The classroom in winter was so cold that every breath turned into a cloud of white mist.
Everyone had their own little circle, gathering in groups of two or three and chatting away.
Even Nishimiya Shouko had a few friends she was talking and laughing with. When her hearing had suddenly returned, it had caused quite a stir in the class. Later, there were even rumors that she had received quite a few love letters.
But just like Sato, she had never opened a single one.
Resting his chin on his hand, Sato gazed out the window at the thick leaden clouds and the solemn city beneath them.
If he were still living in the countryside, it might already be snowing by now, right?
Saiki Kusuo arrived. After setting down his school bag, he turned to Sato and slowly asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"The countryside... maybe?"
Sato answered uncertainly, then shrugged.
"Who knows? Maybe the sky's just too gloomy and makes people feel a bit depressed. After all, autumn and winter always make people feel sentimental and lonely..."
Saiki Kusuo neither agreed nor disagreed. He opened his thermos and took a sip of water.
As always, he looked like a retired veteran cadre, completely devoid of emotional fluctuations.
After setting down the cup, however, he looked at the thick clouds outside and said, "In another month, it'll be New Year's Day, right?"
"Yeah!"
Sato nodded.
After the Meiji Restoration, Japan had moved the New Year from the first day of the lunar calendar to January 1st on the Gregorian calendar, so New Year's Day was also Japan's Spring Festival.
In other words, winter vacation would begin in another week or so, with a holiday lasting a little over a week.
With the arrival of a new year, many things would change.
For example, after spring break next year, they would become second-year high school students.
And Fujimiya Konomi would be graduating and probably returning to Chiba.
...
"Death is like the wind, always by my side! Hasaki!"
At the club building's Light Music Club room.
Before Sato even entered, he heard Ritsu's voice. But when he heard those words, his expression became a little strange.
Weren't those lines from his own book?
In Hero Throne, he had borrowed heavily from heroes in a phenomenon-level online game from his previous life.
Whether it was their appearances or backstories, those heroes left deep impressions on people, including these incredibly cool-sounding catchphrases.
So he had recorded both the heroes and their signature lines in the novel's lore.
But he was certain the girls in the Light Music Club had never read his book.
Pushing open the door, Sato walked into the clubroom. Compared to the classroom, the spacious room felt much colder.
"Yo, Sato, you're here!"
Holding a rolled-up newspaper and fooling around with Yui, Ritsu turned and waved at him.
A flash of light appeared in Yui's eyes.
"What a chance!"
Without hesitation, she swung her rolled-up newspaper down at Ritsu's head.
Smack!
The icy newspaper struck Ritsu's bare forehead, making her suck in a sharp breath.
In the middle of winter, even newspaper damage was multiplied.
"Hiss... that hurts! Yui, you actually dared to sneak attack me!"
She spun around and shouted at Yui,
"I'll show you the power of the Unforgiven!"
"Hmph! This Lux won't lose to you! Draw your sword!"
"Pfft! Lux uses a staff, not a sword!"
"Eh? Really?"
Sato walked over with a dark expression.
"What are you two doing?"
As he approached, he glanced around the room.
Kotobuki Tsumugi and Mio were brewing tea, while none of the Service Club members were present. They were probably out handling some request.
"They've been like this ever since they watched a video just now."
Mio walked over and handed Sato a steaming cup of tea. Then she looked at Ritsu and Yui with a helpless expression.
A video?
Sato immediately understood.
It was probably the video he had uploaded.
After his discussion with Akasaka Akane that day, the danmaku system had been developed very quickly. A few days ago, videos had already been uploaded for testing purposes.
Yui and Ritsu also browsed Gensokyo regularly. After all, there were many novels aimed at girls there, so they had likely seen those videos.
"You saw them on Gensokyo, right?"
Sato asked after sitting down.
"Yep!"
Giving up on her scuffle with Yui, Ritsu ran over and said excitedly,
"You watched them too, right? The fight scenes, the character designs, and the lines were all amazing!"
Of course I know.
Sato found it amusing.
He was the original author, after all, and those heroes' appearances and lines came from classics.
"And the danmaku too!"
Yui eagerly added from the side,
"The new danmaku system is so lively! It'd be even better if novels had it too!"
Hm?
Sato suddenly looked at Yui in surprise.
That's right.
How had he forgotten about that?
The danmaku system could be used for novels as well.
Whether it was comments, chapter notes, or danmaku, all of them could make reading more entertaining.
If he wanted to turn Gensokyo into a comprehensive ACGN cultural community, then maintaining its entertainment value and user engagement was essential.
"I never thought Yui could have smart moments too."
Sato suddenly said with a sigh of admiration.
Yui's excited expression instantly froze.
Pouting, she threw herself into Kotobuki Tsumugi's arms.
"Waaah, Tsumugi, Sato is so mean!"
Kotobuki Tsumugi gently held Yui's head. Wearing a warm, maternal smile, she softly said,
"There, there. Don't cry, little baby."
Everyone burst into laughter at the sight.
Though the only one actually laughing out loud was Ritsu.
After the cheerful commotion died down, Sato looked at the members of the Light Music Club and said,
"Since you've all seen those videos, you should know about Gensokyo's new video section, right?"
"Yeah. What are you getting at, Sato?"
Mio looked at him thoughtfully.
A smile gradually spread across Sato's face.
After taking a sip of hot tea, he slowly said,
"So, what do you all think about making videos ourselves and becoming uploaders?"
"Eh?!" ×4
Four faces froze in shock.