Kirby's Progress and a Betrothal-Gift Shopping Date (4,000 words incl. romance subplot)

After arranging the preparations for the MD-compatible computer project, Nakayama Takuya felt a sense of relief.

Tension needs a break, and nothing is more therapeutic than watching a brilliant idea transform from blueprints into reality.

He turned and headed directly towards the Third Development Group.

Before even entering, I could hear bursts of upbeat 8-bit music and occasional gasps of surprise coming from inside.

Pushing open the door, a vibrant, bustling atmosphere hit me. The walls were covered with various pink, blue, and yellow circular creature sketches. An art designer was facing a screen, meticulously adjusting the pixel edges of a character, muttering to himself, "No, this needs to be more bouncy!"

"Executive Director!" Team Leader Shimizu, with her sharp eyes, spotted Takuya immediately and stood up.

"Don't be nervous, I'm just looking around." Takuya waved his hand with a smile, his gaze already drawn to a monitor connected to a development kit.

On the screen, a round little guy is hopping and skipping in a brightly colored level.

It opened its mouth and inhaled sharply, instantly sucking in a small monster with the same round head. Kirby's cheeks bulged into a comical arc.

"Puff!"

The little monster transformed into a round five-pointed star and was ejected like a cannonball, knocking over another enemy.

"It feels good." Takuya watched with great interest. "The feedback from inhaling and exhaling is very well done."

"Hi! We've repeatedly adjusted the screen vibration and sound effects during the suction to emphasize that powerful 'vacuum cleaner' feel," Team Leader Shimizu explained excitedly. "Look at this."

He took the controller and made Kirby swallow an enemy with a flame symbol.

A flash of light instantly enveloped Kirby, and a tuft of fiery hair appeared on Kirby's head. He pressed the attack button, and a ball of fire spewed from his mouth.

"The fire-breathing ability is already ready?" Takuya somewhat surprised; it hadn't been that long.

"The art and programming teams are incredibly enthusiastic. They said this concept was so interesting that they couldn't resist working overtime to complete it." Team leader Shimizu scratched his head, his face beaming with undisguised pride. "Everyone felt that just inhaling and exhaling was too monotonous; the ability to replicate was the greatest fun of this game. So they insisted on adding the fire-breathing ability to the first demo."

Takuya looked at the fire-breathing mochi ball on the screen and nodded in satisfaction.

This was exactly the effect he wanted: a project that could inspire the team's creative passion.

"Great, keep this momentum going." Takuya's gaze swept over the focused and excited faces in the office. "Remember, the difficulty must be kept under control. Even girls playing for the first time should be able to easily pick it up and enjoy it. Our target isn't hardcore gamers, but more casual players."

"Understood!" Team Leader Shimizu nodded emphatically. "We're designing some hidden elements to challenge skilled players, but the main storyline will be very accessible."

"Oh, right," Takuya suddenly remembered something before leaving, pointing to a sketch on the wall of a chubby blue penguin wearing a crown and holding a large log, and casually asked, "Is this also an enemy?"

Team Leader Shimizu was taken aback, then quickly explained, "Ah, this was drawn by the level designer himself. He said he wanted to design a somewhat clumsy and wicked king for the Pupupu Land as the final boss, but he hasn't reported it to you yet -.-"

"A very interesting concept." Takuya's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. "I like this idea. Let him go ahead and do it."

Leaving those words behind, he turned and left Development Group Three, amidst the thoughtful gazes of Team Leader Shimizu and the other developers.

Back in his office, Nakayama Takuya felt as bright as the sky outside his window.

He was very reassured by the development progress and team atmosphere of Kirby.

A good idea is like a pebble thrown into water, creating ripples that excite all participants.

He was enjoying the satisfaction of creating a classic when his pager in his pocket vibrated at the most inopportune moment.

When Takuya saw his home phone number on the caller ID, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

He took a deep breath, picked up the phone on his desk, and dialed home.

"Takuya! Are you still at the company?" His mother's strong, urgent voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Hi, Mother, I'm still here."

"That's great! I just told you, Eri's mother and I have just decided that your engagement ceremony will be held on the 15th of next month, a very auspicious day!"

They've arrived, just as expected.

Takuya rubbed his temples in exasperation.

"I've faxed the catalog of engagement gifts to your office. You must make time tomorrow to go to the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi and prepare everything on the list, understand? This concerns the reputation of the Nakayama family!"

"Yes, yes, I know." Takuya's tone carried a hint of familiar perfunctoriness.

Arguing with one's mother, who is incredibly proactive and likes to do everything herself, is futile.

After hanging up the phone, Takuya let out a long sigh of relief. The composure he had displayed just moments before was instantly pulled back to the mundane reality. However, the thought of his fiancée mentioned on the phone immediately softened his gaze.

She has finished filming in China and returned to Tokyo.

As if possessed, he picked up the phone on the table again and dialed Eri's office number at TV Tokyo.

The phone rang a few times before being answered, and a gentle, slightly amused female voice came through the receiver.

"Takuya? What brings you to call today? I thought Executive Director Nakayama was so busy that he'd forgotten he had a fiancée in Tokyo."

"How could that be?" Takuya leaned back in his chair, relaxing completely, his tone becoming lighter. "I was just worried you'd be lured away by the food on the other side, so I quickly made a call to confirm."

"You were almost kidnapped." Eri's voice held a faint smile.

"Is everything going well at work on your end?" Takuya noticed the amusement in his voice and asked instead.

"It went very smoothly, and I saw a lot of different things." Eri paused, then changed the subject, adding with a touch of helpless sarcasm, "It's just that coming back feels even more tiring than filming on location."

Takuya immediately understood what she meant and sighed empathetically, "You felt it too?"

"Hmm," Eri, "My mother has been dragging me around these past few days, either trying on kimonos or looking at jewelry. She keeps saying the Nakayama family is a prestigious one, and the etiquette for betrothal gifts absolutely cannot be lacking. I feel like a doll."

"You're lucky," Takuya couldn't help but start complaining. "My mom called me three times today to discuss the shopping list. It's so thick you could use it as a pillow. She even seriously asked me if it would be appropriate to give me a brand-new GamePocket as a gift, claiming it would help me get familiar with my husband's family's core business. I told her I'd already given her one, and only then did she stop."

"Pfft—." Eri on the other end of the phone finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

That soft laugh seemed to have a magical power, dispelling Takuya's fatigue from the entire day.

"It seems our mother has secretly formed a 'Wedding Promotion Committee' and reached a high degree of consensus," Takuya joked.

The two chatted about the amusing things arranged by their elders, and a relaxed and warm atmosphere filled the air. The enthusiasm and eagerness of both families, especially the two mothers, for the marriage made their relationship even closer in a natural and tacit understanding.

"Oh, right," Eri, as if remembering something, "Mother said the engagement date has been chosen, it's next month."

"I received it too. Looks like Wen's been thoroughly taken care of. Let them do whatever they want."

Takuya's tone was full of doting and indulgence, "Consider it a gift to them, a fantastic collaborative project. Let them enjoy the fun of planning."

This is the kind of relationship he wants: not passively cooperating, but actively creating happiness for the people he cherishes.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Eri's satisfied chuckle.

"I knew you'd say that."

"The list of items to buy is already in my office fax machine. My mom wants me to go to the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi tomorrow to buy them all."

"How about we go out together tomorrow? Before they completely figure out what to do with us, we need to make our own date, right?"

"Great!" Eri's voice was filled with joy.

After hanging up the phone, Takuya still had a smile on his face, in a great mood.

The next day, Takuya arrived ten minutes earlier than agreed.

Instead of waiting in the car, he leaned against the car door and stood in front of the magnificent Western-style building of the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store, holding a beautifully packaged bouquet of champagne roses.

Passersby turned to look, curious as to which young master was waiting for his princess.

Soon, a beautiful figure appeared on the street corner.

Today, Eri wore a beige dress with a light brown trench coat over it. Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she wore only light makeup, yet she was still so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.

She saw Takuya and the eye-catching bouquet of flowers in his hand, and her steps quickened.

"I thought you'd arrive right on time." Eri walked up to him, her eyes sparkling like stars.

"It's only ten minutes early."

Takuya handed over the flowers.

"It's beautiful, thank you." Eri took the bouquet, lowered her head to gently sniff it, and a charming blush rose on her cheeks.

A happy smile couldn't be hidden.

The two walked into the department store side by side and headed straight for the counter that handled the merchandise.

Takuya took the long fax paper out of his briefcase and spread it out on the counter, causing the saleswoman's professional smile to freeze for a moment.

"My mother's handwriting is still as vigorous and powerful as ever." Eri looked at the list and couldn't help but smile.

"I think it's more like a battle plan," Takuya, picking up the list and shaking it, making a rustling sound. "Look at how thick it is, no wonder it's the highest directive from the 'Wedding Promotion Committee'."

Eri burst out laughing at his analogy.

"... dried squid, kelp, and this, willow jar?" Takuya pointed at the list, looking both amused and exasperated. "Are we getting engaged, or are we going sailing?"

"My mother specifically noted that the willow vessel must be made of paulownia wood, symbolizing that our family will take good care of the betrothal money," Eri explained earnestly, suppressing a laugh.

"Alright, then let's pick the most expensive one." Takuya waved his hand at the shop assistant, "Make sure the 'directors' are satisfied. Oh, and by the way..."

And this—Suehiro, a pair of white fans.

"I see now," Takuya said to Eri, looking at the mountain of gift boxes. "Our mother isn't having an engagement ceremony; she's throwing a grand product launch."

"Then we are the core product of this press conference," Eri winked and replied playfully.

With the shop assistant by my side throughout, the shopping process went surprisingly smoothly.

From the precious lacquer box to the white hemp thread symbolizing "growing old together," and the sake and sea bream for Eri's parents, the items on the list were prepared one by one.

Takuya swiped his card swiftly and decisively, without any hesitation, leaving Eri, who was standing to the side, somewhat mesmerized.

The man who complained about his mother with her on the phone, when it came to handling serious matters, reverted to the calm and reliable Nakayama Special Commissioner.

This contrast made her particularly attracted.

All the items were carefully packed and delivered to the trunk of Takuya's car by the department store staff.

"Alright, mission accomplished!" Takuya clapped his hands, turned to Eri with a relaxed smile, and said, "Now, it's time for our own date."

"Yes, ma'am." Eri gave a playful bow.

Instead of taking a car, the two strolled hand in hand through the streets of Nihonbashi.

They turned into Ningyocho, which was not far away.

The atmosphere here is completely different from the luxury of Mitsukoshi Department Store; it is full of the everyday life and warmth that has continued from the Edo period.

"This is it, Amazake Yokocho."

Eri's eyes lit up, like a child who had discovered a new continent.

The quaint streets are lined with small shops, and the air is filled with the aroma of various foods.

Takuya led her by the hand and stopped in front of a small shop selling "tamagoyaki" (Japanese rolled omelet).

"Boss, two skewers, please."

The piping hot tamagoyaki skewers, skewered on bamboo sticks and brushed with a slightly sweet sauce, are soft and tender with a wonderfully fragrant egg flavor.

Eri carefully took a Oguchi, her eyes squinting happily.

"Tasty!"

Seeing her satisfied expression, Takuya gentler.

They ate as they walked.

Freshly baked ningyo-yaki (human-shaped glutinous rice cakes), filled with piping hot red bean paste.

The senbei (rice crackers) grilled over charcoal are fragrant and crispy.

There's also a cup of warming sweet rice wine, sweet but not cloying, with a rich aroma of rice.

Holding flowers in one hand and snacks in the other, Eri looked like a happy little squirrel, completely letting go of her usual reserve and burdens as a female producer.

At this moment, they were neither heirs to the Nakayama family nor program producers for TV Tokyo.

They were just an ordinary couple, deeply in love and enjoying their simple dates.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the eaves of the shops along the street, merging the two figures together.

"Takuya," Eri suddenly stopped and looked up at him, "I think being arranged by the mothers isn't so bad."

"Oh?"

"Because—" She tiptoed and quickly kissed him on the cheek, then retreated like a startled fawn, her cheeks flushed.

"That way, I can be with you sooner."