41-45

Chapter 41: The Terrifying Asuka Tsukitake 

Back at the company, it was exactly 1:00 PM. 

Right on time, Tetsu Fuyukawa headed straight to the first-floor audition hall to continue interviewing actresses. 

The afternoon was much like before: about 60% of the candidates were amateurs with little to no acting skills, while the rest were minor, barely-known actresses. 

The results weren’t great, but things were different now. As time passed and the casting call stayed up longer, more actresses showed up to audition. 

It made sense. For small-time actresses, any role was better than none. Once they or their agents realized no big projects were coming their way, they were more than willing to try out for Surrounded by Beauties. 

With a larger pool, the chances of finding a gem increased. But the person most thrilled—or rather, most relieved—about this wasn’t Tetsu. It was Michiko Kawashita, who’d already secured the role of “Zhong Zhen.” 

Her appearance and vibe fit the character perfectly, but truthfully, she wasn’t exactly a standout among the candidates. She’d landed the role mainly because the initial audition turnout was so low. 

Still, it wasn’t uncommon for actors to be dropped by the client even after signing. Michiko, a single mom, was understandably anxious. So, between the competitive pressure and Tetsu’s good looks, she sent him an invitation for dinner, complete with a suggestive photo of herself in a sheer nightgown sipping red wine in front of a hotel window, with some “tools of the trade” casually strewn across the bed in the background. 

Honestly, it was tempting. But Tetsu didn’t respond. 

It wasn’t about playing the saint. If he hadn’t met Sayoko, he might’ve been game to show this woman a thing or two. But Sayoko—her looks, figure, gentle and accommodating personality, and the time they’d spent together—captivated him far more. Plus, these kinds of situations could easily go south. 

You never really know someone’s true intentions. If this was a setup, things could get messy, and Tetsu didn’t yet have the power to bury a scandal. 

Time flew by when he was focused on work, and soon it was nearly the end of the workday. 

“Next.” 

After sending off another disappointed candidate, Tetsu took a sip of Sayoko’s special ginseng-goji berry tea. Chewing the goji seeds was oddly satisfying, but when he saw who walked in next, he nearly spat out his tea. 

“Why are you here?” 

Staring at Asuka Tsukitake on the audition stage, Tetsu’s face was a picture of confusion. 

To be fair, Asuka, dressed up for the audition, was stunning. 

Her sharp, silver ear-length hair was dyed back to black, styled in a sleek, icy princess cut that gave her an commanding presence. She wore a fitted black mid-length dress, her long legs wrapped in delicate black stockings, accentuated by high heels. 

The dress hugged her figure perfectly, not unlike the sultry outfits some women flaunt on social media—except those women often rely on filters to elongate legs or slim faces. Asuka, though? She needed no such tricks. 

With some Caucasian ancestry, her features were more defined than the average Japanese woman’s. Standing at 176 cm, her golden-ratio legs, wrapped in black, could drive any leg enthusiast wild. Her bust? A proud 36D, by his estimate. 

A total knockout. 

But having dealt with her twice before, Tetsu wasn’t entirely dazzled—just bewildered. 

Wasn’t she auditioning to be a voice actress? Why was she here? 

With the growing number of candidates, plus the localization of Surrounded by Beauties, script tweaks, and work on Fate, Tetsu was swamped. He’d delegated tasks like scheduling auditions to Aunt Nogi, leaving him to focus solely on the interviews. 

Before he could turn to Nogi, she handed him a resume. “Ms. Tsukitake’s appearance and credentials are impressive. She mentioned she was nearby, so I had her come in first.” 

“I see.” 

Tetsu flipped through the resume, and his jaw dropped again. 

[Name: Asuka Tsukitake] 

[Age: 26] 

[Height: 176 cm] 

[Weight: 58 kg] 

[Basic Info: German-Japanese, born in Japan. Parents divorced at age 3, raised by grandmother.] 

[2014: Graduated from Kyoto University. Joined Konoha Kendo Academy as team captain, won Tokyo Kendo Championship.] 

[2016: Signed with Tokyo Catshow Company as a model, placed third at Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC) fashion show.] 

[2017: Moved to the UK, entered motorsport industry, achieved…] 

[2018: Returned to Hokkaido, opened a flower shop.] 

[2019: Traveled to China, studied cuisine, earned…] 

“What’s her deal?” 

Tetsu, a Tokyo University grad who’d worked at NTsoft for five years, had seen plenty of impressive resumes. But this? This was on another level. 

Not only did she rack up awards, but she’d dabbled in every industry—and made a name for herself in each one! 

He’d only ever thought of her as a quirky music teacher who liked playing with “toys.” 

After a moment’s hesitation, Tetsu focused on her forehead, and a pale blue panel popped up. 

[Name: Asuka Tsukitake] 

[Age: 26] 

[Measurements: 92-64-93] 

[Skills: Kendo - Niten Ichi-ryu, Master Level 9 (currently non-transferable), Rally Racing, Master Level 7 (currently non-transferable), Modeling, Master Level 7 (currently non-transferable)] (Additional skills available on click) (Only top three skills displayed) 

[Relationship: Neutral] 

[Recent Activity 1: Realizing that capturing others’ emotions through music is more interesting than creating it herself, she decided to try something new.] 

[Recent Activity 2: She’s eager to explore the “fun” of more “toys” and is curious about how it feels to be the one controlled, but she currently lacks a partner.] 

[Recent Activity 3: The versatility of voice acting intrigued her, but she seems to have found something even more exciting to pursue.] 

“Key words: fun, versatility, exploration…” 

“So, she’s basically a thrill-seeker?” 

Tetsu frowned, a bit taken aback. He’d met plenty of curious, adrenaline-junkie types—he’d even tried wingsuit flying in his younger days in his past life. But a woman with this level of curiosity? That was a first. 

Catching the surprise on his face, a flicker of amusement and satisfaction danced in Asuka’s cool, moonlit eyes. She gracefully placed her hands on her toned midriff, bowed, and said, “Good afternoon, Team Leader Fuyukawa, esteemed panel. I’m Asuka Tsukitake.” 

Chapter 42: The Audition 

“Hello, Section Chief Fuyukawa, and esteemed teachers. I’m Asuka Tsukitake.” 

Though Asuka bowed politely, her voice carried that familiar cool edge. Tetsu Fuyukawa glanced up from her resume. “Ms. Tsukitake, welcome to Hikari Studio’s audition. Time’s tight, so let’s get started. Kawaguchi, hand her the No. 3 script for Sakura Kagawa (Hao Hao’s Mom).” 

Despite their prior encounter, Fuyukawa kept things professional. Avoiding favoritism wasn’t the issue—everyone in the room was part of his team. He just knew that with someone like Asuka, less talk was better. Let her wonder. 

Of course, that only worked if she was already intrigued by him. 

Sure enough, seeing Fuyukawa switch gears without even glancing at her resume, Asuka’s brow twitched slightly. 

-50. 

+100. 

The numbers flickered above her head, hinting at a subtle emotional ripple. 

Fuyukawa didn’t dwell on her reaction. His mind was on whether the “Hao Hao’s Mom” role suited her, and if not, what other role might.  

It wasn’t about playing favorites. Asuka’s appearance and physique were undeniably exceptional—she was the kind of stunning beauty who’d turn heads in a crowded room. At 5’9” with a striking figure, she stood out not just in Japan, where the average woman’s height is 5’2”, but even in Western standards. 

With such an impressive look, as long as her acting wasn’t painfully awkward, she’d draw a huge audience. 

“Her age, figure, and aura would actually suit Zheng Ziyan better, but Japanese male audiences right now lean toward older women... I wonder if she can pull it off.” 

The “Hao Hao’s Mom” role was tagged as sensual and young wife. These traits had broad appeal and huge potential, but unlocking that potential required an actress with both strong looks and acting chops, plus a fitting aura to carry the character. 

The issue? Asuka was only 26, with no marital history on her resume, and her cool demeanor didn’t quite match the “young wife” vibe. Yet her physical attributes screamed sensual—outshining even Marly Shiraishi by a wide margin. 

In Fuyukawa’s mind, she was the best fit for Hao Hao’s Mom, second only to Sayoko. “Too bad Sayoko shakes her head like a rattle at the mention of acting, or I wouldn’t be in this bind.” 

As he mulled it over, Asuka finished reviewing the No. 3 script for Hao Hao’s Mom. 

The audition script was distinct from the game’s actual plot but tailored to test specific skills. The scene involved the female lead cooking in an apron at home, sharing a warm moment with the male lead when her ex-husband barges in. In the end, she firmly chooses the male lead. 

It was a short scene with minimal dialogue, designed to gauge acting ability and presence—qualities that could be assessed in just a few moments. 

“Ready?” Fuyukawa asked, looking at the stage. 

Asuka took a deep breath, closed her eyes for two seconds, then opened them. She adjusted her stance subtly, and under the approving nods of Fuyukawa and the cameramen, her expression softened. She tucked her sharp, princess-cut hair behind her ear with a hairpin. “Ready.” 

“Alright. Nogi, Sayoko, go run the scene with her.” 

Fuyukawa sat up straighter, a glint of excitement in his eyes. 

As the saying goes, amateurs watch the spectacle, but pros see the craft. Asuka’s subtle shifts in posture and expression—down to the simple act of tucking her hair—transformed her entire aura. If she’d been a cool, almost otherworldly beauty before, now she radiated a restrained, gentle warmth. 

“She’s a genius. She instinctively knows how to control her presence. No wonder she went from rookie to award-winning model in just months!” 

Presence wasn’t some mystical quality or just acting aloof. It was a blend of hairstyle, figure, clothing, expressions, and movements. Change any one element, and the vibe shifts. Most people fumble when trying to adjust their look—think of those disastrous haircuts blamed on “stupid stylists.” But Asuka clearly knew exactly how to tweak her appearance to achieve the desired effect. 

That was pure talent for an actress. 

Fuyukawa’s excitement grew. 

Soon, with his signal, Aunt Nogi, playing the drunken ex-husband, “barged in.” Seeing Asuka and Sayoko’s cozy kitchen scene, she immediately lost it, launching into a tirade. 

Honestly, Nogi’s acting was terrible—obviously staged and overdone. But it was clear she was the dominant type at home; her bellowing had real force, startling Sayoko. 

Fuyukawa didn’t care about Nogi’s performance. His eyes were locked on Asuka, filled with anticipation. 

“Soft on the outside, tough on the inside—can she pull it off?” 

In the original story, Hao Hao’s Mom was a fiery, sensual young wife, tough on the outside but soft within. That worked fine for the original’s Chinese audience, but Japanese and Chinese tastes didn’t fully align. For instance, the “yasashii” (kind, gentle) male lead was mocked by Chinese readers but loved in Japan. Localization wasn’t just about translating names—it required major plot tweaks. 

Fuyukawa’s version of Hao Hao’s Mom shifted from a bold, sensual hot mom to a seemingly timid but inwardly resilient gentle wife. 

Yes, he’d licensed Surrounded by Beauties, but the original game’s plot wasn’t stellar. He treated it as a reference, analyzing why it succeeded, what emotional needs it met, and which story beats resonated with players. The system’s dataset was his biggest asset, packed with the game’s production process, staff notes, summaries, and tons of player feedback. 

Research, reflect, execute, summarize, adjust. 

His heavily revised Surrounded by Beauties kept only three core elements: the interactive live-action format, the lighthearted “being pursued” romance plot, and the target audience of people who “want love but fear getting hurt or find it too exhausting.” Everything else had been gutted and rebuilt. 

Chapter 43: Mitei Miyano’s Advance 

The script had undergone major changes, and the biggest shift for the character of “Hao Hao’s Mom” was her transformation from the classic “tough on the outside, soft inside” archetype to “soft on the outside, tough inside.” But this wasn’t the kind of “soft outside, tough inside” where she’s all smiles until she snaps and starts yelling. No, it was more like, “I don’t care about anything else, but for what matters most, I’ll calmly and gently eliminate any obstacle in my way.” 

She had to be gentle, but with a hint of madness—a deep, calculated craziness hidden beneath that gentleness. Yet, this madness couldn’t scare the audience; it had to feel like an extension of her softness. 

In short, it needed to embody the Japanese aesthetic of mono no aware—the bittersweet beauty of fleeting things, something deeply cherished in Japanese culture. 

It was a fine line to walk. Too much, and she’d seem unhinged; too little, and it wouldn’t hit the mark. 

Tetsu Fuyukawa felt a twinge of worry, but as the performance on stage unfolded, his eyes lit up. 

Asuka Tsukitake was sharp—really sharp—when it came to reading emotions. She clearly picked up on the script’s intent from just a few lines. From the moment Mrs. Nogi burst in, yelling, Asuka’s expression and tone never once showed anger. 

Nor did she jump straight to resolve. Instead, her performance gradually shifted from timid and flustered to unyielding determination, following the dialogue’s progression. 

It was a high-level emotional transition! 

It was like listening to a song. Few tracks start with the climax; they build the mood through the verses, layer by layer, until the chorus hits that soaring high note. The challenge is knowing how to build it and where the peak should land. 

That takes real skill, and Asuka Tsukitake nailed it with precision. 

“I’m sorry, but Sakurako has decided to say goodbye to the past,” she delivered her final line. 

As she gave a slight bow to Mrs. Nogi on stage, her eyes radiating unwavering resolve, the audition hall fell silent for a moment. 

“This woman’s acting is incredible!” someone whispered. 

“They struck gold! With skills like that, she could hit it big in the entertainment industry with just a bit of backing!” another added. 

“This actress is so good, their game might actually be a hit.” 

The audition hall wasn’t just filled with Hikari Bird Studio’s team—there were also members of the outsourced camera crew, murmuring excitedly about Asuka’s performance, their voices full of praise. 

Tetsu was just as thrilled, clapping with a grin. “Fantastic performance, Ms. Tsukitake. Do you have an agent?” 

“No, I just saw your recruitment post and decided to give it a shot,” Asuka replied. 

As she slipped out of character, Asuka reverted to her cool, detached demeanor—like a haughty racehorse. She removed a cute butterfly hairpin, letting her sleek, princess-cut hair fall, and spoke in a flat tone. 

Honestly, that attitude was a bit rude in a Japanese workplace setting. The others in the room stole glances at Tetsu, who, despite not having worked with them long, was clearly a strong-willed leader. 

But Tetsu just nodded. “Alright then. Nogi, take her to the contract department and sign her at S-tier standards. That’s it for today, everyone. Great work.” 

His reaction caught the room off guard, but Tetsu didn’t care about the odd looks. Sure, he could be tough, but he wasn’t aggressively confrontational unless he sensed malice or a threat. Normally, he preferred a chill, harmonious vibe. 

Asuka was the last audition of the day. Tetsu gave a slight bow to the team, gathered his files, and headed back to his office. 

Instead of going home, he hunched over his computer, tweaking the script for Surrounded by Beauties. 

No choice—thanks to the Third Department’s declaration of war on the Fourth, his section chief position was on shaky ground. 

That role wasn’t just about securing funding for Fate; he also refused to lose to Kazuma Studio, especially after they publicly called him out, saying, “You’re the weak link, and we’re coming for you.” 

But with Tetsu staying late to revise the script, Sayoko and the others were in a bit of a bind. They couldn’t really help with the script, so sticking around felt pointless, but leaving seemed wrong too. Tetsu, having been a regular employee himself once, used a water break as an excuse to laugh and shoo them all home. 

Not just Mrs. Nogi and Kawaguchi—Sayoko left too, since Himawari Izumi had gotten into a fight with her relatives and needed a place to crash for the night. 

“Six female roles, and we’ve locked in two. That leaves Xiao Lu, Yun Si Li, Huixing Shen, and Ziyan Zheng,” Tetsu muttered. 

“Yun Si Li… we could tweak her story to make her stand out more than in the original, but she’s mostly there to fill the ‘cool older sister’ niche for Leqing Lin’s market. Her ceiling’s not high. Maybe have Mariri Shiraishi try for it tomorrow.” 

Outside, night had fallen, and most of NTsoft’s building was dark, with only a few lit rooms scattered across the floors. 

At the floor-to-ceiling window, Tetsu’s mind raced, his fingers flying across the keyboard, words reflecting off his glasses. 

Yun Si Li was one of the six main female leads, and while Tetsu had patched up her story, her character had a flaw. Or, more accurately, her archetype overlapped with Hao Hao’s Mom, Leqing Lin. 

Both were tagged as “mature women,” but Yun Si Li’s sub-tag, “career woman,” had a smaller audience than Leqing’s “gentle housewife.” 

With a smaller market, Yun Si Li couldn’t compete with Hao Hao’s Mom under equal acting and looks, nor was she likely to become a breakout star. 

Tetsu saw the issue but didn’t change it. The “career woman” audience might be smaller than the “gentle housewife” one, but it was still a hot sub-tag within the mature woman archetype—just not as hot. 

Put simply, Yun Si Li was a patch, designed to cover the “career woman” niche that Leqing’s “gentle housewife” couldn’t reach in the broader “cool older sister” category. 

Giving up that audience wasn’t an option, so with irreconcilable character conflicts, the only solution was to compensate through the story. 

At night, thoughts flow more freely. 

The more he thought, the faster he typed. 

Time slipped by, and when Tetsu got up for more water, he noticed the neon signs of Tokyo’s skyscrapers glowing brightly outside the window. 

“Tokyo at night sure is dazzling,” he said, sipping his goji berry water and stretching. He pulled his boss’s chair back to keep working, but just then, the office door clicked and slowly swung open. 

“Still grinding this late, Section Chief Fuyukawa? So diligent,” a sultry voice teased. 

“Department Head Miyano? What brings you here?” Tetsu asked, caught off guard. 

In his slightly stunned gaze, the stunning Mitei Miyano appeared at the door. 

She wore a tight white blouse that strained against her ample chest, threatening to pop the buttons. Below, her slightly soft waist led to a leather pencil skirt hugging her shapely hips, and her curvy, toned legs were wrapped in delicate garter stockings. 

Pure sex appeal. 

Unlike Sayoko’s soft, submissive allure, Mitei radiated a commanding, almost predatory vibe—like a cold, glamorous blue rose or a luxurious yet dangerous leopardess. 

She swayed her hips, her heels clicking as she approached the desk, her thigh brushing the edge and forming a tantalizing curve. 

“Isn’t it normal for a boss to check on her subordinate?” Mitei said with a dangerous smile, a flicker of excited madness in her fox-like eyes, tempered by restraint. 

A late-night office with just the two of them? 

A female boss “checking in” on her male subordinate under these circumstances? Something felt off. 

Tetsu forced a smile. “Thanks for the concern, boss.” 

“Just… words of thanks?” Mitei purred. 

As she spoke, she slid her hip onto the edge of the desk, the leather skirt scraping against it with a sharp, provocative sound. Her stockinged leg crossed slightly, her pointed heel dangling near Tetsu’s calf, swaying teasingly. She leaned forward, her chest swaying, her eyes—flushed with barely contained excitement—locking onto his. 

“It’s just us here, Section Chief Fuyukawa. Don’t you have anything… private to report to me?” 

What the—?! Is she hitting on me?! 

Sure, there was that time she’d teased, “If you lose, you’ll have to kiss my toes,” but this? In a deserted office at night? Tetsu’s breath quickened. 

Damn it, always teasing me like I’m some eunuch! If I’ve got the guts, I’ll have this gorgeous boss on maternity leave! 

His right hand twitched, tempted to grab her leg, but just as it moved— 

-200. 

A red “emotion value decrease” floated above Mitei’s head. 

Her emotions dropped?! 

Tetsu froze, his mind racing. Then it clicked. 

She’s an S-type—and the kind who gets bored without a challenge. 

With that realization, Tetsu reined in his impulses and met her playful, fox-like gaze. “Of course I’ve got work to report.” 

“Oh?” Mitei raised an eyebrow. 

-200. 

She thinks I’m too easy, Tetsu noted, catching the flicker of disdain in her eyes. Without missing a beat, he plopped a thick stack of papers next to her curvy thigh. “Our studio’s prep work is nearly done. We’re set to start filming next week.” 

“?”  

-500! 

+1500! 

Huge numbers flashed above Mitei’s head. She frowned briefly, then relaxed, but the excitement and desire for conquest in her fox-like eyes grew sharper, buried even deeper. 

“Is that so? You’re quite the dedicated employee, Section Chief Fuyukawa,” she said, glancing at the papers. “Hmm? ‘The career woman audience isn’t as big as the gentle housewife one’?” 

+2000! 

Chapter 44: A Strange Turn of Events 

"Does a strong, independent woman have less appeal than a submissive housewife? Is that what you think, Team Leader Fuyukawa?" 

Staring at the black text on her computer screen, Minister Miyano’s brows twitch slightly, her alluring fox-like eyes narrowing dangerously at Tetsu Fuyukawa. 

Her words carry a hidden edge, obvious to anyone with half a brain. But Tetsu, attuned to reading emotions through subtle cues, knows her personality well. With a woman like this, showing weakness invites contempt, but being stubbornly defiant won’t cut it either. He needs to bring real substance to the table. 

After a moment’s thought, he shakes his head. "To be precise, in the current market, a strong, independent woman has less appeal than a submissive housewife." 

"Oh?" Miyano sets the documents aside, perching half her curvaceous hip on the desk, her fox-like eyes blinking with intrigue. 

Tetsu takes a sip from his teacup and continues, "It’s similar to the lipstick effect. Young people today talk about ‘lying flat,’ but humans are wired with all sorts of desires. Those don’t vanish just because the environment gets tough. In fact, the harsher the external conditions, the more suppressed desires become—and the stronger they grow. 

"But humans are rational creatures. Our brains weigh costs and benefits. When the pain of pursuing something outweighs the pleasure, people opt for easier joys. 

"That’s the lipstick effect. During economic downturns, people avoid big purchases like houses or cars, but markets for affordable pleasures—food, clothing, mid-to-low-end cosmetics, games, anime—see a reverse boom. 

"The same applies to emotional markets, with some nuances. Our research shows that this year’s graduates—university, vocational school, and high school—earn around 200,000 yen a month. That’s not bad; it’s enough for a decent life in Tokyo. But there’s a catch—" 

"Being single?" Miyano interjects, her eyes glinting with interest, a +100 emotional value popping up above her head. 

Tetsu nods. "Exactly. In Tokyo, men are increasingly opting out of marriage, not just because of high housing costs but also because over 50% of Japanese women become housewives after marriage. A 200,000-yen salary is fine for a single guy to live comfortably, but supporting a girlfriend, wife, or kids? The pressure skyrockets. 

"It’s not that they don’t want love; it’s that the cost of romance or marriage is too high. So they suppress those desires. Even in ancient China, eunuchs adopted sons or had women they fancied. 

"No one can fully suppress their innate biological urges. Eventually, they let those emotions out, but in ways that are less stressful, more relaxed. 

"The keywords are pressure and ease. So, back to our topic: conquering a strong, independent woman—making a haughty career woman lift her skirt in reluctant, blushing submission—is a huge thrill. But it’s not easy. It takes effort, and early on, the protagonist might even face setbacks to make her character feel authentic. While that’s logical, it risks alienating players who don’t want the hassle. 

"In contrast, a gentle housewife who doesn’t need much ‘conquering’—maybe just a place to stay or a few kind words to win her over, who greets the player at the door on her knees and is always ready for intimacy—has a broader appeal." 

After his long spiel, Tetsu takes another sip of tea, sneaking a glance at the emotional values floating above Miyano’s head. 

+100+100+100-500+1000+150+150 

She’s satisfied with my market analysis. 

When I mentioned ‘making a strong woman lift her skirt in reluctant, blushing submission,’ it stirred her—her emotional value dropped by 500, but after a brief dip, it surged even higher. 

As expected, she’s an M hiding under an S facade. 

Tetsu muses to himself. Meanwhile, Miyano leans forward slightly from her perch on the desk, her cheeks close, her eyes gleaming with growing amusement. "I agree with your take. If you stick to this approach, there shouldn’t be major issues. It’ll come down to the game’s overall experience. But I didn’t expect you to know so much about women, Team Leader Fuyukawa. So, do you find conquering a strong woman too much trouble?" 

Whoa, she’s bold. 

Staring at her captivating face inches away, a spark ignites in Tetsu’s eyes. 

Joking aside, Miyano’s pear-shaped figure, sultry face, and the icy allure of her high-ranking position—who wouldn’t be tempted? 

But she’s clearly fishing. 

Acting too eager would only earn her scorn, just like before. Instead, Tetsu lifts his head, flashing a gentle smile, his eyes narrowing to slits. "Of course, what man doesn’t dream of bringing a strong woman to her knees?" 

"?!" 

Caught off guard by his response, Miyano’s fox-like eyes widen. It takes her a moment to recover, her gaze turning icy. "How dare you! Do you even know what you’re—What are you doing?!" 

Before she can finish, Tetsu stands, his 186 cm frame towering over her. With a gentle, squinting smile, he leans in, his face nearly touching her nose. 

Panic! 

Miyano’s alluring eyes flicker with unease, but she quickly steadies herself, leaning back slightly. "Team Leader Fuyukawa! What are you doing?!" 

"Doing?"  

Almost nose-to-nose, Tetsu breathes in the faint scent of her perfume and the subtle warmth rising from her snowy peaks below. Hands in pockets, he leans closer, propping his left hand on the desk, his nose brushing lightly against her swan-like neck. His squinting smile cracks open slightly. "Weren’t you the one teasing me? What, scared now?" 

So bold?! 

Feeling his warm breath on her neck, Miyano trembles slightly. Because of past interactions, she’s been intrigued by Tetsu, but she’s always seen him as a young man she could toy with. She never expected him to be this aggressive, skipping any back-and-forth and acting like he’s ready to pounce! 

Panic! 

But not entirely. 

Her eyes grow colder, but her tone turns even more seductive. "Does your big sister smell nice?" 

"Pretty—" 

Before Tetsu can finish, his arm is grabbed. Her knee, backed by a six-pack core, slams into him. In the next second, he’s airborne, crashing heavily onto the sofa. 

"Still think your big sister smells nice? Now, get on your knees and—" 

With a deft judo throw, Miyano sends Tetsu flying over a meter. She stands, smoothing her hair, ready to toss out a mocking jab. But as she rises, she freezes—Tetsu, who should be groaning on the sofa, is already back on his feet. 

"A sumi-gaeshi? Didn’t expect our esteemed minister to be a judo expert." 

Rubbing his sore shoulder and cracking his neck, Tetsu’s face still carries that squinting smile. In the next moment, to Miyano’s utter shock, he steps forward in a low stance, launching a swift right roundhouse kick toward her waist! 

Chapter 45: A Dominant Man 

"Sumi-gaeshi? I didn’t expect our esteemed minister to be a judo expert." 

Rubbing his sore shoulder and cracking his neck, Tetsu Fuyukawa keeps his signature squinting smile. In the next moment, under Miyano’s stunned gaze, he shifts into a low stance and launches a swift right roundhouse kick toward her waist! 

"So fast! He’s trained!" 

Miyano’s pupils contract sharply. She raises her hands to grab his leg, but just as her eyes light up, about to catch it, Tetsu flexes his core, retracts his right leg, and hooks it upward in a fluid motion! 

"What?!" 

His long, toned leg traces a wide arc through the air! 

A gust of wind whips past, and Miyano’s eyes widen. Before she can react, her hair flutters in the breeze, and Tetsu’s right foot stops just shy of her left shoulder—two inches from her neck! 

"A change-line kick?!" 

Miyano swallows hard. The change-line kick, also known as a Brazilian kick, is a technique from Kyokushin karate. It feints a waist-level sweep before switching to a high kick aimed at the head. 

The move isn’t overly complex, but mastering it is tough—and Miyano barely saw Tetsu’s motion! 

What insane physical ability! 

Shock gives way to panic. 

Real panic this time! 

Her black-belt judo skills are her confidence for late-night antics, but she never imagined Tetsu—usually so refined—would be a trained fighter too! 

What if he gets serious?! 

No, no, no—assault is a serious crime. He wouldn’t dare! 

Staring at the man inches away, Miyano’s alluring eyes tremble with unease, her body instinctively retreating. 

From their past interactions, she knows Tetsu is fiercely dominant, even a bit unhinged when provoked. But she quickly steadies herself, her gaze turning icy as she stares at him. "Trying to assault your superior? Are you done with this industry, Team Leader Fuyukawa?" 

Panic, then calm—but between those emotions, something else surges: excitement! 

This dominant personality… it’s exactly my type! 

A fiery spark glows deep in her fox-like eyes! 

-200+200+500+10000! 

[Miyano Meitei’s emotional value breakthrough: Neutral → Friendly] 

[Miyano Meitei’s emotions are undergoing significant fluctuation, currently in a transformative phase. Proceed with caution.] 

[Transformation direction: Friendly → Admiration; Friendly → Fear] 

[Note: Due to her personality traits, Miyano Meitei’s emotional trajectory is highly volatile and may even combine into new descriptors.] 

[Available skills for imprinting at current friendship level: Master-level Project Management, Master-level Marketing] (Imprinting grants theoretical knowledge and intuition; practical skills require hands-on practice to fully master.) 

System prompts flash before Tetsu’s eyes, but he ignores them. 

Looking at Miyano, who’s trying to act composed, he retracts his leg and chuckles. "Of course not. I just saw your impressive skills and couldn’t resist a little sparring." 

"An apology? If apologies worked, what would we need police for?! Now get on your knees and—!" 

Miyano resumes her haughty demeanor, but before she can finish, Tetsu steps forward, wrapping his arm around her slim waist, pulling her into his chest, and gently pinching her alluring face with his other hand. 

"What were you saying? I didn’t catch that." 

The close, masculine aura makes Miyano freeze. Instinctively, she thrusts her hips, preparing a judo shoulder throw to toss him out, but as her curvaceous thighs tense, Tetsu’s grip on her waist tightens. 

Like a python, his arms coil around her, their abs and toned cores pressing together. Then, with a lift— 

Her feet leave the ground! 

One at 168 cm, the other at 186 cm! 

In Miyano’s startled gasp, Tetsu’s strong arms lift her entirely off the floor, holding her by the waist! 

"You—mmph!" 

Feet dangling, her instincts don’t shut off, but she can’t muster strength. Panic sets in. Miyano’s voluptuous body writhes in his arms, her hands pushing at his chest, but then his right hand presses the back of her head. 

A powerful force overtakes her, and their lips meet. 

Feeling his warm breath against her nose, Miyano’s fox-like eyes widen, round and full of disbelief! 

She resists! 

Her struggles intensify, but as Tetsu’s left arm tightens around her waist and the kiss deepens, her suspended body softens, gradually relaxing. Her toes dangle lightly in the air, brushing near Tetsu’s knees. 

"Only… kissing, okay?" 

"Shut up." 

"Mm." 

The only sound left is the ticking of the clock. 

A long while later, Tetsu sits on the sofa, smoking. 

At the desk by the floor-to-ceiling window, Miyano, her face still flushed, stares at her computer screen. "If you stick to this approach, the game shouldn’t have major issues. It’ll come down to the final experience. But… have you considered making it a D-rated title?" 

Japan’s rating system includes A (all ages), B (12+), C (15+), D (17+), and Z (18+). 

Ratings don’t just affect the target audience; D-rated products face promotional restrictions, and Z-rated (18+) titles are practically taboo, limited to niche websites for advertising. 

That said, the restrictions aren’t always strict. Games like Assassin’s Creed and The Witcher 3 are Z-rated in Japan but still sell well, with PR teams splashing cash to make it work. 

D-rated (17+) titles, given Japan’s high tolerance for suggestive content, can include underwear shots and non-explicit scenes. Games like Dead or Alive, Senran Kagura, and Beach Volleyball are D-rated. 

"17+?" 

Tetsu raises an eyebrow. 

Miyano nods, swiveling her chair and crossing her shapely legs. "You’ve probably heard—Kazuma Studio’s launching a galge to compete with you, and their proposal is for a D-rated title. Sex and violence are the most profitable elements. If you stick with C (15+), they might crush you in marketing." 

"I see." 

Tetsu leans back in the chair, his mind racing. Japan’s tolerance for suggestive content means the promotional gap between C and D isn’t huge, but… 

Surrounded by Beauties aims to fill men’s emotional needs, prioritizing romance over raw sensuality, unlike adult films. A 17+ rating would allow more risqué content, but it risks diluting the game’s atmosphere or unique selling point. 

Japan’s adult film industry is robust. If players are just after base thrills, Surrounded by Beauties has no edge. 

But a 15+ game struggles to outshine a 17+ game in promotion, and the actors they’ve signed—especially Asuka Tsukitake—likely won’t agree to 17+ content. 

After a moment, Tetsu shakes his head. "No, 15+ is fine." 

"Alright, as long as you’re confident." 

Miyano stands, smoothing her hip-hugging skirt to leave. But as she passes the sofa, feeling Tetsu’s heated gaze, her sultry eyes spark again, though her face resumes its cold, haughty mask. "And by the way, that was a one-time accident. If you ever try anything like that again, you’ll be looking at jail time." 

Her words are icy, but Tetsu doesn’t respond, just keeps smoking on the sofa. 

-200! 

+500! 

Annoyed, Miyano shoots him a glare and strides out, her slim waist swaying. But at the door, she pauses. "However, if you manage to beat Kazuma Studio, maybe I—" 

"There are plenty of women in this world besides you." 

"You!"