NTsoft is a publicly listed gaming company with a global reputation.
With a big company comes a slew of projects, and the management structure isn't like the simple "Section Chief, Deputy Chief, Minister" hierarchy of smaller firms. Sure, those titles still dictate rank and salary, but the actual work is a different beast.
Section Chief, Deputy Chief, Minister.
By the time you hit Deputy Chief, you're leading your own game studio. Within that studio, you've got Section Chiefs specializing in different areas, each managing a handful of employees to form teams—like the planning team or the art team.
Think of it like a tree diagram: a few regular employees plus a Section Chief make a specialized team. A few of those teams, plus a Deputy Chief, form a studio. And above all the studios in a major game category sits the Minister, overseeing everything.
Ministers hold serious power, second only to the board of directors.
Strictly speaking, Tetsu Fuyukawa, as a Section Chief, should report to a Deputy Chief. But due to the unique setup of Light Bird Studio, he gets to report directly to the Minister.
That's a perk, but the rank gap can put serious pressure on anyone less mentally tough when delivering reports.
"Don't worry, I've got your back."
Hands in his pockets, Tetsu nudged Sayoko Kawai's arm with his elbow, a relaxed smile on his face.
+5000!
[Sayoko Kawai's emotions are surging, with a chance to break into the Admiration level!]
Sayoko's body jolted slightly, her chest heaving noticeably before her breathing steadied. Her face flushed, she bowed ninety degrees. "Thank you, Tetsu-kun, your—"
"Don't overthink it now. Stay calm and focused. Let's go. Don't speak unless called on."
Tetsu straightened his suit and stepped out as the elevator doors slid open.
The ninth floor wasn't just home to the Minister's office—independent departments like Finance and Contracts were up here too. But the hallway had noticeably fewer employees than the lower floors.
"Good afternoon, Section Chief Fuyukawa."
"Hey, Section Chief."
Tetsu nodded back with a smile to the few employees who greeted him respectfully. After a few turns down the cool, white-tiled corridor, he reached the Minister's office.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
A cool, commanding female voice came from within. Tetsu glanced at Sayoko and pushed the door open.
The Minister's office was a clear step up from his own cramped cubicle. A luxurious U-shaped sofa greeted them first, and behind a massive floor-to-ceiling window sat a strikingly sensual woman at an executive desk.
She looked around thirty-five, with mature, alluring black hair and a sharp, icy beauty. Dressed in a black OL uniform, her thirty-six emperors rivaled Sayoko's, and her heavy peaches pressed into the leather chair, practically making it sigh. Her long legs, wrapped in glossy high-end black stockings, ended in sharp heels that dangled confidently.
Her aura was cold, proud, and commanding.
"Good afternoon, Minister Miyano," Tetsu said with a slight bow.
"Mm. Please, sit."
Miyano Mitei's sharp gaze flicked up from behind her frameless glasses. She said, "Sit," then went back to typing on her computer without another word.
The air grew chilly. Sayoko's fists clenched nervously, but Tetsu, no stranger to dealing with her, led Sayoko to the sofa and began sorting through their documents.
For a moment, the spacious office was filled only with the clatter of the keyboard and the rustle of papers. It wasn't until the clock struck 4:00 PM that Miyano's fingers paused.
Under Sayoko's slightly awkward gaze, Miyano stretched nonchalantly, her white blouse straining audibly. She removed her glasses, laced her fingers over her toned stomach, and leaned back in her chair. Her red lips parted slightly. "I've read your proposal. Your market instincts are sharp—you know what men want these days. That's commendable. But."
But.
Tetsu's face stayed neutral, but he sat up a bit straighter.
When someone says "but," everything before it is just noise.
Miyano's stockinged foot tapped lightly, her sharp, icy eyes scanning Tetsu's handsome features. "Your proposed budget of one hundred million yen is too high. It's out of line with what we discussed."
"I understand, but please trust me—this investment will be worth it."
Tetsu's gaze was steady.
Miyano was the new Minister, headhunted at great expense by the board earlier this year, and she'd personally promoted Tetsu. After deciding to greenlight Surrounded by Beauties, he'd had discussions with her about the market, character designs, and actor fees.
Initially, he'd estimated just over eighty million yen, maybe ninety at most. But some agents, seeing it was an unproven "live-action interactive movie game," had jacked up their prices.
From just over eighty million to a hundred million—a nearly 20% jump.
Miyano's lips curved slightly. "Every team leader says that when they ask for a budget. Few deliver."
Men's promises are just hot air.
She didn't say it, but Tetsu could practically see it on her face. He held back a wince—self-proof was tough.
Surrounded by Beauties wasn't some earth-shattering masterpiece. It even had some logical flaws. Its potential to succeed hinged on tapping into the emotional needs of young men today.
Even Tetsu wasn't 100% sure it would explode in this parallel-world Tokyo. Miyano's skepticism wasn't unfounded.
His mind raced for a way to convince her, brows furrowing.
As he frowned, Miyano's thoughts drifted to a rainy night five years ago. She'd been drunk from a business dinner, collapsing on the street. Vaguely, she recalled being dragged into an alley by two vagrants, then hearing sounds of a scuffle. The last thing she remembered was a pair of deep, youthful eyes and the wail of sirens.
Does he not remember me?
But… this version of him is even more intriguing.
Watching Tetsu's furrowed brow, Miyano unconsciously licked her enticing lips, a flicker of desire in her sharp, icy eyes. "You seem conflicted. So… how about a bet?"