Chapter 166: An Unexpected Surprise!
“Who’s that guy? Takahashi-san actually bowed to him?!”
“No way, is he some big shot? He was standing behind me earlier, and I even asked him to pick up my pen when it rolled away!”
“Haha, looks like you missed your chance to cozy up to a VIP. But… wait a sec, he looks familiar! Oh my God, those eyes—it’s Fuyukawa Tetsu!”
“Fuyukawa Tetsu? You mean the Fuyukawa Tetsu from NTsoft?!”
“No doubt about it! I saw a forum post a few days ago with a photo of him smoking in his car! Holy crap, what’s he doing here?!”
“Are you serious?! That’s the guy?! Where’s my knife?!”
“??”
“Baka! I stayed up all night playing K-On! and missed Sugiki’s lecture this morning! Damn it, damn it, damn it! That Fuyukawa jerk ruined my future!”
“You played all night? Which route?”
“Huh? Akiyama Mio’s, obviously. Blue-and-white bowl is the best… cough I mean, I just think Mio’s singing is great, not because I’m into her looks or anything! But man, this Fuyukawa guy’s influence is bigger than I thought. Even Sugiki’s Deputy Chief Oda knows him. You don’t know, but this morning at Oda’s lecture, the vice-principal personally greeted him!”
One comment sparked a wave of excitement, and the classroom erupted.
To avoid his private life being disrupted and not wanting to be a front-facing celebrity, Fuyukawa Tetsu rarely gave media interviews. This made him a legend in game-related industries and even among students, but without major PR, most people only vaguely recognized him from photos.
Plus, most students were focused on Deputy Chief Takahashi, and with the chilly weather, Fuyukawa had a scarf covering half his face, leaving only his sharp, piercing eyes visible.
Few recognized him at first, but once his name was mentioned, the classroom exploded into chaos!
Students turned to look at Fuyukawa Tetsu, standing at the back, chatting with a grin alongside Oda Takazo and Deputy Chief Takahashi—some with shock, some with excitement, others with curiosity or anticipation.
No joke, these were mostly graduating students attending the lecture, far more clued into the industry than freshmen or sophomores. They knew exactly what kind of storm Fuyukawa Tetsu had whipped up in Japan’s gaming world this year!
Sure, he and Takahashi were technically peers, but everyone knew that in terms of achievements, business acumen, and future potential, Fuyukawa Tetsu—already dubbed the “20-million-sales producer”—was leagues ahead of Takahashi!
This guy was a future industry titan!
No, scratch that—he was already a titan!
All eyes were on him!
“What’s with this guy? Stinking uncle always attracts attention wherever he goes,” Izumi Himawari muttered from the front of the classroom. Having just grabbed her dorm key from a senior, she overheard a few female classmates gushing, “Fuyukawa-senpai is so cool!” “A capable, handsome guy like that is just so charming!” “Should we go talk to him?” Her clear eyes instantly turned into an annoyed dead-fish stare.
At that moment, a senior cautiously asked, “Little Kuri, um… can we go with you to say hi to him later?”
Say hi?
Seeing the mix of nervousness and anticipation on the two seniors’ faces, Izumi Himawari had a good guess about their intentions. After a moment’s thought, she shook her head, putting on a cute, worldly-wise tone. “Saying hi is fine—Stinking Uncle loves showing off in front of young girls like you. But honestly, it might not be great for you.”
“Huh?” The senior was puzzled.
Like a seasoned big sister, Izumi Himawari put a hand on her hip, sighed dramatically, and whispered, careful not to spill too much. “Uncle says picking the right side in the workplace is crucial—otherwise, you’ve got no one to back you up. But even more important is picking the right side. You guys aren’t in the gaming industry, so you don’t know the inside scoop.
Uncle told me Sugiki and NICO have been rivals for years. If you go over to him now and he ends up clashing with one of them later, that sly fox won’t lose out, but you’ll be the ones caught in the crossfire.”
“Oh, wow… the workplace is complicated,” one senior said, clicking her tongue.
“Heh, Little Kuri didn’t spend all that time at Sistar for nothing—”
As fourth-year students, they’d never eaten pork but had seen pigs run. The logic clicked instantly, and they nodded with a mix of admiration and realization. Seeing their impressed looks, Izumi Himawari puffed up proudly, about to brag, when the seniors’ gazes shifted to Fuyukawa Tetsu with awe.
“No wonder a guy like Fuyukawa-san is always at the center of the storm.”
“Yeah, training a silly girl like Little Kuri to be this sharp? He’s really something.”
“What?! What are you talking about?! I figured this out myself—argh, you two meanies!” Izumi Himawari’s eyes widened, brimming with indignation. I’m the one dishing out wisdom—why are you praising Stinking Uncle?!
The seniors burst into laughter, their eyes twinkling with amusement. Realizing she’d been teased again, Izumi Himawari pouted.
Unhappy!
Arms crossed, cheeks puffed, chin tilted up—full-on tsundere mode!
Seeing her like this, the glasses-wearing senior couldn’t stop giggling and waved a hand. “Alright, alright, we’re done teasing. We know Little Kuri’s a super-elite professional.”
“Hmph, that’s more like it,” Izumi Himawari said, rolling her eyes with a hint of a smile. The long-haired senior chimed in, marveling, “Still, for leaders from big companies like Sugiki and NICO to approach him? Your uncle’s seriously impressive.”
Her eyes were filled with awe.
People are drawn to strength, but what is strength?
Why do some guys chase girls who aren’t even that special, yet the girls act aloof, and the more aloof they are, the deeper the guys fall? Ancient Chinese wisdom summed it up: “When punishment is unknown, and authority is immeasurable, the people fear those above.”
It’s not the same context, but the logic applies.
“Strength” is subjective, tied to both real-world status gaps and perceived ones.
They’d always known Fuyukawa Tetsu was a big deal, but he never acted superior when picking up Izumi Himawari, even bringing milk tea or fruit for her seniors too. Plus, they weren’t in the gaming industry, so they hadn’t felt the shockwaves of his high-octane, year-long dominance like his peers had.
Over time, his image in their minds shifted from “elite corporate hotshot” to “friendly Tokyo heartthrob.” But now…
Seeing him at the back door, surrounded by students who didn’t dare approach, watching Takahashi—who’d barely smiled during his lecture—beam at him, and knowing Oda Takazo, Sugiki’s department head, had come specifically to meet him, the long-haired senior felt Fuyukawa Tetsu’s overwhelming presence again. It was the same commanding aura she’d sensed when they first met half a year ago.
Gazing at him from afar, her expression shifted subtly. But a twenty-something college student’s thoughts weren’t on Fuyukawa Tetsu’s radar. Fully in “battle mode,” his focus was locked on his conversation with Oda and Takahashi.
Honestly, running into Oda here wasn’t in his plans, but just as Oda had studied him, Fuyukawa Tetsu had prepared for any interaction with him. However…
“Takahashi just waltzed right in. The bad blood between NICO and Sugiki is deeper than I thought, and NICO’s people are more arrogant than I expected.”
Looking at Takahashi’s warm smile, which barely hid the arrogance in his eyes, Fuyukawa Tetsu kept the conversation light and meaningless while his mind raced.
From the moment they met, he could tell Takahashi was courteous—bowing first—but carried a heavy air of pride. He addressed Oda, a department head, simply as “Oda.”
“This is good, but… something’s off!”
The logic was simple. Whether it’s food delivery or ride-hailing, the fiercer the competition between top companies, the better the benefits for businesses—lower fees, better incentives. But that only happens when the giants feel threatened and need more partners.
Need!
From romance to the workplace to politics or even war, the world runs on need.
A skilled strategist leverages others’ needs to boost their own value—think of the ancient “vertical and horizontal alliances.”
Two key steps: identify the other’s need and keep that need alive, even amplifying it artificially, like “nurturing an enemy to justify your weight.”
But…
“People at this level aren’t idiots. They understand this basic logic! So why is Takahashi provoking Sugiki’s guy? There’s no reason. Angering Oda only gives him short-term bragging rights—it’s a net loss for them and only benefits me! No reason, no reason! This is too weird!”
Unsure of Takahashi’s motives, Fuyukawa Tetsu’s workplace philosophy was straightforward: start with mutual interests. No one’s nice to you without a reason, especially not at work.
“Something’s fishy. There’s something I don’t know. This talk can’t go on!”
Alarm bells rang in his head. Facing the chatty Takahashi, Fuyukawa’s eyes grew sharper, more cautious. He kept up the cheerful facade but subtly glanced at Izumi Himawari, waiting nearby, and gave a slight finger twitch.
Their eyes met.
This is…
In an instant, catching his subtle signal, Izumi Himawari’s relaxed demeanor vanished. She smiled, said goodbye to her seniors, and headed toward Fuyukawa. As she climbed the stairs, both Takahashi and Oda narrowed their eyes slightly.
“So quick!”
“That sharp?!”
Their eyes met briefly, a flicker of shock—and delight—passing between them.
In that split-second glance, they shifted their gazes, but Fuyukawa, now hyper-alert, caught the subtle exchange.
“They’re working together?!”
Confusion hit.
He’d studied Oda’s entire resume, but Takahashi wasn’t a key NICO figure, so he only knew him vaguely from past games launching on NICO’s handheld. Still…
“Both at Tokyo University of the Arts today? Are they alumni?”
A possibility struck him, and his pupils constricted, though his expression stayed neutral.
“It’s just a possibility. I need more info to make a call.”
His mind raced. At that moment, Izumi Himawari reached his side, pouting softly. “Uncle, how much longer? Sayoko’s been waiting forever.”
Her voice was quiet but loud enough for Oda and Takahashi to hear.
Instead of annoyance at the interruption, their smiles widened, tinged with unmistakable admiration.
Takahashi bowed slightly, feigning realization. “My apologies. I got carried away and forgot you’re off today, Fuyukawa-san. So sorry.”
“No worries. Chatting with Deputy Chief Takahashi and Department Head Oda has been enlightening. How about this: when I’m free, I’ll treat you both to dinner. I do have some things to handle today.”
“Of course, whenever suits you, Fuyukawa-san.”
“Haha, no problem. I’ll head out then. Take care, you two.”
With a slight bow, Fuyukawa Tetsu led Izumi Himawari out the back door. Only when their figures vanished did Takahashi’s forced smile fade into one of genuine admiration.
“This Fuyukawa’s something else. Picking up on our intentions from such tiny clues. What a beast.”
Oda nodded, adding, “He’s impressive, but given his track record, it’s not surprising. Thriving in NTsoft’s cutthroat environment? We’re a bit out of our league. But what do you think he’ll do next?”
“Next?” Takahashi smirked, glancing at where Fuyukawa had stood. “Don’t worry. I’ve studied his profile. His professional and social skills are terrifying, and so are his ambition and control. Plus, his attitude toward you today…
He won’t pick NICO. First, NICO’s too big. Even if he pumps out more high-quality games, he can’t sway their decisions from the outside. A guy like him won’t hand over something as critical as distribution channels. Second…” He glanced at Oda with a grin. “Sugiki knows his strength best. His four games had your WS handheld crushing us all year. For him, the ideal setup is multiple big players in a fierce, balanced fight. That’s how he maximizes his gains. Helping NICO dominate Sugiki too much would hurt him too. What a guy—wild blood in his veins, planning this far ahead while still at NTsoft. Good news for Sugiki, though. Just curious how strong his next project will be.”
Oda chimed in, rambling, then raised a brow at Takahashi. “I got my answer. But you—sure you’re joining his company later?”
“I wasn’t certain before, but after this test…” Takahashi, just in his early thirties, trailed off, but his intent was clear.
Yes, a test!
This meeting was a test.
Console giants were fixated on whether Fuyukawa’s next game would land on their platform. Young industry elites were more curious about where his company would go if he went solo and whether he was worth following.
No one doubted his professional skills after a year of 20 million sales and a near-finished AAA Sekiro in a year. But raw talent didn’t guarantee a good boss or a successful startup.
That hinged on internal management and navigating the crowded top tier of the gaming industry.
Starting a new company in the giants’ shadows, surviving and growing, tested a boss’s character and interpersonal skills. Without those, even the most talented couldn’t climb to the top.
Yet, in this chance first meeting, in a confusing setting, Fuyukawa had sniffed out the issue from tiny clues, avoiding Takahashi’s bait. It showed how sharp his judgment and instincts were.
“What a terrifying guy,” Takahashi muttered, thrilled by Fuyukawa’s performance. But in public, he kept it brief with Oda, his former mentor, exchanging a few pleasantries before leaving the lecture hall.
Once they were gone, the classroom buzz grew louder.
The students had no idea that in those ten minutes of seemingly casual chat, a fierce test had played out. They just gushed, “I wanna make a living with skills like Fuyukawa-san!” or “Big company leaders are so glamorous!”
But while the students raved about Fuyukawa’s awesomeness, he was back in his BMW, stroking a small head.
“Little Kuri… hiss—you did great today—ow, watch it!”
“Hmph, Little Kuri did that on purpose! Mmm— I bailed you out, so you owe me today—ahh, not full throttle!”
“Don’t like it?”
“…Take it slow.”
In the driver’s seat, watching the passing cars, Fuyukawa Tetsu gently stroked the twin-tailed head below the steering wheel, chuckling despite the sharp sensation of teeth. He didn’t say much, just pressed a button lightly.
Hearing muffled sounds, a playful smile spread across his face. His hand moved to the heart-shaped peach on the passenger seat, still swaying. “But seriously, Little Kuri, you were awesome today.”
“Of course! I’m your trusty sidekick!” Izumi Himawari said, grabbing his hand. She looked up, her flushed face a mix of admiration and worry. “But today was a mess—mmph—”
“Keep going.”
Halfway through, her head was pressed down again. Fuyukawa leaned back, adjusting to a comfier position, recalling the encounter. A smile curved his lips. “A mess? At first, yeah. But now? Probably a pleasant surprise.”
Chapter 167: Worse Than a Beast!
Fuyukawa Tetsu wasn’t sure what Deputy Takahashi and Minister Oda were plotting with their sudden maneuver, but for someone who knew they were old schoolmates, the answer wasn’t too hard to guess. Still…
“When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back.”
Takahashi’s probing approach could be a smokescreen, a trap laid by someone who understood Fuyukawa Tetsu’s personality. After all, he’d had a stellar year, but in this industry, rivals are enemies. He’d crushed plenty of games this year, and with NTsoft’s cozy relationship with NICO, Takahashi could easily be a pawn of Asai or Kozuru. But…
“Doesn’t matter. I’m the one holding the cards now.”
Cruising along the coastal road in his black BMW, Fuyukawa Tetsu glanced at Izumi Sunflower, earbuds in, lounging in the passenger seat, her music playing softly. Her small feet, wrapped in gray leggings, rested on his lap. His right hand kneaded her soft calf, his eyes filled with calm warmth.
Sure, he’d been planning for consoles and handhelds for a while and was eager for talent, but that didn’t mean he was desperate.
His year at NTsoft had earned him startup capital that would’ve taken years of groveling to investors otherwise. He’d also built a reputation and network that would’ve taken even longer to establish on his own. Plus, he held the rights to two massive potential hits—Fate and Stardew Valley—along with the IP development rights for K-On!.
His wings were fully fledged!
Others starting a company were like chicks fresh from the egg, needing resources to shed their down and survive the early days. But he’d already shed his down and cleared the startup phase.
The day his new company launched would be like a roc spreading its wings, soaring to the heavens, chasing the stars!
Right now, Takahashi wasn’t the only one trying to cozy up to him. NICO and Sugi weren’t the only companies looking to collaborate with Fuyukawa Tetsu.
“Take it slow. Plenty of time to pick the cream of the crop for the initial team,” he mused to himself.
Just then, he felt the toes on his lap wiggle, pressing down hard.
“Hey, hey, I’m driving here!” he yelped, his body instinctively arching back, nearly losing his grip on the wheel. He shot a glare at Izumi Sunflower, who just turned her body, her little feet still teasing, and smirked. “Old perv, you’re practically drooling. Thinking about something naughty again?”
“You wouldn’t get it,” he shot back.
“Hey! Who just bailed you out back there? Me, Sunflower! Stop treating me like a kid!” she huffed, clearly annoyed. She crossed her arms, puffing out her chest with a proud look.
Yes, proud.
Say what you will, but papaya milk or whatever worked wonders. Plus, Fuyukawa Tetsu was a fan of her “fried eggs,” always eager to indulge.
Over time, her modest A had evolved into a solid B.
Sure, a B wasn’t exactly jaw-dropping—especially compared to Miyano Mitei, Sayako, or Tsukitake Asuka, who were all rocking 36Ds. Lately, thanks to some “development,” Mitei and Sayako’s 36Ds were practically leveling up again, making some of their tighter bras overflow.
By comparison, a B wasn’t much to brag about. But a good figure isn’t just about the size of the peaks—it’s about proportions, curves, and overall vibe.
Izumi Sunflower, the quintessential pure college girl, looked just right with her size.
Glancing at her budding figure and the “praise me, Sunflower!” pout on her face, Fuyukawa Tetsu steered into a residential alley, chuckling. “Alright, alright, I get it. Sunflower’s a big girl who can handle herself now.”
“Hmph, that’s more like it,” she said, her pure, crescent-moon eyes sparkling. Her feet softened their teasing.
She grabbed a boba tea, fed him a sip, then nibbled the straw herself, sipping slowly. “But seriously, Japan’s job market is brutal. The seniors in class today were practically worshipping you guys.”
Recalling the awe in her classmates’ eyes for Fuyukawa Tetsu, and the troubles her two senior roommates faced, she spoke with a mix of pride and curiosity.
“No kidding,” Fuyukawa Tetsu said, gripping the wheel, eyes on the road. “Why do you think people are out there yelling at the government every day? But what about you? Planning to focus on school or work at the company while studying?”
“Work and study, duh,” she said, chewing on a springy pearl, a flicker of dread on her face. “I didn’t become a singer to slack off.”
Honestly, she’d never been into the idol route. Music was her passion, partly because her late mother had wanted her to pursue it. But with K-On!’s massive success, even though she didn’t have the biggest role and Sistar—thanks to Fuyukawa Tetsu’s influence—hadn’t heavily promoted her, her stunning looks and amazing voice had still disrupted her private life.
Japan’s fan culture, with its intense “support” mentality, was different from other Asian countries’ idol worship. While not inherently negative, that kind of personal devotion could easily spiral into extremes.
Sure, being at an arts university with plenty of performers meant school wasn’t too bad, but going out at night to walk Little White sometimes led to strange men tailing her. If Little White wasn’t so fierce, who knows what trouble might’ve popped up.
Plus, she was the type to be bold at home but shy in public. Despite years of performing, too much attention still made her nervous and uncomfortable.
Seeing her slightly spooked expression, Fuyukawa Tetsu grinned knowingly. “Fair enough. The company’s music division needs people anyway. But don’t expect me to pull strings—everything’s based on your skills.”
His eyes flicked to her heart-shaped peach.
A backdoor, but not that kind.
Unfortunately, the double entendre didn’t land in Japanese.
Izumi Sunflower kept sipping her tea, one earbud in, her left foot under the dashboard, her right foot playfully tapping his shoulder. “Got it. You think I’m some slacker? C’mon, drive faster, I’m starving!”
“Get your feet down, you little brat.”
“Down? Like this?”
“Ow—you little…”
Messing around, they got home just past 6 p.m.
“Tsukitake’s already gone?” Fuyukawa Tetsu asked, shutting the car door and shaking out his coat. Not seeing Tsukitake Asuka’s Dark Knight motorcycle, he raised an eyebrow in surprise.
With Stardew Valley’s production underway, Tsukitake Asuka had been coming over daily, usually from 8 or 9 a.m. when they left until 9 or 10 p.m. when she was too tired to stay, sometimes even crashing at the house. But today, no bike.
Curious but not overthinking it, he pulled out his keys to unlock the door.
For Izumi Sunflower, this rare alone time clearly thrilled her. As he fumbled with the lock, she leapt onto his back, legs wrapping around his waist, arms around his neck, her head nuzzling his ear. “Sayako and the others will be drinking till at least eleven,” she giggled. “That means for the next five hours, you’re all mine, old perv.”
Her breath was warm and teasing.
Then she leaned forward, lightly sucking on his earlobe.
Very flirty.
The vibe was very flirty!
Sure, they’d had a moment earlier, but after a half-hour drive, Fuyukawa Tetsu was ready again. Unlocking the door with one hand, the other supporting her slipping peach, he turned and kissed her lips lightly. “Trying to play with the manual ruby again, you kinky little lolita?”
Manual ruby.
Her cheeks flushed deeper at the phrase. But alone together, she wasn’t too shy. Swaying on his back, she pouted, “Well, manual’s… more fun than electric, isn’t it?”
“Just that?”
“…Fine, your manual is more fun, okay?”
“That’s more like it.”
Trading flirty banter, the air between them grew thicker with tension.
As soon as they stepped inside, Fuyukawa Tetsu couldn’t wait to set her down, pulling her into a kiss at the entrance. But lost in the moment, neither noticed Little White in his crate, excitedly pawing at the bars, his single eye occasionally glancing at the sofa facing away from the entrance—where a figure in a thin nightgown lay under an air-conditioned blanket, her curvaceous form stretched out.
Truth be told, napping under a blanket with the AC on in summer or dozing in the living room on a winter afternoon were some of life’s greatest joys.
After feeding the cats and dogs at noon, Tsukitake Asuka had sprawled on the sofa, munching an apple, listening to wind chimes, and watching Little White’s expressive brows twitch as he stared at her. The cozy atmosphere made her feel utterly at ease.
Relaxed, she slept soundly.
But when she opened her eyes again, the sky outside was ablaze with sunset.
“Six already? Huh? What’s that sound?”
Rubbing her eyes groggily, Tsukitake Asuka yawned, letting the blanket slip from her pale shoulders. She glanced at the wall clock, about to get up, when a strange sucking sound came from behind the sofa.
“Hm?”
Puzzled, she propped herself up, her ample snow peaches shifting naturally. But as her sleepy eyes peered over the sofa’s edge, they widened in shock.
“What the heck??”
Seeing the two locked in a kiss at the entrance, Tsukitake Asuka froze, her big eyes filled with utter confusion!
“They didn’t know I was home?! Oh, right—my bike’s at the shop!”
“What do I do?!”
She rarely got this flustered, but this scene threw her into a rare panic, her pale hands clenching into fists.
“Just walk out?”
“Make some noise?”
“No, no, that’d be way too awkward!”
“Knowing him, he’ll probably take Sunflower to shower… yeah, I’ll sneak upstairs then and pretend I saw nothing!”
Her mind raced.
Truth be told, as someone who often played Ninja Bounce, she wasn’t exactly shy about this stuff. But nervousness and embarrassment depend on who’s involved.
It’s like how a guy can admit to watching adult films in front of a close female friend and just laugh off her teasing, maybe even saying, “It’s normal for guys!” But with a crush? Forget admitting to that—he’d probably get nervous just asking her to play a mobile game.
Tsukitake Asuka was freaking out. But then, as Fuyukawa Tetsu, mid-kiss, lifted Izumi Sunflower with one arm, her body went airborne, facing the sofa.
Black hoodie, pink T-shirt, gray leggings with handprints pushing through, little boots dangling in the air, and…
The ruby!
“This is…”
Her eyes went blank. Like a thief, Tsukitake Asuka crouched behind the sofa, only her eyes peeking out, her whole body petrified!
Her expression froze, but her heart was pounding like crazy!
Thump thump thump thump thump thump—
The drumbeat roared in her ears!
She didn’t need to check to know her neck was burning red!
Nervous, insanely nervous!
But seeing Fuyukawa Tetsu’s eyes closed in the heat of the kiss, alongside her racing heart, she felt a twinge of jealousy—and even more excitement!
“He didn’t notice me…”
Her eyes were full of nerves, but as the moans grew louder, her gaze turned hazy and thrilled. One hand, resting on the sofa’s back, slowly slipped down.
After a while…
“Phew—good thing they didn’t spot me. But…”
When the sound of the shower started, Tsukitake Asuka, sprawled limply on the sofa, let out a long breath.
Her face flushed, she collapsed back, sinking into the soft cushions, one hand on her forehead, the other raised before her eyes.
Glancing at it, her eyes held relief, satisfaction, but mostly…
“Watching’s fine, but I’d rather be in on the action…”
Muttering to herself, her face grew redder, her once-cool eyes now brimming with longing.
After a bit, regaining her strength, she carefully slid off the sofa.
“Don’t rat me out, Little White,” she whispered, hugging the blanket and shushing the dog in his crate with a cute gesture. Then, swaying her long, shapely hips, she headed for the stairs. But passing the bathroom, she paused.
Hearing the playful giggles and moans inside, her face flushed again, and she huffed.
“Hmph, worse than a beast!”
Chapter 168: Applying Medicine to Her Ankle
Fuyukawa Tetsu never expected Tsukitake Asuka to be home.
Emerging from the bathroom with Izumi Himawari in a clingy, affectionate embrace, he freezes when he spots the stunning woman yawning as she descends the stairs. It’s not just him—Izumi, wearing nothing but a cute white T-shirt and red-striped cotton panties, also freezes in his arms.
“You guys are back,” Tsukitake says, her eyes still tinged with the fading flush of excitement. Pretending she’s just finished something, she yawns and continues down the stairs. But when her gaze lands on Fuyukawa’s chiseled six-pack and his damp, tousled hair, the longing in her eyes intensifies.
Let’s be real—men and women alike are at their sexiest fresh out of the shower. And after the overwhelming visual impact she just experienced, that desire only grows stronger.
Biting her soft lower lip unconsciously, the craving in her eyes deepens. But clearly, now’s not the time to start anything.
“Ts-Ts-Tsukitake-san, why are you home?! I didn’t see your car outside!” Izumi stammers, her fair little feet planted on the floor, arms still wrapped around Fuyukawa’s neck. Her face flushes bright red.
Did she see what just happened?!
Hurriedly letting go, she tugs at her white T-shirt in embarrassment, but it’s no use. The snug shirt barely covers her perky figure, and the pose—reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe—only makes her look more alluring.
Mortified, absolutely mortified. She’s not close enough with Tsukitake for this kind of exposure, and her nerves leave her tongue-tied.
Sensing Izumi’s panic, a playful glint flickers in Tsukitake’s eyes. Lazily scratching her head, she chuckles, “Oh, my motorcycle? I took it to the shop at noon. But you two—how long have you been back? I was napping upstairs and didn’t even notice.”
“Oh, okay. That’s good then,” Izumi mumbles.
“Hm?”
“N-Nothing! It’s cold outside, so Little Sunflower’s heading upstairs!”
“She’s terrible at hiding things,” Fuyukawa says with a laugh, shaking his head as Izumi scurries upstairs, her figure swaying. He turns to Tsukitake, raising an eyebrow playfully. “You just woke up?”
“…”
Caught off guard by the question, Tsukitake freezes.
A hint of nervousness crosses her face. She walks to the coffee table, bending over to pour water while yawning, her eyes dodging his. “What, I’m not allowed to nap in the afternoon? Even if you’re the boss, you can’t—hey, what are you—”
Before she can finish, smack—a sharp slap lands on the soft curve of her peach-like figure, barely covered by her thin dress!
Ripple!
She’s still bent over, pouring water!
Tsukitake’s body jolts. Shock comes first, but then she realizes Fuyukawa’s hand hasn’t moved!
“Don’t play dumb. You saw everything, didn’t you?” he teases.
“What are you talking about? I don’t understand a thing!”
Did he figure me out?
Her mouth is defiant, but she’s nervous, too nervous to even glance at him. Yet the charged atmosphere quickly brings back the memory of what she just witnessed.
Recalling Izumi’s ruby peeking out, and with the pressure on her intensifying, Tsukitake’s body starts to tremble.
Her palms brace against the coffee table, her toes turning inward, knees crossing in an X-shape. Her dazed eyes fill with a misty, almost tangible haze.
This feels so good…
But Little Sunflower could come down any second…
Glancing nervously at the staircase, her watery eyes are filled with tension but also excitement. Then, the lace edge of her dress is yanked upward!
Hiss—
A soft whimper escapes, her tongue peeking out. At that moment, a pair of strong hands grab her face, turning her dazed head toward him.
“Don’t understand? Your reaction says otherwise,” Fuyukawa says, pinching her soft cheeks while his other hand gently rubs.
“You jerk…!”
Unable to hold back, feeling the friction of the lace and staring into Fuyukawa’s deep eyes, Tsukitake’s gaze brims with shy indignation. Biting her lip, she mumbles, “You clearly saw me too, and yet…”
“Hm? You were really there?”
“Huh?”
Looking into her adorably dazed eyes, Fuyukawa’s playful expression turns into a grin. Pinching her chin, he laughs, “Haha, you’re too easy to tease. I just thought it was weird you went out of your way to explain so much to Little Sunflower. Tsk, tsk, your tastes are something else.”
“You… you jerk?!”
Sprawled over the coffee table, still in a compromising position, she realizes she’s been played!
Fuming, her flustered charm turns to intense embarrassment as she glares at Fuyukawa’s smug face.
“You rotten man! I’ll kill you!!!”
“Hey, hey, you’re serious?!”
Her indignant shout startles the little white dog in its crate. Fuyukawa, closer to the action, is even more taken aback. In his surprised-but-not-really gaze, an enraged Tsukitake, teeth clenched, spins and delivers a whip-like kick!
At 1.76 meters tall, with years of kendo training, her figure isn’t as voluptuous as Sayoko or Miyano Mitei’s, but her height gives her a sleek, seductive aura, like a captivating python. Even if she’s usually cool as ice, when she moves, the intensity is overwhelming!
This girl’s really pissed…
Hearing the whoosh of her kick, Fuyukawa instinctively steps back instead of blocking.
Her leg, clad in a thin dress, flashes a hint of pale green lace before his eyes. But in the next second—
Crack!
Under Fuyukawa’s stunned gaze, Tsukitake, completely unhinged by her embarrassment, misses her kick. Her long, pale leg slams into the wooden roof of the dog’s crate!
“Woof woof woof!!!”
“Ow—!”
“…”
The crate’s roof flies off. The dog freezes. Fuyukawa freezes.
The dog’s stunned by its wrecked home, but Fuyukawa’s eyes are on Tsukitake—her face red with pain, teeth gritted, her left foot barely touching the ground as she glares at him fiercely.
Their eyes lock, and the air goes still for a moment.
“You… okay?”
“…”
“Want me to grab the first-aid kit?”
“…”
“Oh, you’re fine then. If you’re fine—”
“Go get it already, you jerk! Hey, hey, what are you doing?!”
“Quit yelling, you drama queen.”
Ignoring her protests, Fuyukawa scoops Tsukitake into a princess carry, her small fists pounding his chest as he carries her to the sofa.
Feeling her faint fragrance and the weight of her soft body, he glances at her reddening ankle. “You kicked so hard, you really wanted to send me flying, huh?”
“Hmph, that’s what you get for running your mouth!”
“Please, you’re the one who—”
“Don’t bring it up!”
“Hiss—you’re like a dog, you know that?!”
About to mention the embarrassing topic again, Tsukitake’s blush deepens. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulls herself up and nips his chin lightly. Then, pouting cutely, she glares. “A dog, huh? Whatever, just… don’t bring up that topic again! Hurry up and put some medicine on my ankle.”
“You…”
Seeing the rare haughty heiress vibe radiating from her, Fuyukawa shakes his head with a smile.
Strictly speaking, Tsukitake was once a proper heiress from a prominent family. Her complete inability to cook and her loose concept of money hinted at that. But after her family fell apart and she lost both parents, her personality grew reserved, projecting the image of a cool, untouchable beauty.
Still, old habits die hard.
After being teased and swept into his arms, her true nature is starting to peek through. But Fuyukawa doesn’t care if she was once a pampered princess.
Without another word, as her pale foot nearly swings into his face, he unceremoniously plops her onto the sofa, her soft body bouncing slightly.
“Hey, hey! I’m injured here!”
“Less whining, keep your foot still. I’ll grab the first-aid kit.”
“Then hurry up!”
Hmph, rude man.
Lying on her side, one leg raised in a V-shape, Tsukitake winces at the pain in her ankle. But watching Fuyukawa rummage through the cabinet, and recalling their earlier moment at the coffee table, a shy smile tugs at her lips. Her toes curl slightly, a mix of pain and pleasure.
“This rude man… he’s kind of fun to be around.”
“Now that K-On!’s production is done, he’ll probably have more time for me, right?”
Her thoughts wander, eyes full of anticipation.
Stardew Valley’s production has been underway for a while. As a relative newbie, she’s been working from home under Fuyukawa’s remote guidance, with occasional in-person check-ins when he’s not swamped.
Neither expected K-On! to blow up like it did.
With international gaming platforms, developers can now interact directly with players, better understanding their needs. Plus, with anti-piracy measures, games rarely launch as a “complete” product. Post-release, they require bug fixes and gameplay tweaks based on player feedback. So, even though Fuyukawa isn’t involved in promotion and isn’t officially in charge of K-On!, Sistar has zero faith in the nominal project lead, Serizawa.
Let’s be real—everyone in the gaming world knows Serizawa lucked into a goldmine. The script, music, and gameplay for K-On! came from Fuyukawa, the filming was handled by his old friend Honma Kojiro, and only the promotion phase fell to Serizawa, in collaboration with Sistar.
To NTsoft’s rank-and-file, Serizawa’s a leader. But Sistar doesn’t trust her. After relentless requests from Sistar—and a visit from Executive Director Honda bearing lavish gifts—Fuyukawa ended up handling some of the game’s post-launch fixes and refinements.
This kept him busy, cutting into his time with Tsukitake.
She’s a bit upset but hasn’t shown it. Or rather…
She gets it.
“People do things for a reason, a purpose. Working this hard for his career…”
“That strength and calm aren’t your true colors, are they?”
Watching his back, Tsukitake lies on her side, propping her chin with one hand. The excitement and anticipation in her eyes fade, replaced by… heartache.
Just as no one’s born a masochist, no one’s born a workaholic.
Or, more precisely, as someone who loves reading, she knows from Freud’s theories that masochism and workaholism are psychologically linked.
Such traits often stem from childhood or adolescent experiences.
It’s simple: when parents or others suppress a child with authority, the child’s natural instinct is to rebel.
But rebellion is often futile, met with punishment, yelling, or even physical discipline. Afterward, the child might be told, “Suffering builds character,” “No pain, no gain,” or “I’m hard on you because I love you,” and life goes back to normal.
The child may not buy it, but every harsh word, every “loving” blow, every denial carves a hole in their heart.
A physical wound prompts eating to heal; a wound in the heart drives a search for emotional sustenance. Fascinatingly, this process often imprints a belief: pain equals future ease and happiness. The more someone craves love, the more they’ll torment themselves.
Even if logic resists, the subconscious equates pain with joy. Late-night sob stories or relentless work—pushing body and mind to the limit—become a hollow source of fulfillment.
“What happened in his past?”
Staring at Fuyukawa’s back, Tsukitake’s small fist clenches, but her heartache soon turns to exasperation.
“Lift your foot a bit.”
Fuyukawa sits on the sofa with the first-aid kit, resting her pale, slightly swollen ankle on his thigh. Opening the antiseptic, he glances at the pale green lace peeking out and tosses out a casual tease.
“…My ankle’s injured, not my thigh!”
“Same difference.”
“You perv—ow! Be gentle!”
Feeling the sting of the medicine and his unapologetic gaze, Tsukitake, sprawled on the sofa, blushes deeply.
Looking at his handsome profile, she bites her lip lightly. After a moment of shyness, she slowly parts her legs at a slight angle.
Her thin dress rides up, her foot still in his grip.
The view’s one of a kind.
“That’s more like it,” he smirks.
“Shut up! Just put the medicine on properly! Such a perv, and to think I was just feeling bad for you—”
“Hm? Feeling what?”
“Feeling like you’re a big ol’ pervert!”
Chapter 169: Coming Home Tonight?
"Hey, me, a big bad wolf? That's still better than someone hiding in their room, secretly watching others flirt."
"Don't blame me for that! Who's the one who comes home and ignores everything? I was just napping on the couch—ouch, slow down, you jerk!"
Yuzuki Asuka was about to fire back with a retort when the sting of antiseptic hit her wound.
A sharp, burning pain shot through her, and instinctively, her long, slender legs tensed up, toes curling into an odd shape. Her delicate frame arched off the couch.
Her figure was stunning, especially since that encounter in the alleyway. She’d ditched the jeans when coming over, opting for a thin, form-fitting skirt that hugged her curves. That arch of her body made her chest stand out dramatically.
And that skirt? So light and tight.
Her full thighs shifted, revealing a glimpse of pale green.
Tempting—very tempting. Even though Fuyukawa Tetsu had just "unloaded" with Izumi Sunflower earlier, his heart raced. Noticing his expression, Yuzuki Asuka’s legs kept squirming, her face showing pain but her lips curling into a sly, shy smile.
Hmph, bet you’re stunned!
Big bad wolf, I’ve got you hooked!
For someone who’d trained in kendo for years, a little scrape and some antiseptic was nothing. Broken bones and casts? Been there, done that.
It didn’t hurt much, but... she loved this kind of interaction.
Yuzuki Asuka loved it, and so did Fuyukawa Tetsu. His hand, gripping her ankle, started creeping upward.
Is it happening?
Feeling his touch shift, Yuzuki Asuka’s breath caught. Her pale thighs tensed slightly with nerves and anticipation. Her head rested against the couch, hair messy and relaxed, her big, slightly dazed eyes gazing at him expectantly as she swallowed hard.
"Want it?" he teased.
"Mm..."
"Hm?"
"Big brother..."
"That’s more like it."
Their eyes locked. As Fuyukawa Tetsu’s hand slid up her smooth thigh, he knelt on the couch, leaning over her. Her breathing grew heavier as his face loomed closer, her chest pressed against him.
Tap, tap, tap, tap—
"Eek! Sunflower’s coming down!"
The sound of bunny slippers on the stairs broke the moment. Yuzuki Asuka’s eyes flashed with panic. She pushed against Fuyukawa Tetsu’s chest, sitting up straight, frantically smoothing her messy hair.
"Hey, you! Starting fires and leaving them to burn!" Fuyukawa Tetsu rubbed his chest where she’d pushed him, a playful grin on his face.
"Shut up! Don’t let Sunflower hear—ugh, okay, okay!" Glancing at his slightly hunched posture, Yuzuki Asuka’s cool facade crumbled. Feeling his hand still on her thigh, her cheeks flushed as she leaned in, whispering breathily, "Next time you get off work early, we’ll pick this up, okay?"
Her sweet, teasing words ended with a shy tug at her skirt’s hem.
"That’s more like it." Fuyukawa Tetsu nodded, satisfied. Just then, Izumi Sunflower came downstairs in a cozy sleep dress.
The moment she reached the living room, she spotted Yuzuki Asuka on the couch. Both women, caught off guard, exchanged a quick glance before awkwardly looking away.
"Such drama queens," Fuyukawa Tetsu chuckled, shaking his head.
The relationships in the house had long been out in the open. Miyano Mitei and Sayoko, with their complementary personalities, got along famously. But Izumi Sunflower and Yuzuki Asuka? Still a bit shy around each other.
"No rush. It’ll come with time."
After tending to Yuzuki’s wound and packing up the first-aid kit, Fuyukawa Tetsu gave her thigh a playful pinch and swatted Izumi Sunflower’s backside as she munched on an apple by the TV. Amid their playful protests, he headed to the kitchen.
Yes, the kitchen.
Yuzuki Asuka, raised in luxury, couldn’t cook to save her life. Izumi Sunflower could cook, but her food was barely edible despite her efforts. So, it was up to him.
As he rolled up his sleeves, the two women followed him into the kitchen. Both were the quiet type in groups, so on this chilly winter evening, with the wind howling outside, the three worked in silence. The only sounds were the chop of a knife on the cutting board, the swish of rinsing rice, and the sizzle of tomato and egg stir-fry in the pan.
No one spoke, but they all savored the cozy, peaceful vibe. As steaming, fragrant dishes hit the table and they gathered around the small heated table, that cozy vibe gained a touch of flirtation.
No particular reason—Fuyukawa Tetsu was just eating his stir-fried pork with peppers, watching a variety show, when someone decided to tease him under the table.
"You little minx, getting bolder by the day!" Feeling the playful toes, he snuck a glance at Izumi Sunflower on his right, then shot a mock glare at Yuzuki Asuka on his left. But with Miyano Mitei and Sayoko out, Yuzuki was feeling daring.
Her big, innocent eyes stared back defiantly, her foot pressing harder.
But she wasn’t the only one with ideas. Another foot joined in.
When three feet met under the table, the air froze.
Yuzuki Asuka and Izumi Sunflower locked eyes, both blushing furiously. Without a word, they yanked their feet back and buried their faces in their bowls.
"These two, starting trouble and leaving me to deal with it!" Fuyukawa Tetsu, hunched over, couldn’t help but laugh. He decided he’d have to "deal with" one of these troublemakers after dinner.
Halfway through the meal, his phone rang.
"Kawaguchi? What’s this guy calling about now?" Glancing at the caller ID, Fuyukawa Tetsu kept eating as he answered. Kawaguchi’s frantic voice burst through.
"Boss, bad news! I just heard the company’s sending Minister Komiya to next week’s TGS. We’re not on the list!"
His tone was urgent. Fuyukawa Tetsu raised an eyebrow, surprised but not shocked. "Minister Komiya? Where’d you hear this?"
"From the finance department."
"Got it. Don’t panic. Just keep working as usual." After a few more words, Fuyukawa Tetsu hung up, his expression turning serious.
Noticing the shift, Izumi Sunflower, chewing on braised pork, asked worriedly, "Something wrong?"
Yuzuki Asuka looked over too.
"Yeah, a bit of a problem." Meeting their concerned gazes, Fuyukawa Tetsu rubbed his stubbled chin with his chopstick-holding hand. "Sekiro’s set to launch next quarter. Miyano and I planned a big push at TGS Winter in a week, but it seems someone’s trying to steal the spotlight."
"What?! Is NTsoft trying to push us out?" Izumi Sunflower’s face flushed with worry.
Fuyukawa Tetsu shook his head with a smile. "Not exactly. Kicking us out would make it hard for them to justify to other game devs—no one would want to work for NTsoft. But promotion’s an art."
"Ugh, stop with the cryptic talk, old man! What’s going on?" Izumi Sunflower, unfamiliar with corporate games, was lost.
"Relax, you little firecracker." Giving her a playful look, he continued eating. "Ever notice how people associate Japanese games with specific creators, but Western games with companies or studios? Is it because Western devs are less skilled?"
"Huh?" Izumi Sunflower blinked, shaking her head cutely. "I... never thought about it."
He grinned. "It’s not random—it’s promotion. People judge based on the info they get. In this era of information overload, controlling what’s out there—like on websites or apps—can skew perceptions. Take the Chinese saying, ‘Repay evil with kindness.’ Sounds noble, but the full meaning is ‘Repay evil with justice, kindness with kindness.’ Easy to verify, yet the misinterpretation spreads.
"The game industry’s the same. For casual players who don’t dig deep, if a company promotes the creator, players tie the game to them. If they promote the studio, players link it to the company. Japanese studios used to push the ‘star creator’ model, throwing resources at the dev’s name. But now, NTsoft’s done hyping me."
Taking a sip of oolong tea, he continued, "They don’t want to fire me outright, but they also don’t want players thinking Sekiro is my work. So, they send a neutral figure to TGS, keep me backstage, and tie Sekiro to NTsoft’s brand."
Izumi Sunflower’s eyes swirled with confusion, but she caught the gist. Stuffing more pork in her mouth, she mumbled, "What do we do? This game’s huge for us!"
"No big deal." Fuyukawa Tetsu shrugged with a smile. "Players might not know the truth—they’re not insiders. But this game’s real value for us is recruiting talent. The industry knows who made it. This might even work in our favor."
"How’s that?" Izumi Sunflower looked puzzled, and Yuzuki Asuka, quietly chewing rice, frowned slightly.
Sensing their confusion, he explained, "The higher-ups want Sekiro’s IP and its team. If I’m right, come Monday, Asai will call a meeting to renegotiate contracts with Lightbird Studio’s staff. But—"
"That’ll push some of them toward us, right?!" Izumi Sunflower cut in excitedly.
He laughed. "Look at you, getting sharp."
"Hmph, I just don’t know your game company rules. I’m not clueless about people!" Izumi Sunflower crossed her arms proudly. Meanwhile, Yuzuki Asuka, who’d been quietly eating, gave Fuyukawa Tetsu a deep look, her eyes filled with admiration and a hint of awe.
Every move calculated. This guy’s terrifying.
Money had never been an issue for her, so she wasn’t drawn to power. But who wouldn’t want their man to shine?
Fuyukawa Tetsu didn’t know her thoughts, but she wasn’t wrong. NTsoft’s move wasn’t a total surprise—it was their only play. Still, he hadn’t expected them to cut him out of TGS entirely. He’d brought them massive profits, after all. Not that he was judging their morals—business was about money, not ethics. Just legality.
He just thought Asai was being petty. This kind of move could scare off devs considering NTsoft. But it wasn’t his company. As an employee, he’d do his job, but he didn’t owe them loyalty beyond that.
Mulling this over, he chatted and ate with the two women. After a long "session" with Izumi Sunflower, dinner was late, wrapping up past 8 p.m.
As usual, Izumi Sunflower scampered off to her room to study music theory. Yuzuki Asuka, though, was a bit trickier. Her ankle wasn’t badly hurt—just scraped and swollen—but it limited her movement. And, well, there was another reason...
"Don’t go back to the hotel tonight."
"Um... that’s a bit..." she hesitated, blushing.
"Don’t be dramatic." Without another word, Fuyukawa Tetsu scooped up her alluring figure from the couch and carried her toward the second-floor study.
"Careful! My ankle still hurts!" Her bandaged foot dangled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her cheeks reddening as she gazed at his profile.
Chapter 170: Daily Life
To be honest, as the year went by and the household grew livelier with more people, not only did Tetsu Fuyukawa’s personality shift subtly, but the study’s layout also took on a warmer, lived-in feel.
The potted plants on the balcony swayed gently in the night breeze, and the transparent sliding door was decorated with abstract cartoon stickers that Sayoko had doodled during bored moments of sketching. The large bookshelf against the wall was no longer just filled with Tetsu’s manga and gaming books. Now, it was packed with volumes on art, music theory, and marketing, among other things, stuffing the shelves to the brim. The glass panels also displayed photos of the four-person family from the past year.
There was a shot of Himawari Izumi performing at TGS last Christmas, another of Tetsu and Sayoko tumbling down during a skiing trip at Mount Fuji, and one of him kissing Miyano Mitei while feeding seagulls on a seaside path. There was also a photo of Tetsu striding confidently toward a black Volkswagen in front of NTsoft, surrounded by admiring employees after his popularity skyrocketed for being “surrounded by beauties.”
And, of course, there was a warm memory from Valentine’s Day, when the four of them celebrated Sayoko’s birthday under the starlit backyard, dining and drinking together.
“You guys have been through a lot together, huh?”
Sprawled on the oversized beanbag sofa that often doubled as a “battleground,” Asuka Tsukitake gazed at the photos on the bookshelf’s glass. With one delicate foot touching the floor, she gently spun the beanbag, a hint of suppressed envy flickering in her eyes.
Sensing her mood, Tetsu, who had just opened his laptop, chuckled and walked over. He scooped her up, plopped down on the beanbag, and slid it over to the computer desk.
With his left arm wrapped around her soft warmth, feeling her comforting weight, he maneuvered the wireless mouse on the armrest, clicking around on the screen. “We’ve been together for over a year now,” he said with a grin. “It’d be weirder if we didn’t have some memories. Plus, you and I have known each other for almost a year, right?”
“Hmm, yeah, I think so. I was still teaching in Takenouchi back then,” Asuka replied, her cheeks flushing slightly as she shifted her alluring figure in his lap, feeling his firmness.
The train was on the tracks.
She let out a soft hum, tilted her head, and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “Speaking of which, our first meeting was pretty fun, wasn’t it?”
“Fun? You mean when I crushed your little pink bouncy ball?”
Locking her waist with one hand, Tetsu grinned and winked. Asuka pouted cutely. “Don’t remind me! You promised to replace it last winter, and you still haven’t. Mr. Fuyukawa, you’re a bad man who doesn’t keep his promises!”
“Oh, come on. You’re the one who hasn’t brought it up in forever. You can’t expect a guy like me to bring it up first, right?”
“Hmph, doesn’t matter! You didn’t replace it, so you’re guilty! You’re getting punished, Mr. Fuyukawa!”
Punishment.
As the woman in his lap began to slowly sway her hips, Tetsu let out a sharp breath, forgetting all about his game.
Seeing his expression, Asuka’s cheeks grew even redder. She leaned back, her breath warm against his ear. “Like this kind of punishment, Mr. Fuyukawa?”
“…It’s alright,” he teased.
“Hmph! This is punishment! Get serious!” she huffed, but before she could finish her playful scolding, the sound of the wireless mouse hitting the desk echoed in the cozy study. Then, five distinct finger marks appeared on her thin camisole dress.
Asuka’s body jolted, her legs tensing, her full hips instinctively clenching. “Mmm…”
Her eyes grew hazy, and at that moment, Tetsu nibbled her flushed ear, chuckling. “If we’re playing teacher, I don’t think I’m the one who should be the student.”
“Hmph, you’re the one in the wrong, and you’ve got the nerve to act so smug, you jerk~”
Feeling his grip tighten, Asuka bit her plump lower lip. But when she realized Tetsu wasn’t pushing further, preserving the warm, intimate atmosphere over anything too intense, her big, doe-like eyes sparkled with happiness.
Tilting her pale neck back, resting her head on his shoulder, she wiggled closer, fully nestling into his embrace. Her small feet curled around his calves as she laughed. “You know, life’s funny. I never would’ve guessed back then that we’d end up this close. Oh, and get this—I had already booked a ticket to travel to China before I auditioned for your crew.”
“Oh?” Tetsu’s eyes glinted with curiosity as he gently kneaded her curves.
Asuka giggled. “Remember that day you and Sayoko went to that Chinese restaurant near NTsoft? I’d just flunked my voice acting audition at your Kazuma Studio, so I had nowhere to eat and ended up there. Their spicy boiled pork slices were so good, I got the idea to visit China for the food. But right as I was booking my ticket, I saw a certain flirty guy chewing out NTsoft employees.”
She paused, smirking. “I thought your personality was interesting, and since I’d never acted before, I decided to try out for a role. Oh, and by the way, I totally saw what you and Sayoko were doing under the table.”
“What? So you were a peeping Tom?”
“What! No way! I only knew Sayoko in that whole restaurant, so of course I’d glance over a couple of times. Geez, go easy!”
Playfully pinching his cheek, Asuka’s usual cool demeanor melted away, her eyes brimming with shy mischief. But as Tetsu’s hands tightened, her body softened, her seductive frame melting into his arms.
“You only get this chatty when we’re alone,” Tetsu said, nodding as he recalled that day. “I remember it. Felt pretty good.”
Asuka rolled her eyes, blushing. “Ugh, you’re such a shameless flirt! You’re not even embarrassed getting called out like that!”
“And you’re not either, right? When I crushed your—”
“That’s because I didn’t know you back then!”
She shot him a fierce glare, her eyes screaming don’t mention the pink ball again. When Tetsu grinned and mimed zipping his lips, she finally laughed, humming. “Back then, I thought you were just some guy I’d meet once and never see again.”
“And now?”
“Eh, you’re alright. Just slightly better than my pink ball—ow!”
Her teasing was cut short as a strong grip made her gasp, nearly spilling over his fingers.
“Still think that?”
“You—ah!”
Her feet arched, her eyes dazed.
Her warm breath grazed his neck as she tilted her head back, ready to keep teasing. But before she could, her soft lips were sealed with a fierce kiss.
Their lips locked.
His grip didn’t loosen—it only grew stronger!
Her long legs tensed, tangling together, but they were soon caught and parted by Tetsu’s.
Nervous, yet a strange sense of security washed over her—a feeling of being needed.
This guy’s way too dominant.
Staring into his closed eyes, Asuka’s initial surprise softened into warmth. Adjusting her position in his arms, she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back passionately.
For a moment, the only sound in the cozy study was the soft hum of the computer fan.
Under the glow of the screen, their passionate kiss deepened.
After a long while, Asuka flipped over, straddling him. As her full hips were firmly parted, their lips finally broke apart.
“Ready?”
His hands rested on her curves, his eyes burning as he lay back on the beanbag.
Feeling his gaze and the tension, Asuka’s cheeks flushed, and she nodded slightly, about to say something when—bzzz bzzz bzzz—her phone lit up, vibrating on the desk.
“…”
“…”
Seeing Miyano Mitei’s name on the screen, Asuka, still perched on Tetsu’s lap, regained a bit of clarity. She straightened up, grabbed the phone, and handed it to him. “Looks like today’s not the day, huh?”
Her tone carried a hint of disappointment but also… relief.
Was it moving too fast?
Sensing the shift in her mood, Tetsu took the phone, raising an eyebrow.
As if reading his expression, Asuka smiled, rolling her eyes before playfully plopping down hard on him, her hands pressing against his abs. “Don’t overthink it. I’m happy just being with you. But for our first time, I want it to be somewhere more romantic, you know? This beanbag just feels… weird. Alright, alright, answer the phone already—it’s annoying!”
After her playful rant, Tetsu chuckled, rolled his eyes, and answered the call. But as Mitei’s voice came through, Asuka, with a mischievous grin, leaned forward, her hips raised, and slowly slid backward.
Finally, she settled on the tatami mat in front of the sofa.
Height has its perks.
Unlike Mitei, Sayoko, or Himawari, who could just sit up straight and lean forward slightly, Asuka had to bend down further. Her graceful back curved beautifully, leading to her hips, wrapped in a thin dress, creating a striking visual.
“You—”
“Just take the call. Your teacher will help with your homework.”
“…”
Let’s just say Europeans do have a more open view of certain things.
Asuka, a German-Japanese mix with delicate features leaning toward Asian beauty, had studied abroad. Even if she hadn’t “seen the pig,” she’d seen it run. European tastes might not outdo Japan’s wildest, but on average, they’re bolder.
So, despite her clumsy teeth occasionally bumping, she didn’t even need Tetsu to ask—she’d shake her head and keep going.
Thrilling. The contrast was intense, but the real excitement was yet to come.
After their playful interaction and a quick shower, Tetsu drove to Ginza.
Tonight, Sistar was hosting Mitei and Sayoko. It was a “ladies’ night,” but Japanese women can hold their liquor.
Stats say two-thirds of young Japanese drink a few cups daily—not occasionally, daily. Beer’s as essential as rice for many professionals, often ordered before the food even arrives.
They can all drink—and often overdo it.
When Tetsu followed the GPS to a fancy karaoke bar in Ginza, the chaotic scene inside the private room was a shock.
Mitei and Mrs. Mori, being high-status, were composed, just chatting with flushed faces. Sayoko leaned against Mitei, smiling and clinking glasses with a stranger. But the other women—especially Sistar’s mid-level managers there to liven things up—were completely unhinged.
Toasts, singing, dice games—the energy was electric.
“Hey, what a handsome guy! Are you staff here?”
“Wow, that physique! Come drink with Auntie!”
As soon as he entered, two tipsy, elegant older women holding wine glasses bumped into him. They were annoyed at first, but upon seeing his face, their eyes sparkled.
But when Mrs. Mori stood to greet him at the door, the two women sobered up fast, apologizing profusely.
No joke—in Japan’s male-dominated society, mistaking an industry bigshot for a host was a massive faux pas.
The women were mortified, but Tetsu wasn’t interested in fussing with two drunk “cats.” He just teased, “My appearance fee’s pretty steep,” before heading toward Mitei, who was waving him over.
Naturally, as his name spread through the room, the wealthy women paused their drinks, sneaking curious, shocked, or admiring glances.
“No way, that’s Tetsu Fuyukawa? He’s way younger than I thought!”
“What? You didn’t know he’s only twenty-five?”
“Of course I knew his age! But I heard he’s an IT grad and rarely shows his face. I pictured some nerd in a checkered shirt, not… this handsome!”
“Yeah, and that body—his pecs show through his sweater. Bet his waist is strong!”
“Shh, keep it down, or Mitei will hear! With her temper, we’re done for!”
The women whispered excitedly.
Clearly, they didn’t dare offend Tetsu—or Mitei, the industry’s formidable beauty. But to their jaw-dropping shock, Mitei, who’d maintained a cool, glamorous air all night, playfully fed Tetsu a piece of tempura with a coy smile.
Mind blown.
Even though Tetsu’s relationship with Mitei and Sayoko wasn’t a secret to those in the know, no one expected the famously fierce Mitei to act like a tame kitten around him.
Mind blown.
Tetsu didn’t care about their stares, politely nodding to the women who caught his eye before sitting between Mitei and Sayoko, chatting quietly with Mrs. Mori.
It wasn’t anything major. The party was mainly to celebrate K-On!’s massive success, with Sistar, which had invested nearly half the funds, reaping huge profits.
Sistar was practically worshipping Tetsu now, eager for more collaborations.
He planned to keep developing the K-On! IP and maybe animate it alongside Fate, but not yet. His goal was a full entertainment chain—music, anime, games—but he didn’t have his own animation studio or the right talent yet. Handing K-On! or Fate to other companies now would only bring money, not brand recognition, and he wasn’t short on cash.
Talking about K-On!’s sequel now wasn’t fruitful, but discussing partnerships with Sistar was fine.
He had solid music games like Hi-Fi RUSH and Muse Dash to develop, and his big games weren’t just straight copies. For Sekiro, he’d added a Mai Shiranui storyline, designing its plot and gameplay himself, confident it wouldn’t drag down the main game. But music? That wasn’t his forte.
NTsoft’s veteran music team handled Sekiro’s Mai Shiranui music, but what about when he went independent? Plus, he wasn’t just aiming for Elden Ring—he wanted to remake the Dark Souls trilogy with Resident Evil-style quality, fill in gaps, and even tackle MMOs like World of Warcraft down the line.
He’d need his own gaming platform to avoid 30% cuts. A platform needs games, a community, and a title to keep players hooked—like how Steam was basically a DOTA 2 launcher for many early on.
His first MMO would be World of Warcraft.
After Elden Ring, he’d work on 3A titles while developing WoW, using its subscription model to retain players. But WoW’s later expansions had weak gameplay and story, turning epic fantasy into weird sci-fi. No expansion’s hero matched Arthas or Illidan’s legacy, so he’d overhaul everything post-Wrath of the Lich King.
Both sides had business interests—Sistar was just a mid-sized entertainment company. Even if Tetsu didn’t acquire them, given their pleasant partnership and the small music market, heavy investment for control made sense.
Deepening ties with Sistar was a win either way, so Tetsu and Mrs. Mori had a great chat.
He’d planned to pick up the girls and head home, but they talked past 11 p.m. He also mingled with actresses and music industry women who came to exchange pleasantries. When he noticed Sayoko yawning, Mrs. Mori tactfully clapped her hands, ending the night.
The group of wealthy women spilled into the parking lot, drawing stares even in Ginza. Tetsu, standing out like a crane among chickens, got the most looks.
Unfazed, he said goodbye to Mrs. Mori and the others, then drove off with the two women. As his black BMW’s taillights vanished around the corner, Mrs. Mori pulled a pack of cigarettes from her coat. Her secretary lit one for her, saying, “Mr. Fuyukawa’s sharp. We talked for ages, and I didn’t get a single useful tidbit from him.”
“No useful info?”
Mrs. Mori glanced at her loyal but average secretary, chuckling as she slid into her Audi, adjusting her collar. Waving to the lingering women through the rolled-down window, she exhaled a cloud of smoke. “You’re still too green.”
“Huh?” The secretary, buckling up, looked confused.
Mrs. Mori crossed her elegant legs, flicking ash. “He showed up and chatted with an old lady like me for over an hour, saying nothing yet everything.”
“You mean—”
“Yep. He can’t call the shots at NTsoft, and Himawari doesn’t want to go back to being an idol. From that angle, he’s valuable to us, but we’re not to him. The fact that he came and talked means he’s not far from leaving NTsoft.”
Mrs. Mori nodded, gazing at the passing scenery, her aged but sharp eyes thoughtful yet expectant. “I just wonder how far Sekiro will go.”
“You’re hoping his next game’s a hit?”
“It’s complicated. He’s talented—working with him, at least with his current skills and personality, is all upside for us. But the stronger he gets, the less leverage and profit we’ll have in future deals. Still…”
She shook her head, smiling at the view. “It’s been years since I’ve seen a man this exceptional. I’m curious to see how far he’ll climb.”
The sharper the expert, the keener their eye.
Mrs. Mori was still praising Tetsu’s bright future when the “rising star” of gaming was “forced to stop” by the two women in a dimly lit alley.
“This hardness? What’d you do with Himawari before coming out?”
“…Cough.”
“Not Himawari? Hmph, you perv! This princess won’t let you off easy tonight! Sayoko, let’s get him!”
“…”