After finally managing to carry Ishino to the apartment door, Aoki Haruhi gently set her down and patted her cheek.
"Hey, Ishino, we're here."
"Oh, thanks."
Ishino blinked her eyes halfway open and fumbled through her handbag.
She pulled out her keys and tried to unlock the door a few times, but it wouldn't budge.
"Ishino, you're such an idiot."
Aoki Haruhi watched her struggle, growing increasingly frustrated. He took the keys and tried himself, only to find they really wouldn't open the lock.
Just then, a man's voice boomed from inside the apartment.
"Hey! Who are you? I'm calling the police if you don't leave!"
Aoki Haruhi froze, the keys still half-inserted in the lock.
What the hell is going on?
At the same time, Ishino, who had been leaning against the wall, suddenly looked up, tilted her head, and burst into laughter. She pointed at the building across the street.
"Oh~ My place is over there."
"..."
You absolute idiot!
The next morning, before Aoki Haruhi even arrived at the office, three men gathered in a small conference room at Pokeni.
Their brows were furrowed, and they exchanged grave glances.
These three were the company's key managers: Tatsuya Mizutani, the lead planner; Taiji Sakata, the lead artist; and Ken Akanishi, the lead programmer.
The fact that these three giants had convened without the President spoke volumes.
The air in the conference room was thick with tension.
Tatsuya Mizutani tapped his fingers on the table, looking at the other two. "Akanishi-san, Sakata-san, we're all agreed then? We'll go to the President together later and submit our collective resignations. Blue-wings is waiting. I've already laid the groundwork for you."
Blue-wings, also known as BW Company or Blue Wings, was another game development firm. Its president had previously worked in the pachinko industry but was now seeking to enter the home console market as personal computers became more widespread.
After several meetings with Blue-wings' president, Mizutani had concluded it was a promising opportunity. If they could bring the entire project team with them, he could secure a producer position there with a doubled salary.
In Japan, game development is typically producer-driven. In any given project, the producer holds absolute authority, akin to a film's director, overseeing the entire development process. Some games even bear the distinct personal style of their producers.
For example, Hidetaka Miyazaki in his later career became known for the Souls series' player-punishing difficulty.
Some producers are even more famous than their companies.
Whether in art, programming, or design, everyone ultimately aspires to become a producer.
Currently, the producer of Pokeni's failed Heart of the Sword project is the President himself, Aoki Haruhi.
"And doesn't everyone know what Pokeni's situation is? We're only staying because the company hasn't gone bankrupt yet. In this environment, being able to jump ship is a stroke of luck. How many people out there can't even find work?" Tatsuya Mizutani continued, banging on the table.
After hearing Mizutani's advice, Sakata Taiji's expression turned somber, and he hesitated to agree immediately.
"Isn't the President currently seeking investment? If the next game succeeds, maybe..."
"Akanishi-san, please stop deceiving yourself," Mizutani interrupted. "The President has been chasing investors for ages. In this day and age, with stock prices halved, we're lucky we haven't gone bankrupt yet. Who has spare cash to lend us?"
"Moreover, Blue-wings clearly has more substantial funding. Moving there would mean a stable future.
Do you want to stay and gamble on tomorrow, or move to a better environment and build a brighter future? I think any rational person knows the right choice to make."
"Hmm..."
Sakata Taiji glanced sideways at Akanishi Ken. "I'll follow Akanishi-san's lead. He came first, was the first to follow President Qing, and is one of the company's pillars. If he goes, I go. If he stays, I stay."
The group fell silent for a moment. Akanishi Ken closed his eyes slightly and said with feigned solemnity, "Actually, Aoki Haruhi and I are old colleagues."
He didn't use the title "President" or formal address, primarily because Akanishi had been in the game industry longer than Aoki Haruhi. They had worked together at the same game company, making Akanishi his senior. It was only after Aoki Haruhi struck out on his own that he persuaded Akanishi to join him.
"Aoki Haruhi has dreams, drive, and technical skill. I still remember the day he invited me to dinner to discuss starting Pokeni.
Whenever I recall that day, a surge of passion still flows through my veins."
"It was Aoki Haruhi who taught me how truly joyful making games could be, not just writing code."
Watching him lost in the past, his face radiant with happiness, Mizutani's eyes widened. "So? Akanishi-san, are you going back on your word? Do you want to stay and be my regent?"
Akanishi Ken crossed his arms, raising his eyebrows slightly as he glanced at Tatsuya Mizutani. He shifted his tone, sighing. "But I was wrong. Once you're actually running a business, you'll realize Aoki Haruhi was just an artist. What could he possibly understand about games?"
Huh?
Nearby, Sakata Taiji, who also came from an art background, suddenly looked up. Why is the President dragging me into this?
Phew...
"Akanishi-san~" Mizutani said, clutching his chest and drawing out the word in a long, slightly resentful tone. "Stop taking such dramatic breaths between sentences. It's scary."
He took a deep breath. "Alright, we're agreed. We'll hand in our resignations together later. Blue-wings is waiting for us."
Just then, a hand tapped on the glass door, and a voice called from outside:
"Three seniors, the President wants you in a meeting. He's said to have an important announcement."
The three men exchanged glances, clenching their fists in secret.
Several people entered the conference room, where Aoki Haruhi sat at the head of the table.
Hardware engineer Senkawa Hiroichi and copywriter Ishino Mika were also present.
Mizutani was aware of their recent activities. Aoki Haruhi had originally wanted to bring Mizutani in on the project, but after securing a new position elsewhere, he had lost all interest in the new venture.
Once everyone was seated, Akanishi Ken went to close the door.
Tatsuya Mizutani opened his mouth, ready to announce his resignation.
"The funding issues have been resolved. DUN Corporation has agreed to invest a total of 70 million yen," Aoki Haruhi stated bluntly at the start of the meeting. "Our cash flow is now abundant, and we can go all out."
Akanishi Ken turned around and gave Aoki Haruhi a thumbs-up. "Impressive, President! We'll definitely make this game a success!"
Nani?!
Tatsuya Mizutani's eyes widened in disbelief.
Akanishi-san, you weren't saying the same thing just yesterday!
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 10+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon