The first one to arrive was, as expected, Jo So-deok.
"What… what is all this, boss?"
Jo So-deok seemed overwhelmed by the sheer size of the cruise ship.
"I thought I wouldn't be surprised by anything anymore…"
"Are you amazed again?"
"Exactly. It was already bizarre enough landing on a ship by helicopter. And this… this is practically an aircraft carrier."
But who was Jo So-deok?
As if nothing had happened, he quickly adapted.
Before unpacking his things, he headed straight for the shower, and soon returned in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts!
"Even these days, when I can't sleep, I think of those times. When we traveled(?) around the U.S. and Japan with you, boss. It was tough, but it sure was fun."
"Now you'll be thinking of the Monaco coastline instead."
"Ka-ah!"
"Wanna go for a swim?"
"Of course!"
It was an outdoor pool.
The sunlight was perfect, and the breeze was blowing gently—truly a paradise on earth!
And off we went.
Splash!
We jumped right into the pool.
"This feels strange."
"Why?"
"It's a swimming pool on the sea, isn't it?"
Nod, nod.
"It just feels so surreal."
"That means you like it, right?"
"What's there to say? Heh heh."
Jo So-deok wasn't very skilled at swimming.
But he seemed comfortable enough floating on the water while gazing at the sky.
About ten minutes later, after enjoying the moment in the water, Jo So-deok spoke up.
"Boss, I really appreciated something back then."
"…?"
"On the day we returned from the U.S., when you got suits and shoes tailored for my kids. It felt truly special."
"That was nothing…"
"Nothing? Just because someone has money doesn't mean they take care of their people. There are plenty who think they can treat employees like slaves just because they pay them."
A chuckle.
"You remember all the hard work, and you take care of everyone individually. Honestly, I felt really proud."
"Why the sudden flattery…?"
"If not now, when else would I say it?"
Thinking about it, he had a point.
Come to think of it, I've been blessed with great people around me.
Working with those who remember and appreciate what they receive is truly a blessing.
It was then.
Whirr! Whirr!
'Huh?'
A loud noise began to sound from above, and light ripples started forming on the pool's surface.
As the sound got closer, the water in the pool began to ripple like waves.
Moments later, a helicopter landed, and Tennessee, dressed in full ultimate fashion from head to toe, appeared.
A man accompanying him gathered something and quietly followed behind.
"What's that?"
"Wine."
"Is the student going to drink?"
"Am I the one eating?"
Sure enough, Jo So-deok was already drooling.
When I glanced back, Henri Vuitton seemed to be in a similar state.
There were still more people yet to arrive.
"Please start first, Professor."
"Oh… is that okay?"
"Of course. There's plenty of alcohol."
I could understand why Jo So-deok bowed his head, but… why was Henri Vuitton following suit? Hmm.
Anyway!
After Tennessee, the veteran warriors began to join us.
Ultimate's Faber, Red Bull's Dmitri, Capsule Bread's Steve, and even Peter, the great creator of the ultimate car thief game!
It seemed like a lot of people had gathered already.
But maybe because the place was so spacious?
The atmosphere still felt a bit empty.
Finally, the last heavyweight guest stepped off the helicopter.
It was Devon, who had gone to the U.S.
"How did you get here so soon?"
"Don't even mention it."
"…?"
"The stubbornness of that pizza shop guy was something else. We had a huge fight on the way back."
I sent him to buy out a pizza shop, but instead…
No, more importantly.
"Someone dared to fight with you?"
"Who wouldn't fight with words?"
Still… if Devon's imposing presence was right in front of you… normally, you'd be too stunned to speak.
In any case, that pizza shop owner must be no ordinary person.
"So I'm just going to create my own recipe and open it myself."
"Excuse me?"
"Looking at it, it didn't seem that difficult."
"No matter what…"
"All you need is sincerity and a bit of flair."
"…"
"If you don't believe me, how about I make one now?"
I hadn't even answered yet.
The elders sipping wine immediately chimed in.
"Pizza sounds good."
"Let's have a pie."
Jo So-deok and Henri Vuitton already seemed like drinking buddies.
Faber and Dmitri didn't appear to enjoy drinking much.
But since it was extremely expensive wine, they seemed to be emptying their glasses one after another.
Anyway.
"If everyone wants it that badly, I'll show off my skills."
Devon soon turned to Steve and said.
"Follow me, kid."
"Excuse me?"
"You think I'm going to make it alone?"
"But we have professional chefs here… Why do you have to…"
"Shut up. Mine tastes better, so hurry up."
And so, after Steve was dragged away.
I was left with just Peter and Tennessee, away from the drinking crowd.
"Why does this taste so good?"
Peter, who seemed exhausted after just ten minutes of playing in the water, was now devouring lobster and mango with gusto.
"…"
Tennessee lay silently on a sunbed, staring at the sky.
Then suddenly, as if something came to mind, he turned to look at me.
"A portable… game console would be nice to have."
"It'll be released soon."
"Huh?"
"With specs similar to Family, Nintendo will be launching it."
"Really?"
Nod, nod.
"How do you know all that?"
"I asked."
"Asked who?"
Just then.
Tudududu.
As if responding to that question, a helicopter appeared.
"Was there someone else coming?"
Right?
I had only casually invited them.
I didn't expect they'd actually come.
"Who is it?"
"Look at the helicopter."
At that, Tennessee lifted his head.
In that moment.
"…!"
His eyes widened in shock.
"Is that Super Mario?"
"Yeah."
"No way."
The final guest for the cruise party.
As the helicopter landed, the man who stepped out was none other than Shigeru-san, the father of Super Mario.
"Wow—ah!"
Needless to say, game enthusiast Peter was ecstatic.
"…!"
Even Tennessee, who rarely showed emotion, seemed completely overwhelmed at this moment.
Shigeru looked at me and smiled brightly.
"Boss, how long has it been?"
"Right? It feels like it's been half a year already."
We first met when he was promoting Gorillong at a U.S. arcade.
Since then, I had developed the launch title for Super Family.
And Shigeru had become the lead developer at Nintendo.
"Actually, we were just talking about you, Shigeru-san."
"About me?"
"Yes. This friend mentioned wanting a portable game console."
Shigeru turned his gaze toward Tennessee.
"He's a new shareholder of JH."
"Ah, I see."
At my explanation, Shigeru's expression changed as he said.
"We're already working on a portable game console. We've delayed the launch to avoid overlapping with Super Family. But the testing is nearly complete. All that's left is to finalize the release date."
After saying that, Shigeru, as if recalling something, quickly pulled out a bag.
"Would you like to see it?"
At Shigeru's words, Tennessee's eyes lit up.
"If it's not too much trouble…"
"Trouble? If you're a shareholder of JH, you're practically family to us."
"Nintendo and… I… are family?"
"Did I go too far?"
"No!"
Shigeru handed the game console to Tennessee, who responded firmly.
It was called the 'Game Pocket.'
With current technology, it was an innovative console.
To my eyes, accustomed to smartphones, it looked like a mere brick…
But Tennessee and Peter's reactions were completely different.
"Wow—ah."
"Ooh, ooh!"
Their exclamations came out in perfect harmony, as if rehearsed.
At this moment, Tennessee seemed to have completely forgotten that he was a noble.
"Does it run on batteries?"
"Yes, at the back."
"What's the launch title…?"
"Turn it on, and you'll see."
Click.
As the power was turned on, a melodious sound played.
Then, like kids from the countryside visiting the city for the first time, they exclaimed in awe once more.
Shortly after, Mario's face appeared on the green screen.
"C-Can I try it?"
"Of course. Take your time playing and let us know what you think."
Tennessee soon looked back at Peter.
"Do you want to try it first?"
A question he didn't mean… Peter wasn't oblivious to that.
"No, you go ahead."
"W-Well… okay then."
Tennessee reluctantly pressed the button.
But once Mario started moving…
"…!"
He couldn't hide the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
'Does he really enjoy it that much?'
Smirk.
I turned to Shigeru and spoke.
"The screen looks sharper than I expected."
"Yes, we had quite a hard time with that."
"…?"
"When we first finished the product, the screen looked blurry from the sides. We had to talk to the supplier to switch to a green LCD…"
Recalling it seemed to give Shigeru chills as he shook his head.
In contrast.
Tennessee, who had no idea about the adults' struggles, was busy enthusiastically pressing the buttons!
After some time had passed.
"Shigeru-san, you haven't filmed a commercial yet, have you?"
"Excuse me?"
"For the Game Pocket."
"Oh, right. Not yet…"
"Then wouldn't this scene itself make a perfect commercial?"
"…?"
Even on this fully equipped cruise, the thought came to mind.
The ultimate form of relaxation—Game Pocket.
With Tennessee's bright, carefree expression added, it couldn't get any better for an advertisement.
'Wait… I came here to relax, and now I'm thinking about business again!'
I quickly shook my head to clear the thought.
***
Meanwhile, in Seoul, at Chairman Park's office.
"He bought a cruise?"
"Yes, and he's currently enjoying a party along the coast of Monaco…"
At the secretary chief's report, Chairman Park furrowed his brow.
"What are those boys doing over there?"
"Well, since Young Master is so focused on work, he shows no interest in women…"
"So, is he drinking himself silly?"
"Apparently not."
"…?"
"They say he's declined all drinking occasions, insisting that he wants to share his first drink with you, Chairman."
Hah!
How can someone… consistently choose only the most admirable actions from beginning to end!
Suppressing a laugh, Chairman Park asked in a deliberately stern tone.
"So, without even a drink, what is Ji-hoon doing over there?"
"Sunbathing… swimming when he gets hot… eating when he gets tired… napping when he feels sleepy… then back to sunbathing…"
"What on earth is he doing?"
"Well, he's been working so hard all this time, it seems he's finally taking a proper break."
"…"
"Chairman, perhaps this is a good opportunity for you to take a little break too…"
"Resting is for the weary. Why would I lie down when I'm still full of energy?"
Chairman Park's philosophy was simple.
When business is thriving, even thoughts of work bring a smile during sleep.
Rest?
Imagine a batter hitting a home run in every game.
Would playing two games a day tire him out?
He'd happily run out onto the field, eager to double his home run count.
"Ji-hoon must feel the same way."
"…!"
"He's finally hit his stride and is on track. Where's the time to rest?"
This was clearly something only a person with experience could say.
Perhaps sensing the chairman's good mood, the secretary chief asked with a half-smile.
"Then, have you ever been in a similar state, Chairman?"
"I've been like that my whole life."
Though it seemed like a joke…
"…"
His expression was so serious, not even a needle could slip through.
"When did you say Ji-hoon would be back?"
"He's expected to arrive in four days."
"Since it's been a while, I suppose I should prepare a gift."
"That's a wonderful idea…"
"Summon all the executives to be present when he arrives."
"Pardon?"
"A new engine for Hyungang has been developed. Wouldn't it be splendid to unveil it then?"