It's the weekend, and the NTsoft office is quiet with most employees off. Mito Miyano swings by the company to check on other teams' progress and chats about President Asai's "promotion" offer. By seven in the evening, as stars twinkle outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the two head out.
"Glad you didn't drive off last night, or we'd be stuck hailing a cab. This convertible's pretty cool, huh?"
Strapping on the seatbelt in the Porsche's passenger seat, Tetsu Fuyukawa eyes the sliding roof with a spark of curiosity, a nod to Japan's love for sleek, stylish cars often seen cruising Tokyo's vibrant streets.
Mito Miyano tugs her own seatbelt across, a playful smirk tugging at her lips, reminiscent of the teasing banter common in Japanese rom-com anime. "Yeah, right. A guy like you in a sports car? You'd probably feel all cooped up."
"Cooped up?"
Tetsu blinks, then chuckles, feeling the snug interior of the car—a subtle nod to Japan's compact, efficient designs. "You're throwing shade now, huh?"
"Tch, I'm just being real—hey, hey, hey! I'm driving here!"
The car roars to life, and Tetsu's hand lands on Mito's thigh, clad in black stockings—a bold move straight out of a spicy manga scene. Mito, steering with one hand, swats his hand away, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, her eyes flashing like a tsundere character. "It's rush hour, you idiot! Quit messing around!"
"Should've let me drive," Tetsu teases.
"...Pervert!"
Mito shoots him a glare, but as Tetsu reclines his seat, basking in the cozy, everyday vibe, she lets out a small huff. Her eyes soften with a hint of warmth, a classic Japanese gesture of affection hidden behind a tough front. "So, are we grabbing dinner out, or heading straight home?"
"Home. There's still some seafood soup from yesterday. I'll whip up some noodles for you."
Home. Noodles for you.
The casual, almost married-couple-like exchange makes Mito's lips curve into a smile. Her fingers tap the steering wheel, a habit seen in many Japanese drivers navigating Tokyo's busy roads, and she floors the gas. "As if I'd go to your place. I'm just dropping you off at the alley!"
---
Tokyo's spring nights are stunning, especially in bustling Akihabara, where neon lights flicker like a scene from a cyberpunk anime. Cherry blossom trees line the streets, and cosplay-clad maids hand out flyers under their delicate branches—a quintessential Akihabara sight.
Spotting the maid outfits, Tetsu can't resist a playful jab, but Mito's teeth-gritting threat—"Keep talking, and I'll crush you next time!"—shuts him up, echoing the fiery banter of a Japanese rom-com heroine.
As the convertible Porsche cruises out of the lively district toward the quiet seaside path to Tetsu's place, the sea breeze tousles their hair. Tetsu's hand slides back onto Mito's stockings, and this time, she doesn't protest—just shoots "'im a fierce, blushing glare, a perfect tsundere moment.
NTsoft and Tetsu's family home are both in Akihabara, so the drive is quick without traffic.
"Don't be late for work tomorrow," Mito says.
"That's my line, you little subordinate!"
At the dimly lit alley under a warm streetlamp, Mito rolls her eyes, floors the gas, and speeds off, her red Porsche vanishing like a dramatic exit in a J-drama.
"Tsundere types are such a handful," Tetsu mutters with a grin, thinking of their flirty office moment earlier, a nod to the subtle romance often woven into Japanese workplace stories. He heads toward his house.
Tetsu's neighborhood is a cluster of single-family homes, not unlike the cozy, yard-lined houses in Crayon Shin-chan. Dinner-time chatter and laughter spill from homes, and stray cats perch on garden walls under streetlights, creating a warm, nostalgic vibe typical of Japanese suburbs.
As Tetsu opens his door, the savory aroma of seafood soup hits him—a comforting scent tied to Japanese home cooking.
"Tetsu-kun, you're back… eep!"
Sayoko, wearing a pink checkered apron, steps out of the kitchen. She kneels to grab slippers from the shoe cabinet, a traditional Japanese gesture of hospitality, but Tetsu sweeps her into a hug and plants a firm kiss on her lips.
"I said I'd cook tonight. You're being naughty," he teases.
"I… took a nap this afternoon, so I'm not tired anymore," Sayoko replies, blushing.
"Fine, fine."
Tetsu gives her a playful pat, slips off his shoes onto the heated floor—a common feature in Japanese homes—and glances around. "Where's Kuki? Not back yet?"
"She said work was exhausting today. She's been in her room since she got home. Probably ate out already," Sayoko says, smoothing her floral skirt, her face still red. The stove bubbles with a soft gugu sound.
"Dinner's almost ready. Want to change first, Tetsu-kun?"
"Yeah. Oh, and go easy on the salt tonight—my stomach's acting up from yesterday's soup."
"Got it!"
Sayoko plants a gentle kiss on his cheek, a sweet, domestic moment, and heads back to the kitchen. Tetsu tosses his black long-sleeve into the laundry basket and heads upstairs, shirtless.
"She's that tired from work?"
"Shouldn't be that bad," Tetsu muses, passing Kuki Izumi's room. He'd already told the K-On! director to go easy on her scenes today because of last night's party.
Lost in thought, he heads to his room when—click!—Kuki's door swings open.
Kuki, in a bear-themed pajama dress with twin tails, stands there, her big eyes red and puffy.
"?"
Before Tetsu can say anything, she cries, "Stupid old man!" and launches herself at him. Her slim frame clings to him, legs wrapped around his waist in white thigh-high socks. Instinctively, Tetsu catches her, hands on her hips. "Hey, what's—"
His words are cut off as Kuki kisses him fiercely, her passion overwhelming, like a scene from a shoujo manga. Tetsu's eyes widen, stunned by her intensity, her breath hot against his face, her eyes closed as she kisses him with fervor.
I just got force-kissed?!
Then he spots a music score on her floor—his music score.
She found out.
Realization hits, and Tetsu's shock softens. Kuki pulls back, her voice trembling with emotion, eyes brimming with love. "Why… didn't you tell me before?"
"I was going to, but—"
Another kiss silences him. Her arms tighten around his neck, legs locking around his waist.
This girl…
Who knew the usually soft-spoken Kuki would be so bold in love? Tetsu smirks, but a gentle nip on his lip snaps him back.
"Don't… get distracted!" Kuki mumbles.
"Teaching me now, huh?"
Tetsu's tension melts. One hand grips her hip, the other presses her head closer as he kisses back. Moonlight spills through the window, the sound of stir-frying drifts from downstairs, and the two lose themselves in the moment, time seeming to stop—a poetic scene straight out of a Japanese romance novel.
Finally, Kuki pulls back, tears in her eyes, pouting. "Don't… ever hide things from Kuki again."
"Promise," Tetsu says softly, nodding. Her legs tighten around him.
"Take me… to my room."
"!"
Another passionate kiss. Tetsu carries her into her bedroom, pinning her against the door. Their breaths quicken, and Kuki's legs loosen as she slides down, kneeling before him, her hands trembling as she looks up, eyes shy but determined.
"Just… this once, okay?"
Tetsu chuckles, ruffling her hair, then gently tugs her twin tails. "Come on."
"Mmm—"
---
Much later, on Kuki's pink bear-themed bed:
"Stupid old man, you're even more intense than in manga," Kuki grumbles, nestled in Tetsu's arms, her voice a mix of embarrassment and affection.
Tetsu shifts, chuckling. "More intense than manga? What's that mean?"
"Hmph, you're such a perv," Kuki teases, squirming shyly.
Tetsu grins, holding her tighter. "Don't like it?"
"I… like it. But don't be too rough!"
"Didn't you say it helps with… development?"
Kuki pouts. "You don't like it then? But… does it actually work? Sayoko and the others never… and they're still so… big."
Her voice drips with frustration over her smaller chest, a common trope in Japanese media where characters lament their "flatness." Tetsu pinches her cheek. "You know, small is cute too."
"No way! I don't want to be teased as 'fried eggs' forever!"
Kuki grabs his hand, placing it back, her blush deepening. Then, she looks up, kissing his cheek softly. "I never imagined you wrote those songs, though."
"Surprised?"
"Hmph, don't get cocky! I was just… shocked, okay?"
Kuki's tsundere attitude resurfaces as she pinches his stubbly chin. "But since you wrote them, I can sing them without any guilt! Once I make it big, I'll kick you to the curb and run off with Sayoko!"
Before she finishes, Tetsu playfully "attacks" her chest, making her melt again. "Stop showing off. Didn't you say you wanted to write your own songs?"
"Of course I do! I don't care about the spotlight—I want people to love my voice. But…" Kuki looks up, smiling. "I heard you guys talking. You're short on cash, right? I'll lend you my voice for free. The price?"
She climbs atop him, whispering shyly, "You can never leave Kuki. Ever."
---
Her sudden confession sends Tetsu's heart racing, but with Sayoko still cooking, he knows they need to wrap up. By the time they head downstairs for dinner, Kuki's cheeks ache from… exertion, making chewing lobster a bit tough.
Luckily, she ate earlier, so she nibbles on some oysters and sips hot milk—a playful nod to the Japanese belief that milk helps with "growth." She sits quietly, listening as Tetsu and Sayoko discuss work.
Asai's surprise promotion to deputy director is a double-edged sword for Tetsu. It's a big deal for most, but he's hesitant. If he doesn't sign the new contract, Asai might suspect disloyalty, potentially costing him Sekiro's development rights. But signing means a non-compete clause with a hefty penalty.
The cost is steep, but… the wool comes from the sheep.
---
The next day, 8:45 AM.
"Good morning, Deputy Director Fuyukawa!"
"News travels fast, huh, Ms. Hatano?"
"Congratulations!"
Monday morning buzzes in the company lobby. The receptionist's sweet, admiring greeting reflects the Japanese workplace's respect for hierarchy. Dropping Kuki off at school, Tetsu strides in with Sayoko, his presence silencing the lobby for a moment.
Employees steal glances—some envious, some awed, some jealous.
"For real? Deputy director at twenty-five?!"
"Age doesn't matter when you've got ten million in sales. Most directors can't touch his numbers!"
"True. It's a seller's market now. He's not just some replaceable grunt anymore. Tons of companies would poach him if NTsoft doesn't pay up."
"Still, twenty-five? That's insane."
"I heard his new contract includes four million dollars for game production over two years, with a 35% profit share!"
"No, it's two games, two million each."
"He's making another game?!"
"Gotta find out more—maybe get into his studio!"
Word spreads like wildfire, a common trait in Japan's tight-knit corporate culture. Though Mito submitted the promotion request just yesterday, Tetsu's rise to deputy director is already company gossip.
Twenty-five and a deputy director. Terrifying.
The contract's "incentive" clause means Tetsu's not slowing down—he's got new games coming. His past hits, Surrounded by Beauties and The Binding of Isaac, sold over five million copies each, making his team's staff rich from bonuses. Everyone wants in on his next project.
Amid the enthusiastic greetings, Tetsu nods with a friendly smile—a Japanese gesture of humility—and heads to the elevator with Sayoko.
By 10 AM, explosive news rocks NTsoft again: Tetsu submitted a new project proposal to Mito.
The title? Diver Dave.
read my new story
Marvel FRIEZA DBZ
NBA Grind to NBA King