"Does a strong, independent woman have less appeal than a submissive housewife? Is that what you think, Team Leader Fuyukawa?"
Staring at the black text on her computer screen, Minister Miyano's brows twitch slightly, her alluring fox-like eyes narrowing dangerously at Tetsu Fuyukawa.
Her words carry a hidden edge, obvious to anyone with half a brain. But Tetsu, attuned to reading emotions through subtle cues, knows her personality well. With a woman like this, showing weakness invites contempt, but being stubbornly defiant won't cut it either. He needs to bring real substance to the table.
After a moment's thought, he shakes his head. "To be precise, in the current market, a strong, independent woman has less appeal than a submissive housewife."
"Oh?" Miyano sets the documents aside, perching half her curvaceous hip on the desk, her fox-like eyes blinking with intrigue.
Tetsu takes a sip from his teacup and continues, "It's similar to the lipstick effect. Young people today talk about 'lying flat,' but humans are wired with all sorts of desires. Those don't vanish just because the environment gets tough. In fact, the harsher the external conditions, the more suppressed desires become—and the stronger they grow.
"But humans are rational creatures. Our brains weigh costs and benefits. When the pain of pursuing something outweighs the pleasure, people opt for easier joys.
"That's the lipstick effect. During economic downturns, people avoid big purchases like houses or cars, but markets for affordable pleasures—food, clothing, mid-to-low-end cosmetics, games, anime—see a reverse boom.
"The same applies to emotional markets, with some nuances. Our research shows that this year's graduates—university, vocational school, and high school—earn around 200,000 yen a month. That's not bad; it's enough for a decent life in Tokyo. But there's a catch—"
"Being single?" Miyano interjects, her eyes glinting with interest, a +100 emotional value popping up above her head.
Tetsu nods. "Exactly. In Tokyo, men are increasingly opting out of marriage, not just because of high housing costs but also because over 50% of Japanese women become housewives after marriage. A 200,000-yen salary is fine for a single guy to live comfortably, but supporting a girlfriend, wife, or kids? The pressure skyrockets.
"It's not that they don't want love; it's that the cost of romance or marriage is too high. So they suppress those desires. Even in ancient China, eunuchs adopted sons or had women they fancied.
"No one can fully suppress their innate biological urges. Eventually, they let those emotions out, but in ways that are less stressful, more relaxed.
"The keywords are pressure and ease. So, back to our topic: conquering a strong, independent woman—making a haughty career woman lift her skirt in reluctant, blushing submission—is a huge thrill. But it's not easy. It takes effort, and early on, the protagonist might even face setbacks to make her character feel authentic. While that's logical, it risks alienating players who don't want the hassle.
"In contrast, a gentle housewife who doesn't need much 'conquering'—maybe just a place to stay or a few kind words to win her over, who greets the player at the door on her knees and is always ready for intimacy—has a broader appeal."
After his long spiel, Tetsu takes another sip of tea, sneaking a glance at the emotional values floating above Miyano's head.
+100+100+100-500+1000+150+150
She's satisfied with my market analysis.
When I mentioned 'making a strong woman lift her skirt in reluctant, blushing submission,' it stirred her—her emotional value dropped by 500, but after a brief dip, it surged even higher.
As expected, she's an M hiding under an S facade.
Tetsu muses to himself. Meanwhile, Miyano leans forward slightly from her perch on the desk, her cheeks close, her eyes gleaming with growing amusement. "I agree with your take. If you stick to this approach, there shouldn't be major issues. It'll come down to the game's overall experience. But I didn't expect you to know so much about women, Team Leader Fuyukawa. So, do you find conquering a strong woman too much trouble?"
Whoa, she's bold.
Staring at her captivating face inches away, a spark ignites in Tetsu's eyes.
Joking aside, Miyano's pear-shaped figure, sultry face, and the icy allure of her high-ranking position—who wouldn't be tempted?
But she's clearly fishing.
Acting too eager would only earn her scorn, just like before. Instead, Tetsu lifts his head, flashing a gentle smile, his eyes narrowing to slits. "Of course, what man doesn't dream of bringing a strong woman to her knees?"
"?!"
Caught off guard by his response, Miyano's fox-like eyes widen. It takes her a moment to recover, her gaze turning icy. "How dare you! Do you even know what you're—What are you doing?!"
Before she can finish, Tetsu stands, his 186 cm frame towering over her. With a gentle, squinting smile, he leans in, his face nearly touching her nose.
Panic!
Miyano's alluring eyes flicker with unease, but she quickly steadies herself, leaning back slightly. "Team Leader Fuyukawa! What are you doing?!"
"Doing?"
Almost nose-to-nose, Tetsu breathes in the faint scent of her perfume and the subtle warmth rising from her snowy peaks below. Hands in pockets, he leans closer, propping his left hand on the desk, his nose brushing lightly against her swan-like neck. His squinting smile cracks open slightly. "Weren't you the one teasing me? What, scared now?"
So bold?!
Feeling his warm breath on her neck, Miyano trembles slightly. Because of past interactions, she's been intrigued by Tetsu, but she's always seen him as a young man she could toy with. She never expected him to be this aggressive, skipping any back-and-forth and acting like he's ready to pounce!
Panic!
But not entirely.
Her eyes grow colder, but her tone turns even more seductive. "Does your big sister smell nice?"
"Pretty—"
Before Tetsu can finish, his arm is grabbed. Her knee, backed by a six-pack core, slams into him. In the next second, he's airborne, crashing heavily onto the sofa.
"Still think your big sister smells nice? Now, get on your knees and—"
With a deft judo throw, Miyano sends Tetsu flying over a meter. She stands, smoothing her hair, ready to toss out a mocking jab. But as she rises, she freezes—Tetsu, who should be groaning on the sofa, is already back on his feet.
"A sumi-gaeshi? Didn't expect our esteemed minister to be a judo expert."
Rubbing his sore shoulder and cracking his neck, Tetsu's face still carries that squinting smile. In the next moment, to Miyano's utter shock, he steps forward in a low stance, launching a swift right roundhouse kick toward her waist!