Due to the intense workload, Aoki Haruhi collapsed in early February.
It was already flu season, and his overwork had weakened his immune system, leading to a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius.
If his brain hadn't been completely foggy, he would have tried to struggle through and keep working.
With no other choice, Aoki Haruhi had to call Akanishi Ken and tell him he couldn't come in, asking him to handle the work arrangements temporarily.
Akanishi Ken was one of the company's founding members, having joined when it was first established. He was also Aoki Haruhi's senior, making him a highly reliable contact.
"It's alright. Just focus on resting," Akanishi Ken said before hanging up the phone.
Lying in his apartment, Aoki Haruhi felt the light in the room was dim.
Between sleep and wakefulness, his entire body was soaked.
At this moment, Aoki Haruhi felt a sudden sense of unreality.
Everything that happened in Japan seemed like a dream, utterly unreal.
He could even see the faint, firefly-like glow in the darkness.
If I die alone at home...
Would I cross over again?
Just as Aoki Haruhi was thinking this, a knock came from outside the door.
Struggling to support himself, he opened the door to find Tsuda Nao standing there.
Seeing his exhausted appearance, Tsuda frowned in exasperation.
"How can you keep going like this?"
"I have no choice."
Aoki Haruhi turned around, moving like an eighty-year-old man, and shuffled slowly toward his bed.
"The company has finally gotten back on track. How can we not work harder? Our employees need to eat."
Aoki Haruhi was undoubtedly the backbone and soul of Pokeni. Without his involvement, the game couldn't reach its ideal quality.
"But..."
Tsuda Nao stared at his back, wanting to scold him, but ultimately held her tongue.
After Aoki Haruhi burrowed back under the covers, he felt a chill run through his entire body.
Tsuda came over and touched his forehead, finding it burning hot.
"Have you taken your medicine?"
"Mm," Aoki Haruhi nodded.
"Then rest well. I'll make you something to eat."
Tsuda Nao swiftly put on her apron, entered the kitchen, and rummaged through the refrigerator, finding potatoes, tomatoes, and some vegetables.
Perfect for making a hearty vegetable soup—just what a sick person needed.
Chop, chop, chop...
Hearing the sound of chopping vegetables from the kitchen, Aoki Haruhi wrapped himself tighter in the quilt and smiled contentedly.
Hmm...
Having a woman at home was definitely nice.
And Tsuda, who appeared so cold and career-focused on the outside, actually knew how to cook. He'd never imagined that.
She's almost too perfect.
After finishing the vegetable soup, Tsuda helped Aoki Haruhi sit up and began feeding him with a spoon.
After two sips, he felt a wave of sweat break out across his body.
The pain seemed to have subsided somewhat.
"Ah, having you here really makes me feel blessed," Aoki Haruhi sighed.
Tsuda Nao raised an eyebrow, rolling her eyes before scooping another spoonful of soup and bringing it to his lips.
Gulp.
He swallowed.
"Don't misunderstand," Tsuda said, lowering her gaze slightly as she continued feeding him. "I'm only with you because I like you. But things like 'As my girlfriend, please invest in me' or 'As my girlfriend, please use DUN to promote Pokeni'... I would never do such things."
"Yes, you're right," Aoki Haruhi nodded. "What a stingy thing you are. Besides, I'm not the type of man who relies on women for a living anyway."
Just give me time, and I'll earn far more than you ever will.
Tsuda Nao rolled her eyes again.
"Eat something and rest properly. Sometimes you need to spend money to make money. Those few yen aren't worth pinching over."
Aoki Haruhi clicked his tongue. "You think they're not worth much because DUN has so much money. Small companies like ours can't compare."
Tsuda carefully tended to her for a while before leaving.
Aoki Haruhi didn't want her to stay, fearing she might catch the flu.
After all, although his illness was the result of overwork, it was clearly the flu.
That night, Aoki Haruhi had a series of hazy, strange dreams.
He dreamed of his twin girlfriends from his past life.
He dreamed of those love affairs that ended without ever truly beginning.
When he woke up, he still felt deeply moved.
The next morning, Aoki Haruhi stretched his limbs and felt a sense of refreshing ease.
Over the next two months, project progress was remarkably smooth.
By March, The Mermaid's Heart was already 80% complete.
However, Yokoyama, the artist in charge of The Mermaid's Heart, was on the verge of a breakdown.
"President, this is unbearable! What kind of twisted game is this?"
"Ever since I started working on this, I've been having nightmares at home. I wake up crying. Can't you get Gen Urobuchi to revise the script?"
"Just think about it—I have to draw battle scenes filled with suspense and terror, while also being asked to depict the purest, flawless girl. No one can handle this kind of extreme juxtaposition!"
"He's driving me insane!"
Seeing Yokoyama's frantic state, Aoki Haruhi couldn't help but find it amusing.
This is exactly what we need! The Mermaid's Heart is going to be a hit!
"What about Mikami Shinji?" Aoki Haruhi asked.
Yokoyama froze, his expression twisting into even greater anguish, his entire being crumbling further.
"Don't even mention that rookie planner Mikami! He doesn't understand a thing, yet his demands are sky-high. He's practically in league with Gen Urobuchi."
"Mikami insists that our illustration of Suzune must capture both the innocence of a young girl and a fierce, intimidating presence."
Yokoyama spread his hands in despair. "How is this even possible?"
"Moreover, Mikami is obsessed with creating a more suspenseful atmosphere. He keeps demanding more destructive power and greater impact."
Yokoyama clutched his head, recalling the recent events. It felt like he was living in hell.
"I'm completely losing my mind. Can such a game even be made?"
Seeing him in this state, Aoki Haruhi couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for a few seconds.
However, sympathy aside, the project had to continue.
"Yokoyama, here's what you'll do: just follow their instructions for now. If the project fails, I'll personally teach them a harsh lesson."
"Huh?" Yokoyama froze, startled.
So the President meant to keep going with this? Without any changes? Just indulge Gen Urobuchi and Mikami Shinji like this?
"Furthermore, Yokoyama," Aoki Haruhi continued, "I have complete faith in your exceptional talent. You can definitely draw a character who is both fierce and innocent."
"Huh?!"
Yokoyama's eyes widened.
While being praised for his talent was flattering, something about this felt distinctly off.
Wait a minute...
He suddenly remembered that this project had been approved by the President himself.
You three are clearly in cahoots, aren't you?
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 20+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon