Chapter 26. There is No Way Next Game Will Fail
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"Well then, I'll be counting on you from now on." Hattori Hiroyuki raised his glass with a smile.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Kiyoshi Yuuma and Tsuda Nao clinked glasses with him, producing a crisp ding.
Hattori Hiroyuki had completely changed his previously cold demeanor. Not only did he treat them to dinner, but he was also unusually enthusiastic. During the meal, he even proposed reordering 20,000 more copies of Onmyoji from Pokeni.
One had to admit—his ability to change faces was nothing short of remarkable.
Kiyoshi Yuuma couldn't help but admire President Hattori's thick skin.
…
After bidding farewell to Hattori Hiroyuki that evening, Kiyoshi Yuuma, familiar with the route, sent Tsuda Nao home.
Though it was "sent," they were just walking.
After all, Tsuda lived close to the restaurant where they had dinner.
The night breeze was gentle as the two walked, one behind the other.
Tsuda Nao carried her high heels in one hand, wearing a white gauzy long dress. Her back was a blend of innocence and allure.
Between her elegant shoulder blades was her smooth, delicate back, swaying under the moonlight.
Seeing her like this, Kiyoshi Yuuma couldn't help but think of the final scene from Operation Love where Nagasawa Masami walked along the beach.
Sometimes, just seeing a beautiful woman could fill one's heart with a sense of infinite beauty.
For a moment, Kiyoshi Yuuma felt a strong sense of attraction.
But—
He frowned slightly.
A fox like Tsuda might seem wonderful from afar, but once you got close, she was all thorns—and you might end up the one getting hurt.
Thinking of that, Tsuda Nao walking ahead didn't seem quite so lovely anymore.
"President Hattori really is thick-skinned," Kiyoshi Yuuma commented as he followed behind her.
But then again, it didn't really matter—he was riding high in life right now.
For businesspeople, there was no such thing as eternal grudges—only shared interests.
"That's just how he is. Or rather, that's how most people are, driven by profit," Tsuda said with a smile.
"Are you like that too, President Tsuda?" Kiyoshi Yuuma asked casually.
Tsuda suddenly stopped and turned around.
Kiyoshi Yuuma was momentarily stunned.
"Yes." Tsuda Nao brushed her wind-tousled hair behind her ear, her eyes full of amusement as she looked at him.
"I am too."
Kiyoshi Yuuma froze for a second, unsure if she was serious.
But thinking it over carefully, she might just be someone who fully embodied that principle—and the realization left him a bit cold.
The next second, however, Tsuda suddenly tossed aside her high heels, walked up, and cupped Kiyoshi Yuuma's face in her hands.
"Mm…"
Tsuda Nao once again caught him off guard.
Huh?
Why "again"?
Kiyoshi Yuuma licked his lips, finding them incredibly soft.
And so, he instinctively tightened his arms around Tsuda Nao.
After a while, the two pulled apart.
Kiyoshi Yuuma pointed to his lips, grinning mischievously. "Is this also profit-driven?"
"Yes," Tsuda laughed. "Entirely profit-driven. Please don't misunderstand."
"In that case, I'd like a little more."
As he spoke, Kiyoshi Yuuma gently tugged her arm and pulled Tsuda Nao back into his embrace.
The two stood there in the wind, kissing deeply.
…
"Let's call it a night."
Tsuda Nao gently pushed away Kiyoshi Yuuma, then slipped her heels back on.
"Huh? You're still not planning to let me go up?" Kiyoshi Yuuma lifted his hand, pointing toward Tsuda's apartment not far away.
"That's right." Tsuda Nao grinned slyly. "I have absolutely no intention of inviting the President up."
"Ah... what a shame." Kiyoshi Yuuma frowned.
This fox really knew how to tease—fanning the flames only to walk away and leave him hanging. How frustrating.
"But," Tsuda said as she walked over and linked arms with him, "you can walk me to the door."
The two of them leaned against each other as they walked up the slope.
The night wind gently blew. The bright moon looked like silver sand.
Their shadows stretched long across the ground, swaying among the tree silhouettes.
In such a summer night, accompanied by the chorus of cicadas, the world felt even more peaceful.
"By the way, now that Onmyoji is doing so well, you should have enough profit to develop the next game, right? Any plans?" Tsuda Nao asked.
As of now, Onmyoji had already sold over 80,000 copies. Pokeni's total revenue had reached an astonishing 320 million yen. Even after taxes and splitting revenue with DUN, Pokeni still had close to 100 million yen left.
In 1990, that kind of money was more than enough to fund the development of a new game.
As long as they didn't dive into so-called AAA productions, Kiyoshi Yuuma felt downright wealthy.
And thanks to Pokeni, DUN had also made a hefty return on their investment this time.
"Plans?" Kiyoshi Yuuma thought for a moment, then smiled. "Of course, I plan to go ashore."
"Go ashore?" Tsuda tilted her head and looked at him in confusion.
"Yep." Kiyoshi Yuuma nodded with a grin. "I don't want to make galgames anymore in the future."
"Eh?" Tsuda looked slightly shocked. "You're going to waste such a rare talent?"
"..." Kiyoshi Yuuma was speechless.
Who praises someone by saying their talent lies in making galgames?
Besides, Onmyoji's success wasn't even about the galgame aspect, alright?
If it weren't for our solid storyline and combat system, we would've never made it this far.
Why can't this woman understand that by now?
"My talent isn't in making galgames," he replied. "You might not understand, President Tsuda, but I can be said to be omnipotent in making games."
Having insight into how the game industry would evolve over the next few decades, Kiyoshi Yuuma felt there was no way he could fail again.
In fact, he had already started planning what kind of game he wanted to make next.
After all, galgames were just too niche.
Kiyoshi Yuuma's ambition went far beyond that.
"Ah~ what a pity," Tsuda Nao said, dragging her words, looking at him with mild dissatisfaction. "I was hoping we could cooperate again in the future."
"Cooperation is not a problem," Kiyoshi Yuuma said with a smile. "But not on a galgame."
Since he had already made enough money, it was time to shake off the galgame label. If he stayed in the genre too long, it'd be hard to break away later.
"Then there's no point in cooperation," Tsuda Nao replied, surprisingly blunt.
Kiyoshi Yuuma: "..."
"But…" Tsuda released his arm, took two steps forward, then turned around right at the apartment entrance, smiling sweetly at him.
"President Kiyoshi, if you ever need funding again, be sure to contact DUN."
"Hey! Don't just go around setting up flags like that, President Tsuda!" Kiyoshi Yuuma said.
Tsuda Nao was momentarily stunned.
"Flag? You're really interesting, President Kiyoshi."
"Well then, good night." With that, Tsuda Nao turned and entered the apartment building.
Watching her solitary, elegant figure disappear into the entrance, Kiyoshi Yuuma clicked his tongue.
"Don't worry, I definitely won't make the same mistake again."
"There is no reason for the next game to fail."