Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 015
Chapter Title: Tokyo Game Show (1)
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Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
After the CBT wrapped up, while the team handled feedback, I took care of external affairs, and before we knew it, several months had passed.
The date had now reached mid-May, when spring was in full bloom.
With all the overseas trips keeping me out of the office, the faces of the team members gathered in the conference room felt a bit unfamiliar.
"How's everyone been?"
"Dealing with the folks in Japan has been insanely hectic..."
"I nearly got buried under work and died... what do you mean 'fine'?"
Yumi and Chaeyoung looked like they were on their last legs.
Especially Yumi, who was always so upbeat—this contrast made it hit even harder.
Clap!
I clapped my hands.
"Anyway, I've got some news to share today, so listen up!"
All eyes turned to me.
"First, the good news: a few things, and some bad news. Starting with the good—the game's launch date is officially set."
The unannounced bombshell sent a murmur through the conference room.
"Launch is exactly four months from now, September 27th at 10 a.m. Any questions?"
Yerin, sitting up front, raised her hand first.
"Senior, isn't September too late for launch? By late September, summer peak season is already over."
I shook my head at her question.
"Doesn't matter. Mobile games don't have a peak season like PC titles do."
As Yerin nodded at my explanation, I continued.
"And there's another reason for that date. This."
With that, I hit the remote, firing up the beam projector.
A screen appeared on the wall: materials for the Tokyo Game Show.
A yellow poster background featuring an AI girl stylized like the game.
At the bottom: "Tokyo Game Show 2011."
Another bombshell dropped, and the room fell silent again.
Tokyo Game Show.
One of the world's top three gaming expos, hosted by the Japanese Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association—Japan's biggest game show.
As one of the big three worldwide, all the major game devs were either confirmed or clamoring to attend.
Normally, we'd never get in, but we got lucky.
A PC dev team that was slated for early this year had their new project canned, and the slot rolled over to us.
Of course, the boss just called it good luck...
But it was fortune on the level where passing it up would've disqualified me as director, so we took it gratefully.
Though it did make the PC team leads glare even hotter.
Eh, they've hated our team forever anyway.
"Everyone here knows what Tokyo Game Show is, right? Anyone who doesn't?"
Thankfully, my worry was unfounded—no hands went up.
"We'll probably get our own Enson GT booth. Meaning the company's expectations are sky-high."
As I finished, Chaeyoung Senior raised her hand, looking curious.
"Who's going for the event? Like last overseas trip, just a few of us?"
"Everyone's going—no exceptions."
"For real?"
I nodded at Chaeyoung Senior's skeptical look.
"We couldn't leave anyone out even if we wanted to, considering the booth size we got. Even with all of us, it'll be nonstop chaos."
"That big?"
"Word is, the booth's about the size of two conference rooms."
"Whoa..."
"Any more questions?"
This time, Seol raised her hand.
"Um... for this event, how much of the game are we revealing...?"
"Everything except major main content like boss raids. Launch is only a week after anyway."
Seol nodded, seemingly satisfied, and lowered her hand.
"So, good news summary: game launch and Tokyo Game Show booth. Bad news... we need someone to cosplay."
The team looked shocked at my words.
Yerin, listening from the front, asked,
"Do we have to do cosplay?"
"Honestly, I wondered the same, but SFLAG's really pushing for it."
Thinking about it, their stance made sense.
Even with great PV and CBT buzz, it was months-old news.
Publishing a risky new genre—they wanted to play it as safe as possible.
"Of course, I'd love to have me or Myunghoon Brother do it... but the ones suggesting it aren't hoping for that."
Real talk: who'd want to play a game while seeing hairy-legged dudes in cosplay?
Common sense.
"So, anyone up for cosplay?"
Every gaze in the room locked on one person.
Including mine.
Yerin's lips twitched.
"...What? Why's everyone staring at me...?"
Why?
Yumi voiced what everyone was thinking.
"...Because Senior Yerin is the prettiest by far~?"
I followed up.
"Plus, you're the most recognized by gamers out of all of us."
"Th-that's not...!"
Yerin's face went pale as a ghost.
'At this rate, no need for contour makeup.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I won't bother detailing the process of arriving in Japan and setting up the booth.
No one wants that.
On the first morning of Tokyo Game Show, we got up early at the hotel, got ready, and headed to Makuhari Messe in Chiba.
After decorating and final checks the day before, everyone was half-asleep.
"Ugh... so sleepy..."
Chaeyoung Senior, already a heavy sleeper, looked extra wrecked.
"Come on, just three days—hang in there. Boss gave us the company card for a feast after."
As the team cheered at the company card mention, I surveyed Makuhari Messe Stadium where the show was held.
It's huge.
From memory, total attendance this year was around 200,000.
We had to imprint Girls Memorial on 200,000 visitors.
No room for slip-ups from sloppy prep.
With that mindset, I looked at the booth we'd slaved over yesterday.
1:1 scale figures of mascot Operator and the three main girls.
Above them, a massive sign in blue-and-white: "Girls Memorial."
Inside the booth, neatly arranged demo smartphones.
As we finished demo checks and set up official merch with the team,
"...Never imagined I'd be wearing a school uniform again at my age."
I turned at the voice and saw Yerin, fully cosplayed.
Black bob cut brushing her neck, with extensions.
Lifelike ivory demon horns on her head.
Color lenses for red slit pupils.
And a tight Korean H-beam skirt uniform.
Perfect cosplay, but Yerin was beet-red, clutching her skirt hem and glaring daggers at me.
"Loosen up your face... Karin's not that vicious."
"What's wrong with my face?"
"If glares had physical force, I'd be dead."
"Want me to make that real?"
"Please spare me."
Yerin trembled with her skirt-gripping hands, then sighed and relaxed her expression.
"If only it was a sailor uniform character..."
"It suits you great."
"What did I do wrong to suffer this humiliation in a high school uniform at my age...?"
Yerin looked pitiful as she said it.
She seemed so forlorn, I had to comfort her.
"Yerin."
"...Yeah?"
"Sorry for forcing the cosplay. If it's really too much, change out—no big deal."
"...What about the schedule?"
"It's not contractual, so whatever. Worst case, I take the heat."
Comforted, Yerin looked at me glumly, then sighed.
"Fine... water under the bridge. I'll tough it out this once."
"Good call. Once the booth opens, official booth babes take over, so you just stand there and greet lightly."
At "official booth babes," Yerin's face twisted in injustice.
"...Didn't you say there were no official booth babes? Why use me if there are?"
"A random cosplayer vs. the game's director in cosplay? Gamers see a world of difference."
"I kinda get it... but not really."
"So, bear with it just this time. Whatever you wish after the show, I'll grant it. Makeup's running—smile."
"You better keep that promise."