In the spacious living room of Shin's residence, the atmosphere was lively and filled with laughter. Shin and Mira were engrossed in a game of virtual tennis on the KiShin Wii, their movements animated and spirited, while their daughter Mikasa watched, her eyes following every swing and hit with fascination.
As they were fully immersed in their game, the sound of the front door opening followed by Shinichi's voice broke the concentration. "I'm home," he announced, sticking to the traditional Japanese way of greeting upon returning home.
Mira, still clad in her vibrant exercise outfit while playing a game, turned towards Shinichi with a smile. "You're back," she greeted warmly, pausing the game. "How was school today?" she inquired, her voice full of maternal concern and curiosity, making it clear that Shinichi's day and experiences were just as important to her as the lively game of Wii tennis.
Shinichi replied with a simple, "It was alright," as he placed his school bag neatly on the bag hanger, an act of discipline typical in the organized and spacious household.
Shin, momentarily pausing his virtual tennis match with Mira, glanced at Shinichi and offered a nod of approval. "That's good to hear that school's going well for you. Hey, you should try out this new console I brought home," he suggested, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice.
"Is that the KiShin Wii?" Shinichi stepped closer, his eyes curiously examining the console that hadn't yet hit the market.
"Yes, that's the one. If you're interested, you can give it a try," Shin offered warmly, extending the innovative Wii controller towards Shinichi.
"Maybe later," Shinichi demurred, though his interest was evident. He shook his head gently before changing the subject. "By the way, Dad, my friends found out you're my father, the owner of KiShin. They're really excited and want to meet you. They also hope to see the inside of the KiShin headquarters."
Shin raised his eyebrows in mild surprise, setting the controller aside for Mikasa to pick up and join Mira in the game. "What? I thought you were playing your little game of secrecy, wanting to keep it from them that I'm your dad," Shin remarked, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.
"Yeah, but I slipped up today, and now they know you're my dad," Shinichi admitted with a sigh, the weight of the reveal still settling in.
Shin smiled reassuringly and patted Shinichi gently on the head. "Don't worry about it," he said softly, his voice carrying a comforting tone. "I always thought your little game of keeping secrets was a bit silly. It was only a matter of time before they found out, and I guess today was that day. Besides, with the amount of attention KiShin attracts, it's likely that many people already know you're my son."
He paused, letting out a light chuckle, "I wouldn't be surprised if some journalists are already speculating about you inheriting the company and all that."
"What?" Shinichi couldn't hide his shock, a mix of fear and surprise flickering in his eyes.
Mira, who had been following the conversation from the sidelines, couldn't stay silent anymore. "Shin," she said firmly, "you shouldn't scare your son like that." Her words were gentle but pointed, her gaze meeting Shin's with a clear message.
Shin, undeterred, let out another chuckle, a light-hearted shrug accompanying his response. "What's wrong with it? He's going to have to face these realities sooner or later. It's better to prepare him now, isn't it?" His voice, while cheerful, hinted at the underlying truths of the responsibilities and challenges Shinichi might one day inherit.
Mira fell silent, absorbing Shin's perspective but still visibly troubled by the potential burden being placed on their son's shoulders. After a moment, she spoke up, her voice softer but filled with conviction, "But still, I think it's better to wait until he's older before burdening him with such stressful realities. He's still a child, Shin."
Shin glanced at Shinichi, perhaps reassessing the situation through Mira's eyes. "Well, maybe you're right," he conceded. "But I'm just trying to prepare him. Imagine if he suddenly encounters someone looking to exploit him for information just because he's my son. How would he handle that?"
Mira's expression softened with concern, her maternal instincts clashing with the harsh realities of their life's circumstances. She looked at Shinichi, then back at Shin, her eyes reflecting a mix of worry and resolve. "I understand your concerns, and they are valid," she began, her voice steady but gentle. "But there's a way to prepare him without making him anxious about the 'what ifs' of the future. We need to teach him how to be cautious and aware, yes, but also let him enjoy his childhood. Let's guide him, not scare him into growing up too fast."
Hearing his parents on the verge of a minor disagreement, Shinichi felt a sudden urge to interject, "Please stop." His voice carried a weight that immediately drew their attention. "And mother, I am fine, don't worry about me too much."
Mira paused, looking at her son with a mix of surprise and concern. Shinichi, seizing the moment of silence, continued, "Dad is right. Being aware of such possibilities just helps me prepare for what might happen."
His words hung in the air, reflecting a maturity that Mira hadn't fully realized in her son. It was a sobering reminder that Shinichi was growing up, facing realities that were far beyond the usual concerns of children his age.
At the same time, perhaps Shin's approach held its own merit. By exposing Shinichi to the realities of their situation early on, Shin was equipping his son with the knowledge and awareness necessary to navigate the complexities of being associated with a high-profile figure like himself. In a world where information could be leveraged and where the intentions of others could be masked by politeness or curiosity, understanding the potential for exploitation was crucial.
In the tranquility of the living room, only Shin and Shinichi remained as Mira retreated to the kitchen to prepare lunch. The soft hum of the game console filled the space between them.
"So, your friends want to meet me and see what's inside the KiShin HQ?" Shin queried, his focus still partly on the intense gameplay of Resident Evil 4 on the KS2.
"Yes. I didn't promise them anything, but they seemed pretty hopeful about meeting you," Shinichi replied, watching his father navigate through the dangers in the Resident Evil 4.
"Heh? They're requesting an audience with someone as busy as me?" Shin let out a playful snort, pausing the game momentarily to give Shinichi his full attention.
"You? Busy? The last time I was in your office with Mom, all I saw was you playing games on your computer!" Shinichi shot back with a grin.
"Ahh, Shinichi... You just don't understand. Testing the company's games is part of my job. It's a busy and challenging task!" Shin retorted with a playful smirk, diving back into the game.
Shinichi snorted in disbelief. He knew all too well his father's penchant for blending leisure with work. "Testing games? Isn't that more of a game tester's job than a chairman's?" he pointed out, skepticism laced in his tone.
Shin shifted uncomfortably, then coughed slightly, attempting to regain some semblance of authority. "You don't need to focus on that, Shinichi," he deflected, before addressing the main topic. "As for meeting your friends, I honestly can't promise anything. Just because they know you doesn't automatically mean I should meet them. Besides, unless it's a matter of grave urgency or distress, my schedule remains as it is."
Although Shinichi felt a twinge of disappointment, he recognized his father's reluctance to meet his friends. It wasn't out of disinterest or disdain; rather, Shin seemed to be imparting a lesson about equality and humility.
Shin's decision not to grant Shinichi's friends a special audience was rooted in a broader principle. He aimed to teach Shinichi that connections or familial ties shouldn't be leveraged for personal gain or to curry favor. This lesson was about emphasizing the importance of achieving things on one's own merit, without relying on the influence or status of one's family. It underscored the values of fairness and hard work, illustrating that preferential treatment based on who one knows contradicts the principles of fairness and equity.
Besides, Shinichi hadn't truly promised his friends a meeting with his father, as he had anticipated his dad's refusal.
--
As time moved on, the next school day ushered in a crisp early morning. Shinichi, having reconvened with his friends, found himself encircled by eager faces, all awaiting an update.
"Sorry, guys. But my dad's really busy and didn't have time to meet everyone," Shinichi explained, his voice tinged with a resigned sigh.
Upon hearing this, Arnold exhaled softly, understanding the situation. "You don't have to apologize. He's the founder and chairman of KiShin, after all. It makes sense he's very busy..."
The rest of Shinichi's friends showed signs of acceptance too. Ryo chimed in, "Yeah. I kind of expected our request might be too much. The KiShin empire is vast; your dad must have a lot on his plate..."
Satoshi simply nodded in agreement, signaling his understanding of the circumstances.
Then, Takeshi, initially disheartened, brightened up as he proposed an alternative. "It's a pity. But maybe we can visit your house instead, right, Shinichi?" he asked with a hopeful tone.
Shinichi, caught slightly off guard by the new request, pondered for a moment before responding. "Well, if my parents agree to it, why not?" He then quickly added, "I'll ask them later."
"Yay!" Shinichi's friends couldn't help but cheer at the prospect, their spirits lifted by the possibility of at least spending time at their friend's home, if not meeting the elusive Mr. Suzuki.
As Shinichi and his friends continued their conversation, a different topic began to permeate the air around them. They overheard their classmates enthusiastically discussing YouTube, a platform that had started to capture the attention of many, especially those with access to high-speed internet thanks to their affluent backgrounds. It seemed that a growing number of their peers were not just content with browsing the emerging video-sharing site; they were actively contributing content, uploading casual videos shot on their iPhones.
The chatter among Shinichi's classmates revealed a fascinating trend: they were not only uploading whimsical, light-hearted videos from their iPhones but also using YouTube as a portal to stay updated on the latest developments in the gaming world, particularly those related to KiShin. The platform had begun serving a dual purpose, merging personal expression with the pursuit of information.
Indeed, KiShin had cleverly utilized YouTube to disseminate updates, trailers, and teasers for their upcoming video games and the highly anticipated new console, the KiShin Wii. This strategic move by KiShin demonstrated a keen understanding of the platform's potential to reach a wide audience and engage directly with consumers.
As a result, the YouTube channel dedicated to KiShin became a hotspot for gamers eager to catch a glimpse of the future, to learn more about what the renowned company was planning next. This content not only fed the excitement for KiShin's innovations but also significantly contributed to increasing traffic on YouTube. Gamers from all over were tuning in, eager not to miss any announcements or first looks, turning the video-sharing site into a central hub for gaming news and updates.
While engrossed in their discussion about YouTube, curiosity got the better of Shinichi and his friends. They each pulled out their iPhones, tapping into the 3G network signal. They navigated to the pre-installed Chrome browser and keyed in the YouTube URL. After a moment of loading, the familiar interface of YouTube appeared on their screens.
The homepage was bustling with activity, featuring a variety of videos from various video game studios, prominently showcasing trailers for their upcoming releases. Among these, KiShin's content stood out prominently, especially the trailer for the much-anticipated KiShin Wii console.
The group huddled around their devices, clicking on the KiShin Wii trailer with eager anticipation. As the video played, their eyes were glued to the screen, captivated by the glimpses of innovative gameplay and the novel Wii controller that promised a whole new gaming experience. This moment, shared among friends, highlighted not only their shared passion for gaming but also the powerful role of YouTube as a platform for bringing the latest industry news directly to enthusiasts, regardless of where they were or what device they were using.