Chapter 24: One Hundred Billion

Sekigawa Kusakabe was hoping he would choose a loan term of over ten years. With property as collateral, and the borrower being a genius from the University of Tokyo—a future senior executive at Sumitomo—he immediately said, “Then, I'll go back and apply to the department head. For now, I can promise you, Tao, that the rate won't exceed ten percent. The exact figure depends on what authority the department head grants.”

“That would be a great help, Brother Sekigawa.”

“Well then…” Kusakabe Sekigawa smiled and asked, “Do you have any other plans for tonight, Tao? We've covered the basics for now. How about we go to an izakaya and have a chat? I'd really like to learn from talents like you and Ueno.”

“…I’m very sorry, but I have to get up early tomorrow.” Seeing his attitude, Tao Zhimin felt he could raise the loan amount a little more, or push the interest rate lower. Or perhaps, tomorrow, he could reach out to other banks?

Sumitomo had its own bank—maybe he could leverage that connection?

He pondered silently, then saw Sekigawa Kusakabe off. From the way he acted, it seemed he didn’t actually want Tao to join them tonight; otherwise, why bring along a female colleague who hadn’t voiced any opinion at nine o’clock?

Judging by her age, she was probably a new employee.

They likely had other plans.

Back in the room, Ueno Yosuke, overwhelmed by the events of the evening, asked, “Taro, do you really want to take out a loan? At ten percent interest, you'd be paying over ten thousand yen in interest every day!”

“…Just wait. After a week, when you see how much I've earned, you won’t say that anymore!”

He finished speaking to Ueno Yosuke and turned to Konodera Runa. “It's about time I walked you home, isn't it?”

“…Yes, thank you, Tao.” Konodera Runa seemed used to this by now, even less formal than before.

Tao Zhimin patted Ueno Yosuke’s shoulder. “Think it over carefully. Even now, you still can't trust me?”

With that, he left with Konodera Runa and Miyako.

Ueno Yosuke stared at the 1.26 million yen he’d just received, wrestling with his thoughts in the room.

Taro… He must wait for him to come home tonight and ask him properly before sleeping!

How exactly did he become so formidable all of a sudden?

He couldn’t help but touch his neck…

Could hanging oneself somehow have a miraculous effect?

…

“Runa.”

Hearing her name called so directly, Konodera Runa looked at Tao Zhimin in surprise.

She couldn’t say why, but when facing him, sometimes she was acutely aware he was a twenty-one-year-old Tokyo University genius, and other times, she felt he radiated nothing but mature composure.

This time, Tao Zhimin didn’t come in but stood at the entrance. “By now, it should be clear that Yosuke and I aren’t dangerous people. Everything you need is on my side—if you decide, just bring your important belongings and move over. Once the loan is approved, there’ll be things I need your help with.”

“Eh?” Konodera Runa asked, “Don’t you… need to observe first?”

Tao Zhimin smiled gently. “It’s nothing complicated. I trust you’ll do well. Also…”

He glanced at Miyako, who was already in the bathroom. “If it’s for Miyako’s sake, then work loyally for me. I’ll take you into a future you can’t even imagine.”

With that, he turned, raising his hand. “I have a date tomorrow night, so I won’t be seeing you home again.”

He left with those words.

“Tao, the seventy thousand yen meant for Yosuke—you haven’t brought it back for me yet…”

“Hand it to him yourself…”

Konodera Runa stood dazed at the door, watching the young man’s back. After these days of frequent contact, she finally confirmed one thing.

This man truly had no further intentions toward her—at least, she hadn’t sensed any.

Perhaps it was just that he harbored ambitions she couldn’t fathom and saw effort and perseverance in her.

For Miyako… And… a date?

Konodera Runa quietly closed the door, feeling reassured, yet somehow more self-conscious and disappointed.

“Mama!” Inoue Miyako emerged from her bath, looking up expectantly. “Are we going to the brothers’ house again tomorrow?”

Konodera Runa smiled as she crouched down. “Miyako, do you want to go?”

“Yes! Yosuke has so many comics, and he knows lots of stories!”

“Well then… How about we stay there until school starts?”

“Really?”

“Really…”

Tao Zhimin sat in the taxi, gazing quietly at the cityscape outside the window.

He’d been in Tokyo of this era for several days now, meeting various people.

So far, the odd interview had netted him nearly ten thousand US dollars.

It was beyond imagination—just a few days?

He had a plan for his next step, but what about the step after that?

This wasn’t a country he knew well.

The future he spoke of to Konodera Runa was, in truth, still unclear in his mind.

The taxi passed through a bustling nightlife district, neon lights shining kindly and people relaxing as night fell. Tao Zhimin quickly cast aside that problem.

No need to be so tense—the cash crisis when he first arrived had eased.

For now, he’d keep skimming opportunities, making the most of the last month of spring break.

Besides, it was about time he found a life beyond just earning money.

Once Konodera Runa heard what he’d have her do, she’d be stunned.

With a mysterious smile, he returned home, only to find Ueno Yosuke sitting up straight in the living room, hands on his knees as if facing an invisible dignitary.

“…What’s this? Practicing some technique?” Tao Zhimin changed into comfortable slippers and sat down. “Is there something you want to say?”

“You… can see through everything, can’t you?” Ueno Yosuke looked at him with awe. “How did you suddenly become so formidable?”

“Want to learn?” Tao Zhimin laughed. “But this can’t be taught.”

It was true, but Ueno Yosuke was puzzled. “But what kind of resolve gives you this power? Resolve—isn’t it just determination? Yet you seem to have suddenly grown so much; it’s a growth in ability!”

Tao Zhimin thought for a moment and said slowly, “Maybe… it’s like experiencing a long life in your mind when you’re near death. Every event, every detail, gets a special perspective. So, yes, I’ve grown a lot—perhaps that’s why.”

His words were cryptic, but as the person who knew Tao Taro best, Ueno Yosuke needed his doubts dispelled.

Ueno Yosuke stared at him in a daze, murmuring, “So… I really should try it?”

“Try what?” Tao Zhimin, seeing his expression, felt exasperated. “Try… the near-death experience?”

Ueno Yosuke pressed his lips together and nodded solemnly. “I’ve thought about it seriously for a long time!”

“…I’ll go look for rope.” Tao Zhimin stood up laughing and actually went into the room.

He changed out of his suit, put on pajamas, and came out, regretfully saying, “Seems I threw it away.”

“All right, all right, I’m not joking anymore.” Ueno Yosuke bent forward seriously. “Tao! Is there anything you can teach me now? I really want to become as strong as you!”

After sitting down, Tao Zhimin looked at him for a while, then suddenly smiled and asked, “These days have been tough, haven’t they? That Taro suddenly became someone you admire from the heart, and you don’t even know how to face him.”

“…You truly are a man who can see into hearts.” Ueno Yosuke’s expression was complicated. “Not just me—Runa, that yakuza, and Tomokazu’s people, all are in your plan. The resolve from returning from hell… but I’m scared to try it for real, afraid I’d actually die.”

“…Don’t exaggerate. As for teaching you something…” Tao Zhimin became serious, “You’re about to graduate. Don’t let yourself feel the urge to act gentlemanly every time you see a woman. A mature man starts by controlling his emotions.”

“Hey! Am I that hopeless?”

“That’s why, tomorrow night, when you meet Kyoko Okita and her friends, if you’re still nervous, how can you calmly think and make decisions in critical moments?” Tao Zhimin continued slowly, “Yosuke, I’m preparing to walk my own path and build something great. Teaching you will take a long time, if you’re willing to stay by my side.”

Ueno Yosuke looked at his relaxed expression in a daze. “What exactly… do you intend to do?”

Tao Zhimin smiled confidently. “The rest is still being planned, but for the next three years, let’s set a small goal first.”

“What?”

“Let’s earn ten billion yen.”

Ueno Yosuke was thunderstruck. “A… small goal?”

Tao Zhimin lay on the flat living room floor, resting his head on his hand, his mouth curling into a smile.

Ten billion—the number sounded intimidating, but the bills were just ten thousand yen each.

The ambition was enormous, but the bubble was even bigger.

He came from another dimension and knew precisely which way to swing the scythe.