"So, I was wondering if we could start work a day later."
Asking for time off on the first day of work would get you chewed out anywhere, right? Especially at the start of a project. But the shop manager helped me when I was in a bind, and I can't just walk away selfishly.
Torn and anxious, Sayoko Kawai was surprised to find a flicker of… anticipation rising within her. Will he punish me like before? Will I have to do a dogeza?
Her throat tightened, and she kept her head lowered, fingers clenching slightly on her fair knees. She avoided Fuyukawa Tetsu's gaze, looking every bit like a guilty schoolgirl—except this schoolgirl had a strikingly curvaceous figure.
Tetsu, unaware of her thoughts, only noticed the green numbers flashing above her head. What's this woman thinking? He didn't dwell on it. "Fine, but just one day."
+100.
+300.
Huh?
Tetsu blinked at the shifting text—red, then green. Disappointment, then joy? He could understand her being happy about his leniency, but what was the disappointment about? It didn't make sense, but it didn't matter much either. Her overall favorability was rising, so he was on the right track.
With business settled, Tetsu didn't leave right away. He ordered two more juices, and they chatted, mostly about Fate. Sayoko was clearly passionate about the project, her words flowing freely as she shared her ideas for artwork. Tetsu, drawing on memories from his previous life, offered pointers—like Saber's iconic ahoge, Gilgamesh's haughty demeanor, or Sakura's design.
Sayoko, ever the professional, pulled out her tablet and smart glasses from her bag. She adjusted the glasses with her index finger, looking like a reporter as she jotted down notes, occasionally glancing up to ask questions.
She cautiously probed about how Tetsu came up with the Fate script. He was ready for that. While he wasn't the original creator and couldn't know Kinoko Nasu's mindset when crafting Fate, he didn't have some lofty "I'm promoting a masterpiece from another world" attitude. As someone who loved games, movies, and music—and had worked in the gaming industry in his past life—Tetsu didn't treat the Fate dataset as just a product to copy and cash in on.
He was genuinely curious about how a work as soulful as Fate was created. If possible, he wanted to make something just as iconic someday. He'd meticulously studied the entire dataset—notes, drafts, meeting logs, everything labeled as "miscellaneous." While he couldn't fully recreate the original author's mindset, he had a deep desire to discuss Fate's core, its brilliance, its story. To his surprise, Sayoko shared that passion.
When discussing business, she was cautious and refined, but when it came to the plot and characters' fates, she relaxed completely. Her eyes sparkled with admiration, giving her a youthful charm that contrasted with her mature, curvaceous figure.
Sipping juice and sharing a fruit platter, they hit it off, their conversation flowing from business to story, from story to character designs, and then to the issue of rating.
Yes, the rating.
Fate was a global juggernaut, but in Japan, the original game carried a Z rating—essentially 18+. It included "mana transfer" scenes and domestic moments not found in the anime. Z-rated works couldn't be sold to anyone under 18, and violations came with hefty fines. They briefly discussed whether to tone down the gore, violence, or intimate scenes to aim for a C rating (15+), but the topic fizzled quickly. Neither Tetsu nor Sayoko wanted to compromise the game's integrity for market appeal.
As their conversation deepened, Tetsu noticed a new kind of smile on Sayoko's face—one that went beyond "subordinate to boss," beyond "needing a favor," beyond even attraction. It was genuine and warm.
But happy moments are fleeting. As the night outside grew darker, Sayoko's phone buzzed. She was mid-laugh, twirling her straw, when she glanced at the screen. Her expression shifted. "Seven forty-three?! I've got to get to my part-time job!"
She reached for her bag but froze halfway, realizing how rude it might seem to bolt in front of her boss. Meeting Tetsu's amused gaze, she settled back, head lowered, and asked softly, "Tetsu-kun, is it okay if I go?"
What an interesting woman.
Initially, Tetsu had seen their relationship as purely professional. Even when she showed hints of flirtation, his thoughts leaned toward desire or control. But now, looking at this woman who shared his passion and carried a touch of endearing obedience, he felt something shift. Grabbing his car keys, he smiled. "Go ahead. You seem in a rush—need a ride?"
+1000!
Sayoko's face lit up, her eyes brimming with something like fulfillment. But as she looked at Tetsu's youthful face, her bright gaze dimmed slightly, and the corner of her mouth—marked by that beauty mole—curved into a strained smile. "No need to trouble you, Tetsu-kun. The subway's quick enough."
"Alright then. Waiter, the bill."
The upscale wagyu restaurant wasn't cheap, and since Tetsu could convert expenses into points, he'd ordered generously. The bill came to over 30,000 yen, making Sayoko's eyes widen. That's half a month's rent! She thought, What a spendthrift!
She shot a playful eye-roll at Tetsu's straight-backed figure, pouting slightly, but no red numbers signaling a drop in favorability appeared above her head. Emotions, it seemed, didn't always follow logic.
Oblivious to her shift in mood, Tetsu paid and stepped outside, immediately hit by the vibrant energy of Akihabara at 8 p.m. Neon signs lit up the streets, cars and crowds bustling. Young women in maid outfits handed out flyers, street performers sang energetically, and people in mascot costumes playfully waved signs.
"This world doesn't have Genshin Impact," Tetsu mused, recalling the cosplayers and fan events from his old life. A pang of loneliness flickered in his eyes as he scanned the lively street.
He didn't notice Sayoko, trailing a few steps behind, pursing her lips. It wasn't just the atmosphere—it was the maids and "kami-machi" girls (those waiting for patrons to "feed" them) swarming the streets. Tetsu cut a striking figure: tall, handsome, and polished from years at NTsoft. Combined with a lingering air of detachment from this world, he stood out like a beacon. Maids practically shoved flyers into his chest, and bolder kami-machi girls trailed him, fishing for his contact info.
So annoying, Sayoko thought, her eyes narrowing. She quickened her pace to walk closer to him but hesitated when she saw the youthful, eager faces around them. Her steps slowed, a tremor of self-doubt running through her. Then Tetsu stopped, waiting for her to catch up.
"Want some bubble tea?" he asked, standing under the neon glow of a shop.
Sayoko's eyes trembled, her lips—marked by that beauty mole—faltering before curling into a shaky smile. "...Sure! Thanks, Tetsu-kun."
"No problem. What'll you have?"
"Boba milk tea, three-quarters sugar."
"...Suits you."
"!"