While delegating authority, Kobayashi Tetsu didn't just slack off entirely.
Three producers were sufficient for the two games, leaving Kobayashi Tetsu to oversee the overall direction.
He was preparing for this year's SF Convention, and this opportunity wasn't given lightly. If he didn't perform well, he might never get another chance to host it.
Despite its niche appeal, the SF Convention's scale and prestige gave it considerable influence.
According to the convention's rules, the host city or organization determines its name. For example, Daicon got its name that way.
If Atlas hosted, it would likely be called ATLCON, using the studio's initial.
But Kobayashi Tetsu found that uninspired. "Why not just call it KBYCON instead?"
What did KBY stand for?
KOBAYASHI!
In his office, Kobayashi Tetsu began drafting the KBYCON proposal.
Science fiction conventions naturally focused on sci-fi works, but sometimes incorporated fantasy elements as well. Yoshiki Tanaka's epic fantasy novels, for instance, had once won the Nebula Award.
"Who won the 1986 award? Rumiko Takahashi or Yoshiki Tanaka? I think both? Whatever, let's invite them both!"
Since he had plenty of money, Kobayashi Tetsu didn't care if the SF Convention made a profit. Making money from the convention was Okada Toshio's business; he just wanted to expand his influence through it.
Based on past SF Conventions, he could likely invite Akira Toriyama, Yoshiki Tanaka, or even Rumiko Takahashi. He could even approach people from Toho and Toei, as the Godzilla and Kamen Rider series held significant status at these events.
In fact, it could be said that Godzilla held an extraordinary position in Japan, serving as a foundational work in Japanese science fiction cinema.
He avoided contacting Tsuburaya because he found the current president, Tsuburaya Kou, to be a nuisance and didn't want to give him any money.
If he were to use Tsuburaya's image, he'd have to pay them. Rather than help Tsuburaya Kou buy a villa in Setagaya Ward, Kobayashi Tetsu would rather spend money inviting the original actors from Tsuburaya's classic works—at least some of them were worth the extra income.
As he wrote down the names of his acquaintances, Kobayashi Tetsu muttered to himself.
"There's an amazing party in September. Both Toho and Toei, who produced tokusatsu works, are invited. Who's not invited? You are!"
"Who's made Tetsu-kun angry this time?"
Hearing the sound, Kobayashi Tetsu looked up and saw Anegasaki Nene pushing the door open, carrying his lunch.
"Sister Nene," he said, setting down his pen and calling her by her preferred title. He would never use the formal "Ms. Sazaki" with her.
Anegasaki Nene unwrapped the bento box. Seeing that Kobayashi Tetsu seemed to tacitly approve, she leaned closer to look at what he was writing on the table.
"I'm preparing for this year's SF Convention," he explained. "I plan to invite some people and need to find someone to help with the preparations. Sister Nene, would you like to help me?"
Kobayashi Tetsu really needed a secretary! One who could crawl under the table.
As they talked, he picked up a small red sausage from the bento box with two fingers and began chewing. The knife work was excellent, sliced into octopus shapes—much better than Huang Mou's.
When he reached for another, Anegasaki Nene suddenly grabbed his hand.
"No," she said, shaking her head firmly. "Tetsu-kun, don't eat with your hands before washing them."
Kobayashi Tetsu tugged his fingers twice, but they didn't come free, so he let Anegasaki Nene keep holding his hand.
"Sometimes, Sister Nene, you're like a gentle mother," he said.
He could now say that famous line perfectly.
Anegasaki Nene could be the mother I never had!
"You're saying weird things again."
Anegasaki Nene tried to pull her hand away from Kobayashi Tetsu, but it was too late. He casually tightened his grip, trapping her hand.
Now it was her turn to be unable to pull away. With a soft sigh, she let him have his way.
A girl's hand is soft. As Tetsu rubbed her fingers, his gaze gradually rose to meet hers.
"Yeah... I've never actually experienced that," he said. "I never met my mother. Dad said she left right after I was born."
Tetsu had never met her. She was an American woman he'd never known. Judging by his appearance, she must have been quite attractive. According to Kobayashi Kentaro, she was his biological mother—the kind who gives birth but doesn't raise the child.
Anegasaki Nene fell silent, her gaze growing softer and more submissive.
The window was open, and the breeze made the blackout curtains sway, casting striped shadows on the floor. In the blink of an eye, it seemed, she had closed her eyes.
This wasn't a hint.
It was an explicit invitation.
Tetsu leaned forward slightly, and their lips met. Anegasaki Nene gripped his hand tightly, with a kind of desperate resolve.
When they parted, Tetsu let out a satisfied sigh.
Sweet.
Anegasaki Nene gasped for breath, calming herself as she looked at Kobayashi Tetsu.
"What about Koyakawa?"
Kobayashi Tetsu folded his hands and countered, "Sister Nene, why didn't you ask earlier? Now it might be too late."
"Tetsu-kun... I feel like I'm being greedy."
Still, as long as Koyakawa didn't find out, that was all that mattered.
She knew this was greedy and wrong, but it was also... so much fun.
So much fun.
It wasn't until someone knocked on the office door that Kobayashi Tetsu composed himself. A moment later, he said, "Come in."
The previous atmosphere seemed to have vanished. After serving the dishes, Anegasaki Nene sat on the other side of the room.
"President," Tsukasa Masuko entered and reported, "Well, actually, some friends of mine... they're interested in trying out at Atlas."
Kobayashi Tetsu seemed to understand.
Tsukasa Masuko's friends? Who was Tsukasa Masuko, anyway? A genuine producer at the real Atlas. Without Kobayashi Tetsu, Tsukasa Masuko would have founded the real Atlus Studio with his friends.
Then Tsukasa Masuko's friends were almost certainly the actual producers of Atlus.
"Bring them over when you have time. Speaking of which, I'm quite busy with preparations for the SF Convention. While I can't guarantee they'll be hired by Atlus, I can offer compensation for their help with this project."
Kobayashi Tetsu tapped lightly on the desk.
Preparing for the SF Convention was a crucial task, and Atlus was actually quite good at it.
You could sense Atlus's otaku spirit and unique flavor in their classic works like the Megami Tensei and Persona series.
Of course, that was primarily from Persona 3 onwards.
The first two Persona games were more serious, and Kobayashi Tetsu hadn't played them, only watched videos. He didn't get the campus vibe that started with the third installment.
Tsukasa Masuko hadn't expected Kobayashi Tetsu to say this. Even though it wasn't a full-time position at Atlus, he bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
"Thank you so much! I'll inform everyone tonight. Please don't worry, President. They're all talented individuals who have given considerable thought to game development. I'm sure they can become valuable assets!"
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