On the streets of Shinjuku at dusk, Kobayashi Tetsu strolled leisurely with his hands in his pockets. The streetlights stretched his shadow long on the pavement, and ahead of him, walking a bit faster, was Takamine Aika. She wore a long down jacket, her headband bobbing up and down with her stride.
Kobayashi Tetsu spoke casually, "Recently, someone has been secretly contacting Hideo Kojima behind my back. An anonymous friend who runs a bookstore told me that a few days ago, he saw an employee from another company privately meeting with Kojima."
The bobbing headband came to an abrupt halt. She turned her face to look at Kobayashi Tetsu.
"Hideo Kojima—is that the one from... Metal Gear?"
Though she wasn't much of a gamer, she still paid some attention to industry news. She knew Hideo Kojima had recently risen to fame, apparently having produced some rather impressive work.
Kobayashi Tetsu nodded. "But Hideo Kojima hasn't tried to contact me in any way."
Takamine Aika asked, "So, Tetsu-kun, do you think he'll choose to resign and go to another company?"
She tapped her chin lightly, seemingly lost in thought.
"Still, no news is good news, right? Maybe he hasn't accepted."
Kobayashi Tetsu replied, "But he hasn't refused either. In other words, he's wavering."
This was a fascinating phenomenon. Kobayashi Tetsu was essentially certain that Hideo Kojima would likely reject the other party's offer.
No matter how good Konami's terms were, they wouldn't be significantly better than what Atlas offered. Unless Konami presented an offer that blatantly exceeded the industry standard—like an unconditional annual salary of tens of millions of yen.
But Hideo Kojima wasn't a fool. He would see right through such a salary as a mere lure. No one would accept it unless they were acting on pure impulse.
In other words, not accepting meant he wouldn't accept. Yet, the fact that Hideo Kojima hadn't contacted Kobayashi Tetsu meant that, deep down, he was actually wavering.
"Loyalty that isn't absolute is absolute disloyalty," Kobayashi Tetsu mused. "But then again, Kojima-san has only just tasted the thrill of being a game producer. Of course he's weighing his options. Besides, a game company isn't exactly like Xingnu—you can't expect one hundred percent loyalty."
Kobayashi Tetsu never expected anyone to be completely loyal to the company. That's why he offered generous benefits while binding them with various contracts—a classic carrot-and-stick approach.
"Anyway, let's drop the subject of Kojima-san," Kobayashi Tetsu said, changing the topic. "Speaking of which, Aika, you're graduating next year, aren't you?"
Not from high school, but from university.
Seeing her uncertain expression, Kobayashi Tetsu said casually, "How about coming to work for me at Atlus? I really need someone to handle all the tedious paperwork—the reports, invitations, and all that disorganized stuff. Iwata is juggling it all right now, but he also has to focus on development."
"And—"
Kobayashi Tetsu suddenly stepped closer, his voice trailing off as he adopted a playfully flirtatious tone. "This way, we can be... a little closer."
I don't know anything about games.
Takamine Aika had been about to say that, but the words died in her throat.
Because this job didn't sound like game development at all—it sounded like something else entirely.
Clerical work was no simple task, and it was worlds apart from the medicine she was studying at Keio University.
But still...
She should have detested his flippant attitude, yet Kobayashi Tetsu's words had swayed her.
After all, I can still be helpful this way. And if they were to spend time together in private like this, perhaps there would be other unexpected surprises... like crawling under a table, for instance.
"Alright," Takamine Aika said. "I'll learn."
Kobayashi Tetsu took a step forward and grabbed her hand.
"Won't your family object?"
"My family... they'll be fine."
Her mind was already drifting, her worries completely forgotten. Though she was attending Keio University to work in a hospital after graduation, what hospital could possibly be as exciting as being by Kobayashi Tetsu's side?
Besides, walking the streets with a man this late at night is already degenerate enough. What's a little more degeneracy?
Just as Development Division 2's brief holiday was drawing to a close, Kobayashi Tetsu sent out a personal invitation to the team, inviting everyone to a meal on the final day. The venue was the Old Dixie Restaurant, which had just relocated to the ground floor.
Kobayashi Tetsu stood behind the counter, looking the part in an apron. Even the restaurant's boss just chuckled from the side, making no move to stop him.
As expected, Hideo Kojima showed up for the gathering. Kobayashi Tetsu glanced at him, but Kojima's gaze was slightly averted.
So, he still didn't agree, Kobayashi Tetsu thought, shaking his head slightly. He decided not to speak to Kojima for the moment, instead raising his hand to greet the rest of the Second Division.
"This is a limited-time offer, just for today. Everyone, what would you like to eat?"
The group was eager.
"Sukiyaki!"
"Udon hot pot!"
"Thai Tom Yum Goong!"
Kobayashi Tetsu instantly leaned back.
How inconsiderate!
He didn't know how to make any of those three dishes.
Fortunately, he wasn't alone—he had Nene helping him.
As Kobayashi Tetsu prepared the ingredients, his eyes remained fixed on Hideo Kojima.
"Kojima-kun, won't you eat something?"
Hideo Kojima's gaze shifted away. "I... I'll pass—"
"Don't pass on it," Kobayashi Tetsu said. "I don't usually cook this often."
Nene chimed in with a smile, "President Kobayashi's cooking skills are quite impressive, you know. You really have to try it if you get the chance."
In front of others, she naturally showed Kobayashi Tetsu the proper respect, saving her private nicknames for when they were alone.
Hideo Kojima finally nodded. "If I can order... then, udon, please."
Kobayashi Tetsu set to work on the udon.
The shop naturally stocked the essential dashi broth. The light brown niban-dashi was poured into a yukihira pan, gradually coming to a boil and releasing a gentle steam.
Kobayashi Tetsu methodically sliced the fish cake, fried tofu, and chicken thigh, not forgetting two large sections of green onion.
A few minutes later, the noodles were ready. A bowl piled high with toppings was placed before Hideo Kojima.
"Itadakimasu," Kojima whispered, clasping his hands together with his chopsticks held between them, and began to eat.
The first bite wasn't burnt and bitter as he'd imagined, but surprisingly sweet and fragrant. Even the green onions, which he expected to be pungent, tasted slightly sweet as he chewed.
Hideo Kojima looked up.
He was loath to admit it, but the food was truly delicious.
Kobayashi Tetsu leaned on the counter with both hands, his tone casual. "Are you from Osaka, Kojima-kun?"
Kojima chewed his noodles, trying not to make any slurping sounds as he explained, "No, I was born in Tokyo, in Setagaya Ward."
"What made you decide to go to school in Osaka?"
"Well, it's because I got into that specific university."
"Speaking of which, there are plenty of companies in Osaka—Capcom, SNK, and even Konami."
Kojima suddenly raised his head and stared intently at Kobayashi Tetsu's face, as if trying to read something from his expression. But Kobayashi merely met his gaze calmly.
"Konami, huh—"
Kojima hesitated for a moment before finally putting down his chopsticks.
"Actually, someone from Konami contacted me."
"When you graduated?" Kobayashi asked.
"No, just a few days ago," Kojima replied. "An old classmate of mine works there. He reached out and invited me to join the company. I thought about it for a while, but I turned them down."
Kobayashi wasn't surprised.
He ladled a spoonful of soup into Kojima's bowl and pressed further. "Konami is a good company. Why did you refuse?"
"How should I put this? I just didn't really want to go. Although Konami offered great terms, I always felt they wouldn't support some of my ideas," Hideo Kojima said honestly. "For example, the concept for Metal Gear. A stealth-focused game where you try not to kill enemies has never been seen on the market. If it were Konami, they probably wouldn't have approved this proposal easily. But Atlas is different. President Kobayashi, you approved this proposal without any hesitation."
Having said this, Hideo Kojima mustered some courage: "President, may I bring something up? Actually, I believe Atlas is still not formalized enough. Even if we have no plans to go public, we should at least have the structure of a proper company. The necessary personnel and work arrangements are very important."
Kobayashi Tetsu said, "Actually, Atlas is already making adjustments. For Atlas in its growth phase, stability is more important than expansion. However, I've also been consciously adjusting Atlas's composition lately."
Hideo Kojima continued, "And, what if one day you, President—"
Behind Kobayashi Tetsu, Anegasaki Nene suddenly saw him grip the snow-flat pan tightly.
Kobayashi Tetsu was desperately trying to smack Hideo Kojima on the head.
"You've been brooding over this for days? Why don't I just bash your head in with this pan?!"
Hideo Kojima lowered his head in shame.
Yes, this was what he cared about most! He couldn't bear the thought that after all his hard work over the years, it would all go to waste simply because someone else took over.
Kobayashi Tetsu was so furious he almost swore.
"Open your eyes and look around! Unless some freak accident happens, I won't kick the bucket before you do! Is there anyone else in the whole company younger than me? Why are you so hung up on something that won't happen for decades?!"
Kobayashi Tetsu was absolutely livid.
He had initially thought Kojima was worried about his compensation, only to find out it had nothing to do with that. Kojima was afraid there would be no one to carry on his legacy after Kobayashi kicked the bucket.
More importantly...
Kobayashi Tetsu wanted to scream, I've already dated several girlfriends! How could there be no one to carry on my legacy?
If anything, he should be worried about not having enough Atlas to go around!
Kobayashi Tetsu gestured sharply toward the door.
"Now get the fuck out of here and start assembling a team for Metal Gear 2! You're the Manager—find the staff yourself! This time, we're launching on a new platform! If you bring up any more of this nonsense, I'll give you a haircut you won't forget!"
Kobayashi Tetsu almost slammed the pan onto Kojima's head, ready to give him a Crazy Dave-style haircut right then and there.
Still eating noodles?
Eat shit! Get out and make Metal Gear 2!
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