Volume 1 - CH 2.3

Part 3

Even after having endured the day’s worth of frustration, Seiya was dragged back to Amaburi by Isuzu.

“So…” After entering through the staff entrance, Seiya asked, “Where are you bringing me this time?”

Isuzu remained silent and glanced at her phone. After appearing to read a text, she started fumbling with the buttons in an awkward manner.

“Hey.”

“…”

“At the very least, apologize before you use your phone in the middle of a conversation. Haven’t your parents taught you any manners?”

“…”

“Not gonna say anything? I’m leaving, then.”

As he attempted to walk off, Isuzu grabbed Seiya’s collar.

“Hey…!”

“How do I type emoticons on this?” She showed Seiya her phone.

RE: They’re here, fumo

Got it. I’m at the entrance on the first floor. I’ve brought Seiya with me.

>Sender: Moffle

>Recipient: Sento Isuzu

>The guys from Amagi Development are here, fumo.

>They’ve entered Conference Room 3. Come here ASAP.

This was certainly a dubious message. First of all, the recipient was Moffle, the mascot whom Seiya fought with. Also, why was Moffle involved in administrative matters? These people from ‘Amagi Development’ seemed to be a point of interest as well, given that Moffle said they were coming.

Putting those suspicions aside, Seiya asked, “I don’t really know what you guys are up to, but at any rate, I take it that you want to put the emoticon after ‘I’ve brought Seiya with me’?”

Isuzu nodded.

“What kind of emoticon?”

“One that is smiling and waving its hands, please.”

“Okay…give it to me for a sec.”

I’ve brought Seiya with me. ^^ノ

“Is that okay?”

“Hmm…I guess that’s fine.”

What’s with that reaction? What emoticon would elicit more than a ‘fine’?

More importantly—“So…where are you bringing me to?”

“To meet the guys from Amagi Development.”

“Amagi Development?”

“They are what you would call our ‘enemies’.”

They walked into a short building opposite the theme park. Conference Room 3 was located on the third floor. The room was plain, with discolored long tables and pipe chairs. A dirty whiteboard hung on the wall.

The ‘enemies’ that Isuzu mentioned sat in the room. There were 3 of them in total. The two men on each side looked like normal businessmen. The guy in the middle, however, looked to be younger, perhaps in his mid 20’s, similar to Aisu, Seiya’s aunt. The three of them wore the same high-grade chic grey suits. Their eyes looked like predators that had found their prey, and their grins bore fangs that spelled trouble.

The young man glanced at Seiya and introduced himself.

“The name’s Kurisu Takaya of Amagi Development.” He took out a simple business card and handed it out.

However, Seiya did not have a business card. He accepted it and lowered his head in respect.

Kurisu straightened his face and asked, “Pleased to meet you. This student is…?”

“He’s an intern. He will be documenting the minutes of today’s meeting,” Isuzu explained.

“An intern; I see. What about your manager Latifa-san?”

Isuzu was the only cast member present in the meeting room. Seiya had thought that the arrogant mascot (or person inside the suit?) Moffle would show up, but that did not seem to be the case.

“Our manager is not feeling well today, hence she will not be coming. I, the acting manager, will be speaking in her stead. I believe we informed you via email earlier.”

“I understand.”

Having spent so much time and effort in coming down today only to be told that his client was absent should have been very frustrating to him. But strangely enough, Kurisu accepted the explanation without a qualm. It was obvious that the two men next to him weren’t pleased, but after Kurisu glared at them, they quietly swallowed their unhappiness. Kurisu must have been a big shot in the company.

After a brief moment of silence, he continued.

“Alright, Isuzu-san. I’m sure you’re aware of the reason we’re here today. In the event that Amagi Brilliant Park is unable to attract the specified number of visitors within the next two weeks, its rights will be handed over to Amagi Development.”

“…Yes,” Isuzu answered, making sure not to reveal her emotions.

“Let’s see now…according to this contract made in 1982, if Amagi Brilliant Park is unable to draw 1 million annual visitors for 5 consecutive years, the management rights will default to Amagi Development. As such—”

Kurisu Takaya handed over copies of the contract and statistics, and continued his lengthy explanation. After listening to it, Seiya had a good grasp of the situation. In short, Amaburi was in deep shit.

Amagi Development was a large shareholder among this town’s business, and they were dead set on bringing Amaburi to the ground. If they couldn’t fulfill the criteria stated in the contract, Amaburi would be essentially theirs. They had two weeks left, with more than 100,000 visitors to bring in. Once they got the rights, they might build a golf course or housing estate on the freed-up land. In any case, Amaburi was done for. 100,000 visitors in 2 weeks. An impossible feat, so to speak. It was safe to assume that the park was already in the process of closing. Of course, Kurisu’s main motive today was to discuss the liquidation of assets.

“It seems to me like you aren’t making any preparations for your closure at all. There aren’t any notices up, and the phone lines, water networks, and electricity are still operational. This is truly unfathomable. Would you mind providing an explanation to this?”

“That’s because…” Isuzu gulped. “…we still can’t guarantee that we won’t meet the quota.”

Kurisu smiled.

“Can’t guarantee? Please don’t joke with us; your ledgers are all in the red! You’ve nearly exhausted your funds and your facilities are run-down! Well, it’s probably just a trend; there’s nothing much you can do about this outdated park anyway. It would be best if you’d hurry up and get your assets sorted to minimize your losses.”

“We are fully aware of this, but…”

“No, you aren’t. I know you all too well. All you people think about is the cultural value of the park and that it’s a sin to profit from it, isn’t it?”

“We didn’t say that at all.”

“It’s all the same. Even theme parks are businesses in nature. Do you need me to tell you how much trouble you’re imposing on others?” With his fountain pen still held in his hands, Kurisu punched in some numbers on his calculator.

“Let’s see now. Assuming an average household with 4 family members earning 4 million yen per year visits this theme park about 2-4 times a year…”

“…And then?”

“This is just an example. Now, according to your visitor count last year, in order for you guys to break even, this family needs to spend…give me a minute.”

The sounds of the button presses reverberated throughout the room. While waiting, Seiya did a quick calculation just like he would when watching a quiz show.

“85,000 yen.”

“I’m sorry?” Kurisu, who had just finished his calculations, asked in surprise. The two men beside him were equally shocked.

“85,000 yen. A hefty sum for the average family, I’d say.”

Kurisu looked at Seiya, seemingly impressed. “That’s a rather accurate estimation. The answer’s 83,200 yen.”

“Hmph.”

That was unexpected, though I’m sure I would’ve gotten an even more accurate amount if I had known the content of the park’s electricity bills.

“Assuming you weren’t just making a wild guess, that’s some skills you’ve got there, young man. Why don’t you come and intern at Amagi Development instead?” Kurisu said, though it was impossible to tell if he was serious or not. The two men kneaded their eyebrows in discontent.

“Appreciate the offer, but I’ll pass…”

“Well, that’s a shame. I was even thinking of mentoring you personally,” Kurisu shrugged. “Anyway, back to the topic. So in order to sustain your ‘fun and games’, each family would have to spend 83,200 yen. Not gonna happen.”

He’s right. They could go on an overseas trip instead for that price. No family would pay that much for a mere excursion.

“It would be absurd to ask that much from an average family. Mind if you tell me what sort of special service you are offering that would warrant such costs?”

The hell would I know?

Seiya grumbled in silence. Isuzu gave an uneasy expression, unable to answer Kurisu’s question.

“That’s…well… If you could just give us a little more time…” Isuzu stuttered as she tried to reply.

From the side, Seiya could see that she was putting on a sullen expression and trying not to let her emotions take over. For some reason, he felt that this situation was akin to a commander questioning his subordinates for failing to defeat an opponent.

“So be it, then. Your guests are all idiots, anyway.”

“…!” Isuzu swallowed her breath. It was apparent that she wanted to talk back, but somehow managed to control herself. In the end, all she could manage was a soft reply. “Our guests are…idiots?”

“Am I wrong?”

This is bad, Seiya thought. If he were right, this would be the part where Isuzu draws her musket out from her skirt. Seiya leaned forward in an attempt to stop her.

“I see. I understand where you’re coming from,” Seiya replied, forcing out a smile. “It’s true that we’ve yet to make any preparations for the closure, but we’ll do it soon. …Am I right, Sento-san?”

Isuzu was extremely reluctant, but nodded obediently.

After a careful observation of their behavior, Kurisu sighed. “We came to make sure of that, because it didn’t seem to be the case. Now, would you please excuse us?”

The three of them packed up their notes and left the conference room.