Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk.

The branch manager of Matsumoto looked up at Kiryu Yaya.

"Kiryu-kun, come here."

Kiryu Yaya walked half a step behind Yamada Masakazu and bowed slightly.

"Branch Manager".

Matsumoto Takahiro nodded, then raised his hand to the three guests opposite him.

"This is Kiryu Yaya-kun, a newcomer in our Osaka branch's financing review department."

Keiko Miyazawa immediately smiled and said:

"Kiryu-kun, we meet again."

Her tone was light and cheerful, as if she were confirming that the surprise she had prepared for him was going according to plan.

"Miyazawa-kun".

Kiryu Yaya bowed slightly.

Keiko Miyazawa's smile deepened.

"Didn't I say yesterday that I was going to give you a surprise today?"

A bad feeling suddenly rose in Kiryu Yaya's heart.

surprise?

A surprise awaited in the VIP reception room on the fifth floor of Mitsubishi Bank, personally accompanied by the branch manager.

Why does that sound like a fright?

Keiko Miyazawa looked at the young woman beside her:

"This is my junior high school classmate, Ayako Shiraishi."

Ayako Shiraishi immediately stood up and bowed to Yaya Kiryu.

"Nice to meet you, Kiryu-san. I am Ayako Shiraishi. I often hear Keiko mention you."

"Nice to meet you."

Kiryu returned the greeting.

Keiko Miyazawa then looked at the middle-aged man.

"This is Ayako's father, Mr. Seiji Shiraishi. Mr. Shiraishi runs a cold chain warehousing company and recently needs financing. I thought since Kiryu-kun works at a bank, I... introduced him."

As she finished speaking, her voice softened slightly, and a hint of anticipation appeared in her eyes.

Kiryu Yaya finally understood.

When he spoke out in Shinsaibashi yesterday, he expressed his desire for a promotion and a raise.

Keiko Miyazawa probably took this to heart and decided to introduce him to a client to help him.

Her logic is simple:

Working in a bank requires performance targets, and referring clients is helping them achieve those targets.

Kiryu Yaya nodded, accepting Miyazawa Keiko's sentiment.

However, the fact that the Shiraishi father and daughter were able to sit in the first reception room and be personally received by the branch manager suggests that the amount involved in this case is probably not small.

Furthermore, the fact that Keiko Miyazawa could connect with the Shiraishi family suggests that the Miyazawa family's business is probably quite large.

Kiryu Yaya glanced at Miyazawa Keiko, surprised that his old classmate's family was quite well-off.

It is true that I accidentally entered the Heavenly Palace.

Seiji Shiraishi took a document out of his briefcase, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards the table with both hands.

"Mr. Kiryu, I apologize for bothering you today. Our company, Shiraishi Refrigeration Co., Ltd., would like to apply for a business stabilization financing from your bank."

The branch manager of Matsumoto didn't say anything, but just looked at Kiryu Yaya.

Masakazu Yamada remained silent.

The air in the room suddenly became subtle.

Kiryu Yaya was well aware that his current position was very awkward.

Keiko Miyazawa was his high school classmate.

Ayako Shiraishi was a friend of Keiko Miyazawa.

Seiji Shiraishi came to Mitsubishi Bank through Keiko Miyazawa's introduction and specifically asked to see her.

If he acts too enthusiastically, it will appear as if he is bringing personal relationships into banking business.

If he acts too coldly, it will put Miyazawa Keiko in an awkward position.

Just then, a semi-transparent interface popped up in front of him.

[New life options have been triggered]

[To thank you for your company last night, Keiko Miyazawa introduced you to her friend Ayako Shiraishi's family's financing needs.]

She thought this was an opportunity for you, unaware that a complex control crisis was hidden behind this financing.

At this moment, you have three choices.

[Fork in the road 1: Accepting Keiko Miyazawa's kindness, he immediately told the client, "I will definitely help."]

(Rewards: Bank deposit increased by €5; Keiko Miyazawa and Ayako Shiraishi's affection level increased, with a certain probability of unlocking a new romance route)

[Second branch: State confidently and modestly that referring clients is fine, but loan applications must be reviewed according to the bank's procedures, and you cannot guarantee the outcome on your own.]

(Bonus: Skill "Road Traffic Law Quick Memorization", which allows you to quickly grasp the key points of the original license test)

[Branch 3: He declined the offer, stating that he was not qualified to participate in this level of financing, and instead asked Section Chief Yamada to take over.]

(Reward: Bank deposit increases by €2, nothing happens)

Kiryu Yaya's gaze lingered on the three options for a moment.

A love line?

Come again?

How much does this system want him to fall in love?

As for branch three, although it would earn 20,000 euros, it would be tantamount to rejecting Miyazawa Keiko's good intentions on the spot.

Not suitable.

Kiryu Yaya quickly made his choice.

He looked up at Seiji Shiraishi, then at Keiko Miyazawa, and said in a calm tone:

"President Shiraishi, I am very grateful to Miyazawa for introducing you to Mitsubishi Bank."

Keiko Miyazawa's eyes lit up slightly.

But Kiryu Yaya continued:

"However, financing review is a banking business, and the standards cannot be changed because of personal relationships. Whether a loan can be granted, how much to grant, and under what conditions must all be decided according to Mitsubishi Bank's review process."

He bowed slightly.

“I’m just a newcomer to the Financing Review Department and can’t guarantee any results. But if this case is officially taken over by our department, I will do my best to conduct the investigation and analysis within my authority.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Seiji Shiraishi paused for a moment, then his expression softened somewhat.

He nodded and said:

"Of course. Kiryu-san is right. If banks lend money casually because of personal relationships, it makes people uneasy."

The branch manager of Matsumoto tapped his finger lightly on the table.

Yamada Masakazu glanced at Kiryu Yaya, a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction in his eyes.

Having served as a section chief for so many years, he has seen too many newcomers either too nervous to speak when facing major clients, or too eager to show that they are willing to agree to any conditions.

However, Kiryu Yaya expressed a sense of propriety.

That's great.

Keiko Miyazawa didn't show any disappointment; instead, she seemed relieved.

She whispered:

"Kiryu-kun, you're still so serious."

Kiryu Yaya smiled but didn't respond.

Seiji Shiraishi pushed the documents forward.

Masakazu Yamada took the documents and turned to the first page.

The next second, his eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Application amount..."

He looked up at Seiji Shiraishi.