After arranging all the preparatory work for the MD-compatible computer project, Nakayama Takuya felt a wave of relief.
Tense nerves needed adjustment, and nothing was more healing than seeing a brilliant idea turn into reality from a sheet of paper.
He turned on his heel and headed straight toward the Third Development Division.
Before he even stepped inside, he could already hear lively 8-bit music and occasional exclamations from within.
As he pushed open the door, a wave of intense energy greeted him. The walls were covered with sketches of pink, blue, and yellow round creatures. A graphics designer was adjusting the pixel edges of a character on the screen with great focus, muttering to herself, "No, this part needs to be bouncier!"
"Executive Director!" Shimizu, the team leader, noticed Takuya immediately and quickly stood up.
"No need to be tense, I'm just taking a look." Takuya waved casually, though his attention was already drawn to a monitor connected to a development kit.
On the screen, a round little creature was hopping through a brightly colored stage.
It opened its mouth and inhaled sharply—an equally round little enemy was instantly sucked in, making Kirby's cheeks bulge into a comical arc.
"Pop!"
The enemy turned into a plump star, fired like a cannonball and knocking down another enemy.
"Feels good," Takuya commented with genuine interest. "The feedback on inhaling and spitting is excellent."
"Hah! We kept tweaking the screen shake and sound effects for the inhale. We wanted to make it feel like a powerful vacuum cleaner." Shimizu introduced proudly. "Here, look at this."
He grabbed the controller and made Kirby swallow a fire-themed enemy.
A flash enveloped Kirby, and a flame-shaped tuft sprouted on his head. Pressing the attack button made a plume of fire burst from Kirby's mouth.
"You already finished the fire-breathing ability?" Takuya was surprised. It hadn't even been that long.
"The artists and programmers are extremely motivated. They said this mechanic is too fun and couldn't resist working overtime to implement it." Shimizu scratched his head, unable to hide his pride. "Everyone felt just inhaling and spitting was too simple. Copy abilities are the real core fun. So they insisted on adding fire-breath even in the first demo."
Takuya looked at the fire-spewing rice-ball-like creature on the screen and nodded with satisfaction.
This was exactly what he wanted—an idea that ignited the team's passion.
"Good. Keep this momentum going." His gaze swept across the room full of focused, excited faces. "And remember—keep the difficulty low. Even girls playing for the first time must find it easy to enjoy. We're not targeting hardcore players—our goal is casual players."
"Understood!" Shimizu nodded firmly. "We're adding hidden elements for experts, but the main route will be very friendly."
"By the way—" As Takuya turned to leave, something on the wall caught his eye. He pointed at a sketch of a blue, round, penguin-like character wearing a crown and holding a giant hammer. "This one is an enemy too?"
Shimizu froze, then quickly explained, "Ah, the level designer drew that on his own. He wanted a clumsy but villainous king as the final boss of Dream Land. I haven't reported it to you yet—"
"Interesting idea." Takuya's lips lifted subtly. "I like it. Let him go ahead with it."
Leaving those words behind, he walked out of the Third Development Division amid the thoughtful gazes of Shimizu and the team.
Back in his office, Takuya's mood was as bright as the sky outside.
The progress and atmosphere surrounding Kirby of the Stars reassured him.
A good idea was like a stone thrown into water—ripples spreading outward, invigorating everyone involved.
Just as he was savoring the satisfaction of creating something classic, his pager buzzed in his pocket.
Seeing the caller ID—his family's phone number—made the corner of his mouth twitch.
He took a deep breath, picked up the phone, and dialed home.
"Takuya! Are you still at the company?" His mother's voice burst through the receiver—strong, energetic, and impossible to refuse.
"Yes, Mother, I'm still here."
"Good! Listen, Eri's mother and I just discussed it. Your engagement ceremony will be on the fifteenth of next month—an auspicious day. Perfect for everything!"
There it was.
Takuya rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"I've already faxed the engagement gift list to your office. You must go to Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi tomorrow and prepare everything on that list. Do you hear me? This concerns the honor of the Nakayama family!"
"Yes, yes, I know." Takuya sounded practiced in the art of placating her.
Arguing with this overwhelmingly energetic, hands-on mother of his was utterly pointless.
After hanging up, he let out a long sigh. The grandeur he had just displayed evaporated instantly, replaced by mundane reality.
But when he thought about his fiancée mentioned in the call, his expression softened.
She had finished filming in China and returned to Tokyo.
Without thinking, he picked up his phone again and dialed Eri's number at Tokyo TV.
After a few rings, a warm, slightly amused voice answered.
"Takuya? You actually had time to call today? I thought Executive Nakayama was so busy he'd forgotten he had a fiancée waiting in Tokyo."
"How could I?" Takuya leaned back in his chair, relaxing instantly. "I was afraid the food across the sea might lure you away, so I called to make sure."
"I almost got lured away, you know." Eri chuckled gently.
"Is your work going smoothly?" he asked.
"Very. I saw so many new things." She paused, then sighed with a hint of helpless humor. "But honestly, being back feels more tiring than filming abroad."
Takuya instantly understood, sighing in perfect sympathy. "You noticed too?"
"Yes." Eri's reply held the same helplessness. "My mom has been dragging me around every day—kimonos, jewelry, etiquette. She keeps reminding me the Nakayama family is prestigious, so the engagement gifts must be perfect. I feel like a doll."
"You have it easy," Takuya countered. "My mom called me three times today. She even seriously asked if giving you the newest GAMEPOCKET would be appropriate as part of the engagement gifts—with the excuse that it would let you get familiar with our core industry. I told her I'd already given you one, so she finally dropped it."
"Pff—" Eri burst out laughing.
That laugh alone wiped away Takuya's fatigue.
"It seems our mothers have secretly formed a 'Marriage Promotion Committee' and reached perfect agreement," Takuya joked.
Their shared complaints filled the air with warmth and ease. Their families—especially their mothers—being so passionate about the marriage seemed to draw Takuya and Eri even closer together, as if by natural progression.
"Oh, by the way," Eri added, "Mom said the engagement date is set for next month."
"I got the same message. Looks like our lives are fully scheduled by now. Let them have their fun."
Takuya's tone was full of fond indulgence. "Think of it as giving them the best project of their lives—let them enjoy planning it."
This was the relationship he wanted—not passively following, but actively creating happiness for someone precious.
Eri was silent for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"I knew you'd say that."
"The engagement list is already sitting in my fax machine. My mom told me to buy everything tomorrow at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi."
"Want to go together tomorrow? Before they completely schedule our lives for us, we should at least have our own date."
"Sure." Eri's voice lit up with joy.
After hanging up, Takuya was still smiling.
The next day, he arrived ten minutes early.
Instead of waiting in the car, he leaned against the door, standing before the grand Western-style façade of the Mitsukoshi Department Store, holding a bouquet of champagne-pink roses.
Passersby glanced curiously—wondering what young gentleman was waiting for his princess.
Soon, a graceful silhouette appeared at the corner of the street.
Eri wore an off-white dress with a light brown coat draped over it. Her long hair fell loosely, her makeup minimal yet stunning.
Seeing Takuya—and the bouquet—her steps grew lighter.
"I thought you'd come exactly on time," she teased, her eyes sparkling.
"Just ten minutes early."
Takuya handed her the flowers.
"They're beautiful. Thank you." Eri inhaled their scent softly, a gentle blush blooming across her cheeks—happiness impossible to hide.
They walked in together, heading straight to the engagement-gift counter.
Takuya spread the long faxed list across the counter, and the saleslady's professional smile faltered.
"Your mother's handwriting is as bold as ever," Eri remarked with a laugh.
"I think it looks more like a battle strategy." Takuya shook the thick sheet. "This volume… definitely an order from the 'Marriage Promotion Committee.'"
Eri giggled.
"Dried bonito flakes... dried squid... kombu… and this—yanagizuru sake barrel?" Takuya stared, bewildered. "Are we getting engaged or setting sail on a voyage?"
"My mom marked it specifically. The barrel must be made of paulownia wood—to symbolize preserving the bride-price with care," Eri explained seriously, barely holding back laughter.
"All right, then let's get the most expensive one." Takuya waved to the saleslady. "Make sure the directors are satisfied. And this—two white fans."
"I finally understand," Takuya said as gift boxes piled up. "Our mothers aren't planning an engagement. They're organizing a grand product launch."
"And we're the main products," Eri replied with a playful blink.
With the saleslady assisting, the buying process went unexpectedly smoothly.
From the expensive lacquerware box to the white hemp string symbolizing lifelong harmony, to the sake and sea bream for Eri's parents—everything was checked off one by one.
Takuya paid swiftly and decisively, making Eri momentarily dazed.
This man who had joked with her on the phone, complaining about their mothers, suddenly reverted to the calm and reliable Executive Nakayama while handling business.
The contrast made her heart flutter.
The gifts were packaged and loaded into the trunk by store staff.
"All right, mission accomplished!" Takuya clapped his hands and turned to her with a light smile. "Now it's time for our date."
"As you command," Eri saluted playfully.
They didn't take the car. Hand in hand, they walked through Nihonbashi.
Soon they turned into Ningyocho.
The atmosphere there was nothing like the luxury of Mitsukoshi—much more like the warm, everyday life of Edo carried into the present.
"This is it—Amazake Yokocho."
Eri's eyes lit up like a child discovering treasure.
Old-fashioned shops lined the street, food aromas drifting everywhere.
Takuya stopped at a tamagoyaki shop.
"Two skewers, please."
The warm egg rolls were brushed with sweet sauce, soft and fragrant.
Eri took a small bite and closed her eyes in bliss.
"So good!"
Seeing her delighted expression, Takuya smiled even more softly.
They walked and ate along the street.
Fresh ningyoyaki with hot red-bean filling.
Senbei grilled over charcoal, fragrant and crisp.
A warm cup of amazake, sweet and comforting.
Eri held flowers in one hand and snacks in the other, looking like a happy little squirrel—dropping her producer composure completely.
In this moment, they weren't the Nakayama heir or a Tokyo TV producer.
They were just two people in love, enjoying a simple date.
Sunlight fell through the eaves, blending their shadows together.
"Takuya," Eri suddenly said, stopping to look up at him. "I think… being arranged by our moms is actually kind of nice."
"Oh?"
"Because—" She rose on her toes and quickly kissed his cheek, then stepped back like a startled deer, cheeks bright red.
"Because this way… I get to be with you sooner."
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