Chapter 109: Making a Decision

In the bestowed garden of the old Shiba Rikyu, Tomo Chimei fulfilled his promise by taking Runa Onodera and Miko Inoue to play in the park.

The mother and daughter were both dressed in exquisite kimonos. Cherry blossoms drifted down onto the picnic cloth spread across the grass, and Miko Inoue had already begun playing with some nearby children.

After listening for a while, Tomo Chimei noticed that Runa Onodera, with a trace of restraint, was chatting amiably with a nearby housewife. Smiling warmly, he stood up and said, "I’ll go take a look over there."

As he walked away, the housewife glanced at Tomo’s retreating figure and, trying to hold back but unable to resist, asked, “Excuse me, is that gentleman your husband? He looks so young!”

“He’s not,” Runa Onodera replied with an unfaltering smile. “He’s… more like a younger brother assigned to look after the two of us.”

“Ah?” The housewife, who had come out alone with her child, quickly bowed and nodded. “Pardon my forwardness. So your husband couldn’t come because of work, and someone from his team was arranged to accompany you? How fortunate you are…”

“You flatter me,” Runa Onodera said, clearly enjoying the chance to meet more housewives. Looking down, a glimpse of a costly necklace caught the eye. “To get this far, I’m quite content.”

“Yes, I see. You look very youthful and well-maintained. What’s your secret?”

“Oh, that… I often go to a certain place…”

Tomo Chimei had stepped away because he knew Runa Onodera never forgot her work.

Besides, he had come here today with purpose—to inspect the land owned by Takeda Manufacturing.

Heading north along the park’s edge by the bay, he could already see the factory buildings in the distance.

The most prominent was a tall building occupying most of the area. Apart from that, there was a smaller house and what looked like a warehouse.

That small plot of land was now worth billions.

But acquiring it would not be easy.

Having promised Ueda Shana to deal with that Mori Jiro, Tomo Chimei’s chief targets were not only Masayoshi Son but also the Mori Group, which was involved in the privatization of the national railway and the Tokyo land dispute.

For someone arriving here, the right approach was to exploit the temporal and informational gaps to weave a network.

There was always someone or something to leverage.

Standing there, Tomo Chimei pulled out his cell phone from his bag.

“Brother Shufu,” he said.

“I’ve been waiting for your call. So, have you made a decision?” Kinoshita Shufu’s voice was calm, not rushed.

Tomo Chimei was silent for a moment before replying, “I can give it a try. But first, I need to know which side your consortium is on.”

After a brief pause, Kinoshita Shufu declared, “Sumitomo!”

Tomo Chimei’s heart jolted. As expected… it was a formidable financial conglomerate. So far, the known major players were Mitsubishi and Sumitomo.

He spoke seriously, “For now, I want to keep my actions from you and the others. If no one knows there’s an outsider, no one knows what moves are being made, perhaps that’s how I’ll have a chance.”

“I see…” Kinoshita Shufu thought it over and then said, “Alright! When you need assistance or support, let me know. I’ll update you promptly with any new information. Also, when the time is right, alert me immediately so I can prepare funds to take over from your side.”

Tomo Chimei smiled at the land. “Understood. If I succeed, I won’t be able to hold onto it.”

“Then I wish you all the best!” Kinoshita Shufu chuckled, happy with his straightforward approach.

Tomo Chimei hung up and took a deep breath, gazing out over the bustling Tokyo Bay.

Everyone knew that with such widespread entanglements, uncertainties were inevitable.

Tomo Chimei was not the only variable.

But since he had arrived in Tokyo at this moment, he was the greatest variable here.

Whether he could hold on or not, he had to try, didn’t he?

He turned away and headed back.

Approaching Runa Onodera, just as he was about to speak, his phone rang again.

After answering, he said, “Is that so? So we can proceed with the paperwork now? Good, then we’ll head over right away.”

After hanging up, Runa Onodera looked at him but maintained her composed housewife demeanor.

Since it was her suggestion, Tomo Chimei played along, standing tall and nodding slightly. “Madam, the Mercedes you ordered is ready for pickup.”

Runa privately thought how different he was in other settings, and seeing him respectfully address her as “Madam” made her heart flutter.

Yet, she first turned to the housewife beside her and said, “Excuse us, we must be going now.”

“Of course! Please, go ahead!” The housewife looked at Tomo Chimei—the tall, handsome man who already bore a hint of sharpness—and, gazing at his phone, let her imagination wander.

Tomo Chimei began packing up, while Runa stood by smiling. “It was a pleasure meeting you. Next time, if you have time, we can dine together and then visit that skincare salon.”

“Thank you very much! It’s an honor,” the housewife bowed her head. “I’ll contact you when convenient.”

Runa smiled demurely and then gracefully departed.

Behind the mother and daughter in their kimonos were the tied obi knots. Below, one was the gently swaying waistline, the other the light steps in delicate sandals, carrying a charming little handbag.

Tomo Chimei carried his own bag in one hand and the picnic supplies in the other, walking behind them like a bodyguard.

At the park’s parking lot, Yusuke Obata was waiting. Tomo got into the car and said, “To Choshin Bank.”

After Runa Onodera sat down, her earlier composure vanished. She began with, “Excuse me, Tomo-kun.”

Tomo Chimei smiled and waved his hand. “Miko-chan, did you have fun?”

“Yeah!” Miko turned around, nodded, then rested her hands on the window, watching the outside world.

Yusuke Obata kept his eyes on the road. Even now, he found it hard to associate this easygoing man with the frenzied, bloodthirsty figure he once was in the secret chamber.

“Tomo-kun…”

He started to speak, but Tomo Chimei interrupted, “Later. I have something to do.”

Obata fell silent and focused on driving.

The car headed north, passing by Takeda Manufacturing along the waterfront.

Tomo Chimei withdrew his gaze and continued onward.

At the foreign car dealership, Obata gave him a meaningful look and left ahead.

Seeing Kumina Maehara again, Tomo Chimei was surprised to notice she had tanned slightly.

He couldn’t help but say, “Kumina, did you help find this car and get tanned in the process?”

Kumina Maehara glanced at Runa Onodera and hastily replied politely, “No, no. Tomo-kun, why would you think that?”

Why was she suddenly teasing him here, when she was still around?