Chapter 212. What Did Single Dogs Ever Do to You!
"Finished testing? Send me a copy by email."
"I already sent it."
"Great. I'll take a look now, then we can discuss the post-launch operations plan."
Waving a hand, Xander Masato quickened his pace into the office.
With the Pokémon Championship approaching, deliverables were exploding in quick succession, lining up one after another until he could barely keep up each day.
"Seele, make me a cup of cof… forget it, juice."
Seated at the computer, Xander opened his email, then pulled out a test phone and a pair of VR glasses, importing the newly sent installation package.
A software-update prompt popped up almost immediately.
To ensure adoption of the social app, Bronya had quietly come up with a trick.
Spending money on promotion went without saying. But she suggested they didn't need to develop a brand-new "Gensokyo" app—just release it as an update to an older one.
As for which app…
If we're talking the largest user base and widest coverage…
The Pokédex was the obvious target.
As the companion app to the Pokémon game, the Pokédex is a must-have for every player. In Bronya's proposal, Pokémon would be broken out—like the TCG—into its own major category; the Pokédex features would be brought in; and the app would connect to the Pokémon forum to make player communication easy.
The update would make the app bulkier, sure, but convenience wouldn't suffer much. In fact, with forum and Pokédex in one place—and a few taps to view official Pokémon news—most people would find it very friendly.
There'd be some initial backlash, but compared to what it could deliver later, the complaints wouldn't amount to much. Once everyone got used to the new app's convenience, the noise would fade.
This app was one of the most important parts of Gensokyo's future development—worth a bigger investment.
As for the app and community name, it would simply be Gensokyo.
A lovely land of fantasy for players, and a place where creators' inspiration could run free.
Within defined limits, opening all Gensokyo IPs to derivative works would inject a steady stream of vitality into the community.
Writers could post fanfiction in a dedicated section; developers could make fangames; and—after review—list them for sale directly in the app. Gensokyo would only charge a basic operations fee. If a game performed well, it could be promoted to the Titan Game Platform for a formal release.
Naturally, there'd also be a small shop for derivative merchandise. Within a set quota, Gensokyo would likewise take only a basic operations fee, maximizing benefits for creators.
For Gensokyo Company, that money was chump change. The real value was the engagement heat driven by countless derivative works.
Xander opened the app and checked features one by one: the Pokémon page—fine; the game forums—fine; the derivative-works page—fine; the Gensokyo Company page—fine; the TCG page—oh, that one was still locked, not ready yet…
He scrolled slowly, paying special attention to the Gensokyo Company page, where every team had its own subpage with detailed introductions to its games, plus dedicated background stories.
He'd already finished Gensokyo's grand setting, and each team's lore was in place. At the top-right of the Gensokyo Company homepage sat a prominent "Origins of Gensokyo" emblem; tapping it popped up a scroll introducing regions and character designs and settings from top to bottom. Scroll past that and you'd find all kinds of slice-of-life four-panel comics.
He'd done everything he could to make derivative creation easy.
Of course, he'd tweaked content involving the Bamboo Forest of the Lost and Eientei. The settings stayed, but appearances and names changed—he couldn't very well let players fantasize about his wife; that would be unbearable. Moriya Shrine hadn't dropped yet, either, and would need adjusting later.
Months of Gensokyo's self-promotion had already built a sizable audience. At last month's CM expo, there were even quite a few doujin books.
It couldn't hold a candle to Gensokyo's other IPs yet, but it wouldn't be long before creators discovered how fun Gensokyo could be.
The characters were distinctive and the settings simple—which meant it was hard to write them OOC, i.e., to pull players out of the story.
They were plug-and-play for creating your own tales; you could even run a "Gensokyo Amusement Park Plan" with no problem. There was no main plot and the map was provided, so write however you like. With character art by the Eromanga Three Sisters (plus Griseo), it satisfied both the "small head" and the "big head."
Add in Gensokyo Company's gentle push, and there was no worry this IP wouldn't catch fire. Once the virtual-tech rollout arrived, a big surprise would be waiting for players.
Without looking too deeply, Xander took a sip of juice, then the hand he'd left on Seele's lap slid up along her white stockings, giving Seele's soft, bouncy buttock a squeeze. Just as Seele's heart raced, thinking she was about to be subjected to some under-the-table rule, wondering if she'd soon be thirsty or have sore feet, he waved his hand and pushed her towards Bronya.
Seele's heart pounded—she thought the casting couch was coming and was weighing whether she'd be thirsty or have sore feet—when he waved her toward Bronya.
"I'm going out to find Key. You don't need to come, Seele."
At once, Seele's eyes filled with grievance.
He'd been touching her thigh the whole time, she'd gotten ready, and now he was leaving. What was that supposed to be!
Big Brother had been so busy lately; this week, he only let Seele under the desk twice, and one of those times, she was neighbors with Bronya-oneesan. How was Seele supposed to get rid of the 'Trainee' title like this?
Of course, if she really had to remove the "trainee" tag, Seele probably wouldn't be happy. Some things always needed a little excuse in your heart~
An obedient Seele wasn't about to delay her brother's proper business. She pitifully walked over to Bronya, who couldn't help laughing when she saw her.
"Thinking about those naughty things all day, and you still claim you're not a little perv."
"Mm… but Bronya-sis is the same!"
Seele puffed her cheeks and shot Bronya a look. Clearly the one who let go the most every night was Bronya-sis—so how could she say that about Seele?
Catching the meaning in Seele's eyes, Bronya snorted dismissively.
Yes, she could let go. But who could play as wildly as Seele? Two consciousnesses with near-opposite personalities, swapping back and forth—that was more "experienced" than Bronya by far.
Too lazy to argue with this secretly thirsty little sister, Bronya arched a brow. "Stop pouting. The outfits I ordered arrived."
At that, Seele's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. "Th-those kinds of things…"
Remembering the plan Bronya-sis had floated a few days ago, Seele's heart began to race.
She'd even crammed a lot of "knowledge" in secret.
The Inspector series, the Interrogation series, and so on, and so on.
Her throat bobbed, and she felt the other self in her spiritual world get so excited she nearly took over. In a small voice, Seele asked, "Do you think brother will agree to us tying him up?"
"Of course. Did you forget he's heading to Schicksal again tomorrow?"
"R-right."
Every time before he went to Schicksal, Xander was at his most agreeable—almost granting their every request.
Seeing Seele already drifting into fantasy, Bronya sneered inwardly. "Tie Xander up, sure. But when we're done tying Xander, who do you think gets tied up next for fun~"
Meanwhile, while Bronya wasn't looking, Seele quietly took out her phone. "Brother, Bronya-sis said… Seele has pretended to agree. Is there anything you need Seele to do?"
After a moment, Seele and Bronya looked at each other and shared a good-sisters smile. "Then it's decided~" 2
Neither of them noticed the faint smile curling Kaguya Houraisan's lips as she stood silently to the side.
…
"You're here. How's it feel?"
Seeing Xander arrive, Sugisaki Key quickly cleared a big space at his workstation, dragged over a chair, and turned it into a little meeting room.
"The optimized UI is great—clean and easy on the eyes."
"That's all thanks to Griseo."
Waving it off, Sugisaki Key didn't take any credit.
"That kid is a genuine art genius."
It was just a pity she was obsessed with doujin and had grown completely crooked.
Privately griping, Xander smiled. "Since testing's clean, there's no need to wait. Let's go live next Monday. The promo plan was set a few days ago—we'll start building hype tomorrow, then follow the plan."
It was Wednesday. He needed to head to Schicksal for three or four days; he'd be back just in time for Monday.
"Okay—your call."
Sugisaki Key naturally had no objections. He went on, "Is that Touhou Project event set for the end of the year?"
"Mm. Let's do New Year's Day—it's the holiday."
"All right, we'll bundle that into promo too."
Touhou Project—different from its meaning in another world—was an event similar to the Hakurei Shrine Reitaisai, a derivative-works convention exclusively for Gensokyo.
Exhibitors had to bring derivative creations related to Gensokyo Company's IPs. It would be a grand carnival for Gensokyo fans, and Xander planned to make an appearance.
When Xander nodded, Sugisaki Key's expression clouded a little. "Prep is mostly done, but we've still got a few small ops issues."
"What kind of issues?"
Curious, Xander asked, and Sugisaki Key answered at once. "How to put it… you said each team needs to handle ops for its own department, and devs have to wear the in-story character mask to answer player questions and be active on the forums. When we tried to staff that… we hit some snags."
Xander kept quiet, and Sugisaki Key continued. "There aren't many girls on each team, so assigning each one a whole role leaves us short. And when we simulated Q&As… it still felt…"
He grimaced, struggling to explain.
Xander studied him, then offered, "You mean the people playing those roles aren't convincing enough?"
"I don't know if it's that. The character settings are right there—but something feels off…"
"Off…"
Thinking it over, Xander suddenly raised a brow. "Does it feel like it's missing a certain flavor—not… anime enough?"
Sugisaki Key's eyes lit. He nodded repeatedly. "Yes, that's it. They follow the settings, but it still feels like talking to a real person, without that two-dimensional, virtual vibe. It's a bit deflating…"
"That's simple."
Xander smiled.
"Simple? We've only got a handful of girls. Are we supposed to hire more or train them?"
"What are you thinking? No need."
Cheerfully, Xander went on, "Why insist on having girls play the roles?"
Sugisaki Key: "?"
Seeing his confusion, Xander waved it off. "Here's a tip. Check whether your team has any never-dated types—mild-mannered folks who like anime and light novels, preferably a bit otaku and not big on socializing."
Sugisaki Key: "??"
"Often it's the single—er, single 'nobles'—who, because they've never had contact, imagine girls as more ethereal and perfect."
If you've had experience, it doesn't work as well—you understand girls are human too, not so different from guys.
"That's all I'll say. Give it a try."
Patting Sugisaki Key's shoulder, Xander stood and left, not caring that Sugisaki Key's face had gone pitch-black.
Did single dogs eat your rice or something?!!
Damn it—so being experienced makes you special?
What broke Sugisaki Key most was that, after thinking it over, he had to admit Xander kind of had a point.
So he could only curse under his breath and set his sights on the hardworking otaku.
What's that—you say he himself was a single dog too?
He was the lead. Since when did the lead get in the ring personally!
Soon enough, he locked onto a chubby, glasses-wearing young man who looked rather cute.
A row of bishoujo figures lined the guy's desk, and a green silhouette holding an umbrella in a field of sunflowers filled the screen. No doubt about it—this was the perfect candidate.
Smiling, he headed over.
…
On the way back to the office, a mature woman with ash-gold short hair happened to walk straight toward him.
Seeing her, Xander asked curiously, "Rita, what brings you over here?"
Rita Rossweisse—the negotiator Schicksal sent to discuss the Gensokyo Amusement Park—was, as he remembered, an elder-sister type whose allure was off the charts.
A very big elder sister.
Outside of official business, though, she showed little interest. After the talks, she stayed by Academy Head Theresa's side, said to be in charge of her daily life; she and Xander were little more than nodding acquaintances.
Her professional outfit traced every curve, and beneath the hip-hugging office skirt, sheer black nylons tightened over rounded legs, throwing a heady sheen in the sunlight.
Bewitching yet gentle—but with words that could keep people at arm's length—she could make your heart itch while staying out of reach.
"I heard Mr. Masato plans to head to Schicksal HQ tomorrow?"
Xander nodded.
Rita smiled, wine-red eyes rippling, and said softly, "If you don't mind, may I accompany you?"
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