"If you invest, Haruno-san, will you be involved in the company's decision-making?"
"Oh? Is that what you're worried about?"
Haruno smiled and said,
"Relax. I'm already involved in running my family's business, so I know what lines shouldn't be crossed. Even though I've learned a bit about the gaming industry, I'm not as knowledgeable as you professionals. So I won't be interfering with the actual ga developnt. But if you ever need help later on with marketing or promotion, I can offer support. Thanks to my family's connections, I know quite a few people who can help."
Since that was the case, Ichin no longer had any objections.
"Alright. Then I agree to the investnt. Welco aboard, Haruno-san."
Haruno smiled brightly and shook the hand that Ichin extended toward her.
"Thank you. But I won't be joining alone."
"Hm?"
Seeing Haruno's cheerful expression, Ichin had a sudden realization.
"I see… This is for Yukino, isn't it?"
"Hehe~"
Haruno grinned smugly, resting her chin in her hands.
"Yukino once told the path she wants to take in the future. As her sister, I won't interfere too much—but I can at least give her a little help. By investing in your company, I'll take a smaller share and give a larger portion to Yukino. That way, in the future, she'll have so capital of her own to rely on."
Yukino and Haruno were very different.
While Haruno was more than willing to make full use of their family's resources to build her network and strength, Yukino preferred to rely entirely on herself, avoiding help from her family as much as possible.
Of course, that was just her own idealistic thinking. The Yukinoshita family might not be so powerful conglorate, but they certainly had the ans to support their children discreetly—so discreetly, in fact, that Yukino wouldn't even notice.
Ichin wasn't sure what exactly Yukino planned to do in the future, but whatever it was, it was likely going to be a tough road. After all, Haruno was already making preparations behind the scenes for her little sister's future.
"Can you tell what Yukino wants to do?"
"She wants to be a lawyer."
"Huh? A lawyer?"
Ichin was surprised, though not entirely shocked.
After all, the Service Club Yukino had started was all about helping others. If she wanted to continue pursuing that ideal after high school, becoming a lawyer was actually a very fitting path.
Yukino was extrely intelligent, and her communication skills were top-notch. Sharp-tongued and quick-witted, debate ca naturally to her. A legal career did seem like sothing she'd be well-suited for.
But a lawyer, huh…
That's not exactly an easy profession. Especially with Yukino's sense of justice and hatred for evil—she'd likely never take on a case defending a criminal suspect. On the contrary, she might even fan the flas and end up sending the accused to jail for a few extra years.
"Yukino has the right personality to be a lawyer, but at the sa ti, not the right one at all," Ichin muttered.
Haruno nodded in strong agreent.
"Exactly. I feel the sa way. But if she really pulls it off, it'd be sothing our family could be proud of. That's probably why, when my mom heard about Yukino's dream, she didn't try to stop her. She even said that if Yukino passes the bar exam in the future, she'll introduce her to a suitable law firm. But Yukino refused. She wants to find one on her own."
That was just like Yukino.
Ichin nodded thoughtfully and looked at Haruno.
"Alright, I get the situation. So, when do you want to sign the contract, Haruno-san? Since Yukino is also investing, the two of you should sign it together."
Haruno thought for a mont.
"Let's get it done this week. Is that okay? I'll be pretty busy next week."
"Sure. Thursday or Friday then. I'll have the legal team draft up the contract after I get to the office."
With their discussion wrapped up, Ichin said his goodbyes and returned to the studio, while Haruno headed back to her university to deal with her own work.
At the office, Ichin called Hazuki over to his private room.
"An investnt? You agreed to it?"
Seeing Ichin nod, Hazuki smiled.
"I thought you weren't going to let anyone invest."
"Why wouldn't I? As long as the timing is right, I'm open to others investing too. In fact, I've been thinking about giving so shares to you and the others for a while now."
"Huh? Shares?"
Hazuki was a bit surprised. She looked at Ichin and asked,
"Why, worried we'll get poached?"
"Of course! You've all been with since the very beginning, back when we first started the studio. As founding mbers and key contributors, I obviously want to make sure you all stay with us."
"Well, this is a nice surprise. Getting shares, huh…"
Ichin hadn't told Yagami Kō and the others yet, but Hazuki could already imagine how excited those girls would be once they found out.
If this had happened back at their old company, Eagle Jump, she probably wouldn't have cared even if the CEO had offered shares. The scale and revenue of the company had plateaued and didn't have much potential.
But now it was a different story.
The studio's two released gas had already sold over a million copies each. And the new project they were working on, Persona, was sothing all the developers had high hopes for. Everyone knew it was going to be a groundbreaking ga. There was no way it would flop.
Which ant the studio's shares were going to be very valuable in the future.
And the fact that Ichin was willing to give so of those shares to them—it was proof of how much he trusted them. That made Hazuki incredibly happy.
Looking at Ichin, Hazuki grinned and said,
"Too bad, though. Utaha beat to it. Otherwise, this big sister might've made a move on you."
Ichin raised his hands in mock defeat.
"Can't help it. Utaha just has better taste than you, Hazuki-san."
Hazuki rolled her eyes and turned to leave.
"Alright, I get it. I'll go prepare the two contracts now."
"And while you're at it, prepare a few more for the team's shares. No better ti than the present."
With her hand on the doorknob, Hazuki turned back and asked,
"Want to tell the others?"
"Sure, but wait until after work. As for Eriri and the others who are still in school, ask them whether they plan to officially join after graduation. If they have other plans, then they won't be eligible for shares."
"Got it."
Hazuki nodded and left the office.
She planned to invite the core team out for dinner after work and break the news to them there.
After all, the newer hires and the forr Lily mbers hadn't been with the team long enough. Ichin wasn't considering them for shares yet. Maybe soday, depending on their yearly contributions, he might give outstanding perforrs a bonus share package.
Leaning back in his chair, Ichin stretched, then turned on his computer, connected his tablet, and resud drawing a character he hadn't finished yet—
The Fire Keeper from Dark Souls III.
...
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