Massachusetts, USA
Hayashi Yoshiki arrived in the afternoon and met Kudo Yusaku that evening.
"Long time no see, Yoshiki-kun."
"Long time no see, Mr. Yusaku."
"It always feels a lot more distant when we meet in person than when we chat via text. You probably haven't eaten yet. Why don't we have a meal together and chat?"
"That's great. To be honest, I don't have much appetite on the plane."
"You and I are the same in that respect."
Kudo Yusaku smiled and took Hayashi Yoshiki to a nearby restaurant.
It was a pretty average steakhouse.
After ordering some simple food, the two started chatting.
About novels, about Kudo Shinichi, about Beika Town... In short, the conversation was quite casual.
"It's really not easy... Actually, I've been hearing news about Shinichi from Professor Agasa. I always feel that the crime rate in Beika Town has suddenly increased?"
"Yes, we often see various cases appearing in the newspapers every other day."
Hayashi Yoshiki put down the drink in his hand, smiled gently and said:
"I don't know if it's an illusion, but I always feel that Conan is prone to cases."
"Hahaha, maybe he really is suited to be a detective!"
"Like he said, detectives are naturally attracted to cases... What about you, Yoshiki-kun?"
"I have indeed come across quite a few cases, but my focus lately has been on novels."
"It will be very hard before the release."
Kudo Yusaku, who is also a novelist, laughed and then changed the subject:
"Speaking of this, let me first talk to you about the game script we are going to make."
"OK."
Ever since the time when the couple tried to trick their son but were sent to the police station by Hayashi Yoshiki, who happened to be passing by, the couple had always had a good impression of him.
Especially after seeing the works published by Hayashi Yoshiki and accidentally hearing some rumors about him, Kudo Yusaku admired him even more.
"The script is set in London in 1888. So, do you have a rough idea of what it's about?"
"London in 1888... the year Jack the Ripper appeared?"
"Yes, it's Jack the Ripper, and then add Sherlock Holmes, who is a common element in detective novels... Very interesting, isn't it?"
"It's going to be really interesting."
"Because it is a script for game development, we have to take the player group into consideration. So we have to ensure that the puzzles are not too difficult while also ensuring that the plot is complete and excellent."
"Does Mr. Yusaku have any idea now?"
"Well... let's say the game is about the player teaming up with Sherlock Holmes to bring Jack the Ripper to justice through investigation and pursuit."
"That's the very traditional route, I see... Are there any requirements for the length of the plot?"
"It's hard to say." Kudo Yusaku smiled. "But if Yoshiki-kun has any ideas, you can just bring them up."
"... Speaking of Sherlock Holmes, we have to mention his nemesis Moriarty. I wonder, if the player has Sherlock Holmes, what will happen if Jack the Ripper has Moriarty?"
"I see. Just like the character Takato Yoichi who just made his debut in your new work—the confrontation between these two parallel rivals is indeed more interesting..."
The two chatted a lot in the restaurant.
For Hayashi Yoshiki, although the most important thing at the moment is Noah's Ark, which is about to be completed, he will not reveal any flaws—at least he must do his job well in the open.
After dinner, Kudo Yusaku received a phone call.
After speaking briefly, he looked at Hayashi Yoshiki and said with a smile:
"It is Mr. Thomas Schindler."
"I originally wanted to let you rest for a night and then meet him tomorrow, but I didn't expect him to be so proactive."
"He has sent a car."
Hayashi Yoshiki had no objection.
Soon, a luxury car stopped in front of them and took them to the headquarters building of Schindler Company.
Not long after, Hayashi Yoshiki met Thomas Schindler on the top floor of the building.
He was a tall white man with very obvious British ancestry.
He had a huge hooked nose and a face that looked more ferocious than majestic.
"Welcome, Mr. Hayashi."
He shook hands with Hayashi Yoshiki.
"Thanks to Mr. Yusaku's recommendation, I was able to invite you here to help with our game development. To be honest, Japan is one of the markets we value very much this time. I have also seen the hot sales of your new work in the Japanese market. It's really amazing."
"With your cooperation with Mr. Yusaku, I think we will be able to write a story that will conquer the entire Japanese market."
Cocoon is the most important step for Schindler Corporation besides artificial intelligence.
As long as it can be successfully released, it will surely sweep all the current games on the market into the garbage bin. Based on such expectations, it is not surprising that ThomasSchindler, the chairman of the IT company, attaches so much importance to the game's quality.
"I am also very honored to be able to participate in the development of this game, Mr. Sindora."
"Haha, although it is still a semi-finished product, Mr. Hayashi, please come and experience 'Cocoon' with us to see what kind of epoch-making product it is."
ThomasSchindler called the staff and took them to a bright room.
There were more than a dozen egg-shaped game cabins in the room. Hayashi Yoshiki sat in one to experience it under the smiling gaze of Kudo Yusaku.
The staff carried out some operations:
"Boarding completed"
"Brainwave transmission device, setup completed."
"Canopy closed"
"Main hardware starts connecting"
"Enter the area code and connect the connector"
After a series of prompt sounds, what soon appeared before Hayashi Yoshiki was an old town shrouded in smog.
London in the 19th century.
Hayashi Yoshiki looked down at his hands, tried to shake them, then turned them over and over again.
Very real.
Almost indistinguishable from the real world.
He looked at the scene in front of him again—there was no flaw. Compared with the reality projection device used in training at the winery, everything seemed more vivid.
After experiencing it for more than ten minutes, Hayashi Yoshiki came out of the game cabin.
"How does it feel?" Kudo Yusaku asked with a smile.
"Incredible... If there is such a device that can be used to carry the game stage and present the script perfectly, no one will be able to refuse it."
Hayashi Yoshiki's handsome face was filled with amazement. He then looked at ThomasSchindler, who was smiling proudly in front of him, and said:
"It's like a miracle—the biggest miracle, Mr. Schindler."
"…..."
Hearing this, ThomasSchindler's eyes seemed to be dazed for a moment.
He was a beat late before he reacted and shook hands with Hayashi Yoshiki.
The latter wore a ring on his hand as usual.