There. I win.

What? Again?! This is your third consecutive win. You are far too good at this, Setsuna.

Even with Setsuna kicking our butts, this board game's really fun. Getting into this game again makes me realize how intense board games can be.

Yes, I agree. I did not expect to become so absorbed in it.

Are there any other board games you recommend, Setsuna?

Let me think… They aren't really board games, but I think you might like TTRPGs.

What are TTRPGs?

It's hard to neatly summarize them. TTRPGs, or tabletop role-playing games, are games where you role-play as your own character and progress through a story.

You get to play your own character? That sounds like fun! I would love to give it a try!

Well, I'm definitely interested. Let's do that next!

Ah, unfortunately, it's not something that you can play without some preparation, as it requires a general story and setting.

Much like a play, then.

That's right. All that is required to progress through the game is a scenario. The rest is done by the players involved in the game.

We build on the story ourselves? The more I hear about it, the more curious I get.

As it so happens, I've been quite into them, so I'm always thinking up different settings. Would you two like to join me for a game sometime? I'll make all the preparations.

Ooh! That sounds like such fun! I would love to, Setsuna!

Setsuna's Room

[Fade in/out.]

So here is our scenario. I would like you to read through it first before I show Shizuku and the others.

You're done?! Nice! Lemme see!

I'm a little embarrassed, but here you are.

Thanks! Wow, this is pretty detailed…

It is the framework for the whole game, after all. If the framework is sloppy, then the game itself will be as well.

Even so, there's A LOT written here. This must have taken a while.

Not at all. I was having so much fun having ideas pop into my head one after another. Though it did cost me some precious sleep.

Hmm. You said we only needed a general outline, but you've practically written a novel here.

Heehee… My pen just had a life of its own. So, um…what do you think? Don't hold back. I would like to hear your honest opinion.

Well… To be completely honest, this might be a bit hard to understand.

Like this attack… What is “nocturnal honey-badger breath”?

There is a fearless animal known as a honey badger. This attack involves that crazed honey badger creeping up on you in the dead of night and tearing out your windpipe!

Okay, how about this “Uncrackable Code Creator” class?

I thought that one made perfect sense. It's a class that can create undecipherable codes!

Setsuna…

Yes?

I'm sorry, I don't get it!

What?!

I can totally tell you put a lot of enthusiasm into this. You put so much thought into it, and I can tell how much you love it.

But, I'm sorry… Our love can't keep up with yours.

Oh… *Chuckle* I did have an inkling that I might have taken it too far.

I will keep my readers in mind when I write my next one, so I hope you'll help me fix that one up as well!

Sure! I'm looking forward to seeing it!