After the meeting ended, Ichin headed over to the development team working on Monster Train.
Ever since shifting his main focus to Tales of Berseria, he had asked Narumi Tsubame to supervise things here, keeping an eye on programming progress and results.
After several years, Narumi had already grown into a seasoned game programmer. Leading this relatively new team was no problem for her.
Moreover, she had previously participated in some of the follow up development for Slay the Spire, so she was more than familiar with card based roguelike systems.
Monster Train's development was progressing smoothly as well. At the current pace, it would not even need to wait until November. It could likely be released around October.
As a small scale roguelike card game, Monster Train would not have a physical edition this time. They only planned to launch a digital version, which meant fewer preparations before release.
Once Tales of Berseria was completed and Monster Train wrapped up, a slight redistribution of staff would allow the two development teams to begin work on Bloodborne and Salt and Sanctuary.
If they managed to recruit a few more capable newcomers over the next few months, they might even form a third team and start developing Phasmophobia in parallel.
Then next year, Salt and Sanctuary could be released, and Phasmophobia would most likely make it out by the end of the year. The year after that, Bloodborne could launch, along with the second installment of the GARO game that was currently under discussion.
Just imagining it felt wonderful.
By the afternoon, Ichin finished his work at four sharp. After tidying up and informing Umiko, he left the company and drove off to pick up Utaha.
He had been to Utaha's office many times before, just as Akane Kōsaka had often visited his own company. The place was very familiar to him.
After arriving at the office building and parking his car, Ichin took the elevator straight up to her floor.
The receptionist at the entrance recognized him. Knowing he was there to pick up Utaha, she let him in without any registration.
Utaha had already finished her work and was leisurely drinking tea in the company lobby, chatting with Akane.
The moment she saw Ichin, a bright smile appeared on her face. She stood up and ran over, wrapping her arms around his.
"Ichin, that was quick."
"I left right at four, of course it was quick. We still need to buy groceries."
Smiling, Ichin gently pinched her cheek before turning to Akane.
"Miss Kōsaka, how has the company been lately? It's been a while since we last met."
"Quite well," Akane replied with a smile. "Game sales have been good, and we've also taken on some outsourcing work. Operations are perfectly stable. But compared to your side, Ichin-kun, we simply can't match the output. The difference in scale is still too large."
Over the past six months, her company had released two games, one action RPG and one small scale roguelike adventure title. While neither had become a massive hit, sales were solid. The company was gradually expanding, everything proceeding according to Akane Kōsaka's plans.
Hearing her words, confidence showed on Ichin's face.
"Then you'd better work hard. In another year or two, you might not be able to catch up to my pace at all. If things don't go well, I might consider acquiring your company."
"Oh? Setting your sights on my company?" Akane did not seem offended. In any industry, it was normal for bigger fish to swallow smaller ones.
"If we truly can't keep up, we can certainly sit down and discuss it. But for now, I'm still quite confident."
"As long as you're confident, that's good. Utaha is collaborating with you after all, and I do hope your games become big hits. We won't chat any longer today. We still need to buy groceries and head home to cook. Miss Kōsaka, come visit our new house when you have time. See you."
"See you."
After sending Ichin and Utaha into the elevator, the female assistant beside Akane softly asked, "President, can we really catch up to their strength?"
"Well, I don't know," Akane replied with a faint smile. "There's no need to draw conclusions so early. Having a powerful rival isn't a bad thing. Let's go. After finishing the outsourcing project, it's time to start the next plan."
After three ordinary days passed, Saturday finally arrived. It was the day Ichin's parents were coming to Tokyo.
Although their flight was at one in the afternoon, everyone in the house woke up early. Even Haruno, who loved sleeping in on weekends, got up at eight sharp and went downstairs to the gym to work out.
After coming out of the gym, Haruno said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I saw Uncle and Auntie. Since we're picking them up at the airport, I have to let them see me at my most energetic. They've always treated me so well. By the way, Ichin, have you planned where to take them these next few days?"
"Not really," Ichin said thoughtfully. "As for Tokyo, we've already been to most of the fun places. And they've traveled around Kyoto on their own before."
"How about Chiba?"
"Chiba?"
Ichin looked over to see Haruno standing there with her hands on her hips, looking rather proud.
"Let's not even talk about other places. I'm very familiar with Chiba. There are plenty of fun spots. I can be your tour guide. We can leave tomorrow and spend two or three days there with no problem."
At that moment, Yukino came out of the kitchen carrying breakfast. Having heard everything, she immediately exposed her sister's true intention.
"Big Sis, you just want an excuse not to go to work, right?"
"Oh my, don't expose me so quickly. Anyway, there isn't that much work these days. Taking two days off is no problem. Besides, everything for my trip to Shanghai afterward has already been arranged. Mother has agreed. Two extra days won't make a difference."
"Hmm… Chiba does sound like a good idea."
Ichin unexpectedly found Haruno's suggestion appealing. Besides sightseeing in Chiba, they could also visit the Yukinoshita household. During a previous phone call, his mother had mentioned wanting to visit them. She had kept in contact with Yukino and Haruno's mother, and their relationship was even closer than the younger generation had imagined.
"Alright, we'll follow your arrangements, Haruno-nee. But let's eat breakfast first."
As they started eating, Haruno was already holding her phone in her other hand, making arrangements in advance.
After resting and making preparations at home in the morning, they set out for the airport in two cars in the afternoon.
The plane was slightly delayed, but at three thirty, it finally landed.
After waiting another ten or so minutes, Ichin finally saw his parents emerging from the arrival gate, pulling their luggage behind them.
----
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