Chapter 80: Rena's Heart

Tao Zhiming smiled softly and whispered, “Yosuke is still here.”

“He… must have noticed,” Runa Onodera said, as if she had reached a high level of awareness. “For the calls that come next, I’ll answer them first and write down the details.”

“Assistant?” Tao Zhiming turned and took her hand, smiling as he asked.

“Yes.” Runa Onodera gazed into his eyes for a moment, then lowered her head, looking pitiful. “As long as you need me, I can take on any role.”

“No need to sound so humble,” Tao Zhiming said, lifting her chin. “Your most important role is still as my woman. But you’re clever; in a sense, my closest assistant holds a very special significance.”

“I will do my best.” Runa Onodera lifted her head slightly, looking at him. “I hope I can be worthy of this job!”

Tao Zhiming looked into her determined eyes, and for a moment, many thoughts flooded his mind.

Once this woman made up her mind, there was no more hesitation. She truly wasn’t someone who would be tangled up in love alone like the young and inexperienced. She was clear that the new future she chose required full awareness and had to demonstrate enough value in order to be stable.

Thus, she was already starting to use the advantage of their initial closeness to try and express her own small needs.

Of course, the control still lay firmly in Tao Zhiming’s hands. Runa Onodera simply hoped that she could still have a place in his endeavors, rather than becoming someone who existed solely to please him, not even worthy of a public relationship.

Looking at her, Tao Zhiming leaned in and gently tasted her lips, then whispered, “Yosuke said everything is settled at the school. This afternoon, follow him and take Miko to visit the principal. When Miko grows up a bit more, I’ll let her know about our relationship. After spending enough time together, she’ll accept us as we are. I will recognize her as my goddaughter and raise her well!”

Runa Onodera’s eyes were filled with shock; she never expected such a promise.

Tao Zhiming smiled, “Don’t worry, in my future plans, there will always be a place for you both. Oh, don’t misunderstand me—though you might think I’m fairly young, I will only ever see Miko as a daughter. I won’t entertain any other wild ideas.”

With that, he pinched Runa Onodera’s face again, stretched lazily, and walked toward the bedroom.

Runa Onodera touched her own cheek, dazed, finally understanding what he meant.

He was afraid she might misunderstand, that he harbored any thoughts toward Miko, which is why he made it so clear.

So, he wouldn’t keep their relationship hidden in the shadows forever?

School… goddaughter… raising her well… In Tao’s future plans, Miko would even have her own place?

Tears welled up in Runa Onodera’s eyes. By the time Miko grew up, how high would Tao’s career have soared? And in that world, Miko would have her own future.

She understood now: no matter how hard she tried, perhaps she would never be enough to fill the role of “assistant” in Tao’s future career. He couldn’t promise her that, yet it was enough to ease her worries about what lay ahead. That future would even be cemented in the father-daughter bond between him and Miko. His “partial sincerity” carried such weight.

She finally became utterly devoted to her choice. Aside from not having his absolute loyalty in love, every other aspect of Tao was flawless.

At that moment, Miko Inoue finally woke up.

Rubbing her eyes, she wandered into the living room and saw her mother, eyes shimmering with tears.

“Mama… what’s wrong?” Miko Inoue walked over, bewildered and concerned.

“It’s nothing,” Runa Onodera wiped her eyes, then crouched down with a smile. “Breakfast is ready. Go brush your teeth and wash your face. After breakfast, you need to study hard, alright?”

“Huh?” Miko Inoue asked timidly, “What about the TV…?”

Runa Onodera, still in the throes of her hopeful mood, let it burst forth and flicked Miko’s forehead lightly. “If you keep watching TV, how will you get into a good university? Don’t make Tao have to ask you for permission just to watch the news!”

Miko Inoue rubbed her forehead in grievance.

What was wrong with Mama?

No more TV?

Big Brother Dairo only ever watched a little bit of news!

…

At the headquarters of the Tomokazu Conglomerate, Hiroshi Omi finally got his chance to meet with the Chairman.

After respectfully presenting his ideas for collaboration with Saijo Holdings, he saw Chairman Toru Watanabe barely paying attention, his eyes still fixed on the news broadcast.

“…Chairman, I believe this is a great opportunity. Saijo Holdings’ proposal is extremely attractive…”

Toru Watanabe raised his hand, his aged voice sounding, “Kinoshita Hidekaze is no simple man. He’d rather let Tomokazu take the controlling stake, hoping to work together. Have you considered what that really means?”

Hiroshi Omi immediately replied, “That’s not President Kinoshita’s real intention. In fact, he doesn’t want to give up control. That’s something we’ll need to negotiate for, and it’s exactly our goal.”

“Hiroshi, I know your determination and effort to help Tomokazu Commerce grow. But times have changed. This part of the trade sector may be precisely when we need to strengthen our internal forces and wait for new opportunities.” Toru Watanabe pointed at the TV. “In just three days, we’ve made over two billion yen. Can Tomokazu Commerce match that pace of profit?”

Hiroshi Omi had no answer.

But isn’t this just gambling? What happens when you lose?

Toru Watanabe was in a good mood. He got up, walked over, and patted Omi’s shoulder. “I trust you did your homework before coming here. Kinoshita Hidekaze won’t turn your ‘Saijo Gokuracho’ proposal into reality. His aim is only to hype up that land and then sell it off.”

“…But if the ‘Saijo Gokuracho’ plan is outstanding enough, then surely some major real estate conglomerate will invest and make it happen. If we invest a portion of funds now, then when Saijo Holdings wants to exit, even without partnering with the new players, we can reap substantial profits.”

“A portion of funds?” Toru Watanabe asked with a meaningful smile. “How much capital does it take to develop this commercial district? Twenty billion? Thirty billion? Or even more? How long would it take? With that much capital in the financial market over such a period, do you know how much profit it could generate?”

Hiroshi Omi felt stifled and couldn’t help but say, “But the financial market always fluctuates. Though real industry earns profits more slowly, it’s far more stable!”

“That’s precisely why you only need to keep Tomokazu Commerce steady. I’ve said it—wait for the next opportunity.” Toru Watanabe was unmoved. “Tomokazu is called a rising conglomerate by outsiders, but we still can’t compare with the likes of Mitsubishi or Sumitomo, those with deep legacies. The real estate sector requires an enormous scale of investment.”

Hiroshi Omi was silent for a while before speaking. “I’m not satisfied with just this. Chairman, since your mind is set, could you give me the authority to use Tomokazu Commerce’s financial standing and equity for collateral financing? No matter what, I want to try. The next opportunity needs preparation in order to seize it. If the profit model for trade changes in the future and Tomokazu Commerce stays as it is, I won’t be able to fulfill your expectations!”

Toru Watanabe looked at Hiroshi Omi in surprise, and asked in a deep voice, “Hiroshi, are you really at this point?”

It seemed Omi’s sudden determination had moved him.

“I’ve been worried about Tomokazu Commerce’s future ever since last year!” Hiroshi Omi said gravely. “All this time, Saijo Holdings… no, actually, this model proposed by Tao Dairo, the commercial aspect is what convinces me. By my judgment, it represents the future. No matter what, I want to give it a try.”

He continued, “Besides, with the current climate in real estate, if we combine our trade and retail with real estate investment, even if Tomokazu Commerce’s core business faces setbacks, the real estate investment portion will still yield returns. I can’t see any major risk in this cooperation model. If you do, please persuade me.”

Toru Watanabe looked at the resolute face of Hiroshi Omi, his expression serious and silent for a long time.

After a deep bow, Hiroshi Omi stood tall and straight.

Such resolve…