26-30

Chapter 26: Relax, Relax 

“Drinking?” 

“Yeah, not too much. Just a little to loosen up your emotions.” 

“Got it…” 

Outside, the sun dipped below the horizon. Kawauchi Sayoko studied Fuyukawa Tetsu’s eyes intently, then nodded shyly. “Alright… I’ll give it a try.” 

“Cool.” 

Fuyukawa twisted the corkscrew, popping open a bottle of red wine with a clink as he poured it into glasses. “Your issue is tricky. Without diving into the story, you can’t fully immerse yourself in its world or bring a character to life from just a few lines of description.  

But when you do engage with the plot, you get so absorbed that when you snap back to reality, you overthink. You worry about my criticism, or that the project might fail because of you.” 

“Y-Yeah…” 

Sayoko’s confidence sank the more she listened, her hands nervously squeezed between her soft thighs. Red numbers signaling her dropping mood floated above her head. Just then, Fuyukawa handed her a glass and gently pinched her soft cheek, his thumb brushing over the beauty mark near her lips. 

“I’m not saying this to doubt your talent. You’ve got an incredibly sensitive and empathetic heart—perfect for the arts. Plus, you’ve built up solid professional skills. But the more sensitive someone is, the more rational they become as they age and gain experience. 

Being rational is great for navigating the workplace, but for creative work, it’s a problem. Your mind starts weighing pros and cons, hesitating. So, you need to learn to stay in the story’s world—let your emotions guide your thoughts.” 

“Let my emotions guide my thoughts…” Sayoko murmured, taking the glass and sipping the wine. The sharp taste made her shiver adorably, her eyes still clouded with uncertainty. 

Fuyukawa poured himself a small glass and leaned back, crossing his legs. “Exactly. Thinking too much ‘wakes’ you up. Whether it’s movies, novels, or games, they’re all about using emotions to connect with the audience’s soul. 

A Chinese philosopher once said, ‘Human joys and sorrows don’t align.’ It’s true, but not entirely. I’d say, ‘Human joys and sorrows don’t fully align.’  

If they were completely disconnected, people wouldn’t laugh together at the same movie or feel the same mood reading a haiku like, ‘Faint thunder, cloudy skies, may the rain come and keep you here.’  

The issue is, only works with strong emotions can connect people. And to create that, you need to pour your emotions into it. 

So, stop overthinking. If you feel a character should act a certain way, draw it that way. Don’t worry about what users might think or if I’ll critique you.” 

Leaning forward, Fuyukawa pinched Sayoko’s soft cheek again, flashing a squinting smile. “At least when you’re with me, I want you to relax. Even… let loose a little. It’s totally fine.” 

Relax completely. Let loose a little. 

Sayoko froze, her glistening eyes trembling wildly. 

+10000! 

[Kawauchi Sayoko’s emotions are undergoing a massive shift, entering a phase of emotional transformation. Proceed with caution!] 

[Transformation paths: Admiration → Affection (Normal); Admiration → Affection (S); Admiration → Affection (M)] 

The system alert popped up, but Fuyukawa ignored it, simply watching her. 

After a moment, Sayoko seemed to make a decision. Gulp, gulp, gulp—she downed half her glass of wine in three big sips. The alcohol hit her nose, making her shiver again, but her eyes steadied. Patting her chest, she declared, “I get it, Tetsu-kun.” 

“Good, but—hey, what are you doing?”  

Fuyukawa had been a bit pleased, ready to get back to coding, but the next second, he was dumbfounded. 

Whether it was the wine or something else, Sayoko’s flushed face glowed as she undid the tie holding her low ponytail. Biting the hair tie, she lifted her arms, twisting her silky hair into a bun. 

They say the test of a man’s looks is a buzz cut, and for a woman, it’s pulling back her bangs. Sayoko’s features were stunning—tying up her ponytail and bangs didn’t diminish her beauty; it made her look brighter, almost like an anime character “unleashing” after removing glasses. 

But she wasn’t done. 

Under Fuyukawa’s wide-eyed stare, Sayoko reached behind her back. 

Click. 

A soft sound, and then… a white 36D lace bra appeared. 

Not just that. In Fuyukawa’s utterly stunned gaze, she neatly folded the bra alongside matching white panties, placing them beside her wine glass. Exhaling deeply, she smoothed her floral dress, sat on the computer chair, and looked up at him with a cute, determined expression. 

Trying to stay composed, her trembling eyes and clenched hands betrayed her unsteady emotions. 

“Tetsu-kun, is this… too much? But at home, this is how I feel… free.” 

Her watery eyes darted away, her thighs rubbing together nervously. Wearing just the floral dress, the cool leather of the chair pressed through the fabric against her skin, hitting sensitive spots. This wasn’t just about feeling “free.” 

Her mind raced, green numbers floating above her head, but Fuyukawa had no clue what she was thinking. 

He was a little dazed. Sure, he was interested in Sayoko, but work was work. His whole speech was just to help her relax, not… whatever this was—an “unrestrained shock”! 

Noticing the faint outline under her dress, he took a sip of wine to steady himself. “If this makes you feel more comfortable, then it’s fine.” 

“Thanks, Tetsu-kun. I’ll get back to work.” 

Sayoko was, without a doubt, incredibly dedicated—or rather, someone who easily sank into her imaginative world. Despite her bold move, once she reopened Fate’s script, she dove right in. 

And clearly, after her “unrestrained shock,” her focus was sharper than ever. Her big eyes locked onto the script on the screen, unblinking. 

This was a good thing. But as the saying goes, happiness doesn’t vanish—it shifts. So do troubles. 

Now Fuyukawa was the one feeling restless. 

Glancing at the now-unrestrained curves and her focused profile, he sighed. No sneaky moves from behind—he just swiveled his chair back to his computer and started coding. As lines of code filled the screen, his focus returned. But he didn’t notice the wine bottle nearby slowly emptying, bit by bit. 

Chapter 27: I’m Feeling Pretty Fired Up 

When you’re deep in work, time slips away like it’s on fast-forward. 

As the distant sunset dipped into the sea, as Tokyo’s neon signs blinked to life under the night sky, and as Tetsu Fuyukawa typed the final line of code for the day, he leaned back in his chair, stretching with a big yawn. 

“Progress is solid. At this rate, I’ll have the game framework done in no time.” 

Galgames are basically visual novels—gameplay’s minimal, so the coding’s relatively straightforward. 

With things moving smoothly, Tetsu’s mood lifted. He got up and walked over to Sayoko Kawachi, who was so focused she didn’t even notice him behind her. 

“When she’s relaxed, her art’s on a whole different level!” 

Catching a faint whiff of her perfume, Tetsu leaned in to look at her computer screen, a spark of excitement in his eyes. 

Sayoko was drawing Rin Tohsaka, the twin-tailed girl in a red outfit and thigh-high stockings. Compared to her earlier work, this Rin was alive. The glint in her eyes, the fluid lines of her body, the sway of her hair—all of it was leaps and bounds better than before. 

It wasn’t just a feeling; the system panel confirmed it. 

[Name: Sayoko Kawachi] 

[Age: 30] 

[Measurements: 91, 63, 92] 

[Skills: Near-Advanced Character Art (requires time to stabilize), Intermediate Scene Art Lv5, Advanced Cooking Lv1 (currently non-transferable)] 

“She’s touching the edge of advanced character art! The ‘requires time to stabilize’ bit probably means she’s found her path but needs a bit to fully settle into it.” 

“Not too tough. But this style of hers… whew, she’s got a naughty side.” 

Tetsu grinned, eyeing the Rin on the screen. 

Every artist has a unique flair. Compared to the original, Sayoko’s Rin was still slim and high-school-girl-esque, but her “snowy peaks” were fuller, and the edges of her thigh-highs hugged her legs with a subtle, fleshy curve. 

“Overall, it’s not too far off from the vibe of my past life’s version, but it’s got an extra dose of… spiciness.” 

“Not sure if that’s good or bad.” 

A sexier character design could heighten user expectations, but not necessarily for the story—more for the steamy stuff. If the plot delivered on that front, great. If not, it’d lead to mismatched expectations, leaving players disappointed. 

It’s like a massage parlor advertising a 398-yen special with a kimono-clad beauty at the door, only for it to be a standard rubdown. No matter how skilled the massage, you’d leave feeling, “Damn, I got scammed.” 

“Looks like we’ll need to weave in more 18+ content without messing up the overall vibe or pacing,” Tetsu mused, rubbing his chin as he stared at the screen. His attention drifted to the lower half of the system panel. 

[Name: Sayoko Kawachi] 

[Relationship: Transitioning Phase] 

[Transition Paths: Admiration → Affection (Normal); Admiration → Affection (S); Admiration → Affection (M)] 

[Note 1: The relationship is currently in a transitioning phase. Your actions and her personality traits will soon determine its final direction.] 

[Note 2: Relationships aren’t set in stone. A meek lamb might wield a whip, and a high-and-mighty career woman might end up with a cowbell collar, but reversing a dynamic requires an intense emotional trigger.] 

[Recent Status: A widow starved for affection, she’s currently basking in emotional fulfillment, but certain psychological factors seem to be holding her back.] 

Relationship transitioning… and those letters—do they mean what I think they mean? 

Tetsu raised an eyebrow. Just then— 

“Eek! Tetsu-kun, when did you get here?” 

Sayoko spun her chair around, startled to see him. 

She’d polished off most of a bottle of red wine by herself, her cheeks flushed with a drunken glow, her eyes slightly hazy. But it only made her look cuter. 

Tetsu poked her cheek, chuckling. “Just a minute ago. This is some great work you’ve got here.” 

“Really?! You don’t have to flatter me, Tetsu-kun…” 

Thrilled, Sayoko clutched her hands to her chest, looking up at him. Her slightly dazed eyes, thanks to the wine, widened with excitement, though the joy quickly mixed with nervousness, shyness, and intense anticipation. 

Even tipsy, once she stepped out of her story world, she reverted to that shy, mature woman. 

Tetsu ruffled her hair, smiling. “I’m dead serious about work, so trust me—I’m not just saying this to make you feel good. You’ve really outdone yourself this time. You’ve completely surpassed the old Sayoko.” 

“R-really?!” 

Her eyes widened again, sparkling. In the next moment, she threw her arms around his waist, her soft, wine-scented cheek pressing against him. 

“…” 

The position was a bit suggestive, and “Little Tetsu” took a hit, making Tetsu’s lips twitch. But what happened next sent his heart racing even faster. 

“Can Sayoko get a little reward, then?” 

Looking down, he saw Sayoko, still clinging to his waist, lift her flushed, tipsy face. Her hazy eyes locked onto his, her lips parting slightly, exhaling warm breath. 

“…” 

Thump, thump— 

The scene was too much. Tetsu’s heart pounded, and without hesitation, he scooped up her curvy frame from the chair, pinning her against the door and kissing her fiercely. 

“Too rough… Tetsu-kun,” she murmured. 

“Don’t like it?” 

“I… I like it.” 

Sayoko let out a soft whimper, her delicate fingers gently cradling his face. 

The warm scent of wine filled the air as her long, pale legs slowly wrapped around his waist. 

“Little Tetsu” was ready to argue back, and Sayoko’s face flushed deeper, her head turning slightly. “At most…” 

The summer night breeze drifted in, mingling with the sound of frying tempura from the Fuyukawa kitchen. 

“Fried food at night isn’t great, but… it’s probably good for recharging, right?” 

Wearing only an oversized white T-shirt, her plump, fair thighs slipped into clear slippers, Sayoko’s cheeks reddened as she thought back to what just happened. 

And then—“Smack!” 

A sudden jolt made her gasp. Turning, she saw Tetsu had snuck up behind her. 

“Sayoko-chan, this outfit of yours… it’s got me really fired up.” 

Chapter 28: Kyoto’s Skilled Performer 

Kyoto has its share of talented performers. 

But Sayoko Kawai clearly wasn’t one of them. Her technique was pretty raw, though the thrill of pinning her down in the kitchen overshadowed any lack of finesse. 

A while later… 

“That girl’s got a nice singing voice. Ugh—Tetsu-kun, stop teasing, I just got out of the shower!”  

“You’re so sensitive. Come on, open up—‘ahh’~” 

Outside, the moon hung high, casting dim light into the living room where a comedy show played on the TV. The soft glow illuminated the plush sofa behind the coffee table. 

Tetsu slid his hand from her shoulder, pulling Sayoko close as they lounged on the sofa. With his other hand, he picked up a piece of fried tempura. Nestled in his arms, Sayoko’s cheeks flushed as she took a bite, then rested her face against his chest, chewing like a soft mochi. “Mmm, it’s a bit overcooked. Hmph, it’s all your fault, Tetsu-kun.” 

“Blame me for taking too long? Your skills still need some work, you know,” Tetsu teased, chewing on a piece of sushi with a playful glint in his eyes. 

His bold words made Sayoko blush harder. She shyly turned her gaze to the TV, pinching his waist lightly. “I’ve never done this stuff before, okay? Plus, yours is… super…” 

“Super what?”  

“Super big!”  

“Haha, hearing that from shy little Sayoko feels kinda out of character.” 

“Then you don’t like—mmph!” 

After a long moment, their lips parted. Sayoko’s face was as red as if she’d been drinking, her glossy lips pouting as she lightly smacked Tetsu’s chest. “You jerk, you never let me finish talking. So domineering!” 

“Don’t like it?” Tetsu raised an eyebrow, grinning. 

Sayoko puffed out her cheeks, letting out a soft humph without answering, but she leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on his side. 

It was an intimate gesture, but having already “settled things” twice, Tetsu wasn’t exactly burning with desire. His left hand brushed her soft cheek in response, and they settled quietly on the sofa, watching TV. 

The room, not too empty, was filled only with the sound of the TV and their heartbeats. It was cozy, and both were content. Then, the phone on the coffee table lit up. 

“It’s a message from Sunflower,” Sayoko said, grabbing her phone. She propped herself up, the thin air-conditioned blanket slipping off her smooth shoulder. “She says her performance is over and is asking when I’ll be home.” 

Sunflower Izumi’s parents were migrant workers in Tokyo, with no home here and their ancestral house back home passed to the eldest son. After a car accident left her without family, Sunflower moved in with relatives. Despite compensation and social subsidies, living under someone else’s roof wasn’t easy. She didn’t get along with her relatives and often stayed at Sayoko’s place, like now. 

Hearing this, Tetsu glanced at the time. “It’s past 11. I’ll drive you.” 

“No need! I’ll call a—hey, don’t just toss that around!”  

Before she could finish, Tetsu was already getting dressed, chuckling as he flung her panties at her face. 

Panties to the face. 

Flustered, Sayoko grabbed them, but her annoyance melted as she looked at Tetsu’s toned back muscles under his black T-shirt. Her eyes softened with affection as she hugged his waist. “Really, no need. Plus, you had some wine this afternoon. If the cops catch you, it’ll be trouble.” 

True, he’d had a glass of red wine earlier. Tetsu patted her hip. “Alright, be safe tonight.” 

“Got it!”  

Sayoko leaned up for a quick peck on his lips, then grabbed the blanket to get dressed. 

Under the TV’s glow, her curvy figure was a sight. Naturally, a bit more playful interaction followed. It wasn’t until midnight that Sayoko, now dressed, left Tetsu’s place. After another quick shower, Tetsu settled back on the sofa, watching TV as he drifted off to sleep. 

Once certain floodgates open, it’s hard to stop the deluge. 

The next day, a light rain fell. 

At 8 a.m., Sayoko, her skirt slightly damp, had barely stepped inside when Tetsu pinned her against the entryway, her soft murmurs filling the air. 

Outside, the rain pattered fast and slow, drumming on banana leaves. 

After a flurry of activity, a blushing Sayoko obediently went to make breakfast. A satisfied Tetsu sat in the living room, reviewing scripts—not for Fate, but for I’m Surrounded by Beautiful Women. 

With Sayoko’s improving art skills, Fate was on track, needing less oversight. But I’m Surrounded by Beautiful Women was set to start production tomorrow. Honestly, its script wasn’t deep—mostly romantic daily life, not much to analyze. The issue was, it wasn’t strictly a game. Ninety percent of the work was filming-related. 

Tetsu had planned for this. The proposal included it, and the company had already contacted studios. His role was to oversee the big picture, guide the story, and—most crucially—audition actresses. 

Casting was the toughest part. Good actresses weren’t cheap, and cheap ones weren’t good. Many with even a bit of experience looked down on projects like this. 

It was a headache. 

Staring at the tablet’s screen full of beautiful faces, Tetsu looked like he was judging a beauty pageant, but he was actually stressing out. 

The whole day, aside from guiding Sayoko on character illustrations, discussing plot details, and sharing his expertise, he poured his energy into casting. 

Time flies when you’re working hard. 

In a blink, it was Monday morning. 

“Hiss—” 

Outside, birds chirped. Inside, another kind of “bird” was making noise. 

Tetsu woke from his sleep, groggy. Looking down, he saw the blanket bulging, a strange, sticky sensation washing over him. His limbs tensed, toes curling, until a slight tremble gave way to full relaxation. 

“Good morning, Tetsu-kun.” 

Wearing only panties, Sayoko lifted the blanket, licking her lips. Her glossy eyes met his as she leaned in for a kiss. 

Tetsu chuckled, pinching her lips. “You little minx, go rinse your mouth.” 

“Hmph, you’re so mean!” Sayoko pouted playfully but soon giggled shyly. She slinked to the trash can to spit, then said, “I’ll go make breakfast. The bathwater’s ready—oh, wait, we’re short on time!” 

Before she could head downstairs, Tetsu wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her with a flex of his core. “It’s only 7. Plenty of time for a bath together.” 

“Such a naughty guy,” she teased. 

“Hm?” 

“…Mmm~” 

Chapter 29: Commanding Presence 

"Good morning, Section Chief Fuyukawa!" 

"Hey, Ms. Hatayama, you're full of energy today, huh?" 

At 8:35 a.m., dressed in a sharp black suit, Tetsu Fuyukawa strides into the NTsoft company lobby with Sayoko by his side, greeted by the cheerful voice of the receptionist. 

NTsoft's workday starts with clock-in at 9:00 a.m., so aside from the receptionist, the lobby is nearly empty of employees. 

"Should've soaked in the bath a bit longer," Tetsu muses. 

As they step into the elevator, Tetsu slips his hands into his pockets and flashes a playful grin. 

Sayoko, holding her briefcase in front of her, moves closer to him, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Bathing too long in the morning isn't good for you! And anyway... it wasn't just soaking. You were teasing me!" 

"Teasing? Was I now?" 

Tetsu pulls his left hand from his pocket and places it on Sayoko’s hip-hugging skirt. 

"Eek!" 

The bold move, right there in the company elevator, makes Sayoko’s eyes widen like autumn pools, her body tensing as she nervously glances at the security camera. Yet, she doesn’t pull away. 

Feeling his exploring touch, her face grows redder, and she shifts her hips slightly, her voice barely a whisper. "Tetsu-kun... we're at the company..." 

"You don’t like it?" 

"..." 

No answer, but Tetsu can feel her subtly leaning back, brushing against his hand. 

The air grows thick with tension, his fingers pressing a bit harder. Just then, the elevator dings, arriving at their floor. 

Like a startled deer, Sayoko scurries out with quick "tap-tap-tap" steps, shooting Tetsu a flustered glare. But when he raises his left hand, her face turns as red as a ripe peach. 

Once they reach the office floor, Tetsu reins in his playful mood. He ruffles Sayoko’s hair gently. "Alright, let’s get to work." 

"Mm." 

As expected, when they arrive at the office, Mrs. Nogi and that guy Kawaguchi are already at their posts. 

"Morning, Team Leader!" 

"Good morning, Team Leader Fuyukawa!" 

Mrs. Nogi and Kawaguchi greet him with enthusiasm. Both are older, and normally, their passion for work might have faded with time. But today, their faces brim with excitement. 

It’s the first official day of work for the studio! 

The success of their game, Surrounded by Beauties, could make or break their careers moving forward. 

Tetsu senses their drive. After hanging his suit jacket in his cubicle, he pulls a few documents from his briefcase and steps out. 

"Sayoko, contact the agents of these actors. First, confirm who can come for interviews this afternoon, then schedule the rest." 

"Got it, I’ll handle it now." 

"Good." 

Handing her a file with actor profiles marked, Tetsu turns to Mrs. Nogi. "Nogi, take these documents to Minister Miyano for approval, then request an available office from the general affairs department. We’ll need it for this afternoon’s interviews." 

"Right away!"  

Mrs. Nogi, mid-sip of water, sets her cup down and takes the papers. Instead of rushing off to the minister’s office, she flips through the documents first. 

Tetsu notices and a glint of approval flickers in his eyes. 

Mrs. Nogi used to work in the general affairs department. 

General affairs handles what Japanese companies call "miscellaneous tasks," but don’t underestimate them. From arranging cleaners’ schedules to managing meeting room bookings and even coordinating executive transportation, it’s a department that deals heavily with people. 

Though Mrs. Nogi may not have strong technical skills, her twenty years in general affairs have made her seasoned and meticulous—a steady hand. 

Her role diminished as office software streamlined processes, reducing the need for manpower. That’s how she ended up at Hikari Bird Studio, facing potential layoffs. 

Tetsu doesn’t linger on the thought. He hands the final document to the portly Kawaguchi. "Take this budget plan to Minister Miyano for approval, then get it stamped by the finance department. I need the funds approved by the executive board by tomorrow." 

NTsoft is a large gaming company with many departments. While Tetsu has full control over Hikari Bird Studio’s internal affairs, finances are another matter. 

The process starts with project approval, where the total budget is set with the minister. The minister then negotiates with upper management, but funds aren’t disbursed all at once—they come weekly. 

Typically, a budget plan for the next week is submitted by Thursday, entering the company’s approval software. It’s reviewed first by Tetsu as team leader, then by Minister Miyano. Once the department approves, it moves to the finance department. 

There, it undergoes initial review by a staff member and final approval by the finance minister before reaching upper management’s system. 

Finally, the funds hit Hikari Bird Studio’s account only after approval from the executive director, managing director, and president. 

It’s a tedious process, but for most projects, unless the budget is unusually large, the minister and finance minister’s signatures are enough. Upper management usually rubber-stamps it, sometimes delegating smaller project approvals to their secretaries. 

With Minister Miyano already on board, the speed of the funds’ release depends on the finance department’s efficiency—and navigating that involves some finesse. After all, even with software, it’s still people running the show. 

Getting the finance department on their side is a job that tests social skills! 

Tetsu knows this, and so does Kawaguchi. He stands with a loud clunk. "I’ll get it done, Team Leader!" 

"Good. If you run into any stubborn clerks, let me know. You’re part of Hikari Bird now." 

Dressed in a crisp white shirt, Tetsu’s brows furrow slightly, his aura commanding and serious. Kawaguchi instinctively snaps to attention with a sharp "Yes, Team Leader!" 

"Alright, get to it." 

With that, Tetsu turns the knob of his cubicle door, leaving the three with just his back. 

"Phew—when the Team Leader switches to work mode, his presence is intense," Kawaguchi exhales, glancing at the clock. Five minutes until work starts. He takes a sip of water. 

Mrs. Nogi nods. "Yeah, he seems so approachable usually, but... wow. No wonder the company promoted him so quickly. That guy’s going places." 

"Seriously," Kawaguchi agrees. "Handsome, capable, and that aura? I’ve got to learn from him." 

"Exactly. Oh, Kawaguchi, I’ve got a decent connection with Nanako in finance. She’s new, but if you hit a snag, try talking to her first." 

"Sugei! Thanks a ton!" 

"No problem. If the project succeeds, it’s good for both of us. Oh, and let me tell you about that one guy in finance..." 

As Kawaguchi and Mrs. Nogi chat, Sayoko’s gaze drifts to Tetsu behind the blinds, a proud and admiring smile tugging at her lips. 

Chapter 30: Tricky Finances 

A guy with good looks naturally draws more attention from the opposite sex. But once you step into the real world, it’s a man’s charisma and skills that matter more. 

It’s like how high school girls might go crazy over a heavily made-up pop idol, screaming their heads off, while women with a bit more depth and experience tend to prefer mature, talented actors. 

Once he got into work mode, though, Tetsu Fuyukawa didn’t care much about what others thought of him. His mind was entirely on the job. 

“Everything for the process has been delegated. As soon as the funds come through, we can officially start,” he said. 

Sitting at the boss’s desk, Tetsu’s eyes darted across the computer screen, scanning images of tourist attractions. 

“It’s early October now. If all goes well, we should have Surrounded by Beauties ready by March next year. That’s perfect timing—students will be on spring break, and the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom.” 

He mused, “With a backdrop of cherry blossoms, spring, and beautiful girls in the game’s opening, it’ll really pull players in.” 

Surrounded by Beauties was a full-on romance game, and its appeal lay in fulfilling the romantic fantasies of guys too lazy to chase girls in real life. Fulfilling fantasies—that was the key. And for Japanese men, or honestly, any guy who’s watched Japanese anime, who could resist a meet-cute with a pure, gorgeous girl under cherry blossom petals drifting down the street? 

As for whether localizing so much of the story might cause issues, Tetsu wasn’t too worried. As long as the focus stayed on “fulfilling romantic fantasies,” it’d be fine. 

“But the cherry blossoms aren’t blooming yet,” he noted. 

“That scene will have to wait until next spring for filming. In the meantime… maybe the hot spring plot.” 

When it comes to Japanese films or things Japanese guys dream of doing with their girlfriends, a one-night, two-day hot spring trip is a must. Back in the day, even the famous actress Takizawa-sensei shot to fame with her mixed-race charm and a hot spring scene. 

“For the hot spring plot, maybe Hakone?” Tetsu considered. 

The hot spring scene was slated for filming around December. Snow, moonlight, hot springs, beautiful girls, and cherry blossoms—throw those together, and there’s no way Japanese guys wouldn’t eat it up. The exact location wasn’t set yet, though. 

Tetsu’s middle finger scrolled the mouse wheel, and soon a map of a hot spring town appeared on the screen. 

Hakone—a quirky name, but this town in southwestern Kanagawa Prefecture is Japan’s hot spring haven and a renowned international tourist destination. In many Japanese manga, that iconic torii gate half-submerged in the sea? That’s from Hakone. 

“The scenery’s pretty great. Definitely a solid backup option,” Tetsu thought. 

With a quick Ctrl+C, he copied the Hakone webpage link into a spreadsheet, took a sip of the goji berry water Sayoko had brewed for him, and continued browsing other locations. 

As he worked diligently, the office clock struck nine, and the entire building buzzed with activity. The team at Hikari Bird Studio got to their tasks. Sayoko was on the phone, dialing agents for actors one by one. Mrs. Nogi and young Kawaguchi were running around with documents, chasing stamps from various departments. 

Unlike Sayoko’s confidence or Mrs. Nogi’s seasoned efficiency, chubby Kawaguchi looked nervous as he clutched his folder and approached the finance department. 

In terms of hierarchy, the finance department was independent but on the same level as other departments. To put it simply, the finance department head’s rank was equal to Miyano Mitei’s, and even Tetsu, a section chief, would sit at the section chief or deputy chief’s table at a finance department dinner—not with the regular staff. 

Kawaguchi was technically on the same level as the finance department’s regular employees, but because finance had the power to approve or reject other departments’ processes, their staff often acted superior. A simple “I don’t see it” or “You’re missing documents” could delay someone’s work for a day—or even days. 

“Here’s hoping nothing goes wrong,” Kawaguchi muttered. 

Having been hassled by the finance department before, he was a bit on edge as he knocked on their door. 

“Come in,” came a sharp voice from inside. 

Kawaguchi’s body tensed slightly as he pushed the door open. A woman in her thirties sat at a desk, applying hand cream. She wasn’t particularly striking, but her figure was impressive, her makeup heavy, and her hair neatly pinned up. 

She barely glanced at Kawaguchi, continuing to rub in her hand cream, giving off major “difficult coworker” vibes. 

This could be trouble, Kawaguchi thought, growing more anxious. 

Clutching his folder, he forced a smile and approached her desk, glancing at her nameplate. “Ms. Matsushita, sorry to bother you. I’m Kojiro Kawaguchi from Hikari Bird Studio. This is our funding proposal. Could you please take a look?” 

This was where the finance department’s power came in. 

The proposal already had Tetsu Fuyukawa’s and Miyano Mitei’s signatures, but it still needed the finance section chief or deputy chief’s initial approval, followed by the finance department head’s final sign-off. Only with all four signatures would the proposal enter the company’s system for funding approval. 

Before the section chief’s review, though, regular staff would give it a once-over—not to check the budget amount (they didn’t have that authority), but to ensure no documents were missing, saving the higher-ups’ time. 

In a way, even regular finance staff held significant power. A single word from them could send someone running in circles. 

Sure enough, as Kawaguchi watched with a nervous smile, the woman kept applying her hand cream, barely looking up. “Just leave it there,” she said dismissively. 

Kawaguchi froze, but his chubby face quickly forced another smile. “Um, our team leader said this proposal is a bit urgent, so if you could—” 

“I got it. I’ll deal with it later,” she cut in, her tone impatient. “Oh, good morning, Section Chief Owada!” 

“Morning, Section Chief Owada!” she repeated, her demeanor shifting. 

Just then, a short, stocky middle-aged man strode in with a briefcase, exuding authority. He had a distinctly retro Showa-era look—hair slicked with pomade, parted to the side, a large head, and a face that resembled a grumpy bulldog. 

“Morning, Matsushita-san,” he said, nodding with a smile to her and Kawaguchi’s respectful bows. But the moment he turned away, his smile vanished, replaced by a stern, almost perpetually displeased expression. Just before turning, though, his eyes caught the proposal on the desk. 

He paused, backtracked, and picked up the document. Seeing “Hikari Bird Studio” on the cover, he raised an eyebrow at the nervous Kawaguchi. “You’re one of Fuyukawa’s guys, huh?”