Chapter 16: The Enigmatic Man

“In my memory, Miss Runa is always smiling, with a look of resilience,” Tao Zhimin said as he looked at her. “For Mizuko’s future, you should have gained the strength to face anything by now.”

Runa Onodera lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Is that really how you see me, Tao?”

“…It’s really troublesome,” Tao Zhimin sighed. “Actually, your call last night put me in a difficult spot.”

Runa Onodera lowered her head again. “I knew it… In your eyes, I’m a woman who would use any means, which is why you asked if I’d be willing to do anything…”

“Hey!” Tao Zhimin’s voice rose, then he quickly lowered it, glancing at the bedroom door. “That’s not what I meant.”

But Runa followed his gaze and quietly said, “Mizuko was born when I was seventeen. In fact, I should only be seven years older than you, Tao.”

Tao Zhimin stared at her, caught off guard.

Why bring that up?

Trying to say you’re not old yet, that you’re not even thirty and still at your best?

“I’m starting to believe you really will become someone important in the future,” Runa Onodera said, shuffling back two steps and kneeling on the cushion—a gesture of utmost respect. “If you can help Mizuko get into a good school, I could work for you for many years!”

“…No need for all this, is there? I only said it was an interview.” Tao Zhimin felt a bit dizzy at the scene before him.

Runa Onodera sat up and looked at him. “Tao, is there really a way?”

“It’s just a transfer… as long as you have the money, isn’t it?” Tao Zhimin replied. “If it really comes to it, Yosuke, as an outstanding alumnus, could recommend her to his old school.”

“I know, for you and Ueno, it’s a small matter. But for me, it’s always been just a distant dream,” Runa replied earnestly. “If it’s possible, I could start working for you at any time.”

“…Is it really that easy?” Tao Zhimin couldn’t help but marvel at the resolve of these people—such willingness to gamble.

“…So you do think I’m an easy woman?” Runa said quietly.

“Hey!” Tao Zhimin shot her a look. “You should know by now, I’m not the sort of man whose mind is easily led astray by such things.”

Runa lowered her head again. “Of course I know. I was asking in earnest.”

“…Your life is your own. Your choices are yours to make. All I expect from you is your attitude toward your work.”

“Even if… that attitude means using certain methods?” she asked.

Tao Zhimin’s tone hardened. “Miss Runa, don’t try to figure out what I really think of you. As I said last night, I need time to observe anyone who may help me in the future. You don’t need to start working for me right away, and I won’t help you with Mizuko’s transfer right away either. Everything will wait until I’m certain you’re the assistant I need for my future endeavors. Do you understand?”

Runa was startled by the seriousness in his expression, and finally answered softly, “I understand. I’m sorry—I keep forgetting how determined you are, just because you’re young, and I end up speaking to you as if you were a younger brother.”

“I don’t think you’re an easy woman. You’re simply a woman who understands men,” Tao Zhimin finally said. “In the future, what I’ll need you to do won’t always involve those means, so don’t worry.”

“Tao…” Runa sounded aggrieved. “Actually, I haven’t always used such means before. With you… this is the first time.”

Tao Zhimin rolled his eyes. “Alright, big sister. Even though hearing that makes me a little happy, my decision won’t be swayed by emotion. Anyway, think it over. It’s getting late—good night.”

As he stood up and prepared to leave so decisively, Runa hurriedly called after him, “It’s true!”

“…Like I said, that’s your life, nothing to do with me,” Tao Zhimin replied as he stepped outside. “If you really want to work for me in the future, stop bringing this up. All I care about is whether you can do the job well.”

With that, he left straight away.

What’s this about treating me like a younger brother?

This woman really has a knack for subtle manipulation; she’s certainly well-versed in the ways of the world. But right now, things are far from simple or pure.

Without that purity, what’s the point? The future can wait.

After all, Runa Onodera’s feelings toward him were already complicated.

A man who seemed capable, but not exactly heartless.

A man who responded in a unique way to the resolve she showed him.

A man who… perhaps brought a touch of color to her life.

Tao Zhimin saw all of this clearly.

Besides, though he had arrived in the soon-to-be-scorching Tokyo, he had no intention of getting entangled in these matters before securing a firm foundation.

Right now, his mind was occupied not by the countless indecent magazines below, but by a dazzling future constructed with funds worth hundreds of millions.

Tao Zhimin walked away without a hint of reluctance.

Behind him, Runa Onodera lingered by the door, watching his back for a long while.

What an inscrutable man…

…

The next morning, after Ueno Yosuke got up, he heard Tao Zhimin already on the phone.

“…Yes, Mr. Murai, since we’ve already been in touch, it would be very rude to miss the appointment.” The persistence from the Tomokazu side surprised Tao. “I’m very moved by the president’s sincerity, and of course, I’ll consider it carefully! Don’t worry, I won’t be joining for dinner, as I’ve already arranged for someone from the bank to come to the house… Yes, just to assess the current value, it’s something I can handle myself, thank you, Mr. Murai…”

Yosuke listened in a daze as Tao finished the call, then asked, “Someone from the bank is coming tonight?”

Tao greeted him, “Yes, to see how much I can get if I use the house as collateral.”

“A loan?” Yosuke was startled. “Aren’t you still paying off the last one? Another loan? Why do you need more money?”

“For investments! You never believe me,” Tao said seriously. “How about this—let’s not wait for the bet to play out. Just give me the million yen now. Think about it: even if I lose it, there’s still the house. Sell it and you’ll get your money back.”

“…You’re crazy! Has it really come to this?”

“Don’t just sit around at home! Go out and make some money, you idiot!” Tao teased, then went to the bathroom to tidy up and said, “I’m heading out. Today’s hunting target: Sumitomo!”

He could understand Yosuke’s expression.

Anyone would be shocked if a roommate of three years, who had tried to hang himself but was rescued, suddenly became a different person overnight.

Yet, remembering all they’d been through together, he could only believe that this time, Tao really had turned a new leaf.

People need an adjustment period, after all. Once he’s had enough shocks, he’ll get used to it.

Yosuke was smart enough to get into Tokyo University. Compared to Tao, he might seem a little slow now, but among young people in their early twenties, he was still among the best.

The excellent Yosuke muttered, “…Demon hunter!”

“I just don’t get it—you could easily get the money, so why not go?”

“I was the one who kept urging you to go to those information sessions!” Yosuke grumbled. “Damn it, for the past three months while you were drinking, I’ve been busy going to those sessions myself. Can’t I take a break for a few days?”

“Whatever. By the way, it’s not just a million, right? That’s why you’re not desperate. Two million? Three?”

“No! I still have to pay rent and live, you know!”

“I only charge you twenty thousand yen a month! Well, within a week, you’ll cough up every last yen!” Tao nodded seriously. “Compared to you, I’ve got less than fifty thousand left. Tomorrow’s March. If I don’t make more money, I won’t be able to pay my loan! Off I go, to hunt!”

With that, he breezed out the door.

Yosuke stood in the middle of the room, looking around the empty living room, and muttered, “He just got half a million, so how can he not pay his loan? Damn it, if he keeps up the pace from the other day, six targets could net him three million…”

He had indeed managed to save up some money over the past three months—not two million, but almost.

Maybe, as Tao said, he just didn’t feel the pressure.

Another day at home seemed dull. He’d thought that, after being noticed by Tomokazu, Tao would say he wasn’t going, but his actions would tell a different story.

He’d meant to ask Tao how he’d found his resolve.

Who’d have thought Tao would be out every day? And Runa kept coming by in the evenings.

With his lazy roommate suddenly so diligent, Yosuke couldn’t help but feel a little useless.

Sumitomo…

Yosuke thought about it; Sumitomo had reached out before, but he’d felt they were too formidable, so he’d decided to take a break rather than risk not making the cut.

Now, even Tao was back on his feet. Maybe… he should go and see if he could succeed again?