`.Talk about perfect timing."
Tetsu Fuyukawa stuffed the parking ticket under the fuel gauge, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement.
In the passenger seat, Himawari Izumi buckled her seatbelt, hugging her pale legs to her chest. Her slightly flushed face broke into a cheeky grin. "Trying to do something naughty, huh? The heavens will punish you, old man."
"Punish my ass," Tetsu shot back, rolling his eyes. If the heavens really favored pure-hearted guys, he wouldn't be the one who'd crossed into this world.
The flirty vibe in the car had fizzled out, and he didn't push it, starting the engine and pulling away from the curb. What he didn't notice was Himawari, hands around her knees, staring out at the vibrant night scenery flashing by. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes a swirl of sweetness, conflict, and pain.
He's Sayoko's man. What was I doing just now?
It's Sayoko. I can't compete with her.
From now on… let's just keep things like they were before I got in the car. Being able to tease him a bit should be enough, right?
Recalling the fleeting sweetness and then thinking of Tetsu and Sayoko's bond, a heavy hand seemed to grip Himawari's heart. It took a long moment before she let out a soft sigh.
No further than this, Himawari.
---
The production cycle for Surrounded by Beauties was short, but the workload was intense, so the entire Lightbird Studio got a well-earned break of a week or two.
Nice.
Tetsu was ambitious, but he wasn't a masochist. He knew the value of work-life balance.
So, after picking up Himawari that day, his pace slowed down. Mornings started with a jog, followed by some cozy time with Sayoko in the bathtub or on the couch, lingering until ten when they'd head upstairs to work on Fate.
Fate was a small-scale galgame, centered on story and visuals.
The story? No changes needed—Tetsu just copied it straight from the source. As for the art?
Maybe it was the growing sweetness in their lives, or her deepening trust and reliance on him, but Sayoko, having found her emotional anchor, was drawing better than ever. The funny thing? After buying a stack of 18+ doujinshi at TGS, her aesthetic had… shifted. Her characters didn't show anything explicit, but they radiated a sultry vibe.
Hard to say if that was good or bad, but Tetsu didn't correct her. This wasn't the early 2000s when Fate/stay night first launched. The market had evolved, and so had user tastes. Forcing Sayoko to stick to the old "Takeuchi face" style made no sense.
With the story solid and the art on point, Fate's production was cruising. But Tetsu wasn't in a rush.
The issue was NTsoft.
Though it wasn't explicitly in the contract, NTsoft didn't allow employees to create games on the side in their free time. Get caught, and you're fired.
Tetsu still needed NTsoft's deep pockets to build his reputation. Even if he finished Fate early, he couldn't release it yet. Everything hinged on completing Sekiro to make a name for himself.
No need to hurry, then. But while he was fine taking it slow, Sayoko was in for a ride.
It was their first long break since meeting, and with Himawari back at school, they had plenty of alone time.
The balcony while airing out bedding, the kitchen while frying eggs, the bathtub at dusk, the quiet courtyard on Monday mornings, the epic showdown at the front door when the delivery guy showed up—over a few days, Tetsu's stamina and energy left Sayoko both smitten and a little intimidated. But her body was honest, craving more, molding perfectly to him.
Of course, they didn't spend all their time tangled up.
Surrounded by Beauties had earned Tetsu a hundred million yen bonus. A hefty sum, but peanuts compared to what he'd need for Elden Ring. Plus, Sekiro itself would cost over a hundred million yen worth of points to unlock.
No point overthinking it. He took Sayoko to a car show.
Honestly, he wasn't picky about cars—just a means to get around. But the black Volkswagen was feeling a bit cramped for… certain activities.
Under the enthusiastic pitch of a saleswoman, he didn't overthink it and picked a black BMW X5. He wasn't a car nerd; after setting a budget, he went for reliable classics like BMW or Audi.
Bought and driven off the lot the same day. The saleswoman was practically beaming, showering Sayoko with compliments like, "Ma'am, you've got yourself a great husband!" and "Your man's got it together!" Sayoko's face turned beet red, and when Tetsu didn't correct her and instead got even more affectionate, her smile grew brighter.
The result? A shiny new black BMW, rocking suspiciously up and down by the riverside.
After the "battle," they swung by to pick up Himawari from school.
Ever since Tetsu dominated at Tokiwadai's basketball court, trouncing Haruyama and leaving with Himawari in his arms, he'd become a bit of a celebrity there. Not the good kind, though. The gatekeeper gave him a wary, thief-watching glare, which left him speechless.
In this calm, leisurely rhythm, a week flew by.
---
Monday morning.
Outside, birds chirped. In the hallway, the soft pat-pat of Himawari's stocking-clad feet echoed on the wooden floor.
"Mmm, Himawari's up. I'll go make breakfast," Sayoko mumbled.
In the dim bedroom, dressed in a sheer white nightgown, Sayoko lifted her head from Tetsu's chest. Glancing at the time, she kissed his cheek—his hand shading his eyes—and started to get up. But before she could, Tetsu pulled her back onto him.
Thud.
He slid her soft, smooth body up slightly, kissed her forehead, then let his hands wander down to her "peaches," grinning sleepily. "Let her make her own breakfast. Stay and sleep with me a bit longer—"
His phone buzzed, cutting him off.
Glancing at the caller ID, Sayoko pouted, her plush thighs squeezing him playfully. Sitting up like a duck, she tied her hair back with a scrunchie, her soft black locks cascading. "Looks like it's not just me who's not sleeping in."
"Hm?"
Light streamed into the room, highlighting her curves.
Admiring the view, Tetsu grabbed his phone, froze for a second, then smirked.
"Finally."
[Caller: Miyabi Miyano]
---
"Good morning, Manager Fuyukawa."
"Miss Kurai, you're full of energy today."
"Oh, you're too kind, Manager~"
At 8:40 AM, after a week without wearing a suit, Tetsu strode into NTsoft's lobby in a sharp outfit, looking refreshed.
It was peak commute time, the lobby buzzing with hurried colleagues. As Tetsu approached the elevator, everyone nodded in greeting, their eyes brimming with curiosity, excitement, and anticipation.
Lightbird Studio was still on break.
This week was their vacation, yet here was Tetsu, showing up at the company!
It had to be for the new project, Sekiro.
A multi-million-dollar production—who wouldn't want in? If it flopped, small fries like them wouldn't take the blame. But if it succeeded? A shining resume boost and a fat bonus!
Plus, even if the project wasn't greenlit, the company wouldn't let Tetsu keep coasting with a four-person studio. Lightbird was bound to expand!
The excitement was palpable, but no one dared speak. Then, as the elevator arrived, a sharp click-clack of heels and the receptionist's greeting cut through the air. "Good morning, Director Miyano."
Everyone turned. Miyabi Miyano, in a sleek black OL uniform, her makeup subtle yet striking, strode toward the elevator in razor-sharp heels.
"Good morning, Director!"
"You look stunning as always, Director!"
"Congrats, Director~~"
Whoosh—
As Miyabi approached, the crowd parted like the Red Sea, bowing in unison. Her face remained cool and haughty, offering only a slight nod in return. She glanced at Tetsu, then walked straight into the open elevator.
No one else dared step in, but Tetsu, unfazed, followed her. As the doors closed, the lobby let out a collective breath.
"Man, Director Miyano's aura is even stronger now. I could barely breathe!"
"No kidding. She's got the ARPG [Entry Permission] now—she's ready to make waves. But… damn, did her 'peaches' get perkier? Is it the white stockings?"
"Probably. Those white stockings are sinfully hot! Wonder which guy's gonna tame her one day. A thorny rose like that—conquering her would be the ultimate thrill!"
"Forget it. I've never seen her smile at a guy."
"Well, I heard when Fuyukawa went after Yamanaka, she was acting like his secretary. You think in the elevator they're…"
"No way, that's just rumors. A woman like her? No chance a young guy like Fuyukawa could handle her. The elevator? Dream on!"
---
"So, you're only calling me now about this?"
In the elevator, watching the floor numbers tick up, Tetsu glanced at Miyabi, his expression calm but his brow slightly furrowed.
"Don't give me that look!" Miyabi snapped, her cool gaze tinged with guilt. "I didn't expect Chairman Tsume to suddenly—hiss—what are you doing?!"
Her eyes, still icy but with a hint of unease, widened as Tetsu's hand found her 93cm "peach"—not as soft as Sayoko's but perkier.
He gave it a firm squeeze.
A jolt like electricity shot through her. In an elevator, with the doors liable to open any second!
Miyabi grabbed his arm, her eyes locked on the doors, fury in her gaze—but beneath it, a spark of intense excitement.
"You're asking what I'm doing?" Tetsu said, unfazed by her grip, his hand kneading harder as he grinned. "I'm not blaming you, but mistakes come with consequences. We agreed to keep each other in the loop, yet Chairman Tsume pulling his support at the board meeting? You took two days to tell me. So, what kind of punishment do you want?"
He slipped one hand into his pocket, leaning in to inhale the fragrance at her neck. "And don't tell me you forgot our little bet."
The bet.
The maid outfit housekeeper!
Her mind flashed to the delivery box that arrived at her place yesterday. Feeling the firm grip on her "peach," its shape shifting under his touch, and staring at the elevator doors about to open, Miyabi's pupils shook. Her eyes burned with embarrassment, but this time, the thrill overpowered it.
Her lips parted, about to speak, when the elevator doors slid open.
The hallway was packed with bustling staff. As the pressure behind her eased, a flicker of relief—and deeper disappointment—crossed her eyes.
Without hesitation, she slapped away Tetsu's now-loosened hand, smoothed her wavy hair, and stepped out in her sharp heels. "This is complicated. Let's talk in your office. As for the rest… we'll talk there too."
No downer plot twists, no shifting to pure romance.
Our motto? Not a single one left behind~