Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk.

Mrs. Shiraishi placed a bowl of soup in front of him.

"It's better than continuing to be depressed."

"Ah."

Seiji Shiraishi responded softly.

The atmosphere didn't sink for long.

Ayako Shiraishi quickly smiled and said:

"My uncle even asked me if we could stop him from moving goods for now. He said his back isn't the same as it was twenty years ago."

Seiji Shiraishi finally couldn't help but laugh.

"He didn't move many times when he was young."

Laughter erupted again in the private room.

After the meal, Mrs. Shiraishi unwrapped the wagashi (Japanese sweets) that Kiryu Yaya had brought and served them to the living room along with hot tea.

A warm yellow floor lamp was on in the living room, and the TV volume was turned down low, showing a weekend variety show.

The host's exaggerated laughter occasionally drifted through the screen, but it wasn't too noisy.

Several people sat on the sofa and tatami mats, creating a more relaxed atmosphere than at the dining table.

Keiko Miyazawa held her teacup, took a small bite of the plum and kudzu bun, and her eyes brightened slightly.

"This is delicious."

"The shop in Kitahama is indeed quite good."

Mrs. Shiraishi said with a smile.

"Kiryu-san has a good eye for choosing."

Kiryu Yaya smiled and said:

"I just happened to be passing by."

As they talked, the topic somehow shifted to TV dramas.

Ayako Shiraishi said that recently, young people all over Japan have been talking about "Tokyo Love Story," and female office workers can argue for half an hour over Kanji and Rika during their lunch break.

Keiko Miyazawa also watched a few episodes and whispered that Rika's bright and direct personality was amazing.

Ayako Shiraishi immediately asked:

"Does Keiko like Rika?"

Keiko Miyazawa thought for a moment.

"Envious, aren't you?"

"What do you envy about her?"

"I envy her for being able to say whatever she wants."

Mrs. Shiraishi quickly responded with a smile:

"It's a blessing to be so straightforward when you're young."

Ayako Shiraishi nodded.

"So Keiko should say a little more."

Keiko Miyazawa lowered her head and smiled.

I'll try my best.

Just then, the phone rang at the Shiraishi family's house.

Ayako Shiraishi got up to receive it.

"Hey, Shiraishi family."

She listened for a few moments, then turned to look at Keiko Miyazawa.

"Huizi, they're looking for you."

Keiko Miyazawa was somewhat surprised, put down her teacup, and went over.

"I am Miyazawa."

She stood by the phone, speaking very softly.

The other people in the living room didn't pay any attention; they just continued drinking tea and chatting.

But Kiryu Yaya's position was just enough to hear a few intermittent words.

"……Yes."

"Monday afternoon?"

"Is your uncle going to Mitsubishi Bank as well?"

"I see."

"I will bring the documents with me."

"Yes, please tell Uncle that I will be there on time."

The call ended quickly.

When Keiko Miyazawa returned, she still looked relaxed.

Ayako Shiraishi asked:

"About family?"

"Ah."

Keiko Miyazawa sat back down and smiled.

"It was my uncle's secretary calling. She said that my uncle was going to the Osaka branch of Mitsubishi Bank on Monday afternoon to confirm some group accounts and documents. She asked me to come along."

"It's a bank again."

Ayako Shiraishi looked at Yaya Kiryu.

"Kiryu-san, your bank has been very busy lately."

"The bank is always busy."

Kiryu Yaya's tone remained unchanged.

Seiji Shiraishi paused slightly in the hand holding the teacup.

The movements were very gentle.

It was so light that Kiryu Yaya wouldn't have noticed it at all if he hadn't been paying attention.

Seiji Shiraishi raised his eyes, glanced at Keiko Miyazawa, and then calmly put the teacup back on the table.

"Mr. Miyazawahara?"

He asked the question very naturally.

Keiko Miyazawa nodded.

“He’s my uncle. Does Uncle Shiraishi know him?”

"We don't really know each other."

Seiji Shiraishi smiled.

"I've met him a few times before at banquets in the Kansai financial community. Managing Director Miyazawa is very capable and knows how to deal with banks."

Keiko Miyazawa didn't think much of it.

“My uncle has always helped my father with many things related to the group. My father passed away suddenly, and he has been the one holding things together recently.”

Seiji Shiraishi nodded and didn't continue.

The topic was quickly steered back to a lighter tone by Ayako Shiraishi.

She began by recounting how her father, after drinking too much at a business dinner in Beixindi for the first time, was locked out of the entrance hall by her mother.

Seiji Shiraishi immediately protested that it happened when he was young, but Mrs. Shiraishi said, "That doesn't change the fact."

Laughter filled the living room once again.

Only Kiryu Yaya, amidst the laughter, silently memorized that moment.

As the dinner party drew to a close, Keiko Miyazawa and Ayako Shiraishi went to the kitchen together, saying they would help Mrs. Shiraishi tidy up the tea set.

Only Seiji Shiraishi and Yaya Kiryu remained in the living room.

An advertisement is playing on TV.

A young actress from a credit card company smiles brightly at the camera; the tagline is "The future is in your hands."

Seiji Shiraishi looked at the television screen and suddenly said softly:

"Kiryu-san."

"Yes."