Chapter 157: Go Out With Me

What on earth is the matter?

Tō Chiming looked at Ueda Nana, who had walked into the research room, sat down to the side without saying a word, and simply stared at him.

The young lady looked burdened with worries. What kind of drama was this playing out?

Teacher Nana... Tō Chiming sighed helplessly. I am busy making money here.

Ueda Nana still said nothing.

Tō Chiming nodded. I understand. You are in a bad mood, want to look at a handsome man to lift your spirits, and are therefore continuing to admire me.

With that, he rested one cheek in his hand and used the keyboard to check some data with his other hand.

Such a rascal.

Ueda Nana looked at him with complicated emotions.

Chiming-kun. She finally spoke. How much do you hate Keiko—the woman who used you, hurt you, and left you for dead once?

Tō Chiming turned his head in astonishment and looked at her. Why bring her up?

That woman had cheated on the original Tō Chiming, not him, the modern soul.

Given Tō Chiming's current stature and perspective, why would he ever lower himself to trample on someone like her?

I just want to know. If someone uses you, how angry do you get? Ueda Nana's expression was serious.

Being used is quite normal. Tō Chiming turned his gaze back to the screen indifferently. You can't really call it anger. I saw through this world long ago. You use me, I use you—how normal is that? I've come to my senses now; sometimes I even voluntarily let people use me, as long as the return is sufficient.

I don't like being used.

Tō Chiming glanced at her. Just as he was about to say something, his expression froze. He shifted his chair to face her, nodded, and apologized. Sorry!

...Why are you apologizing? Ueda Nana hadn't expected this reaction.

Aren't you saying that I used you?

...When did you ever use me?

Knowing Professor Yamamoto, of course. And I also borrowed the name of knowing you to make others mistakenly believe that my relationship with your father is quite good.

Ueda Nana was silent for a moment. That was an exchange. You said you would help me defeat Morijirō, and you haven't done it yet. Let's just treat your apology as being for that.

About Morijirō... Tō Chiming sighed. I looked into it, and it's a bit troublesome.

Can't it be done?

Tō Chiming shook his head. It's not that it can't be done, just that it might not happen as quickly as you'd like.

He thought for a moment and spoke frankly: Let's be completely clear about this. The new company funded by Morijirō is very powerful, and he isn't the only one who put up the money. This new company, called Softwing, has a very extraordinary background. Aside from Morijirō, there is also a genius known as Japan's personal computer prodigy, whose name is Kazuhiko Nishi. Furthermore, there are shadows of powerful conglomerates behind them, though I haven't yet confirmed which one.

A personal computer... prodigy? Ueda Nana was slightly overwhelmed by the sound of it.

Yes. Although that Cinderella boy you mentioned also holds the title of a Japanese personal computer prodigy, the problem right now is that he just gambled his life to cure his terminal illness, and his company is currently in terrible shape.

Tō Chiming was also sorting out his own understanding of Masayoshi Son's current situation. The founder of that company, Softbank, is a Korean-descended person who hasn't even acquired Japanese citizenship yet. Although many people have helped him, given his background, it is very difficult for him to fully integrate into the circle of Japanese financial conglomerates. Son-kun returned from the United States and founded Softbank in the 56th year of Shōwa (1981). By the second year, he achieved sales of 2 billion yen, and by the third year, 45 billion yen. That is why he was dubbed the Cinderella boy.

...Impressive. Ueda Nana couldn't help praising him, then looked at him with a strange expression.

And what title should be bestowed upon the man who made ten billion yen in three months?

Despite being such an impressive Son-kun, his current situation is very grim. After falling ill in the 57th year of Shōwa, he had to hire a very famous person to serve as president and help him manage Softbank. However, that president's philosophy differs somewhat from his own. Over the past three years, not only has Softbank made no progress, but its debts have piled up to as high as 1 billion yen. So, do you understand the current situation? The predicament Son-kun is facing is extremely difficult.

Internally, he needs to retake power. That president knows many influential figures, and Son-kun originally hoped he would help the company develop better. But now, with so much debt, and after more than two years, the management has entirely become the president's people. It won't be easy for Son-kun to sort this out.

Secondly, his old rival on the outside, Kazuhiko Nishi, has rallied such a massive force to wage a decisive battle against Softbank in the personal computer industry. They have money, resources, and technology.

Tō Chiming clicked his tongue in wonder. The most fatal part is that Softbank was originally the exclusive sales agent and software production agent for the largest distribution channels of Japanese personal computer software. The entire merchandise department holding these resources, along with several technical and marketing personnel, have all been poached by Nishi and Morijirō's Softwing. They prepared massive amounts of capital and severed the foundation of Softbank's greatest lifeline—software distribution.

Once Softwing defeats Softbank, they will become the new kings of Japan's personal computer industry. The advantages of a monopoly will only continue to snowball. Tō Chiming looked intently at Ueda Nana and said, Do you understand now why I said defeating Morijirō isn't easy? In the field of personal computers, I have zero accumulation. Meanwhile, he currently lacks neither funds nor an experienced team and industry resources. What you want is for him to fail in his career and lose the approval of the Mori family and your father. That is not easily achieved.

Only then did Ueda Nana realize how complicated the matter was.

After a long silence, she murmured, But you promised me.

Then she raised her head, her eyes filled with hope. If it's you, I feel like you can do it. You can, right?

Tō Chiming looked at her helpless little expression and sighed. It can be done. But Nana, it will take a very long time. Maybe five years, or even longer. Can you wait until then?

Ueda Nana's gaze suddenly darkened. How could it... take that long?

This is a decisive battle concerning the future of an entire industry—a head-on, righteous battle. What Tō Chiming said was the truth.

The integration of upstream and downstream resources, the contest between the undisputed leader and the challenger.

Even for Masayoshi Son, he dedicated the most formidable period of his life, from age 29 to 36, entirely to this struggle. Even trapped in such a desperate situation, he still managed to defeat Softwing head-on and ultimately succeeded in going public in 1994, achieving a net worth of 200 billion yen in a single stroke.

How could it be easy?

So... am I actually just making a futile struggle? Ueda Nana's emotions sank completely, and she slumped softly in her chair.

If you hate marrying him this much, can't you express your wishes clearly to your father? Tō Chiming genuinely failed to understand why she was so submissive to her father's commands.

Ueda Nana shook her head. After a long time, she suddenly raised her head and smiled brilliantly. Chiming-kun, how about this—let's date.

Tō Chiming was startled. Are you out of your mind?

No. Ueda Nana had spoken with the desperate mindset of someone blooming in adversity, but once the words were out, her heart suddenly beat a little faster. I want to have a life of my own.

...Isn't that being out of your mind? The last time I went to your house, your father wanted to hack me to death! Tō Chiming looked at her strangely. With all due respect, Teacher Nana, you might gain a romance, but I could lose three legs!

...Three legs?

Tō Chiming nodded solemnly. The third one is very important to me!

Ueda Nana saw him gesture toward that region right in front of her, and her face turned slightly red. She looked away. Didn't you say that because I helped you, you wanted to repay me? Since defeating that Morijirō guy is so difficult, swap it for this instead.

I choose to help you defeat Morijirō. Tō Chiming resolutely shook his head. Dating someone like you is far too dangerous for me right now.

What danger could there possibly be? Annoyance welled up in Ueda Nana's heart. Why? Even after she had taken the initiative to say it, she received this kind of response?

Your Ueda family, along with the connections between the peerage and the conglomerates—the waters run far too deep. Tō Chiming looked at her meaningfully. Nana, are you trying to take revenge on your father, or on me?

How could I take revenge on you?! Ueda Nana concealed the guilt in her heart.

She had only thought of using him, hadn't she?

In the end, she had become a woman just like Keiko.

If you date me, won't Morijirō fly into a rage and find a way to cuckold me?

...Cuckold you?

...Oh, it's a concept from Chinese slang: *NTR*, where your fiancée gets stolen. Look, your fiancée gets snatched away by me, and I have to face the wrath of the Mori Group and your father directly. It's terrifying. Isn't that taking revenge on me?

Tō Chiming didn't care whether the term had started trending yet; she wouldn't understand the Chinese meaning anyway.

However, Ueda Nana understood the Japanese meaning.

...NTR? How could you just use a word like that?! Ueda Nana's expression shifted, and she bit her lip. Anyway, you said you chose to help me defeat Morijirō, so hurry up and do it!

Ah... Tō Chiming deliberately sighed.

Although he hadn't expected this proud young woman to make such a request herself, he felt quite pleased inside.

She had such thin skin, yet she insisted on dating a man before marriage when there were plenty of other options available.

For instance, Yokuhisa Yamane would be more than happy.

Choosing his buddy—well, naturally, it was because she had already been stirred by him.

It was just that the marital alliances represented by institutions like the Kasai Club, connecting the old aristocracy with conglomerates and politicians, possessed a truly formidable network of power.

Tō Chiming said with a troubled expression: Alright then. Things have come to this, so I suppose I'll just have to join forces with that Cinderella boy. If we do that, maybe defeating Softwing will go a little faster.

Ueda Nana's worries vanished, replaced by joy as she nodded. I'm counting on you.

My head hurts. Tō Chiming wore a tangled expression. In Tokyo, I suppose I'm no longer a nobody whose name is unknown. Once Son-kun suddenly receives my help, that Morijirō will find out very soon, and your father will too. Do you have a way to make your father hold off on trying to hack me to pieces, at least for now? Can you convince him to accept this—to use me as a sword to test Morijirō's true capabilities?

Ueda Nana stared blankly at him.

Why was the very task her father had entrusted to her being provided with an opening by him in this manner?

Doesn't that mean she could try to make him agree to her father's demand, and have her father pretend to consent?

Ueda Nana bit her lower lip and said, I can do it.

Good! Tō Chiming nodded with satisfaction.

But you still have to pretend to pursue me!

... Tō Chiming looked at her strangely. Are you craving my meat?

This way... Ueda Nana's pretty face turned slightly red. That's the only way to have the standing to make him accept this.

Your method isn't good. Tō Chiming shook his head firmly. Leave it to me; I'll convince him. At worst, I'll seriously consider that favor he asked of me last time!

Ueda Nana stared blankly at him, and then suddenly felt an itchy annoyance flare up in her heart.

Go practice!

Huh?

Hurry up!

I have to make money.

Don't lie to me. You were just looking at entertainment news a moment ago.

...I was clearly researching which music creation and production teams are decent, for the sake of WanderDance.

Get over here! Ueda Nana had already walked out.

Tō Chiming shook his head. It seemed this was just the fallout from him stubbornly refusing to fake-pursue her.

Honestly, what do you mean by "pretending to pursue"?

How could a buddy like him ever pretend?

Besides, why would he need to pretend with her? She was practically delivering herself right to his doorstep.