I was the kind of kid who couldn't ask my father to play with me.
Here it goes.
The one time I gathered up the courage to ask him...
Dad?
Can you play with me?
At that time, I wanted to play with my father more.
I wanted to play like that.
Like two friends with a large age difference.
-Okay, throw it here. Right here. -Here I go, Dad!
It's been years since then.
But now, that dream may finally come true.
Right here, in the world of Final Fantasy!
SHADED BOWER
How can I get Dad to add me as a friend?
Dad of Light Project!
This is my project to invite my father
into the Final Fantasy XIV world, a place that I adore,
and go on spectacular adventures with him while concealing my true identity.
It's my way of showing my father that I care for him!
You wouldn't believe
how low the retention rate for our new employees is.
EPISODE 2 BEGINNER DIFFICULTIES
Particularly for the women.
After we teach them how to do their jobs,
they quit all of a sudden without giving us a heads up.
It's absolutely crazy.
I don't have the slightest idea what's causing it either.
That's why I need you.
You're pretty close to these ladies in age,
so you can casually approach them and find out what's up.
I'm counting on you.
-You want me to do it? -Yes.
Wouldn't it be better if you asked them, Sir?
Don't be stupid. I'm busy with other things.
Learning how women think will help you in life.
Consider that, okay? I'm counting on you.
Do a good job, and I'll treat you to a hostess club.
I'm counting on you.
Seriously?
A female employee who might quit?
Yes, he asked me to find out why they want to quit.
That old pervert!
When we're drinking, he always says
that he's an expert at reading women's feelings.
You get along with female employees here,
so I thought you might have an idea, Mr. Hakamada.
Well, let me see. If that's what you're looking for,
then she's the one.
You mean Ms. Shouda?
Right. Yohko Shouda.
She's the brightest star among this year's newly hired employees.
She is head and shoulders above the rest.
However, she doesn't seem motivated to work.
She's as bad as Eric Hillman, who Giants obtained from Lotte in 1997.
What? Who's that?
Female employees that quit early have some things in common.
First of all, they hate doing overtime.
They don't go drinking with other employees.
And, they're beautiful.
Beautiful women have lots of self-confidence.
They're convinced that they'll manage somehow after they quit.
I knew asking you was the right thing to do.
Will you help me find out more?
No, I can't do that.
I'll be on a business trip to Nagoya for a week starting today.
The only thing I can do is finding a great miso cutlet restaurant.
You're kidding.
Listen, Inaba. This is an opportunity!
It's crazy, but it is a secret mission from your boss.
If Kosaku Shima were doing this,
he would turn it into an opportunity for a promotion.
You can do this by yourself!
What?
It looks like Indy has gotten used to playing.
I can hardly believe he's 60 years old.
Aren't you going to talk to him?
I guess I should.
Hello!
Can I come in, Akio?
Sure.
-I'm coming in. -Hold on a second!
It won't turn off.
Wait!
Tissue...
What?
I'm sorry. I should have realized what you were doing.
I'm not doing that! I think you misunderstood.
So, what is it?
Well, you see...
I think something is broken.
When I use the keyboard,
it keeps on pressing the letter A.
This one is old. I think it's broken.
I'll buy you a new one.
Okay.
What will you do until I get a new one?
There are other options, like using a software keyboard.
Software keyboard?
That sounds like a lot of trouble.
Okay, how about this?
These are called Emotes.
Use these to make your character express emotions.
Emotes?
LAUGH OUT LOUD
Hakamada: Miso cutlets are awesome here! How is it going over there?
Here it goes.
Is there something you want to talk to me about?
Am I about to quit?
Do I really look like that to you?
I'm not talking about your work attitude.
I was just a little worried.
I have thought about quitting a few times.
I wonder why.
I mean, our salary isn't fantastic, but it's not so bad either.
And you get overtime pay.
Is there something you don't like about the company?
Do you have a problem with the other employees?
I'm not sure if I can help,
but if you tell me the reason, I'll do what I can.
You're a serious person, aren't you?
Pardon?
I don't want to tell you, Mr. Inaba.
What?
Why?
I don't want to tell you, Mr. Inaba.
Maidy?
Is something wrong, Maidy?
Sorry. I'm fine.
Let's go look for Indy, shall we?
Actually...
What?
Who did Nobunaga Oda defeat at the Battle of Okehazama?
-Yoshimoto Imagawa. -The answer is Yoshimoto Imagawa.
Usually, he would be playing the game around this time.
Shikibu Murasaki?
-What? Right, it was Shonagon Sei. -The answer is Shonagon Sei.
Could it be that
he is no longer as motivated as before
since he needs to complete sub-quests
to acquire more experience points he couldn't get from the main quest?
Is that where he's stuck?
If it's true, it means trouble.
This is usually when beginners quit an online game.
I made coffee for everyone.
Our neighbors, the Shinjos, brought this back from Puerto Rico.
I have to figure out why he stopped!
If my guess is right, then my whole project is ruined!
By the way, Dad.
Yes?
Aren't you going to play that game today?
Right, that.
That Final Fantasia game...
I quit.
What? Really?
Why?
Just like you told me, I followed the exclamation marks.
But then I noticed
I was in Land of Snow.
What?
Dad,
you shouldn't be here when you're only level seven.
How did you get here?
I was just wandering around.
I see.
Never mind that.
So, what does this have to do with you quitting?
This is Land of Snow,
so everyone in town
is wearing a coat.
Right.
What's wrong?
Dad is probably embarrassed
since he's the only one in short sleeves.
You can't be serious.
I'm going for a walk.
Yoshida!
Really? That was the reason?
I was shocked as well.
I've seen people quit for a lot of different reasons,
but I never imagined someone would quit
because they were embarrassed about wearing short sleeves.
Beginners will get frustrated for the silliest reasons, you know.
Come to think of it, that's what beginners are like.
It looks like Indy learned how to change clothes.
Yes. He won't be embarrassed anymore.
This is great news.
Excuse me.
Can I sit here?
I thought about what we talked about before.
I wondered why you wouldn't tell me.
You see...
I don't care what the reason is.
I won't think it's odd.
I know beginners can get frustrated over pretty minor things.
Beginners?
Well, I mean...
New employees are like beginners in an office setting, right?
I just think there must be a reason
that those who worked for a long time can never understand.
I don't care what the reason is. It must be legitimate anyway.
Are you doing this as part of your work?
Or is this a personal interest of yours?
Right, well, actually...
I mean, you see...
I honestly don't want you to quit.
I mean...
The other day
I told my college friends why I wanted to quit.
They said I was being stupid.
That's why I didn't want to tell you.
But, for you, Mr. Inaba,
I think I'll tell you the reason.
Really?
The real reason is...
Who would have thought the ugly uniforms were her reason?
-Ms. Kondo! -Yes?
-Your souvenir from Nagoya. -What is it?
-Kishimen pie. -It looks delicious!
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
Pink, is it? Not bad. I like her idea.
Everyone seems to like the idea.
It's only a uniform, but it is a uniform, after all.
A lot of women might have quit for this reason, you know.
-Hey, Yohko! -Yes?
-Your souvenir from Nagoya. -Thank you.
And just for you, a shachihoko key ring.
-Thanks. -Use it, okay?
-A company uniform? -That's right.
I thought it would be cool to have an original Giovi uniform.
That's a great idea!
Let's all choose our favorite clothes and colors and then we'll talk it over.
Maidy!
It's Indy!
What?
Is he really fighting a Treant Sapling again?
-Yes, he is! -You're kidding!
Look!
He must be nuts!
If we don't do anything, he'll die!
I...
I won't let that happen!
Chest!
Are you all right?
Akio.
Did you fall? Are you all right?
Okay, here.
Let's play together again, Dad.
I would like to ask you
to be my friend.
Akio, can I come in?
Sure.
Are you sure it's okay?
I'm really going to open the door.
You don't have to worry about that kind of thing.
Akio, I got a friend request.
Is it okay to accept that kind of thing?
Yes, it's okay. You can accept it.
From now on, that person's name will be in orange.
If you have any questions, you can ask them.
Because those people
are your friends.
What?
My friends?
Yes.
I guess there are kind people even in the game world.
Don't stay up too late playing the game, all right?
Good night.
Okay, good night.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCEPT THE FRIEND REQUEST FROM MAIDY?
M. MAIDY IS NOW YOUR FRIEND.