Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Event Planning Meeting
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Short lunch break was over, and I headed to the meeting room where I'd promised to meet the two of them.
Carrying a coffee carrier in each hand.
I knew how annoying it would be to face the boss right after lunch, so this was my choice.
The moment I entered the meeting room a little earlier than the appointed time, I could feel the awkward atmosphere.
"...Senior, you're here?"
"Y-You came early..."
"My previous meeting ended sooner than expected. More importantly, what happened with you two?"
"No?"
"N-Nothing happened..."
Both said no, but their contrasting reactions made it clear something had gone down.
"Clashes between departments are natural during meetings anyway, so tell me what it is. If I can help, I'll mediate."
Seeing my confident stance, Yerin let out a sigh, realizing denial was pointless, and explained the reason.
"So, it wasn't really a fight, but our positions didn't align, so we kept talking, emotions flared up, and it got awkward?"
"Yes. Good summary."
"Y-Yeah..."
With both agreeing, I walked over to the whiteboard on the wall.
"Then, one at a time, state your case with evidence. I'll listen, organize it, and judge."
"Who goes first?"
"You, Yerin."
At my words, Yerin began her explanation with an indifferent expression.
I diligently transcribed her argument onto the whiteboard.
"That'll do. Next, Seol."
When her turn came, Seol started explaining in a voice laced with uncharacteristic confidence, unlike her usual self.
Once both explanations were done, I pulled the fully noted whiteboard to the front.
"So, Yerin, you want to use the popular kids from Chaehwa High School's Enforcement Squad as the first event members to boost pickup interest by linking them to the current pickup Roa, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Conversely, Seol wants to use Kapila Academy's student council as the first event members to resolve storylines skipped due to length issues in the main story by tying them into the event story."
Seol nodded instead of answering.
After hearing both sides, even I felt like I was sinking into a quagmire.
Both opinions had solid justification for being the event main.
Yerin's idea aimed for the synergy effect with Roa—who was the Enforcement Squad leader—during their event.
On the flip side, following Seol's would compensate for omitted main story content due to volume limits and provide new hooks.
Under their gazes, I pondered but couldn't choose, so I opted for escape.
"Have you asked anyone else besides me?"
"No."
"Asking other team members from the start felt a bit..."
"How about asking Yumi instead of me? As PM, she might give a more objective judgment."
They pondered my suggestion briefly before nodding.
It was a Hail Mary toss, but thankfully it landed well.
Before they could change their minds, I quickly pulled out my smartphone and called Yumi to the meeting room.
About five minutes later.
A knock sounded, and Yumi entered.
"You called for me, Director?"
"Yumi, you're here? Sit down; I have something to ask."
"Sure."
As Yumi sat next to Seol, I pointed to the whiteboard.
"We need to decide the main characters for the first event in the next update, but opinions are split. Which side do you think is right, Yumi?"
"Hmm... So the top is Yerin's idea, and the bottom is Seol's, right?"
"Exactly."
Yumi read the whiteboard content with an unusually serious expression before speaking up.
"I think Yerin's side is right."
Their reactions to Yumi's decision were polar opposites.
"Really?!"
Yerin had tossed aside her usual cool demeanor and was genuinely thrilled.
"Wh-Why...?"
Seol looked betrayed.
"Y-Yumi... You're joking, right...? Why...?"
To Seol's question, Yumi shrugged.
"From a user's perspective, Seol's idea appealed to me, but from a PM's viewpoint, Yerin's is way more attractive."
"A-Attractive...?"
Yumi nodded at Seol's retort and continued.
"If the event story features Chaehwa High School's Enforcement Squad, it can tie into the current pickup Roa, making hesitant users reconsider pulling for her."
"......"
"Ultimately, more interest in Roa means higher sales, and considering the squad's popularity, as PM, I have to agree with Yerin."
At Yumi's explanation, Seol slumped in shock.
"The seniors were right after all... PM is the enemy of planning... PM is the enemy of planning... PM is the enemy of planning... PM is the enemy of planning..."
Yumi and Yerin flinched and scooted away from Seol slightly.
"S-Seol senior looks possessed...?"
"Seol's broken..."
As the atmosphere grew chaotic, I decided to intervene and clapped to refocus the room.
"Okay, everyone calm down. How about this?"
I paused until the room quieted, then continued.
"For now, let's go with Yerin's event members. I think that's the right direction too."
"...Got it. A promise is a promise..."
"But Seol's idea is too good to bury."
Seol, who had been downcast, blinked in momentary confusion at my words.
"...Huh?"
"The student council story. How about pulling it out as a sub-story instead of an event?"
"Um, but... we don't have sub-story content planned for the update, right...?"
"Probably not."
"Then how...?"
I shrugged at Seol's question.
"It's not a super complex feature, so if I talk to Myunghoon brother, he'll make it happen somehow."
I felt a twinge of pity for Myunghoon and the dev team, already swamped with the Android version, but no choice.
This was the only way to restore Seol's morale.
"If you can pull that off, it'd be perfect..."
"Good. I'll talk to him ASAP."
"Th-Thank you..."
Relieved at Seol's fully recovered expression, I turned to Yerin.
"That settles the event members. How long will the work take?"
Yerin pondered briefly before answering.
"Most of it's done already—just banner illustrations and a few event cuts left, so 2-3 days max...?"
"Wait, you prepped everything?"
"...I figured my idea had a shot."
At Yerin's brazen admission, Seol and I could only stare in disbelief.
"...Whatever. It ended up being a godsend."
"Yeah... fine. Yumi, Yerin, head out for now."
"Sure."
"I'll finish the banner art quick and send it for review."
"Got it."
As Yumi and Yerin left, I turned to Seol.
"Do you have a draft for the Kapila Academy student council sub-story?"
"Oh, um... yes."
"...Really?"
"I-I thought it might come in handy if needed..."
Seol had prepared in advance, just like Yerin.
"Good. Prepping isn't a bad thing, so don't worry—just go get back to work."
Seol nodded with a brightened face.
Then, as if remembering something, she shyly raised her hand.
"Um, Director...!"
"Yeah?"
"One of our planning team members proposed something I'd like you to check out..."
"Oh? Got the proposal?"
"Yes... here."
Looking at the proposal she handed over, the title read:
"Girls Memorial 3D Modeling Project...?"
I tilted my head and started reviewing the contents.
"Let's see... Use advancing 3D tools to create 3D models of Girls Memorial characters and make various content with them?"
"Yes...! They suggested adding animations to the models for simple announcements or in-story daily life videos."
My first reaction to the proposal was surprise.
It clearly showed foresight.
Considering how many subculture mobile games later leveraged shorts platforms, this was definitely worth noting.
"I'll review this more. Anything else to report?"
"N-No... that's it!"
"Alright, you're good to go. Good work today."
"You too, Director...!"
Seol bowed politely and left the meeting room.
With everyone gone, only silence remained.
Finally, I sank into a chair and sighed.
What weighed on me was the proposal Seol had left behind.
Because of that.
"Looks like I'll be busy for a while..."