Chapter 63. Next Time For Sure!
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In the current timeline, under Kiyoshi Yuuma's influence, Urobuchi Gen's script had actually undergone some changes.
In his previous life, the "Warrior of Love" wouldn't have used such a gentle narrative approach in his scripts. Not only would he torment the male and female leads to death, but he would also fill it with massive amounts of mind-bending elements that could even give people nightmares at night.
Mermaid's Heart was already quite gentle.
[T/N: Heart of the Mermaid = Mermaid's Heart]
The "love" between the male protagonist and Suzune was also more natural and pure.
Otherwise, if they followed Urobuchi Gen's creative tendencies from his previous life, Yokoyama would probably collapse even more.
...
However, Kiyoshi Yuuma still had a heart-to-heart talk with Urobuchi.
"Wada, after thinking carefully, I feel that although your script is very good and quite innovative and creative, shouldn't we make some appropriate adjustments regarding human nature to avoid being criticized by players in the future?"
"Hmm?" Urobuchi Gen craned his neck, looking at Kiyoshi Yuuma with some confusion.
"Look, according to the current script direction, although it's just one of the endings, it's very difficult for players to accept. The male protagonist becomes a complete monster with no humanity left.
Can someone like that really be worthy of Suzune?"
"Uh..." Urobuchi Gen stroked his chin, carefully considering the President's words.
"My thinking is, shouldn't good works, in addition to expressing the scriptwriter's creative aspirations, also reflect reality? If it could be more thought-provoking, giving players more to think about beyond just 'love,' and make the relationship between the male and female protagonists more compatible, wouldn't that be better?"
Kiyoshi Yuuma said earnestly, "At least I think that what Wada's seemingly distorted worldview in the work should actually be expressing is—appearance and what you see don't matter. What matters is the heart."
"Mm-hmm." Urobuchi Gen nodded seriously, his small eyes blinking.
"But now it's completely reversed." Kiyoshi Yuuma said.
"Eh?" Urobuchi Gen's body jolted.
It felt like a sudden enlightenment.
This was a perspective he hadn't foreseen before. In fact, when creating the script, he had completely followed his instincts and hadn't realized at all that it would bring so many problems to others.
Oh, so that's how this script makes people feel.
Only at this moment did Urobuchi Gen fully come to his senses.
"Then what do you think should be done, President?" Urobuchi Gen earnestly asked for advice.
Kiyoshi Yuuma smiled slightly and put his arm around his shoulder.
"Wada, do you smoke?"
...
After a discussion lasting over three hours, Urobuchi Gen was completely convinced by Kiyoshi Yuuma.
"Okay, I'll revise it according to what the President said. This way it really is more natural and smooth, and more convincing.
Whether it's Suzune or Yamazaki Teru, they are each other's unique bond in this world."
"Good, exactly." Kiyoshi Yuuma smiled.
"But... we've already developed it almost completely. Is there still time to revise the script at this point?" Urobuchi Gen asked.
"It's fine," Kiyoshi Yuuma's brow furrowed for a second, then he said with a beaming smile, "The programming side isn't a big problem. I'll handle communication with the art side."
...
"No way, President! What did you say before?"
Chief Artist Sakata Taiji sat in his chair with an expression like he was constipated.
Sakata was the head of the art department. It would be better for Kiyoshi Yuuma to communicate clearly with him first, then have Sakata coordinate with Yokoyama's side.
"You said there wouldn't be large-scale changes like last time anymore. Do you remember the promise you made when Onmyoji 2 was changed from all-ages to a galgame?"
Kiyoshi Yuuma sighed silently in his heart.
Japanese artists haven't been trained to get used to this yet.
Can you really believe it when planners say things like "no changes," "next time for sure," "absolutely won't"...?
"I'm terribly sorry! Really, really, I'm very sorry!" Kiyoshi Yuuma bowed to him, then went over and put his arm around Sakata's shoulder. "Sakata-san, the last-minute adjustments have caused trouble for the art team.
But if it weren't absolutely necessary, I definitely wouldn't do this kind of thing."
"We're already short-handed as it is. Diablo is already extremely tight, and if Mermaid's Heart's script needs major revisions, the entire Suzune project team only has one artist. Even if I agree, it's not fair to Yokoyama."
Yes, right now the Mermaid's Heart project team had only 5 people total.
One script planner—Urobuchi Gen; one systems and level planner—Mikami Shinji, one artist—Yokoyama Goro, and two programmers.
It could be said that all the pressure was on Yokoyama's side—no wonder he was furious.
On one hand, it was because Diablo needed people more urgently, and on the other hand, it was also because Mermaid's Heart really had a smaller workload and lower development difficulty.
"Here's what we'll do," Kiyoshi Yuuma said. "Transfer one artist from Diablo over here."
The corner of Sakata Taiji's mouth twitched, and he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Then, I'll also join in on the art side." Kiyoshi Yuuma stood up and bowed deeply to Sakata Taiji. "Sakata-san, please use me as much as possible—don't hold back!"
Hiss...
Sakata looked at Kiyoshi Yuuma in front of him with sorrowful eyes.
This scene feels so familiar, like it's happened somewhere before.
You said the same damn thing last time!
"Haah~"
Sakata Taiji let out a heavy sigh.
"Well, of course, as chief artist, I won't refrain from making demands just because you're the President, and—"
"Please think things through clearly before making decisions next time, okay?"
"Please don't ever again make script changes after the project is more than halfway done!"
"Okay!" Kiyoshi Yuuma responded with a beaming smile.
...
After repeated persuasion from both Sakata Taiji and Kiyoshi Yuuma, Yokoyama finally accepted the new script proposal.
If it weren't for the President helping out personally, Yokoyama would absolutely never have agreed to change the script. However, considering that everyone was thinking about the project, he reluctantly agreed.
More importantly—
After Urobuchi Gen revised the script, it was obviously much more natural and smooth, which made him feel better too.
From this, Yokoyama couldn't help but sigh—
The President obviously has a sharp tongue but a soft heart; in the end, he still took my feelings into account.
As a return favor, he'd reluctantly work hard one more time.
...
After a month's time—
By the end of April, the main body of Mermaid's Heart was completed and had entered the finishing work phase.
Shirakawa Atsushi's soundtrack had also been fully integrated into the game.
All that remained was the voice acting part.
At this rate, Mermaid's Heart could be released in May.
All the project team members were filled with infinite imagination and anticipation for the arrival of that day.