Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk.

A maple tree, not yet fully leafed, stands by the entrance. The entryway light is already on, casting a warm glow on the stone steps, creating a cozy atmosphere at first glance.

Ayako Shiraishi opened the door and called inside:

"Mom, I've brought the person here."

"Welcome, welcome."

A gentle female voice immediately came through.

Mrs. Shiraishi came out of the house.

She was around fifty years old, wearing a plain apron, her hair neatly tied up, and a smile on her face that made people feel relaxed.

She first looked at Keiko Miyazawa, then at Yaya Kiryu, and then bowed deeply.

"It's so good that you could come today."

Kiryu Yaya quickly returned the greeting.

"Sorry to bother you."

Keiko Miyazawa also handed over the flowers she was holding.

"Auntie, this is for you."

"Wow, it's so beautiful."

Mrs. Shiraishi accepted the flowers, her smile becoming even gentler.

Kiryu Yaya also handed over the wagashi gift box.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation."

"The one in Beibang?"

Mrs. Shiraishi's eyes lit up slightly when she saw the packaging.

"Kiryu-san, you're too kind. This shop is famous for its plum and kudzu buns."

At that moment, Seiji Shiraishi also came out from inside.

He wasn't wearing a suit today, but a white shirt and dark trousers with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, making him look several years younger than he did in the bank's conference room.

But as soon as he saw Kiryu Yaya, his body instinctively straightened up, and a formal expression appeared on his face.

Mrs. Shiraishi immediately coughed.

Seiji.

Seiji Shiraishi paused in his movements.

Ayako Shiraishi whispered a reminder:

"Dad, it's time for a family dinner."

Seiji Shiraishi gave an awkward laugh.

"Yes, a family dinner."

He reached out his hand to Kiryu Yaya.

"Kiryu-san, please relax today. Don't treat this place like a bank, and don't treat me like a customer."

Kiryu Yaya grasped his hand and smiled:

"Then I'll try my best."

Dinner began quickly.

The restaurant wasn't large, but the tables were laden with food.

In the center is a large plate of scattered sushi, next to which are salt-grilled mackerel, tempura, beef tendon stew, dashi-maki tamagoyaki, cold spinach salad, and a pot of steaming hot clam soup.

Mrs. Shiraishi had clearly been preparing for a long time.

Seiji Shiraishi wanted to raise his glass to say something, but Ayako Shiraishi interrupted him as soon as he picked up his glass.

"Dad, let me make this clear first, you are not allowed to read those three pages of acknowledgments you wrote."

Keiko Miyazawa blinked.

Three pages?

Ayako Shiraishi nodded.

"Yes, three pages. It's divided into first, second, and third."

Seiji Shiraishi's face showed a hint of unease at being exposed by his daughter.

"That's a draft."

"Even a draft won't do."

Mrs. Shiraishi smiled as she served soup to everyone.

"Today is just for a meal. If you really want to thank me, then finish your meal properly."

Looking at his wife and daughter, Seiji Shiraishi finally had no choice but to raise his glass.

"Then I'll just say a few words."

He looked at Kiryu Yaya, then at Miyazawa Keiko.

Thank you.

The message is very short.

But the friendship is deep.

Keiko Miyazawa lowered her head slightly.

"Uncle, you're too kind."

Kiryu, I raise my glass.

"President Shiraishi, Shiraishi Refrigeration's future performance will depend on its business results."

"I know."

Seiji Shiraishi nodded.

"The bank helped me protect the Dojima cold storage today, but debt is debt. The next few years are when we really have to fight tooth and nail."

Mrs. Shiraishi immediately said:

"Look, it's starting to resemble a meeting again."

Seiji Shiraishi was taken aback.

Ayako Shiraishi added insult to injury:

"Mom is right. Dad didn't last a minute."

"President Shiraishi."

Kiryu Yaya immediately spoke up:

"We really won't talk about gratitude tonight."

Seiji Shiraishi paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about it."

The atmosphere at the dinner table lightened up again.

Ayako Shiraishi recounted how she played in the Dojima Refrigerator when she was a child, and was scolded by her father after he found out.

Seiji Shiraishi recounted an old story about how, when he was young, he was delivering goods in a refrigerated truck and got stuck at the Umeda intersection for two hours in the rain. In the end, he had to carry the cargo boxes himself and run into the back door of a hotel.

These are all very ordinary words.

But it is precisely because it is ordinary that it has a reassuring warmth.

Keiko Miyazawa listened very attentively.

On several occasions, her gaze fell on Seiji Shiraishi and his daughter Ayako Shiraishi, her eyes carrying a faint hint of envy.

Kiryu Yaya saw it, but didn't say anything.

Halfway through her meal, Ayako Shiraishi suddenly received a phone call.

She went down the corridor to answer the call, and returned shortly afterward.

"It was my uncle who called."

Chapter 38 The Miyazawa Family's Phone Call

Seiji Shiraishi paused his movements.

Ayako Shiraishi said:

"He said he went to Dojima today. Although he hasn't officially returned to the company yet, he stood outside the warehouse for a while. He said... he wanted to start with the simplest job."

Seiji Shiraishi remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Let him be."