The sales performance of "The Witcher" was far better than expected, and as the producer, Shinji Mikami finally gained recognition from both industry insiders and players.
This battle had been truly difficult for Mikami, especially in the early stages, when he had once doubted himself.
He questioned whether he possessed the ability to be a competent producer, after all, he had only been in the gaming industry for two years.
However, looking back on it now, those moments of anxiety seemed to have turned into an interesting memory.
"Diablo" had given him a lot of training.
The President had also given him a lot of encouragement.
By now, Mikami felt more and more that Aoki Haruhi was like a bright light in the dark night to him, or rather, a "master" figure.
Not only did he teach him much about game design, but he was always there to provide emotional support and guidance whenever Mikami felt low.
In particular, the gratitude Mikami felt for Aoki's recognition and trust was something he would never forget for the rest of his life.
Shinji Mikami secretly vowed to himself.
In his lifetime, he would never leave Pokeni, and he must repay the President with even better works and achievements.
In his lifetime, he would never leave Pokeni, and he had to repay the President with even better works and achievements.
So, after the sales of "The Witcher" stabilized, he eagerly grabbed Gen Urobuchi to find Aoki Haruhi and discuss the development of their next project.
"President, now that 'The Witcher' has reached a milestone, could we consider developing a new game?" Mikami Shinji asked tentatively.
Aoki Haruhi was stunned for a moment, then looked at him with a smile in his eyes.
Tsk tsk, he's like a man possessed.
In this world, success is the mother of success; it's hard to find the seeds of success in failure. Only when you've accomplished something do you know which direction is the right one to take.
Mikami Shinji was clearly in a state of being emboldened by [success] right now.
Good sales figures are more effective than ten thousand words of encouragement.
Therefore, a good leader, no matter how amiable they are or how grandly they boast, is a failed leader if they cannot achieve results.
"What do you think? Do you have any ideas yet?" Aoki Haruhi asked tentatively.
Mikami Shinji and Gen Urobuchi exchanged glances, and responded:
"Hmm, why don't we continue developing The Witcher?" Mikami said seriously. "The gameplay has already been validated, which shows that players actually quite like this style. If there aren't any major issues, we should strike while the iron is hot and while there are no competitors, and develop a sequel to The Witcher."
"What about a proposal?" Aoki frowned and asked. "I feel that with the current story, it's very difficult to make a sequel."
The Witcher had the conflict between humans and the Blood Tribe as its core, and by the end of the game, the five different endings had effectively blocked the path for any sequels.
If they really wanted to make a sequel, they should have left some wiggle room, like in Diablo, for instance by having the protagonist be corrupted, which could then serve as a catalyst for the next game.
As it stands, in all of the endings, Sisyphus's mission is already complete.
Extending it further would be quite difficult.
"Isn't there the throne plot?" Gen Urobuchi said, "Sisyphus sits on the throne, then history repeats itself, and he becomes the new ruler. Couldn't we just have another overthrow of tyranny in the sequel?"
Aoki Haruhi shook his head, "That would be repeating Diablo II."
Diablo is sealed by the hero with his own body, but the hero then becomes the new demon in the second game...
This cycle is the core progression of Diablo, repeating over and over. Reusing this as a selling point for The Witcher would easily cause aesthetic fatigue for players, and they might even think Pokeni is cutting corners.
The reputation would definitely be affected.
"Hmm... indeed..."
Mikami Shinji and Gen Urobuchi fell into deep thought.
"If that's the case, then although we could develop a sequel, all the characters and plot of The Witcher 2 would actually have to be untethered from the first game. It would be equivalent to an independent story, and even the world background would have to be changed."
Wada rested his chin in his hand, also feeling it was quite tricky.
Aoki Haruhi laughed. "No need to be so anxious. Wait until you've thought it through before you decide. You, and Wada-san as well, don't spend all your time on work."
He paused here, feeling that these words sounded a bit strange coming from the "President."
It didn't sound like a proper capitalist at all.
"When you have time, go out for a walk, gather inspiration, adjust your mood, recharge your batteries, and then set off again. It will actually be twice the result for half the effort."
"Recharge?" Mikami Shinji asked, somewhat puzzled.
Oh, he forgot that smartphones didn't exist yet.
"Just like the Sega PG (new handheld console), you need to charge it when the battery runs out," Aoki Haruhi finally found a way to circle back.
"Keep it up!"
He clenched his fist in encouragement.
"Then, President, why don't we go on a trip together somewhere?" Gen Urobuchi said earnestly.
Since it was suggested by the President, he thought it sounded pretty good. If he could travel with the President, he could learn even more new things.
Kogahara Tsubakiaki was not only Mikami's mentor, but also Gen Urobuchi's.
"Eh?"
Aoki Haruhi was stunned for a moment; it seemed he hadn't expected a guy like Wada to invite him.
Why would you drag a man along for a trip?
There's no saving these two.
"Haven't you two thought about asking some girls to go with you?"
Aoki Haruhi said, "Sorry, Wada-kun, I've already made plans to go to Hokkaido with my girlfriend. I'm afraid I can't join you two.
Mikami, Wada, you could ask the girls you like to go to the beach instead.
Good luck."
With that, Aoki Haruhi chuckled and ushered the two of them out of his office.
Just as they walked out the door of the president's office, Gen Urobuchi and Shinji Mikami looked at each other, both looking completely bewildered.
"Damn it! We got shown up by the president!"
"Ah... I feel like I've taken 10,000 points of critical damage to my heart!"
"Damn it all! I want to fall in love too!"
***
"Damn, I got shown up by the president!"
"Ah~ I feel like my heart just took 10,000 points of critical damage!"
"Damn it!
I want to be in a relationship too!"
***
Hokkaido's scenery is beautiful; it has long been a very famous vacation spot in Japan, especially in winter when soaking in hot springs while enjoying the snowy scenery is truly a unique experience.
But now it is August, and Aoki Haruhi and Tsuda Nao have come to Hokkaido mainly to see the "maple scenery" and soak in hot springs.
The place where the two of them are staying is a very famous local hot spring inn, with a bathtub right in the room that can easily accommodate two people.
There are large floor-to-ceiling windows, and outside the window is the mountain.
Soaking in the hot spring while looking at the mountain view is nothing short of enjoyable.
A night passed, and Aoki Haruhi was exhausted.
Waking up the next morning, he pushed open the window—
A cold breeze drifted in from outside.
Along with the slight coolness, there was the endless, chilly, and beautiful lakeside outside.
And the lake full of red leaves reflected by the lake water.
It was this scenery that pulled Aoki Haruhi into a dream.
Here, he caught a glimpse of an age-old sense of antiquity.
The two of them finished washing up, ate the breakfast prepared by the hotel, and prepared to go out for a good time, enjoying the summer scenery of Lake Akan.
Aoki Haruhi followed Tsuda Nao as they strolled along the shores of Lake Akan, beginning their romantic and leisurely journey for the day—
On the cold lake water, one could occasionally see a few birds whose names he didn't know flying past.
Aoki Haruhi strolled along the shores of Lake Akan with Tsuda Nao, beginning their romantic and leisurely journey for the day—
Occasionally, a few birds, whose names he didn't know, could be seen flying over the chilly lake water. The shores surrounding Lake Akan were lined with stretch after stretch of forest. The early-turning red maple leaves were like flames. From a distance, they looked like a vast expanse of crimson.
As they strolled through this forest, Aoki Haruhi felt as if time had stood still.
"Likening maple leaves to rosy clouds,
More fair than drifting mist or flowers in bloom.
Clouds scatter when the wind asserts its power,
And flowers show how fleeting is our time.
Seize the timely rains of autumn's hour,
And mourn not youth in spring's departing prime.
After we part and go our separate ways,
May fate guide each to the end of our days."
Halfway through his musings, Aoki Haruhi suddenly felt that the end of this poem wasn't quite right.
Pah, pah.
That's way too inauspicious! What does "each follow their own fate" mean!? It clearly should be about being destined for each other for three lifetimes.
Tsuda Nao had no idea what he was thinking. She just watched his expression shift from sunny to cloudy, one moment happy and the next sorrowful, and couldn't help but find it a bit amusing.
"Aoki-san?" Tsuda Nao called his name.
"Hmm?" Aoki Haruhi looked up.
The two of them stood face-to-face, one behind the other, wearing yukatas by the lakeside, a beautiful scene in itself.
The lake reflected their figures, a truly stunning sight.
"Why are you walking behind me?" Tsuda Nao asked, tilting her head.
"Hmm... I guess I just am..." Aoki Haruhi said, hands in his pockets, looking at her with a faint, knowing smile.
Under Tsuda Nao's gaze, Aoki Haruhi spoke up, "Perhaps I just wanted to take in you and the lake view right now. If we walked side-by-side, I wouldn't be able to see such a beautiful view from behind."
Eh?
Tsuda Nao was slightly taken aback, then turned around.
She gently brushed her long hair behind her ear, her face flushing red to the tips of her ears before she even realized it.
"In that case, then you can just keep following me."
With that, she continued walking forward with small, quick steps in her geta sandals, the sound of fallen leaves beneath her feet soft and melodious.
Aoki Haruhi watched her graceful figure, unable to help but smile knowingly.
***
In the evening, they were fortunate enough to see fireworks.
Fireworks festivals are held irregularly in this island country.
Most importantly, today was the annual Tanabata Festival.
According to Japanese legends, Orihime (the Weaver Princess) not only bestows skillful hands upon children but is also responsible for granting various wishes.
While the Chinese Qixi Festival is a time to pray for good craftsmanship and love, the Japanese Tanabata Festival is primarily focused on praying for young women to acquire skillful hands, rather than for romantic love.
Every year at this time, adults and children gather to write wishes and poems on colorful strips of paper, hanging them along with paper decorations on small bamboo branches in their own yards. In addition, offerings such as corn and pears are placed in the yard, asking Orihime to bless the girls of the household so that their calligraphy, sewing, and other skills may improve.
When the celebration ends, these offerings are placed into the river and left to drift away with the current, symbolizing that their wishes can reach the Milky Way.
Aoki Haruhi and Tsuda Nao had originally only planned to stroll around Sapporo city.
Unexpectedly, when night fell, they encountered streets filled with men and women wearing yukata.
After a difficult communication, they learned that there was to be a fireworks festival that evening.
Unable to secure a good spot, they had to make do by standing on a mountain path, leaning against the railing.
The crowd was surging, and the majority were young women.
Along the river outside, many girls could be seen placing offerings on the riverbank, hoping that their wishes would reach the Milky Way.
Fearing they might get separated, Aoki Haruhi hurriedly reached out to take Tsuda Nao's hand.
Tsuda Nao smiled brightly and leaned in, offering him her hand like a princess waiting to be invited to dance.
Those around them cast fleeting glances—
If Cowherd and Weaver Girl really existed in this world, then this must be what they looked like.
Aoki Haruhi smiled slightly, not caring about the onlookers, and held her hand tightly.
"There are so many people; what if we get separated?"
There were indeed many people, a few locals, but mostly foreigners.
The majority were tourists.
"You'll find me anyway," Tsuda Nao said with a radiant smile.
Just then—
The first firework rose, blooming in the sky into thousands of meteors.
Colorful and vibrant, it illuminated the entire night sky.
"Look, Papa, look! Papa, look!"
The children shouted with joy.
Immediately following it, another huge firework rose, exploding brilliantly in the sky like scattered stars.
This was perhaps one of humanity's greatest inventions—
Because it brought colors that did not belong to the human world into this world.
Tsuda Nao watched this spectacular scene, dumbstruck, her eyes blossoming with a smile.
She turned her head to look at Aoi Haruhi with a smile, intending to say something, but as her gaze met his, her smile gradually froze.
Because she realized that Aoi Haruhi was not watching the fireworks; he was silently gazing at her.
In Aoi Haruhi's eyes, there was only her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Tsuda Nao asked, blushing and lowering her head as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
Amidst the brilliant fireworks, Tsuda Nao had her hair in a bun, her breathtakingly beautiful face illuminated by the light and fire.
She lifted her long eyelashes, her lively, petite nose held high.
The perfect, defined, and sculpted lip line, the slightly upturned corners of her mouth, her parted lips, the rich, vibrant color... Aoki Haruhi felt like he was falling into her.
"You'll miss the fireworks if you keep doing that," she continued.
"I would rather miss ten thousand fireworks," Aoki Haruhi whispered in her ear with a faint smile, "than miss a single second of you."
"..."
Tsuda Nao was stunned for a moment.
She lowered her head with a shy smile, tucking a strand of hair blown by the wind behind her ear, her eyes shimmering with affection.
Tsuda Nao gazed into Aoki Haruhi's eyes, offering a radiant smile. "Not bad, you really know how to say things that make a heart flutter now, don't you?"
"I mean it. To me," Aoki Haruhi pressed on, not giving her a chance to cool down, "summer is fireworks, yukata, and you."
Aoki Haruhi quoted Yamashita Tomohisa's famous line.
"I don't believe you." Tsuda Nao shot him a playful, feigned glare.
But, as she met his infinitely tender gaze, her heart suddenly began to race.
"Kiss me," Aoki Haruhi said in a commanding tone.
"Shouldn't the boy be the one to take the initiative at a time like this?" Tsuda Nao protested.
"Can't you see I'm being squeezed here?" Aoki Haruhi said crossly. "I can't even bow my head."
"Dummy~"
Tsuda Nao chided him softly, holding his hand as she moved closer and stood on her tiptoes.
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