Takuya Nakayama arranged to meet Section Chief Eikura at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry the following day.
The next morning, carrying a box of floppy disks, he stepped into the ministry's gray Kasumigaseki building.
In the reception room, Section Chief Eikura arrived five minutes late, wearing a formulaic expression of apology.
"Takuya-san, my apologies—an unexpected meeting. Let's get straight to the point."
He sat down without a hint of small talk.
"Of course."
Takuya didn't mind. He placed a neatly bound report on the table and pushed it forward.
"Section Chief Eikura, this is the detailed one-week internal trial report for Sega's email client. I wanted to brief you on the progress."
Eikura nodded and began flipping through it. His eyes moved quickly—clearly used to this kind of document.
"Workflow efficiency improved by three hundred and twenty percent?"
His finger stopped on that line. He lifted his gaze, sharp and probing.
"Takuya-san, this is the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Isn't this number a bit… embellished?"
Takuya showed no ripple of panic; he even smiled.
"Your discernment is accurate as always. This figure is the most conservative estimate, compiled by our logistics staff based on their before-and-after work hours. The raw work logs are attached in full detail—down to each minute."
He paused, then leaned forward slightly.
"Of course, we're well aware that achieving such results wouldn't have been possible without the ministry's far-sighted policy support—and especially without you, Section Chief, who took the heat and approved that crucial document. Without your signature, this three hundred and twenty percent wouldn't exist."
The compliment landed cleanly—addressing the skepticism while gifting the credit where it mattered most.
The lines on Eikura's face softened. He didn't reply, but read on. Soon, he reached the sections highlighting:
"Professor Jun Murai of the WIDE Project personally inspected and expressed strong approval."
"Professor Yonezawa of Tokyo Tech provided full technical guidance."
At that, his breath caught for half a second.
Academic giants. Technical authorities.
And now, all of them were mentioned alongside a policy initiative endorsed by the ministry.
This was no longer merely a corporate success.
Eikura slowly closed the report and leaned back, silent for a moment.
"Remarkable work," he finally said, his tone solemn. "A report with real weight."
"All achieved under your guidance," Takuya replied modestly, then nudged forward the inconspicuous cardboard box next to him.
"Section Chief, numbers on paper are still cold. We hope that you and your colleagues can personally experience this result—one made possible by the ministry's support and your approval."
Eikura glanced at the box, printed with SEGA E-MAIL CLIENT and the Sega logo.
Suddenly, he laughed—a genuine laugh with a hint of admiration.
"You're quite something," he said, pointing at Takuya. "Even your 'gifts' come wrapped in righteousness."
But despite his words, he called to the hallway:
"Gochō-kun, take this 'work achievement' to my office."
A young staffer entered and swiftly picked up the box.
Then Eikura stood and personally walked Takuya to the door—an unusual gesture.
"Sega's pioneering spirit is noted. Tell your senior management: keep going. Be bold."
He lowered his voice.
"I'll deliver this report to the Director myself. And—"
He paused, choosing his words.
"Takuya-kun, have you considered who else—aside from companies—desperately needs improved document handling and communication efficiency?"
A spark flashed in Takuya's mind.
"Section Chief, you mean—?"
Eikura didn't say it aloud. He merely glanced meaningfully toward the end of the corridor, at the tall plaque engraved with:
"Ministry of International Trade and Industry."
Then he smiled.
"A smart company should know where the opportunities lie."
"Thank you for your guidance!"
Takuya bowed deeply as Eikura disappeared through the ministry doors.
---
Back at Sega Headquarters, Takuya didn't even pause for a drink of water before knocking on Board Director Yoshikawa's office.
"Come in."
The moment he pushed open the heavy wooden door, cigar smoke and aged wood filled the air.
Director Yoshikawa sat behind his large desk, a half-burned cigar between his fingers.
"Takuya? Judging by that look, everything went well?"
Takuya stepped forward and set down his briefcase, unable to contain his excitement.
"Director Yoshikawa—an overwhelming success."
He recounted the meeting in full detail.
Yoshikawa listened silently, tapping the desk rhythmically.
When Takuya mentioned Eikura personally walking him to the door, the tapping stopped.
"He walked you to the door?"
"Yes."
Then Takuya shared the biggest gain of the day.
"And before I left, he asked me which places—besides businesses—urgently need efficiency improvements."
Director Yoshikawa raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't dare answer," Takuya continued. "He just glanced at the ministry's plaque and said a smart company should know where opportunities are."
The office fell silent. Only cigar smoke drifted upward.
Then Yoshikawa burst into laughter—not polite, but full, satisfied laughter.
He crushed the cigar into the ashtray and leaned forward, eyes gleaming with raw ambition.
"Hah! Well done! You've planted Sega's flag right in their headquarters!"
He walked to the liquor cabinet, poured two glasses of whisky, and handed one to Takuya.
"This Eikura is clever—and interesting. What he's telling us is this: the 'test plot' at the ministry has satisfied him. Now he wants to see if we have the guts to sow seeds across the entire bureaucratic system."
Takuya felt his pulse quicken. He had sensed an implication; Yoshikawa had already sketched a grand strategy.
Yoshikawa took a sip and his gaze sharpened.
"Simply handing things out is child's play. Takuya—this isn't just sales anymore."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"That ministry report is our perfect battering ram."
Yoshikawa began pacing, thoughts flowing rapidly.
"The Ministry of Finance—keepers of the purse strings, mountains of documents every day.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs—communicating with the whole world; telegrams and faxes are archaic.
And then—"
His voice dropped.
"—the Prime Minister's Office."
Those words struck Takuya like a hammer.
"I'll take care of contacting a few friendly Diet members, have them 'casually' mention it in the right places."
Yoshikawa turned back to him.
"You—prepare a shorter, more explosive version of the report. No technical jargon. Just efficiency, results, and that 'three hundred and twenty percent.'"
He smiled—a fox's smile.
"Then take our 'work achievement' and pay a visit to the other ministries' section chiefs."
"The rest," he said, lifting his glass,
"leave to me."
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