Game Developer in the World of Anime

To welcome the newcomers and showcase the studio's unique atmosphere, Rin Toyama enlisted Ichin and Yun Iijima—the three most skilled cooks in the team—to prepare a grand welcome dinner together.

Seated at her desk with arms crossed, Umiko grumbled discontentedly, "Tch, why am I not allowed to join in? My cooking skills aren't that bad!"

Kō Yagami, sitting nearby, laughed and teased, "Hahaha, you? No thanks. I don't want to take one bite of your food and then need to chug a whole bottle of water."

The others nodded in agreement, clearly sharing the sentiment.

Tsubame Narumi, glancing between her future boss and the bustling activity in the kitchen, curiously asked, "Is this how meals are usually handled here?"

"Not always," Shinoda Hajime replied while fiddling with a Zeta SHF figure from Ichin's display shelf. "Since our studio is based in an apartment building, it has a kitchen. Leaving it unused all the time feels like such a waste. So sometimes, we cook here—it saves money. Rin's cooking is incredible! And though Ichin doesn't make much variety, his Chinese dishes are amazing. Especially the braised pork and sweet-and-sour ribs!"

As Shinoda spoke, Momiji Mochizuki quietly swallowed a bit of drool. She hadn't eaten much earlier due to interview nerves—just two bowls of ramen and a serving of pan-fried dumplings.

Yes, just that.

Narumi, noticing her friend's subtle reaction, smiled and stood up. "Um, I'll go help in the kitchen too. I cook regularly, so I can lend a hand."

Before she could take a step, Hazuki stopped her, gently pressing her back into her chair. "Nope, you sit right here. Today's welcome party is for you newcomers, so there's no way we're letting you lift a finger. Once you officially start on Monday, there'll be plenty of opportunities to show off your cooking skills!"

Resigned, Narumi nodded and sat back down.

Aoba glanced around and noticed that among the three newcomers, Momiji Mochizuki—the only art department recruit—had been unusually quiet. Wanting to break the ice, Aoba stood and addressed everyone. "Hey, we've still got some time before dinner. How about we head next door and play some games? It'll give Narumi and Momiji a chance to unwind a bit after the stressful interviews."

Kō agreed enthusiastically. "Exactly! This is a game development studio, after all. We don't really know your gaming skills yet—let's have some fun!"

With that, Kō pulled Momiji along, and Umiko grabbed Narumi as the group headed to the adjacent recreation area.

As for Sakura Nene, being an old acquaintance, she didn't need as much attention.

Time ticked by, and soon it was six o'clock. The kitchen door opened, releasing a tantalizing aroma into the air. Carrying a dish in her hands, Rin Toyama emerged and announced, "Everyone! Dinner's ready!"

"Yay, food time!"

Hearing her call, Shinoda immediately put down the game controller and jumped to his feet. "Let's go! Time for dinner!"

The dining table quickly filled with an array of dishes—all specialties prepared by Ichin, Rin, and Yun.

"Guuu~~~~"

Everyone turned toward the source of the sound, only to see Momiji clutching her stomach, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Rin gave a gentle smile and said, "Alright, everyone, go wash your hands first, and then we can start eating!"

After washing their hands, everyone gathered around the table and poured their drinks. Standing with his glass raised, Ichin said, "Well, let me say a few words. Today, three new members have joined our studio. From now on, let's work together to create amazing games! Cheers!"

"Cheers!!!"

(T/N: Cheers!!)

Taking a sip of cola, Momiji Mochizuki glanced at the table full of dishes. She swallowed hard, picked up her chopsticks, and softly said, "Let's eat."

She grabbed a piece of braised pork, took a bite, and immediately closed her eyes in satisfaction.

"Mmm, so delicious. The meat is amazing!"

Tsubame Narumi, tasting a piece of sweet-and-sour ribs, also showed a surprised expression. "It's delicious!"

Sitting beside her, Rin Toyama chuckled and said, "Good, right? This was made by Ichin. I've tried learning this dish, but I still need more practice. So today, Ichin made it again."

"Wow!"

Narumi looked across the table at Ichin with surprise and curiosity. "Can I learn how to make it? Right now, I'm sharing an apartment with Momo, and I'm usually the one cooking."

"Of course! It's just one dish, after all. Right, Ichin?"

Hearing this, Ichin, who was helping Utaha with her food, nodded. "Sure, if you're living on your own, it's important to eat well. Rin, I think you have your notes on this recipe, right? Just show them to Narumi. Since she already knows how to cook, she should pick it up easily."

"No problem, leave it to me," Rin said confidently.

As they chatted about cooking, Narumi turned to see her friend Momiji had already finished an entire bowl of rice.

Rin noticed too. With her caring, big-sisterly demeanor, she was a little surprised but could tell that Momiji had a hearty appetite. Smiling, she said, "Give me your bowl, I'll get you another serving."

Blushing slightly, Momiji replied, "Thank you."

Utaha, taking small bites of her meal, glanced at the two newcomers across from her and leaned in to whisper to Ichin, "Looks like the studio's going to get livelier."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Ichin replied with a smile. "I'm not a fan of a dull atmosphere either. This is just right."

Game development is all about everyone coming together with a shared passion. Even though arguments may arise during the process, a positive atmosphere is the foundation of everything. If the team is on good terms and shares the same vision, any disagreements will only be about making the project better—not about other issues.

The welcome dinner was a cheerful affair. Everyone enjoyed the food, and Momiji's impressive appetite made its first appearance—she ate four bowls of rice, along with plenty of dishes and soup, leaving everyone stunned.

Still, her big-eater attribute was a welcome addition to the team. After all, they didn't have anyone like that in the studio before.

After dinner, Ichin let everyone go home early, as he had to head out the next day to purchase equipment and furniture for the new members.

Once everyone had left, Ichin and Utaha returned home. Ichin pulled out his phone and called the shop owner who had helped him assemble their computers. He explained his requirements, and the owner eagerly agreed, promising to have everything ready for Ichin to inspect the next day.

"All set!"

After finishing the call, Ichin looked at Utaha and said, "Let's go out together tomorrow? We can take some time to have fun afterward."

Utaha smiled knowingly. "Is this a date?"

"Of course."

...

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