"Gentlemen, this game is our studio's masterpiece, the culmination of our reputation and our very lives. I urge you to try it yourselves once you return—you'll find it's worth every penny," Aoki Haruhi said earnestly.
The presidents exchanged glances, smiling but remaining silent.
Huh? Just because you say so, does that make it so?
Young people these days are so arrogant.
Could Pokeni really create something better than Nintendo?
"I do have one question," President Hattori, the middle one, asked, his gaze fixed on the game cartridge in his hand. "At what price would your company offer this game to us distributors?"
"If possible..." Aoki Haruhi paused thoughtfully before replying, "I'd like it to be 5,000 yen."
"5,000 yen?"
Is this guy crazy?
If you sell it to us distributors at such a high price, what profit margin do we get?
Actually, 5,000 yen wasn't exorbitant. In Japan at the time, most games had a retail price of around 6,000 yen (roughly 300 yuan in soft currency). For niche and restricted-rating games like galgames, with their limited target audience, it was common for prices to be even higher, with 9,000 yen being perfectly normal.
Yes, you're seeing correctly. Even in 1990, prices in Japan were already this high, not much different from 2023.
Correspondingly, Japan's per capita income and wages barely increased over the next 30 years, a period of stagnation.
However, as a manufacturer, you always sell to distributors at a lower price than the retail price, often significantly cheaper. For example, if a game cartridge costs 3,000 yen to produce, it might be sold to distributors for 6,000 yen, allowing them to earn nearly double their investment.
If distributors purchased it for 5,000 yen and sold it for 6,000 yen, their profit margins would be razor-thin.
For a major game manufacturer like Nintendo, distributors might consider such a deal due to the potential for high sales volume.
But the company across the table is Pokeni, a completely unknown entity. What reason do you have to believe their game will be a massive hit?
"So, what retail price are you expecting?" President Hattori asked tentatively.
"9,000 yen," Aoki Haruhi replied without hesitation.
"Hiss..."
The presidents gasped at his audacious statement. They crossed their arms, frowned, and fell silent.
Is this young man brave, or just an idiot?
With galgames selling at such a high price, isn't he afraid of it bombing?
How confident must he be in his game to set it at this price?
"No, no. This price is too high. We're worried about sales. Could you lower it for us?" President Mori, wearing black-rimmed glasses, asked.
"Exactly. I suggest we keep the price around 7,000 yen. As a new release for your company, it's better to build brand recognition first rather than chasing high profits right away," President Sato, younger and more junior, agreed.
"4,500 yen. Not a yen less. We'd lose money at any lower price," Aoki Haruhi said.
The main reason for the price was the inclusion of a specialized chip for image and memory processing, which added about 500 to 800 yen to the manufacturing cost per cartridge. Otherwise, Aoki Haruhi wouldn't have been able to sell it at this price.
"4,000 yen," Tsuda said, pressing Aoki Haruhi's hand down and smiling. "If you can't sell them, DUN will just buy them back later."
"Hmm..."
"Since Nao-chan has spoken, let's go with that."
The group nodded at each other.
"Ah~ It's always such a pleasure drinking with Nao-chan. It's a shame these times pass so quickly."
"I agree. Nao-chan, next time let's go out for dinner just the two of us," Baldy Hattori said with a grin.
The several executives seemed a bit drunk.
Yet, seeing their hands reaching for Tsuda, it was clear they were still quite sober.
Just as Aoki Haruhi was thinking of stepping in to help Tsuda, Tsuda Nao gracefully sidestepped their lecherous hands.
"Of course, of course," Tsuda Nao said, her laughter sparkling with elegance. "Next time, definitely. Oh, and Presidents, I've prepared a small gift for each of you. Here's one for President Hattori, one for President Mori, and one for President Sato."
"I look forward to your continued patronage."
Tsuda finished with a deep bow to the executives.
The executives' eyes went wide.
It had to be said, Tsuda Nao's figure was truly exceptional.
Watching her effortlessly handle these old men with such poise, Aoki Haruhi finally felt a sliver of relief.
Hattori Yuji settled into the driver's seat of his car and drove for some time. The driver in front spoke up, "President, are you alright?"
A smile bloomed on Hattori's lips, and when he opened his eyes, the drunken haze had completely vanished.
"Why would I be anything but alright?"
He chuckled lightly. "It's a shame I couldn't get Tsuda drunk."
That woman is truly cunning. Every time we go out to eat, she always brings a few other people along. It looks like an opportunity, but in reality, it's perfectly safe.
One day, I'll get my hands on her.
Hattori Yuji clenched his fist secretly.
He suppressed the sharpness in his eyes and turned his attention to the gift box beside him.
He opened it and found a bottle of fine red wine.
On top lay a card with these words:
[ I know this world is as fleeting as morning dew. ]
It was clearly her handwriting, followed by the inscription: [ To President Hattori. ]
But with you by my side, the journey...
...blooms in radiant splendor.
The handwriting was clearly her own, and at the bottom, it read: Respectfully, President Hattori.
Hattori Yuji let out a wry smile. "Ah~ she's truly watertight, isn't she? When she goes to such lengths, you can't even bring yourself to blame her."
For some reason, he felt unusually good.
"That's probably President Tsuda's charm," the driver chuckled from the front.
"Indeed," Hattori Yuji nodded in agreement, picking up the Onmyōji cartridge made by Pokeni. "It's impossible to refuse her requests."
Should I go back and try playing it?
He stared at it for a while.
"Stop here for a moment."
"Understood." The driver pulled over.
Hattori rolled down the window and casually tossed the Onmyōji cartridge into a roadside trash bin.
After seeing off the other presidents, only Aoki Haruhi and Tsuda Nao remained standing at the restaurant entrance.
The evening breeze brushed against Aoki Haruhi's face, warm and pleasantly ticklish.
He turned to look at Tsuda beside him with concern.
A faint blush colored her cheeks, making her fair skin stand out even more. The gentle breeze lifted her long hair, letting it brush against her face. Her eyes fluttered slightly, full of allure.
Aoki Haruhi was momentarily transfixed.
"President Tsuda, are you alright?"
This formidable businesswoman had been the heaviest drinker at the table, even eagerly downing drinks.
The bigwigs clearly intended to get her drunk, but ultimately failed.
The memory of Tsuda's behavior that night made Aoki Haruhi frown.
On one hand, she was the cool, capable president.
On the other, she was a charming beauty, adept at navigating the world of entertainment with a flattering smile.
Which one was the real Tsuda Nao?
"I'm fine."
Tsuda straightened up, her smile fading as her usual cold demeanor returned.
"I already went to the restroom to make myself throw up."
"Huh?"
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