Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk.

“Starting today, anyone who dares to let others pass without authorization will have to write their own resignation letter.”

"clear."

Chihaya Yuri looked solemn.

The third finger is raised.

"third."

"At 11:50 PM tonight, an urgent fax summary will be sent from the Osaka branch to the Tokyo headquarters' review department, legal department, and risk control office. The main text will be a condensed and rewritten version of your first draft, which I will personally sign off on."

Upon hearing this, Kiryu Yaya was startled.

This step signifies that Takahiro Matsumoto intends to report to headquarters.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Eight billion in risky debt is a considerable amount, and it should theoretically be reported to higher authorities.

Such a big case might require headquarters to send a minister down to oversee and resolve it.

Chapter 58 Keiko Miyazawa's Feelings

Takahiro Matsumoto extended his fourth finger.

"fourth."

"Ms. Miyazawa".

"Yes."

Keiko Miyazawa sat up a little straighter.

"You will attend the Sumitomo Bank briefing as usual tomorrow."

Keiko Miyazawa's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Takahiro Matsumoto continued:

“Our bank cannot publicly attend the meeting because Mitsubishi Bank and Sumitomo Bank are rival banks, and doing so would immediately alert Miyazawa Hara, causing him to change his story in advance.”

"So, you should arrive as planned tomorrow morning and see how he performs."

"Section Chief Yamada, Section Chief Chihaya, and Kiryu will be on standby near Sumitomo Bank. Please keep in touch if there are any special circumstances."

"Ms. Miyazawa, please take the 'Confirmation Items List' that we compiled tonight into the room."

"Never do anything that the other party asks you to sign, stamp, ratify, or make supplementary commitments on the spot."

"All matters involving amounts, guarantees, joint and several guarantees, shares, and the safekeeping of seals must be explained in writing and brought back on the grounds that 'it is necessary to reconfirm with the main creditor bank.'"

Keiko Miyazawa listened very attentively.

She nodded gently.

"I see."

The fifth finger is raised.

"Fifth, and most importantly."

Matsumoto Takahiro's gaze fell on her, and his tone softened slightly, which was unusual for him.

"Starting tonight, do not hand over the company seal, bank seal, or president's seal to anyone."

"If you are worried that your uncle's people will forcibly take it away, come to our bank first thing tomorrow morning to apply for a seal preservation order."

"Once an old seal is placed under security, it can no longer be used independently at our bank."

“He cannot gain control of our bank’s financial procedures unless you agree.”

Keiko Miyazawa's pale face finally softened slightly.

She lowered her head and said solemnly:

"Thank you, Matsumoto Branch Manager."

Matsumoto Takahiro waved his hand.

"Don't thank me yet."

"This is just to protect our bank's claims, and also to let you see the situation clearly."

After saying that, he looked at Kiryu Yaya.

"Kiryu-kun."

"Yes."

"You'll be attending the Sumitomo briefing tomorrow, again."

"Before going back tonight, write down a copy of the 'Confirmation List' and a copy of the 'Memorandum of Matters Not to be Signed' and give them to Ms. Miyazawa."

Kiryu Yaya bowed his head and replied:

"clear."

Takahiro Matsumoto pushed the documents back.

"Then, let's get started."

"No one at the Osaka branch will get a good night's sleep tonight."

The branch manager's office is located outside.

The cold, white light in the corridor cast a sense of weariness on everyone's faces, as if the night was still lingering.

Masakazu Yamada, carrying a folder, assigned tasks as he walked:

"Chihaya, go and oversee the photocopying and sealing."

"I'll handle things with Iwakura."

"Kiryu, go over the confirmations for tomorrow with Ms. Miyazawa. Return to the Financing Review Division in an hour, and we'll revise the summary for our store together."

"Yes."

Keiko Miyazawa stood beside her without interrupting.

It wasn't until they reached the elevator that Masakazu Yamada seemed to suddenly remember something, stopped, and turned to look at her.

"Ms. Miyazawa".

"Yes."

"Don't come back to the house tonight."

Keiko Miyazawa paused for a moment.

Masakazu Yamada's expression was very serious.

"You withstood the letter of appointment at the group headquarters this morning, and the ledgers went to the bank this afternoon. If Miyazawa Hara isn't an idiot, he should know that you've already started to guard against him."

“Going back at this time is not safe for you, nor for the seal.”

Keiko Miyazawa pursed her lips and nodded:

"Okay, I'll stay at a hotel nearby."

Masakazu Yamada nodded.

"That's settled then. Come directly to the Mitsubishi Bank Osaka branch at 7:30 tomorrow morning."

"Applications for preservation of goods in the event of an accident, confirmation of the list of items, and rehearsals for Sumitomo briefings are all done here."

"It's still raining outside, Kiryu, you'll take him down."

Keiko Miyazawa took a soft breath and whispered:

"I understand."

Kiryu Yaya also nodded.

The elevator has arrived.

The three of them went down to the first floor, where only the staff on duty remained behind the front desk.

The bank was warmly lit, a stark contrast to the torrential rain outside.

Kiryu Yaya opened his umbrella and led Miyazawa Keiko into the rain.

The rain, which started at 3 p.m., has continued until now. Although it is no longer as torrential as it was in the afternoon, it has become more fine and melancholic.

The fine, dense rain was blown sideways by the night wind, hitting the umbrella surface with a soft rustling sound.

It was already past midnight.

There were no pedestrians on the street, and not many lights.

Kiryu Yaya held the umbrella, with most of the umbrella tilted towards Miyazawa Keiko.

One of his shoulders was already slightly wet from the rain, and his dark suit had absorbed the moisture, making it appear even darker.

Keiko Miyazawa stood beside him, very close, close enough to smell the faint scent of rain and a light fragrance of laundry soap from his collar.

The two walked from the street corner to the hotel entrance, neither of them deliberately quickening their pace.

Instead, it seemed as if everyone was tacitly agreeing to slow down the pace of this journey.