"Do you think this... will actually work?" Umehara Masao asked after a long silence, his voice dry and hesitant.
He had lived his entire life by the rules, and to him, the media was like the clouds in the sky—something to be observed but never touched, let alone confronted.
"Mr. Umehara," Yamamoto said with a confident smile, "they're the media; they need news. But we're Sega. We can create our own news and decide which outlets get exclusive access. Moreover, Sega spends a fortune on advertising across various media platforms each year. The media executives will have to weigh their options carefully. Which is more important: the sales from a single report or their long-term partnership with Sega? They'll make the right choice."
Yamamoto spoke calmly, but each word carried the weight of a thousand pounds.
Umehara Masao fell into complete silence.
Looking at the young man named Yamamoto before him, Umehara Masao felt as if he were glimpsing a world he had never encountered before—a world where strength and rules dictated everything.
"Furthermore," Yamamoto added, "we're concerned about Daigo potentially facing difficulties at school. If any issues arise, whether it's bullying from classmates or misunderstandings from teachers, please don't hesitate to contact us. Sega can intervene with the school administration or even help you enroll him in one of Tokyo's top private schools with full sponsorship, if necessary."
"Hiss—" Sato, standing nearby, gasped softly and whispered to Mrs. Umehara, "Auntie, this—this treatment is even better than what professional baseball players get!"
Umehara Masao finally reached out and picked up the lawyer's letter, then slowly set it back down.
He stood up, walked to the cabinet, and took out a brand-new teacup. He poured tea for Yamamoto and Tanaka.
This gesture carried more weight than any words could convey.
"Alright," Umehara Masao said, settling back into his chair and raising his own teacup. "We'll proceed as you've suggested."
He paused, turning to Sato. "Boss Sato, we'll be relying on you for future communications."
"No problem! Leave it to me!" Sato thumped his chest, his face flushed crimson, feeling like he was now part of something monumental.
With the agreement settled, Yamamoto and Tanaka exchanged a few more polite remarks before rising to take their leave.
After seeing the guests off, Umehara Masao stood alone in the living room for a long time.
He went to his bedroom, retrieved the championship certificate from the safe, and placed it beside the million-yen check. He stared at them for a long while.
It seems entrusting Daigo's future to Sega's games might not be a bad idea after all.
By the time Yamamoto and Tanaka returned to Sega Headquarters, it was already evening.
Without even stopping for a drink, they knocked directly on the Executive Director's office door.
"Come in."
Takuya Nakayama was leaning back in his chair, idly playing with an unreleased Sonic figurine.
Seeing them enter, he nodded toward the chairs. "Well? Did you meet Daigo Umehara's parents? Did they kick you out as scammers?"
Yamamoto cleared his throat, his expression even more serious than before.
He placed his briefcase on his lap and sat up straight.
"Executive Director Nakayama, the situation is completely different from what we anticipated."
He recounted his visit to the Umehara family in detail, emphasizing the "Three Rules" set by the father, Masao Umehara, and repeating them verbatim.
When he reached the line, "My son, Daigo Umehara, cannot be a blind man who can't even understand a contract," Takuya Nakayama paused his fidgeting with the figurine.
He nodded. "It seems Daigo Umehara has a good father." Takuya Nakayama set the figurine down on the table, leaned forward, and his eyes shone with admiration.
"Prioritizing academics, limiting gaming time, managing his prize money—listen to this! What ordinary parent would even think of such things? This is far more reliable than those parents in the entertainment industry who treat their children as cash cows. This is practically a model for nurturing young professional gamers!"
He turned to Yamamoto. "You mentioned earlier that Boss Sato described Mr. Umehara as even more difficult to deal with than the final boss?"
Yamamoto nodded.
"I don't think he's difficult at all. He's just a clear-headed man," Takuya Nakayama said, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the desk. "We were worried about spoiling the child with praise, about parents being shortsighted and greedy. But this father had already paved the way. Compared to him, we corporate executives seem petty and narrow-minded."
He stood up and paced the office.
"All our planned strategies—the public relations campaigns, the legal support—will proceed as scheduled. And we'll intensify them!"
Nakayama turned, his gaze sharp.
"The PR department will not only publish the articles, but they'll also emphasize the importance of family education. Include Mr. Umehara's 'Three Rules' in the piece! Then, contrast them with examples of successful high school idols and cases where students transitioned directly into professional esports. We need to show the world that esports isn't a monster, but that a strong family is the fertile ground for champions. That's worth more than a thousand self-congratulatory speeches!"
"Yes, sir!" Yamamoto replied immediately, his mind suddenly clear.
"And one more thing," Takuya Nakayama added, "have the Legal Department send a cease and desist letter! Not just any letter—make it loud and clear! Let those gossip magazines know that this child is now under Sega's protection. If they want to exploit an eleven-year-old for clicks, they'll have to answer to our legal team first!"
His words struck the table with resounding force, igniting Yamamoto and Tanaka's spirits.
"Also," Nakayama continued, leaning back in his chair with a playful smirk, "send a gift to the Umehara Family. None of that cliché sake and sweets—get them the finest study desk and chair set, complete with a full encyclopedia. Make it from me personally."
He paused, looking at his two subordinates.
"Tell Mr. Umehara that Sega supports not just a gaming champion, but a future star with culture and integrity, one who won't be corrupted by bad influences. I don't know if his son can even understand a contract yet, but I want his first professional contract to be with Sega."
Yamamoto and Tanaka exchanged glances, both seeing deep admiration in each other's eyes.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!
This move not only completely dispelled all the Umehara Family's concerns but also elevated Sega's image from a mere game company to that of a visionary and responsible talent scout.
"Go handle it," Takuya Nakayama waved his hand. "I don't want our Tokyo champion distracted by these trivial matters during the national tournament at the Budokan."
The two men took their orders and left, leaving the office silent once more.
Takuya Nakayama picked up the file on Daigo Umehara from his desk, gazing at the expressionless young boy in the photograph.
On the screen, he was a ruthless beast; in reality, a well-behaved student under his father's strict discipline.
"Heh, this is far more compelling than any game script."
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