Chapter 39. What's That Even Supposed to Mean?
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Time had unknowingly already slipped into December.
In the early winter weather, light snow was falling from the sky.
At night in Tokyo, the city was shrouded in a misty haze dyed by neon lights, creating a surreal and dazzling sight, like a world straight out of a rainbow fairy tale.
However, hidden beneath those dazzling lights, beyond the colorful lifestyle, were also many adult services.
Especially in bustling areas like Kabukicho and Ginza, it was common to see customers going in and out of nightclubs and brothels, and quite a few women in cosplay standing by the roadside.
After the game development was completed, with experience from before, Kiyoshi Yuuma quickly asked Tsuda Nao to help arrange dinner meetings with distributors.
Last time, it was President Hattori Hiroyuki from Tojun who treated them. Somehow, over three months had already passed since then.
"This time, I'll be relying on all of you again. I hope you'll continue to support Pokeni and also support Onmyoji 2. This game is really excellent, and it's sure to be a big hit," Tsuda Nao said seriously.
"Of course, of course. Since President Tsuda says so, we'll definitely take it seriously," responded President Mouri.
In such a warm and lively setting, everyone was enjoying the conversation and felt embarrassed to refuse.
Besides, during the first Onmyoji, thanks to Tsuda Nao's recommendation, they had actually made quite a bit of profit.
Now that Onmyoji 2 was about to be released, naturally they had to give her some face.
Meanwhile, Hattori Hiroyuki sat silently to the side, smiling but saying nothing.
Last time, he had been thoroughly burned by Pokeni, and Prestigious Academy still had lots of unsold stock sitting around even now.
And now they were trying to do it again?
It all felt eerily familiar.
He couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
"If the game doesn't sell, will DUN still buy back the inventory like last time?" Hattori Hiroyuki asked with a stern face.
Though he seemed a bit stingy, that was just his nature. Businessmen are always more realistic when they're tight-fisted.
"Yes," Tsuda Nao replied with a smile, raising her glass. "DUN will still buy it back. So, why not place a bigger order this time?"
Heh...
Hattori Hiroyuki sneered inwardly. This woman really knew how to take advantage of a situation.
She made it so that if you refused, you'd seem petty.
"No problem," Hattori Hiroyuki replied bluntly.
…
After dinner, Hattori Hiroyuki sat in his car heading back home as usual.
The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror and hesitated for a while before asking, "President, you don't look very well today."
"Hmph."
Hattori Hiroyuki snorted coldly and didn't respond.
He opened the gift box that Tsuda Nao had given him. Inside was a stylish and fashionable necktie, along with a handwritten card.
It read:
[The glow of fireflies fades and returns, flickering within a mere foot's length. How unbearable is loneliness...
Tachibana Hokushi has not seen you for three days, yet the world is filled with cherry blossoms.]
The beautiful handwriting clearly showed Tsuda Nao's thoughtfulness.
Even though Hattori knew the reality wasn't so romantic, he still felt somewhat pleased.
"This woman is such a fox, really knows how to charm people," Hattori Hiroyuki muttered, frowning.
But whenever he thought about Prestigious Academy, he couldn't let go of his dislike for Kiyoshi Yuuma.
Especially that young president, who, despite seeming open and forthright during dinner, clearly had a mutual understanding with Tsuda Nao. Anyone could see it.
He felt a subtle sense of envy.
What annoyed him more was that Tsuda Nao always stood up for Kiyoshi Yuuma.
"The gift didn't really make you happy though, did it, President?" the driver asked.
"It's because I received a gift that I'm not happy," Hattori Hiroyuki said.
His gaze fell on the Onmyoji 2 game cartridge case beside him, and his frown deepened.
"Stop here for a bit."
"Yes, sir." The driver pulled the car over.
"Hmph, how foolish. Do they think I'll make the same mistake twice?"
Hattori Hiroyuki picked up the cartridge, glanced at it, and tossed it into a roadside trash bin.
…
After sending off a few distributors, Kiyoshi Yuuma turned around and looked at Tsuda Nao behind him.
The cold wind was slightly chilly.
Today, Tsuda Nao was wearing a white high-necked thick sweater, paired with a black pleated skirt and nude-colored tights.
Even though the tights were thick, her legs still looked long and straight.
Over that, she wore a dark navy woolen coat, and her cheeks were tinged with a beautiful rosy pink.
Just looking at her made one want to steal a kiss.
Kiyoshi Yuuma gave her a once-over from head to toe and still couldn't figure out—how do girls in Japan wear skirts all year round?
"Yes, please," he said.
He tilted his head slightly and extended his right hand to her.
The two of them stood beautifully in the cold wind, yet there was an inexplicable warmth rising between them.
Passersby couldn't help but turn their heads for another look.
The two of them looked too good together.
Tsuda Nao shot him an annoyed glance but couldn't help smiling as she placed her hand in his.
Although they weren't boyfriend and girlfriend, their movements felt smooth and natural.
Kiyoshi Yuuma had no inner resistance at all as he held Tsuda Nao's hand and walked toward where she lived.
After crossing the traffic light, they came to a long uphill slope.
The cherry blossom trees on either side had already shed their petals, leaving only a light dusting of snow on the branches.
Although it wasn't as dazzling as the cherry blossoms, it gave off a gentle beauty unique to a winter night.
Perhaps it was because—
Cherry blossom trees themselves evoke a sense of graceful restraint.
After a while, in the quiet snowy night...
"Nervous?" Tsuda Nao asked softly.
"Hm?" Kiyoshi Yuuma was momentarily stunned, then realized she was asking about the launch of Onmyoji 2.
"To say I'm not nervous would be a lie," Kiyoshi Yuuma said, his expression heavy.
This was a game that couldn't afford to fail.
During this period, Kiyoshi Yuuma had been under tremendous pressure.
The game hadn't earned any money yet, and each month they kept burning cash. When hardware needed upgrades, they had to buy new computers and other equipment like cartridge burners... All of it added up to significant costs.
In the second half of the year, Nintendo had released its new SFC (Super Famicom) console. But Pokeni didn't have the time or resources to develop a new game for the SFC, which supported 256 colors, far superior to the FC's 13 colors.
Everything had been going against them.
If only Nintendo had launched the SFC earlier, maybe Onmyoji 2 could have performed even better.
But time simply hadn't given them the chance.
"Still, I've already done my best. What happens from here doesn't matter anymore," Kiyoshi Yuuma said.
"Is that so?" Tsuda Nao nodded with a smile. "That's good, then."
...
When they arrived at Tsuda Nao's apartment building, the two shared a long kiss for several minutes before Tsuda Nao finally pushed Kiyoshi Yuuma's body away with some force.
She gave a slight nod, then said goodnight and walked toward the apartment entrance.
Just before entering, she turned around and smiled, saying: "I am having my period today."
Then she left without looking back, leaving Kiyoshi Yuuma completely dumbfounded.
"Huh?"
Period?
What's that even supposed to mean?
...
Standing there for a moment, Kiyoshi Yuuma suddenly widened his eyes in realization.
"You're on your period and still drank alcohol?"