Chapter 47

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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JT Group is Japan’s largest railway company.

The amount they earn through railway privatization alone reaches tens of trillions of yen annually.

Even with Kintetsu laying railways in the Kansai region and expanding business in various directions, it was an amount they could never dare catch up to.

However, JT Group needs to be viewed a bit more clearly.

Originally, the railways JT Group operates were all state-owned.

But judging there were gradually limits to operating them as a nation, they implemented complete privatization, and the giant dinosaur called JT Group was born.

That said, JT Group wasn’t the kind of place owned by one person.

Like the Spring and Autumn Warring States period, various families own pieces of JT Group.

And while they harmonize on the surface, behind the scenes they were cultivating ambitions to stab each other’s backs and swallow the entire group anytime.

Kintetsu tried to target exactly that weakness.

Isn’t there a saying about reaping profits while others fight?

They tried to dig in when each family swung swords at each other and got wounded while fighting.

“Aah.”

But Kintetsu Group’s dream was collapsing.

From the natural disaster called a major earthquake.

“Chairman. According to diagnostic results, all the factories and residential areas we were constructing need to be rebuilt. Seems they suffered great damage because we happened to be close to the epicenter.”

Chairman Kobaya Takashi clutched his pounding head.

“What about the railways?”

“Railways are the same. Railway lines being connected got bent, and many damaged places mean we need to enter full rework.”

The Kumamoto Project was Kintetsu Group’s big step.

Building Osaka Harukas Building excessively.

And again spending big money here to proceed with the Kumamoto Project.

All this was intended to create a solid foundation.

It would take some time, but if they completed everything, they could leap to a level JT Group couldn’t ignore anymore and incite them to fight each other.

But at an unexpected time, the major earthquake completely stole away Kintetsu’s ambitions.

“.Where should I even start with this?”

But the true disaster was from now on.

“Chairman. Kangsung Group says they’ll visit headquarters soon.”

“What? Why are those Kangsung bastards?”

Just hearing the name Kangsung makes his teeth grind.

Didn’t they suffer big losses from the battery incident after taking a long position on Kangsung Electronics through an investment company that’s one of their affiliates to raise funds?

According to circulating stories, Kangsung set traps to reversely devour the hunters.

Kintetsu got caught helplessly in that trap and only had money stolen.

But those bastards are coming here?

Are they trying to apologize profusely?

No way.

“They currently hold short-term corporate bonds reaching 350 billion yen.”

“That much? Wait. Short-term corporate bonds means our Kintetsu bonds?”

“Yes. As maturity is approaching, they seem to be trying to pressure us as bondholders.”

Though it was questionable how Kangsung held so many bonds, Chairman Takashi soon calmed his surprised heart.

“That’ll be resolved by issuing bonds again, right? We said we’d make additional issues because of short-term bonds returning soon anyway.”

It was the plug-hole method many companies use.

Either there’s no money to repay immediately on maturity, or it needs to be used elsewhere, so they block it by issuing additional bonds.

It’s not even a big problem.

Since it’s a method major corporations essentially do, Kintetsu was just doing the same.

“That’s. The Financial Services Agency and Tokyo Stock Exchange rejected bond issuance.”

“Wh-what?!”

But they didn’t expect this.

Those guys who’d casually stamp approval when issuing bonds suddenly rejecting!

“Seems ominous rumors are circulating in financial circles now. That our Kintetsu is on the brink of bankruptcy.”

“Nonsense!”

“Both the Financial Services Agency and Tokyo Stock Exchange answered they can only approve through definite additional documents and detailed re-examination. They seem to see our financial indicators as unreliable.”

“Stop talking nonsense and tell them to approve quickly! Our Kintetsu isn’t some neighborhood corner store!”

“Somehow submitting documents and working should get approval. But the problem is rumors are spreading too fast, so at this rate there might be no one buying bonds.”

The Financial Services Agency and Tokyo Exchange can delay bond issuance citing risks.

Still, issuance will somehow happen.

However, the problem was buyers’ perception of purchasing bonds.

Like current rumors, when viewed from outside, Kintetsu Group is greatly staggering.

They strained heavily once saying they’d build Osaka Harukas Building, and pushed hard on the Kumamoto Project this time too.

That’s why they issued bonds exceeding 500 billion yen.

But the project got completely wrecked by the major earthquake.

Plus there was impact from investment failure.

“But someone seems to be maliciously spreading rumors, inflating the amount we lost much more than reality. Because of this, they’re all throwing our group stocks in the securities market now.”

Chairman Takashi felt his mouth going completely dry.

His spine chilled and his hands filled with sweat.

No matter how he looks at it, this isn’t coincidence.

Someone was intentionally targeting Kintetsu Group.

And that someone must definitely be Kangsung Group.

Otherwise, why would they hold bonds reaching 350 billion yen?

“But the bond group visiting our headquarters this time isn’t only Kangsung Group.”

“Who else is there?”

“Gwangwoon Securities holding the remaining 150 billion yen is also coming.”

“Gwangwoon?”

Chairman Takashi tilted his head.

Does this mean there’s another knife holder targeting Kintetsu?

“Where’s that again?”

***

I’ve never ridden a plane before.

Well, these days everyone goes on overseas trips at least once, and school trips go overseas too. But I didn’t.

I had no thought that I must go on overseas trips, didn’t have such circumstances, and even if I did, I preferred playing games at home.

“Wow. Thanks to Department Head, I’m even coming on a Japan business trip.”

Yet now I’m in Japan.

“On a private jet too! I really rode one for the first time.”

Plus my first plane was none other than Kangsung’s private jet.

Me, hyung-nim, and Hye-rin who’s fluent in Japanese.

We three could arrive comfortably in Osaka on the private jet Chairman Kang Seong-ho rides every business trip.

“But is it okay for us to not do anything?”

The reason we came today actually wasn’t to directly storm the company.

Kangsung Group chairman.

Gwangwoon Securities president.

Just these two visiting Japan as the bond group could exert strong pressure on Kintetsu Group.

“Probably won’t meet with people from that side specially. Even Kangsung Group’s case is already pressuring with Osaka Orient up front.”

Chairman Kang Seong-ho met LK Group Chairman Oh Jae-hyun and talked about something, obtaining LK Orient that dominates LK Group.

Not only that, he changed LK Orient to Osaka Orient to make it look more friendly to Japanese people.

Setting up LK Group as a shield in front, making it look like a native Japanese company is acquiring another Japanese company, not Korea.

People in this field will probably know it’s all deception, but not all Japanese citizens know.

Exactly exploiting that point.

Because to move, the government must ultimately follow public opinion.

“So there’s nothing particular we need to do?”

“Yes. Probably they’ll contact us if something special happens, but until then we can rest comfortably.”

“Wow~ Then Department Head. Shall we tour around meanwhile?”

“Uh.”

I glanced sideways at hyung-nim.

Sent a look asking if that’s okay.

Hyung-nim briefly coughed.

“Until there’s something special to do, young people should go around with young people. I have separate things to do so can’t go together.”

Then hyung-nim suddenly winked at me.

“Then Department Head. I’ll serve you the full course~.”

After simply unpacking at the hotel, I ended up on a sudden Osaka tour together with Hye-rin.

Seems she came not just once or twice, knowing many restaurants only locals would know, where’s good for sightseeing, and where to take photos for good composition, etc.

Thanks to Hye-rin, a guy who never traveled got to go around a lot.

Plus traveling alone together with none other than Hye-rin made my heart flutter, but on the other hand, I realized one thing greatly.

‘I’m not the traveling type.’

I thought I hadn’t traveled because circumstances didn’t allow, but turns out my body instinctively rejected it.

Doesn’t seem like we went around that much, yet my feet hurt like this and I feel energy completely drained.

“But there’s really one place I want to go.”

“Wh-where?”

Opposite to me, Hye-rin still looked energetic.

“There’s something I always do when coming to Japan. Exactly gacha shops! Claw machines! You can say you traveled only after doing this!”

There’s a saying Japan is the gacha nation.

Being anime heaven, there are really many gacha like related characters and dolls.

“This is Osaka’s biggest gacha shop.”

Coincidentally, that place was a shop inside Osaka Harukas Building.

An entire floor was filled only with gacha and claw machine machines.

Amazing how this wide floor could be filled only with such machines, yet people were bustling too.

“Jin-ho, don’t you like claw machines?”

“Haven’t tried them much.”

Korea had a claw machine craze too though.

Before, I had to save every penny for in-game purchases, so didn’t touch such places.

Because I don’t have anime I watch or dolls I want.

“Hehe. Today I’ll show you why claw machines are fun. Once you try, you get addicted to that ticklish taste!”

I quietly watched Hye-rin playing beside me.

“Argh. So frustrating. Isn’t this really all marketing tactics? Making them not catch on purpose! Heeing.”

She said she likes it, but didn’t say she’s good at it?

Seems she tried dozens of times but hasn’t caught anything yet.

“Jin-ho, want to try too?”

Claw machines, gacha, or slot machines at casinos.

I heard they all have patterns.

So for claw machines, the claw power is usually very weak, but after spinning dozens of times, just once the claw power suddenly gets strong to let you catch a doll.

Like Hye-rin said, this is all such marketing. Huh?

“What’s wrong?”

“.Ah. I’ll try once too.”

“Oh. Good. Claw machines aren’t anything special. Just move the joystick and press the button.”

Until now, even touching this machine felt like nothing.

But at some moment, a tingling sensation came from my fingertips.

Sure enough.

“Wow!”

I caught in one try what Hye-rin couldn’t catch after several attempts.

“No way. Jin-ho. This really wasn’t catching. How exactly did you catch it?”

“Just. Got lucky. Want to catch others too?”

“Sure!”

I walked around the shop with Hye-rin looking at machines.

Hye-rin tried unconditionally when finding something she liked, and I only put money where I got feelings while walking around.

A few places I missed due to my poor control though.

My current win rate approached 90%.

So the number of dolls we held gradually increased, and people staring at us two slowly increased.

“Wow. Caught again.”

“Isn’t that using some cheat? Does that make sense?”

Some people even secretly followed behind me watching.

If we continued more here, handling dolls would be difficult, so I stopped.

“Jin-ho, what are you really? You were a claw machine hidden master! Why are you so good?”

“Thanks to Hye-rin, I think I found my talent too. Ah. Any dolls you want? Take from these. I actually don’t need them.”

“Really? Then I’ll take this and. This! Give the rest to your younger sister. She’ll definitely like them.”

Our Yoon-ah?

I don’t really know.

But since I need to bring something anyway, I’ll try giving them.

“But Kumamoto damage seems still serious.”

On the way back, Hye-rin looked at news on the downtown billboard regretfully.

Kumamoto fortunately isn’t having more aftershocks, but too many collapsed buildings mean recovery seems like it’ll take a while.

Accordingly, Japan is asking for help worldwide and calling for unity to Japanese citizens.

“..”

Watching that, mixed feelings crossed for me.

Though I didn’t cause the earthquake, since I’m profiting through that earthquake, being human too, my heart felt heavy.

“But not much donation money is gathering compared to expectations. Maybe because the world is harsh these days?”

I stopped my walking feet.

“.Jin-ho?”

Because I felt something click exactly at that moment.

“Ah. Sorry. What did you just say?”

“Donation money isn’t gathering much these days. Both inside Japan and overseas seem not very interested. Maybe because the economy is surging a lot.”

Don’t know why I get feelings at the word donation.

My heart was heavy anyway, so this worked out well.

Maybe my intuition wants to make my heart comfortable too?

“Then since we’re talking about it, shall we donate a bit too?”

“Really?”

My heart was heavy anyway.

“I’ll talk directly with the president about this.”

Felt like I could lighten mental burdens thinking donating would help somewhat.

***

“What’s Kintetsu doing now?”

“They’re busily running around trying to somehow raise 500 billion yen. Succeeded in issuing bonds, but the problem is no one wants to buy them.”

Good thing we spread ominous rumors in advance.

With bizarre rumors spreading that Kintetsu Group will go bankrupt even tomorrow, Kintetsu Group was now in a dilemma.

Many already said didn’t they strain raising the building excessively, and the Kumamoto Project even flew away from the major earthquake, so that added credibility to those rumors.

“Seems they’re trying to sell real estate. But no guarantee it’ll sell before maturity. Even if it sells, it’ll take a while to make 500 billion yen.”

“So by maturity, they won’t reach 500 billion yen no matter what?”

“Yes. However, the problem is still the Japanese government. We’re pushing forward with Osaka Orient, but if the Japanese government tries to rescue Kintetsu, the situation could change.”

That was the problem.

How exactly will the Japanese government view this situation?

If they seriously help Kintetsu, all this becomes nothing.

“The Japanese government isn’t dumb either. They know we’re behind Osaka Orient, right?”

“Yes. Right now they’re just busy with the Kumamoto major earthquake. Once the situation settles a bit, we don’t know what’ll happen.”

This was most worrying.

“Ah. Chairman. And Gwangwoon Securities donated 10 billion won to Kumamoto earthquake recovery this time.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes. I also received reports earlier.”

Donating out of the blue?

Plus the amount was ambiguous.

10 billion.

It was neither big nor small.

“Doesn’t it seem like just the right amount to show off?”

“Yes. I think so too.”

Chairman Kang stroked his chin.

“Doesn’t seem like they just gave out 10 billion, right?”

“Yes. Probably didn’t give it for helping purposes. There must be another intention. Maybe trying to do image-making?”

Chairman Kang thought the same as the secretary-general.

President Hwang Dae-woon giving money through the company means Jeong Jin-ho is behind this.

“Image-making.”

In such a difficult time.

If someone comes carrying big money and gives it as donations, can’t help but feel more grateful.

Even giving the same money, depending on what situation you give it in, the weight that money has changes.

“Sharp. That guy.”

“But Chairman. Won’t just 10 billion be a bit insufficient?”

“That’s why it’s 10 billion.”

“What?”

“Means telling us to fill the remaining amount. Secretary Kim. Contact the company and tell them to use about 90 billion as donation money. Let’s fill exactly 100 billion.”

“Th-that much?”

“Think of it as commission. We’re splitting and eating one Kintetsu Group. That’s cheap.”

About 100 billion was an amount sufficient to give impact.

“Make the Japanese media promote this fact massively. Like Osaka Orient spent a tremendous amount for earthquake recovery.”

“Will Japanese media try to write nicely?”

“Japanese media different from our country? Ultimately most are bastards who write getting paid.”

Media moves according to money.

Because their belief is exactly money.

That’s the same in any country.

“And convey to Jeong Jin-ho, that guy, to have a meal together.”

Seems like time came to negotiate.

***

“The donation money was sharp. Just the right timing. Donation of 100 billion. Impactful, right? Plus if media pushes all at once, talk about us being behind Osaka Orient will also slip away.”

I really donated thinking to help.

Feels like my sincerity is being misunderstood.

“But why just the two of us.”

“Was thinking I wanted to meet and talk one-on-one anyway. Ah. But can I speak comfortably? We seem like we’ll see each other often.”

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

“Haha. Thanks. Don’t feel burdened. Just wanted to meet comfortably one-on-one with you.”

He says don’t feel burdened.

It’s tremendously burdensome.

Don’t know if I’m eating rice with my mouth or nose right now.

“Watching you donate, I felt it. You moderately showed off and now want to pull out of Gwangwoon Securities, right?”

“..”

Maybe the amount was too small.

Actually the unit of 10 billion came out because that amount clicked intuitively while consulting with hyung-nim.

I thought I gave quite a lot, but from Chairman Kang Seong-ho’s position, it probably looked like just showing-off.

But it’s true that time came for Gwangwoon Securities to gradually pull out.

“Securities firms are usually like that. They only buy or sell. They don’t operate.”

“That’s true.”

Our Gwangwoon Securities’ position is actually getting ambiguous.

We’re pressuring together with Kangsung Group, but if Kintetsu really can’t repay money like this, now we need to take away what they have one by one.

That process will be very complex.

“Do you see Kintetsu as unable to get up?”

“This donation delivery will be the decisive blow. Media will promote it massively too. Plus JT Group seems to have learned of this situation. They didn’t directly tell us, but seeing their current movements, seems they’re trying to help us.”

Everyone knows Kintetsu Group wants to surpass JT Group.

“That displeased them. How dare bastards who only laid local railways try to surpass JT Group’s stronghold? If Kintetsu actually completed the Kumamoto Project well, the game would’ve turned strange.”

“They have no reason not to help.”

“Right. They’re already sharpening swords to fight among themselves, so it’s troublesome if another bastard stabs from behind, right? Probably trying to organize this opportunity.”

Through donation money, turning public opinion toward Osaka Orient.

Though not directly cooperating with JT Group, they also wanted to step on Kintetsu that was annoyingly rising.

If they sweet-talk the Japanese government well, what remains ahead is smooth sailing.

“Now to negotiate. Gwangwoon won’t step up to tear apart and eat Kintetsu like us, right? That’s our job. So what price are you thinking of handing it over to us?”

Deciding that here suddenly?

“President Hwang will follow your words entirely, right? So let’s remove complex procedures and decide here. How much?”

If I knew this would happen, I would’ve brought hyung-nim.

To suddenly decide prices like this.

“That’s.”

I was about to evade answers with appropriate words.

“.!”

My right hand holding chopsticks ached tingly.

Startled, I put them down and the tingly feeling disappeared.

“.?”

I tried holding the chopsticks again just in case.

That tingly feeling rushes again.

This time I tried holding just one chopstick.

“..”

No feeling.

What if I hold two again?

“!?”

Feelings were coming intensely.

Could this be.

“Double.”

Chairman Kang who was tilting his drink glass spat out the alcohol he was drinking.

“W-wait. What? Double? You’re asking for 3 trillion won now.”

“Yes.”

Chairman Kang still had spit-out alcohol on his mouth and was looking at me like a crazy person.