Chaebol

The metal gate didn't look particularly sturdy.

Every time he knocked, it rattled so loudly that the entire door seemed to shake.

"This is Editor-in-Chief Kazuhiro from 'Weekly Manga.'"

There was no response, yet the editor stood still.

He didn't knock again.

He simply stood there, holding his ground.

When Kazuhiro first joined the publishing company, he was filled with lofty dreams.

As an editor, he believed he would support authors and create an incredible magazine!

However, in reality, his main job involved traveling all over Japan to collect manuscripts.

Couldn't the manuscripts just be sent by mail?

Not a chance!

There were too many authors who would go off the grid right before a deadline.

Just a few more days…

No, even just one more day…

Then I'll have a really good manuscript…

And then they would disappear, cutting off all contact.

Thanks to this, his early years were spent entirely playing hide-and-seek with authors.

Strangely enough, after about five years of this, he developed a kind of instinct.

Like a veteran detective identifying a suspect, just by looking at a darkened window, he could roughly tell if an author was inside.

This was one of those times.

There was no silhouette behind the old security bars.

But why did it feel this way?

As if he could hear the sound of someone trying not to breathe too loudly just beyond the door!

How many minutes had he been standing there blankly?

Clatter.

A small noise came from inside the house.

Then the window cracked open slightly.

Through the gap, Kazuhiro saw a pair of brown eyes.

"There you are, Togashi."

"Ugh…"

"You knew I was outside, didn't you?"

Nod, nod.

"And yet you still opened the window?"

"I heard you come in, but I didn't hear you leave…"

"Were you worried I might have collapsed?"

"It's not really that, it's just…"

He probably felt a twinge of concern.

He wouldn't be a writer if he didn't have such a vivid imagination.

"I've come a long way. Could we have a little chat?"

"If you're here to give me some background work…"

"It's not about the background."

"Then?"

"I'd like to offer you a serialization."

"You're offering me… a solo serialization?"

"Wouldn't it be better to discuss this inside instead of talking through these bars like I'm visiting a prisoner?"

"If that's uncomfortable, we could go to a nearby café."

"My place is fine. I hate walking."

Togashi didn't even offer a simple glass of water.

It wasn't out of malice—he just seemed to lack social skills.

Instead, he offered something unusual.

"I have plenty of games. You can enjoy them as much as you want."

While Kazuhiro shrugged it off as normal.

"..."

Jo Soo-deok wasn't accustomed to this kind of response.

Well, it was probably his first time encountering this type of person.

The bed was a mess, but the game consoles and cartridges were perfectly organized.

'He must have cleaned and polished them because there isn't a speck of dust.'

It wasn't just that.

Cartridges that weren't used often were sealed in zipper bags and stored separately.

Kazuhiro fixed his gaze on Togashi.

Though he seemed to have a calm and relaxed look typical of an editor, if you looked closely, his eyes were like those of a predator watching its prey.

His inscrutability often left writers bewildered.

Kazuhiro thought this was one of his strengths.

"..."

Togashi, however, seemed entirely uninterested in the editor's gaze.

"Let's continue our earlier conversation. I want to propose a solo serialization for you, Togashi."

"A one-shot?"

"It doesn't matter if it's a short series or a long one."

"I guess it doesn't matter much, does it?"

"...?"

"Either way, it's impossible."

"Sorry?"

"Serialization is impossible for someone lazy like me."

Every year, over a thousand aspiring writers submit their manuscripts to 'Weekly Manga.'

Even just a small spot—anything to get serialized, they plead.

For both aspiring writers and established authors, 'Weekly Manga' is literally the stage of their dreams.

But what was this?

"You say it's impossible because you're lazy?"

"Yes. It's better not to start than to constantly miss deadlines."

"...."

"Plus, there aren't any games I want to buy right now."

"What about your rent?"

"I paid off everything I owed with what I earned last time. I'm good for a few more months."

"What about dates?"

"As long as I cover transportation costs, my girlfriend handles the rest."

"And your tuition…?"

"I'm thinking of dropping out soon."

At this point.

It felt like he was just spouting whatever came to mind!

"So… are you planning to spend your life doing background work?"

"Drawing is a hobby, and I have other dreams."

"But with your level of skill, why would you…?"

"Yawn."

Togashi yawned as if he were bored.

"If you don't mind, could I get comfortable? My back hurts."

"Well, I did drop in unannounced… so of course, make yourself comfortable…"

Before he could even finish his sentence, Togashi had placed a cushion on the floor and sprawled out on it.

He could guess.

As soon as his guests left, Togashi would grab a game controller in this very position.

"How about some freelance work? Isn't there a story you'd like to write?"

"..."

"Whatever story you come up with, I can help you develop it. Into a format that readers will love…"

"No matter what, I can't keep up with the pace of serialization."

Ha!

"Don't… don't you want to make a lot of money?"

"Of course, I'd like to."

"Alright. If you just do as I suggest…"

"Ha…"

Togashi shook his head vigorously, indicating no.

He was happy to take money if it were given to him, but he had no desire to work for it.

'Seriously?'

With nearly 20 years of experience as an editor, he thought he had seen everything.

But a newcomer who wasn't even desperate to debut?

'I mean, what am I supposed to do in this situation?'

While Kazuhiro stood there, speechless.

"Hm."

Jo Soo-deok, who was sitting beside him, spoke up quietly.

"Your name is Togashi, right?"

Nod, nod.

"You seem to like games a lot?"

His expression seemed to say it was obvious.

"We're working on a new game. Would you like to play it and share your thoughts?"

"Who made it?"

"You wouldn't know the name. He's still an amateur."

Togashi seemed to lose interest immediately.

Even if he loved games, he wouldn't be interested in playing some amateur's clumsy experimental game.

Jo Soo-deok didn't let it go.

"I heard that Shigeru Miyamoto, the father of Super Mario, is directing it…"

"What? You said it was an amateur's game."

"The planner is an amateur, but he had such a great idea that Shigeru Miyamoto took an interest."

At this, Togashi's eyes wavered slightly.

But even then, Kazuhiro thought it wouldn't work.

No matter how much Togashi liked games, would he really go out of his way just to play one, after refusing a serialization offer because it was too much trouble?

That's what Kazuhiro thought.

But then.

"What's the game genre?"

"I'm not too familiar with games, but I heard it's an RPG."

"Really?"

'Ah, so this is what they mean by "pupil dilation."'

Togashi asked again, wide-eyed.

"Shigeru Miyamoto is making an RPG?"

"Again, I'm not well-versed in games. I just heard that's what it might be, but I'm not sure…"

"If I go now, can I try it right away?"

"Yes. There's a prototype that even impressed Miyamoto. You can play that immediately."

With a jolt, Togashi stood up without hesitation.

'Just moments ago… Didn't he say his back hurt?'

But judging by the look in his eyes now, he could probably do a backflip.

…Sigh!

Suddenly, a sense of futility hit him.

What sort of writer could stump a 20-year veteran editor? And who is this professor with the perfect strategy for such a character?

While Kazuhiro was lost in these thoughts.

"What are you doing in someone else's house?"

"Are you staying here?"

The two were already making their way out of the house.

***

At Shueisha Publishing, in the 'Weekly Manga' department.

Jo Soo-deok, upon returning, gave me a quick wink.

I had instructed him to give Kazuhiro a chance first but to recite what I'd told him if he felt Kazuhiro was struggling.

Though I was slightly concerned about Jo Soo-deok's lack of knowledge about games, all he had to do was emphasize the word "RPG."

I figured there wouldn't be much of a problem.

'Judging by his expression, it seems to have worked.'

Indeed, a stranger walked in behind Jo Soo-deok.

Having stayed cooped up at home, he looked younger than his actual age.

Yes, it must be Togashi.

Behind him was Kazuhiro, looking quite overwhelmed.

"P-per your instructions… I've brought Togashi-sensei."

"So soon?"

"Excuse me? Oh, yes, yes."

But why do you look so lacking in confidence?

Knowing the answer, I asked anyway, and Kazuhiro replied as if he were struggling with constipation.

"All I did was open the door. The professor did everything else…"

"Is this modesty?"

"It's just the truth."

I silently looked at Kazuhiro

There was no doubt.

'I'll remember today's events for a long time.'

My eyes probably conveyed that message.

Judging by the fact that he seemed to get the message, Kazuhiro bowed his head deeply.

He'd likely pretend to be dead if I asked him to for a while.

Alright, that's enough of the prelude.

When I turned to Jo Soo-deok, he immediately started his report.

"I've given the writer a basic explanation."

"A basic explanation?"

"There was some time during the car ride, so I explained how you met Miyamoto-san and shared some behind-the-scenes stories from America. He was very attentive…"

Of course.

Any gaming enthusiast would be all ears for early Miyamoto stories.

'He's been briefed, more or less.'

Now, the only thing left is to sign the contract.

But there's no need to rush.

Negotiating by offering to pay a certain amount for writing a story… would only backfire.

A lazy genius will only work if they feel inclined to.

In that case?

The first step is to get him interested.

"Thank you for coming all this way."

"..."

"Let's skip the small talk and jump straight into the gameplay."

Fortunately, there was a personal computer in Kazuhiro's office.

I inserted a 5.25-inch floppy disk into it.

It was a backup copy my brother had brought along, and I didn't expect it to come in handy like this.

As I typed in the command, Togashi asked.

"It's a PC game?"

His voice sounded slightly disappointed.

"This is just the prototype. We're working with Miyamoto-san to port it to the Family platform."

Soon, the main screen appeared.

Togashi seemed disappointed that it was a PC game, then again that it was a text-based game.

His expression already looked indifferent.

If his home had been closer, he might have just turned around and left.

But it only took about ten minutes for Togashi to change his mind.

Clack-clack. Clack-clack-clack.

Just like with Miyamoto-san, Togashi was deeply engrossed in the game.

Around that time, Jo Soo-deok quietly approached me.

"Boss, I saw earlier that he turned down offers to serialize in 'Weekly Manga.'"

He said in a low voice, only loud enough for the two of us to hear, in Korean.

"He may enjoy playing the game, but I wonder if he'll actually help with the work…"

But it seemed like he realized he shouldn't have voiced his doubts.

"No, no. I mean, how could I have doubts? I have absolute trust in everything you do, Boss. Hahaha."

"Is that what you came over here quietly to say?"

"It's just that his resolve is so firm… ahem."

Heh.

I understand Jo Soo-deok's concerns, but.

'I already have a plan.'

Instead of responding, I simply smiled softly.