"Good morning, Section Chief Fuyukawa!"
As usual, Tetsu Fuyukawa steps into the lobby, greeted by the receptionist's sweet voice. He smiles and nods in return, but as he reaches the office floor, a strange atmosphere envelops him.
"Something's off."
Carrying his briefcase, Tetsu strides quickly down the hallway, his brow furrowing slightly. The regular staff still bow respectfully as he passes, but Tetsu, sensitive to subtle shifts in behavior, notices their eyes lingering on him differently today—curious, almost as if they're waiting for a show.
He senses a problem but can't pinpoint why.
Puzzled, Tetsu's mind races. As he enters Hikari Bird Studio, Kawaguchi, who's heating water, blurts out in a panic, "Team Leader, bad news!"
Here it comes.
Tetsu doesn't respond immediately. He glances at Sayoko, who's followed him in. She quietly closes the studio door, understanding the cue.
Tetsu sets his briefcase on a nearby table. "No need to rush. Take it slow and tell me what's going on."
"It's just…" Kawaguchi swallows hard, visibly nervous. He takes a deep breath to steady himself. "Department Three's Kazuma Studio—didn't their game already reach the final voice recording stage? Everyone thought they'd take a break after it launched. But I heard this morning that Kazuma's team leader, Serizawa, submitted a new proposal. They're making a galge! They're coming for us!"
"Kazuma Studio's making a galge?"
Tetsu raises an eyebrow, but his eyes show no surprise.
While Surrounded by Beauties is a live-action interactive movie game, it's still classified as a galge in this world, where no blockbuster of its kind has emerged, and its mature, beauty-focused style aligns with the genre.
Competition within a major game company is fiercer than outsiders might imagine. It's common for a single company to greenlight multiple competing projects in the same genre during the same period. After internal testing and early market performance, the weaker projects get axed, and resources are funneled into the strongest contender.
Before Minister Miyano arrived, departments stuck to their historically established domains, competing internally among their own studios rather than clashing with others.
But things have changed.
Department Four started with fighting and strategy games, once hitting it big with the Fist King series and Twelve Zodiac Beauties Strategy series.
Fighting games have faded, and the strategy game market is limited.
For Minister Miyano to expand Department Four, she has two options: dive into a niche like galge or poach from another department's territory, like Department Three's ARPG domain.
Given this, Tetsu isn't surprised by Department Three's aggressive response. What does surprise him is Kazuma Studio jumping into galge.
While not Department Three's flagship, Kazuma Studio has a solid reputation in the industry. Galge, including live-action interactive movie games, has a small audience—selling 100,000 copies is considered a hit.
"President Ozuru showing up with Minister Miyano this morning."
"Kazuma Studio announcing a galge."
"Am I the fish caught in the crossfire?"
Tetsu's expression turns playful, but then he notices Kawaguchi glancing at him nervously, lips twitching as if he wants to say more but doesn't dare.
Catching this, Tetsu, already deep in thought, has no patience for hesitation. He plants a hand on his hip, annoyed. "Spit it out. Don't hem and haw like that."
"Yes, sir!"
Kawaguchi snaps to attention but quickly deflates. "Alright, I'll say it. This morning, in the restroom, I overheard some Kazuma Studio guys talking… They said…"
"Well?!"
"They said this is just the appetizer! They'll crush us in three months and make you… make you know your place!"
Perhaps out of fear, Kawaguchi practically shouts the last part, his voice booming before he slumps, exhausted.
Know your place!
The office falls silent. Mrs. Nogi flinches, clutching her teacup, only daring to sneak a glance at Tetsu with the corner of her eye. Sayoko clenches her fists, her worried gaze fixed on Tetsu's expressionless profile.
She knows how strong-willed Tetsu is.
In a situation like this…
Gulp.
Sayoko swallows hard, pressing her back against the door, bracing for Tetsu to storm off and confront someone. But to her surprise, he just rubs his chin with his thumb, his face unreadable. After a long moment, he says calmly, "Got it. No need to stress. Get ready for the auditions."
"Yes, sir!"
His voice is steady, but even after Tetsu retreats to his cubicle, Kawaguchi and Mrs. Nogi don't dare sit down.
---
It's no secret that the start of the workday is prime gossip time, when rumors spread like wildfire. Today, the two biggest scoops at NTsoft are President Ozuru's return to the company and… Department Three and Four gearing up for a showdown!
Compared to the vague buzz about the president, the second rumor is far juicier.
Department Four is squaring off against Department Three, and Kazuma Studio is launching a rival galge to take down Hikari Bird!
The news spreads through NTsoft like wildfire. Employees passing Hikari Bird Studio's door can't help but sneak curious, mocking glances.
Yes, mocking.
Hikari Bird Studio, including Tetsu, has just four members—NTsoft's smallest team.
Kazuma Studio, a mid-to-upper-tier team in Department Three, boasts over thirty core members, not counting outsourced staff.
And that's not all.
Tetsu is undeniably a rising star at NTsoft, a standout among the younger generation. But he's only been working five years and has never led a project solo.
Kazuma Studio's team leader, Takatatsu Serizawa, is 43, a seasoned veteran who worked on major projects in his youth. Promoted to deputy chief at 35, he's led Kazuma Studio through eight years of ups and downs, earning a solid reputation in the industry.
Whether it's studio size, staff capability, or leadership experience, Hikari Bird is outmatched on every front!
Some busybodies are even betting in private, wagering on where Tetsu will end up after Hikari Bird disbands and whether his section chief title will be revoked.
"If you ask me, he'd be better off joining our department. Then I'll show him how to—oh, morning, Section Chief Fuyukawa!"
The company buzzes with chatter. Kazuma Studio employees setting up the first-floor audition hall are especially chatty, but the moment Tetsu strides into the lobby with his briefcase, the entire floor falls silent.
Gulp.
A scruffy-looking Kazuma employee swallows hard as Tetsu walks past without a glance, heading straight into Hikari Bird's audition room. Once Tetsu's inside, the employee scoffs under his breath. "What's with the attitude? When Hikari Bird flops, let's see if you keep that section chief title—Morning, Section Chief Fuyukawa!"
Mid-rant, he freezes as Tetsu reappears. The scruffy employee jumps, bowing hastily.
Ignoring him, Tetsu, who's just stepping out to use the restroom, gives him a fleeting glance.
Did he hear me?!
That single look sends the scruffy employee's legs trembling.
But seeing Tetsu disappear around the corner without a word, he scoffs again, though quieter this time. He glances around cautiously, muttering to himself, "What's with that guy? Sneaking around like a thief with no sound!"