Meeting with Itori

Shin was well aware of the challenges currently faced by Tora-Suzuki. The sluggish progress in the video game development of their TSX Fusion, in contrast to the swift pace of KS1's development, made achieving parity with, let alone surpassing, KS1 seem like a distant dream.

With Tora-Suzuki likely unable to release more video games for TSX Fusion due to slow development, it risks losing appeal to gamers. The increasing completion of KS1 video games by entertainment companies further diminishes TSX Fusion's competitiveness.

KiShin is actively developing games for KS1, some already in the testing phase. The limited game library of TSX Fusion may lead to its failure within months, a scenario Shin wishes to avoid for the sake of industry competition.

Shin recognizes the importance of a thriving gaming industry with multiple competitors. Despite KiShin's progress, it alone can't accelerate the industry's growth. A lack of competition not only hinders progress but also narrows market choices, contrary to the consumer desire for options and comparisons.

Determined to prevent Tora-Suzuki's failure, Shin, during a meeting with his secretary Hana in his office, made a request.

"Hana, could you assist me with something?" Shin asked with a smile.

"Of course, Chairman. I'm here to help in any way I can," Hana responded, smiling charmingly.

Shin continued, "Could you arrange a meeting with your CEO, Itori Tanaka? I'd like to have a conversation with him." He said this with a grin.

Hana, initially prepared to agree, felt a sudden chill upon grasping her boss's words. She shook her head and stammered, "Wha-What do you mean, Chairman?"

Shin, maintaining his playful demeanor, clarified, "I want you to contact Mr. Tanaka to arrange a meeting."

Nervously, Hana felt sweat on her forehead but attempted to remain calm, saying, "Um... I don't quite understand, Chairman."

"You don't?" Shin asked, feigning confusion with furrowed brows, enjoying the playful teasing of his naive secretary.

"No, who is Itori Tanaka? I genuinely don't know," Hana shook her head and said, though she couldn't shake the uneasy thought, 'Could the chairman have discovered? No! I've been so cautious! Perhaps he's just trying to deceive me, testing me with his words to confirm if I'm a spy?'

Shin coughed and calmly remarked, "Cough... You truly have no idea, huh." He then retrieved something from his wallet—a photo—and handed it to her.

"What's this?" Hana took the picture, and upon closer inspection, she covered her mouth in shock.

The photo depicted her wearing a cap and glasses, discreetly handing a picture to a shady-looking man. Trembling slightly with fear, Hana nodded and resolved to comply with Shin's request.

---

In a specific restaurant in Tokyo's Minato ward, Itori Tanaka occupied a private room. His male secretary stood just outside the room's door.

Sipping wine, Itori Tanaka pondered, 'So Shinro Suzuki knew all along that Hana, his secretary, was a spy?'

'Why would he want to meet me? What's his purpose?'

Lost in thought, his secretary entered the room and whispered in his ear, "Mr. Suzuki is already on his way here."

Upon hearing this, Itori Tanaka nodded and promptly adjusted his attire and hair.

Hana recognized the moment—she had given the shady man a photo of Shin playing video games on the PC. 'What should I do? Has my cover been blown?' Fear crept in.

Smiling at Hana's terrified expression, resembling a startled rabbit, Shin shook his head and patted her head, saying, "Don't be so nervous... I just wanted you to contact CEO Itori Tanaka for me."

Looking up at Shin nervously, Hana pleaded, "Please don't turn me in! I don't want to go to jail!"

Amused, Shin chuckled and reassured her, "I won't, alright? Just contact Mr. Tanaka... I want to have a meeting with him."

After a while, Shinro Suzuki entered the room.

Itori Tanaka promptly stood up and greeted, saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Suzuki."

Shin nodded and accepted Itori Tanaka's handshake. Finally, they took their seats, and Itori Tanaka inquired, "Mr. Suzuki, your secretary wanted to meet me, so when I heard that, I immediately prepared to meet you." He tactfully avoided mentioning the secretary's alleged espionage.

Shin replied with a knowing smile, "I suppose my secretary was the right person to contact you."

Observing Shinro Suzuki's face, Itori Tanaka shook his head and said, "Mr. Suzuki, do you want to meet me because of suspicions about your secretary's involvement with Tora? I can assure you, we have no connection with such a woman. If she is truly a spy, Tora is not involved."

Itori Tanaka sensed that Shinro Suzuki's purpose for the meeting was to address the espionage issue.

Smiling at Itori Tanaka's denial, Shin remarked, "I'm not concerned about that."

Itori Tanaka was surprised at this statement. "Then why did you want to meet me?" he asked.

"I wanted to meet you not because of that," Shin paused and added, "I wanted to discuss business with you."

"Business with me?" Itori Tanaka expressed surprise at the unexpected turn of the conversation.