Chapter 4
A bright morning sun was refused entry into the company conference room by the heavy blinds. All the assembled women eyed Hazuki intently as she began to speak:
“Alright, we will now begin the evaluation for your designs. I look forward to seeing what you all have to offer. For starters, I’d like to begin with Suzumi’s work.”
The room fell silent apart from one noticeable gulp. Yagami, her appearance significantly refreshed from last night’s adventure, smiled as she nudged a nervous Aoba.
“Oh relax, it’s nothing you haven’t done before. Besides, you won last time, didn’t you?”
Aoba shot her a nervous look.
“I know, but it’s still nerve-wracking. I had real problems with coming up with a character. I’m amazed you didn’t have any trouble, Yagami.”
“Ah, well, you know…” Yagami mumbled while trying to ignore the fact that she had handed her own work in ten minutes prior, “It’s a matter of experience, that’s all. Once you’ve been doing it as long as I have, it becomes natural.”
“Still, you’re a genius. To be able to handle the competition and finish so much ahead of time. I swear to work hard to follow your example.”
Yagami gave a grimace, reflecting on her last week of borderline torture.
“Don’t. I might do it because I’m used to it, but it doesn’t bring any benefits. You should treasure your sleep more at your age.”
“I’m not a little kid!” Aoba snapped, Yagami chuckling at the reaction.
“Yeah, that’s true. You definitely handle situations better than me at least.”
Aoba seemed to want to retort, but Hazuki’s voice shut her up:
“Next, Aoba. Please come and present your design.”
“Y-yes!” she stuttered before walking out into the spotlight. Yagami sighed as she watched her most promising rookie take the stage and show her character. It was an interesting choice, considering how Hazuki wanted something ‘beyond the design’.
Last night, Yagami might have strangled her for such a confusing request. Now however, she recognised the simplicity of it. Explaining that to Rin this morning was an impossible feat though, not even considering the obvious fact that she had snuck off to drink by herself. Given that Yagami had awoken to the perfect idea for the competition as well, their time together had been a bit brusque. She promised to make it up for her as well.
“...And as such, I hope it suits your requirements. Thank you.”
Yagami snapped out of her thoughts as the presentation concluded. Polite claps echoed in the room as Hazuki inspected the design over and over, before giving a satisfied nod.
“Interesting, Aoba. I will definitely consider this among the top. Now then, the last one would be…”
Hazuki’s eyes flickered over to Yagami, giving a smile that appeared serene but which the latter knew was cocky.
“Our very own Yagami. I’m sure everybody is curious to see what you have produced.”
All eyes fell on her, causing Yagami to give a nervous chuckle. She never got accustomed to being singled out, it always inviting doom for her state of mind. Yet this time, she felt significantly more relieved. She walked up to the table where Hazuki and Rin sat and had the projector screen shift to her work. The moment the screen switched and the judges opened their booklets, a number of gasps could be heard across the room, Aoba’s included. Yagami knew perfectly well why as well.
When she had first made attempts for the competition, Yagami assumed the criteria meant adding features that told more background about the character, such as scars or clothing that made them stand out. Regardless of attempts though, she hadn’t achieved a single concept that she liked. The figure displayed on the wall however was absurdly simple in comparison.
A bald man in light brown clothes more befitting a wandering salesman stood before the room, brandishing no weapons of the sort on his attire. He stood with a pose that conveyed a hint of aggressiveness combined with a gentle approach, one hand holding a palette while the other grabbed an absurdly large paintbrush. His face was deceptively simple, bland almost, with the exception of a triangular nose that curved upwards slightly. His mouth, displaying an almost comical sad curve, seemed at a second glance to not be an actual part of his body.
Murmurs spread around the room, everybody contemplating the choice. Aoba meanwhile gazed at the character with unending intrigue, likely trying her hardest to understand the reasons behind it. Yagami smiled broadly as she watched the rumors fly, only to have Hazuki break the spell:
“Well now, Yagami, this is certainly unusual. What’s the story behind this particular figure? I don’t recall you ever making such a, dare I say it, ‘simple’ design.”
Hisses rang through the room, everyone shocked that she was so blunt. Yet it was the reaction Yagami wanted.
“This guy here is called Pinocco.”
“Pinocco?” Rin repeated, also seeing it for the first time, “Like Pinocchio?”
“Yeah. In the original fairy tale, Pinocchio was granted life by a fairy, yet burdened by the fact that he was still made of wood. Yet, the fairy’s magic eventually gave him the body of a young boy he always wanted. Pinocco shares a similar, but more tragic fate.”
Yagami moved over to the projected image and placed her hand over the figure.
“Pinocco is a puppet whose creator, an old artist, begged a spirit to grant him life. The spirit granted it, yet refused to finish the spell before it took the life of his creator and ended up leaving him without a mouth to speak with. While originally fearing for his life, Pinocco found he still had half the body of a puppet, making him semi-immortal. So he now wanders the world, searching for another way to help him fulfill his dream of becoming fully human. He can’t speak, so he instead paints his thoughts and has learned to use them in fights against enemies. I think of him as an important character for the main story, based on what we’ve been told in the department so far of the current setting of our new game. Pinocco brings more than just his appearance to the table.”
“Is that so?” Hazuki remarked with genuine curiosity, “Then what do you believe he brings?”
Yagami gave a warm smile that shocked some of the other co-workers, who had likely never seen her smile before under such circumstances. Understandable, given that some knew about her bullying days where she could barely make contact with others for fear of more ostracising.
“I think Pinocco tells the player that we need to look beyond the appearance of a character to understand them. Pinocco is a simple painter, yet he carries a rich history of himself and the world that you cannot reach without being open-minded to his limitations. To engage with him, you need more than blunt interaction. He teaches the player to not approach a topic in one direction but to consider it from different angles.”
Feeling slightly guilty for having paraphrased Anders’ words from yesterday, Yagami awaited the judge's response, noting Rin’s smile of approval. The same counted for the rest of the group, eagerly awaiting the answer. Hazuki spent a few more moments staring at the character sheet, before placing the paper down and declaring:
“I believe we have seen and heard enough to make a decision. Judges, please convene with me.”
The table devolved into quiet murmurs that were incomprehensible to anyone not directly present, everyone awaiting the result with bated breath. Even then, however, Yagami didn’t feel burdened by the eventual choice. It struck her that Anders’ words yesterday carried more meaning that she expected. Her respect for him rose substantially as she understood him being the reason for her inspiration. She even felt like she didn’t mind coming last in this competition. What had mattered is that the character she made was something she was proud of.
Soon enough, Hazuki and the group split up, the former showcasing a smug expression:
“Well then, the top three selections from below are...Toyoma Minazuki.”
A girl from the Programming Team gave a squeal, evidently happy to have been so high up in the ranking.
“Second place goes to Suzukaze Aoba.”
Aoba’s face lit up in surprise and appreciation, Yagami giving a thumbs up. Hazuki cleared her throat before announcing:
“And finally, our winner this time around is Yagami Kou with her Pinocco!”
For a brief moment, silence ensued across the room, making Yagami contemplate whether to celebrate or not despite her inner giddiness. The silence quickly became replaced with unified applause, nobody making a half-hearted attempt but genuinely clapping, Aoba foremost among them. Yagami scratched the back of her head in embarrassment, not used to so much attention anymore. Rin however quickly brought silence to the room again with a loud snap of her fingers:
“Pinocco will from hence on be implemented in the game and adapted to fit in with the storyline. This will undoubtedly put more work on everyone’s department so we would like to apologise in advance. Now then, you are all dismissed.”
The lights came on in the room as everyone began to disperse, with the exception of one enthusiastic junior.
“Congratulations, Yagami!” Aoba exclaimed while bouncing towards her, nearly hugging her in the process.
“Heh, thanks.” was all Yagami could respond with. A sudden feeling of guilt welled inside her as she thought how she snatched victory from Aoba.
“Sorry, Aoba.”
“For what of all things?”
“For taking your chance to shine. I really liked your concept as well.”
Aoba stared at her with a incredulous expression.
“No Yagami, I don’t mind about that! I think you’re the real winner here. I really like Pinocco. You managed to make such a deep and interesting character, I’m really in awe!”
“Now you’re pushing it.” Despite her words, Yagami couldn’t help but feel a little smug about the win. It wasn’t often that she had so much trouble for a task. Hazuki interrupted their conversation:
“I agree with Aoba. Your character is really cute and unique. What gave you the idea for it anyway?”
Yagami turned to find Hazuki and Rin standing next to them, the latter again inspecting Pinocco on her clipboard. Yagami thought back to the Masked Glass and Anders’ words, before giving a relaxed smile.
“Nothing much really. I just received some good advice and decided to put it to use.”
“I see.” Hazuk remarked, evidently satisfied, “Well then, I look forward to seeing how we get to use Pinocco here. You definitely gave the writers more to think about.”
“And us programmers a lot more work.”
Everybody turned to see Ahagon at the door, her face as sullen as ever.
“I hope you do not think to upset the Programming Department further with complicated requests. Your last change caused a lot of grief for us.”
“Aha…” Hazuki halted as Ahagon’s eyes narrowed, “I mean Umiko, I just wanted to let our coworkers become more involved in the production. We should value the opinions of others as well, don’t you think?”
“Only so it doesn’t detriment our productivity. Though I have to say, I was surprised myself that the winner was such a simple design. It is unlike you.”
Yagami, aware that she was targeted with the last sentence, simply stretched her arms and stifled a yawn.
“What can I say, I surprise myself sometimes. But I need a coffee now, I’m still exhausted.”
Ahagon didn’t argue, simply letting her pass while Rin jumped after her, letting Aoba and the rest delve into heated conversation about something. Yagami aimed for the coffee machine, about to grab the can when Rin spoke up:
“Kou.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Could it be that you met someone last night that inspired you to make Pinocco?”
Yagami froze halfway through grabbing the cup. She was surprised that Rin could deduce that, herself not fully sure of it until she pointed it out. She finished pouring her coffee before answering:
“Now that you mention it, I did meet a guy at the bar. I’m surprised you figured it out.”
“Kou...what did you two get up to?”
A deep sip of the coffee invigorated Yagami enough to scrutinise Rin’s expression properly. It seemed concerned, hurt almost. She had no clue why that should be the case, but momentary reflection surfaced a lot of reasons. So she decided to try and calm her.
Hence, why she moved closer and patted Rin’s head. The latter glanced up in surprise, her cheeks deep red as Yagami spoke up:
“Nothing happened Rin. He merely gave me some advice on how to free myself of the stress I had the last week. I went home by myself with the taxi, he only brought me to it. Relax, ok?”
The pat and her words seemed to help, Rin’s expression brightening up a bit, though a light shadow remained. Yagami tried to spur her by gently nudging her with her elbow.
“Come on, we’ve got work to do and I’m long overdue on my end. Maybe we can go out together and drink something. We haven’t done it in a while after all.”
In all honesty, drinking was not on Yagami’s list of favorite activities at the moment. Nevertheless, when she saw how it improved Rin’s mood, she quickly let go of her worries.
