On December 12, 1990, Onmyoji 2 was officially released.
At Pokeni, the atmosphere was tense, as if they were facing a major enemy. Everyone was on edge, fearing that Onmyoji 2 might suffer the same Waterloo as Elite Academy had.
Even Ayase Akane, the company's HR representative, felt a knot of anxiety as she observed the grave expressions on everyone's faces.
If the company really goes bankrupt, will I be able to find a new job easily?
Her gaze swept across the room, and in her eyes, each person had a number floating above their head.
For example, hardware engineer Senkawa Hiroichi had the number 500,000. This was his current monthly salary, a figure that represented the upper echelon of the Japanese gaming industry. Even within Nintendo, few could command such a salary.
For Ayase, salary was equivalent to each person's market value.
Then her gaze fell on Ishino Mika, who sat opposite Senkawa Hiroichi...
Ayase frowned.
Although Ishino's current salary was only 200,000 per month, her market value fluctuated wildly.
Having been the scriptwriter for a blockbuster like Onmyoji, her value should have skyrocketed.
However, after the catastrophic failures of Heart of the Sword and Elite Academy, her value had become uncertain.
Ayase Akane was constantly evaluating the value of each person in her mind primarily because, as an HR professional, her own worth was directly tied to the human capital she managed.
Hmm...
Still, the most valuable person in the company should be President Aoki Haruhi. After all, the art style of Onmyōji is truly outstanding, and he's quite well-known in the industry.
Although the President's ability to steer the overall direction of the game is somewhat inconsistent, he's actually quite a talented original artist.
And... it seems he also possesses considerable programming skills.
"If we could sell the President, I wonder what kind of salary someone would offer Aoki Haruhi?"
Just then, a hand appeared above her and slammed down, delivering a sharp chop to her head.
"Ouch~"
Ayase Akane cradled her head and turned around with a resentful look.
The moment she saw him, she flinched back like a startled kitten.
"Huh? President, when did you get here?"
"Hmm..."
Aoki Haruhi glared at her fiercely. "From the moment you started talking about selling the President."
"Huh?!"
Ayase Akane was startled. "Did I really say that?"
"I already told you. Don't you even remember what you said?" Aoki Haruhi glared at her coldly.
Huh?!
Ayase Akane guiltily avoided his gaze and took another step back.
Am I the type of person who talks to herself?
She fell silent for a moment, then looked up again. "But President, didn't you hear me praising you earlier?"
"Nope," Aoki Haruhi snorted coldly.
What?!
I actually didn't say something that important?!
"So, Ayase-san, stop slacking off and wasting time! What are you even thinking about all day?!" Aoki Haruhi raised his hand, ready to deliver a chop to her head.
Ayase Akane quickly covered her head with both hands and closed her eyes.
But...
The chop never came.
She peeked through a slit in her fingers and saw a pale hand appear before her eyes.
Pop!
Aoki Haruhi flicked her forehead.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch~"
Ayase Akane jumped up from the floor, clutching her head.
"You have to discipline disobedient little kittens by tapping their foreheads hard," Aoki Haruhi finally smiled. "Akane-chan, the company isn't going to collapse, so don't even think about selling me off."
Ugh, damn it.
This President!
He's got such a handsome face, but why does he always do such annoying things...
"President!"
Ayase Akane puffed out her small chest and glared back.
"Kongming's Art of War says, 'When the army moves, provisions must go first!' It means we need to plan ahead and prepare for the worst! Isn't that perfectly normal?"
"Kongming's Art of War your ass! It's Sun Tzu's Art of War, you idiot!" Aoki Haruhi was so amused by her audacity he nearly laughed.
Huh?
Ayase Akane paused, thinking to herself—
When did the president become so cultured?
"President!"
The 170cm woman refused to be intimidated. She straightened her flat chest and declared with righteous indignation:
"It's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations!"
Hmm?
Aoki Haruhi stared at her self-righteous demeanor, nearly driven to the brink of madness by this woman's nerve.
"Look..."
You're the one who made the mistake, yet you're so self-righteous? Unbelievable.
"President, Ayase-san, stop arguing," Akanishi Ken, the main programmer, interjected with a cheerful smile. "Instead of worrying here and doing nothing, why don't we all go for drinks tonight?"
Hmm?
Both Aoki Haruhi and Ayase Akane turned to him with surprised expressions.
"We weren't arguing."
They both looked at him innocently.
Yikes...
Akanishi Ken's heart tightened, and he quickly waved his hands. "No, uh, never mind. Forget I said anything."
After a two-second silence, Aoki Haruhi said seriously, "No, I think you're right. Instead of worrying here and doing nothing, let's all leave early today. My treat tonight—drinks for everyone!"
"Yes, please!"
Ayase Akane's face lit up with a radiant smile.
After work, Koze Furukawa dragged his weary body onto the train.
As he passed the familiar game store, he instinctively stopped.
There haven't been any good games lately. Should I go take a look?
Though his mind hesitated, his body moved on its own.
When he came to his senses, he was already inside the game store.
"Welcome!"
The Uncle Shopkeeper smiled warmly at Koze.
"Pokeni just released Onmyoji 2."
"Really?!" Koze Furukawa's spirits instantly lifted.
"Yes, it's on that shelf over there—second row from the left," the shopkeeper pointed.
Huh?
It's not in the corner this time?
Looks like the sequel got such good treatment thanks to the success of Onmyoji 1.
Koze instinctively walked toward the shelf, but hesitated at the last moment.
Pokeni's previous game, Elite Academy, wasn't really my cup of tea. I hope Onmyoji 2 hasn't abandoned the galgame elements, right?
If they have, I'd rather not buy it.
But the thought that Onmyoji 2 might contain important information about Asakura Haruka and Ling made him waver.
Maybe I should just take a look first.
Koze Furukawa approached the shelf and picked up the Onmyoji 2 game box.
His eyes scanned the packaging, and he finally relaxed.
A clear 16+ rating was clearly displayed on the box.
"Great!"
"Looks like Kogahara Tsubakiaki is back."
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