***
Hayao Nakayama filled the cup in front of him with an amber liquid, looking especially clear in the white porcelain cup.
"Gyokuro tea from Shizuoka, have a taste." He said with a vigorous yet steady voice, "I had someone get it for me."
Having clasped the teacup with both hands, Takuya smelled its aroma, mimicking the actions from his memory, then carefully took a sip.
A tender freshness spread across his tongue; it was indeed a fine tea.
"Very refreshing father, thank you."
"Hmm." his father replied and his gaze returned to Takuya's face.
"Now that graduation is over, what's your plan?"
Takuya composed himself as he met his father's gaze "Father, I've decided, I want to develop games at SEGA."
His father briefly paused his hands which held the teacup, then looked up to him.
"Takuya, have you considered it carefully? Do you know what the company's situation is?"
"Of course, father." Takuya responded almost immediately.
He couldn't let the other party think he was acting on impulse.
"In the past two years, our SG-1000 series, including the Mark II and III, have been suffocated in the market by Nintendo's Family Computer, especially with the release of Super Mario Bros, 2 years ago leading to the soaring sales of their Famicom. Now, all capable third-party developers have shifted towards Nintendo." He explained, trying to show commitment.
Hayao Nakayama listened to his son's analysis with a sip, and the displeasure on his face lessened, but his doubts remained.
"I must say I'm surprised with your response, and I'm even more surprised why you'd choose this field, considering all the quagmire surrounding game development?" he said as he lay his cup on the low table.
"I'll have you know, you don't succeed in game development with just bursts of passions from some small-scale tinkering in university clubs. And your understanding of market operations are at most theoretical. With no experience, why this path?"
"Father, experience can be accumulated, and the market can be learned." Takuya sat straight, with his tone carrying a youthful confidence for the future.
"I understand your worries; words alone are not enough. Please give me some time to prepare. I'll give the company and you a surprise when I start at SEGA. At that time, you can judge whether I'm suited for this line of work, what do you say?" He said, leaving room for doubt. With an undeniable spark in his eyes.
…
Three days later, in a cafe near Toshiba Building located in the Shibaura district of the Minato Ward in Tokyo.
Takuya Nakayama with a cup of Blue Mountain coffee on the table by the window, read a newspaper as he sat idly.
Soon after, a young man wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a striped suit entered the cafe looking around. Upon seeing Takuya, he walked towards and sat across from him, ordering a Cappuccino on the way.
"Yo Takuya, haven't seen you in a while," He said "What's the occasion? I was truly surprised you called."
The man was Ito Ryoji, a legendary figure at Tokyo Institute of Technology having been secured by Toshiba with a high signing bonus while he was still interning at said company, and a very good senior of Takuya. Now he works in the computer department.
"Ryoji-san, you really hit the nail hehe, I actually wanted to ask some questions if you don't mind." Takuya said, showing a shy smile.
"Come on Takuya, no need to be so mushy between us. Ask away."
Ryoji said as he smiled and waved his hand
Takuya nodded, saying, "Senpai...I heard Toshiba has been researching foreign computer technology, recently?"
Ryoji's eyes flickered but asked calmly "Mmm, what about it? Are you interested in that?"
"It's just, I'm working at SEGA, so I have to understand the industry trends, right?....
I heard that the Soviet Union recently released an interesting computer game?" He emphasized the words "computer game."
Ryoji's brows furrowed slightly, seemingly deep in thought.
"Hmm" He paused silently for a moment "where did you get the information?"
Takuya's heart leapt; there's a chance!
"Well, I've got some sources, now that I'm dabbling in the industry" He said, with an air of avoidance.
Ryoji stared at him for a few seconds.
Then, he sighed softly and said, "Alright, since you put it that way. I'll indulge you.
We have indeed noticed some developments from the Soviet Union, but…the specific situation isn't very clear yet. As you know, information from there is quite restricted."
This is it. Takuya thought Sure enough, coming to Toshiba this time was the right choice.
"About the computer game, I heard it's called 'Tetris'. Any news of that one?" Takuya said with a tone of urgency leaning forward slightly.
"Tetris?" Ryoji looked deep thought as he pushed up his glasses, the gold-rimmed frame flashing a glint of light.
"I think I've heard that their computer lab has developed games… But, as you know, our department mainly focuses on their hardware technology; we don't pay much attention to those 'unrelated' stuff." Ryoji paused, then asked again, "So you need help getting one?"
Takuya clasped his hands together above his head.
"Senpai gets me the best. If I were a girl, I'd definitely marry you!" ~Wink~
"Well, who said it has to be a girl"
.....
"HEUGH HA HA, I'm joking of course....or am I?" ~Wink~
Seeing Ryoji seemed somewhat swayed?
Takuya gave a self-depreciating laugh as he said "Ahem, on a serious note, help me out senpai. With your resourcefulness and wide network in Toshiba there's definitely a way.
While I can't offer myself, I'll treat you on a drink. The best sake in town, as much as you want."
Ryoji thought for a moment, then nodded and said "Hmm, too bad, guess I'll have to settle on a drink."
At this moment, the waiter brought Ryoji's Cappuccino.
Takuya picked up the Blue Mountain coffee in front of him and raised it to Ito Ryoji, "Thank you so much, Senpai! A toast with coffee?"
Ryoji raised his cup as he said, "After this is done, I'll definitely make you bleed a little, kid!"
"Umm, you're implying money, right?!"