Chapter 81: Pride Confronts Shamelessness

Watanabe Akira pondered for a long time before sighing and saying, “What you told me today has indeed perfectly answered my earlier doubts. At this point, Hiroshi, I can tell you clearly: the reason I oppose this plan isn’t just because, compared to pure financial investment, I’m unwilling to give up the current returns from the financial markets.”

“The key is this!” Watanabe Akira fixed his gaze on him. “Hiroshi! You have no idea why Hidekaze Kinoshita wants that piece of land. Isn’t that even more important?”

Ōmiya Hiroshi was left speechless. Despite all his investigation, the truth was… he really didn’t know why.

Could it be that it’s not just about the development value of property in the port district—there’s another reason?

After a long silence, Watanabe Akira sighed again and said, “What you’ve told me today has indeed answered my previous questions. But it’s not enough. If we don’t understand why Hidekaze Kinoshita wants that land, or how he plans to profit from it, then if Tomokazu enters, we’ll only become his pawns!”

Ōmiya Hiroshi said gravely, “So, I have to find out the reason and come up with a countermeasure, is that it?”

“Exactly!” Watanabe Akira’s tone was solemn. “Everything we’re doing now is just to ensure we have a big enough opportunity in the coming event. And to seize that opportunity, we need a powerful financial base! Do you think we’re reallocating our funds to quickly profit from the financial market just for the sake of gambling? If we were only that shallow, how could we have built Tomokazu into what it is today?”

“…I understand.” Ōmiya Hiroshi felt his heart open. “So, even though you already know the reason, President, you’re testing me. If I pass this test, that will be the true moment for Tomokazu to enter real estate, right?”

Watanabe Akira smiled reassuringly. “That’s right. You’re the core of the new generation at Tomokazu. Now that you have this drive, I’m very pleased. But to match this ambition, you also need a more comprehensive and higher perspective! Hiroshi, find the reason! Then, come up with a strategic plan that truly suits Tomokazu’s development! Your vision must encompass not just the future of Tomokazu Trading, but Tomokazu as a whole! Do you understand?”

Ōmiya Hiroshi was overcome with emotion and bowed deeply. “I understand!”

It seemed that his display of resolve this time had truly changed the president’s attitude toward him.

The fog shrouding the land behind “Supreme Gokurakucho” turned out to be linked to an even greater future—a battleground of interests among the real financial conglomerates.

Even a rising group like Tomokazu had to quickly shift funds to arbitrage in the financial market, building enough strength to seize this opportunity!

To integrate Tomokazu’s future…

Looking at the president’s now somewhat aged face, Ōmiya Hiroshi’s heart surged with emotion.

…

Ōmiya Hiroshi began working tirelessly to uncover the reason why Hidekaze Kinoshita had acquired that land.

Meanwhile, outside, under Suzuki Daiki’s secret arrangements, an investigation into dirt on Ōmiya Hiroshi was quietly set in motion.

While Supreme Holdings and Tomokazu Trading each prepared their own plans regarding “Supreme Gokurakucho,” Tao Zhimin finally received a reply from Ueda Kana: overall, there was no problem, but Professor Yamamoto Akihito, who had agreed to serve as the advisor for the so-called Kendo Club “Financial Sword Research Lab,” wished to meet him.

Tao Zhimin could only sigh at the name.

Yamamoto Akihito—just hearing it made him want to ask, “Really?”

But since this concerned his plans for his senior year, he returned to campus at once.

He saw Ueda Kana again in the Kendo Club. She wore a look of calm composure.

There were three or five club members practicing in the school, all but orbiting Ueda Kana like stars around the moon.

Tao Zhimin found it amusing. These young men were still too inexperienced. Surrounded by the multiple auras of upperclassman, beauty, and a kendo family, they simply regarded her as the aloof flower of the club.

On their youthful faces, there was both respect and admiration—and a hint of longing.

Yet when Tao Zhimin had first met her, he’d managed to break her composure, revealing her proud and playful side.

Upon seeing him, Ueda Kana kept her cool and said with faint aloofness, “Let’s go. To Professor Yamamoto’s office.”

As they left the Kendo Club and walked across campus, Tao Zhimin remarked, “Miss Kana, you’re really popular. How many love letters have you received in these three years?”

“…Annoying.” Ueda Kana looked reserved, clearly unwilling to discuss it.

“Do you know what the professor wants to ask me?” Tao Zhimin put on a well-behaved face. “If you know, tell me, Miss Kana!”

“Don’t call me Miss!” Ueda Kana’s composure slipped, but she quickly reined it in. “I don’t know why Professor Yamamoto wants to see you, but he definitely won’t like a shameless student like you!”

“I don’t need him to like me. As long as the girls do, that’s enough.”

…

Ueda Kana shot him a look. “Let’s end this here. I won’t help you find any more professors! If you get disliked, don’t bother me again! I’m done taking Suzu to see you too!”

“So it’s because you don’t want me to dislike you.” Tao Zhimin laughed softly.

“…Who cares if you dislike me!” Ueda Kana was utterly thrown off by his rhythm, her cool façade slipping away. “Since I did what I shouldn’t have, I’m just making up for it, that’s all!”

“Oh, is that so…” Tao Zhimin mused.

Seeing him fall silent, Ueda Kana grew uneasy. “What are you plotting now?”

“Nothing.” Tao Zhimin shook his head. “Let’s focus on winning over Professor Yamamoto first.”

“It’s Professor Yamamoto Akihito!” Ueda Kana was baffled by his consistently wrong pronunciation and asked warily, “You’re definitely planning something bad involving me, aren’t you?”

“Oh?” Tao Zhimin smiled. “Miss Kana, you saw right through me. What can I say? You’re just so cute, I can’t help but be moved by you. If I’d met you first, how could I have been so smitten with Suzu?”

Ueda Kana stopped in her tracks, biting her lip. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

“I’m not,” Tao Zhimin said seriously. “I want you to teach me kendo, and I’m prepared to let you train me as hard as you want, no matter how tough it gets—just to spend more time with you!”

“…You’re impossible. We’re here—go by yourself!” Ueda Kana couldn’t take it any longer. His earnest expression, paired with those words, felt somehow off, so she awkwardly waved him off and hurried away.

Tao Zhimin smiled faintly.

A pampered, noble girl like her had never encountered this kind of forwardness from a peer, had she?

And yet, her footsteps seemed a little lighter.

Regaining his composure, he picked up his bag and walked into the somewhat aged office building. “Excuse me, could you tell me where Professor Yamamoto Akihito’s office is?”