Chaebol

TL/n - 

Faith Publishing => Shueisha

Suzuki Yoshihiro => Yoshihiro Togashi

I'm going with the real names for better immersion but if you want to go with the previous names then let me know.

***

A hotel in Kyoto.

I booked a hotel close to Nintendo's headquarters.

The room had two beds, enough for my brother and me.

'I would have liked to do more market research…'

But I had to hurry back to take Jo Soo-deok's call.

Considering how confidently he had assured me he would find him quickly.

'Can I really have hope?'

I still had some time, so I decided to take a shower before heading out.

But then.

Ring, ring!

Surprisingly, the phone next to the bed started ringing loudly.

Could it be… already?

As I quickly picked up the receiver, I heard a familiar voice on the other end.

(Boss, I did find him, but…)

If things had gone well, his usual playful arrogance would've come through immediately.

"What's wrong? What's the issue?"

(When I asked the publisher, they confirmed that a student named Togashi had occasionally worked as a background artist. They said the last time he worked was about six months ago.)

"And then?"

(I asked for his phone number so I could contact him, but they responded quite strongly.)

"…?"

(They said they couldn't give out personal information without the person's consent. So I explained that I was a reputable person, a professor working in Korea and that our boss was involved in big business in the United States…)

"But they still refused?"

(Yes. Then I suggested that they call him to explain the situation and ask for permission, but… the publisher said he's hard to reach. Apparently, he disconnects his phone line except when he needs money…)

Yoshihiro Togashi.

Known for his back-to-back hits 'YuYu Hakusho' and 'Hunter × Hunter,' he is a famous lazy genius.

He was so notorious that there would later be a meme: "Work, Togashi."

If his work wasn't entertaining, I would have simply ignored him, expecting him to be weeded out.

But after reading the 'Ant' arc in 'Hunter x Hunter,' I had to admit he was a genius and raised my hands in surrender.

So, what choice do I have?

Even if he's lazy… I'll just have to find a way to work with him.

Anyway.

'Disconnecting his phone line because he doesn't want to work?'

That's so like Togashi.

I smiled slightly at the thought.

"So, what happened then?"

(They tried calling him in front of me, but as expected, he didn't answer. So, there wasn't much more I could do.)

"Are you in Tokyo right now?"

(Yes. I'm near Shueisha Publishing's office.)

"I'll come early tomorrow morning. Let's meet there."

(I can come to you, Boss…)

"I have business in Tokyo."

(…Pardon?)

'Weekly Manga,' published by Shueisha Publishing, primarily targets young men.

Our game will target the same demographic.

'There's no better medium for targeted advertising than 'Weekly Manga.''

Having made up my mind, I told Jo Soo-deok.

"I'll arrive at 8 a.m. Is that okay?"

(Then I'll have a lot of free time today…)

"Well, you might as well do some of that sightseeing you dislike so much."

(Sightseeing…?)

"Come on, how can life always be filled with good things?"

(Ah, true. Life… It's about dealing with unpleasant things, too, I suppose?)

"Enjoy some good food with the company card."

(I've been having trouble with my digestion…)

"You can have it with some good liquor."

(Oh, there's that option…)

The brief conversation ended on that note.

Hmm.

It seems that thanks to Togashi, I'll be visiting ShueishaPublishing after all.

Who would have thought I'd be using 'Weekly Manga,' a staple of my childhood, for business purposes?

'Sounds like fun.'

Seeing my reflection in the window, I gave a small smirk.

***

Meanwhile, in Tokyo.

Togashi was on a date, looking uninterested.

His girlfriend, Naoko, was sensitive to the expression on Togashi's face.

"What's wrong this time?"

"Nothing."

"You were an hour late because you were playing games. What do you have to be upset about?"

"I said it's nothing."

"We only see each other once a week. Can't you at least focus on me for today?"

"I am focusing."

Despite what he said.

"...."

Togashi's mind was still occupied with the game he hadn't finished.

If only he had delayed their date by two hours… he could have seen the ending.

But how could he possibly explain this to his girlfriend?

Click.

Togashi clicked his tongue regretfully.

"Why haven't you been drawing lately?"

"There are no games I want to buy."

"Really? You call yourself an aspiring manga artist, but you only draw when you need something?"

His real dream was to be a game critic.

But since that kind of job didn't exist yet, and he couldn't aspire to a non-existent profession, he settled for talking about being a 'manga artist,' which he had some talent for.

"Sigh, if you're not going to draw, at least listen to the story I've come up with."

Togashi tilted his head in curiosity at her words.

"Aren't you in pharmacy school? Why are you trying to write manga?"

"So what? Pharmacists can't draw?"

"It's not that…"

You think you can become a manga artist with your skills…

Swallowing the words that reached his throat, Togashi waited for Naoko to continue.

"I'm entering it into a contest. It's a story about girls banding together to defeat villains."

A lengthy explanation followed.

Togashi almost yawned right in front of his girlfriend.

He managed to stifle the yawn, but his expression clearly showed his boredom.

"What? What's wrong now?"

"It's just that the story feels too ordinary."

"Stories about defeating villains are all more or less the same, aren't they?"

Naoko turned her head sharply, looking annoyed.

What choice did he have?

He was a lousy boyfriend who was late for their date, so it was up to him to make amends.

"Still, with a few tweaks, it could be worthwhile."

"...."

"The main character would be better off as a student rather than an adult, and ideally, they should be wearing a sailor uniform."

"What? They should fight villains in skirts?"

"In the name of justice, I won't forgive you! Girls who borrow the power of the moon to fight! If you expand the setting to the solar system, there's Mars, Jupiter, Venus…"

"Stop it. That's boring."

Boring?

'It's way better than the story you just told me.'

After that, the two walked through the park without much conversation.

To others, it might look like a normal stroll, but for Togashi, it was more like a kind of battle.

Dizzy.

Maybe it was because he hadn't seen the sun in a while.

His head was spinning.

The new semester was starting soon, but he couldn't skip their once-a-week date…

'Maybe I should drop out to conserve my energy.'

Groan.

In any case.

Unable to endure his dizziness, Togashi grabbed his girlfriend's shoulder.

"Let's go inside somewhere."

"What? Another headache?"

"I'm too exhausted. I need to take a break."

Usually, when a guy suggests taking a break, it's just an excuse to mess around.

"Want to go to a motel?"

"No, a nearby arcade… hurry…"

"Do you even see me as a woman?"

'What a hurtful thing to say! I love you, that's why I left my game unfinished to come out…!'

There were many things he wanted to say.

Hurrying away.

Togashi quickly walked away from the sunlight.

***

Later that night.

My brother didn't return to the hotel until after 11 p.m.

I'd heard that Mr. Shigeru would bring him back personally.

But I didn't expect it to be this late.

Shuffle, shuffle.

My brother, looking completely exhausted, collapsed onto the bed.

I thought he'd fall asleep like that, but.

Groan.

He slowly sat up and spoke.

"Ji-hoon."

Why was he using that tone of voice?

He continued cautiously.

"I think I understand a bit of how you feel."

"…?"

"No, it's just…"

He seemed to contemplate whether to lie back down or not, then turned to face me again.

"The pressure of meeting the target sometimes feels overwhelming, but then the joy of doing my own thing completely takes over. It's like constantly moving between hot and cold baths."

"You'll catch a cold like that."

My comment made him chuckle.

"You've been living like this for years."

"..."

"Even though I'm the older brother… I really respect that about you, honestly."

My brother was only sixteen.

I'd lived more than twice as long as that.

'But it still feels nice.'

Seeing my much younger brother grow up so quickly… It's more enjoyable than I thought…

Contrary to my feelings, my brother seemed to think he had brought down the mood.

Maybe that's why.

He quickly changed the subject.

"Working with a master is truly enjoyable."

"Mr. Shigeru?"

"Yeah. He teaches with such detail."

That's why I gave him shares… ahem.

"As long as we're in Kyoto, he said I could come by every day. He's willing to pass on his know-how about game planning…"

A little while ago, he was exhausted.

But now his face was glowing with excitement!

Grin.

He must be loving this.

"We came up with a lot of new settings today. When I think about it as a card game, ideas just start flowing. Want to take a look?"

"Sure."

He quickly pulled out a university notebook from the suitcase.

Judging by the large 'Kyoto' printed on the first page, it seemed newly purchased.

"Where did I put it… Just a second."

He flipped through the notebook eagerly.

Wait, what is this?

How could the notebook be so full already?

He must've filled out at least 30 pages.

Noticing my expression, my brother spoke shyly.

"Most of it is notes from Mr. Shigeru's lectures."

"Can I take a look?"

"Of course."

On the first page, the very first sentence reads.

My brother had highlighted the following sentence in red.

This meant that even at the game conception stage, one shouldn't limit their creativity by thinking, 'This can't be implemented technologically.'

'That's very like Mr. Shigeru.'

The notebook continued with numerous pieces of advice.

Not just helpful for game planners, but useful insights for writers as well.

'It's a good thing we came to Kyoto.'

I may be heading to Tokyo to find Togashi, but my brother is better off staying here to learn.

It might be a good idea for him to stay until the day before school starts…

Anyway!

The following pages were filled with new settings.

Maybe because the game's framework had been set.

All the newly created settings were highly detailed.

I had been reading the notebook for about five minutes when.

"If this game really does hit 100 billion won in sales…"

My brother's sudden comment made me look up as he continued.

"If that happens… I plan to talk to Grandfather."

"About what?"

"I'll ask him to let me take a leading role in Hyungang as a member of our family."

Which meant.

"As the eldest son of Hyungang, I'm ready to fulfill my responsibilities."

"…!"

"I won't let you shoulder all the burden alone, Ji-hoon."

Yes, brother!

That's it!

I almost hugged him right then and there.

He may be young, but he's still my big brother.

'Now all that's left is to drive up sales.'

Grin.

I felt as if I was taking confident steps toward a rosy future.

TL/n -

My favorite arc of Hunter x Hunter is also the Chimera Ant Arc.

What about you?