Nasu Kinoko and Takeuchi Takashi grew up together as childhood friends—ah, no, they were middle school classmates who grew up together and had a very close relationship.
In his previous life, the two of them founded a company called Type-Moon because Nasu Kinoko didn't want to work a regular job and wanted to do what he loved, and then Takeuchi Takashi told him, "I'll support you."
Under such circumstances, Takeuchi Takashi and Nasu Kinoko established the company together, and Takeuchi Takashi truly took on the heavy responsibility, just so that Nasu Kinoko could focus on his creative work, and he adapted his works into game.
The subsequently released Fate series even became one of the most profitable game IPs in the world, giving birth to many spin-offs.
Just for the mobile game Fate/Grand Order, Aoki Haruhi had spent thousands of yen, and he still felt a pang of heartache thinking about it now.
Overall, Nasu Kinoko and Takeuchi Takashi were an inseparable pair, staying together for so many years just for a single promise.
What kind of divine friendship was this?
Aoki Haruhi sighed, if it weren't for Urobuchi Gen, he really wouldn't know where to find Takeuchi Takashi and Nasu Kinoko.
These two were so mysterious in their previous lives that they didn't even have photos.
Aoki Haruhi chatted with the two for a while and learned that Takeuchi Takashi was also just a pen name; his real name was Takeuchi Tomotaka.
Takeuchi had just won the 21st Century Manga Award under Enix with the pen name Takeuchi Takashi, so he was exceptionally happy.
"Eh? Enix actually hosts something like that."
Aoki Haruhi pondered, "Then in the future, we Pokeni should also start a similar competition."
Enix was the other half of the future Square Enix, only it hadn't merged with Square yet.
This company was also considered a top game company in Japan, especially the "Dragon Quest" series, which created countless myths.
However, the most admirable point was that—
For the TV game industry, Enix's contribution was not just its famous game; the famous game Producer talents tempered and shaped by this manufacturer were its symbol of greatness:
Koichi Nakamura, the Takahashi brothers, Hiroshi Naito, Takeo Iijima... these people all played extremely important roles in the game field, following their respective beliefs.
It could be said that Enix was the cradle for cultivating game talent in Japan.
Of course, now Pokeni has become this training base, but the talent basically circulates within the company and has not yet branched out.
In fact, holding manga competitions or light novel competitions is a very cost-effective thing; it can be done for a few million yen.
But these types of competitions actually play a very important role in talent selection, especially for the future game and animation industries, where light novels and manga are the cornerstones of success.
Many major works originate from top-tier light novels.
Aoki Haruhi mused, it seems Pokeni should put similar selection mechanisms on the agenda, so as not to miss out on talent.
Especially when you already know the trends of the next 30 years and are familiar with famous people, holding such competitions is equivalent to casting a large net in advance; while not a complete sweep, there's a high probability of acquiring the talent you want.
Mm-hmm.
Aoki Haruhi quietly made a mental note, preparing to find someone to establish this department as soon as he returned to the company.
It would probably be called Pokeni-Culture Department, and in the future, it could be spun off into a separate subsidiary or something similar.
The few of them chatted for a while longer.
In fact, both Takeuchi Takashi and Nasu Kinoko were very nervous; they had known Gen Urobuchi for some Time, but this was the first Time they had met his President.
The most crucial thing was that President Aoki in front of them was also a very formidable figure in the game industry.
Many people even dreamed of joining Pokeni, let alone being able to chat with the President at such close proximity.
Fortunately, Aoki Haruhi was very young, much more approachable than they had imagined, and also very handsome, without any pretense whatsoever; Aoki Haruhi didn't treat himself as a big shot or a senior either.
As Time went on, the few of them became more and more relaxed, and found more and more common topics.
"So, will you be working at Enix after this?" Aoki Haruhi asked.
Generally speaking, contestants who win the Enix Manga Award are recognized for their original art and creativity, so it's natural for them to join Enix for future work at such a Time.
Takeuchi Tomotaka hesitated and looked at Nasu Kinoko beside him, appearing a bit troubled.
Aoki Haruhi took in the expressions of both.
Takeuchi Takashi was actually still reluctant to part with Nasu Kinoko; he was worried that if he went to work alone, Nasu Kinoko would have no one to support him.
Ah, this is perfect.
"How about this then, are you two interested in coming to Pokeni? Just do what you love." Aoki Haruhi said.
"Eh? Really?" Takeuchi Takashi looked up, asking with some surprise.
"Yes, I see you two seem to have a good relationship, and you both should be very talented. Urobuchi highly recognizes you." Aoki Haruhi said, seizing the opportunity, "Given that, Pokeni also greatly needs talents like you."
"Ah… this…"
Nasu Kinoko looked at Takeuchi beside him with some panic.
"You two discuss it. If you agree, you definitely won't regret working at Pokeni, and we won't restrict what you do. I especially hope Nasu Kinoko can create according to his own ideas.
If Takeuchi, you want to help him, then be his original artist."
"Thank you so much."
The two stood up and bowed deeply to Aoki Haruhi.
President Aoki was simply a god-like man, directly solving the biggest problem that had troubled the two of them.
And he gave them enough freedom to develop; was there really such a good thing in the world?
The two looked bewildered, somewhat disbelieving.
But, their hearts were extremely excited.
Takeuchi Takashi and Nasu Kinoko exchanged glances.
This way, they could continue to create together and fulfill their middle school promise. It was truly wonderful.
…
"You two think about it. I'll have someone take your contact information first, and then you can let her know once you've decided."
What a coincidence, all of Pokeni's employees were here today.
Aoki Haruhi waved his hand, and HR-chan scurried over.
"Ayase-san, could you please help these two students register? If they are willing to come to Pokeni, please try your best to meet their needs, okay?"
"Eh?"
Ayase Akane was completely stunned.
Nani?!
President, what are you doing?
How can you be doing business even at someone else's wedding?
"Yes, President."
Although Ayase Akane was somewhat surprised, she still nodded seriously, quickly rummaged through her backpack for paper and pen, and began communicating with the two.
…
The rest of the matters were entirely handed over to Ayase Akane. Aoki Haruhi said goodbye and left with Nao Tsuda.
On the way back, Nao Tsuda smiled.
"What, you've taken a liking to someone else again?"
"Don't talk nonsense," Aoki Haruhi quickly clarified, "I only like you. It's just that chatting with them just now, I felt they were excellent talents, so I wanted to recruit them.
This is purely a work relationship."
"I didn't say anything, why are you thinking that way?"
Nao Tsuda smiled without speaking, her eyes sparkling.
Her husband had a certain knack, especially in talent scouting.
But so far, Tsuda hadn't quite figured out Aoki Haruhi's criteria for judging people.
…
In the afternoon, Aoki Haruhi took Nao Tsuda to attend the premiere of Studio Ghibli's "princess mononoke."
The premiere was held at 4 PM, primarily attended by individuals from the animation industry, Producers from Studio Ghibli, and television reporters.
As the first screening of "princess mononoke," it held extraordinary significance.
After the film screening, there would also be an interview session with the main creators.
Hayao Miyazaki was already waiting at the cinema entrance, greeting Aoki Haruhi warmly upon seeing him.
"Aoki-san, I've been waiting for you for a long Time."
"Ah, sorry, I just attended a very important wedding, so I'm a little late."
"It's alright, just in Time, the movie starts in about 5 minutes." Hayao Miyazaki said.
"This is my wife, Nao Tsuda." Aoki Haruhi introduced.
Nao Tsuda bowed slightly, "Hello, Miyazaki-senpai, I'm Nao Tsuda. Please take care of me."
"Hello, hello."
"Ah~ what a great beauty." Hayao Miyazaki exclaimed.
"Not at all, thank you for the compliment." Tsuda's ears turned slightly red.
"If I create characters in the future based on your esteemed wife's image, would you mind?"
"That would have to follow her opinion, wouldn't it?" Aoki Haruhi laughed.
"Just kidding, let's go."
Hayao Miyazaki led Aoki Haruhi and Nao Tsuda into the cinema.
They sat down in some of the better viewing seats in the middle.
The host was still warming up the audience.
After a few minutes, the movie officially began.
…
The screen went black, and a cartoon image of Totoro appeared on the big screen, with "Studio Ghibli" written below it.
The movie officially began.
The opening scene depicted a vast mountain range, shrouded in large expanses of cloud sea, with mist swirling, giving a sense of vast and magnificent beauty.
As soon as the music started, Aoki Haruhi's DNA stirred.
Ah!
How many years had it been since he watched "princess mononoke"?
In his previous life, Aoki Haruhi had even burned this movie onto a disc and watched it several Times with his college classmates.
His biggest dream back then was to meet a girl as brave and charming as the princess mononoke.
Thinking of this, Aoki Haruhi couldn't help but glance at Nao Tsuda beside him.
Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes were fixed on the big screen.
Seemingly noticing Aoki Haruhi's movement from the corner of her eye, Tsuda turned her head and smiled at him, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Aoki Haruhi shook his head, "Just feeling very emotional that I could marry the girl of my dreams."
"Hmm…"
Nao Tsuda blushed, and playfully lightly punched Aoki Haruhi.
Aoki Haruhi reached out and gently held Nao Tsuda's hand, their fingers intertwined, and he didn't move again.
Tsuda glanced at Aoki Haruhi somewhat helplessly, but didn't pay too much attention, letting him be.
The two continued to sit in their seats, quietly watching the movie.
…
Halfway through the movie, the princess mononoke jumped onto the rooftop and then scurried along.
The male protagonist also followed, but as he climbed up, due to his heavier weight, he directly caused a section of the rooftop to collapse.
However, he was very agile, immediately leaping up and continuing to run across the rooftops.
It was then that Aoki Haruhi noticed a small detail he hadn't discovered in his previous life—
Wow, Master Miyazaki Hayao really handled it meticulously.
When most people draw, where would they think of so much?
In fact, even if the part where the rooftop collapsed wasn't there, and he just ran up along the original path, there wouldn't be any sense of incongruity.
But, precisely because of this small detail of the collapsing roof, the weight difference between the male protagonist and the female protagonist immediately became apparent.
And then the realism of the animation also became stronger.
Making the audience deeply feel that the plot described in the animation was convincing and very real.
At the same Time, it also achieved another effect—
Since there was a risk of the rooftop collapsing, would the two of them fall if they ran on it?
It's important to remember that there were many enemies waiting for the princess mononoke on the ground.
Thinking of this, one couldn't help but feel a surge of apprehension.
"So amazing.
They didn't have to do these details."
Nao Tsuda's voice came from beside him.
"Eh?"
"The rooftop, it was stepped on and collapsed by the male protagonist. The contrast is very obvious, but most people wouldn't pay too much attention to such small details, would they?" Tsuda said.
"Yes, but this makes the whole picture feel much more harmonious and natural."
Most people would indeed find it difficult to think of this level of detail, but Hayao Miyazaki did, and that's the difference.
Aoki Haruhi truly admired him.
At the same Time, he was also very pleased that Tsuda noticed this.
As expected of the woman I chose.
Oh right, he suddenly remembered that although Tsuda worked in the blue film industry, she understood something about camera language and film details.
Animated movies could also give her some inspiration in these areas.
…
Nao Tsuda was truly a very different woman.
Even when she worked in the blue film industry, she treated it as art films, not those perfunctory, one-shot assembly line movies.
For example, the "onmyoji" adapted from DUN had a storyline, and the costumes and props were all restored according to onmyoji.
Even if you removed the blue parts, the film would still stand.
It even had a special kind of beauty.
This was also why DUN's films were deeply loved by audiences.
Because the experience was truly unique, not fast-food in nature, but an art film worth treasuring.
The female protagonists who could star in DUN films also had some acting skills.
…
After the premiere, Aoki Haruhi and Nao Tsuda were still savoring the movie's content on their way back.
"Ah~ it's such a pity, San didn't end up with Ashitaka in the end."
Nao Tsuda sighed.
"But, this is what Director Miyazaki wanted to express, isn't it?" Aoki Haruhi said, "The male protagonist representing humans and the female protagonist representing nature, some conflicts are irreconcilable.
Just as San said, I love Ashitaka, but I hate humans."
"However, if the mountain doesn't come to me, I'll go to the mountain, right? Ashitaka can still go to the forest to find San." Nao Tsuda said with a smile.
"Mm."
Aoki Haruhi nodded vigorously.
Tsuda's personality was like this; if you didn't take the initiative, then she would.
Thinking of this, Aoki Haruhi's chest swelled with immense happiness.
"Nao?"
"Hmm?" Tsuda blinked.
"It's so good to be married to you."
"Hmm…"
With the moonlight casting a romantic glow, Nao Tsuda's cheeks flushed crimson.
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