Marius "Child at Heart"/Rewards
Scene 1: Conference Room
You start to feel nervous the moment you step into the conference room with Marius.
You quickly glance over the nameplates. These are names that only appear on the financial news channels.
Even though you and Marius are the only ones in the conference room, you feel pressured after seeing the nameplates.
Marius: What, are you nervous?
You: ...It's my first time meeting such important people, let alone being in a Pax board meeting.
Marius: Well, about meeting important people, aren't you with me every day? You don't seem to be nervous around me.
You: That's because it's you! It's different!
Marius: ...
Marius lets out a silent laugh, as if he plans to ridicule you some more.
At that moment, the meeting room bell rings.
Marius: Come in.
Assistant: Master Marius, will the board meeting commence at the scheduled time?
Marius: Yep, the time is unchanged.
The assistant acknowledges and leaves. You look up at the time on the conference room display.
The board meeting is about to start in ten minutes...
Marius: If you still feel nervous, just imagine that they're just big talking pumpkins.
You: ...?
Marius: What's with the look? That's what they say on the Internet. Relax. Just be your normal self.
You: I'm just afraid that I won't do a good job and will damage the firm's reputation.
Marius chuckles after hearing what you had just said.
Marius: Ordinary attornies[sic] don't have the chance to become legal consultants for Pax, let alone be on a case like this.
Marius: If Themis trusts you to come and help me, that means you have the capabilities to do so.
His purple eyes are fixated on you, as if he is trying to give you some more courage.
Marius: I believe in you, so you should believe in yourself a little more.
You: Alright!
After hearing Marius' words of encouragement, the antsy feeling completely disappears.
Marius: It's almost time. Let's sit down and wait for them.
You nod and sit down next to your nameplate.
After everyone has arrived, Marius begins with the main subject of the meeting.
He plans on working with an overseas anime company in hopes of incubating Pax's own new IPs.
Contrary to what you expected, more than half the people reject the idea.
Board Member A: This proposal is just another icing on the cake. Pax's product chain already covers most of everyone's lives.
Board Member B: Companies have made large amounts of profit through their own IP. However, their competitors weren't so lucky.
Board Member B: There are safer choices. There is no reason to choose such a high risk industry. I do not agree.
It seems they're trying to force Marius to give up on this cooperation.
Marius: There will be very limited options left for us by the time you guys can see the future of this industry.
Marius: And high risk often means high rewards. Everyone here should know that better than I do.
Marius: Also...
You listen to Marius speak with confidence. The words projected from the terminal changes alongside his voice.
And just like that, going back and forth with the other board members, he continues on for two straight hours.
A few board members' attitudes towards the project loosen up, but they still remain against the idea.
You: (It's so hard trying to persuade these people...)
Marius: ...
It may be your imagination, but it feels as if Marius suddenly shoots a glance in your direction.
Marius: Looks like we won't be able to reach a conclusion in a timely manner.
Marius: How about we take a one-hour break? Everybody can get some rest and we'll continue in an hour.
Marius picks up the terminal from the desk, and the two of you leave the conference room.
