Chapter 122: Unlocking New Positions?

Takenao Takeda’s newly kindled hope was extinguished once again.

The feedback from the bank was a patchwork of excuses, but the message was clear: it was impossible to proceed now.

He never imagined that in a time when houses were eagerly snatched up as soon as they hit the market, his property would remain unsold.

What was he to do now?

Under the blazing midday sun, he sat in his office, agony etched across his face.

What was he to do now?

Why did it feel as though the entire world was conspiring against him?

Takeda Manufacturing was the fruit of his father’s lifelong toil, handed down to him! How could he possibly sell off the entire company?

He forced himself to stand and walked over to the window.

Outside, the workers who had just finished lunch were hurrying back to the factory.

Their faces bore the same weight of oppression and confusion. They worried about the future.

In truth, the more they produced now, the more they risked losing once sold, especially with the yen appreciating.

But without the cash flow from this final payment, Takeda Manufacturing would be finished.

Takenao returned to his desk in dejection, staring at a photograph of his father. He muttered, “Father, do I really have to sell this land?”

He was unwilling to concede. Even if he could sell the entire tract for 3.5 billion yen, he still had to repay Mitsubishi’s loan.

In the best case, he would walk away with less than 2 billion yen.

But the factory’s capacity of over three million units a year would have to move elsewhere.

When he finally found himself at the end of his rope, he called the real estate company that had offered the highest bid—only to hear, “Sorry, President Takeda, our funds have run into trouble. We can no longer proceed with the purchase.”

A chill ran down Takenao’s spine. The ominous feeling surged relentlessly.

Sure enough, after calling several other firms that had expressed interest solely in the land, the answers were the same—just like trying to sell a house, now no one wanted to buy.

Those bastards!

Takenao’s fury nearly made him hurl the phone, but his trembling hand could only set it down gently.

Could it be that their true aim was never this land alone, but the entirety of Takeda Manufacturing? The brand, all the assets, his entire future?

…

“I don’t understand why this isn’t the perfect moment!” Hiroshi Omiya looked at Kiyoshi Handa in disbelief. “Mitsubishi has cleared out the riffraff. The situation looks ideal. No other consortium would hesitate to act now. Their only common target is Mitsubishi, which holds the mortgage card. With Takeda Manufacturing at a dead end, any move now has a high chance of forcing a compromise. What’s the chairman waiting for? I’m confident. With just 5 billion yen, we can acquire this land and a substantial share of Takeda Manufacturing. The company is likely to accept this offer. Besides, I have insiders ready to help persuade them!”

Handa regarded him for a long moment before responding awkwardly, “Do you know why Mitsubishi moved yesterday to sweep away the small players? Because the timing was perfect. Have you checked today’s forex market?”

Omiya blinked. “The forex market? What about it?”

“Originally,” Handa explained, “the assessment was like last time: the Ministry of Finance’s rapid consecutive interest rate cuts would only strengthen the yen’s appreciation prospects, at least for the week following the cuts. But now…it’s depreciating.”

Omiya’s head spun. “The chairman’s funds… are they trapped because they bought into an appreciating yen?”

Handa nodded sheepishly, “It’s not just ours at Yuwa. Rumors say Mitsui and Sumitomo are also stuck.”

“Has depreciation set in so quickly?” Omiya fretted. “Weren’t there all those economists and financial experts who said the yen’s rise was unstoppable, and that the government had to counter with rate cuts? I distinctly remember those statements. Doesn’t this rate cut prove their point?”

“Those statements were to influence the market,” Handa replied, puzzled himself. “But since last night, the yen’s appreciation momentum has stalled. The preliminary conclusion is that Mitsubishi began selling yen to close positions, opening short positions betting on depreciation. Meanwhile, Yuwa, Mitsui, and Sumitomo kept buying yen, expecting it to appreciate to 160:1 based on the rate cuts. With one side short and the other long, today’s market battle has been fierce.”

“Battle?” Omiya was surprised to hear that word used.

Handa nodded grimly. “The rate cut on March 12 intensified the forex market. Many retail investors entered in the past month, and all positions need sufficient profit to avoid losses. Mitsubishi started to curb the yen’s rise last night, stepping up efforts today. The rate cut news ironically sparked immediate depreciation, causing many retail investors who just entered to sell yen to stop losses. Those who had small gains also fear losses now. Hence, the fierce battle.”

“Did we use high leverage?” Omiya asked.

“Hundreds of billions of yen—we couldn’t risk heavy leverage. Long term, the yen will still appreciate; no losses expected. But the funds are likely tied up for at least a month or two.”

Omiya muttered, “Mitsubishi actually pulled this move…”

Handa sighed, “Yes, and with the Ministry of Finance’s backing. After all, the Ministry’s goal is to stabilize the exchange rate and prevent further appreciation. Mitsubishi has many manufacturing interests, so they were less scrutinized. Who knew Mitsubishi’s resolve would be so strong! This move trapped other consortiums engaged in the scheme. Mitsubishi may now have a significant advantage in leveraging funds around the upcoming National Rail reform.”

Omiya was speechless.

Though Yuwa was allied with Mitsubishi, it also had selfish interests in controlling that land.

What now?

…

Ichiro Kawasaki watched the erratic market movements with growing dread.

That bastard Taro Tao was right again.

He had reserved ample funds precisely anticipating the fierce battle between bulls and bears today.

Good thing he made emergency adjustments early this morning; otherwise, the small accounts he managed for housewives would have been on the verge of collapse or sudden liquidation due to repeated surges in the yen’s appreciation under their original leverage.

He had been saved.

Exhausted but fearful of dozing off, he resolved to wait for a small depreciation wave to close positions.

Even if it barely covered fees with a modest profit, one or two tens of thousands of yen was better than a loss.

Watching so closely was taxing on his heart.

Though the company could now raise margin requirements amid the volatile market, after the previous mishap, he dared not ask the housewives for additional margin.

At the Tao household, hearing the phone ring, Runa Onodera quietly got up.

Tomo Tao was napping soundly. Runa tiptoed outside, picked up the receiver, and said, “Hello?”

“Runa! It’s me, Kanae! What should I do? Has your husband’s forex trading made money or lost? I secretly tried it myself with a million yen, and I’ve already lost nearly 300,000!” Kanae’s voice trembled with tears.

Runa was stunned and asked softly, “Why did you try it yourself? Weren’t you saving money to subscribe to NTT’s stock?”

“They all said it was too easy to make money! That it would definitely appreciate! But now it’s depreciating!” Kanae panicked. “They want me to put up more margin, saying the volatility is temporary and the yen will appreciate again. Can you ask for me? Should I trust them or cut my losses halfway?”

Runa hesitated. “He’s… napping now. I’ll ask him later.”

“Please! As soon as possible!” Kanae pleaded. Runa wanted to wake Tomo immediately, but she couldn’t find fault with the reply.

Not long after hanging up, another call came in—from another housewife facing the same predicament.

After setting down the phone, Runa worried about Tomo’s situation.

But he was sleeping so soundly… it should be alright, right?

Calls kept coming nonstop. Runa feared disturbing Tomo’s rest and wished she could unplug the line.

Just then, Tomo got up, opened the door, and teased with a smile, “Runa, your circle of housewife friends is growing.”

“They heard everything? Sorry for disturbing your sleep…”

Tomo stretched and said, “I slept well, very comfortably. No need to apologize; it means you’re doing a great job connecting with the housewives.”

Runa brought water and sat beside him, anxiously asking, “They seem to be in trouble. How about you?”

Tomo sipped the water leisurely, “I’m fine here. Did they all buy the appreciating yen?”

“Yes… and they’re all losing money.”

“Then tell them I scolded you for asking me these questions. But if they need money to avoid liquidation, you can lend it to them personally.”

Runa was stunned, “Really? If they need a lot, can I lend it too?”

“Of course. Just have them sign loan contracts. Then, after they’ve all borrowed from you, call them late tomorrow night. Tell them that after being scolded by me for asking, I still judged this: hold the position for three months. After three months, it will surely appreciate again and turn a profit.”

Runa’s eyes sparkled. Trying to restrain herself, she couldn’t help blurting out, “Husband, how are you so amazing?”

Whether it was his understanding of their psychology or his confidence in the three-month forecast, he seemed so composed and assured.

So the endearing term she only used in intimate moments slipped out naturally.

Tomo smiled, “Amazing? You mean before your nap?”

Runa’s eyes flickered. “That’s amazing too.”

“Call them, arrange meetings, and have them sign the loan contracts. I’ll head to the bank and transfer 20 million yen to your account shortly. That should be enough.”

“20… million?” Runa’s heart jolted wildly.

Seeing her shocked, Tomo pinched her cheek gently, “I’m lending this to you with no contract. If you can’t handle those housewives, just use your charm to repay me!”

Runa stared blankly.

What was he saying? Did he know about all those… techniques she hadn’t even tried?

The huge sum combined with his flirtatious words, and him pinching her cheek like a little woman, suddenly made her heart warm…