At the Forbes Headquarters, Jenna Welch has just received news from the higher-ups that Shinro Suzuki, the Japanese individual she was preparing to feature in an article, will now grace the cover of Forbes Magazine.
While this revelation is surprising, Jenna recognizes Shinro Suzuki as a compelling candidate. Despite his affluent family background, given that he hails from the renowned Suzuki family that founded the Suzuki Group, the information gathered so far about Shinro Suzuki is truly astonishing.
Interestingly, Jenna has also uncovered details about Shinro Suzuki's early struggles when establishing his company, KiShin. It appears he faced challenges in his relationship with his family during that period.
--
Meanwhile, at the KiShin Rules HQ, Shin has just received a report from Forbes expressing interest in interviewing him and featuring him on the cover of their magazine.
"I suppose there's no harm in accepting," Shin muttered.
"Arrange a schedule for the Forbes interview for me," Shin instructed his secretary, Hana.
"Understood," Hana bowed respectfully and proceeded to jot down the interview schedule for Shin.
Inwardly, Hana felt grateful for retaining her position as Shinro Suzuki's secretary. She had feared losing her job when Shinro discovered her role as a spy, thinking that her purpose would end and even Tora might abandon her.
To her surprise, Shinro Suzuki chose not to terminate her but instead retained her as his secretary. Initially, she had speculated if Shinro had personal feelings for her, but over time, she realized he treated her strictly as a secretary.
Meanwhile, as Shin immersed himself in thought, reminiscing about magazines, his mind drifted to the magazine company he had invested in back in 1993.
The company, 'Electronic Gaming,' specialized in publishing video games magazines. These magazines not only recommended games to readers but also provided ratings for various video games.
A smile crossed Shin's face as he envisioned the team at Electronic Gaming Magazine actively adapting to the plan he had in mind.
--
In New York, USA, within Manhattan, the headquarters of Electronic Magazine stood prominently.
At the helm of Electronic Magazine was Albert Ford, the CEO and founder of the company. Currently, Albert Ford engaged in discussions with executives regarding the plan proposed by KiShin for them to implement.
As KiShin held the majority stake in the company, it was imperative for Electronic Magazine to approach the plan with utmost seriousness. The proposal from KiShin had the potential to significantly elevate the company beyond its current status as a mere magazine entity.
Adding to the advantageous scenario, KiShin would be funding the plan, alleviating any concerns about budget constraints.
The proposed plan involved Electronic Gaming establishing a Video Game Awards ceremony, akin to the Oscars for the film industry. The Electronic Gaming executives were currently in the process of identifying the intended audience for the awards ceremony. Detailed discussions were underway, focusing on whether it should cater to specific genres, platforms, or regions.
Furthermore, the executives were deliberating on the objectives of the awards. Would it primarily serve to celebrate achievements, promote specific games, or generate media attention for the industry? This aspect was under thorough consideration.
Additionally, decisions were being made regarding the number of award categories and their scope. The discussion leaned towards broader categories, such as "Best Game" and "Best Graphics," recognizing the smaller pool of games compared to the present day.
In addition, forming the jury is crucial; assembling a diverse panel of judges, including gaming journalists, developers, and industry professionals, ensures credibility and impartiality.
Developing the nomination criteria is equally essential; establishing clear guidelines for each award category, taking into account factors such as innovation, gameplay, graphics, sound, and cultural impact.
Furthermore, meticulous planning for a suitable venue ahead of time is essential to accommodate the audience and other logistical considerations.
There's much more to delve into regarding KiShin's plan. KiShin has provided a layout and outline of the plan, entrusting the execution to the Electronic Gaming team.
The establishment of a video game awards ceremony holds the key to determining the specific criteria that define the best video games.
For instance, if a video game excels solely in graphics but falls short in gameplay, it may still receive an award for the best graphics, provided it surpasses others in that aspect. However, graphics alone won't secure the "Best Game" award.
As Electronic Gaming gradually shapes the video game award ceremony, the process may span several months before its establishment. Coincidentally, in a few months, video games for KS1 and TSX Fusion will debut, presenting an opportune time for the game awards ceremony to assess the value of these new releases.
--
A few days later, Shin's secretary reminded him of the scheduled meeting with the Forbes reporter for the interview.
Shin acknowledged, and the secretary ushered the Forbes reporter into the Chairman's office.
As the female reporter from Forbes, Jenna Welch, entered the chairman's office alongside a man in a formal business suit, Shin observed their arrival. When Jenna was in his line of sight, she formally bowed.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Shinro Suzuki. I am Jenna Welch, a reporter from Forbes Magazine," Jenna greeted. She glanced at the man beside her, ready to translate her words for Shinro Suzuki.
Before the translator could respond, Shin intervened in English, saying, "No need. I can speak English very well."
Both the translator and Jenna were somewhat surprised by the young Chairman's fluent English. While English spoken by others might carry a Japanese accent, Shinro Suzuki's accent resembled a blend of British and American.
"Are you here to interview me?" Shin smiled, addressing the slightly absentminded American woman.
"Yes... Yes," Jenna nodded, looking at the translator who responded with an awkward nod. Jenna then whispered to the translator to wait outside since Shinro Suzuki could communicate in English without assistance.
The translator nodded and left the office within sight of Jenna and Shin.
"Shall we begin?" Shin asked with a faint smile.
"Of course," Jenna nodded a bit awkwardly, realizing Shinro Suzuki was even more handsome in person than she had anticipated.
In the Chairman's office, Jenna began the interview, "Mr. Suzuki, thank you for agreeing to this Forbes interview."
Shin smiled and replied, "You're welcome."
Before Jenna could respond, Shin added with a smile, "The pleasure is mine, to be honest. It's Forbes we're talking about! Initially, I thought only Will Gates, the world's richest person, had the honor of being featured. To be interviewed and grace the cover of Forbes is truly an honor for me. I never imagined such a day would come; I feel undeserving of this opportunity."
Upon hearing Shinro Suzuki's jest, Jenna smiled and said, "Haha, Mr. Suzuki, you jest. You are currently as famous as Will Gates or Steve Jobs, so you truly deserve to be featured on the cover of our magazine."
Shin merely smiled faintly at Jenna's remark. While there might be some truth to what Jenna said, Shinro Suzuki was only moderately well-known in Japan, the USA, and certain parts of Europe. He was well aware that his global recognition didn't come close to the likes of Will Gates or even Steve Jobs.
Shin's prominence in the USA stemmed from his earlier exposure before becoming known as the owner of KiShin. He gained attention by singing in a bar, a moment that resonated with music enthusiasts who saw potential in him becoming a singer or even a music composer. Speculation arose that Shinro Suzuki might be the mysterious composer behind KiShin Entertainment Music's famous songs, rivaling the popularity of Michael Jackson's creations.
Jenna, armed with prepared questions, then inquired, "Mr. Suzuki, based on our gathered information, you founded KiShin Electronic in a small and humble apartment. Can you confirm if this story circulating in Japan is true?"
Upon hearing it, Shin fell silent for a moment. Memories of a time when he had only around 300,000 yen in his bank account flashed before him—days when he coincidentally met Mira at a McDonald's, where she was looking for a job and spotted the flyers he had scattered in streets and train station bulletin boards.
Feeling a touch of nostalgia, Shin recalled those humble beginnings. He noticed Jenna awaiting his response.
While Shinro Suzuki appeared lost in thought, Jenna patiently observed him.
"I can confirm that it's true," Shin nodded with a smile. "I did indeed start my company, and the first headquarters of KiShin was probably that small apartment I was renting," he added with a touch of humor.
Jenna, acknowledging his response, smiled and proceeded to read the next prepared question. "Although Mr. Shinro Suzuki is part of a wealthy family, did you indeed start in a small and inexpensive apartment?"
Shin nodded and replied, "I chose independence; my family allowed me to chart my own course."
Jenna was somewhat astonished upon hearing this revelation from Shinro Suzuki himself. "I also gathered information that you had to sell your car to fund your company?"
"Yes, and the person I sold my car to later became my friend," Shin smiled, reminiscing about the moment he sold his car to Takuza.
Jenna nodded, making a mental note, as the audio recording captured the details for later transcription.
"Mr. Suzuki, your journey as the founder of KiShin has been nothing short of remarkable. You've revolutionized the video game industry, injecting new life into a market that was stagnating. What were those humble early days like, and what drove you to pursue this ambitious vision?" Jenna read the prepared question, her gaze fixed on Shinro Suzuki.
Shin, contemplating for a moment, responded, "The early days of starting my company felt incredible. There was excitement in my blood as I worked my way up, but it was also extremely draining. Fortunately, as a Japanese man, I have the discipline to persevere in pursuit of my vision. As for what drove me to pursue this ambitious vision?" Shin paused, smiling.
Jenna, attentive and awaiting his answer, looked expectantly at Shinro Suzuki.
"What drove me is the fact that most people in this world didn't appreciate video games as much as I do," Shin paused with a smile. He continued, "I felt the need to establish a company dedicated to video game development and, finally, to express my passion for video games in this world! To let them know how it feels to understand the charm of video games."
Jenna, hearing Shinro Suzuki's heartfelt response, sensed his genuine connection to his vision.
After composing herself, Jenna coughed and proceeded to read the prepared question. "Thirdly, Mr. Suzuki, your family, the Suzuki Group, holds immense wealth and influence. How did your family background shape your entrepreneurial spirit, and did you ever face any internal conflict between your family's legacy and your own aspirations?"
Shin stroked his chin upon hearing the question. His secretary brought coffee for both him and Jenna, and they nodded in appreciation before Shin took a sip and began to answer, "My family, especially my father, is one of the reasons that drove me to pursue this passion of mine." He paused, then added with a sigh, "You see, the reason I truly became independent was because I had a bit of conflict with my father."
Jenna, initially excited, felt a bit disappointed as Shinro Suzuki chose not to delve into the details.
"I won't go into specifics, but he opposed my passion for video games. Hence, I decided to become independent to pursue my passion, and while doing so, I developed my entrepreneurial spirit," Shin explained with a smile.
Jenna, while somewhat disappointed, found satisfaction in uncovering that the chairman of the Suzuki Group opposed Shinro Suzuki's passion.
She then proceeded with the next question, saying, "Mr. Suzuki, your personal wealth has become a topic of much speculation. With KiShin's success, you've undoubtedly amassed a significant fortune. How do you view your wealth, and how do you plan to utilize it to further your ventures and contribute to society?"
Shin smiled upon hearing the question, ready to share his perspective.
When Shin heard the question, a faint smile crossed his face.
There are rumors circulating even on the KiShin Community website about users speculating on his wealth. Particularly, in discussions about video games, Japanese and American gamers researching today's industry are often subtly reminded of Shinro Suzuki.
Undoubtedly, in the realm of the video game industry, Shinro Suzuki stands out as one of the key figures, widely recognized for rejuvenating the field.
While some video game developers, primarily in Japan, whether associated with KiShin, Tora and Suzuki, or other entertainment companies, are gaining fame for their game development, none can truly compare to the impact of KiShin or Shinro Suzuki.
Games like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pokémon, etc., have enjoyed immense popularity worldwide, with Shinro N. Sony prominently featured in the credits of many.
And with those immensely popular IPs, including the still surging popularity of products like Lego among both children and adults, two successful box office films, and groundbreaking video games and consoles, even those uninterested in gaming but familiar with business began speculating on Shinro Suzuki's wealth.
"I can affirm that the wealth I've accumulated is sufficient to support my efforts in aiding children and those in need through the KiShin Foundation," Shin stated with a smile.
Jenna, having observed Shinro Suzuki's tendency not to disclose his wealth during the investigation and employee interviews, wasn't surprised. Over the years, his reluctance to reveal his financial status became apparent.
Before Jenna could delve into her own speculations, she heard Shinro Suzuki's remark, "I can't disclose my wealth now, but I can confirm that I still lag behind Will Gates..."
Jenna was astonished, covering her mouth as she exclaimed, "Will Gates possesses a wealth of 12.3 billion dollars! Could it be..."
Her thoughts raced, considering Shinro Suzuki's wealth, likely in the billions. While she had gathered information and estimated the net worth of KiShin companies under him, his wealth trailing Will Gates hinted at a magnitude beyond her current estimations.
After recovering from her astonishment, Jenna proceeded to conduct a more in-depth interview with Shinro Suzuki.
Once the interview concluded, Jenna turned to Shinro Suzuki and inquired, "Mr. Suzuki, regarding the photoshoot..."
Shin recalled the upcoming Forbes Magazine cover shoot, nodded, and responded, "Alright... Can we take the picture here?"
Jenna agreed, saying, "Of course." She then readied the camera and summoned the translator, who assisted in the photoshoot by arranging lights. Once everything was set up, Shinro Suzuki took a seat in his office chair.
With the camera focused on him, Shin struck a pose, making the merkel-raute hand gesture. In his sleek black and blue-hued business suit, he exuded the air of a young and romantic CEO straight from a novel.
Observing Shinro Suzuki's cool pose, both Jenna and the translator were a bit astonished.
"He... He looks like the young boss from one of my favorite novels!" Jenna couldn't help but think as she gazed at Shinro Suzuki.
"He looks so intimidating..." The man assisting the photoshoot couldn't help but think.
"He looks so dreamy..." Shin's secretary, who was observing the photoshoot, couldn't help but think as she looked at Shinro Suzuki.
Posing for the photograph, Shin truly embodied the image of a cool young boss. If he were ever to be a main character in a business film, Shin would be perfectly cast.
After the photoshoot, Jenna, with a slight blush, nodded and thanked Shinro Suzuki for his cooperation.
As Jenna and the man walked out of the office, Shin smiled, unexpectedly finding the interview and modeling experience quite enjoyable.
"Well, that was exciting..." Shin muttered as he shook his head. Glancing at his secretary, he noticed her blushing and acting a bit awkward.
"What's wrong with you?" Shin couldn't help but ask.
"Um... No-nothing..." Hana stammered awkwardly.
--
After the interview and photoshoot, Jenna contacted her assistant editor. After a while, she decided to grab a meal at McDonald's.
"Phew, it's finally done..." Jenna said in relief.
Having researched Shinro Suzuki's background for weeks before the interview, she sighed in relief when it was completed. Reflecting on the cool Shinro Suzuki during the photoshoot, she blushed a little.
She opened her camera and reviewed the photos of Shinro Suzuki.
"I have a feeling that if this photo of Shinro Suzuki is featured in Forbes Magazine, it will be quite popular among young girls with fantasies about a rich man," she remarked.
Indeed, Shinro Suzuki, despite being Japanese, possessed a handsome appearance. As an Asian, his looks were relatively rare in the West, making him particularly attractive to many.
Whether her speculation would prove correct would only become apparent once Shinro Suzuki graced the cover of Forbes magazine.
All Jenna had to do now was return to the USA. She needed to process and transcribe the interview with Shinro Suzuki, then submit it along with the photos to the editors. The final decision on which photo would be suitable for the main cover would be made during this process.