Chapter 154: Get in My Car (Subscription Requested)

Takanori introduced the specific location, land area, and condition of the house.

Kusakabe Raichuan went to work on the spot, addressing the inquiring Takamoto Hisanobu by quickly rattling off the current real estate price trends in that neighborhood.

His professional demeanor prompted Takanori to tease, "Director Takamoto, does your esteemed bank not know that President Takeda has already sold the house to me?"

How could Takamoto Hisanobu possibly tell him that they had actually done a lot of groundwork long ago and were simply putting on a show now? He vague-ly denied it and said, "If it's just this piece of real estate alone, assuming there are no mortgages left to pay off, the loan amount can be extended to 120 million yen. This takes into account that after you acquire the house, you will likely renovate it to improve its current condition and enhance its value."

After listening to the preliminary loan amount offered by Takamoto Hisanobu, Takanori replied, "I understand. The house was purchased from President Takeda in full with cash, and it is surrounded by detached houses. The location and environment are both good, and renovations are indeed already being planned. I have fully grasped your bank's stance on this."

Seeing that he only said that much, Takamoto Hisanobu quickly added, "If Takanori-kun uses both pieces of real estate as collateral under the same loan application, you can also enjoy the same low interest rate we discussed previously!"

Takanori smiled. "I understand."

"Then..."

"I've only just had this thought," Takanori said noncommittally. "I'm not particularly in need of money at the moment, so I'll need to think about this matter further."

"Takanori-kun, it would be a shame not to leverage the value of real estate by leaving it sitting there. Since you are about to start a company, you are heading into a phase where funds will be needed in many areas." Takamoto Hisanobu paused before sighing, "I understand that Takanori-kun's expected value for that property is certainly higher than it is now. But under current circumstances, we can indeed only evaluate it based on the average value over the past period. Even so, the bank has decided that the valuation of the real estate can be slightly inflated by a certain proportion due to the current market trends."

"I understand all of that," Takanori said with a polite smile. "But if that's all it is, there really is no need to pay all that extra interest to the bank for a mere 120 million yen."

A mere 120 million yen...

Listening to him say such words so casually while everyone else took it for granted, Irie Yuta felt a sense of surrealism.

That's right, a man who could shell out that much money to buy the Takeda Manufacturing land was fully qualified to speak this way.

"Takanori-kun, if land values appreciate and stabilize in the future, we can also re-evaluate the value and increase your credit limit..."

Takanori remained noncommittal despite Takamoto Hisanobu's various attempts at persuasion.

After all, this was only the first bank to make an offer.

Seeing Takanori's reaction, Maehara Kumina's superior spoke up: "Kumina, Takanori-kun has always been very considerate of your work. Shouldn't you express your gratitude to him?"

Takanori looked at Maehara Kumina with amused interest. Was it time for a different routine?

Maehara Kumina picked up her glass with both hands, looking somewhat flustered as she stammered, "Takanori-kun, thank you very much for your kindness!"

"Kumina-san has also helped me a great deal," Takanori said meaningfully. "I am deeply impressed by your attitude and competence."

"You flatter me..."

Noticing how deeply impressed Takanori seemed with Maehara Kumina, Takamoto Hisanobu said with a beaming smile, "I was originally worried that Kumina lacked experience and might not be able to handle the servicing work for Takanori-kun properly later on. Hearing Takanori-kun's affirmation sets my mind at ease. Kumina, you must work harder from now on. Whatever Takanori-kun needs, you must do your utmost to satisfy."

As soon as those words left his mouth, Maehara Kumina felt a tremor in her heart.

What did this mean?

Was it suggesting that this client, Takanori-kun, was becoming increasingly important to the bank, and that the section chief had originally planned to handle him personally?

Why did the phrase "do your utmost to satisfy his needs" sound like it carried a hidden meaning?

Sure enough, Takamoto Hisanobu continued, "I heard from Kumina that Takanori-kun was the one who asked her to come along as well?"

"That's right," Takanori said with a smile at the corner of his mouth. "Aside from work matters, since we have an opportunity like this, it's good to enhance our mutual understanding."

Maehara Kumina couldn't help but realize the implication. Could it be that seeing Takanori hadn't relented on the loan, both her superior and the branch manager wanted her to play a "special" role?

She wasn't foolish; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to secure a job at a bank.

But what exactly was Takanori's intention toward her? When he spoke of enhancing their understanding, did he perhaps mean to make her consider leaving the bank?

Noticing Maehara Kumina's preoccupied look, Takamoto Hisanobu chimed in, "I would also very much like to enhance my understanding of Takanori-kun! Even though I'm already an old man, we're in such high spirits today—how about we all go sing karaoke together after dinner?"

Takanori shook his head. "Director Takamoto, I have matters to attend to later, so let's save it for next time."

"Is that so? What a pity..." Takamoto Hisanobu paused for a brief moment before breaking into a hearty laugh once again. "Let's leave work matters aside for today. I heard Takanori-kun is still studying at the University of Tokyo. Kumina, haven't you always yearned for the University of Tokyo? Takanori-kun must have many interesting stories about it."

Takanori asked Maehara Kumina with an amiable smile, "Does Kumina-san yearn for the University of Tokyo?"

Maehara Kumina thought to herself, isn't that stating the obvious? If one could get into the University of Tokyo, who wouldn't yearn for it?

For now, she could only echo, "Yes, but unfortunately my grades weren't good enough back then..."

Dropping the subject of the loans, Takamoto Hisanobu intentionally or unintentionally encouraged Maehara Kumina to drink more with Takanori and Zhao Yuanxi.

Seeing the growing intoxication in her eyes, Takanori said, "Since I already have prior commitments for later, Director Takamoto, let's call it a day here. As for the loan, I will go back and give it careful consideration."

Kusakabe Raichuan went outside to settle the bill, and the group walked out to the curbside.

Maehara Kumina's footsteps were already a bit unsteady as she stood there, struggling to maintain her sobriety.

Suddenly, Takanori asked, "Where does Kumina-san live? I'll drop you off first."

Takamoto Hisanobu's eyes flickered as he immediately chimed in, "That would be a huge help. We're all used to taking the train to commute, so we didn't drive today. Kumina, then I'll trouble Takanori-kun to take you home."

"Takanori-kun... don't you have other matters?" Maehara Kumina subconsciously shook her head and then bowed. "I can go back... by myself..."

"It's getting late, and you've been drinking," Takanori replied simply.

"Takanori-kun is truly a gentle gentleman!" Maehara Kumina's section chief supervisor also chimed in. "Then I'll leave Kumina in Takanori-kun's care."

With that, he turned to Maehara Kumina and said, "We'll be heading off first, then. Kumina, come to the branch manager's office with me tomorrow after work; there will be an important decision to tell you."

"Huh?" Maehara Kumina asked with a dazed expression. "What decision?"

"Just keep up the good work!"

Without waiting for an answer, he bowed in farewell to Takanori and the other two as Kusakabe Raichuan arrived.

It turned out none of them had driven cars here after all.

Seeing that they had really left her behind just like that, Maehara Kumina sobered up a little more.

Zhao Yuanxi was somewhat bewildered: Weren't they supposed to have an internal gathering afterward? He was actually going to send this bank beauty home first?

"Yuta, bring the car over," Takanori said, handing the car keys to Irie Yuta before gazing at the anxious Maehara Kumina standing beside him.

"Takanori-kun... really, I can go back by myself..." Maehara Kumina hurriedly lowered her head and bowed as she spoke.

"What are you afraid of?" Takanori grinned. "Right in front of your supervisor and colleagues, how could I possibly talk to you about the employment terms at my company?"

"Huh?"

Seeing the car pull up, Takanori opened the rear door first: "Come on, come meet the others at my company. Rest assured, I won't make you drink anymore."

Three men in a car, plus herself who had already consumed some alcohol—Maehara Kumina found her feet rooted to the spot.

"Kumina," Takanori stood by the car door, looking at her. "I'm a very straightforward person. I've extended invitations to you several times now, and you should have considered them thoroughly. Today is the day my company's founding members meet for the first time. I'm asking you to stay and come with me because I intend to bring you into my inner circle on the financial side. Aside from these two men, there's also a classmate of mine, as well as Onodera Runa, whom you've already met."

Only then did Maehara Kumina realize he wasn't actually sending her home. She couldn't help but ask, "Madam Runa?"

Wasn't that the woman he liked?

"Yes, Runa is there too," Takanori said calmly. "Listen to the job and compensation I've prepared for you. If you still feel it's better to stay at the bank after hearing it, I'll have Yuta drive you straight home once we arrive."

With that, he got into the car first, leaving the door wide open.

Maehara Kumina bit her lip, eventually moving her feet and walking over.

At a nearby street corner, Takamoto Hisanobu and the other two watched from a distance with lewd grins.

"Now, let's go unwind by ourselves," Takamoto Hisanobu patted the shoulder of Maehara Kumina's section chief. "Tomorrow, we must make Kumina fully understand how crucial Takanori-kun is to us!"

"Understood!"

...

Inside the car, Takanori immediately spoke up: "At least one thing is certain: once you become my subordinate, I will never leave you behind, intoxicated, to face clients all by yourself."

Maehara Kumina sat upright, her hands tightly clutching her small handbag.

Indeed, a shred of sorrow had just welled up inside her.

"Actually, I'm quite uneasy about letting you leave with them," Takanori said leisurely. "Even though my company is just starting to take shape, you should have confidence in my financial strength, shouldn't you?"

Maehara Kumina nodded. "Of course..."

Before coming here, the section chief had emphasized that if Takanori-kun could be kept as a client for Changxin Bank, it would be of utmost importance.

Only now did Zhao Yuanxi realize that Takanori intended to poach talent from the bank, recruiting this beautiful employee to handle company finances.

Was this young woman's professional competence really that good?

Takanori stated, "How about it? I need a financial secretary. What do you say to a salary matching what you make at the bank? Once the company expands and you earn my trust, you can take over as the head of finance."

"Financial... secretary?" Takanori sat quietly beside her with an easy demeanor, uttering no inappropriate remarks and making no untoward advances, which gradually put Maehara Kumina at ease.

"Yes, this is your final chance to consider," Takanori said calmly. "By the way, barring any accidents, I won't be keeping my primary funds at Changxin Bank anymore. Although you are very conscientious in your work, the executives at your bank seem to have rather significant problems."

Takanori gave her a serious look: "Staying at Changxin Bank is not a good choice for you."