Kaito Shiraishi

Title: Unaccounted Resource

Heroes:

Kaito Shiraishi (白石 海斗): 28 years old. The creator and face of the global game "Elysium Online." Rich and famous. In the evenings, he sneaks out in a simple hoodie, becoming "Kai." Yuki Asahina (朝比奈 雪): 23 years old. Works two jobs to pay off her deceased father's debts. Her world is work and the game "Elysium Online" as an escape from reality. She has no interest in the developers' personalities.

Plot: They meet by chance at a food stand. He's a hooded celebrity, she's a tired girl who doesn't recognize him. Their simple encounters over cheap food become a release for both of them.

One day, while talking about the game, Yuki casually points out hidden bugs and balance issues. Kaito is amazed by the precision of her analytical mind. He urgently needs someone like her on the team. But he's afraid to reveal himself, introducing himself simply as "IT guy Kai," and begins cautiously asking her about the game.

Climax: He suggests they play the game together. Disguised as a newbie, he guides her to problem areas. Yuki pinpoints subtle flaws, offering brilliant solutions along the way. Enthralled, Kaito forgets himself and begins talking to her like a colleague, imparting his professional knowledge.

"Yuki, I want to offer you a job in game development. A good contract," he says, unable to contain himself. "What job? You... who are you?" Her voice takes on a chill.

At this point, a loud system announcement sounds in the game: "Kai Shiraishi is online!" The voice in the announcement and "Kai's" voice are the same.

There was silence. Then Yuki's quiet, disappointed voice: — So, that's it. I was just an unpaid tester. "Unaccounted for resource."

Her character is out of the picture. Now Kaito must prove that his interest in her—not as a specialist, but as Yuki—was genuine. And that, beneath the guise of genius, he is the same simple guy Kai who valued their quiet evenings above all his fame.