I became the emperor in the comic book series.

[Constitution: 11]

[...]

Chiba, Yukinoshita Estate.

The new headquarters building of Yunmeng Group.

Akira Higashino is sitting in the R&D conference room. There is a computer in front of him. On the screen is a farming game created by the robots.

The overall gameplay is roughly a combination of Stardew Valley and Penguin Farm. Not only is the gameplay creative, but he even borrowed the name, calling it "Okumizome Story," directly incorporating the terrain and construction industry distribution of his hometown.

Anyway, these two games don't exist in this world, so there's nothing wrong with borrowing from them.

After playing for about half an hour and not finding any major bugs or problems, Akira Higashino quit the game.

He nodded, meeting the tense gazes of the F executives and developers.

"The art style can be further optimized. The script and storyline don't need to be too complicated or complex. They don't need to be too sophisticated, but at least we shouldn't include any bad elements. After that, we'll prepare for a closed beta test to collect player feedback, incorporate useful suggestions, and then prepare for the official launch."

As he spoke, he looked at the group of developers whose faces were practically burning with exhaustion, "Keep working hard for a while longer, don't give up before dawn. The bonuses from the group are on their way, coffee is unlimited, and after the game is officially launched, each member of your development team will be given a three-month long vacation, with rotating shifts. You'll still receive your salary during your vacation, and it will be doubled."

After that, a group of developers who had been working overtime to finish the game, their faces sallow and their eyes dark with dark circles, raised their hands above their heads, tears welling in their eyes, and jumped up and down, clapping enthusiastically.

Chapter 104 What an embarrassing guy!

He gently raised his hand and pressed down, fearing that the employees who had been working overtime for almost two weeks might get agitated, causing their heart rate and blood pressure to spike and collapse.

His management philosophy is very simple: as long as employees are capable, the capable should be promoted. As the boss, he should talk less and pay more. That's all.

Unlike the female employees who like to treat him as a god of marriage, most of the male employees at Yunmeng think that their boss is a real god of wealth!

Next, Higashino Akira held a series of communications and arrangements with the group's senior management regarding recent matters related to Yunmeng. After the large meeting, they held small meetings to hear Kongming report on the fate of those unscrupulous politicians who took money but did nothing and even betrayed the group after the Yunmeng public opinion retaliation. No matter how much they played the victim, whether it was suicide or attempted assassination, they could not escape the result of being punished for their own uncleanness.

Also, those guys who were previously assigned to keep an eye on, who were accompanied by reporters and protesters, and who were leading the rhythmic chants downstairs, seemed to have sensed something was wrong and become aware of the presence of the demonstrators, and suddenly they died.

According to the report from Luanlu, the other party's death was somewhat unusual, resembling the assassins who came to kill Higashino Akira on the train he returned to Okumizome last year.

After a moment's thought, Higashino Akira arranged for the newly recruited Senhun Huayan Zijian Tongzi to go over and assist Junluan in the investigation. After all, if there were any supernatural elements, and they encountered a slightly stronger evil spirit, a little fox might not be able to handle the situation.

"After the closed beta ends and before 'Okumizome Story' goes online, we need to shoot a live-action video that combines the local environment of Okumizome. Kongming, you can arrange this and select some young and beautiful girls to appear in the video."

"clear."

To be honest, the game itself is not important.

For Akira Higashino, there are many ways to make money. Although many businesses were shut down and unable to open under the pretext of protecting evidence and cooperating with investigations, Yunmeng Group has still acquired quite a few new small and micro-sized livelihood-related basic industries during this period.

What's really important is the shrine he hid in the Omuzome map within the game.

What era are we living in? They're still building physical shrines. Not only is the project easily interrupted, but expansion is also slow.

It's already the 21st century, times have changed.

These days, even evil spirits know how to commit telecommunications fraud, villainous organizations use posts to fish online, and some Noragami are even learning how to become online broadcasters to gain faith.

If they are all working so hard and striving for improvement, what reason does Akira Higashino have to follow the rules and uphold tradition?

As we were talking, there was a knock on the door.

"Go in."

The door opened, and the person who came in was the secretary, Miyamizu Mitsuha.

"Lord Higashino, the family of an injured worker from the Chiba construction site came to the company. They said they have something important to tell you and insist on seeing you in person before they will speak."

"who?"

"Her surname is Wugeng, and she looks like a little girl."

Higashino Akira thought for a moment and nodded. "Bring her up."

"clear."

Miyamizu Mitsuha accepted the order and left. Not long after, she returned with a petite girl with long, straight black hair in a Hime cut. The girl seemed somewhat reserved when she saw him.

She is indeed a little girl.

"Junior high school student?" Higashino Akira asked.

As soon as she finished speaking, the girl blushed, her face turning bright red. She looked like she wanted to explode but couldn't bring herself to speak. In the end, she could only puff out her cheeks and mutter in a slightly resentful voice.

"I've already entered high school!"

“Oh…” Raising an eyebrow, after a moment of thought, Higashino Akira looked at her, “Do you have something to say to me in person?”

Upon hearing this, the girl did not speak immediately, but instead glanced at the other people present, namely Kongming and Miyamizu Mitsuha.

Seeing this, Higashino Akira reassured him, "Don't worry, there are no outsiders here. If it's really important, what you're saying will definitely not be leaked."

Only then did the girl feel comfortable opening her mouth.

“Two days ago, someone came to my father’s hospital room and offered him a lot of money as a reward, hoping that he would give false testimony to smear Yunmeng Group. My father did not agree, so the other party threatened him by using us and my mother.”

"Dad could only pretend to agree for now because he was worried that the other party might use other methods to deal with you. So he tried to tell me about this so that I could convey to you that you must be careful."

Upon hearing this, Higashino Akira frowned slightly. What a sloppy fellow! He does things so crudely, without any skill whatsoever.

Because of limited manpower, there were not many new members trained locally. For a while, the focus of the mission was on investigating the few people with a rhythm that he ordered to investigate. We didn't pay much attention to the survivors who were attacked at the construction site. We didn't expect that the other side would focus their attention on them.

"Kongming, make the arrangements. Send people to verify the facts and see if we can capture the other party. Make a special effort to protect the families of our employees."

After saying that, Higashino Akira looked at the girl again, "I'm not sure if anyone was following you on your way here. Don't go back today. We'll talk about it when we get news."

"By the way, what's your name?"

Having received proper arrangements from Higashino Akira and hearing that he was willing to send people to protect her family, the girl's eyes reddened slightly, her expression grateful, and she spoke with some excitement, "Gokou Ruri."

Upon hearing the name, Akira Higashino nodded.

In fact, she was lost in memories and felt that she seemed to have some recollection. After searching through her memories, she finally remembered where she came from.

Isn't this a character from a certain anime about a sister complex?

Then he thought about where he was now and finally felt relieved.

Chiba is a place with a certain reputation when it comes to having a sister complex.

Moreover, the female protagonist of that anime was even used as a profile picture by a certain Uncle Chen, who said the famous quote, "What you love is your life."

I think Gokou Ruri also had a nickname, something like "Black Cat".

In my memory, she seemed to be quite good at games.

Do you play online games?

"what?"

"Since we're just killing time anyway, come on, log in, I'll teach you how to play."

Before he could even mourn the passing of his former lover, the legendary Takatsuki Eiko, Akira Higashino had already found an even more formidable new patron.

After a few rounds of getting used to the controls, Higashino Akira decisively switched out of his sniper rifle, grabbed a large red bag and a steroid gun, and went into the map with nothing but his bare gear.

"Great gun! Ruri-chan, great gun! One bag each!"

"Little Liuli is so handsome!"

"Holy crap! You actually had a heart! Mom... Mom..."

"You! You!" The girl blushed crimson with embarrassment. He had seemed like such a serious and mature adult just moments before, how did things turn out like this? "Fine, here you go!"

Why are you acting all cute and clingy?

Really!

"As expected of the woman who could become my mother, Little Liuli's mom, I love you!"

"What nonsense are you spouting? You're such an embarrassing bastard!"

Unlike Kawasaki Saki, although both are shy and blush, as a veteran of anime and manga, Gokou Ruri is able to catch the jokes.

Chapter 105 Going Home

RiNG.

After breaking up and being separated for several months, the members of CRYCHIC reunited.

Right outside the shop, Toyokawa Shoko stood there for a long time, her heart churning with mixed emotions, before finally going inside.

Inside the store, Nagasaki Motoyo's gaze kept sweeping towards the store entrance. She took the initiative to chat quietly with Tatsuki and Riki, especially Riki, trying her best to dispel her hostility towards Sho.

Upon seeing the girl she had been longing for appear, she immediately stood up in surprise, smiling gently as she greeted her, "Xiao Xiang!"

Beside them, the somewhat autistic and taciturn Wakaba Mutsu agreed and quietly called out, "Sho."

Upon hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko glanced at Su Shi with a complicated expression, sighed silently in her heart, nodded to Xiao Mu, and walked past the two of them directly to Takamatsu Toki.

Upon seeing this, Shiina Tatsuki immediately tensed up and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Ignoring Riki's hostility, Toyokawa Shoko's gaze fell on Akari. "Akiari...I have something to say to you."

Upon hearing this, Gao Songdeng clutched her notebook tightly, her body trembling slightly. Her gaze was a mixture of joy and self-reproach. Even now, she still felt that it was because she was so incompetent that CRYCHIC had become what it was today. "Xiang...Xiangzi..."

Shoko Toyokawa took a deep breath, walked to the lamp, and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry."

The scene immediately fell silent.

Shoko Toyokawa remained bowing. "That night... I said some very hurtful things to you. I'm sorry."

Her voice trembled slightly, "That wasn't true. I just... back then, I encountered some bad things, and because of my immature pride, I wanted to escape everything and cut off everything, including my past."

Upon hearing this, Gao Songdeng's eyes reddened, and tears silently streamed down his face. "Xiangzi..."

Shoko Toyokawa straightened up, her eyes slightly red. "Your lyrics have always been about expressing your true feelings, an echo of your soul! You have been trying so hard to convey your inner feelings, but I chose to escape and shut myself off. It was actually me who should have been practicing. I'm sorry, Tohru."

Beside her, Shiina Tatsuki frowned, a nameless anger rising within her as she saw Akari's tears streaming down her face. "What kind of apology is this? Do you know how long Akari cried that night? Do you know—"

Gao Songtong gently tugged at Li hope's sleeve, "Li hope..."

The black-haired, purple-eyed girl bit her lip, turned her face away, and made a displeased sound, "...tsk."

Toyokawa Shoko turned to Riki and bowed again, "I'm sorry, Riki, I always avoided you guys back then and didn't seriously respond to your feelings for the band."

Faced with this sudden situation, Shiina Ritsuki paused for a moment, still not turning around, but her tone softened noticeably. She was no longer as wary as a prickly hedgehog, and her voice became much gentler, "I don't care, just don't hurt the lights anymore."

Silence descended once again.

Su Shi stood up from the sofa, her lips moved but she didn't say anything. She just watched everyone make up, her pupils gradually moistening with happiness.

Holding his notebook, Gao Songdeng walked step by step to Xiangzi, tears streaming down his face. "I...I've been...I've been thinking, is it because the lyrics I wrote were too strange...is it because I'm bad at speaking and singing that Xiangzi is in so much pain..."

Shoko Toyokawa's tears finally fell, and her voice suddenly rose as she loudly denied, "No... the light is not wrong! I'm the one who's wrong, I'm too weak."

Gao Songdeng shook his head, crying, then suddenly rushed over and hugged Xiangzi. "I'm so happy to see Xiangzi again. Welcome back!"

She has never blamed Xiangzi, neither before nor now after hearing his apology.

In her heart, Xiangzi was still the girl who pulled her out of her monotonous, gray, and lonely world, who didn't find her strange, who seriously cared for her, encouraged her, and led her to understand the world and become a human being!

On the contrary, after hearing Takamatsu Akari's words, Toyokawa Shoko froze, then gently hugged him back and shook her head.

“I am no longer qualified to return to CRYCHIC. I just... want to apologize to everyone properly. I don’t want you to be trapped in guilt and self-blame because of me and unable to move on.”

Upon hearing this, the smile on Nagasaki Motoyo's face, which had been filled with satisfaction, gradually disappeared. She pursed her lips and looked melancholy.

Shiina Riki looked at the two embracing each other and scratched her hair in annoyance. This girl, she was the one who hurt Akari the most back then, but she came back and made up with Akari so easily.

"I'm going to buy a drink," she said, getting up from her seat and walking towards the counter, out of sight, out of mind.

After Shiina Riki left, Su Shi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, finally stepped forward, came to Xiangzi and the others, opened her arms and hugged them both, her voice choked with emotion, "Let's not talk about these things now, it's good that you're back, Xiangzi. You're finally willing to talk to us, we've finally made up, that's more important than anything else."

"........."

Upon hearing Su Shi's words, Toyokawa Shoko knew that Su Shi still hadn't given up on bringing her back to CRYCHIC. Her heart sank slightly, and she felt a strange increase in gravity around her.

Beside him, the taciturn Mu Tou Ren was left behind, only able to watch his three teammates hugging each other tightly, his eyes lowered.

Perhaps, she shouldn't be in RiNG right now.

In the evening, after saying goodbye, Toyokawa Shoko left RiNG with Wakaba Mutsu.

After a long silence, she took Xiao Mu's hand, looked at her seriously, and asked.

...............

Where are we going next?

Sitting in the high-end-looking business vehicle, the shyness from being teased while playing games and the pleasant experience of old anime tropes gradually faded with time. As she looked at the unfamiliar street scenes receding outside the car window, Gokou Ruri's heart finally began to feel uneasy.