Chapter 86. Workers Shouldn't Work Too Hard
---
"Not bad."
Tsuda Nao said, "As long as Sega can sign the contract, victory is in sight."
In a dessert shop, Kiyoshi Yuuma accompanied Tsuda Nao as she selected items. She crouched down, looking at the dazzling array of desserts behind the glass, the corners of her mouth lifting uncontrollably.
People needed sweets to keep their minds active.
"Could I have one serving of the chestnut cake, please?" Tsuda Nao pointed at the display.
"Yes." The server was a very pretty young woman whose smile had a heart-melting sweetness, not inferior to the cakes themselves.
However...
Kiyoshi Yuuma glanced at Tsuda Nao.
No one could compare to how delicious she was.
Such a delectable cake.
He would have to savor her properly tonight.
Kiyoshi Yuuma withdrew his gaze from Tsuda Nao's face and frowned. "Right now we're not entirely sure of Sega's thinking. Although I believe the chances are high, Nakayama could still betray us at the last minute."
Even though they said they would go back, discuss, and give an answer, the result wasn't guaranteed.
Sony had done the same before.
However…
Kiyoshi Yuuma recalled Nakayama Hayao's expression and couldn't determine whether he was truly wavering or just being perfunctory.
With Sony and DUN behind them, plus Pokeni's proposal, it should already carry considerable weight.
"How's this?"
After the cake was packaged, Tsuda Nao cut a small piece with a fork and brought it to Kiyoshi Yuuma's mouth.
"Mm… delicious."
Kiyoshi Yuuma nodded.
How could chestnut cake taste this good?
He had assumed it would be cloyingly sweet, but instead it wasn't too sugary. The chestnut aroma mixed perfectly with the cake, filling his mouth and lifting his mood.
"Right?" Tsuda Nao smiled sweetly. "This cake shop relies more on the ingredients' natural flavors. Chestnut cake doesn't need added sugar and has its own special fragrance."
"Mm-hmm." Kiyoshi Yuuma nodded.
Tsuda Nao carefully packed the remaining portion and, holding his hand, walked out of the shop.
"Save it for tonight with white wine. It'll taste even better," Tsuda said.
"Oh." Kiyoshi Yuuma smiled, unable to hide his excitement. His imagination about the evening was running wild.
"By the way."
After walking a few steps, Tsuda Nao turned back. "Before you bring Sony and Sega together, remember to sign the conditional contract first. Otherwise, they might just abandon Pokeni and leave you out."
Kiyoshi Yuuma smiled calmly. "Of course I know. Sony's side has already signed. Now we just need Sega."
Such conditional contracts were common, mainly to protect one's own interests. Otherwise, if an intermediary introduced two companies and they bypassed the middleman, it would be a huge loss.
"Very good, you've already graduated." Tsuda Nao gazed at Kiyoshi Yuuma, amusement dancing at the corners of her mouth.
"Huh? Then I should thank you, Tsuda-sensei!"
"What else?"
Tsuda Nao smiled playfully as she approached him, tugged gently at his tie, and rose onto her toes.
"Mm…"
"Chestnut cake really is so sweet," Tsuda murmured.
...
The next morning, when Kiyoshi Yuuma arrived at the company, he found two people had arrived earlier than him.
One was Mikami Shinji, who was gradually taking charge of the main planning for Diablo, and the other was Urobuchi Gen.
Seeing their busy figures, Kiyoshi Yuuma couldn't help but sigh.
If geniuses work harder than you, how are you supposed to survive?
Fortunately, these two were on his side.
Mikami Shinji was the diligent type. He might have started from a lower baseline with no game-related experience, relying only on passion, but he was hardworking and responsible.
He always tried his best to complete what Kiyoshi Yuuma assigned, sometimes pushing himself even when he disliked the task.
And his ceiling was high. After going through two projects, he had grown significantly. From initially asking about everything, to only asking about difficult issues, to now—Mikami Shinji could already work independently.
Aside from reporting progress, he rarely sought out Kiyoshi Yuuma. Sometimes he even raised problems that required Yuuma to think for a long time.
His growth rate was impressive.
Kiyoshi Yuuma felt the long-missed joy of nurturing someone.
And Urobuchi Gen?
He was impressive too, just a bit picky. Left alone, he could do excellent work. When he liked the task, he gave 100%. But if he didn't, he might produce nothing for half a month.
Since being brought back onto the Diablo project, his output had dropped noticeably. One reason might be that Mika Ishino was the main writer. Another might be that he simply wasn't interested in the content.
However…
Coming this early every day still showed enthusiasm. That deserved praise.
...
As Kiyoshi Yuuma approached, he noticed that Urobuchi Gen wasn't working on Diablo. He had opened a document and was clearly writing an urban-themed story.
"When he woke up, he found no one beside him…"
Kiyoshi Yuuma read the line aloud, startling Urobuchi Gen.
"Wah!"
Urobuchi Gen nearly fell off his chair. He twisted his head around, saw that it was Kiyoshi Yuuma, quickly closed the monitor, and shot upright like a spring.
"President, are you a cat? How do you walk without making any sound?"
Good heavens, was he planning to defect?
Secretly writing manuscripts, submitting light novels behind his back?
And hiding it from him?
After being caught, instead of reflecting, he was scolding him?
"Wada, what are you writing?" Kiyoshi Yuuma asked, puzzled.
"Well… this…" Urobuchi Gen scratched his head awkwardly. "It's a new game proposal. I planned to show you after finishing it."
Eh?
Really?
Kiyoshi Yuuma paused, then a smile spread across his face.
"Great, Wada. I'm looking forward to your new proposal."
It seemed this guy had been stifled for too long. If he didn't get to stretch his wings a little, he'd feel uncomfortable. As long as he wasn't thinking of running away, there was no problem.
...
That evening, just before the end of the workday, Urobuchi Gen brought a stack of freshly printed proposals to the President's office.
Kiyoshi Yuuma glanced at the title:
[Person of Reversal]
His brow furrowed deeply.
It was already past working hours.
Workers really shouldn't be this hardworking, okay?!