In the evening, the dining room of the Nakayama Family residence was brightly lit.
The crystal chandelier cast a warm glow, illuminating the array of dishes on the long dining table—sashimi platters were glistening, tempura was fried to a golden crisp, and a steaming sukiyaki pot sat in the center.
Hayao Nakayama sat at the head of the table, his wife Nakayama Miyuki to his left, and his eldest son Nakayama Family Katsuya and daughter-in-law Nakayama Family Reiko to his right.
Takuya Nakayama and his older sister Nakayama Family Ayako sat opposite them. His young nephew, Nakayama Family Maruji, sat close to his mother, Nakayama Family Reiko, sniffing at the aroma, but his eyes curiously darted towards his young uncle across the table.
The air was filled with the aroma of food and the soft murmurs of relaxed family conversation, while the maid, Nakayama Family Keiko, quietly refilled tea and water, her movements so gentle she was almost imperceptible.
"Speaking of which, Takuya," Ayako put down her ivory chopsticks and looked at her younger brother with a gentle smile, "that block game you brought back last time was really interesting." She was referring to the time he helped test the tetris prototype. "Mom and I have both been playing the prototype machine you left at home recently, and we can't seem to stop. How is it now? Is the development going smoothly?"
"Game?" Maruji, who was clumsily trying to pick up beef with his small chopsticks, immediately looked up, his big, dark eyes wide with excitement. "What game? Blocks? Is it fun? Uncle!" He asked in a childish voice, his small body leaning forward excitedly, almost knocking over the soy sauce dish, causing Reiko to quickly steady him.
Takuya couldn't help but laugh at his nephew's eager and adorable appearance. "Don't worry, big sister," he first responded to Ayako, "the arcade version has already been completed, and debugging is also finished, so it should be rolled out in Sega's own arcades very soon." He paused, then added, "The console and handheld versions are also being expedited, and progress is faster than expected."
Then he turned to Maruji, deliberately lowering his voice: "Soon, there will be a very impressive version that you can hold in your hand and play anywhere you go. You can play it in the yard, or while riding in the car."
"Wow! A game I can hold in my hand!" Maruji imagined the scene, his eyes widening even further, and he clapped his small hands excitedly, "Really? Can Maruji pick it up too?"
"Of course," Takuya said, suppressing a laugh, "When the time comes, Uncle will give you one as a gift, how about that?"
"Yay! Thank you, Uncle! I'm going to tell Taro and the others!" Maruji was so happy he almost jumped out of his chair, completely forgetting the food in front of him.
Miyuki and Reiko exchanged smiles, their eyes also showing curiosity about this novel game. Ayako looked at her younger brother with satisfaction, seemingly proud that he could create something so popular. The warm family atmosphere quietly flowed around the dining table.
Hayao Nakayama ate calmly, his movements meticulous. He occasionally looked up, scanning his family, his gaze lingering on his youngest son Takuya for a bit longer, his deep eyes holding an imperceptible scrutiny and contemplation.
Dinner was drawing to a close.
Hayao wiped his mouth with a napkin and gently set it down. The relaxed chatter in the dining room gradually ceased.
"Katsuya, Takuya," his voice was not loud, yet it naturally carried a weight that could not be ignored. "Both of you, come to my study."
Miyuki, Reiko, and Ayako exchanged glances, all tacitly refraining from asking further questions. Reiko gently said to Maruji, "Maruji, shall we go to the living room to watch cartoons? Let Daddy and Uncle talk about important matters."
The study door was softly closed, shutting out the laughter from outside.
Heavy maroon curtains blocked the night view from the window, leaving only a soft glow from an elegant green banker's lamp on the desk. The sandalwood bookshelf exuded a faint, calming aroma.
Hayao sat back slightly in his large leather executive chair. Katsuya and Takuya sat on the guest sofa opposite him, their postures a bit more upright than at the dining table.
Keiko brought in three steaming cups of Gyokuro sencha, the emerald green tea emitting an elegant aroma in the white porcelain cups. After setting down the teacups, she quietly retreated, carefully closing the door behind her.
For a moment, there was only the subtle sound of breathing and the rising steam from the tea in the study.
"Katsuya, how is the company doing recently?" Hayao picked up his teacup, gently blowing on the hot tea, and first looked at his eldest son.
Katsuya leaned forward slightly, his posture as steady as ever. "Father, the overall progress of CSK's enterprise information system promotion business is quite smooth." His tone was calm and clear. "We recently successfully signed several significant client orders from large banks and manufacturing companies, with considerable contract values. However," he changed his tone, "in the SME market, the acceptance and popularization of technology still need time to cultivate, and we are also facing fierce competition from several emerging local software companies. They are more flexible in terms of price and service, which has put some pressure on us." He reported both good news and his concerns without reservation.
Hayao noncommittally hummed, taking a sip of tea, which was an implicit acknowledgment of his eldest son's steady approach. "Keep it up. Consolidating existing major clients through steady efforts is the foundation of our business."
Then, his gaze shifted to Takuya. In his calm eyes, there seemed to be an added sharpness, like a honed blade ready to dissect something.
"Takuya."
"I heard from Shimizu that the arcade version of tetris has completed its final testing, and the development of the console and handheld versions is nearing completion." He first stated the facts plainly, as if confirming information. "The project is progressing faster than I expected, which is not bad."
He set down his teacup, which made a soft clink as it landed on the rosewood desk.
"So, what's next?"
"Nintendo's Famicom is currently like a raging fire, almost monopolizing the Japanese market. Third-party software developers are flocking to them like fish to water, showering them with praise. Now, they have even extended their reach to the North America market. Hiroshi Yamauchi has great ambitions and wants to replicate his success in Japan." Hayao's voice deepened, carrying a subtle chill and heavy pressure, accurately pointing out the harsh reality Sega currently faced, and echoing the not-so-optimistic analysis report from the Market Department. "What about our Sega? The SG-1000 and Mark III have repeatedly failed in the home console market, and our share is constantly being eroded."
"Facing such a situation, how do you think Sega can break through with just a block game invented by a Soviet?"
This question, like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, created silent but heavy ripples in the study.
This was not just an inquiry about the future market plans for tetris, but a direct test of his, Takuya Nakayama's, strategic vision and operational capability.
Takuya felt the weight in his father's words, and the attentive gaze from his elder brother Katsuya.
He knew that the successful acquisition and rapid development of tetris had only bought Sega, in its predicament, a little precious breathing room, a card that could temporarily attract some attention.
To truly shake Nintendo's seemingly unshakeable hegemony, and to reverse Sega's continuous decline in the home console market, much more was needed.