"Tom hit the nail on the head." Takuya Nakayama put down his pen. "Microsoft now has the technical foundation from Spyglass. Even if IE 1.0 is a semi-finished product, as long as it's pre-installed for free in Windows 95, average users won't bother to go out of their way to download Netscape's browser. Especially with new computers; to pre-install Windows, OEM manufacturers will definitely accept the IE bundle."
Frank was silent on the other end for a moment. "Boss, do you mean Netscape won't last long?"
"In the short term, Netscape's IPO will certainly create a batch of millionaires. Wall Street needs a benchmark for the internet concept. Netscape is that perfect target." Takuya Nakayama analyzed the situation. "But in the long run, when Microsoft's war machine rolls over them, a business model that relies solely on selling browser software licenses won't work."
"Then what should we at Silicon Valley Online do?" Frank asked.
"Two things." Takuya held up two fingers, though the other person couldn't see him. "First, the technical cooperation previously reached between Silicon Valley Online and Netscape must be implemented as quickly as possible. Get the things we need, whether it's the underlying architecture or compatibility protocols, to ensure our social platform and gaming business remain unaffected. Second, keep a close eye on Netscape's IPO."
Takuya Nakayama paused for a moment, his tone turning serious. "On its first day of trading, Netscape's stock price will definitely soar to a ridiculous high. Don't get attached; find the right moment to sell off our shares in batches and cash out."
"Sell everything?" Frank asked, surprised. "The analysts at Morgan Stanley believe Netscape's market value still has room to multiply over the next few years."
"Take Morgan Stanley and Hambrecht & Quist's words with a grain of salt. As the lead underwriters, they only care about transaction commissions," Takuya retorted bluntly. "Keep the cash in hand. The internet market is about to enter a period of wild, unbridled growth, and we need ample liquidity to invest in or acquire genuinely valuable startups, rather than tying our money to Netscape, a ship destined to go head-to-head with Microsoft. Once Netscape's stock growth slows down, the startups we invest in or acquire during this period will have appreciated significantly."
"Understood," Frank replied. "I'll have the finance department draft a specific divestment plan, avoiding lock-up period restrictions, and handle it through block trades or other compliant channels."
"Well, this time window should be quite long, so there's no need to rush. Netscape will definitely file a request with the Department of Justice to initiate an investigation into Microsoft, accusing them of using their operating system monopoly to illegally suppress Netscape. You Americans should know better than I do how much the Department of Justice detests monopolies. Just think of Standard Oil and the American Tobacco Company at the turn of the century, and AT&T ten years ago—weren't all of them the work of the federal government?"
"That's true. In that case, the development roadmap you customized for Silicon Valley Online really does avoid antitrust investigations; such an invisible moat is truly reassuring," Frank laughed.
"Hey, I didn't think that much about it at the time, I just implemented whatever features came to mind."
"Tom, you need to cooperate with Frank as well," Takuya Nakayama turned to Tom. "Sega of North America's resources can be appropriately tilted toward Silicon Valley Online, especially for the upcoming DND online game project. The Netscape matter is just an interlude; our real core is content and community."
"Don't worry, Takuya," Tom laughed heartily. "The licensing negotiations for DND are nearing their end, and TSR has finally loosened up. As long as the funding is in place, buying out the license won't be a problem."
After finishing a full day's work, Nakayama Takuya signed his name on the final document.
He capped his fountain pen and pushed the document to the edge of his desk.
The hands of the wall clock stopped precisely at 5:30 PM.
He stood up and grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the chair.
"Managing Director, the meeting with Sony Music tomorrow morning..." His assistant leaned into the doorway, holding a schedule.
"Push it to the afternoon," Takuya said, putting on his jacket as he walked out. "I'm taking Eri to her check-up at Sugiyama Obstetrics and Gynecology in the morning."
The assistant nodded and stepped aside.
Everyone at Sega was long accustomed to the "eccentric Managing Director's" habit of leaving work right on time.
He had been working non-stop leading up to the E3 Expo and the listing of Silicon Valley Online recently.
Now that the major events were settled, as long as he was in Tokyo, he wouldn't stay at the office a minute longer than necessary.
Half an hour later, the car pulled into the driveway of their home in Setagaya Ward.
Crisp laughter drifted from the courtyard.
Nakayama Takuya pushed open the front door and changed into slippers.
The floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room were wide open.
On the lawn, four-year-old Nakayama Kazuki was chasing the family's golden retriever while holding a Buzz Lightyear action figure.
Eri sat in a rattan chair on the veranda, holding a cup of warm barley tea, watching her son romp about.
By her calculations, she was four months pregnant.
Loose loungewear concealed her slightly rounded belly.
Having survived the most grueling period of morning sickness, she now looked radiant, with a healthy flush on her cheeks.
Hearing footsteps, Eri turned her head.
"You're right on time again today." She set down her teacup, her tone light.
Takuya Nakayama walked over, sat in the empty chair beside her, and reached out to smooth the stray hairs that the wind had tousled.
"Work is wrapped up. My subordinates will take care of the rest."
He looked at his son, who was drenched in sweat in the yard, and beckoned him over.
"Kazuki, come here."
Hearing his father's call, the little boy abandoned the golden retriever, ran back to the veranda on his short legs, and threw himself into Takuya's arms.
"Papa, my Buzz Lightyear can fly!" Kazuki held up his toy to show off.
Takuya took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his son's face.
"Even if he can fly, you still need to wash your hands before dinner." He gave Kazuki's nose a playful flick. "Go find Aunt Keiko and wash up."
Kazuki nodded obediently and ran into the house with his toy.
Only the couple was left on the veranda.
Takuya leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.
The past two months had been the worst stage of Eri's morning sickness.
He, however, had been stuck in Los Angeles and San Francisco, handling the E3 Exhibition and the roadshow for Silicon Valley Online.
The previous two months were exactly the period when Eri's morning sickness was at its worst.
He happened to be stuck in Los Angeles and San Francisco, handling the E3 Expo and the IPO roadshow for Silicon Valley Online.
Every day, he could only rely on overseas phone calls to hear her voice.
As a husband, he was absent during the time she needed him most.
This was also the reason he had turned down all non-essential social engagements recently and came home on time every day.
It was purely a desire to make it up to her.
Eri turned her head to study her husband.
She knew this man too well.
The guilt hidden deep in his heart was written all over his hurried footsteps every day after work.
"If you keep staring at me like this every day, I'll start thinking I'm a new game project Sega is developing," Eri teased.
"If you were a game project, you'd be a top-secret one that requires me to guard you twenty-four hours a day," Takuya Nakayama replied smoothly.
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