Midori eventually accepted my photos.
Although her expression clearly showed how complicated her feelings were, it was still easy to see the happiness mixed in there.
Even so, she muttered,
"I didn't expect Sensei to say something like that… Now I'm not even sure whether asking Sensei for help was the right decision…"
Truly, this is what "getting the best deal and still complaining" looks like in Kivotos students.
Fortunately, I'm a generous adult and won't hold it against her. In the end, the one who would be left as a defeated loser full of regrets won't be me.
"Anyway, using Sensei's image as reference for a game might actually be a pretty good idea."
Midori pondered.
"If we used Sensei as a base and added galgame elements…"
I couldn't help but interrupt.
"In that case, the difficulty would be way too low, wouldn't it?"
"…If he were a romanceable character…"
"That would also be hard to handle," I said tactfully. "A character who has no flaws other than being too modest might make players feel like the whole process is too unrealistic. They might just lose interest."
Midori fell silent for a long time before speaking again.
"Let's try playing other types of games and look for inspiration that way. Also, Sensei, please stay with me today. No refusing."
"Eh? I don't mind, but why?"
She normally wasn't the type to be this assertive.
Midori puffed her cheeks slightly.
"Because Sensei did strange things and said strange things, and now I feel kind of disillusioned… so please take responsibility!"
I could only shrug helplessly, agreeing to accompany her as she wished.
Though in my mind I thought,
Having too many strengths makes people admire you, but that admiration can also become a barrier that keeps people from getting closer.
Even if it slightly damages my "impeccable and heroic image," for shy students like her, it might not actually be a bad thing.
In any case, Midori usually played puzzle and casual games, like Tetris and Puyo Puyo.
She did play other genres occasionally, but more often than not it was because she joined Momoi and the others. Of course, once she got into them, that was another story.
To search for inspiration and also enjoy it together, Midori ultimately chose a versus-style game she had barely played before.
But soon, things started to feel a little strange.
"Kyaaa! what is this! I'm going to die, I'm going to die—!"
"U-um… Sensei, I-I'm still going!"
"Again, let's go again, Sensei! As an adult, you wouldn't say no, right?"
Midori, unexpectedly, became clingy just like her sister once she got absorbed in the game, repeatedly asking for more.
I silently marveled at how similar the sisters were, and naturally agreed.
The game was fun, and playing it with Midori made it even more enjoyable.
Just as we were about to start another round, the door suddenly slammed open.
"Hey! Midori, you sneaky traitor! While we were gone, what exactly are you doing with Sensei.... huh?"
Momoi burst in aggressively, but after seeing the scene in the room and us turning toward her, her flushed expression turned blank.
"Eh? You're just playing games?"
"Onee-chan?" Midori frowned slightly. "Why are you back? And what else would Sensei and I be doing if not playing games?"
Scratching her cheek awkwardly, Momoi laughed it off.
"W-well, I heard Sensei came to Millennium, so I came back early…"
The twin sisters, nearly identical except for color tone and demeanor, stared at each other.
At that moment, it almost felt like their usual positions had reversed.
And then, a black-haired figure squeezed past Momoi at the door and ran straight into my arms with a bright smile.
"Panpaka-pan!~ The brave knight Arisu has successfully captured Sensei!"
"Eh!? Arisu-chan!?"
"Arisu, what are you doing suddenly!"
Momoi and Midori quickly united against the common "enemy," while Arisu ignored them completely and continued clinging to me.
Then Yuzu cautiously peeked from the doorway, and after confirming the situation inside, slowly stepped in as well.
Only then did Midori finally realize the entire Game Development Department had returned. Her expression darkened slightly.
Momoi, too, realized what was going on and immediately accused her again.
"Hey, Midori! You were secretly playing games alone with Sensei!"
Midori snapped back.
"So what if I was playing games with Sensei! Haven't you done the same thing? Arisu and Yuzu also spend time alone with Sensei all the time! And this time I only asked Sensei to help me find ideas because I couldn't meet the deadline!"
Momoi shouted back.
"Don't give me that! If you can't meet the idea deadline, just extend it! I think you just had ulterior motives!"
Midori raised her voice.
"That's not how you approach game development! And I did nothing improper with Sensei! I think you're just projecting your own thoughts!"
"You…!"
Momoi's face turned as red as a peach, whether from anger or embarrassment.
Yuzu tried to mediate, while Arisu only cheered as if enjoying the chaos.
I increasingly wondered whether leaving Arisu to run freely in the Game Development Department had been a mistake.
In the end, the sisters' conflict was resolved in the usual Game Development Department way: through games.
Since Midori and I had already been playing a versus game, I stepped aside and let Momoi take over.
While they fought, I talked with Yuzu and asked if she wanted to take on more part-time work to gain experience, but she firmly shook her head.
It had already been two months since Yuzu's first thrilling part-time job, yet she still hadn't recovered mentally. I felt deeply saddened by this lack of progress.
At this rate, who knew how long it would take before she awakened a new ability for me?
Though I didn't have high expectations for Millennium students in the first place.
At that moment, I suddenly felt my sleeve being tugged.
I turned around and met a pair of deep blue eyes.
"Sensei," Arisu said, "May I Have a Moment of Your Time?"
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