Chaebol

"It seems like fate that we've come together like this, so how about we have a small dinner gathering today?"

Ryunosuke's spirited suggestion.

This guy must not know me well. Do you know those professors who start lecturing on the first day of class? 

That's my style. Ahem!

"My schedule is very tight."

"Director, I can come up with the story quickly…"

"We need an original story in addition to the game scenario."

"An original… story?"

"You two will start a serialization under your names in 'Weekly Manga.'"

Ryunosuke, who was eager to debut, had his mouth wide open.

On the other hand, Togashi looked like he had just been hit by a bolt of lightning.

Sure enough, Togashi asked.

"Se… serialization?"

"There's no need to feel burdened. Just think of it as an extension of the game development. After all, the main purpose is promotion."

Still, his face was full of uncertainty.

However,

"Yuuji will handle the story, so Togashi, you just need to do the artwork."

Perhaps fearing that the project might fall through, Ryunosuke hurriedly chimed in.

"Ju-just the story? I'll send the drafts almost complete from the start. You just need to outline the lines to make a panel. How about that?"

With this much consideration, Togashi had no reason to refuse, and he nodded.

In that case!

"Editor, you have space available in 'Weekly Manga,' right?"

"Of course! If we don't have it, we'll make it. I'll prepare a prime spot, right before 'Dragon Ball.'"

Thanks to clearly establishing the hierarchy, the effect was immediate.

I then turned to Ryunosuke.

"The serialization will start next month. Depending on the response, we might proceed with an animation adaptation, so it's going to be busy. I don't think a dinner gathering is necessary…"

"As long as I get my nutrition, that's enough. I'm fine with a packed lunch. Haha."

Okay, that settles it.

"So, we start today?"

***

Late that night.

Professor Jo and I walked through the streets of Tokyo.

Having roughly resolved the urgent matters.

If I were of age to have some fun, how about tempura with a cold draft beer… Ah! Just the thought makes me happy.

But in reality, well.

We headed to an old diner that was open late.

And quickly finished a bowl of udon.

Maybe it was because he hadn't worked in a while, but Professor Jo had a slightly excited expression.

"Nighttime makes people emotional, doesn't it?"

"…?"

"Before I met you, Boss, I didn't realize this, but I discovered that I have two sides. Jo Soo-deok when holding a brush! And David Cho when my heart races in front of a business opportunity!"

"David Cho?"

"It's my business name. After all, it's the global era…"

Global era, huh.

That's a phrase I haven't heard in a long time. Hehe.

"In any case, working with you, Boss, feels like discovering a new side of myself."

"You're not secretly drinking, are you?"

"Heh, do I look drunk?"

"Well, just asking."

"It's been a while since we've worked together, hasn't it, Boss? That's probably why I'm in such a good mood."

"Now that you mention it, it really has been a long time since we've gone overseas together."

"Exactly. It brings back old memories, and I like it. Hehe."

Hearing him say that.

The drink I've been holding back from… feels incredibly tempting now!

It seems Professor Jo felt the same way.

After quenching his thirst with a cold glass of water, Professor Jo continued speaking.

"Boss, is your plan proceeding well?"

"What plan?"

"Your grand goal of not inheriting the company…"

Ah.

"I'm aware of your plans, Boss. But when the chairman introduced you to distinguished guests, well… It gave me quite a scare, you know?"

"Did it really?"

"Of course! I was worried that our Boss might end up inheriting Hyungang…"

"Were you seriously worried?"

"Absolutely. Deep down… I do sometimes wonder why you shouldn't inherit it… Ahem. But since you don't want to…"

"If I inherit it, it'll only mean more hardship."

"That's true. Only more hardship…"

At that moment, a line of curiosity formed on Professor Jo's forehead.

Sure enough, Professor Jo asked with a curious tone.

"But… aren't you already working hard right now?"

"…"

That's true.

An irony of working yourself to the bone to achieve the goal of not working.

What can you do?

"It's like being in the third year of high school."

"You mean you're going to endure now and just enjoy life after getting into university?"

"Yes. With the mindset that I'll take it easy afterward."

Professor Jo nodded.

He felt a bit disappointed but was willing to trust and follow my decision.

Maybe it's because he was one of the early members.

There's a certain fondness I feel for Professor Jo.

As I've said many times, on a night like tonight… with a good friend… just one drink!

Sigh.

Staying longer would only make the desire for a drink even stronger.

Maybe Professor Jo felt the same way.

"Shall we get going?"

"My seat was getting warm too."

He stood up without hesitation.

***

Meanwhile.

An unexpected meeting was taking place at Nintendo's headquarters.

Since Park Yoo-geon's game became known, young developers had begun to flock to Shigeru.

"I want to participate in the development."

"Me too."

Shigeru's response was 'No.'

Of course.

If it were a game led by Nintendo, that would be one thing, but this was clearly the IP of a partner company.

Having main office employees work on a third-party game—how could that make any sense?

However, the developers' opinions also had some valid points.

"The team leader is a Nintendo employee but is helping out."

"If we join, wouldn't it reduce the team leader's burden?"

As things reached this point, even Shigeru had little left to say.

Considering the situation, a late-night meeting was called.

With the meeting underway, the developers voiced their opinions with even more enthusiasm.

"If we're doing this, I want to create something different. Not mass-produced stuff… but a challenging, experimental work…"

"If we didn't know about this project, it would be one thing, but now that we do… how can we hold back?"

Of course, the developers were aware of the practical issues.

After all, this was a company-to-company matter.

Perhaps that's why.

Someone representing one of the sides responded.

It was none other than Park Yoo-geon.

"I'm genuinely grateful for your interest. While your motivation may be a testament to your respect for Shigeru-san, whatever the reason, I remain thankful for your intentions."

Park Yoo-geon bowed to the developers and continued.

"Sending main office employees to assist a partner company… It's not impossible."

The solution Park Yoo-geon proposed was simple.

The most realistic condition, one that would satisfy Nintendo headquarters.

"If we receive help from the main office employees, how about adjusting the royalty percentage we pay to Nintendo upwards?"

The developers' faces showed a hint of concern about reduced profits.

"However, those deciding to join would have to move to Korea."

"…!"

"The school term is ending soon. It's not feasible to travel to Kyoto every day after school… and we can't communicate through phone calls every time…"

To continue making the game after school, it would be best for Nintendo's developers to move to Korea.

"If that's possible, I don't mind if our profits decrease a bit. We have to make sacrifices."

Maybe they hadn't anticipated this proposal.

"Uh… Is it safe? It's still a ceasefire country, you know."

"I'm more worried about it being a dictatorship…"

The developers began voicing their concerns one after another.

At this point, it seemed Shigeru had something to say.

"You heard him, right? Only those who can work in Korea should stay. Otherwise, we can't proceed."

Five minutes later.

Only two developers remained in the meeting room.

Shigeru soon turned to Park Yoo-geon.

"If you send two developers and receive more royalties… Headquarters would love that."

"…"

"Besides, one of them is a new hire who joined just two months ago, with no experience."

In other words, it seemed better to just forget the whole thing.

However, Park Yoo-geon wasn't ready to give up so easily.

He still needed people to work in Korea, after all.

"Could I see the profiles of the two developers?"

"Sorry?"

"I think I should discuss it with the Boss."

"At… at this hour?"

Shigeru, who had been questioning, quickly changed his mind.

They're talking about Boss Park Ji-hoon here.

If it's about work, he's the type to take calls with a smile, even at 4 a.m.…

"Please wait a moment. I'll prepare their profiles in English right away."

***

Ring ring ring!

As soon as I returned to the hotel room, the phone started ringing loudly.

What's this, at this hour?

When I picked up the receiver, I heard my brother's voice.

The situation was simple.

"So we might lose millions just to borrow two developers."

(We really need those developers.)

"Hmmm."

I thought it was too difficult to decide without more information.

(Well, I've got the profiles of the two developers. I'll tell you.)

My brother continued, sensing my hesitation.

(Natsume Eiji. He has some experience. He worked on the 'Super Mario' project. He's skilled in level design.)

If he was on the 'Super Mario' team, that means he was part of Shigeru's squad.

Okay, he's in.

(The second one is a rookie. His name is Kurosawa Takeshi, and he graduated with honors from the Tokyo University of the Arts, Fine Arts Department.)

"That's all?"

(Yeah, he's only been with the company for two months.)

It's hard to see how a university degree would help when he needs to be thrown into a live project immediately.

Based on his resume, he seems entirely useless.

However.

"What did you say his name was?"

(Kurosawa Takeshi.)

"Kurosawa Takeshi…"

I slowly chewed over the name my brother had given me.

Where had I heard that before?

I was sure it sounded familiar…

Unlike 'Ryunosuke,' his presence didn't suddenly pop up in my mind.

It was like there was a thick fog surrounding the name Kurosawa Takeshi.

"Hmmm."

I didn't think waiting around would clear that fog.

My decision didn't take long.

"Giving up a bit of royalty is no big deal."

(Really?)

It wouldn't matter much to me how much profit I made if I couldn't hit the 100 billion sales target.

And also.

'That name… I'm sure I've heard it before.'

Sure, if they're willing to come all the way to Korea to work.

It wouldn't be a huge loss to bet on it, like scratching a lottery ticket.

(Okay, I'll meet with headquarters tomorrow, and I'll get back to you with a decision.)

Somehow, without exchanging a single pleasantry, we ended the call after just talking business.

But why is that?

I found that fact quite pleasing.

Could it be that I now truly see my brother as a reliable partner?

Heh.

Anyway.

"Developers who will work with us in Korea…"

With the team almost assembled, it was about time to start preparing to return home.