December 21, 1990.
Friday.
A reporter and photographer arrived at Pokeni Corporation.
The reporter's name was Katayama Reiko, from Fruitful Game Communication.
This magazine had only been established in April of that year, primarily targeting game enthusiasts. It was published weekly, featuring reviews and reports on new and popular games, accompanied by images and text.
Despite this, Guole Tong actually covered almost all types of games, with content that was quite eclectic.
There was no other choice. Compared to Famitsu, Guole Tong, as a newly established publication, was like a small ant before an elephant—utterly insignificant.
Small companies have their own ways of surviving. For example, Pokeni had successfully avoided the dominance of major corporations by focusing on innovative galgame titles, not only surviving but carving out a niche for itself.
Guole Tong likely operated similarly. While they also covered games reported by major magazines, their primary focus was on unearthing and publishing overlooked gems—forgotten masterpieces.
Calling them "treasure hunters" wouldn't be an exaggeration.
However, such games were truly scarce and generally niche, making Guole Tong's operational situation extremely precarious.
To survive in the competitive market, Guole Tong worked tirelessly. While Famitsu was a bi-weekly publication, Guole Tong was a weekly magazine, boasting a large volume of content, comprehensive information, and rapid updates—their key advantages.
The primary reason for this interview request was the phenomenal success of Onmyoji 2. The series had ignited the entire galgame market, becoming a true phenomenon.
Katayama Reiko wanted to delve deeper into the minds of the creators behind the scenes, which would also serve as valuable publicity for Pokeni.
For both Pokeni and Guole Tong, this was a mutually beneficial arrangement, so Aoki Haruhi had no reason to refuse.
To date, no media outlet had conducted a similar interview with the Onmyōji team. Perhaps this was because, despite Pokeni's two successful titles, they still had a way to go before joining the ranks of top-tier game developers.
After all, many major magazines don't come to you for interviews; you have to actively apply to be interviewed, since the resulting publicity boosts sales.
But Aoki Haruhi had always been swamped with work. Now that sales were booming, he had become more relaxed.
Guole Tong, sensing an opportunity, quickly seized the moment to schedule an interview with him.
Upon arriving at Pokeni, Katayama Reiko first introduced herself and exchanged greetings with the company's key personnel.
She was somewhat surprised by Aoki Haruhi's youth and good looks, and her heart rate quickened slightly as they spoke.
"President Qing, if I may be so bold, how old are you?"
"Twenty-six," Aoki Haruhi replied.
"Oh?" Katayama was momentarily taken aback, then nodded. "You're truly a young and accomplished president."
"Not at all," Aoki Haruhi waved his hand dismissively.
To be honest, Katayama had interviewed many company presidents before, but she had never encountered one as young as Aoki Haruhi.
Especially his handsome face, which inexplicably made her heart race.
Aoki Haruhi gave her a tour of the company's workspace, taking staged photos of employees at work along the way.
Though he tried his best, there wasn't much to see. Pokeni's total team size was only about twenty people, their desks crammed together in an open-plan space that could be taken in at a glance.
Even the president's private office could barely fit a single desk.
Compared to other companies, Pokeni seemed rather modest.
Fortunately, the employees' enthusiasm was high. The massive success of Onmyoji 2 felt like a major victory.
Knowing a reporter was coming, everyone had dressed up to the nines.
Even the company's two female employees, Ishino Mika and Ayase Akane, wore elaborate makeup.
Those who knew it was a game company might have thought they'd stumbled into a nightclub.
After filming short clips of the game's development process, taking photos of the original artwork, and capturing some candid shots of the staff at work, the group moved to a small conference room.
Here, Katayama Reiko would conduct an in-depth interview with Aoki Haruhi.
Of course, besides Aoki Haruhi, the two scriptwriters for Onmyōji were also present:
Ishino Mika and Urobuchi Gen.
These two newcomers were facing the camera for the first time, and their nervousness was palpable. They sat rigidly upright, their palms slick with sweat.
"The sales of Onmyoji 2 have been phenomenal. Many industry insiders believe the Onmyoji series has ushered in a new era for galgames.
Beyond the exquisite graphics and beloved character designs, the story itself has been particularly impressive."
Katayama turned her gaze to Ishino Mika. "I'd like to ask, Ishino-san, how did you come up with such a story?"
"Me?"
Ishino Mika froze, then glanced back at Aoki Haruhi.
This shy, quiet writer was normally as timid as a mouse when sober, the type who kept to herself and was small and delicate.
It was hard to imagine how she transformed after a few drinks.
Aoki Haruhi met her gaze with an encouraging look, his eyes conveying: Just go for it this time. I'll cover your back.
"Actually, it's not really my idea," Ishino Mika said earnestly. "It's more the President's contribution. He provided the core concept of the story, and I was the one who changed the original Chinese historical setting to the Onmyōji setting that everyone knows."
"The President's story concept is truly moving.
I just happened to be the one who wrote it down," Ishino Mika replied truthfully.
If there was anything in the entire game development process that was truly hers, it was the Onmyōji setting and the flowery, soulless prose.
The soul of the story came from Aoki Haruhi.
She had the privilege of being the first reader, or perhaps the first player, when the game was still in the proposal stage.
Even now, when she recalls it, the emotion she felt when Zhao Ling'er sacrificed herself still lingers in her heart.
Ishino Mika's answer left Katayama Reiko speechless.
She hadn't expected the scriptwriter to give the President so much credit.
She smiled faintly, praising her, "Ishino-san is truly... a remarkably humble person."
It's rare these days to find subordinates who don't boast about their achievements and instead attribute success to their superiors.
Ishino Mika's eyes flickered slightly, indicating that she was speaking the truth.
The interview lasted over three hours, leaving a lasting impression on Katayama.
Both scriptwriters were remarkably young, especially Urobuchi Gen, who was only 18 years old.
It was hard to imagine a mature and tightly plotted work like Onmyoji 2 coming from the hand of an 18-year-old.
This kid's future really was limitless.
As dinner time approached and the interview neared its end, Katayama said,
"Um... President, if it's convenient, we'd also like to conduct an exclusive interview with the producer, Teacher Kogahara Tsubakiaki."
This was actually Guole Tong's primary objective for this trip.
Producer Kogahara Tsubakiaki was an enigma. To this day, no one knew what he looked like.
Even at the player forum, Kogahara Tsubakiaki had been scheduled to attend but was absent for various reasons, leaving players intensely curious about his true identity.
If they could successfully interview Kogahara Tsubakiaki, it would undoubtedly secure Guole Tong an unparalleled exclusive scoop.
"Huh?!"
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