind if you give
    top priority to your band.
[08:39] ---
    Man, you still haven't given up...
[08:41] ---
    I can't.
[08:43] ---
    For my dream, and for my friends who
    are helping me achieve that dream.
[08:48] ---
    I have a dream of my own. My band.
[08:51] ---
    And I have friends who
    mean the world to me.
[08:54] ---
    But we're on the verge of
    breaking up because of me.
[08:58] ---
    I'm sorry, but I just can't spare
    the time to help you guys right now.
[09:04] ---
    Uncle still hasn't given you his blessing, huh?
    Your band, I mean.
[09:08] ---
    Actually, we've reached a point where
    he'll approve it on one condition.
[09:13] ---
    Really? That's great!
[09:15] ---
    Yeah, it is, but that condition is a rough one.
[09:19] ---
    What is it? If I can help, just name it.
[09:25] ---
    Well, he says that we have
    to get a proper manager.
[09:29] ---
    A manager?
[09:31] ---
    Yeah. He says he's worried about an
    all-girl band going to live houses.
[09:36] ---
    Ah. Well, sex and drugs do go
    hand in hand with rock and roll.
[09:41] ---
    You have a prejudice like that against rock,
    but you get mad at prejudice against otaku?
[09:45] ---
    Isn't that a double standard?
[09:47] ---
    Uh... Anyway, I think
    I understand your situation.
[09:51] ---
    Okay, leave it to me.
    I'll see what I can do.
[09:54] ---
    You mean it?!
[09:55] ---
    Yeah. I'll put out feelers to everyone I know
    in the entertainment and singing circles.
[10:00] ---
    In return, once I've solved your problem,
    you help out with our–
[10:04] ---
    Come on, what are you saying?
[10:06] ---
    Our manager isn't gonna have
    time to work on a game!
[10:11] ---
    Come again?
[10:13] ---
    Whoa, hey! I can't possibly
    manage your band full-time!
[10:17] ---
    And we can't possibly have some
    complete stranger be our manager!
[10:21] ---
    I'm up to my neck in work for my own circle,
    so don't drop your problems in my lap!
[10:27] ---
    Please, Tomo? Use this as an excuse
    to give up on the gamemaker thing!
[10:33] ---
    I can't. I just told you, remember?
[10:35] ---
    I have a dream and friends.
[10:37] ---
    Not to sound blunt, but your friends
    didn't seem all that into it.
[10:43] ---
    I got the gist of things
    when we talked earlier.
[10:46] ---
    That circle of yours is off-kilter.
[10:50] ---
    I mean, you're the only one who genuinely
    wants to make a game, Tomo.
[10:55] ---
    Wh-What are you saying?
[10:57] ---
    Those other girls have various reasons
    for having to be in the circle.
[11:01] ---
    What do you mean,
    "various reasons"?
[11:04] ---
    I mean various reasons.
[11:06] ---
    You sly dog!
[11:08] ---
    What's different about my band is that we're
    all serious about achieving the same dream.
[11:14] ---
    Michiru...
[11:15] ---
    So please...
    Tomo, I'm begging you.
[11:19] ---
    Make my dream come true.
[11:30] ---
    Hey, Kato. About today's circle meet–
[11:33] ---
    Huh?
[11:34] ---
    Hey, Tomoya!
[11:36] ---
    How about hitting up Akiba
    since it's the weekend?
[11:38] ---
    Yoshihiko... It's been so long.
    What's it been, ten years?
[11:42] ---
    Wouldn't saying "six months"
    have gotten your point across?
[11:45] ---
    Enough about you.
    Have you seen Kato?
[11:49] ---
    We'll discuss your lack of compassion
    for your fellow bro later,
[11:53] ---
    but Kato-san was out the door
    as soon as the bell rang.
[11:56] ---
    She was?
[11:57] ---
    I have to say, you two have been
    joined at the hip lately.
[12:00] ---
    She's 3D, man.
[12:01] ---
    I just prefer 2D girls.
    I never said that I hated 3D ones.
[12:05] ---
    Hang on, does that mean
    you two are going out?
[12:09] ---
    You aren't worried about Kato, are you?
[12:12] ---
    When an ordinary, cute girl like her is
    with a guy like you, people get curious.
[12:16] ---
    I see.
[12:17] ---
    She's suddenly started
    to attract male attention.
[12:21] ---
    Maybe she's showing a bit
    of growth as a heroine.
[12:25] ---
    Setting aside your completely
    unwarranted arrogance,
[12:28] ---
    you'd think she'd be totally
    wasted on a guy like you!
SIGN    One week behind
[12:43] ---
    Get back on track this weekend!
SIGN    One week behind
SIGN    Get back on track this weekend!
[12:48] ---
    Come on, this is no time
    to be moping.

[12:55] ---
    I have to make progress on
    at least my share of the work.

[13:12] ---
    Kato-san?
[13:15] ---
    I'm sorry, I asked you to teach me,
    but I fell asleep.
[13:18] ---
    You're not used to all-nighters,
    so it's not surprising.
[13:21] ---
    Thanks.
[13:26] ---
    Oh, I got a response
    from Kasumigaoka-senpai.
SIGN    1 new text Utaha Kasumigaoka
[13:29] ---
    I'm surprised that woman
    is staying up this late with us.
SIGN    Meguri: That's why I've decided to
    think this way at times like this.

[13:38] ---
    This background really
    ought to be a sunset.
[13:41] ---
    Sorry, Sawamura-san,
    how do I tell it to do that?
[13:46] ---
    To do that, just change
    this file name like this...
[13:50] ---
    See?
[13:52] ---
    That did it!
    Thanks, Sawamura-san.
[14:03] ---
    Say, Kato-san...
[14:06] ---
    Why are you doing this?
[14:07] ---
    Well, the schedule seems to
    be slipping more and more.
[14:09] ---
    I didn't mean something grounded
    in stomachache-inducing reality.
[14:12] ---
    I meant, why you?
[14:15] ---
    Well, I've been thinking about things.
[14:20] ---
    Say, Sawamura-san.
[14:22] ---
    Yeah?
[14:22] ---
    I think this expression on the heroine
    works better for this scene.
SIGN    Meguri: Make a future where I
    can remain in that world, okay?

[14:29] ---
    But this is the scene where the protagonist
    goes to another heroine's house.
[14:33] ---
    That's precisely why.
[14:35] ---
    She's putting on a brave face.
    She's a girl, after all.
[14:54] ---
    Good morning, Aki-kun.
[14:56] ---
    Sorry for calling so early.
    Were you asleep?

[14:59] ---
    Yeah, kind of. I'm not used to all-nighters.
[15:03] ---
    How about you?
    You didn't get any sleep?
[15:06] ---
    How did you know?
[15:07] ---
    Hmmm... I just knew, I guess.
[15:11] ---
    "You just knew," huh?
[15:13] ---
    So, did you make any progress
    on the scripting?

[15:17] ---
    No, not one bit.
    I had other things on my mind.
[15:21] ---
    Oh?
[15:22] ---
    You're not going to get exasperated or angry?
[15:25] ---
    Well, I know that you get that way sometimes.
[15:29] ---
    And I also get the feeling that you'll make
    it all work out at the last second.
[15:32] ---
    Does that mean that you can see right
    through me or that you trust me?

[15:36] ---
    I don't really know.
[15:40] ---
    Hey, Kato...
[15:42] ---
    Am I tilting at windmills here?
[15:45] ---
    I can't really say that you're not.
[15:47] ---
    Am I the only one who really
    wants to make the game?
[15:53] ---
    Is everyone just along for the ride
    because they feel obligated?
[15:58] ---
    Is our circle off-kilter?
[16:05] ---
    Say, Aki-kun...
[16:08] ---
    Are you hungry?
SIGN    Meguri: Make a future where I
    can remain in that world, okay?

[16:15] ---
    I'm sorry, I borrowed
    these books a while ago.
[16:19] ---
    Why? I never asked you to help me.
[16:23] ---
    I'm glad I've been studying them, though.
[16:25] ---
    It seems like you've hit a wall,
    so maybe I helped pick up the slack a bit.
[16:30] ---
    You don't need to force yourself to help
    out when I haven't asked you to...
[16:34] ---
    I'm not being forced,
    and I don't feel obligated.
[16:37] ---
    I really do want to try
    to make this game.
SIGN    Meguri: Make a future where I
    can remain in that world, okay?

[16:44] ---
    Kato?
[16:45] ---
    I don't have a talent
    for making games.
[16:48] ---
    I can't draw pictures like Sawamura-san can
[16:51] ---
    and I can't craft stories like Kasumigaoka-senpai can.
[16:55] ---
    And I don't have your crazy vitality
    or audacity, either.
[17:00] ---
    No, what I have hardly
    counts as talent.
[17:02] ---
    That's why I'm working hard to try to help
    everyone out, even if it's only a little.
[17:07] ---
    Besides, I've been getting help from Sawamura-san
     and Kasumigaoka-senpai to make this scene.
[17:14] ---
    I can't think that the others
    are doing this unwillingly.
[17:18] ---
    Kato?
SIGN    Meguri: So hang in there, Seiji-kun!
SIGN    Meguri: So hang in there, Seiji-kun!
[17:24] ---
    So hang in there, Tomoya-kun!
[17:30] ---
    Make me a heroine whose happiness will
    be the envy of everyone, okay?
[17:35] ---
    I will, I promise.
[17:38] ---
    I'm gonna turn you into a main heroine
    that will tug at everyone's–
SIGN    Meguri: By the way, Seiji-kun. You wouldn't
    happen to have one of those, would you?

SIGN    Seiji: "Those"?
SIGN    Meguri: You know, those. A memory of the faint stirrings of love.
    Like when your relatives got together in the country
    and a girl twisted her ankle and was carried home on her
    cousin's back as she cried.

SIGN    Seiji: Uh...
SIGN    Meguri: Basically, when I said that my cousin Keiichi and
    I were close, it's because I had that experience.

SIGN    Meguri: My point is, Seiji-kun, I understand being attracted
    to a cousin as a child and then having those feelings

    come roaring back when you're suddenly reunited
    with them and find yourselves living together.

[18:31] ---
    I am so terribly sorry!
[18:37] ---
    Oh, I just slapped some random dialogue
    onto this scene as practice.
[18:42] ---
    There's no particular meaning to it.
[18:44] ---
    You liar!
[18:55] ---
    What did I tell you?
    Isn't Michiru's music great?
[18:57] ---
    I recorded it earlier
    without telling her.
[19:00] ---
    You know, you're right.
[19:02] ---
    It's like it makes you feel wistful,
    or really hits you in the nostalgia feels.
[19:07] ---
    It's dripping with that old-fashioned vibe you got
    in anime and games a while back, but in a good way!
[19:11] ---
    Aki-kun, let me listen.
[19:13] ---
    Sorry.
[19:20] ---
    You're right, though.
    I don't really know why, but this is great.
[19:23] ---
    Yeah...
[19:26] ---
    Say, Aki-kun...
[19:29] ---
    Y-Yeah?
[19:31] ---
    About Hyodo-san, are you sure
    that she'll have nothing to do with otaku?
[21:19] ---
    Seriously?
[21:20] ---
    Yeah, I'll be your manager, Michiru.
[21:24] ---
    And here's the proof.
[21:27] ---
    Hang on, this is–
[21:28] ---
    It's just a little show
    early next month,
[21:31] ---
    but it looks like one of the bands
    scheduled to appear had to cancel.
[21:35] ---
    I got you their slot.
[21:38] ---
    You got us a live set
    right off the bat?!
[21:39] ---
    That's not all.
[21:41] ---
    I contacted the other girls in the band
    using the e-mail address you gave me,
[21:44] ---
    and I got them all
    to promise to perform.
[21:47] ---
    All I need is your okay.
[21:50] ---
    Tomo...
[21:52] ---
    It'll be your first live show.
    You aren't going to turn it down, are you?
[21:56] ---
    I don't believe it... It hasn't even been a week,
     and you've done all this?
[22:01] ---
    When an otaku is going all-out,
    you'd better stand back.
[22:04] ---
    I knew I was right about you!
[22:07] ---
    Nobody but you could
    be my manager, Tomo!
[22:10] ---
    Now that that's settled,
    get your butt back home.
[22:13] ---
    Uncle's worried sick, so–
[22:14] ---
    Sorry.
[22:16] ---
    Michiru?
[22:19] ---
    I'm sorry for saying such mean things.
    I'm sorry for being so self-centered.
[22:23] ---
    I'm sorry that your dream
    might come crashing down.
[22:26] ---
    Hey, it's okay.
[22:29] ---
    Let's call it a night. You've got a show
    to start practicing for tomorrow.
[22:34] ---
    Yeah...
[22:38] ---
    I'm sorry, Michiru.
[22:43] ---
    When an otaku has his mind set on
    something and is going all-out...
[22:48] ---
    ...you'd better stand back.

Season 1

E12 - The Ups and Downs at the End of Each Day

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:01] ---
    Listen up.
[00:02] ---
    There are six bands performing
    in today's show.
[00:06] ---
    And of those six,
    we're going on first.
[00:09] ---
    But that makes us
    the warm-up act!
SIGN    Guitar Tokino Himekawa (Toki)
[00:12] ---
    That's given. For one thing,
    this is Icy Tail's first show,
[00:15] ---
    and we've got no name recognition,
    no history, and no fans.
[00:18] ---
    That's why we aren't on the tickets,
    the flyers, or the website.
[00:22] ---
    Meaning that nobody's
    specifically come to see us.
SIGN    Bass Echika Mizuhara (Echika)
[00:26] ---
    But it was because I agreed to those terms
    that you got to debut so quickly.
[00:31] ---
    From here on, you have to count
    on your own skill to reach the top.
SIGN    Drums Ranko Morioka (Ranko)
[00:37] ---
    Got cold feet?
    It's not too late to back out.
[00:42] ---
    Cold feet?
[00:43] ---
    My ass.
[00:45] ---
    We're gonna get name recognition,
    history, and fans today.
SIGN    Vocals & Guitar Michiru Hyodo (Mitchi)
[00:56] ---
    Remember, I've done all
    I can to help you guys.
[01:00] ---
    Once you get changed into your costumes,
    there's no turning back!
[01:04] ---
    It's all up to you now!
[01:06] ---
    Give the audience
    everything you've got!
[01:08] ---
    Give it all you've got!
[01:09] ---
    Create your legend!
[01:11] ---
    Okay, is everybody ready?
[01:13] ---
    Here comes Icy Tail!
[01:16] ---
    Yeah!
[02:51] ---
    Oh, this is it. MOGRA.
[02:54] ---
    So this is the live house where
    that woman is playing, eh?
[02:57] ---
    Huh? Where's Sawamura-san?
[02:59] ---
    I teased her a minute ago,
    bringing her to the verge of tears.
[03:02] ---
    She said, "I'm not going!" and then
    ran off to Cure Maid Cafe.
[03:05] ---
    When was that?
SIGN    #12 "The Ups and Downs at the End of Each Day"
[03:08] ---
    I wish you two would stop thinking
    only of yourselves!
[03:12] ---
    Where is that cafe?
[03:13] ---
    Which of us is thinking
    only of herself, Kato-san?
[03:18] ---
    What do you mean?
[03:20] ---
    You decided this arbitrarily, didn't you?
[03:23] ---
    Mr. Ethical becoming his cousin's manager,
[03:26] ---
    him choosing that band over the circle,
[03:29] ---
    even today's show, they were
    all done without consulting us.
[03:33] ---
    It was Aki-kun who decided it arbitrarily, actually...
[03:36] ---
    But you knew about it,
    yet didn't stop him.
[03:38] ---
    On the contrary,
    you supported him.
[03:40] ---
    Look, he has a plan.
    Please have a little more faith in Aki-kun.
[03:46] ---
    What was that "Only I understand
    him" vibe I just got?
[03:49] ---
    I really, really, really
    don't care for that.
[03:51] ---
    Um...
[03:54] ---
    Forgive me, I was simply thinking aloud.
[03:57] ---
    Forget anything I just said.
[04:02] ---
    Is Kasumigaoka-senpai going to be a problem?
[04:06] ---
    Don't worry.
[04:08] ---
    Sawamura-san is
    even more problematic.
[04:10] ---
    You two seem to have
    grown close lately,
[04:13] ---
    but if you get too close, she might
    turn your life into a living hell.
[04:16] ---
    I wish she would forget what
    I said just now, too.
[04:21] ---
    Welcome!
[04:23] ---
    Found her.
[04:27] ---
    Come on, Sawamura-san,
    the show's about to start!
[04:31] ---
    I can't do it, I'm not going.
[04:33] ---
    Don't be such a baby after you've
    already come all this way.
[04:36] ---
    Leave me alone! If I say
    I'm not going, I'm not going!
[04:40] ---
    Look, you've got it all wrong!
    Aki-kun is just–
[04:43] ---
    Nothing you say will get through
    to her in this condition.
[04:46] ---
    Kasumigaoka-senpai.
[04:48] ---
    Until now, the belief that she
    was his oldest childhood friend
[04:53] ---
    was Sawamura-san's one, only,
    and truly pathetic, article of faith.
[04:59] ---
    And now that that's all crumbled away
    with the appearance of Hyodo-san,
[05:03] ---
    she no longer has anything
    with which to define her identity.
[05:06] ---
    It's sad and pathetic,
    like some defeated warrior.
[05:13] ---
    You teased her just like
    this earlier, didn't you?
[05:16] ---
    I'm sure I don't know
    what you mean.
[05:17] ---
    Anyway, I wish you two
    would stop this infighting.
[05:20] ---
    It'll all work out.
    Have faith in Aki-kun.
[05:23] ---
    What about the Mr. Ethical we've seen thus
    far is supposed to inspire faith?
[05:27] ---
    I hate to say it, but I agree with Utaha Kasumigaoka
    so much, it isn't even funny.
[05:31] ---
    I also wish you would stop
    banding together so suddenly.
[05:37] ---
    Excuse us–
[05:38] ---
    Tomo!
[05:41] ---
    - M-M-Michiru, stop!
    - I'm gonna kill you, then die of shame!
[05:46] ---
    Have faith in whom, exactly?
[05:46] ---
    Explain this, Tomo!
[05:48] ---
    Seriously.
[05:49] ---
    What's up with these costumes?!
[05:53] ---
    I knew this was
    gonna happen.
[05:55] ---
    I don't really care, but certain parts are bumping
    into certain other parts over there.
[06:04] ---
    The time has finally come to reveal to
    you the truth about this band, I see.
[06:14] ---
    When you first met
    everyone in the band,
[06:18] ---
    the song that these girls
    were playing...
[06:20] ---
    No, even the songs you played
    after you joined...
[06:24] ---
    They were all covers
    of anime songs!
[06:27] ---
    Yes! Before you joined up, it was
    a hardcore anime cover band
[06:33] ---
    that was bound by
    their shared otakudom!
[06:37] ---
    Apparently, they told you that what you were
    playing were the latest trendy pop tunes,
[06:43] ---
    but it was all a clever trap!
[06:46] ---
    Because you had no interest
    in anime songs,
[06:48] ---
    you never realized that every last song you were
    exposed to was an anime cover song.
[06:52] ---
    And that's why your own songs have
    developed anime song melodies.
[06:57] ---
    You were brainwashed by your band
    without ever realizing it!
[07:02] ---
    Well, you had been listening to her music
    nonstop without catching on either, Aki-kun.
[07:08] ---
    Indeed, I didn't notice it because I
    listen to nothing but anime music.
[07:11] ---
    What an ingenious ruse!
[07:17] ---
    He's lying, right?
[07:19] ---
    Say it's not true!
    Toki! Echika! Ranko!
[07:22] ---
    I guess this comes as a
    shocking revelation, Mitchi.
SIGN    Voice Actor Fanatic Tokino Himekawa (Toki)
[07:26] ---
    We could never tell you because you got
    cranky whenever we brought up anime!
SIGN    Vocaloid Addict Echika Mizuhara (Echika)
SIGN    Casual Fan Ranko Morioka (Ranko)
[07:33] ---
    Sorry.
[07:34] ---
    It's a little late for sorries!
SIGN    Non-Otaku Michiru Hyodo (Mitchi)
[07:37] ---
    Michiru, the world around you has a little
    more otaku in it than you think.
[07:43] ---
    "A little," my ass!
[07:45] ---
    What a forced, unnatural plot twist.
[07:47] ---
    This is the very pinnacle of opportunism.
[07:49] ---
    Don't say that, you two.
[07:52] ---
    And so, Toki, Echika, Ranko, and I
    reached an agreement.
[07:55] ---
    In exchange for me managing
    Icy Tail as an anime cover band,
[07:59] ---
    they agree to allow Michiru to
    work with Blessing Software.
[08:02] ---
    It's a win-win for everyone.
[08:05] ---
    Hey, not so fast!
[08:06] ---
    I don't see a "win"
    anywhere in there for me!
[08:10] ---
    If you're that against it,
    you're free to quit.
[08:12] ---
    Take off the costume
    and leave the live house right now.
[08:16] ---
    But listen, Michiru. The best friends
    that mean so much to you are waiting.
[08:21] ---
    Sorry, Mitchi. We're sorry
    that we kept it from you.
[08:24] ---
    But we can't keep lying
    to ourselves anymore.
[08:28] ---
    We really want to do
    anime songs.
[08:31] ---
    Toki... Echika... Ranko...
[08:34] ---
    - Please, Mitchi!
    - We need you, Mitchi!
    - Let's do it, Mitchi!
[08:36] ---
    Whoa, we're looking at a forced,
    unnatural resolution here.
[08:39] ---
    You can try to deliver cool lines while in Cowgirl
    position, but it will still look, you know...
[08:42] ---
    Please cut that out, Kasumigaoka-senpai.
[08:46] ---
    But I... I'm not an otaku–
[08:49] ---
    You don't have to be one.
[08:51] ---
    You just have to sing for them.
[08:54] ---
    I'm not sure...
[08:56] ---
    Do you think a non-otaku's singing
    will win over an otaku crowd?
[09:00] ---
    It's okay, Michiru. I know you'll grow up
    to be a fine otaku one day.
[09:04] ---
    Um, I don't think that's
    really necessary...
[09:07] ---
    Hey, you've admitted that
    anime songs are good music,
[09:10] ---
    so there's already a sense
    of respect there.
[09:13] ---
    So I'm positive that they'll
    pick up on that.
[09:15] ---
    Your songs will definitely
    resonate with otaku!
[09:18] ---
    Tomo...
[09:19] ---
    Michiru... Let's be happy together!
[09:27] ---
    You can try to deliver cool lines while in the
    Lotus Blossom position, but–
[09:49] ---
    Ready.
[11:25] ---
    Okay, we're gonna close
    with this next one!
[11:30] ---
    This last song's kind of
    a selfish pick...
[11:33] ---
    It's an original that I wrote,
    but I hope you like it.
[11:38] ---
    "Cherish You."
[13:08] ---
    Thank you...
[13:12] ---
    Thank you!
[13:20] ---
    I love you!
[13:27] ---
    It's the band's name!
    "Icy Tail" (Aishi-teru)!
[13:36] ---
    So, how did your
    first live show feel?
[13:41] ---
    It felt hot...
[13:42] ---
    No kidding.
[13:44] ---
    I didn't think that they'd
    get so into it.
[13:48] ---
    That was amazing.
[13:49] ---
    Damn right they were.
    Those are fans who come to concerts.
[13:52] ---
    No matter the genre, they're amazing,
    intense, and creepy.
[13:55] ---
    Creepy? That's mean, Tomo.
    You're talking about my fans.
[14:01] ---
    Michiru. I made your dream come true.
[14:05] ---
    It wasn't at all what I imagined, but yeah.
[14:08] ---
    So now it's your turn to
    make mine come true.
[14:13] ---
    I'm gonna have you write
    our game's music.
[14:17] ---
    Hm, I dunno...
[14:20] ---
    You can't turn me down anymore.
[14:22] ---
    I heard those cheering otaku
    out there today.
[14:27] ---
    And this time, your music is
    going to move them to tears.
[14:30] ---
    They're gonna cry
    because of my music?
[14:33] ---
    I'll combine Utaha's scenario, Eriri's artwork,
    and your music and make a miracle happen.
[14:39] ---
    You can be so over the top, Tomo.
[14:41] ---
    Do you really think it's over the top?
[14:44] ---
    Do you think someone is stupid
    if they cry over some game?
[14:50] ---
    Well, after today, I guess I owe you
    the benefit of the doubt.
[14:55] ---
    Then the pact is sealed.
[15:05] ---
    In that case, Tomo...
[15:07] ---
    Let's seal the deal.
[15:10] ---
    M-Michiru?
[15:12] ---
    Tomo...
[15:13] ---
    H-Hey...
[15:15] ---
    Uh, we're... um...
[15:26] ---
    Like I'd let forgive you that easily, Tomo!
[15:31] ---
    I give, I give, I give! Mitchan!
[15:39] ---
    That's great, Hyodo-san is a member now.
[15:42] ---
    Whatever.
[15:44] ---
    I can't wait. She's going to write
    really good songs for us.
[15:48] ---
    Even without music, the scenario and artwork
    are enough to make people cry.
[16:00] ---
    What, was it something I said?
[16:03] ---
    No, something nice happened,
    that's all. Two things, in fact.
[16:07] ---
    Come again?
[16:08] ---
    The first is that I now know
    that you respect Kasumigaoka-senpai.
[16:14] ---
    Personality and talent are two different things.
[16:17] ---
    And the second is that you're
    serious about gamemaking now.
[16:22] ---
    Doesn't that go for you, too?
[16:27] ---
    I can't wait for Winter Comiket.
[16:30] ---
    What kind of game will we be able to make?
[16:37] ---
    Hey, Megumi.
[16:40] ---
    Yes?
[16:45] ---
    "Megumi"?
[16:47] ---
    Forget I said it!
    It was a slip of the tongue.
[16:51] ---
    Wait, no. No, it wasn't.
[16:55] ---
    Sawamura-san?
[16:56] ---
    It's not right for fellow otaku who stayed up
    all night working on a game to be so formal.
[17:09] ---
    Don't you think so, too?
[17:13] ---
    If you get too close,
    she might turn your life into a living hell.

[17:17] ---
    Huh? Er, I...
[17:20] ---
    Um...
[17:27] ---
    Yeah, you're right. Eriri.
SIGN    The two only have memories of wondering why they were
    the only ones left with no injuries in a destroyed street...

[17:47] ---
    All right, I've saved the world for you.
SIGN    You finally noticed...
    My feelings for her

[18:09] ---
    All that's left now is your decision.
[18:14] ---
    So, who will you choose, Mr. Protagonist?
SIGN    Seiji:
[18:26] ---
    "I've come back once again
    to this world...

[18:30] ---
    To this era. And yet...
SIGN    Seiji:
[18:35] ---
    Have I managed to change
    anything at all?

[18:39] ---
    Was I able to save anyone?"
[18:42] ---
    Just then, a gust of wind blew
    from the top of the hill.

[18:47] ---
    "Hm?" I hastily shielded my eyes and
    stared in the direction of the wind.

SIGN    A miracle falls upon
SIGN    Seiji:
[19:01] ---
    "Ha ha..."
[19:02] ---
    My body sprang into motion in a flash, and before
    I knew it, I was running full tilt up the hill.

[19:07] ---
    And in a flash, she was running down the hill.
[19:11] ---
    Hey, don't trip! You know you're
    not very coordinated.

[19:16] ---
    Anyway, that aside, in less than three seconds,
    halfway up the hill, we...

SIGN    Seiji:
[19:22] ---
    "Ha ha... Aha ha ha!"
[19:26] ---
    ...we were reunited after several hours.
    After several decades.

SIGN    Meguri:
[19:32] ---
    "What should I call you?
    Seiji-kun? Or Big Brother?"

SIGN    Seiji:
[19:39] ---
    "Whatever you like best, Meguri. Or Ruri."
[21:17] ---
    It's over.
[21:19] ---
    It is.
[21:20] ---
    I didn't see any bugs.
[21:23] ---
    I didn't notice any typos
    or flubbed lines.
[21:26] ---
    Then we did it!
    It's perfect!
[21:41] ---
    Thanks, you guys... Thanks.
[21:45] ---
    Our game is...
[21:48] ---
    One route is completed!
[21:50] ---
    Well, I'd better get to writing the next route's scenario.
[21:54] ---
    Another 30 keyframes...
[21:56] ---
    And 12 background plates...
    And how many static poses...? Uh...
SIGN    I'm sorry, though. Give me just an hour's sleep.
[22:02] ---
    Hang in there, you guys!
[22:04] ---
    I'll sing you a song
    for moral support!
[22:08] ---
    Keep it down!
[22:09] ---
    I can't sleep with
    all this racket...
[22:15] ---
    Like it or not, it's two months
    until Winter Comiket.

[22:19] ---
    Otaku and non-otaku coming together,
    fooling around, getting frustrated,

[22:25] ---
    laughing together, having disagreements,
    working hand in hand, fighting...

[22:29] ---
    And, well, all kinds of other stuff.
[22:33] ---
    And the story of how we're
    finally rushing headlong

[22:36] ---
    into the last stretch of making
    our dream come true.

[22:42] ---
    No, that's not quite right.
[22:45] ---
    Our battle has only just beg–
[22:46] ---
    Don't raise any bad flags!
SIGN    Thanks for watching!