86-90

Chapter 86: Conversation 

"Chinese?" 

Miyano Mitei froze for a moment, staring at the text on the screen. 

The Chinese gaming market boasts over 600 million users, with last year’s total sales nearing 300 billion yuan, making it the second-largest gaming market globally, just behind the United States. 

Sure, 76.04% of those sales come from mobile games, and console and PC users are more bark than bite, but with such a massive market, even the smaller segments dwarf the scale of Japanese game companies. 

Add to that platforms like OTTO with global reach, and the cultural similarities between Japanese and Chinese civilizations, and it’s no surprise that Japanese games have always prioritized Chinese users in their marketing. But it depends on the game type. 

Titles tied to Chinese culture or high-quality blockbusters sell well there, but galgames? They’re a total flop in China—so niche that many don’t even have pirated versions available. That’s why, when promoting I’m Surrounded by Beautiful Women, Mitei didn’t focus much on the Chinese market, instead pouring efforts into Japan. 

He wants to crack the Chinese market? 

Mitei frowned at the thought, smoothing out her crumpled pencil skirt and half-sitting on the boss’s desk, arms crossed. "The two budget approvals you requested from me—are they for breaking into China’s promotional channels? Don’t you know galgames have never been a hit there?" 

"I know." 

When it came to business, Mitei’s tone sharpened, more commanding than usual. Fuyukawa Tetsu just shrugged, sipped his goji berry tea, and offered her a cigarette. "You’re overthinking it. This game is definitely aimed at satisfying male users’ emotions, but its audience is completely different from galgames. I’ve mentioned this to you before." 

"I don’t smoke. And your little project isn’t enough to stress me out." 

Pushing his hand away, Mitei shifted her hips, fully sitting on the desk now. Her black-stockinged legs dangled, her sharp high heels teasingly swaying in front of Tetsu. She grabbed his goji berry tea, took a sip, and said, "You did say this game’s audience isn’t the same as galgames, but user preferences differ between the two markets. In Japan, while your game might not have blockbuster potential, galgames at least have a solid core audience. I think you should focus on the domestic market first, stabilize it, and then—" 

"No." 

Tetsu cut her off, shaking his head. He stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. "How long has it been since you did a large-scale market survey on China?" 

"We did one mid-year." 

"Mid-year… six months ago, huh?" 

Tetsu shook his head, turning back with a smile. "A big survey every six months? That’s the market department’s pace from a decade ago. You’re falling behind, you know." 

"Just a stinky guy like you, acting like an expert? I was doing market research when you were still— Wait, what are you doing?! I’m not in the mood for your weird games right now!" 

Her skills questioned, Mitei’s sharp, glamorous eyes narrowed, ready to fire back. But then Tetsu stepped close. 

Their eyes locked, less than half a meter apart. Her gaze wavered slightly, but Tetsu didn’t make a move. He just flicked ash into the ashtray next to her stocking-clad, shapely thigh and grinned. "I’m not in the mood for that either. Besides, tonight I’ll have a new maid in a short skirt to play with—I can take my time." 

"You—!" 

"Alright, alright, I’m not here to bicker." Tetsu plopped back into the boss’s chair, chuckling. "You know about that short-video app from China, Tick Tock, right?" 

"Obviously. How could I not?" Mitei rolled her stunning eyes. 

Tetsu smiled and continued, "What’s the basic logic behind Tick Tock’s success?" 

"Why don’t you just say it? I’m the boss here!" 

"Such a temper." Tetsu shook his head, laughing. "The core of Tick Tock’s success is that modern life moves fast. Short, fast-paced, dopamine-packed videos that don’t require brainpower perfectly fit people’s need to unwind. It’s a product tailored to the times, so it was bound to blow up." 

"And? Everyone knows this." 

Mitei, still perched on the desk, gave another dismissive eye-roll, arms crossed. But this time, Tetsu wasn’t indulging her. 

He stubbed out his cigarette, placed his hands on her plush thighs, and kneaded lightly. "Fragmented, fast-paced storytelling, packed with instant gratification, no brainpower needed—that’s like mental opium for modern people. It’s highly addictive, but Tick Tock has already cornered that market. That framework can’t support narrative-driven games. But short-form dramas, evolved from those videos, are different." 

"Short-form dramas?" 

Finally hearing something new, Mitei’s brows furrowed. 

Tetsu nodded. "Short-form dramas are a recent trend in China—think TV shows with fast-paced stories, constant payoffs, and no need to overthink. Unlike short videos, they’re less fragmented but have stronger narrative continuity. Fragmentation isn’t the key to addiction; fast pacing, easy consumption, and instant gratification are. And short-form dramas, which trade fragmentation for story continuity, have hit a market size of 20 billion yuan—400 billion yen—in just six months! That’s way bigger than the galgame market! That’s what I’m targeting!" 

At this, Tetsu squeezed her thigh with his right hand while tapping his laptop with his left, pulling up the game’s interface. "This game is essentially a short-form drama disguised as a game! Compared to dramas, its light interactivity gives players a stronger sense of immersion than just watching. And there’s one more critical point." 

"What?" Mitei tilted her head, a bit dazed by his passionate spiel. 

Tetsu pinched her cheek, turned to the window, and grinned. "You might not like hearing this, but men still earn more in this society. Yet, male users don’t have the same spending drive as women for things like bags, clothes, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, or even dining out. So, to drain men’s wallets, corporations have turned their sights on women. 

Whether it’s Japan’s ‘three wallets’ or China’s ‘first milk tea of the season’ or ‘must-buy Valentine’s gifts for your girlfriend,’ these trends aren’t organic. They’re not even driven by women—they’re pushed by capital to guilt-trip men into spending on women. 

But as the environment shifts, men are starting to focus more on their own experiences rather than on women. You’ve seen it in Japan and Korea already. When men prioritize their own satisfaction, the male economy rises. And the hallmark of the male economy is that things men are interested in sell better in this era! 

The hottest short-form drama format, a game shell that appeals to male players, and the rising tide of the male economy!" 

Tetsu turned to Mitei, whose eyes were starting to glaze over, and smiled. "Trust me, compared to Japan right now, this game’s market in China will be way bigger!" 

"That… kinda makes sense." 

Mitei’s eyes flickered with a hint of admiration for Tetsu’s confidence, but she still voiced her concern. "So, are you completely giving up on the domestic market?" 

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it. It was an obvious answer. 

Damn it! He pulled me into his pace! 

A flash of embarrassment crossed her eyes. 

Tetsu caught it and chuckled. "You already know the answer, don’t you? This game is made by a Japanese studio, starring Japanese girls. If it blows up in China, domestic players will get curious—it’s national pride at work. And when that happens, we won’t even need to lift a finger. The media will swarm like hyenas chasing traffic." 

After his long-winded explanation, Mitei’s eyes grew brighter. Tetsu took a sip of his goji berry tea and grinned. "Now you can go order that maid outfit. Make it a short skirt, preferably one size too small." 

"…Go die! If this game flops, I’m stepping on your face!" 

Chapter 87: The Lustful Little Hero 

While Tetsu Fuyukawa was deep in discussion with Miyano Mitei in the office, elsewhere, the Third Department was buzzing with focus. 

“Relax, Yamanaka. He’s just a greenhorn who barely knows the ropes. Against Serizawa, he doesn’t stand a chance,” said Yosuke Nobi, the 58-year-old head of the Third Department. He lounged behind his boss’s desk, a cigar in one hand and a pretty secretary perched on his lap. 

Hearing this, Deputy Director Yamanaka, a bald man in a flashy gold suit, sat up straighter on the U-shaped sofa. He’d been nervously glancing at the clock but now bowed slightly, keeping his head low. “Yes, sir! You’re absolutely right, Director Nobi! In front of Deputy Director Serizawa, that kid’s nothing. But this matter is so critical to me, it’s hard to stay as calm as a seasoned veteran like you. I still have so much to learn from you!” 

His flattery hit the mark. Nobi’s face lit up with a pleased smirk, his hand growing bolder on the secretary’s thigh. He laughed heartily. “Well said! That’s the spirit! Japan needs steady men like you who reflect and respect their seniors!” 

“You’re too kind, sir,” Yamanaka replied, his posture even more rigid, his face beaming with pride. 

Nobi let out a boisterous laugh. “Hahaha, I speak from the heart! Tomomi, light a cigar for Deputy Director Yamanaka!” 

“Oh, no need… Thank you, Miss Tomomi, I can handle it,” Yamanaka stammered, standing to bow as the heavily perfumed secretary approached. He accepted the cigar with both hands. 

Tomomi’s eyes flashed with a hint of arrogance, while Nobi’s gaze carried a trace of disdain and control. Taking a puff of his cigar, Nobi’s expression turned serious. He tapped the desk. “Yamanaka, I’ve always had high hopes for you.” 

“Yes, sir!” Yamanaka snapped to attention, startled by the sudden praise but sensing the real topic was coming. Ignoring the half-lit cigar, he bowed deeply. “It’s an honor to have your recognition, Director Nobi!” 

“Good.” Nobi nodded, waving the secretary away as he puffed on his cigar. “Dealing with that Fuyukawa kid is no big deal. I’ve never taken him seriously—just an arrogant brat. Once this is over, I’ll have him out of the company. But you know why I’m giving you this chance to transfer to my department.” 

“Yes, I understand!” Yamanaka bowed again, then raised his head with a fawning smile. “When that guy’s game flops, I’ll be the first to storm Miyano’s office!” 

“Excellent! That’s the spirit!” Nobi roared with laughter. Just then, Tomomi glanced at her watch and whispered something in his ear. 

“Got it. Call everyone in the department to the meeting room. Let’s all watch Miyano’s downfall!” Nobi grinned, giving Tomomi’s hip a playful pat. He stood, grabbing his briefcase, and nodded at Yamanaka. “It’s almost launch time. Want to head to the Third Department’s meeting room early?” 

The Third Department’s meeting room? 

Yamanaka’s polite smile faltered. Though his transfer to the Third Department was set, he was still technically with the Fourth Department. Showing up at the Third’s meeting room now… 

That Fuyukawa kid can’t possibly turn this around! 

With that thought, he relaxed and nodded obsequiously. “Of course, Director.” 

“Hahaha, let’s go!” 

As noon approached, the entire company grew restless. When Yosuke Nobi, the Third Department’s director, led a large group toward the meeting room—with Deputy Director Yamanaka from the Fourth Department in tow—the company’s atmosphere exploded. 

“My god, Yamanaka’s jumping ship? He’s all in!” one employee whispered. 

“He had no choice. Miyano wouldn’t keep him either way. Joining the Third Department now is like offering a loyalty pledge,” another replied. 

“Tch, what a sleaze. Always preaching about ‘Showa-era grit’ to new hires, telling them not to chase money but to have dreams and backbone. Look at him now,” someone scoffed. 

“Shh, keep it down! Don’t let him hear you.” 

“What’s there to fear? If he loses, he’s out of headquarters!” 

“The problem is, it’s hard for him to lose! Serizawa’s Kazuma Studio has churned out solid titles for years. Their team’s stacked, and their galgame is based on a novel with built-in hype. Plus, it’s got B-tier promotional weight and a prime spot on OTTO’s homepage! Anyone who plays galgames will see it. Meanwhile, Fuyukawa’s new studio has no IP and only C-tier promotion. No way they win!” 

“Yamanaka’s hitched himself to the right horse!” 

The company was abuzz with chatter. Sensing the shift in gazes from disdain to fear or envy, Yamanaka’s confidence surged as he followed the group into the Third Department’s meeting room. 

Truth be told, this clash between the two departments was intense, but like everyone else, the Third Department’s staff knew Kazuma Studio’s strength. The meeting room’s vibe was far from tense—some team leads were even joking about which hostess at the karaoke bars was cuter for their victory party. 

In this lighthearted atmosphere, the clock hit 12:00. 

“It’s here! It’s here!” someone shouted. 

“It’s live! Whoa, the numbers are climbing! Even with just a week of pre-orders, tons of users bought in. Novel adaptations really bring the hype!” another cheered. 

“No kidding! My Stepmom Can’t Be This Cute was a deal Director Nobi personally sealed. Of course it’s a big deal!” someone added. 

“Exactly. Miyano’s way too cocky. In terms of influence, she can’t hold a candle to Director Nobi!” 

“Wait, the Fourth Department’s sales are moving. Let’s see… 14 copies? Haha, are you kidding? Ten minutes in, and only 14 sold?!” 

“With only C-tier promotion, 10 minutes and 14 copies? That’s a first!” 

On the meeting room screen, two bar charts told the story. The Third Department’s chart rocketed upward, while the Fourth’s barely budged. 

Ten minutes, 14 copies sold! 

Sure, it was just 10 minutes, but games get pre-release hype. While launch day isn’t the peak, such a low start was telling. 

I’m Surrounded by Beauties had a week of promotional buildup, advertised across galgame forums. Yet, 10 minutes in, only 14 copies sold. What did that mean? 

Galgame fans weren’t interested. 

A galgame that galgame fans ignored? 

They’d missed the market entirely. 

This was a fatal flaw no bug fix or patch could solve. 

The sales data sent the Third Department into a frenzy. 

A flop! 

The Fourth Department’s new game was a total flop! 

The excitement wasn’t confined to the meeting room—it swept through NTsoft’s entire building. Everyone was talking about Lightbird Studio’s catastrophic launch. 

And it was lunchtime, no less! 

As the buzz continued and lunch hour ended, as newer Third Department employees planned their karaoke celebrations and the sun began to set, the tone shifted. 

“Director, here’s the data! The Fourth Department’s game sold only 180 copies in five hours! That’s a mega-flop!” a finance team member reported. 

The Finance Director frowned, shaking his head as he took the tablet. “Five hours, 180 copies, not counting refunds? Something’s off. C-tier promotion shouldn’t perform this badly.” 

“But… the sales are real. It’s not like OTTO’s eating our numbers,” a cautious staff member replied. 

The Finance Director shot her a look, then stared at the tablet. “Impossible. C-tier promotion guarantees at least 300,000 users see the product. It’s not huge, but with OTTO’s two-hour refund window, there’s no way only 180 copies sold. And only three refunds with a 92% approval rate? With this quality and traffic, there’s no way the numbers are this skewed. Something’s wrong. Very wrong.” 

Clutching the tablet, the Finance Director’s brows knitted tightly. 

He wasn’t alone. 

Every veteran at NTsoft who saw the data frowned. 

Even the Third Department’s old-timers, ready to celebrate, sensed something fishy. 

“Impossible! This data’s rigged! Check it now!” roared Deputy Director Serizawa of Kazuma Studio, slightly tipsy from the lunch celebration. He slammed the table, glaring at his team. 

Years of frontline experience told him something was off, but he couldn’t pinpoint what. 

Turning to the giant screen, the three-digit sales figure stared back. 

Three hours ago, it thrilled him. 

Two hours ago, it amused him. 

One hour ago, it unsettled him. 

Now, it filled him with intense anxiety. Then he noticed the time in the screen’s corner: 5:58. 

“Five fifty-eight… Wait! I get it!” His eyes widened as he rushed to the door, shouting, “Everyone, check the international sales! Now!” 

International sales? 

The room froze, then realization hit. Kazuma Studio sprang into action. 

It wasn’t just them—the entire company, catching wind, erupted into chaos. 

“They figured it out? Too late,” Tetsu Fuyukawa murmured, leaning back in his unlit office, a cigarette between his lips. His gaze flicked to the glowing laptop screen as the commotion outside grew. 

OTTO was a global platform, but international data only updated at noon and 6 p.m. Of course, the company could monitor China’s network in real-time, and now… 

“All those months of effort didn’t go to waste,” Tetsu said, exhaling smoke. 

The laptop screen showed a towering bar: 11,000 copies versus 137,622 copies. 

C-tier promotion, no IP, a 100-million-yen budget, and 137,000 copies sold in five hours on launch day. 

Even an idiot could see what that meant. 

Success! 

As Tetsu took another drag, a muffled voice came from under the desk. “Tetsu-kun… you did it.” 

Crouched before the boss’s chair, Sayoko’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes gleaming with joy and… adoration as she glanced at the laptop. 

137,000 copies was a ceiling for the galgame industry. 

And this was with only C-tier promotion! 

This breakout hit would surely get a major push from the company. With increased promotion, the sales… 

Tetsu-kun was destined to be a big name, not just in the company but in the entire gaming world! 

Her eyes overflowed with admiration, her excitement fueling a growing desire. 

The man I love is a big deal. 

Her cheeks flushed deeper as she leaned in, but then Tetsu’s hands gripped her head, fingers threading through her hair. 

“Easy, a bit harder…” 

“Mmph—” 

Sayoko was thrilled, but just then, the door opened, and the lights flicked on. 

Caught in the moment, Tetsu froze, looking toward the door. Miyano Mitei strode in, beaming. “Congrats, you’ve—” 

Her smile faltered as her gaze dropped to the chair. Tetsu, holding Sayoko’s head, sucked in a breath. A flush spread across Miyano’s face. She closed the door, sat on the U-shaped sofa, and said nothing. 

The silence was painfully awkward, but Miyano’s red face only fueled Tetsu’s excitement. 

After a long moment, with a few gulping sounds, things settled. 

“Now, can we talk, my lustful little hero?” Miyano finally said. 

Chapter 88: To Kneel or Not to Kneel? 

A bolt from the blue! 

In just five hours since its launch, Surrounded by Beauties sold 130,000 copies in the China region alone, and the numbers were still skyrocketing as time passed and marketing campaigns gained traction! 

Everyone was floored. 

Absolutely floored. 

Games like Surrounded by Beauties weren’t new in Japan. Take AKB48, the mega-popular idol group—they’d released AKB 1/48: If You Fall in Love, a real-life dating sim where players romanced 48 girls, only to reject 47 and choose one “true love.” The third installment, AKB 1/149: Love Election, took it further, making you date 149 girls and ditch 148 of them! 

Talk about a wild premise. But the real issue? Crafting unique personalities and compelling storylines for over a hundred characters is a nightmare. Even in novels, it’s nearly impossible—think My School Beauty Bodyguard, which took 20 million words to flesh out just a few dozen heroines. A small-scale PSP game like AKB? No way it could handle 149 characters’ stories. Even at 10,000 words per character, that’s 1.4 million words! Unless you’re writing steamy fanfic, no writer or director could pull off 149 well-developed heroines. And for a game like this, the story is everything. 

Weak story? No one plays. 

The AKB Love Election trilogy sold nearly a million copies combined. Decent, sure, but for AKB48’s massive fame—dominating charts, headlining music awards, and flooding Japan’s media—that’s a flop. Their influence back then was like K-pop girl groups at their peak in Korea and China. Yet, a million copies across three games? Total bust. 

So, Japan’s game devs mostly swore off real-life dating sims after that. But Surrounded by Beauties? No IP, no built-in fanbase, yet it hit 130,000 sales in five hours! 

The number itself wasn’t jaw-dropping, but the real kicker came with the data: the game wasn’t just pulling in Galgame fans—it was attracting all kinds of players! 

What did that mean? 

It meant Surrounded by Beauties wasn’t just a niche Galgame or a fan-service title like AKB Love Election. Its market potential was huge. With enough marketing cash, sales could explode! 

Like a thunderclap, NTsoft’s entire office was buzzing! 

“130,000 copies! Holy crap! Team 4’s about to take off!”  

“Fuyukawa’s killing it! His first game’s gonna hit a million sales?!” 

“A million? Way more than that! Most games peak a week after launch unless they’re big-budget pre-orders. Fuyukawa’s about to strike gold!” 

“Youngest game director to hit five million sales—Fuyukawa’s getting a new title!” 

“Tch, five million sales. Wonder how much of a bonus Hikari’s gonna rake in!” 

“Gotta be a lot. It’s a low-budget game. At five million sales, they’re probably looking at 8% profit share!” 

“Jealous! Just four people in their studio splitting 8%? They’re set! … Wait, Fuyukawa’s coming!” 

“Holy—Minister Miyano’s right behind him?!” 

“Leading the pack, Fuyukawa’s got some serious presence!” 

The whole company was electric. On the fourth-floor hallway, under the starry-eyed gazes of the break room staff, Tetsu Fuyukawa strode toward the elevator in a sharp suit, his expression calm but commanding. Behind him, to his left, Sayoko flushed with excitement and a touch of nervousness, but mostly pride. To his right, Mitei Miyano wore a cool, confident smile. Behind them, Team 4’s staff followed. 

The clack of dress shoes mixed with the tap of high heels. 

What a sight! 

Every office along the hallway bowed and greeted Tetsu as he passed. 

And, as luck would have it, just as Tetsu reached the elevator, Minister Nobi and a gaggle of Team 3 staff were already there. Unlike Team 4’s high spirits, Team 3 looked grim—some faces dark with worry, others pale with panic. Deputy Director Yamanaka, his face ashen, stood among them. 

A showdown! 

The hallway buzzed with anticipation. Employees who weren’t even there slipped out to watch the drama unfold. 

“You once said some nasty things to my subordinate. If my game outsells yours, I want you, old man, to grovel at Hikari’s office door!” 

Tetsu’s bet with Yamanacka was the talk of the company. 

“It’s happening! Mars is crashing into Earth!” 

“That creepy Yamanaka’s finally getting what’s coming to him!” 

“Kawachi’s luck’s turning around! You don’t know, but back at Firefly, that old creep chewed her out daily.” 

“Yeah, Kawachi was up for a promotion to director when her tenure hit, but Yamanaka blocked it. Rumor is he wanted to take her to dinner, and she said no. Now karma’s here!” 

The hallway was alive with whispers, all eyes on Sayoko. She fidgeted under the attention, clutching her hands and lowering her head. But then, Tetsu grabbed her hand. 

“Eek?!” 

Startled, Sayoko looked up at him, wide-eyed with disbelief. They were close, sure, but this was the office, with everyone watching! She never expected him to hold her hand so openly. 

She froze. 

Not just her—Mitei Miyano raised an eyebrow, intrigued and amused. The whole hallway paused in shock. 

“Told you! There’s something going on with her and Fuyukawa!” 

“Duh, they commute together every day. It’d be weirder if there wasn’t something. But damn, Fuyukawa’s got guts!” 

“Jealous! I want a boyfriend that cool and talented.” 

The crowd erupted again. 

Hearing the whispers, Sayoko stared at Tetsu, her eyes shy but full of trust. After a moment, she blushed and mumbled, “Tetsu-kun… too many people are watching~” 

“Don’t care,” Tetsu said, rubbing her hand with his thumb. He turned, his smile turning icy, and slipped one hand into his pocket, locking eyes with Yamanaka in the Team 3 crowd. 

He didn’t speak, but as his brow furrowed and his gaze grew colder, Team 3’s staff flinched and parted, clearing a path. 

Five million sales, minimum! 

Surrounded by Beauties was on track for at least five million sales! 

Tetsu’s future at the company was limitless. No one wanted to cross him for Yamanaka’s sake. 

The hallway gaped in awe as Team 3 stepped aside, avoiding Tetsu’s gaze. 

But not everyone backed down. 

“You disrespectful little—!” Minister Nobi, humiliated by his team’s retreat, pointed at Tetsu, ready to chew him out. Before he could finish, Mitei Miyano, arms crossed, flicked his hand away with her phone. Her cold eyes locked onto him. “Nobi, your elevator’s here.” 

Boom! 

The hallway went dead silent. 

Everyone stared at Mitei, then their eyes widened further. After knocking Nobi’s hand away and seeing him turn red but stay silent, she stepped back behind Tetsu, as if deferring to him. 

What the—?! 

Gulps echoed through the crowd. 

Tetsu stood at the front, ignoring Nobi and glaring at Yamanaka. Everyone swallowed hard. 

Team 3’s morale was crushed! 

Nobi’s face alternated between red and pale. Team 4 was about to drop a blockbuster. Tetsu was about to drop a blockbuster. Team 3 couldn’t afford to give Mitei an excuse to come after them. 

Sure, Team 4 and Team 3 were locked in a resource tug-of-war—irreconcilable interests—but if Mitei pushed too hard without cause, the board would call her out for overreaching. But if Team 3’s sabotage of Yamanaka came to light, Mitei would have every reason to press her advantage. 

They had to back off to cut their losses. 

As for Yamanaka? The moment those 130,000 sales hit, he was useless to Team 3. 

Nobi shot Tetsu a bitter glare, then led his team into the elevator. 

The elevator lights flickered as it ascended, leaving the hallway quiet again. 

Under countless eyes, Tetsu stared at the trembling, pale-faced Yamanaka. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke for the first time: “To kneel or not to kneel?” 

“I—” 

Chapter 89: Explosive Hit, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice 

He knelt. 

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yamanaka knelt. 

He had no choice but to kneel. 

If he didn’t, the company higher-ups would have no excuse to appease Tetsu Fuyukawa, and he’d be done for! 

But by 7 p.m., nobody in the company cared about him anymore! 

At 6 p.m., when the sales figures for Surrounded by Beauties came in, the entire boardroom went wild. Anyone could see the game’s potential! 

No debate needed—full speed ahead! 

Double down, supercharged! 

S-tier marketing weight was slapped on! 

The finance department, which usually takes hours to process a single form, cleared all funding issues in two minutes flat! 

Seeing “Tetsu Fuyukawa” on the approval forms, nobody dared drag their feet. With a flood of marketing cash pouring in, Surrounded by Beauties exploded! 

Japan’s one hour ahead of China, so when NTsoft cranked up the marketing, it was 7 p.m. in China—peak player hours! 

Fueled by NTsoft’s deep pockets, short video platforms and livestreams erupted with content. Streamers and viral clips flooded the internet, and as the marketing machine roared, sales and reviews on OTTO skyrocketed exponentially! 

“Kimono sakura girl? And a hot spring scene?! I’m buying it all!” 

“Chinese voice acting? Yes, yes, yes! Love a game company with guts!” 

“How do you even play without nerfing Mama Hao?!” 

“Damn it! Why’s it only 15+? Are they looking down on me? Crowdfund an 18+ version already!” 

“In real life, I spend 300 bucks to take a goddess out, and she calls me a simp. In this game, 90 bucks gets me six girlfriends. You think I don’t know a good game when I see one?” 

“Art the people love is good art.” 

“Bad review! Can’t get it up!” 

The praise was overwhelming! 

In its previous life, Surrounded by Beauties was a controversial hit, loved and loathed. But now, hardly anyone’s complaining. 

Tetsu made major story tweaks, axing dumb mechanics like “unlock character A’s affection to access character B’s story.” Plus, there’s the “foreign monk chants better” effect. 

Just like Starfield, Redfall, or Cyberpunk 2077 got trashed by Chinese players, the critics were mostly hardcore gamers. Their outrage didn’t break into mainstream buzz. 

That’s the difference between cloud players and real players. 

Cloud players have stronger immersion and engagement than hardcore gamers. 

Yes, stronger. 

Hardcore players play to enjoy the game. If it’s good, they keep playing; if it’s bad, they refund and move on. They don’t go picking fights online. Cloud players, though? They’re all about “taking a stand” for immersion—like, “I’m on the side of justice; domestic games must be art, or they’re trash!”—and they get their engagement from “friendly debates.” 

Their goals differ. Foreign game companies can’t give cloud players a “side” to stand on or that “I’m fighting for the future of domestic games” sense of purpose. Without that, or unless provoked, cloud players don’t have much reason to rage. 

Fewer bad reviews, plus Tetsu’s improvements based on past-life feedback and his own gaming experience, and—most crucially—NTsoft’s capital dwarfed the original Surrounded by Beauties team’s budget! 

Cash power, activate! 

Relentless bombardment! 

In just one day, Surrounded by Beauties smashed through 830,000 sales! 

One day! 

830,000 copies! 

Not just NTsoft—the entire Japanese gaming industry was floored! 

Don’t think 830,000 is small! 

Monsters like Grand Theft Auto with a billion sales are rare. Since the dawn of gaming, only Tetris and Minecraft outshine it! 

Sekiro took three years to hit 10 million; Elden Ring, one year for 20 million; Red Dead Redemption 2, 40 million; Skyrim, 50 million! 

Ten million is already elite-tier, and Surrounded by Beauties hit 830,000 in a single day, with momentum still surging! 

As the game went viral, Tetsu Fuyukawa’s name and the game’s stats were splashed across media outlets! 

“This year’s biggest dark horse! $700,000 budget, three-month production cycle??? Projected 5 million sales??? Where did NTsoft find this freak?!” 

“Who is Tetsu Fuyukawa?! The 21st century’s youngest Japanese game producer to hit 5 million sales might emerge in two weeks!” 

“Tap the Chinese market! It’s a blue ocean! Send our girls to charm them!” 

“No doubt about it—behind this game’s success, the male economy is rising in China. Cater to them, and you’ll eat well!” 

“Tetsu Fuyukawa, this sharp, magical man, was the first to crack the crab! His market instincts are razor-sharp!” 

“Heaven-sent stud! Absolute king!” 

Praise poured in like a tidal wave, but this was just the start! 

As New Year’s hit, as Tokyo’s first big snow blanketed the city, as marketing hype peaked, and as Surrounded by Beauties hit its sales zenith, everyone was stunned! 

Jaws dropped! 

This dark horse was too dark! 

3.72 million copies! 

It topped OTTO’s Asia weekly sales chart! 

But it wasn’t over! 

Like a spring thunderclap! 

After exploding in China for a week, Japan’s market woke up like a beast from slumber! 

Tetsu was right! 

Japan’s gaming market has 34 million active users—way smaller than China’s, but patriotism runs deep. Surrounded by Beauties, a Japanese game that blew up in China, roared into Japan’s New Year’s scene! 

Skyrocketing! 

Japanese gamers went nuts! 

Patriotism, plus the lonely, cold vibe of a snowy New Year’s night! 

Japan’s players lost it! 

A week after launch, past the sales peak, Japan still hit 670,000 copies in a single day! 

4.5 million total sales! 

The Japanese gaming market went berserk! 

Games with that kind of sales aren’t rare, but it’s all about cost-to-profit ratio! 

Surrounded by Beauties was a 100-million-yen small fry, recouping costs at 50,000 sales. Tetsu sold nearly 5 million! 

“If there’s 10% profit, it’s used everywhere; 20%, it gets lively; 50%, it takes risks; for 100%, it tramples all laws; for 300%, it dares any crime, even the gallows!” 

Marx’s words, and Tetsu’s returns were 100 times! 

No question—Tetsu Fuyukawa was the hottest name in Japan’s gaming scene this New Year! 

Headhunters swarmed, eager to poach this talent with no non-compete clause, but NTsoft wasn’t letting go! 

Are you kidding? Let a guy like this slip away?! 

Promote him, stat! 

But, to everyone’s shock, after the sales explosion, Miyano Mitei didn’t propose promoting Tetsu to “Deputy Director Fuyukawa” at the shareholder meeting. Instead, she pulled out… another proposal. 

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. 

Chapter 90: Sekiro, Coming Soon! 

[TGS: Snake Swallows the Sky! I’m Surrounded by Beautiful Women Producer Fuyukawa Tetsu Requests $60 Million for New Game Production! That’s Not Even Counting Marketing Costs! According to NTsoft Insiders, Mr. Fuyukawa’s Total Budget for Production and Promotion Is a Staggering $120 Million! He’s Lost His Mind!!!] 

[Tokyo Game News: The Most Ambitious Man of the Century! As I’m Surrounded by Beautiful Women Hits Five Million Sales, NTsoft’s Light Bird Studio Lead Fuyukawa Tetsu Submits a Mega Proposal! A $120 Million Blockbuster! NTsoft’s Internal Discussions Are Heating Up!] 

[Fuji Evening Post: Phenomenal Game Producer—Fuyukawa Tetsu Drops New Game Hints at NTsoft’s Shareholder Meeting: “My new game? Hmm, it’s a completely fresh combat style that’ll make the world feel pain. I call it the ‘Souls’ genre.”] 

[Game Star: A $120 Million Mega-Investment Has NTsoft Shareholders on Edge! While Fuyukawa Tetsu Just Pulled Off a Miracle, They’re Unsure If This Phenomenal Producer Can Handle the ARPG Field!] 

**[Renowned Game Critic Hisajiro Kawashita: Mr. Fuyukawa is undeniably a producer with a keen market sense. But let’s be honest—I’m Surrounded by Beautiful Women isn’t strictly a game; it’s more like a short-form drama dressed up as one, with minimal actual gameplay elements.  

Yes, I acknowledge his market instincts and storytelling skills, but so far, he hasn’t shown exceptional game design talent. If I were NTsoft’s management, I wouldn’t greenlight this proposal—it’s too risky.  

As for his “fresh combat style” and “making the world feel pain” ARPG, this so-called “Souls” genre… haha, maybe those five million sales went to his head. The ARPG market is brutally competitive. I don’t think a producer with zero ARPG experience can carve out a slice of that pie. His “Souls” combat style? That’s the classic newbie trap.  

They always think they’ve found an untrodden path, but in reality, it’s not that no one’s walked it—everyone who tried died, and no groundbreaking results ever surfaced. Honestly, if I were him, I’d consider switching to screenwriting for film or TV at this point, haha.]** 

No doubt about it—when Fuyukawa Tetsu submitted a proposal to NTsoft for a $60 million production budget, plus an equal amount for marketing to match Western blockbusters, the entire Japanese gaming industry was thrown into chaos! 

Some were shocked, some were baffled, and others were outright mocking. 

Sure, people love to throw around “Red Dead Redemption cost $644 million!” like a $60 million game is small potatoes. But The Witcher 3 in 2015? That was $80 million. A project over $50 million is typically a company’s flagship title. 

$60 million for production, $60 million for marketing—a total of $120 million, 8 billion yuan, 16 billion yen—for NTsoft, this is a decision that demands extreme caution! 

The outside world was abuzz, but none of it fazed Fuyukawa Tetsu. 

“So, when are you cashing in on that bet?” 

“…Let’s talk business first!” 

NTsoft, Light Bird Studio, private office. 

Feeling Tetsu’s brazen gaze lingering on her thighs and ample chest, Miyano Mitei, dressed in her sharp OL uniform, recalled their bet: “If my game sells over 100,000 copies, you’ll wear a maid outfit and be my housekeeper.” A flush of embarrassed annoyance crept across her glamorous face. 

But she was a seasoned pro. Clearing her throat, she took a sip of the coffee in front of her. Eyeing Tetsu, who was lounging with his legs crossed on the sofa, she frowned slightly. “Dropping a new game proposal at this stage—are you trying to strong-arm the board?” 

“What else?” 

Tetsu knew she was dodging the topic, but he didn’t mind. With a grin and a shrug, his gaze remained unapologetically bold as it roamed over her. 

After a moment, noticing her starting to bristle, he picked up his goji berry tea, took a sip, and smiled. “NTsoft is a prestigious, old-school Japanese game company, but honestly, compared to Western giants or China’s ‘game titans,’ its financial foundation is too weak. A 16-billion-yen project? If it flops, NTsoft won’t recover for years. Normally, they’d never hand a project this big to someone like me.” 

“And yet you’re still pushing for it!” Mitei’s foxy eyes rolled in frustration. “The board’s full of old-school foxes. Moves like this will leave a bad impression on them!” 

“But didn’t you go along with it?” 

Tetsu raised an eyebrow, holding his goji berry tea as he stood and winked at her. “You were the one who submitted the proposal at the shareholder meeting. Don’t you think, given the current situation, that strong-arming them might actually work?” 

Sixteen billion yen is no small sum. Under normal circumstances, a project like this wouldn’t be entrusted to Tetsu, let alone to Department Four, which has little experience with action games. But things are different now. 

I’m Surrounded by Beautiful Women was a massive hit, selling five million copies and raking in over 7 billion yen—and that’s just the early numbers. It’ll keep climbing, just not as fast. 

Hitting 10 billion yen? Not a problem. 

This game filled NTsoft’s coffers and proved Tetsu’s worth. The board would naturally have more confidence in him. 

That’s one factor. The second is that this proposal was submitted by Miyano Mitei, Department Four’s director. 

NTsoft is undergoing internal reforms, encouraging competition and innovation between departments. With Department Four producing such a blockbuster, and Mitei herself being hand-picked by Chairman Ozuru, rejecting her proposal now would dent confidence in those reforms. 

“That’s all true, but are you sure this Sekiro thing can recoup 16 billion yen?” 

Mitei had only worked on a project of this scale once in her career, and her heart carried a trace of worry. Tetsu blinked and grinned. “Come on, we’re already in—don’t doubt me now. Or what, you want to make another bet? Oh, about that earlier one—how about starting tomorrow? Gives you time to order that maid outfit.” 

“…Go die!” Mitei shot him a fierce glare, grabbed her bag, and stormed out, her hips swaying like a snake. But just before pulling the door open, she paused under Tetsu’s knowing, playful gaze and muttered, “I’ll call you during the holidays!” 

With that, she slammed the door and left. 

“Such a tsundere,” Tetsu said with a smirk. 

At that moment, Sayako entered the office, her face tinged with a hint of jealousy. 

“Hmph, I can smell that woman’s perfume all over,” she said, wrinkling her nose in displeasure. But soon, she melted into Tetsu’s arms, her breath soft and teasing. “Let Sayako check if Tetsu-kun’s been… naughty.”