Kenji stared at the glowing cursor on his laptop screen, the soft hum of the cooling fan filling his quiet bedroom. It was past midnight, and the rest of the world was asleep. On his screen was the download page for a game that had become legendary among his circle of friends: the visual novel that had recently spawned the infamous adaptation Honoo no Haramase Doukyuusei .
Kenji leaned on his desk, his eyes locked on the beautifully drawn 2D sprites. He clicked through the dialogue boxes, making careful choices. "Offer to help her carry the textbooks." "Walk her home after student council duties." "Tell her she does a great job." Kenji stared at the glowing cursor on his
Satomi's character sprite on the screen wasn't just blinking anymore. She looked directly at the screen, her eyes wide with what looked like genuine confusion. She reached up and touched the edge of the monitor from the inside. Kenji froze, his hand hovering over his mouse. Kenji leaned on his desk, his eyes locked
With every correct choice, the affection meter on the top corner of the screen ticked upward. He was getting closer. She looked directly at the screen, her eyes
Kenji had spent the last two weeks trying to unlock every single ending. He was aiming for the elusive "True Ending" with the class representative, Satomi. In the game, Satomi was the strictly organized, glasses-wearing student who constantly scolded Kenji for sleeping in class. But as the visual novel progressed, her icy exterior melted away, revealing a deeply caring person.
"Oh no, please don't crash," Kenji whispered, leaning closer.