Chapter 23: Conquer the American Market!!
"Hey, Kang Junhyuk, the head of the Toy World called. Mr. Toy World himself?"
"Hmm? Just a moment."
It's finally here. My self-developed gaming console has been a massive hit in the United States for the past year. Will they stop ordering it now? Well, I've held out this long. I put down my hamburger, which I was savoring with a sip of cola, and answered the phone.
"Yes, this is Kang Junhyuk from M.H.E.S."
"Mr. Kang? Do you happen to remember me?"
The voice was familiar, but I played dumb.
"Who is this? I'm not sure who you're referring to."
"I'm Tom Watson, the CEO of Toy World, which runs the largest toy stores and franchises in the United States."
"Ah~ Hello, Mr. Tom Watson. It's been a while. But what's going on?"
"Oh, well, you see..."
Tom seemed uneasy about bending over backward like this. I wasn't in the best mood since my mealtime was interrupted, so I let out a small sigh and said, "If you have something to say, please get to the point."
"Wait! Just a moment!!!"
"What is it? If you called, please speak."
"Well, about the contract..."
"Ah~ So, is Toy World finally going to carry our products? It's an honor to receive a call from the biggest toy store in New York like this."
"Ahem~ Well~ Thank you for considering it."
What's this? I gave him a little encouragement, and look at this. After a brief clearing of his throat, Tom asked me, "First, I'd like to place an order for around 300 units. How soon can you deliver them?"
"Ah~ 300 units? I'm sorry, but we only offer a minimum order of 500 units. And, you may not be aware, but we only deliver to franchise stores, so you'll need to join our membership club."
"Hey, Mr. Kang. Are you telling me to join some kind of Nintendo club or something? Don't you know how many stores Toy World has all over the United States?"
"I'm aware of that. I also know that you were fined by a consumer protection agency four months ago, and your business seems a bit shaky right now."
"Ugh..."
"Anyway, joining the club is a requirement, as it's a stipulation we've set with other companies. How about it? Will you join the membership and place an order for 500 units?"
"Fine... Then do that. If I place an order now, when can I expect to receive them?"
What's this? Is it a command now? While there's no strict boundary between formal and casual language in English, there are certainly words that show respect towards the other person. However, Tom's word choice seemed more like a command one would use with their subordinates.
"Well... I'm sorry, but Mr. CEO, due to a surge in orders from other stores, it seems you'll have to wait a bit. It will likely take at least three months."
"What... Three whole months? You'll miss the Christmas season!!!"
"That's right... It's regrettable, but we are a company that values trust, so we rigorously honor even the promises of small stores. It's very unfortunate that we won't be able to deliver the products for Toy World's Christmas season."
Ah, come to think of it, Christmas is just one month away. It's been almost a year since I arrived here. During this time, M.Tendo's family has been selling like hotcakes, and we've nearly conquered the Japanese and American markets. NEGA belatedly announced the production of their new gaming console, NEGA Disk, realizing that the gaming industry hadn't died yet, but I had nothing to worry about since M.Tendo's family dominated the market.
"Um... Mr. Kang. I'm truly sorry, but is there any way you could contact our headquarters and place an additional order? Please..."
"Hmm... But, sir, I'm really sorry. I just checked our membership club regulations, and it turns out that we can no longer supply M.E.S to stores that have caused trouble for customers."
"What...?"
"I'm sorry, but well, since we haven't actually drawn up the contract yet, let's just forget about it. I apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact us again later once Toy World's reputation has been restored~ Thank you."
"Hey!"
Mr. Watson seemed to be speaking with a trembling voice, but I hung up the phone.
Are you crazy? Do you think a few apologies will make me send goods for your sake? There's no need to supply inventory to a company that's on the verge of bankruptcy.
"You're quite something, Chief. Even though Toy World still has some influence in the domestic market, you rejected them just like that..."
"Well, rich people can live off of their wealth for three years, even if they go bankrupt, right? I hope that the American citizens aren't that gullible."
"You're really the first person I've seen who's as scary as the Chief. If it were a branch manager, they would have quickly forgotten the past and sent the products first, expecting to make money. But, Chief, you're different. Is it the difference between a Japanese and a Korean, even though we're both East Asians?"
Blonde beauty and secretary, Elise, looked at me with an expression of uncertainty. Thanks to M.Tendo's impressive achievement of conquering the American market in just a year, the scale of the company has grown, and I was promoted to the position of Chief six months ago. The clever secretary, Elise, was given the responsibility of overseeing the franchise stores.
"Elise."
"Yes, Chief."
"You've been following me closely for the past six months, right?"
"Are you calling that a compliment? I've never seen anyone as unpredictable as you."
"Haha~ Is that about half of it?"
"About half? Hoho."
"Since you've been watching me work more closely than anyone else, you'll probably do just fine even if I'm away."
"Of course, yes."
"Well, Elise. From next year, please take on the role of Chief for me."
"What...? What are you talking about?"
"I didn't expect my business trip to be this long. When I first came here, I thought I'd stay for about a month, but it looks like I'll be spending Christmas here."
On the way to the airport, Mr. Yamashita sighed in disappointment and shook my hand.
"Still, Kang Jun, it's because of you that we've come this far, so I feel really sorry...".
"I've already laid the groundwork well, so there's nothing to worry about in the United States. Please pass on my regards to Mr. Wilson. I'm sorry for leaving without seeing him."
"Mr. Wilson will be very disappointed."
"Isn't that right? Haha~ Well, it's not a permanent farewell, and we'll meet again later."
"Yes, please stay in touch."
When we arrived at the airport, a familiar voice echoed from somewhere.
"Chief!! Chief!!!"
"Elise?"
"Hey, you bad child!! How can you suddenly go to Japan without saying a word? What are we going to do?!!!"
Huh...? What is she saying to me right now?
"Elise, are you not feeling well?"
"Even if I liked you so much!! You promoted me and now you're going to Japan, what am I supposed to do alone?!"
Elise, her makeup smudged with tears, rushed to me and slapped my chest a few times. After giving her a few slaps back, I grabbed her hand and immediately covered her lips with mine.
"Suck!!"
"Uh, um... Kang, huh...?"
Mr. Yamashita scratched his cheek for a moment and I held Elise's cheek tightly after the exhilarating kiss, and said.
"Goodbye. Miss Secretary~ If you ever get some time off, come visit Japan. I'll treat you to a delicious meal~"
"Goodbye, Chief..."
After bidding my last farewell, I held my ticket and headed towards the departure gate. People around me started clapping and whistling, embarrassing me. I quickly pulled my suitcase and entered the departure gate.
Ah~ This was great. I got to kiss a blonde beauty like that. Coming to America was worth it~!!
&
This period is one of the most special times in the history of gaming. Originally, it was the year when Super Marriage was released. However, due to my early release by one year, it may have caused some confusion, but it was in 1985 that the evolution of RPG games shone the most.
Commonly known as TRPG, departing from the play where dice were rolled on the tabletop, it was in this year, 1985, that RPG, which allowed adventurers to explore a true fantasy world, took on a full form.
"Welcome, Kang Jun~!!"
"This guy seems even more spirited after tasting American water, doesn't he!?"
The company I was affiliated with, M.Tendo, shed its image as a toy company and transformed into a true game company, thanks to the massive success of the Family. The company's size had grown, and we had moved into a new building.
"Wow... The company has gotten really big."
"Is that so? It's all thanks to all of us working together."
Mr. Gunpei smiled contentedly as he gazed at the new white M.Tendo headquarters. Then, from behind us, the gruff voice of an elderly man could be heard.
"If not for my discerning eye that gathered such excellent talents, none of this would have happened. You rascals~!!"
"Oh, Mr. Kamauchi. Hello."
"If you came to the company, you should come and report to the CEO, which is me. Are you just lazing around here? I heard that you've been living in a high-class hotel in America, having a suite all to yourself!!"
"Sir, didn't I cover those expenses myself?"
"What's wrong with you, you punk? After a year, your speaking habits are still the same."
"Haha, is that so? Anyway, it's good to see you in good health."
"Listen to me, I'm still alive, you know? I'm going to be the CEO until 2000~!!"
That's right. You were the CEO until 2002. That's when Mr. Gunpei wiped his glasses and spoke seriously to the CEO.
"Sir, Nostradamus's prophecy says that the Earth will be destroyed in 1999..."
"Hey, you crazy person!! Are you telling me that now?!!"
Hmm... I guess geeks still lack common sense.
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