Game Developer in the World of Anime

On Saturday morning, without setting an alarm or planning a morning jog, Ichin woke up around 8 a.m.

Gently moving Utaha's arm, which was draped across his chest, Ichin sat up and stretched.

"Mm... is it morning already?"

Utaha slowly opened her eyes and snuggled further into the blanket. "What time is it?"

"Eight o'clock," Ichin replied after checking the clock.

"Only eight?"

Utaha immediately closed her eyes again and reached out from the blanket to grab Ichin's hand. "Let's sleep a little longer. I'm exhausted from last night. We can go out this afternoon instead."

Seeing her like this, Ichin had no choice but to lie back down, wrapping his arms around the soft and fragrant Utaha as they drifted back to sleep.

Taking a lazy morning every now and then couldn't hurt, could it?

It was close to noon by the time the two finally got out of bed.

After a quick wash, they headed straight out the door.

Walking down the street with her arm linked through Ichin's, Utaha pondered and then asked, "Aside from the computers and desks, is there anything else we need to buy?"

"Hmm... I don't think so."

Ichin thought for a moment. "We already have extra drawing tablets in the studio, so we can just use those for the newcomers. Everything else is already in place, so today's main tasks are just checking the computers and the office furniture."

"Do you have any plans after that?" Utaha asked.

"Plans? Sort of." Ichin thought aloud. "Here in Tokyo, the bigger attractions are things like the zoo or Disneyland. Then there are the more casual options like malls and movie theaters. Is there any place you'd really like to go? Or maybe you'd rather start with some shopping? It's definitely getting warmer lately."

"Let me think... How about shopping for clothes first?"

Utaha tightened her hold on Ichin's arm and added with a smile, "After lunch, we can shop for clothes. I should stock up on more stockings. Honestly, I didn't expect you to have such a thing for stockings, Ichin."

"Ahem, it's not exactly like that. I just think they suit you well."

Utaha narrowed her eyes with a teasing smile. "You know, your words would be more convincing if your gaze didn't wander while saying them. But still, everyone has their preferences, and yours are perfectly normal for a guy. I don't mind at all."

Utaha was fully aware of her figure's strengths, and Ichin's admiration for it only made her more pleased. She resolved to stock up on stockings in various styles, not just her usual black ones.

Of course, the other styles would remain a secret for now. She planned to surprise Ichin once she felt confident wearing them, and only Ichin would get to see them.

As she playfully teased Ichin, the two boarded a bus to the bustling downtown shopping district. They found a lively restaurant and enjoyed a satisfying lunch.

In the afternoon, their first stop was naturally to shop for clothes.

Walking into a women's clothing store, Utaha browsed through the racks and said, "We don't have to rush for Disneyland or the zoo. We can go whenever we want. Especially Disneyland—it's so exhausting to spend a whole day there. Honestly, I'd rather just watch a movie at a theater."

"But there don't seem to be any good movies out right now," Ichin said, pulling out his phone to check. "There are romance movies, which you like, but the reviews for them aren't great."

"Then let's skip the movies. After shopping for clothes, we can just explore and see if there's anything interesting to do."

As she spoke, Utaha picked up a dress and examined it.

"Ichin, this one looks nice. I'll go try it on!"

"Sure, go ahead," Ichin said with a nod.

Utaha headed to the fitting room, while Ichin waited outside.

He had experienced situations like this before, so he wasn't the least bit nervous under the glances of some of the female customers in the store.

Five minutes later, Utaha emerged holding the dress she had tried on.

"It's not quite right. I'll keep looking," she said.

At the same time, the fitting room next to hers opened, and out stepped Hifumi, smiling and holding several items of clothing.

"Hifumi? Good afternoon!"

Hifumi hadn't expected to run into Utaha here and was startled for a moment. But she quickly regained her composure and replied in a low voice, "Good afternoon, Utaha. Are you shopping for clothes too?"

"Yep, just out shopping with Ichin."

Following Utaha's gesture, Hifumi noticed Ichin waving from a short distance away.

Ichin had spotted them as soon as they came out but chose not to approach right away, knowing Hifumi's shy nature.

Sure enough, as soon as Hifumi saw Ichin, her face turned bright red. Hugging her pile of clothes, she dashed to the cashier, paid at lightning speed, and hurried out with her bags.

After Hifumi left, Utaha walked over to Ichin with a laugh. "Anyone who doesn't know better might think you did something outrageous to Hifumi."

Ichin gave her an exasperated look. "Don't say things like that. So, what about this dress?"

"It's no good—it's a little too short."

Utaha shook her head, returned the dress to the rack, and continued browsing.

In the end, with the store clerk's recommendation, she chose a dress with a bit of an academic style.

After visiting two more stores without finding anything else of interest, Utaha said, "It feels like there aren't many new arrivals yet. Ichin, let's shop for your clothes next!"

"Me? I think I'm fine."

"Nope, we're shopping for you!"

Utaha grabbed Ichin's arm and steered him toward a nearby men's clothing store. "You're the head of a game development studio, after all. If you're going to meet clients or have business discussions, you need more professional-looking outfits. And no objections allowed! You're going to try on everything I pick for you."

Faced with Utaha's determined attitude, Ichin chuckled and took her hand. "Alright, alright, I'll go. Just slow down—I'm not going to run away."

"That's better!"

Over the next hour, Utaha used Ichin as her personal mannequin, having him try on one outfit after another. As time passed, the number of shopping bags he was carrying grew. While they didn't buy formal suits, they picked up quite a few business-casual items like pants and shirts—all selected by Utaha and paid for with her own card.

Walking out of one store, Utaha smiled brightly. "You've bought me clothes before, haven't you? As your girlfriend, it's only fair that I buy clothes for you too. Don't underestimate me—I earn a decent amount from my novel royalties!"

"I never said I wouldn't accept," Ichin replied with a wry smile, adjusting the many shopping bags in his hands. "But this is way too much."

"When summer comes, you'll need to change clothes frequently. Come on, there's one more store ahead. After that, we're done!"

Though they weren't shopping for herself, Utaha's excitement seemed to only grow as they continued.

...