Chapter 97: Unreliable, or Reliable?

After finishing their discussion on the matter and going over the subsequent plotlines, it wasn’t long before a knock sounded at the door. A staff member came in to report that President Araki had arrived.

Hearing this, Suzuki Misaki and Kitahara Chiki stood up, preparing to welcome him.

Kitahara was actually quite looking forward to it, curious about what kind of person this President Araki was and what background he had.

To think he has such discerning taste!

Yeah, he definitely must be extraordinary!

As the staff member stepped aside with a welcoming gesture, a tall, powerfully built man with an intimidating aura walked in.

He wore a tailored, highly formal black suit, yet even that could hardly conceal the fierce, aggressive vibe radiating from him.

He had a clean, sharp buzz cut, with every single strand standing straight up like steel needles, making him look exceptionally spirited.

What was particularly unsettling was the tattoo extending from his thick neck down beneath his collar. The tattoo curled and twisted across his skin like a menacing viper, sending a cold shiver down one’s spine.

Then there was his face—sharply contoured and rugged, yet oozing a heavy threat of malice.

Two thick, dark eyebrows slanted into his temples like sharp swords, and his lips were tightly pressed into a straight, expressionless line that instinctively filled people with fear.

What in the world? Is this guy here to buy copyright adaptation rights?

He looks like he’s here to collect protection money!

A total suit-wearing mobster!

Kitahara felt a bit intimidated by the overwhelming pressure of his presence.

Suzuki Misaki fared even worse—scared half to death, she took two steps back and hid behind Kitahara’s back.

They had originally intended to greet him, but seeing the visitor look like this, neither dared to step forward to say hello.

In the end, it was the suit-wearing mobster who took the initiative to come up and shake hands.

"You must be Mr. ’Hi no Tsuura Tsunasaka’, right? I’ve heard so much about you. A pleasure to meet you! As expected, Mr. Hi no Tsuura is a brilliant young talent, quite handsome indeed. I am Araki Sho. It’s our first time meeting, please take good care of me!"

"Uh... President Araki, you praise me too much. You too are... quite handsome!"

This guy named Araki Sho was surprisingly polite, offering handshakes and deep bows, which made Kitahara feel quite embarrassed.

Kitahara politely bowed back in return.

Much of the fear in his heart dissolved, but he was still perplexed. Judging by this guy’s appearance, he definitely belonged to the underworld.

What? Were things bad for the Yakuza too, so they were starting to look into the entertainment sector for business development?

Seeing that the visitor harbored no malice, Suzuki Misaki came out from behind Kitahara, offered him a seat, and brought over some tea.

The group officially began their discussion.

However, before diving in, Araki Sho pulled a booklet from his coat breast pocket:

"Mr. Hi no Tsuura, could you give me an autograph first? I’m a huge fan of yours, and I especially love your book, Primitive Desires: A Beautiful Girl’s Unforgettable Adventure in the Goblin Cave, No Word-Count Padding... You have no idea, when I finished reading it, I was completely blown away. Please!"

"President Araki, if I may ask... are you involved with a syndicate?"

Kitahara took the booklet, signed his pen name "Hi no Tsuura Tsunasaka" with a few quick strokes on the cover, and then asked.

"Huh? How did you know? My family runs a syndicate—it’s been in the family for generations, and it’s reached the third generation with me!"

How did I know? I’m not blind!

"Uh... just a guess, a guess. President Araki, so why are you...?"

"You mean why I want to buy the rights to make an anime?"

"Yes."

"Didn’t I say so? I really love your book, so I just thought about making it into an anime! You don’t know this, Mr. Hi no Tsuura, but I’m an erotica novel fanatic. Reading erotica novels is the greatest passion of my life.

A few days ago, I saw your book in a bookstore. After reading it, I felt it was incredibly thrilling, but not enough! So the idea of watching an anime version popped into my head. I then withdrew ten million yen from my younger sister to start an anime company, and here I am looking for you to buy the adaptation rights."

"Younger sister...?"

"Yeah, my family’s syndicate is currently managed by my sister. I even have to ask her for money when I want to spend it. By the way, Kitahara-kun, are you married? My sister is still single, and I think you two make a pretty good match..."

"Chotto matte! President Araki, let’s talk about the copyright first!"

Kitahara Chiki felt that something was off at this point.

Why did this Araki Sho seem a bit lacking in the head?

From their brief interaction, he felt that this guy was only intimidating on the outside; in reality, he was touchingly naive.

To put it plainly, he was a bit dumb.

Who spills all their family secrets in just a few sentences and even offers to introduce their sister to a stranger?

It was totally ridiculous.

With how you look, how good-looking could your sister possibly be?

Is that appropriate?

Besides, we’ve only known each other for a few minutes, and you’re already thinking about becoming my brother-in-law?

Kitahara’s expression turned somewhat grim, feeling that this man was quite unreliable.

He had a feeling that this deal probably wouldn’t work out.

For a complete outsider like this who also had something wrong with his head, it would be a miracle if he could actually produce an anime!

"Right, business first! It won’t be too late to talk about my sister afterward. Kitahara-kun, how about I give you three million yen and you sell me the rights? I’ve asked around, and that’s the highest market price!" Araki Sho slapped his own forehead and asked.

"Uh, President Araki, you said earlier that your total capital is ten million yen. If you give me three million, is the remaining money enough to produce the anime?"

"More or less! If it’s not enough, I’ll just ask my sister for more!"

"President Araki, if I may ask another bold question, how many people are currently in your anime company?"

"Right now? Just me. But there’s a part-time accountant my sister loaned to me."

"..."

Kitahara and Suzuki Misaki looked at each other and shook their heads; this matter could end right here.

Pondering his choice of words, Kitahara gave a tactful refusal:

"President Araki, this matter requires further deliberation. Copyright adaptation is a serious matter and involves big stakes. Let’s both think it over a bit more!"

" Huh? What do you mean, Kitahara-kun? Are you declining? That won’t do! I’ve already hired people to start production and the money has been spent. You have to agree today! Please!"

"You hired people for production? Who did you hire? How could you move on to the next step before settling the rights?" Kitahara asked in surprise.

"I went to Kyoto Animation! I outsourced it to them. Isn’t getting the rights just a matter of giving you money? What, is three million not enough? How about I add a bit more?"

"It’s not a matter of money..."

Kitahara was truly speechlessly exasperated.

He was actually being guilt-tripped into this; he was forced to sell whether he wanted to or not!

However, this guy’s way of doing things was quite interesting. The total staff of the company added up to one and a half people, with all the actual work outsourced. Say what you will, but...

The outsourced Kyoto Animation was indeed a renowned anime production studio.

Looking at it this way, he actually seemed somewhat reliable after all!

Just then, Araki Sho across from him grew anxious:

"Kitahara-kun, if it’s not a money issue, then what’s the problem? How about I have my sister come talk to you instead?"