Time slipped away unnoticed, and it was already December.
The early winter air carried a light snowfall, and Tokyo at night was bathed in a hazy glow from neon lights, creating a bizarre yet dazzling spectacle that resembled a rainbow-hued fairy tale world.
Yet beneath these dazzling lights, alongside vibrant city life, lay a thriving world of adult entertainment.
In bustling districts like Kabukicho and Ginza, patrons frequently entered and exited nightclubs and sex establishments, while young women in cosplay costumes stood along the streets.
Having gained experience from their previous game, Aoki Haruhi quickly asked Tsuda Nao to join him in treating distributors to dinner.
The last time, it was Dongrun President Hattori Yuji who had treated them. In the blink of an eye, more than three months had passed.
"We're counting on everyone's continued support this time," Tsuda Nao said earnestly. "We hope you'll keep supporting Pokeni and Onmyoji 2. This game is truly exceptional; it's bound to be a massive hit."
"Absolutely, absolutely. If President Tsuda says so, we'll definitely take it seriously," President Mori replied.
In such a lively and festive atmosphere, it was hard to refuse their request.
Besides, the previous Onmyoji release had been a great success, largely thanks to Tsuda Nao's recommendation, and everyone had made a considerable profit.
Since Onmyoji 2 was about to be released, it seemed only right to show some respect.
Hattori Yuji stood by, smiling silently.
Last time, they'd been burned by Pokeni, and Elite Academy still had a large inventory that hadn't sold out.
Was this going to happen all over again?
The scene felt eerily familiar, almost disorienting.
"If it doesn't sell, will DUN buy back the remaining stock again?" Hattori Yuji asked, his expression stern.
Though it might seem stingy, he was just being practical. A businessman should always be a bit frugal.
"Yes," Tsuda Nao replied with a smile, raising her wine glass. "DUN will still buy back the stock. In that case, why not order a bit more?"
Heh...
Hattori Yuji thought to himself, This woman really knows how to climb the ladder.
She's making it seem petty if I refuse.
"No problem," Hattori Yuji answered readily.
After dinner, Hattori Yuji still boarded the car to return home.
The driver glanced at him in the rearview mirror, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "President, you don't look well today."
"Hmph."
Hattori Yuji snorted coldly, offering no response.
He unwrapped the gift box Tsuda Nao had given him. Inside lay a stylish tie, currently the height of fashion, along with a card.
It read:
[ The intermittent light of fireflies, flickering on and off within a foot's span—how can one endure such loneliness? ]
[ Three days have passed since Tachibana Hokushi's disappearance, yet the world remains full of cherry blossoms. ]
The elegant handwriting revealed Tsuda Nao's thoughtfulness.
Though Hattori knew the reality was far from this, the gesture still warmed his heart.
"That woman is truly a fox, skilled at winning hearts," Hattori Yuji frowned.
However, the moment he thought about Elite Academy, he couldn't help but set aside his aversion to Aoki Haruhi.
Especially the young president. Though he appeared composed at the dinner, the unspoken understanding between him and Tsuda was obvious to anyone with eyes.
He felt an indescribable envy.
What made Hattori Yuji even more furious was that Tsuda Nao constantly defended Aoki Haruhi.
"But you don't seem very happy about receiving the gift, President?" the driver asked.
"Exactly. It's because I received the gift that I'm not happy," Hattori Yuji replied.
His gaze fell on the Onmyoji 2 game cartridge box beside him, his frown deepening.
"Stop here for a moment."
"Yes, sir." The driver brought the car to a halt.
"Hmph, how foolish. Did he really think I'd fall for the same trick twice?"
Hattori Yuji picked up the cartridge, glanced at it, and tossed it into a roadside trash can.
After seeing off the distributors, Aoki Haruhi turned to look at Tsuda Nao behind him.
The cold wind was slightly chilly.
Tsuda was wearing a white turtleneck sweater today, with the same black pleated skirt and nude pantyhose as usual.
Even though the pantyhose were thick, they still made her legs look straight and slender.
She had a navy blue wool coat over her sweater,
and her cheeks were a pretty pink.
It made people want to kiss her.
Aoki Haruhi looked her up and down, still unable to understand why Japanese girls wore skirts year-round.
"Yes, please."
He turned his head slightly and offered her his right hand.
The two stood in the cold wind, yet an inexplicable warmth seemed to surround them.
Passersby couldn't help but turn to look.
This pair was truly striking.
Tsuda Nao shot him an exasperated glance before smiling and placing her hand in his.
Though not a couple, their movements were fluid and natural.
Aoki Haruhi felt no hesitation as he led Tsuda in the direction of her home.
After crossing the traffic light, they began walking up a long slope.
The cherry blossom trees on either side had already shed their petals, with only a few snowflakes resting on their branches. Though not as dazzling as the blossoms, they possessed a unique, gentle beauty that belonged to winter nights.
Perhaps because—
Cherry trees inherently possess a delicate and graceful quality, don't they?
After a while, in the quiet, snowy night,
"Are you nervous?" Tsuda Nao asked softly.
"Hmm?" Aoki Haruhi was momentarily taken aback, then realized she was likely asking about the release of Onmyoji 2.
"To say I'm not nervous would be a lie," Aoki Haruhi replied with a somber expression.
This was a game he couldn't afford to fail.
Over the past few months, Aoki Haruhi had been under immense pressure.
The game wasn't making money, and he was constantly spending money each month. When equipment needed upgrading, he had to purchase new computers, hardware, and cartridge burners—each adding to the expenses.
That year, Nintendo also released the new SFC console.
But Pokeni simply didn't have time to develop new games for the SFC (Super Famicom, supporting 256 colors, a significant improvement over the FC's 13 colors).
Everything was going wrong.
If Nintendo had released the SFC earlier, Onmyoji 2 might have been even better.
But time had given him no such opportunity.
"But still, I've done my best. The rest doesn't really matter," Aoki Haruhi said.
"I see," Tsuda Nao nodded with a smile. "That's good to hear."
After walking Tsuda Nao to the base of her apartment building, they shared a long kiss that lasted several minutes. Tsuda Nao suddenly pushed Aoki Haruhi away with all her might.
She nodded slightly and said goodnight before turning toward the apartment entrance.
Just as she was about to go inside, she glanced back and smiled.
"I got my period today."
With that, she left without looking back, leaving Aoki Haruhi stunned.
"Huh?"
Her period?
What did that even mean?
After a moment's pause, Aoki Haruhi suddenly opened his eyes as if struck by a revelation.
"You drank alcohol while on your period?"
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