CH34

Owning Shigeru's characters.

The remarkable part is that Shigeru wouldn't lose anything from this deal.

The reason is simple.

'They're characters he created while working for the company.'

Even though Shigeru created them, the ownership belongs to Nintendo.

So, I wouldn't be taking anything away from Shigeru personally.

What I'm actually acquiring is Nintendo's assets!

'It'd be better for you to hand them over to me as well.'

After all, I'm a long-time fan of Shigeru. I'd treat his creations with respect and make sure to give him a generous bonus every quarter… ahem.

'Financial incentives work wonders.'

While I was lost in my thoughts,

"…"

Shigeru still wore a dazed expression.

He seemed to be still processing the words I'd said earlier:

"I'm only interested in investing in Miyamoto Shigeru."

Was that really so touching?

"Excuse me?"

"…"

"Shigeru-san?"

It was only then that his eyes started to refocus. He hurriedly turned to face me.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm just finding it hard to believe this is really happening…"

"It's okay."

"Um, Mr. CEO, how should we decide the profit-sharing ratio?"

"As I mentioned before, 50-50. But only if I get ownership of your characters."

"Are you sure you won't regret proceeding like this?"

"That's actually what I want to ask you."

"Huh?"

"They're your creations. Are you sure you won't regret someone else owning the rights to them?"

"To be honest…"

"…?"

"What you said… it still doesn't feel real to me. Right now, my top priority is just selling these boards…"

I understand.

When the challenges in front of you are so overwhelming, it's hard to think about the distant future.

"Got it. It's difficult to worry about that right now. But I want to make a promise."

"A promise?"

"That I'll treat your characters with care, and that I'll make sure to share the profits we make from them with you. It's the least I can do, right?"

"It still doesn't feel real, but… I'm grateful just hearing you say that…"

"It's not just words. We'll put it in the contract."

"Pardon?"

"That way, you can focus solely on creating."

Gulp.

His Adam's apple bobbed again.

"Someday, you'll thank me for this."

When I extended my hand,

Clasp.

Shigeru reacted with overwhelming enthusiasm.

Thirty minutes later.

After finishing his call with the head office, Shigeru looked incredibly happy.

"They approved it!"

"That's great news."

Shigeru was more excited than I was.

"They kept asking why you wanted my characters. I didn't really know how to answer, so I just scratched my head."

I chuckled.

"They only showed interest in me for a moment… after that, they kept asking about the investment amount. When I mentioned that it would be between five hundred thousand and one million dollars, they told me to draft the contract right away, before you changed your mind."

They really must be in dire need of money.

"Now that we've got the approval, should we go ahead and draft the contract as they requested?"

"Ah, well…"

"…?"

"They said they've never dealt with such an unusual contract before and don't really have a sample to reference."

"Why do they need a reference? Just write down the profit-sharing ratio and add the special conditions, and that's it."

"But… they tend to get flustered when there's no manual to follow…"

Well, the Japanese do love their manuals.

"How about this? I'll draft the contract, and you can have the head office's legal team review it."

"There's no legal team yet…"

"Then what about a consulting lawyer?"

Shigeru scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

"Alright. I'll draft the contract, and you can have it reviewed by an American lawyer. How does that sound?"

"That would be the best option."

A task that would take Jo Soo-deok five minutes to handle… yet in Japan, it seems like they go through several layers of procedures.

That afternoon, I found myself missing Jo Soo-deok's efficiency.

***

At the same time, in a research lab at Boston University.

Interviews for the appraisal team were being conducted one-on-one.

Martin would ask questions, and the student across from him would answer.

Of course, Jo Soo-deok was present as well.

Not as an interviewer, but to keep Martin in check.

However, Jo Soo-deok found there was little need to intervene.

Martin was conducting the interviews with his own clear criteria.

After a brief conversation with each candidate, he would give them a single math problem.

According to Martin, it was the most difficult problem.

He claimed he didn't solve it until he was in high school.

One after another, the top candidates were eliminated.

"Do you think anyone will pass at this rate?"

Jo Soo-deok asked, and Martin replied with a small smile.

"They don't have to solve it."

"…?"

"I'm watching their attitude."

"Their attitude?"

"There are problems that take your breath away just by looking at them. That's when a person's true character is revealed."

"Interesting."

"Some people smile when they encounter a difficult problem. Even when they keep hitting roadblocks, they find it fun and keep trying. Those people don't give up easily."

"I noticed some candidates asking for the answer. What about them?"

"Those are a no-go. We're hiring people to work on the process, but they're fixated on the answer. They've already failed from the start."

"So that Harvard student is out?"

"Of course."

"That's too bad. He seemed like a friendly, approachable guy."

Even as he said this, Jo Soo-deok didn't push his preferences.

It showed his trust in Martin's criteria.

After a while, all the candidates had been evaluated.

Naturally, no one had solved the problem.

"So how many did you select based on their attitude?"

"The interviews aren't over yet."

"What?"

Jo Soo-deok quickly scanned the documents, wondering if someone had been left out.

But after checking several times, the results didn't change.

"Do you mean you're still scoring them?"

"No. I mean the interviews aren't over yet."

"…?"

"Remember, I told you I'm observing their attitude."

"Are you saying you're watching how they behave after the interview as well?"

Martin nodded again.

"Ha!"

"Right now, there should still be a few candidates in the hallway, solving the problem just for fun."

At those words, Jo Soo-deok quickly opened the lab door.

Sure enough, three nerdy-looking students were happily scribbling away.

All of them had cheerful expressions.

Bang.

Jo Soo-deok closed the door and asked Martin,

"So we should hire those students?"

"Yes, please."

***

That night.

Back at the hotel, I met with Jo Soo-deok.

"You conducted interviews?"

"Yes. I just observed, and Martin led the interviews."

"You seem satisfied."

"He has a clear perspective. There was no need for me to intervene."

"If you're saying that, I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out."

"Oh, have I earned that much trust already?"

"You knew that, didn't you?"

"It's nice to hear praise every time."

"Ha ha."

After I let out a small laugh,

"Now that the team is assembled, it's time to return to Korea."

"I'll make the preparations."

"But before that…"

"…?"

"There are some pieces of equipment we'll need for the appraisal. Since we're already in the U.S., I'd like to purchase everything we need here."

"Oh, I've already looked into that."

You've done that without me even asking?

"I asked Martin to prepare a list of the equipment. I recognized the items on the list, so I checked with Seoul National University. Fortunately, they have everything we need."

"So instead of buying, we'll just borrow?"

"Yes. If it's for appraising a Da Vinci, I'm sure Seoul National University will be happy to help."

"And if they refuse?"

"Well, I am a professor there."

That's true.

"Looks like the appraisal work is nearly wrapped up."

"I'll make sure everything is handled perfectly until the end."

Is there anyone who can give me peace of mind like Jo Soo-deok?

Oh, since we're on the topic, there's one more thing.

"Professor, I'd like to establish a business entity here in the U.S."

"A business entity?"

I briefly explained what had happened with Shigeru today.

"So, you're creating a company to manage intellectual property rights?"

"Yes."

Jo Soo-deok didn't ask whether it would be profitable.

It wasn't in his nature to question things, and considering the money I'd already made… there was no need for doubt.

"You plan to use that entity to manage the revenue from Nintendo in North America?"

"Setting up the company won't be difficult, but you'll need an office."

"Let's buy one."

"As expected, you don't hesitate."

I grinned.

"What about staffing?"

"I'm thinking of hiring someone."

"…?"

"There's a guy working in a dusty warehouse. I figured it might be better for him to work in a proper office."

"A friend who has your favor… I'm suddenly jealous…"

Heh heh heh.

After I laughed again,

"Then I'll start by arranging the building contract, and we can set up the company afterward."

"Sounds good."

"Should I look for a place in Boston?"

"If I'm spending money anyway… I'd prefer somewhere with rising property values."

"Then New York would be ideal."

New York, huh.

Sure, property values there will skyrocket.

But New York is already ridiculously expensive.

"Let's go with San Francisco."

"West Coast?"

"Yes. Specifically, Santa Clara, near Stanford University, would be nice."

Why not New York?

A brief question flashed in Jo Soo-deok's eyes, but he didn't ask.

If he had asked, I would have given a short answer.

Apple, Google, Microsoft, Intel, AMD, Nvidia, and so on.

All these companies were born there, in Silicon Valley.

But there was no need to say any of that out loud.

"Just find a suitable property."

"It's your building, so 'suitable' won't do. I'll get experts to find the best one."

"You never do anything halfway."

"I'll take that as another compliment!"

Heh heh heh.

Anyway, the appraisal work is nearly done, and the contract with Shigeru is being finalized.

It's finally time to return to Korea.

"How long has it been?"

But for some reason,

When I thought about going back, the first thing that came to mind was Song Soo-hee's soybean paste stew.

Ahem.

"I must be hungry…"

I could only rub my stomach in embarrassment.