Chapter 100: The "Cinderella" Boy

Runa Onodera began searching for suitable real estate around the Shiodome Freight Terminal and the still-planned Mogami Gokurakucho area, while Tomonari Tō quietly followed the market trends as the new semester commenced.

Meanwhile, in the president's office at the headquarters of the Yuwa Foundation, Akira Watanabe listened to Hiroshi Ōmiya and smiled. "You've put a lot of thought into this in just a few days, haven't you? Exactly! Right now, I hear that Mitsubishi Group's headquarters is holding a special board meeting. Various parties are mobilizing efforts for the privatization of the National Railway."

“Though burdened by massive debt, once freed from government constraints, the National Railway’s assets will unleash unimaginable potential. Compared to that, the Mogami Gokurakucho project is just a minor detail,” Hiroshi Ōmiya remarked with a sigh. “I never expected Hidekaze Kinoshita to have such ambition. His goal, no doubt, is to use this project to elevate the valuation of Mogami’s fixed assets, securing a higher status under the Sumitomo Foundation.”

“Exactly!” Akira Watanabe stood and moved to the window. “The Shiodome Freight Terminal is a prized piece among the National Railway’s assets, coveted by all sides. According to the current preliminary framework, the National Railway will be divided into seven regional companies. The three companies on Honshu hold the greatest value, while the three on the Mishima Islands hold the least. Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu simply cannot shoulder the heavy debt responsibilities. The three Honshu companies are currently disputing asset allocation and debt burden proportions. And among these, the land occupied by the Shiodome Freight Terminal is enough to tip the balance!”

Hiroshi Ōmiya asked, “If the National Railway Settlement Corporation is to bear the main debt, it would need several high-value assets, right? I heard they want to get their hands on this land.”

“This will be a protracted battle,” Watanabe replied, turning back. “Whether this land goes to the future JR East Neon, JR Tokai, or JR West Neon, it will allow the Settlement Corporation to obtain shares sufficient to sway the board’s power dynamics. Therefore, whether the Mori family’s plan or Kinoshita’s plan, both aim to assist Mitsubishi or Sumitomo. Once these plans are approved, they will raise the valuations of the associated rail lines and assets. There’s no doubt this benefits Mitsubishi and Sumitomo.”

“In that case, if the Settlement Corporation hands over Shiodome to a National Railway subsidiary under their control, they won’t hold enough shares to command influence,” Hiroshi Ōmiya said excitedly.

“Exactly!” Watanabe approached him. “Now, what is your new idea?”

“With Mogami Fixed Assets operating under the support of the Sumitomo Foundation...” Hiroshi Ōmiya pondered. “With our strength alone, we cannot compete with the Sumitomo Realty and the Mogami Fixed Assets consortium. Chairman, I still don’t know your strategy.”

Watanabe smiled confidently. “Previously, I secretly reached a preliminary agreement with Mitsubishi to support their plan and secure a position within the future JR East Neon. We have several warehouses in Shinagawa GK district and a plot of land in Keihin Shiba 2-chome. Once Shiodome is incorporated into JR East Neon, we will focus on expanding around Tokyu Electric Railway to increase our shareholding. In return, Mitsubishi will nominate me as executive director of Tokyu Electric!”

Ōmiya’s eyes lit up. If Watanabe became an executive at Tokyu Electric, then over here at Yuwa, he at least might have a chance to become a director.

He finally asked the critical question: “Chairman, your cooperation with Mitsubishi is highly confidential, isn’t it?”

“Of course!” Watanabe’s eyes flashed coldly. “I’m only telling you this because you passed my test. Now, tell me your thoughts! Stop thinking about cooperating wholeheartedly with Mogami Fixed Assets. What you should propose is how to help me realize the original strategy!”

Hiroshi Ōmiya stood solemnly. “Understood! Then, this is a great opportunity for me to infiltrate Mogami Fixed Assets, and for you to attempt contact with Sumitomo to disrupt their plans. With the combined forces of Mitsubishi, Yuwa, and the Mori Group, even Mogami Fixed Assets and Sumitomo will struggle to resist!”

Inside the closed president’s office, Hiroshi Ōmiya, eyes gleaming, suppressed his excitement as he described and debated his plan.

At that very moment, a special board meeting was underway at Mitsubishi Group headquarters.

On the guest floor of the group, a family gathering was taking place. The directors’ wives and younger relatives mingled politely, exchanging courteous conversation.

Natsuna Ueda sat quietly on a sofa by the window, gazing blankly at the scenery outside.

“Natsuna-chan.”

The voice of Haruko Ueda came from behind. Natsuna stood and turned to see her mother accompanied by a middle-aged woman in a kimono, and a young man with a slender face but short stature.

Calmly, Natsuna bowed and greeted, “Good morning, Mrs. Mori, Jirō-oniisan.”

The middle-aged woman was Miki Mori, wife of Minoru Mori, eldest son of the Mori Group patriarch. She smiled warmly and said to Jirō, “Jirō, it’s been many years since you last saw Natsuna-chan. Surprised, aren’t you?”

“Indeed,” Jirō Mori said, his eyes shining as he looked at Natsuna. “Since returning from studying in America, this is the first time I’ve seen Natsuna-chan again. It’s... amazing! You recognized me at once? Last time, my uncle and aunt visited with Natsuna-chan, but I was busy with my new company and couldn’t make it home.”

Natsuna looked at his height, about the same as hers, his slender face and small eyes, and thought to herself: Over six years, and he still hasn’t grown into himself! That look is unforgettable, you know?

But in this setting, she forced a smile and said, “Yes. Jirō-oniisan, have you already established your own company?”

“Of course!” Jirō Mori, though small in stature, spoke with great confidence. “After all, I graduated from New York and am ready to make my mark!”

Despite his confident demeanor, Natsuna’s mind involuntarily pictured Tōtarō. Indeed, that guy seemed more convincing.

The semester had barely begun, yet apart from Yokohisa Yamane, who still wore a stern face before Tōtarō, the kendo club members all smiled happily when they saw him.

Wasn’t it just because he had treated the kendo members to a meal?

Of course, he had also spoken grandly—quite the leader’s aura...

Seeing Jirō Mori before her now, Natsuna felt only sorrow.

Is this really the future my father has chosen for me?

Listening to Jirō’s endless chatter, Natsuna could only smile faintly and nod along.

“...Speaking of which, my company is based on a very promising direction I brought back from America!” Jirō Mori said with enthusiasm. “Have you heard of computers? It’s a cutting-edge technology field!”

He spoke animatedly about computers and software.

But somehow, as he spoke, Natsuna’s mind filled with the image of Tomonari Tō skillfully typing away at the keyboard of that machine.

“I’ve already found a formidable team! These people were featured as the ‘Team of Tomorrow’ in Asahi Weekly. The president of that company is known as the ‘Cinderella’ boy who made a fortune through computers. Unfortunately, he has a terminal illness, and now his subordinates worry about their future. Luckily, they found me!”

“Are you acquiring that company?” Natsuna asked, curious.

A ‘Cinderella’ boy making money with computers but stricken with a terminal illness at such a young age?

“No, no,” Jirō Mori grinned wider at her interest. “That company is heavily in debt. What’s valuable are their people—the technology, client relationships, the whole team! I invested a large sum to bring them into my new company. The business remains the same, allowing us to absorb the market they once held.”

Natsuna asked blankly, “Wouldn’t that be a betrayal to the ‘Cinderella’ boy? If he’s terminally ill, wouldn’t he need a lot of money for treatment? If his company’s market is taken over...”

“He’s bedridden now. That company has no future! What I’m doing gives those twenty or so employees a new life! Should they lose their future alongside a dying man?” Jirō Mori said carelessly.

Natsuna was speechless at his expression.

Though business is ruthless, she felt that if he truly believed the company had a promising future and some recognition, why not just acquire it outright and revive it?

That way, the ‘Cinderella’ boy could get the money he needs for his treatment.

Her curiosity spent, she listened to Jirō explain how he recruited the team. Though she knew he was showing off his eloquence, Natsuna understood clearly:

Others followed him because of his status as a Mori family grandson and his money.