The gaming industry's most legendary figure had just walked into a smartphone launch event.
Murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire.
Why was Takayuki here?
To most, it made no sense. The man was synonymous with gaming—consoles, cartridges, sprawling RPGs. Smartphones were the enemy, cannibalizing handheld sales and luring casual players away. Yet here he sat, front and center, as if he belonged.
A Facebook shareholder leaned over, voice hushed with reverence. "Mr. Takayuki, it's an honor. I'm a minor investor, but your stake in the company is... substantial."
Takayuki smiled politely. "We all want Facebook to succeed."
The shareholder hesitated. "Do you think Bob can really challenge Myron Keyes?"
"Watch the presentation," Takayuki said, his gaze fixed on the stage. "You'll see."
MMFork Headquarters
An engineer hesitated at Keyes' office door. "Sir, Facebook's keynote started. There's... something you should know."
Keyes didn't look up from his prototype. "Unless they've reinvented silicon, I don't care."
"Takayuki is in the audience. First row."
The stylus in Keyes' hand froze mid-sketch.
A beat of silence. Then:
"Get me that livestream. Now."
On Stage
Bob, Facebook's CEO, stood before a draped object.
"Five years ago, we connected people through screens," he began. "Today, we redefine what those screens can do."
The cloth fell away—revealing a device that made the crowd gasp.
(Which of these last chapters were better in your opinion?