Phew, finished.

These game magazines we borrowed from Yoshiko sure are a big help.

Yeah, I think I've got a handle on what kind of games everyone in Japan's playing at the moment too.

We'll have to call and say thanks.

Yeah. You're right.

…Agh, it's already late. Should we get some groceries for tomorrow before we head home?

Good idea. Let's do it.

Hang on, we can't just head out without a plan.

Let's review the contest rules first and draw up a list of what we should get.

You're so considerate, Mia.

Yeah, I guess. I've got your back anytime, Rina!

All right, let's go over these rules. You're up, Little Baby.

Right.

Well, the contest runs over three days starting tomorrow. It kicks off at noon and lasts for 48 hours until noon two days later.

The contest organizers will tell us the theme for the game and we'll make it within those 48 hours.

We'll have to work on it in a room fitted with live-streaming equipment, so we'll be borrowing Nijigasaki's broadcasting room for that.

Those of us working in the room can come and go as we please for a break, sleep, or to go buy something, but anyone not on the team is essentially banned from entering.

I want to have the room stocked up with food and drinks so we can get the most amount of work done in the time we have.

I want fries and soda!

And hamburgers too.

Yeah, good call! They're our favorite, after all!

Yeah!

I think we'll need some energy drinks too.

Maybe we should also pick up some heated eye masks for when our eyes get tired.

Let's get some soup for when we need a midnight snack too.

What about coffee…?

We can borrow the kettle from the clubroom for that.

Hold up, slow down. Let me write all that down on my phone first.

[Fade in/out.]

This is going to end up being a lot to carry. Let's get it all into the broadcasting room as quickly as we can.

Setsuna, you bought way too much stuff.

You know, Mia, in Japan we say, “Grab a walking stick before you stumble,” and “Preparation drives away worry.”

What?

What it means is, if you prepare really well, you'll be calm when the time comes.

It's no different from being a school idol, right? You do all the practice you can to put on an incredible live show.

Ohh, I get it now.

It's like, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” right?

Hm? Who could that be… Ah! Guys, look!

It's from someone in the game club.

It looks like they found out that Rina is taking part in the High School Game Creator Contest.

It says they want to give us some materials…

Actually, some girls from the tabletop game club got in touch as well. They said they'd sent some stuff to the clubroom that might be useful.

Let's go see what it is!

[Fade in/out.]

L-Look at all of this…

They compiled all the traits for each game genre for us. How did they manage to break down all of this…?

It's good to know that the game club and tabletop game club have our backs.

And the anime club has given us some wonderful support as well.

They gave us a guide on how to use each program for the design phase!

Oh, I've got a message from Ayumu and the others.

They said, “You guys better look forward to some food!” Ooh, nice!

Emma and the others said they'd be watching the live stream and cheering us on too!

There are so many messages pouring in from your fan club, Rina.

Yeah, I'm reading them…

I have to do my very best.

Ooh, our quest is really picking up now!

What do you say to staying here overnight, girls?! I'm way too excited to sleep!

You need to keep that energy for tomorrow, Setsuna!

(Everyone's totally committed to helping Rina.)

In the end, cheering becomes about imposing your own ego on other people.

There's no genuine feeling toward the people you cheer on. So cheering is pointless. That's what I think, anyway.

[Fade in/out.]

(That's just not true.)

(Support gives people strength. There are genuine feelings toward others behind it.)