As long as we capture the markets on both sides, that will be enough.
As for other markets?
Akira Fujimiya doesn't need them.
The virtual idol project is already a huge cake, and he only needs to cut off the largest piece. After the rest is taken by others, they will still use the video platform and give him a small share of their piece too.
Akira didn't mind competition from virtual idols of other companies. As long as he controlled the video platform and was first to launch this plan, he would benefit no matter what.
Games and other media will inevitably require cooperation in the future.
Akira even considered acquiring a gaming company to recreate popular games he knew from his previous life. Many games in this market couldn't survive otherwise.
"We still have to plan step by step. We can't become a fat man in one breath who can't even run for the future," Akira murmured.
.....
Lunch break,
Akira made an appointment with Yukinoshita Yukino to have lunch together on the rooftop. He reached there first and waited a few minutes.
Yukinoshita Yukino arrived carrying her bento.
"...I heard from Miss Kanae Takahashi that you are going to collaborate with her on a Manga," Yukino said as she approached and sat beside him.
"Yes, it's going to be a very good manga, but I haven't thought of the ending yet," Akira nodded.
"You haven't thought of the ending? In other words, you've already figured out most of the plot?" Yukino opened her lunch box as she spoke.
"You could say that," Akira replied without denying it.
"Is the ending difficult?" Yukino asked, picking up a piece of fried pork cutlet and feeding it to him with her hand.
"It's not perfect. It's actually a very bad ending. The protagonist dies in the end, leaving a lot of unresolved problems," Akira said, chewing the pork cutlet.
"The protagonist dies?" Yukino was stunned, then sighed and rolled her eyes at him as she continue, "Why are your stories always full of regret?"
"Maybe regretful stories are the ones people remember the most," Akira joked.
"When the time comes, I'll help you think of the ending and try to make it better," Yukino said helplessly.
"There is a relatively happy ending too. The protagonist lays down all his burdens and lives in seclusion in the quiet place with the heroine. But this ending leaves more problems—the protagonist is essentially escaping from everything," Akira said after a moment of thought.
"Let's face the problems. Does the protagonist really have to die?" Yukino asked while eating her lunch.
"How should I put it? Maybe the protagonist has an obsession in his heart," Akira explained.
"As a creator, you can't completely put yourself in the protagonist's shoes," Yukino reminded him, while also continuing to feed him.
"You're right," Akira said thoughtfully, as he eat.
The two ate their lunch quietly.
Afterward, Akira rested his head on Yukino's knees. She stroked his hair as he explained the virtual idol plan.
When he was nearly finished, Yukino looked at the sky and gave her opinion.
"I've seen these so-called virtual idols. Their main traits are their personality and appearance of the model." she said.
"...buy having an unique personality and attractive model is half only the battle. The rest is the live broadcast style and content," she added.
Akira reached out and touched her cheek.
"The virtual idol project, the video platform, and the games I have in mind… these will all take a long time to complete. If they succeed, I can hand the company over to you. Then I'll stay at home, take care of the children, occasionally tease Yui, Shouko and go on dates…"
"Don't you care about these things?" Yukino looked straight into Akira's eyes.
"The Yukinoshita family's business will eventually merge with mine. When that happens, my assets will grow, and I won't mind sharing some with you," Akira said with a smile.
"Your target is the Yukinoshita family's property? I thought you said you weren't interested in it. You act like you don't care about money. Are you lying?" Yukino asked sharply.
Akira sat up and held her in his arms.
"Money is just a number to me...You all are my whole life. Your's value far exceeds my assets."
"You only know how to say sweet things. I think you married me and got involved with my sister just for the Yukinoshita family's property," Yukino muttered, snuggling closer.
"Okay, I admit it. Miss Yukinoshita, now that you know my plan, you must listen to me obediently. Otherwise, I'll have to go find Yui," Akira said teasingly.
"...Can we go to my apartment tonight?" Yukino lifted her head slightly, looking expectant and shy.
Akira smile as he picked her up, bringing his lips closed to her ears as he whispered something in her ear.
Yukino's face instantly turned red.
.....
After lunch break, Akira returned to the classroom.
Shouko glanced at him, her face slightly flushed everytime she glance at him.
Noticing her expression, Akira reached out and placed his hand on her leg. Shouko didn't remove his hand as she nervously and slyly looked at him.
("What did you two talk about?") Akira asked in sign language with his free hand.
Shouko shook her head and signed that it was a matter between girls and it is not something that could be told to him.
("Is there anything else you can't tell me?") Akira's hand moved slightly further, as his other hand continue to signed.
Shouko's face flushed even more, and she grabbed his hand from going up.
Seeing this, Akira didn't say anything, simply looked at her holding his hand, as he used his free hand to hold her other hand.
Shouko glanced at the teacher walking into the classroom. She was afraid to pull her hand back, so she looked at Akira with pleading eyes.
Akira looked at her shy expression.
("The more shy you are, the more I want to tease you. I can actually guess what you two talked about,") he signed.
Shouko tried to explain with but couldn't because her hand was held by him, while her other hand was keeping his hand (on the thigh) from moving. If the teacher noticed, it might implicate Hiratsuka-sensei.
In the end, she could only look at him, hoping he would understood what she was telling just like how she sometimes understand.
Akira naturally understood but had no intention of letting go.
When Shouko's eyes started to water, he paused —
"Teacher, Nishimiya seems to be unwell. I'll take her to the infirmary," Akira said, letting go of her hand.
The teacher stopped what she was doing, looked at them, then nodded silently.
Once he got permission, Akira signed to Shouko to follow him.
She quickly stood, bowed slightly to the teacher, and followed him.
.....
In the corridor,
Shouko lowered her head, feeling nervous thinking she might have angered Akira again.
They both reached the Student Council Office after sometime.
As soon as Shouko entered, Akira closed the door behind her.
The Student Council Office was empty except for them.
He went to the sofa, sat down, and looked at her.
Shouko signed an apology.
Akira patted the space in front of him.
Blushing, Shouko came and sat down.
Akira hugged her gently.
"Stupid." He whispered in her hearing device. His voice low bit cleared enough for her to understand what he was telling.
"… sozzy," Shouko murmured, her voice low and hard to understand.
("I should be the one to say sorry. I didn't expect you to almost cry,") Akira bought his hands infront of her as he signed.
Shouko quickly signed that she tended to cry whenever she become anxious.
Akira signed back, promising not to joke like that anymore.
Shouko leaned her head against his chest, recalling his words.
After the hug, she turned her head, looked at Akira's face and slowly raised her head bringing her lips near to — kissed him.
Akira was not really surprised by her sudden action.
Shouko was indeed very shy to show her emotions but...she was more afraid of losing his affection.
After the kiss, Shouko signed to ask if she had done the right thing.
("That's right… but not entirely,") Akira replied.
She asked if there was anything else she could do.
("Let me feel your heartbeat," ) Akira said seriously.
Shouko's face turned bright red.
She hesitated, then closed her eyes without making any movement.
Akira understood her consent and didn't act too politely.
As his hand moved, the office door suddenly opened.
"I heard Shouko wasn't feeling well—!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka stopped mid-sentence.
"Sensei, listen to my excuse!," Akira said firmly, pulling his hands back.
"Let me punch you!. If you dodge, I'll move out of Sakurasou," Shizuka said coldly as she looked at him menacingly.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,517