Kobayashi Tetsu didn't stay long. With the discreet assistance of the "unnamed" Yuji Naka, he soon took his leave under the pretext of returning a phone call.
What needed to be done had already been done. All that remained was to let time take its course.
Sometimes it wasn't that Kobayashi Tetsu deliberately wanted to go around in circles—it was mainly that Satoru Iwata was a bit stubborn.
Given HAL's track record since its founding, any normal person could tell that Masahito Tanimura wasn't really pulling his weight. Yet Iwata had stayed on all the way until HAL finally connected with Nintendo.
To the point that Kobayashi Tetsu even began to suspect that Tanimura came with some kind of built-in hypnosis skill—maybe every time they met, he'd hypnotize Iwata during a game session, turning him into some fallen star-rage addict whose mind held nothing but big games.
If Kobayashi Tetsu were to fire Tanimura outright, that wouldn't be a problem at all—but Iwata would almost certainly leave with him.
Now, though, things were different.
"So the world really could use more people like Iwata. He's just too useful—who wouldn't want that?" Kobayashi Tetsu muttered to himself, shaking his head as he headed back to Atlus.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Kobayashi Tetsu woke up in fuzzy slippers, looking thoroughly disheveled and domestic, and fixed himself a big bowl of rice soaked in boiling water.
You had to know how to live.
Take this boiling-water rice, for example: boil plain water, use leftover rice from the night before, mix in pickled greens and meat floss, add a small plate of salted vegetables and fermented tofu, then stir it all together into a sticky mess.
That—that was knowing how to eat.
Cradling the large bowl, Kobayashi Tetsu walked into the garage and froze on the spot.
Several pairs of eyes were staring straight at him.
Yuji Naka.
Satoru Iwata.
Hideo Kojima—
Yuji Naka was awkward for a moment before forcing a laugh. "President, you've got quite the appetite. Eating tea rice first thing in the morning."
Kobayashi Tetsu nearly lost control and splashed the bowl straight in his face.
Tea rice my ass! This was old-school Shanghai-style—authentic boiling-water rice!
After a brief moment of embarrassment, Kobayashi Tetsu composed himself. He boldly sat down in front of the three and started eating. As long as he had no shame, it was everyone else who would feel awkward.
"Wasn't everyone on vacation? What are you all doing here? Don't rush—one at a time."
Yuji Naka said, "I brought Kojima here for a visit."
Hideo Kojima said, "I came to visit Atlus, and to deliver something. Last month, we finished improving that artificial intelligence program, so I brought it over ahead of time."
Iwata hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
One look and Kobayashi Tetsu more or less understood. He urged Yuji Naka, "Weren't you here to visit? This place is about to move anyway—what's there to see? It's less than ten square meters total. Go take a look over in Shinjuku."
The rented office floor in the Shinjuku Mitsui Building was nearly finished with renovations. They'd likely be able to move in after the New Year.
Yuji Naka paused briefly, then immediately understood. He had Kojima set down the floppy disks and hurried him out, leaving only Kobayashi Tetsu and Satoru Iwata behind.
Once the others were gone, Iwata finally relaxed and said, "President, I talked with my father for a long time yesterday. I told him about my recent work, what's been happening, and even let him try Ice Block Smash. To be honest, he's not someone who plays games often, and he doesn't really understand this industry."
Iwata pressed a hand to his chest and let out a satisfied sigh.
"But the good news is—he finally said something encouraging to me."
Kobayashi Tetsu nodded. "Having the work you love acknowledged by your family really is something to be happy about. Congratulations, Iwata. From now on, you can keep doing what you love without worrying about opposition from home."
Seeing that look of relief on Iwata's face, Kobayashi Tetsu suddenly spoke again. "Actually, I've always thought you were better suited to be the head of the Second Development Division—or, back then, even the president of HAL."
Before Iwata could object, Kobayashi Tetsu added rapidly, "Which is fortunate, really, since HAL is now Atlus's Second Development Division. As a division head, you only need to think about making good games. As a company president, there's strategy, management, all sorts of things to consider. So, Iwata—I hope you'll take on the role of head of the Second Development Division."
"I know Tanimura is your close friend. But precisely because he's a friend, you shouldn't harm him. After these years together, you know better than I do that when it comes to making games, Tanimura has been… unremarkable."
Kobayashi Tetsu was choosing his words carefully, out of respect for Iwata. He could have been much harsher.
Even so, Iwata's expression stiffened slightly.
Rationally, he knew Kobayashi Tetsu was right.
If Tanimura truly had the ability, he wouldn't have remained incapable for so long.
But emotionally, as a friend, taking this step felt like betraying that friendship.
Still, Iwata's resolve had clearly begun to waver.
Kobayashi Tetsu stood and made a polite, inviting gesture.
"It's fine. There's no rush. Think it over and give me your answer after the New Year. In the meantime, if you have any ideas, feel free to work on them. After the New Year, you'll still be the one leading the Second Development Division's next project."
Iwata was about to be seen out when he suddenly looked up, realizing something else.
If he was always the one leading the projects, then in practice, there was no difference between that and being the head of the Second Development Division.
In other words—
He was already doing it.
"President."
Iwata suddenly turned back, looked Kobayashi Tetsu straight in the eye, and bowed deeply.
"There's no need to wait until after the New Year. I'm deeply grateful for your trust. I—I wish to take on the responsibility of head of the Second Development Division!"
Kobayashi Tetsu inclined his head slightly.
It was done.
One week later, when the Second Development Division reconvened after their break, Kobayashi Tetsu arrived with a transfer document in hand.
Many Japanese companies practiced lifetime employment, making it difficult to fire someone—but it was easy enough to have someone resign voluntarily. Besides, Kobayashi Tetsu wasn't strictly following Japanese corporate conventions anyway.
Out of respect for Iwata, this was a reassignment rather than a dismissal—a matter of preserving appearances.
"Tanimura," Kobayashi Tetsu said, "thank you for your contributions to the Second Development Division over the past six months. The division will always remember them. From here on, may everyone pursue their own dreams and find their own brilliance."
Masahito Tanimura looked down at the transfer notice in his hand, then up at Kobayashi Tetsu and Satoru Iwata, feeling the situation was utterly unreal.
He had once been HAL's president. And now he wasn't even a division head?
This business about section chief or not—it sounded ridiculous. Atlus only had one Second Development Division to begin with. The position of section chief was nothing more than an empty title.
"Why?" Tanimura clenched his fist. "Kobayashi! This is burning the bridge after crossing it! If you dare fire me, I'll destroy HAL! If you force me out, I'll take everyone with me!"
He turned around to look.
The staff hesitated, wanting to speak.
One person shifted a step forward, only to be immediately pulled back by a colleague.
"You—"
Tanimura was struck speechless.
Why isn't anyone coming with me?
Kobayashi Tetsu spoke calmly. "Tanimura, let's be direct. Atlus exists to make games. If you don't have that ability, you should step aside and let someone capable take the position. You can continue as a section chief. Atlus can afford to support one or two idle people. You can even gather a team to work on whatever you want. It's good for you, and it's good for us. Don't tear away the last bit of dignity."
Tanimura loosened his tie, casually removed his printed employee badge, placed it on the desk, left behind a harsh remark, and walked straight out of the Second Development Division.
Iwata glanced at Kobayashi Tetsu. After receiving a permissive look, he hurried after him.
Kobayashi Tetsu wasn't worried about Tanimura at all. Back when HAL was acquired for thirty million yen, part of that had been converted into equipment, and part used elsewhere. As HAL's president, Tanimura should still have several million yen left in his pocket—enough to count as fair compensation for his four years of contribution to HAL.
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 15+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon