With the project greenlit, the remaining time was dedicated to a tense development period.
Thanks to the massive success of the previous game, Onmyoji, Aoki Haruhi granted the employees five days of paid leave, allowing them to rest and recharge before returning to work.
Although the company's situation had improved somewhat, the next two battles would not be easy.
July 4, 1990.
Pokeni Corporation held a small Onmyōji player forum, with 100 seats available.
Aoki Haruhi had requested the forum. His primary goals were to strengthen the bond with players and, more importantly, to understand their perspectives on the game.
Guo Weiwei, the lead planner for China's Sword Net III in his previous life, had often used similar formats to engage with players.
The benefits of such an approach were threefold:
First, it demonstrated the development team's respect for its players.
Second, it showcased the team's approachability.
Third, it helped build Guo Weiwei's personal brand, much like how Japanese producers cultivate their own images.
In China, many games are more famous than their creators. Only titles like Chinese Paladin and Sword Net III make a concerted effort to market the personal value of their developers.
Aoki Haruhi wasn't primarily focused on personal branding. At the very least, striking while the iron was hot and promoting Pokeni's corporate image seemed necessary.
Moreover, he had invited Tsuda Nao, President of DUN, with a specific purpose: to prove to her that the unprecedented success of Onmyōji wasn't due to its galgame elements, but rather its exceptionally well-crafted RPG narrative.
"Do I really need you to prove this to me?" Tsuda Nao rolled her eyes.
"Of course," Aoki Haruhi said smugly. "What I want to tell President Tsuda is that while love is indeed a human instinct, we have many pursuits far greater than love."
For example, the themes of Onmyoji—sacrifice and world-saving—are far nobler than mere lust.
"Alright, alright, you're right about everything."
Tsuda Nao smiled dismissively.
Unlike formal meetings and social events, Tsuda and Aoki Haruhi dressed casually.
Casual, but not sloppy—they were simply wearing everyday clothes.
Aoki Haruhi wore a black t-shirt and jeans, his well-defined arm muscles showing, adding to his masculine charm.
Tsuda, on the other hand, wore a ruffled, breezy shirt over black silk trousers and low-heeled sandals, revealing her fair, slender arms and ankles, which gave her an air of intellectual elegance.
The panel hadn't started yet, but the players in attendance were already buzzing with excitement, having gathered in the hall well in advance.
Many were even engaged in heated discussions about Onmyoji.
When Aoki Haruhi and Tsuda Nao arrived, the atmosphere was electric.
Before revealing their identities, he pulled Tsuda Nao to sit among the players, pretending to be one of them, to eavesdrop on their conversations.
"This is my first time attending a game panel."
"Right? No company has ever hosted one like this before. Or maybe I just wasn't paying attention."
"Exactly. But Onmyoji is really important to players like me today."
The group exchanged knowing smiles, as if they had all recognized each other as kindred spirits.
"I'm a galgame player, but I've never played a game that moved me so deeply."
"Me neither."
"I'd regret it forever if I hadn't come to the Pokeni panel today."
"Yeah, I get it. This game is just too special. Once you've played it, you can never forget it."
"Exactly! The heroines are truly the epitome of beauty, and the ending... it was so touching. This isn't just a galgame anymore, is it?"
Hearing this, Aoki Haruhi raised an eyebrow at Tsuda Nao. Well?
Tsuda smiled, winked, and nodded slightly. You're absolutely right.
"But the romance parts were also incredible. It's the first time I've played such a heart-stirring galgame."
"Huh? Me too."
The group covered their mouths and laughed.
"I thought Oniyakihime was already enough to melt my heart, but then I met Yuuki Rei, Kurai Tsuki, and Kazekage Luo... These girls are just the ideal."
"I'll forever love Ling."
"Me too."
"That scene of Ling bathing in the lake... it was breathtaking."
The players excitedly began discussing the game.
Tsuda Nao turned her head and raised an eyebrow at Aoki Haruhi. How about it?
Aoki Haruhi shrugged noncommittally.
It's just a gimmick, or rather, a selling point.
"Even without the girl-chasing aspect, this game is still brilliant, right?" he interjected. "In Onmyoji, the main combat, the life-and-death struggles—aren't those more important than chasing girls?"
Everyone turned to look at this latecomer.
He's a player, but his looks and style are a far cry from the usual otaku.
With such good looks, he should have plenty of girlfriends in real life.
Why is he playing galgames like us?
Still...
A middle-aged married man nodded in understanding.
Even after marriage, men still need their hobbies and personal space. Occasionally playing a lewd game for a quick release isn't a bad choice.
"Well, that's true, but without the galgame part, it feels like something's missing."
"Yeah, I can't even imagine Onmyoji without the galgame element. Maybe it's just my preconceived notions?"
"True, true. But if Onmyōji hadn't been an R-rated galgame, I might not have bought it at all."
Hearing this, Tsuda Nao beside him was already laughing so hard she could barely stand up.
"Or maybe it's because Pokeni was done so well, integrated so naturally, it felt like the galgame itself was just a part of the game," Aoki Haruhi said with a smile.
Ew!
A look of contempt shot from Tsuda Nao beside him.
This is clearly a leading question. And who has the nerve to praise their own work so shamelessly without even blushing?
"But anyway, I came to this panel today not just because I love Onmyōji, but more importantly to find out who the game's producer actually is."
"Right, right, me too."
"He's supposedly named Kogahara Tsubakiaki, right?"
"Yeah, that old bastard Kogahara. After playing the game, I really wanted to strangle him."
"Hahaha, me too."
"When Ling died, I was completely stunned. I felt like I wanted to kill someone right then and there."
"I wanted to grab Kogahara Tsubakiaki by the neck and ask him, 'Why did you do this?!'"
"Exactly! That old bastard Kogahara... the revenge for his wife's death will never be forgotten!"
Aoki Haruhi's butt tightened involuntarily.
Beside him, Tsuda Nao covered her mouth, nearly doubled over with laughter.
"Oh no, I can't take it anymore! My stomach hurts so much," Tsuda Nao said, waving her hand.
Looking at the nameplate prepared for him in the center of the hall, bearing the large characters "Kogahara Tsubakiaki," Aoki Haruhi silently cursed his luck!
He quickly stood up and hurried over to Ayase Akane, who was busy setting up the venue.
"Akane-chan, quickly change the "Kogahara Tsubakiaki" nameplate in the center to "Aoki Haruhi," he whispered in her ear.
"Huh?" Ayase Akane blinked in surprise, apparently not expecting the President to have the courage to face the players directly.
She had always assumed he would hide behind the "Kogahara Tsubakiaki" persona forever.
"Right away, Mr. President!" Ayase Akane said with a smile and a slight bow.
"But Mr. President, please hire a secretary soon. I'm technically HR, so why am I always doing secretary work?"
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