Chapter 28. I'm Not [Tsubaki Furuhara] at All
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After finalizing the project decisions, the only thing left was the intense development phase.
Thanks to the massive success of the previous game Onmyoji, Kiyoshi Yuuma gave all employees five days of paid leave so they could recharge and return in top form.
Although the company's situation had eased somewhat, the two upcoming battles wouldn't be easy.
…
July 4th, 1990.
Pokeni held a small player discussion forum for Onmyoji, with 100 seats available at the venue.
The forum was something Kiyoshi Yuuma personally requested.
The main goal was to build a closer connection with players and, more importantly, understand their thoughts on the game.
In his past life, Guo Weiwei, the chief planner of Jianwang 3 in China, was fond of interacting with players in this way.
The benefits?
First, it showed the development team valued the players.
Second, it demonstrated the team's approachability.
Third, it helped build Guo Weiwei's personal brand—just like the way Japanese producers build their own public profiles.
In China, many games are far more well-known than their creators. Only titles like The Legend of Sword and Fairy or Jianwang 3 actively market the personal value of the creators.
Kiyoshi Yuuma wasn't trying to market himself, but while the iron was hot, promoting Pokeni's company brand felt necessary.
Besides, he had also invited Tsuda Nao, President of DUN, with a clear purpose—
To prove to her that the unprecedented success of Onmyoji was not because it was a galgame, but because it was an RPG with an excellent storyline.
…
"Do you really need to prove that to me?" Tsuda Nao rolled her eyes.
"Of course," Kiyoshi Yuuma said smugly. "What I want to tell President Tsuda is that sex may be a primal human drive, but we have aspirations far greater than that."
For example, Onmyoji conveys themes like sacrifice and salvation—things far more profound than sex.
"Alright, alright, you're right."
Tsuda Nao smiled casually.
…
Unlike attending formal meetings or social events, both Tsuda Nao and Kiyoshi Yuuma dressed casually today.
Casual didn't mean sloppy—just comfortable attire.
Kiyoshi Yuuma wore a black T-shirt and jeans, his well-toned arms clearly visible, giving off a masculine charm.
Tsuda Nao wore a ruffled light blouse and long black silk pants, paired with low-heeled sandals that revealed her fair, slender arms and ankles, giving her a refined, intellectual beauty.
Though the forum hadn't started yet, the players who came today were brimming with enthusiasm and had already gathered in the hall.
Many were already passionately discussing Onmyoji.
When Kiyoshi Yuuma and Tsuda Nao arrived at the venue, the atmosphere was electric.
Before announcing his identity, Kiyoshi Yuuma pulled Tsuda Nao into the crowd and sat among the players, pretending to be one of them, eager to hear what people were really talking about.
…
"This is my first time attending a game forum like this."
"Same here. No other company's ever done one like this. Or maybe I just never paid attention before."
"Yeah. It's mainly because Onmyoji means so much to players like us."
They all exchanged smiles, recognizing each other as kindred spirits.
"I play a lot of galgames, but none have ever moved me like this one."
"Me too."
"If I missed Pokeni's player forum today, I'd regret it for life."
"Mm-hmm~ I get it. This game is just that special. Play it once, and you'll never forget it."
"You're right. The heroines are so beautiful, and the ending was incredibly emotional. You really can't call this just a galgame."
At that, Kiyoshi Yuuma raised his eyebrows at Tsuda Nao—See?
Tsuda winked and nodded slightly—You're absolutely right.
…
"But still, the romance elements were really well done too. It's the first galgame that made my heart race like that."
"Eh? Same here."
Everyone chuckled softly.
"I thought Onihime was already amazing, but once I met Yuuki Rei, Kurai Tsuki, and Fuune Rin—I realized those girls are the definition of ideal."
"I'll always love Rei."
"Me too."
"That scene of Rei bathing in the lake… absolutely stunning."
…
The players began excitedly discussing again.
Tsuda Nao turned her head slightly and raised an eyebrow at Kiyoshi Yuuma, as if to say, Well?
Kiyoshi Yuuma merely curled his lips noncommittally.
That part, romancing the girls, was just garnish—or perhaps more accurately, a marketing hook.
"Even without the romance elements, this game is still outstanding, don't you think?" he suddenly interjected. "In Onmyoji, the main story, the battles, the partings and reunions between life and death—those are far more important than just chasing girls, right?"
Everyone turned their heads to look at this player who had joined midway.
He claimed to be a player, but his looks and fashion were clearly worlds apart from your average hardcore otaku.
He's so good-looking—surely he's got tons of girls after him in real life?
How is he even into galgames like us?
But…
One middle-aged married man nodded in agreement, clearly resonating with Kiyoshi Yuuma.
Even after marriage, a man needs his own hobbies and space, and playing an occasional porn game isn't such a bad thing.
"Well~ you say that, but without the galgame elements, something would feel missing."
"Yeah, I honestly can't imagine this game without being a galgame. Maybe it's just that my impression was set from the beginning?"
"Exactly, exactly. Honestly, if Onmyoji wasn't an 18+ galgame, I probably wouldn't have bought it at all."
Hearing that, Tsuda Nao was laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.
"Or maybe it's just that Pokeni did such a great job, so the integration felt so seamless and natural that it made the romance feel like an essential part of the game," Kiyoshi Yuuma said with a smile.
Tch!
A disdainful side-eye came from Tsuda Nao.
That was clearly a leading question. And who praises their own work so shamelessly without even blushing?
"But anyway," someone said, "I came to this forum not just because I love Onmyoji, but more importantly, I wanted to find out who the game's producer really is."
"Right, me too."
"I heard his name is Tsubaki Furuhara, right?"
"Yeah, that old bastard Furuhara. After playing the game, I really wanted to strangle him."
"Hahaha, same here."
"The scene where Rei dies completely stunned me. I was in total shock. I seriously felt like I could kill someone. I wanted to grab Tsubaki Furuhara by the collar and scream, 'Why would you do this?!'"
"Yeah, that old bastard Furuhara—the hatred for killing my wife is irreconcilable!"
…
Kiyoshi Yuuma felt a chill run down his spine.
Next to him, Tsuda Nao was covering her mouth, laughing so hard she was nearly sick.
"Ahh, I can't take it anymore, my stomach hurts," Tsuda said, waving her hand.
Then, Kiyoshi Yuuma glanced over to the name placard prepared for him on the guest table—it had [Tsubaki Furuhara] written in big bold letters.
Crap!
He quickly stood up and walked over to Ayase Akane, who was busy organizing the venue.
"Akane-chan, hurry up and swap out the name card that says 'Tsubaki Furuhara' in the center for 'Kiyoshi Yuuma,'" he whispered in her ear.
"Eh?" Ayase Akane blinked, a bit surprised. She hadn't expected the President to have the guts to face the players directly.
She thought he'd hide behind the alias [Tsubaki Furuhara] for life.
"Got it, I'll take care of it," Ayase Akane replied with a small bow and a smile.
"But President," she added playfully, "can you please hire a proper secretary already? I'm obviously in HR—why am I always stuck doing secretarial work?"