Ordered on a Blind Date (Love Story, 4,000 Words)

The day after the interview aired.

Sega Headquarters was inundated with calls.

"Hi! This is the Sega Sales Department!"

"What? Harvest Moon? It's sold out everywhere?!"

"Urgent order? How many? Thirty thousand sets?!"

The Sales Department staff were stunned. The 50,000 sets they had produced and released earlier had sold rather slowly, or even struggled to sell, and now they were out of stock.

All the executives who had previously questioned Nakayama Takuya were now watching this unusual sales trend with surprise.

Nakayama Takuya immediately called Miyazaki Hayao to sincerely express his gratitude.

On the other end of the phone, Miyazaki Hayao sounded nonchalant, as if he had simply done something insignificant.

I was just telling the truth.

"Mr. Nakayama, you have shown me the future and given me another reason to continue working in the animation industry. I am very grateful to you."

"You're too kind. I'll definitely ask for your guidance again when I have some good work in the future."

Miyazaki Hayao smiled and hung up the phone.

As the player base began to grow, word-of-mouth quickly became polarized.

Some players, especially anime fans and Miyazaki Hayao enthusiasts, are completely captivated by the game.

"The experiences in this game are truly heartwarming and healing. This is the true spirit of ' My Totoro Totoro'!"

Meanwhile, the mainstream players who were attracted by the huge fame and sales figures felt cheated.

"The most boring game ever! No combat, no clear objectives, I wanted to fall asleep after playing for two hours!"

"The pace is infuriatingly slow! Is this art? You must be kidding me!"

This debate quickly caused a huge uproar in game magazines such as Famitsu and player forums, unexpectedly sparking the first small-scale public discussion in the Japan game industry about "gameplay versus artistry".

Nakayama Takuya, the producer of Harvest Moon, a game that sparked discussions about its "artistic" qualities within the industry, is currently completely unconcerned about all the external disturbances.

He is currently on leave as ordered by the authorities.

A supreme order from her mother, Nakayama Miyuki, brooking no argument.

Just a week ago, Nakayama Takuya had just finished a departmental meeting to celebrate the sales resurgence of "Harvest Moon" and returned home to find his mother blocking him in the entryway.

Nakayama Miyuki pointed to her adorable grandson, who was already in elementary school, playing a Mega Drive game with her eldest son on TV, then looked back at her youngest son, who had graduated and been working for four years and still didn't have a girlfriend.

For the first time, her usually well-maintained face revealed a look of exasperated anger.

"Takuya."

"I don't care what your position is, or how many people like the games you make."

"Look at your older brother's son, he's already in elementary school!"

"And you? Besides work, what else do you have?"

"I'm telling you, I've already made an appointment for you. It's with Mr. Nakagawa, the president of TV Tokyo, your father's old friend, and his only daughter, Eri."

Madame Nakayama -sen issued her final ultimatum in a tone that left no room for negotiation.

"Go on a blind date this weekend!"

"If you dare to mess this up, I'll have your father shut down all your projects and make you stay home every day researching how to have a baby!"

Thus, Nakayama Takuya could only sit upright in L'OSIER, the most upscale French restaurant in Ginza.

The light reflected from the crystal chandelier here was both dazzling and soft, yet it made him feel even more uneasy than when he was facing the board members.

The air was filled with the expensive aroma of truffles and butter.

The crisp sound of the knife and fork lightly touching the fine white porcelain plate was amplified several times in the excessively quiet environment, striking his nerves with each note.

Just as he picked up his water glass, using the act of drinking to slightly relax his tense back, a gentle yet polite voice rang out in front of him.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Nakayama Takuya?"

Nakayama Takuya raised his head.

In the restaurant's soft lighting, a girl in a light-colored dress stood in front of the table, bowing slightly, her posture as elegant as a figure stepping out of a classical painting.

She had long, smooth, jet-black hair, fair skin, and delicate, gentle features, especially her eyes, which were as clear as a spring and carried a perfectly appropriate smile.

She exudes a traditional aura known as "Yamato Nadeshiko" from head to toe.

Nakagawa Eri, just like in the photo her mother gave her, is elegant and graceful.

A hint of admiration flashed through Nakayama Takuya's mind.

For daughters of prominent families, cultivating such temperament is an essential course of study.

He immediately stood up, nodded slightly, and displayed impeccable manners.

"Yes, I am Nakayama Takuya. You must be Nakagawa Eri? Please have a seat."

"The weather is so nice today."

After saying this opening line, Nakayama Takuya felt a little helpless and wanted to laugh.

He was able to depict a magnificent technological landscape for the next thirty years in front of Hayao Miyazaki Hayao, the titan of the animation industry.

Yet at this moment, facing a woman of similar age, even a tactful remark seems utterly inadequate.

He turned his head somewhat awkwardly, his gaze fixed on the distant Tokyo Tower outside the window, pretending to admire the steel and concrete landscape.

In recent years, the women he has dealt with have been either decisive and efficient subordinates or shrewd and capable business partners.

This was indeed the first time I had ever met a girl like this, sitting quietly with a gentle and warm aura in her eyes.

"Yes, the air in Ginza is much fresher after the rain."

Instead of mocking his clumsiness, Nakagawa Eri, sitting opposite him, took over the dry topic with an extremely natural demeanor.

Her voice was as soft as soothing music flowing through a restaurant, easily dissolving the slight tension in the air.

She rested her delicate chin on one hand, tilted her head slightly, and her clear eyes held a knowing smile.

"Mr. Nakayama, you seem a little uncomfortable in this kind of setting?"

This good-natured teasing remark instantly relaxed Nakayama Takuya's tense nerves.

He met her gaze calmly, then shook his head with a wry smile.

"I'm sorry, you must have found this amusing."

"I'd probably prefer spending my time in a development lab filled with circuit boards and code to a top-notch French restaurant."

"That's really impressive."

Nakagawa Eri's eyes lit up instantly; it wasn't just politeness, but a genuine admiration.

"The ability to create a world that brings joy to countless people is itself a magical thing."

Instead of delving into clichéd topics like his family background, she focused precisely on his career.

This well-timed conversational skill cleverly eased the awkwardness and made Nakayama Takuya feel respected.

After a few casual words, the atmosphere quickly warmed up.

When talking about work, Nakayama Takuya completely returned to his home turf. When discussing the projects he had handled, he naturally mentioned the best-selling game of the year, Pokémon Red and Green.

"... So, our initial idea was simple: to create something that would allow children to connect with each other, exchange joy, and share secrets."

Pokémon?

Nakagawa Eri's reaction was much more enthusiastic than Nakayama Takuya had imagined.

As if she had suddenly remembered something precious, she excitedly and carefully took out a small pink machine from her Hermès handbag.

"You mean... this?"

Nakayama Takuya stared intently, and the corners of his mouth instantly curled up in an uncontrollable smile.

That was none other than the "Mew" version of the Electronic Pet, which he championed to help launch the MD, with only fifty units available worldwide!

He couldn't hide the surprise in his eyes. "You actually have this?"

"I specifically emphasized that only fifty of these units were produced, intended as prizes in a raffle at the MD launch event."

"Of course!" Nakagawa Eri held the little pink machine in her palm, carefully wiping the screen with her fingertips, her face beaming with undisguised pride and joy.

"I had to ask a lot of people for help and spent a lot of money to buy it from a collector! Your limited edition is just too much!"

Only fifty units!

She shook the "Mew" in her hand, her tone carrying a childlike coquettishness.

"I named it ' Xiao Meng,' isn't it cute?"

Looking at her genuine, unpretentious, radiant smile, the barrier between them created by their family backgrounds and social status instantly vanished.

Nakayama Takuya completely Panasonic.

It turns out that this seemingly flawless Yamato Nadeshiko, who appears to have stepped out of an ancient painting, can also be so excited about a small Electronic Pet.

This contrast made the girl in front of him suddenly seem incredibly vivid and real.

After discussing Nakayama Takuya's remarkable achievements, the conversation turned to Nakagawa Eri.

"Me? I don't have much to say." Eri stirred the lemonade in her glass, her tone tinged with helplessness. "At TV Tokyo, they say I'm familiar with how all the programs work, but really everyone just treats me like a mascot. I'm never involved in the truly core work."

She stuck out her tongue and made a face. "My daily work consists of studying, auditing classes, and then reviewing a huge pile of documents that my father has already stamped."

This slightly self-deprecating complaint made Nakayama Takuya like her even more.

He thought for a moment and said, "Isn't TV Tokyo currently promoting a 'station-centric' strategy?"

"Yes, but those established animation studios either look down on us, the 'perennial sixth place,' or they ask for exorbitant prices," Eri sighed. "Dad is also very troubled by this."

Nakayama Takuya's mind immediately started working.

He put down his knife and fork, leaned forward slightly, and his expression became serious. "Miss Nakagawa, perhaps I can help you."

"Um?"

"I'm fairly familiar with some animation studios, such as Sega Production, which produced Tatsunoko Studio Pokémon Fatal Fury, Gallop, which produced Pokémon, and Sunrise and Toei Animation. I also have people I can talk to there."

Nakayama Takuya looked at her, his eyes filled with a reassuring confidence.

"If you're interested, I can help you make the connection and arrange a meeting. Not as Sega executive, but as your friend. You can go and talk to them in person, show them your plan and your sincerity."

Nakagawa Eri paused for a moment.

Her hand, holding the cup, froze in mid-air; for a moment, she was speechless.

From childhood to adulthood, she had heard far too much flattery and witnessed far too many people approaching her with ulterior motives.

In their eyes, she was first and foremost "the only daughter of the president of TV Tokyo," and only secondly a vague symbol of womanhood.

They either fawned over her or revered her, but no one had ever been as perceptive as Nakayama Takuya in discerning the ambitions and predicaments beneath her aura during their first formal meeting.

More importantly, he did not condescendingly bestow opportunities upon others.

"As your friend."

These words, like a warm ray of light, instantly dispelled the long-standing gloom in her heart.

This is more than just a promise or a connection.

This is a form of equality, an acknowledgment, and a heartfelt respect.

He recognized her abilities, respected her career, and was even willing to use his own resources to pave the way for her dreams.

Nakagawa Eri's hand, holding the cup, froze in mid-air, speechless for a moment.

From childhood to adulthood, she had heard far too much flattery and witnessed far too many people approaching her with ulterior motives.

In their eyes, she was first and foremost "the only daughter of the president of TV Tokyo," and only secondly a vague symbol of womanhood.

They either fawned over her or revered her, but no one had ever been as perceptive as Nakayama Takuya in discerning the ambitions and predicaments beneath her aura at their very first meeting.

More importantly, he did not condescendingly bestow opportunities upon others.

"As your friend."

These words were like a key, precisely inserted into the heaviest lock in her heart, and with a gentle turn, the lock opened.

She suddenly remembered the rumors about Nakayama Takuya —a young man who didn't play by the rules but always managed to create miracles.

It also made her instantly understand why the picky and stubborn Miyazaki Hayao would praise him so highly.

The man before me may be a little clumsy in the little things of life, but when it comes to truly important matters, he possesses a captivating courage and sincerity.

She suddenly realized that this meeting, arranged by her family, might not lead to the kind of respectful but lifeless ending she had already anticipated.

She will not experience the constraints she fears most, such as being required to give up her career and return to family life after marriage.

At that moment, Nakagawa Eri's tense shoulders completely relaxed.

She stared at Nakayama Takuya for a long time.

The initial shock and mistake in those beautiful eyes slowly melted away.

She suddenly burst out laughing, a hint of slyness in her voice.

"Mr. Nakayama, you wouldn't happen to think my TV station has good resources and want to make some early business moves, would you?"

This sudden joke startled Nakayama Takuya, who had just been acting like a business elite.

He scratched the back of his head, coughed awkwardly twice, and his composure, which he had maintained even when facing the board of directors, instantly crumbled.

"Well—that's not what I meant." He quickly waved his hand, a rare hint of embarrassment on his face. "I'm just afraid that if President Nakagawa finds out I've corrupted you, he'll send people to block my door at Sega."

Seeing his flustered expression as he earnestly explained, Nakagawa Eri laughed even harder.

So he gets nervous too.

This small discovery made the man in front of her seem more real.

As the laughter subsided, she composed herself, her face becoming unusually serious. She slowly raised her juice glass, the ice cubes clinking against the glass with a crisp sound that was particularly pleasant in the quiet restaurant.

"So, Nakayama mulberry--"

Her voice carried an unprecedented lightness.

"For a fresh start."

Nakayama Takuya smiled.

He could read the subtext of her words.

He raised his glass and gently touched it to hers in mid-air.

"Cheers."