The MD meeting came to a temporary pause. Before the New Year arrived, Kobayashi Tetsu planned to give himself a long vacation.
Afterward, Atlas would set to work on developing a flagship game for the MD.
"Hideo Kojima can be put on schedule to create his beloved Metal Gear, though that will have to be for the MS. As for the MD, let Yuji Naka and his team continue working on Sonic 2."
Who said Atlas couldn't count to two? They were counting to two right now!
As for Kobayashi Tetsu himself.
Since he had time on his hands, he planned to personally create a blockbuster flagship game for the MD.
Since the MD's launch was aimed at the European and American markets—with releases there even a month ahead of Japan—it stood to reason that it should be a game popular in those markets.
Games like Megami Tensei, which didn't resonate well in Europe and America, wouldn't cut it.
Kobayashi Tetsu already had an idea.
On a 16-bit console, he could certainly port an arcade game.
If appropriate modifications were made to the content and graphics, he could introduce one of the arcade games that the Americans loved most.
Metal Slug.
Released in 1996, Metal Slug first appeared as an arcade game, which is why it was filled with "coin-eating" design elements.
The original game was created by a small studio, but was subsequently acquired by SNK, and the original team went on to produce the sequels.
As a mature work from SNK, Metal Slug features a distinct American comic book style and various exaggerated characters. For instance, there is an old prisoner character who can fire energy blasts in a Kamehameha pose; he even has a name: Hyakutaro Ichimonji.
The plot of Metal Slug is not complicated. It features a general who looks like M. Bison, known as General Morden. General Morden leads a rebel army to take over the world, while the surviving resistance scientists develop a rather fantastical tank that can run and jump, making it extremely agile.
This tank is called the "Metal Slug," which is the title of the game.
In a sense, Metal Slug is the game that arguably deserves the name Metal Gear.
Since then, every entry in the series has featured this little tank, staying true to the title.
The plot span of the entire Metal Slug series is quite vast, moving from Morden's Rebel Army to Martians, then to Martian cyborgs, and finally to the Venusians who eliminate the Martians.
Beyond the standard playthrough, the game actually contains a clear critique of the right-wing ideologies of the time. For example, after clearing the first game, the ending isn't a scene of the protagonist's victory, but rather a grunt from Morden's Rebel Army folding a paper airplane. The paper airplane glides over the various scenes of previous battles, showing the war between the rebels and the regular army from the perspective of a civilian.
In addition to characters with stereotypical images like Hyakutaro Ichimonji, the game also mocks many Japanese behaviors, both overtly and covertly.
It can be said that Metal Slug is a first-class work in terms of both gameplay and its inherent substance. Its difficulty is also noteworthy; even today, people are still studying speedrunning techniques for Metal Slug.
And if we were to transplant Metal Slug back to 1988, before 3D games appeared, then Kobayashi Tetsu could responsibly say that Metal Slug would be a AAA masterpiece.
Work has come to an end, and now it's time for a break. Kobayashi Tetsu's schedule for today is to take Koyakawa out to play and have lunch in the morning, find Takamine Aika and have dinner in the afternoon, and then meet Nene in the evening, and then—
With a schedule this packed, it's impossible without a car.
Downstairs from the Atlas office.
Kobayashi Tetsu looks at the parking space, his expression blank.
Where is my AE86!
Where is my big AE86!
Downstairs from the Atlas office.
Kobayashi Tetsu stared at the parking space, looking bewildered.
Where is my AE86! Where did my big AE86 go!
Oh right, Iwata Satoru took it when he went to Nintendo on business; after all, it's Atlas's company car.
Kobayashi Tetsu could only sigh.
It seems he really should buy a car for himself.
Just as Kobayashi Tetsu was wondering if he could make it in time by taking the train today, Taki Kunio arrived at the parking space with the roar of an engine.
"President! What a coincidence."
"Yeah." Kobayashi Tetsu turned his head to look at Taki Kunio's motorcycle.
Noticing Kobayashi Tetsu's gaze, Taki Kunio casually tapped the saddle.
"Pretty great, right? It's a shame I'm getting old and can't race as recklessly as I did in my youth. This Honda has a long history and balanced performance; quite a few people in the club ride it. Top speed is 125, cruising speed is 40. It's a very common motorcycle for city commuting."
As he spoke, he tapped his helmet casually: "I have to be careful about safety, after all!"
Kobayashi Tetsu couldn't help but scratch his head: "So you were a bōsōzoku the whole time?"
"You can't really call yourself a bōsōzoku riding a scooter like this. Back when I was young, I'd just pin the throttle all the way. With a death grip on the handle and a 125cc under me, I'd just shoot off like a bullet. Now? All I can do is put on a helmet and putt-putt through the city at 40 km/h."
Taki Kunio sighed with endless nostalgia as he spoke.
Getting on in years, are we? Not many bōsōzoku make it to old age. He'd managed to stop in time, though he still kept some of his old habits, like his love for leather jackets and riding motorcycles.
Well, never mind whether he's doing 40 km/h or not, the important thing is that he's riding safely!
Kobayashi Tetsu suddenly waved a hand.
"Can I borrow your bike for the day?"
Taki Kunio jerked his head up.
Absolutely not! Bikes and wives are never lent out!
He doesn't have a wife? Well, that settles it then—
A few minutes later, Kobayashi Tetsu had swapped into Taki's leather jacket, put on the helmet, and ridden off at the new national standard speed of 25 km/h.
Taki Kunio opened his mouth, then closed it again.
That was just too slow!
If he rode at that speed, he'd be too embarrassed to say he was a motorcyclist!
Kobayashi Tetsu had said he was going out, but at that rate, it would probably take him two and a half years to get from Tokyo to Osaka!
"New National Standard" Kobayashi Tetsu went to see Koyakawa in the morning; actually, the main purpose was to help Koyakawa arrange a place to live.
No matter how strong a girl's self-esteem is, she will always soften when facing her lover. Kobayashi Tetsu, playing his "big results on a small budget" card, helped Koyakawa rent an apartment near the Kadokawa Game Magazine editorial office. It was less than a kilometer away—an easy bike ride.
The apartment they had just moved into was still filled with unpacked boxes, and the air smelled of dust. Pushing open the window, one could see the street below; there was an unexpectedly peaceful atmosphere.
In the small detached house, after they finished kissing, Kobayashi Tetsu asked her casually, "So, you've really decided to move out of your home?"
Koyakawa nodded. "I don't really like it at home."
Kobayashi Tetsu said, "Actually, I think that even if she is your stepmother, she probably doesn't treat you badly."
Kobayashi Tetsu stopped there and didn't try to persuade her further.
Judging by her usual attire and lifestyle, Koyakawa certainly hadn't been abused by her stepmother, yet she still wanted to leave.
Kobayashi Tetsu could understand what Koyakawa was thinking.
Maybe her stepmother really isn't a bad person, but emotional matters aren't so easily mended. Especially for an older child, it's not easy to readily accept a stranger as family.
And so, having said that much, Kobayashi Tetsu wouldn't continue to persuade her.
As the old saying goes, don't urge others to be kind if you haven't experienced their suffering. Kobayashi Tetsu had no need to play the "central air conditioner," trying to save everyone he met.
Koyakawa raised her head, scanned the room before her, and then took a deep breath.
"Will Tetsu-kun come over often from now on?"
Only if Kobayashi Tetsu came alone, without bringing anyone else. That would be best.
Kobayashi Tetsu agreed without a second thought.
"Sure. Actually, if you don't mind, tonight would be fine too."
"No! That's too, too soon!! I'm not mentally prepared yet."
Koyakawa hurriedly raised both hands, blocking in front of her, and gave Kobayashi Tetsu a light push. However, her intention to stop him wasn't very strong; rather than pushing him away, it was more like some kind of flirtation.
It could even be said that instead of pushing him away, she was essentially pulling him back in.
But Kobayashi Tetsu, acting quite naturally, stepped back a few paces following her movement.
Koyakawa then let her hands drop, feeling both disappointed and annoyed with herself.
"Let's go." Kobayashi Tetsu brushed it off casually, as if what had just happened was nothing more than a passing cloud. He put on his helmet and said, "Let's go get something to eat! I'll take you on my motorcycle; I'm a very steady rider!"
It perfectly met the new national standards—it had no flaws other than being slow!
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