Chapter 39: Secret Threads of the Heart

While waiting at home for Runa Onodera to return, Tao Zhiming went back to his room to work. After all, today’s gains were significant, and he needed to sort out the rhythm of his plans.

Before his conversation with Hidekaze Kinoshita from Kamijo Real Estate, he hadn’t anticipated such an unexpected windfall. Now, with the prospect of 250 million yen in start-up funds, it was time to adjust his plans. That amount was substantial—almost two million dollars if converted. Though still not enough in the grand scheme, it was far from trivial. It no longer made sense to spend his days attending company information sessions just to scrape together small bonuses.

Originally, Tao Zhiming had estimated that he would need to mortgage the house, go through at least two rounds of buying property and refinancing before he could muster this level of liquidity. That wouldn’t have happened until May or June at the earliest. But now, with a significant sum at hand, he could consider buying some real estate ahead of the interest rate cuts in March and April. After the two rounds of rate reductions, when the banks grew anxious and property prices rose, he would be able to secure even more funding.

But if he shifted his plan this way, how would he fulfill his promise to Ryu Inoue?

Tao Zhiming pondered in his room. Clearly, attending company information sessions remained important. Their value wasn’t just in the paltry bonus money, but in the connections and resources that could be leveraged. Kamijo Real Estate was a deliberate target, and hadn’t that already led to changes?

With his thoughts clear, he continued to organize them in Tao Dailang’s previously blank notebook.

After a flurry of activity, he opened the bedroom door and saw that Runa Onodera was already back.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Tao Zhiming rotated his neck, not bothering to maintain any pretense before her.

Runa quickly replied, “Miyako-chan said you were in your room, so I thought you were napping…”

“There’s no need to tiptoe around like that. I didn’t even hear you come in.” Tao Zhiming reminded her with a half-smile, then called out to Miyako in an exaggerated tone, “Miyako-chan, get ready! We’re going out for a big meal!”

“Yay!” Miyako Inoue sounded as if she’d been looking forward to this for ages. “Mama, what should I wear?”

Runa smiled, took her daughter’s hand, and led her inside to change.

Tao Zhiming washed his face in the bathroom, and saw that some of Runa Onodera’s cosmetics were already arranged on the shelf. He wasn’t very familiar with Japanese brands of this era, but judging by the design and packaging, they seemed unremarkable.

After drying his face, he smiled at his own reflection in the mirror, relaxed, then called out, “Let’s go!”

—

For Runa Onodera, it had been a long time since she’d felt like this.

Sitting across from Tao, listening to his constant stream of amusing conversation, watching him chat happily with Miyako, she found herself unable to keep her eyes on him for too long. The last time she’d felt this way was before her husband had passed away.

It puzzled her—how could the same Tao who’d spoken so confidently with the company president now seem like a playful child, enthusiastically discussing anime with Miyako? Gundam, Arale, Captain Tsubasa… It was hard to reconcile these topics with the image she currently held of him.

“…Really? You want to watch ‘Saint Seiya’? Some classmates say it’s great. Is it a new show? Let’s go buy it later, okay?”

“Yes!” Miyako beamed with delight.

Tao Zhiming also looked excited. “It sounds fantastic. The Sacred Armors? That’s so cool…”

Runa couldn’t help but glance up at him. His excitement was genuine, and his expectant expression made it impossible to understand him.

“Runa, why don’t you go get your hair done? I’ll take Miyako to the bookstore!” Seeing they were nearly finished eating, Tao ordered a dessert for Miyako to enjoy on the way.

Runa picked up her bag and walked behind them, finally able to freely and boldly watch Tao and Miyako’s figures ahead. Suddenly, she thought that if things could always be like this, it would be wonderful…

Noticing a stylish hair salon, Tao turned and said, “Let’s go here. Looks good.”

Runa averted her eyes, hesitating. “Here? Isn’t it expensive?”

“You’ll need to come to places like this regularly from now on.”

“…I understand.” She remembered—it was part of the job.

But was dining out together with Miyako also part of the job?

“Don’t worry about the expense! What matters is the result. Miyako-chan, if you think your mom’s hair doesn’t look good when she comes out, we won’t buy the next volume of ‘Saint Seiya’!”

Miyako looked up at her mother with a touch of anxiety. “Mama! You have to do your best!”

Runa couldn’t help but laugh and bow before heading inside. Glancing back, she saw Tao already leading Miyako across the street to a bookstore.

“Welcome!” The staff greeted her with bright smiles and bows. “Would you like a haircut or just a treatment?”

Remembering the 300,000 yen Tao had given her, Runa set aside her apprehension.

For a moment, she felt as though she’d recaptured the feeling of her newlywed days, a touch of hope in her voice. “Please design a stylish and elegant hairstyle for me. Thank you!”

—

Nearly two hours later, as Runa opened her eyes, she saw the beaming faces of Tao and Miyako reflected in the mirror.

Meeting his gaze, she felt a sudden shyness, her cheeks flushing and her eyes fluttering. “So… how is it?”

“Miyako-chan, what do you think?” Tao asked with a smile, holding a copy of Weekly Shonen Jump featuring the debut of “Saint Seiya.”

“Mama!” Miyako exclaimed, mouth wide in amazement. “You’ve become a beautiful lady!”

“Nonsense!” Runa was embarrassed, but what she really wanted was to know if this was the feeling Tao had spoken of.

“It’s an excellent start,” Tao encouraged her warmly. Now, with her hair straightened and styled in the latest fashion, Runa looked noticeably younger.

With her new hairstyle, they headed to a clothing store. Each time Runa tried on an outfit and spun in front of Tao, her heart swelled with strange emotions.

Was this really just work?

Yet seeing the appreciation in Tao’s eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a secret delight and her heart beat faster. Even with Miyako watching by her side, the thought crept in: this felt just like… falling in love for the first time.

Finally, when Tao helped her carry several large bags and held Miyako’s hand as they walked down the street, she couldn’t help but nurture a clear hope in her heart.

If only she could be with Tao…

But when Tao stopped before a cosmetics store, she heard him say, “For future work, you’ll need to take care of your skin too. Come on, let’s pick out a suitable set of cosmetics.”

Runa glanced up at the well-known brand. A full set of cosmetics… another idea she used to dismiss before she could even consider it.

The young shop assistants were all radiant and beautiful, their eyes shining as they looked at Tao’s handsome face.

Runa suppressed the budding hope she’d just felt.

Runa, remember—this is only for work.