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 6 9 Master UP Illustrations 710 [13:42] ---     The game will be     complete in December! SIGN    Plot Scenario 6 9 SIGN    Character Design Illustrations 710 [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?