Chapter 214: Gala Show
In the initial plans for the Gala Concert, when the names of disaster-stricken areas were mentioned, there were concerns within the company.
Wouldn't it cause unnecessary misunderstandings among residents already affected by earthquakes?
Given that the Gala Show itself was perceived by the general public as a celebratory performance after the event, there were worries about whether it might damage the good image of Pentagon, which we had worked hard to build.
However, to me, this Gala Concert held a slightly different significance.
Rather than just promoting the game software we've developed, I wanted it to serve as a means to comfort those affected by the earthquake, and to educate gamers from all over the country about the severity of the disaster-stricken areas.
That's why we planned to include voluntary fundraising activities for the users attending this concert.
Fortunately, whether they understood my intentions or simply out of expectation, the tickets for the Gala Show by Gift from the Gods were receiving an overwhelming response.
While Gift from the Gods received polarizing opinions due to its ending, it was undoubtedly a unique game where the completed framework of a rhythm game was enjoyed alongside its storyline.
Additionally, the separately sold OST had shown the highest sales in the gaming market's history. Judging from my recent conversation with Junpei, it seemed that the participation of not only the core users but also the casual users in this Gala Concert was quite promising.
After finishing up work with my colleagues and handing Kaori her lunchbox again, I set aside the empty lunchbox and sipped on some cold water.
"The stage setup should be finished around this evening."
"I need to arrange the seating by tomorrow, and oh, also need to check the external screens of the building..."
"I took care of that just now."
"Really? That's a relief. Thanks to you, I have one less thing to do."
"Oh, and the team leader will finish work early tomorrow and come here."
"The team leader... Hayashi? They're about to get married, and you still address them as the team leader?"
"Well, since I've been calling them that all along, it's a bit tricky to change the title..."
Well, Yuki and I were in a similar situation. Understanding Kaori's feelings better than anyone else, I nodded and finished the water in the bottle.
"But Director, didn't you sort of forcefully propose to Yuki unnie once? How did that feel?"
*Cough* *Cough* *Splutter*
As Kaori's surprising question caught me off guard, I ended up coughing uncontrollably.
"Who told you that?"
*Chuckle* "Why are you so flustered? If they're Pentagon employees, they must know everything. Director, you're quite famous, you know~"
"If you know, can't you just pretend you don't?"
"Do you not want to talk about it?"
"Well, it's not exactly something to boast about, you know?"
"Why not? Among our staff, Director, you're quite popular, you know? Your down-to-earth nature and the proposal that day were really cool..."
Hmm... maybe it's just a bit of nostalgia embellishment?
Honestly, that day, even to me, felt awkward. But a man's perspective and a woman's perspective can differ, perhaps the female staff's perceptions might be slightly different...
Kaori fidgeted with the rice in her lunchbox, wearing a crestfallen expression.
"Why are you suddenly like this? Did something happen with Hayashi?"
"No, not really, but..."
Feeling like she was skirting around something she wanted to say, I put down the water bottle I had been holding and asked her.
"If you have something on your mind, just say it. As a senior not just at work but in marriage matters too, I'll give you an answer."
"Well... actually, it's..."
Trying to articulate her thoughts, Kaori hesitated. Sensing the situation, I smiled slightly and spoke to her.
"Why? Are you upset because Hayashi hasn't proposed?"
"Gasp! How did you...?"
"How? It's written all over your face."
As Kaori, visibly embarrassed, briefly touched her own face, she let out a short sigh.
"Yes, that's right..."
Acknowledging Kaori's response, I inwardly thought, 'As expected...'
"Knowing Hayashi's personality and how difficult it might be to propose unless it's really serious?"
"Should I just give up? But even so, I feel disappointed because it seems like he might not propose just because he knows I like him too much. If he had returned my feelings until now, he would have noticed. Isn't he just clueless?"
At that moment, I chuckled and responded to Kaori's declaration.
"Clueless? That Hayashi, who isn't like Morita or Uchimura, is it?"
Hayashi was a Pentagon... no, back then, a Mintendo employee who had recognized that I was the developer of Dragon Emblem long before anyone else.
Furthermore, he was one of the top-class programmers within Pentagon, incredibly meticulous and calculative in managing development progress and schedules.
It's impossible that someone like him wouldn't understand what younger Kaori was trying to convey.
It's just that she doesn't want to experience the embarrassment before marriage like I did...
Thinking that far, I looked at Kaori and slightly raised the corner of my mouth.
"Is Hayashi really unable to understand what you said to him because of that?"
"Huh? What are you saying? If that's true, then..."
Slightly nodding at my words, Kaori, who seemed to have grasped the meaning behind my words, inadvertently snapped her wooden chopsticks in her hands.
"If that's really the case, I won't forgive him. I'll somehow make him propose..."
Looking at Kaori, who was burning with determination and fire in her eyes, I silently agreed to her resolution and spoke up.
"Kaori, I have a good idea. Want to hear it?"
"What? What is it!?"
"Well, you see... *chuckle*"
Goodbye, Hayashi.
&
Three days later, at the Gala Concert for Gift from the Gods, Hayashi turned to me as he watched the stage for the upcoming concert.
"Director, why are you keeping me here?"
"Keeping you? What nonsense. Kaori is here too, and the Virtual Idol went Gold (final stage of development before production) just last week. Sometimes, even for mental health reasons, it's good to watch such concerts."
"... For some reason, it feels like you're particularly considerate of me today. Is there something fishy going on?"
... This guy catches on so quickly...
At that moment, Kaori, who was on the other side of the stage, looked at me and drew a circle above her head with both hands.
Fortunately, as Hayashi was turned away, he didn't catch sight of her suspicious gaze towards me.
Avoiding Hayashi's eyes, I raised my thumb towards Kaori and gave her a slight wink.
Ah, I have to handle Gala Show and prepare for the upcoming launch event, and now, I have to take care of staff proposals too. So busy...
>
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