The atmosphere inside the seminar office had already grown unbearably heavy.
I stayed on the sidelines for the moment, neither speaking nor moving rashly. After all, Rio had already apologized for her blunt tone, so there was no need to cling to that point any further.
The real issue now was that the Game Development Club truly had no achievements to show. As the president of the seminar, Rio might indeed seem unfeeling, but she was only following procedure.
All clubs in Kivotos were managed by the student councils of each academy. Even as a Sensei at Schale, I had no authority to intervene directly.
So if I wanted to speak on the club's behalf, I at least had to wait for Rio to deliver her judgment.
After a long silence, Rio finally spoke again.
"Very well. It seems we have already reached a consensus regarding the matter of the Game Development Club sitting idle and taking up space."
The way she used phrasing that was logically sound yet emotionally hurtful as if it were natural might be Rio's distinctive trait.
I could not tell whether she was unaware of this or simply did not care about how others saw her.
Either way, it revealed the same truth.
In the eyes of the world, Tsukatsuki Rio, even as a genius who stood at the peak of Millennium, would surely appear to be someone difficult to approach or get close to.
"Although I do not know much about games, a group calling itself the Game Development Club that only knows how to play games does not match the purpose you set when forming your club. This proves that your passion for games extends no further than that of ordinary hobbyists."
"Millennium's resources are limited. The failure of your first release already proves you lack sufficient talent. From everything observed so far, it is also clear you have not made the necessary effort. If that is the case, then you should hand your room and funds over to students who need them more. This is also for your own good."
"The most important principle of any system is fairness. If a club like yours is allowed to exist indefinitely, not only will the seminar's decision-making be questioned, it will draw criticism and hostility from other clubs."
"Besides, if you only want to play games together, even without your current club you can still do that. Just join the Gehenna's Go-Home Club, can you not? You would no longer waste school resources, nor face the protests of students who lack them. Your own interests would not be greatly affected either, so is that not a win for everyone?
"In summary, from a reasonable standpoint, there is only one truly effective method to resolve the difficulties on both sides."
With a calm voice, Rio presented what she believed to be the perfect solution.
"As the president of the seminar, I hereby notify your Game Development Club in advance of its dissolution. The official documents will be issued shortly. If you have any objections, you may voice them now."
It was time for me to speak.
"What utter nonsense!"
However, just as I prepared to open my mouth, a heated voice rang across the entire room.
Having reached her limit, Momoi overcame her guilt and fear, glaring directly at the person who held the power to decide their club's fate.
"Not enough passion? Hobbyists? Ha! Don't look down on us. What do you even know about us!"
I had always known Momoi was brave, even reckless, but I never imagined she would go this far.
Rio seemed just as surprised. Her expression faltered for a brief moment.
And Momoi continued her barrage.
"To make sure we never suffer the same setback again, we work hard every single day. We want to create a game that will shut up all those trolls online.
"Our lack of results is our fault. But I won't let you belittle everyone's passion and dedication. Game development is like invention. It needs inspiration and a foundation of knowledge.
"So what, should we mass-produce some assembly line trash just to fit Millennium's ideals? Is that what you want to see?
"Even if our current level only gets us first place on the annual trash game rankings, our love for games will never lose to anyone.
"Just you wait. Even if you force our club to disband, we will never give up. The game we make will absolutely, absolutely make you admit it is fun from the bottom of your heart, and you will regret your decision today.
"So an outsider who knows nothing about games should just... shu mmph mmph mmph"
A panicked Yuzu and Midori clamped their hands over Momoi's mouth together, smothering the final insult before it fully escaped.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, my sis didn't mean it!"
"Uuh, it's, it's all my fault as the president. Please don't punish Momoi."
Momoi struggled in agitation while the other two were already scared out of their wits.
For a moment, I wondered if it was my imagination, because while watching Rio closely, I thought I saw a flicker of loneliness pass across her face.
But when I tried to look more carefully, the highest leader of Millennium wore the same cold expression as always.
"Indeed, without understanding, one has no right to speak. Perhaps games really are something that require time to brew before becoming complete."
I felt that Rio might actually be fairly reasonable, at least on the surface she did not seem offended by Momoi's outburst.
But compared to emotion, she clearly valued reason far more.
"No matter what, I am simply following the rules. Rules are rules."
Rio spoke coldly. "Even if what you say is true, that you have, in fact, been putting in the necessary effort. According to your own reasoning, games, like inventions, are filled with uncertainty. Can you guarantee that your next work will truly achieve the results you expect?"
"Of course we can!" Momoi broke free from their grip.
"No, you cannot."
Rio looked directly at her. "You said that only because you were driven by emotion. Even the greatest inventors experience failure. How much more so for you, who have only ever produced a failed work."
And she was right.
The Game Development Club had shown nothing that would convince the seminar to tolerate their lack of progress or invest in their future.
"You cannot guarantee anything. And as the body responsible for guiding Millennium forward, the seminar cannot continue paying the price for your recklessness." Rio closed her eyes. "I believe that after all this, you should understand."
It seemed the dissolution of the club was already certain.
Except for the still fired-up Momoi, the other two girls restraining her had sunk into despair.
This was the moment for their hero, meaning me, to step in.
"Rio."
The girl looked at me with unreadable eyes. "Sensei, what is it?"
I asked politely, "Regarding this matter, could you reconsider?"
"What?"
Rio seemed unsure, staring at me for a while before speaking softly. "Sensei, this has nothing to do with you."
I laughed lightly. "No, no, as it happens, I am technically the advisor of the Game Development Club."
Rio frowned slightly and turned to her junior. "Yuuka, is that true?"
"Eh, um," Yuuka, who had been fiddling with her phone, hesitated before answering honestly, "I don't think the Game Development Club ever submitted that application."
…What?
My smile froze, and I looked at the three club members.
Midori and Yuzu both turned toward the suddenly motionless Momoi.
After a strained silence, Midori finally murmured, "If I remember correctly, it was my sis who was supposed to submit the application, right?"
"She, well…" Momoi stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. "I was running dungeons lately, so I forgot…"
To be fair, it had already been half a month since I first met the Game Development Club and agreed to become their advisor.
As expected of Momoi. She behaved exactly as the stereotype in my mind.
And that meant that for the moment, I really was just an unrelated party.
Then why did you put my name on the flyers for your casino event?
For a second, I felt that if they were this careless about important matters, the club probably deserved to be dissolved.
Even so, I still could not stand by and do nothing.
I cleared my throat. "Ahem, Rio, you heard her. Anyway, the proper paperwork will be submitted right away."
"…Then, Sensei."
Rio's expression and tone both dropped in temperature. The pressure she radiated grew heavier.
"Should I take this to mean that you, representing Schale, the club directly under the General Student Council, intend to use this opportunity to interfere in Millennium's internal affairs?"
I shook my head with a smile. "No, I speak only as an adult, and as the advisor of the Game Development Club. I simply want to help my students protect the club they care about."
The intensity around Rio dissipated. With clear confusion, she asked, "I believe I made myself very clear. As an adult, do you still intend to behave like a child who refuses to listen to reason?"
"I understand your difficulties, and I understand your reasoning. Without question, your decision is correct."
"Thank you for supporting our work."
I spoke gently. "But Rio, if I vouch for them, could you give them a little more time?"
A brief silence.
I noticed gratitude on the faces of the Game Development Club, surprise and worry in Yuuka's eyes, and on Rio's face only uncomplicated puzzlement.
"…Why?" Rio asked. "Why go this far for them?"
What kind of question was that?
I had already said it earlier.
It was simply because my students were in trouble, and needed someone to extend a hand.
Dissolving the Game Development Club was Rio's duty. Fighting for time on their behalf was mine.
Besides…
This was the perfect chance to raise affection. I definitely could not let it slip.
What could steal a girl's heart more than offering selfless help in her moment of crisis?
And what could spark a girl's curiosity more than showing a side of myself she did not expect?
Whether it was the Game Development Club or Rio, they were all important students of mine.
This was my chance for a double win.
I prepared a cool line in my mind, the corners of my mouth lifting with confidence as I readied myself to continue.
But just then…
A knocking sound struck the half open door of the seminar office.
The seminar's secretary, Noa, appeared at the entrance with a gentle smile. "Why so lively in here? Are you talking about something interesting?"
The white haired, bright purple eyed girl tilted her head. "If you don't mind, may I join you?"
I had to admit that Noa's timing was far too perfect.
I thought back to the way Yuuka had quietly fiddled with her phone earlier, then looked at her relieved expression now, and everything clicked.
No wonder she was silent. She had gone to call for backup.
And indeed, with Noa's intelligence, her experience working with Rio, and her understanding of her, she was one of the best possible people to handle the seminar president.
"Noa. You should have heard the situation from Yuuka."
But unsurprisingly, Rio, whose flaw was simply that she did not understand people, was still the seminar president. Her insight was immeasurable. She immediately reached the correct conclusion.
Yuuka avoided Rio's sharp glance with an awkward grin.
"Hehe, as expected of the president."
Noa narrowed her eyes as she smiled. "Yuuka did tell me the general cause, but I don't know how far the matter has progressed."
"…The Sensei wishes to use his reputation to vouch for the Game Development Club and delay the dissolution."
"Eh? Really?"
Noa gave me a slightly surprised look, as if she had gained a new appreciation for my noble character, then returned to her usual smile and said carelessly:
"Hm… well, isn't that fine? Since it's the Sensei who's asking."
Rio frowned again, hesitant. "But…"
"President, this is a rare chance to let a Schale Sensei owe our seminar a favor," Noa said brightly, analyzing everything with no concern that I was standing right beside her. "President, from a standpoint of logic, it's a good deal. And besides…"
Noa winked at me mischievously, raised her hand to cover her rose colored lips, and whispered into Rio's ear.
A long silence followed.
Rio finally opened her eyes, slowly surveying the room before speaking.
"I do not intend to retract my order."
Tension immediately filled the air again, until she continued.
"However," Rio added, and there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice, "I never said the dissolution would be carried out immediately."
The situation reversed in an instant.
Perhaps she had been persuaded, but I preferred to believe that this had been her plan from the beginning.
I was beginning to grasp the nature of this seminar president.
Momoi let out a cry. "Eh? Then that means?"
Ignoring Momoi, Rio turned to me. "Your guarantee will not be necessary, and you need not do anything more. Two months from now, at the Millennium Club Competition. Since the Game Development Club is so confident in their next work, we will settle it then."
After thinking for a moment, she added, "And your club must reach the required number of members before then. That is all."
Silence fell.
Then the sound of clapping echoed abruptly.
"Wonderful, everything is resolved perfectly," Noa said with a bright smile.
"Not at all!"
Momoi desperately pressed Rio. "So we have to present a qualifying result at the Millennium Club Competition? How good does it have to be?"
"Even if you cannot take first place, you must at least win an award. Only then can you prove the value of your club's existence."
"We are doomed."
In an instant, Momoi's face looked like the end of the world. She wailed,
"No way. Asking us for something that difficult right away. Even veteran clubs can't secure awards consistently. You're a demon. You're definitely a demon."
Midori and Yuzu also showed intense anxiety and even despair.
So winning a prize at this Millennium Club Competition was really that difficult?
Yuuka answered my unspoken question at the perfect moment.
"President, do they really need to place among the top in the largest competition, one most clubs participate in?"
"…I am sorry."
Rio lowered her gaze. "This is the limit of what I can tolerate. Instead of trying to win my sympathy or bargain with me, you should devote more of your energy to making your game."
With that, the members of the Game Development Club gradually calmed down.
"No helping it… we just have to do it."
Momoi exhaled deeply, reignited her fighting spirit, and pulled Midori and Yuzu aside to whisper.
The matter regarding the Game Development Club was finally settled.
All that remained was to work hard and see what came next.
Withdrawing her gaze from the club, Rio looked at me.
"Apologies for the wait. May I ask what business brought you to the seminar today? Was it about the Game Development Club?"
"That is part of the reason."
I spoke to Rio with heartfelt sincerity. "Rio, I came here today just for you."
The words landed like a boulder dropped into a lake.
Yuuka froze, Noa's smile stiffened, and the Game Development Club girls at the corner all stared in shock.
Rio fell silent. After a moment, she said quietly,
"Sensei, I must correct you. From what you have said, this can no longer be called 'just for me.'"
"Ahaha, just a joke."
Only then did the air seem to begin moving again.
I pulled out my phone and asked, "So, would you exchange contact information with me?"
"…Why?"
I answered with feigned disappointment. "Is that not allowed? I came here for you, after all."
Rio stared at me for a moment. "…Very well."
I smiled in triumph and recalled what I had overheard earlier with [Listener of the Wind], Noa's whispered words in Rio's ear.
"President."
At that time, Noa had spoken with a deeply meaningful smile.
"You don't want the Sensei to dislike you, do you?"