Running around the pillar, Ai felt a deep sense of humiliation.
She tugged at the oversized emperor’s robe she was wearing and dodged Shouichi’s toy sword.
He was actually having a great time playing such a childish game.
Yuuko was even recording the whole thing with a video camera, claiming she was “documenting the beautiful moments in life.”
*Was this life really that beautiful?*
Ai sprawled out on the sofa, giving up all resistance and letting Shouichi’s toy sword thwack against her body.
*I’m so done.
Just let the world end.*
*Does this boring guy really love roleplaying this much?*
*With how childish he is, it’s no wonder he hasn’t figured out that I’m Miyano Shiho.*
“Could you at least try to fight back a little?” Shouichi poked Ai’s arm.
Ai buried her head deeper into the sofa cushions.
*Hmph!*
*When I finally avenge my sister, I’m going to poke your arm, too.*
Since the Ai at home seemed completely broken from his torment and wasn’t reacting anymore, Shouichi headed to the company to torment Miyano Akemi instead.
But Miyano Akemi didn’t need Shouichi to torment her.
Right now, she was swamped with work.
With her sister acting as leverage, Shouichi seemed completely at ease with her.
He handed all the company affairs over for her to handle, even though her official title was merely his assistant.
Yet, up until now, she still hadn’t seen her sister in person.
All she had received was the lab coat Shouichi had sent over.
Now, she was sporting dark circles under her eyes as she handled Shouichi’s business affairs.
Because there were still many things she didn’t understand, she had to spend extra time learning the ropes.
Meanwhile, Shouichi didn’t ask or care about anything, seemingly letting her do whatever she wanted.
If it weren’t for her sister’s whereabouts and her reluctance to see so many employees lose their jobs, she really would have loved to run all of Shouichi’s businesses straight into bankruptcy.
“Let me tell you right now, if your company goes bankrupt, it definitely won’t be because of my management,” Miyano Akemi said.
“Why is that?”
Miyano Akemi pulled out a few spreadsheets and explained, “Takeda Construction’s financial situation is not looking good.
They have several projects with outstanding payments.
On top of that, the real estate and construction industries are currently in a slump.
Since they just took on a massive new project, the bank might not approve their loan.”
In the construction industry, companies had to front the money to begin building.
The client would only transfer the funds after the project passed inspection.
Furthermore, project payments were often delayed for a year or two, meaning most construction companies needed bank loans to operate.
But if a company ran into trouble or the bank refused to lend, the construction firm could easily fall into a bankruptcy crisis.
Without money to finish the project, they couldn’t collect their payment, leaving the building unfinished.
And an unfinished building meant they definitely wouldn’t get paid.
Takeda Construction was trapped in exactly this predicament.
They hadn’t been able to collect the payments for several projects, they couldn’t pay back the bank, and the bank was refusing to issue any further loans.
Shouichi had acquired Takeda, inheriting its client base and human resources, but he had also inherited its debts.
“There’s no need to rush when it comes to money,” Shouichi said calmly.
*I, Sumitomo Shouichi, carry quite a bit of weight in Japan.*
*As long as I personally step in, is there anyone who would dare not pay me back?*
“Haha, I’ve heard about you for a long time!
I never expected you to be the one who acquired Takeda’s company.
It’s truly unbelievable that you’d choose to enter the construction industry,” Yotsui laughed, patting Shouichi on the shoulder.
Shouichi looked visibly disgusted and had Miyano Akemi wipe his shoulder clean.
This blatant display of disgust made Yotsui’s expression sour.
“Mr.
Yotsui, I still have to ask, when exactly will you settle our project funds?” Shouichi asked coldly.
Yotsui maintained his good-natured facade.
“I’ll pay the money, of course.
I wouldn’t drag my feet over such a trivial amount.”
“Then pay it quickly.”
“I will, I will,” Yotsui said with a smile.
“However, the day after tomorrow is my daughter’s birthday.
I hope Mr.
Shouichi will do us the honor of attending.”
Shouichi frowned.
“What does that have to do with paying back the money?”
*Is this old geezer trying to recruit me as his son-in-law?*
Yotsui stroked his small mustache and said, “It has nothing to do with the money, but it can bring us closer together.
If we share a drink at the party, I might be able to process the payment a bit faster.”
These days, the debtor was the real boss, especially those who owed massive sums.
*This kid is still too young.
He doesn’t know how society works.
Is this any way to ask for a debt?*
*No gifts, no drinks, not a single word of flattery, just a cold face the entire time.*
*Does he really think that just because his surname is Sumitomo, all of Japan has to yield to him?*
*Kid, once you enter society, no one treats you like a child anymore.*
“Those who refuse to pay their debts will face divine retribution,” Shouichi stated.
“Of course,” Yotsui replied with a smile.
…
At Yotsui’s daughter’s birthday party.
Shouichi brought Miyano Akemi to the banquet.
Miyano Akemi tugged at the mask on her face, making sure no one would see through her disguise.
She was very unaccustomed to attending such events.
Everyone present wore hypocritical smiles, constantly clinking glasses with those around them and occasionally letting out nauseatingly fake laughs.
In contrast, Shouichi’s expression was much more genuine.
He maintained a look that screamed everyone owed him hundreds of millions of yen, scaring off anyone who tried to approach him.
“I’m so glad you could make it.
Come, have a drink?”
Yotsui walked over and offered Shouichi a glass of wine.
Acting as if he hadn’t even seen it, Shouichi picked up a glass of juice nearby and clinked it against Miyano Akemi’s glass.
Yotsui gritted his teeth.
*These scions of prominent families are the absolute worst.
They walk around with faces that have clearly never faced hardship, looking down on everyone else.*
*Hmph!*
Yotsui forced a fake smile and said, “If you drink this glass of wine, I might have a stronger desire to pay you back.”
Shouichi smiled back.
“I have a rather bad little habit after I drink.
If you don’t mind, I suppose I could drink it.”
“Oh?
What kind of little habit?”
Yotsui winked and shot a glance at Miyano Akemi beside him, revealing an expression of deep understanding.
*Does he like making babies when he’s drunk?*
*It’s human nature, no need to hide it.*
“I kill people when I drink too much.”
Yotsui’s face turned ashen.
“Then you’d better stick to your juice.”
He walked away, thoroughly displeased.
Miyano Akemi whispered, “Looks like you won’t be getting your money back.”
“No one can owe me money and not pay it back,” Shouichi said confidently.
Miyano Akemi raised an eyebrow.
*Why is he so confident?*
*Is it just because of his surname?*
“Today, for my daughter’s birthday, I am truly grateful that all of you traveled so far to celebrate at this villa.”
“Today, I’ve also invited a special guest.
That is the recently famous Mr.
Mouri Kogorou.”
Miyano Akemi followed the direction Yotsui was pointing and spotted a certain familiar little boy.
“What’s wrong?
Do you know that brat?” Shouichi asked with a dark tone.
“No.” Miyano Akemi stiffly shook her head.
“Is that so?
I thought you knew him.
That brat is quite suspicious.
If your eyes hadn’t drifted over there, I would have forgotten to investigate him.”