Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

"Allow both sides to make formal contact first."

Satsuki gently placed the teacup back on the table.

Once she arrived here, the playful expression on her face disappeared.

"Regarding FamilyMart, I hope to acquire a shareholding percentage and corresponding governance rights that will allow me to maintain long-term and stable control over its business operations."

"Regarding Ryohin Keikaku, I hope to negotiate with the goal of gaining operational control."

"PARCO can be handled in stages. The first step is for Saionji to acquire a significant shareholder status that can influence major business decisions."

After listening, Tsutsumi Seiji tapped the armrest lightly with his finger.

"You've even thought of the order."

"Since I've come to see you, I can't just bring 'I want to buy'."

"What about the price?"

"The two teams will negotiate based on their actual operating conditions and reasonable valuations."

Satsuki answered very decisively.

"If control requires a corresponding premium, Saionji is willing to accept it."

"Hmm...that sounds like a sincere offer."

"I hope Mr. Seiji understands that I am not taking advantage of Seiyu or the difficulties in the distribution system to lower prices today."

Satsuki looked at him intently.

"FamilyMart is currently doing well, and both Ryohin Keikaku and PARCO have their own value."

"Saionji wants to buy high-quality assets, so we are willing to negotiate in the manner of high-quality assets."

Seiji Tsutsumi chuckled softly.

"When did you start caring so much about your reputation?"

"I've always cared about this. Is Saionji's reputation really that bad?"

"Ah, indeed, Saionji has always been a representative of excellent companies..."

Well, if the coalition cabinet's actions of killing off a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises, then its subsequent aggressive purchase of non-performing assets at rock-bottom prices, and even its large-scale recruitment of former elite employees during bankruptcies, are not considered bad, then it certainly has a good reputation.

While silently criticizing Saionji's "good reputation" in the business world, Tsutsumi Seiji nodded in agreement with Satsuki.

Of course, he wouldn't say these things out loud, after all, his younger brother was almost killed by this girl back then.

but……

Tsutsumi Seiji raised his head.

Watching Satsuki raise her thumb and forefinger, making a small distance between them, she said that she cared about her reputation to the extent that "at least this much."

She said that Seibu has recovered now, and that's no exaggeration.

Seiji Tsutsumi himself was well aware of this.

Last year, Seibu's funds were so tightly managed that the entire financial world was watching closely.

Banks are taking a cautious approach, asset prices are falling, and financing structures that were previously supported by high land prices are under pressure in almost every aspect.

However, in the last six months, the situation has clearly changed.

Saionji continued to participate in financing, and several large projects began to generate cash flow again. Assets that had previously seemed burdensome due to falling land prices regained their value, recognized by banks, thanks to new development plans and financial support.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi has indeed recovered.

Moreover, it was faster than many people expected.

Thinking of this, Tsutsumi Seiji's gaze fell back on Satsuki.

This result itself is quite telling.

In recent years, those who have had direct conflicts with Saionji Temple have mostly had a difficult time.

Those who tried to stop Saionji in the financial markets did not fare well either.

But what about the other side?

After FamilyMart took over Saionji's supply chain, costs decreased, profits improved, and cash flow and bank ratings also improved significantly.

I later collaborated with Saionji several times and indeed achieved the results I wanted.

Including today.

Satsuki's purpose in sitting here is clearly not limited to what she just said.

Tsutsumi Seiji had no idea how long the girl had considered this beforehand, how many people she had talked to, or what information she had deliberately omitted.

He wasn't prepared to completely believe even how much of her series of analyses about Yoshiaki, Seibu, business acumen, and the capital market was intended to guide his thinking in a certain direction.

But that doesn't prevent him from judging another matter.

Satsuki's proposed plan was indeed in her best interest.

Tsutsumi Seiji picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.

He is gradually withdrawing from daily operations.

This decision will not change.

Being able to withdraw from the business does not mean he is willing to watch what he has spent so many years building fall into Yiming's hands in the most unacceptable way possible one day in the future.

Especially Ryohin Keikaku and PARCO.

One of his most direct practices in lifestyle, product design, and consumer culture over the years is...

The other one carries so many of his ideas about business, art, GG, and youth culture.

If one day, these things really do enter Yoshiaki's system...

Go away, I don't want to think about this nouveau riche anymore.

As for Saionji Temple—

At least Satsuki can understand what she is doing.

Today, she can discuss Fontana with herself in the exhibition hall, and she also remembers what she said about Muji three years ago.

Her desire to acquire these assets must stem from Saionji's own strategic considerations.

Seiji Tsutsumi never doubted this.

But if he had to choose among several futures, he would rather these things end up in the hands of someone who understands their value than one day watch Yiming turn them into a set of numbers in a railway development plan.

Thinking about this, Seiji Tsutsumi suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

Speaking of which, Saionji's business over the years seems to follow a strange pattern.

When you clash with it, you always have to pay a higher price than you expected.

But once you actually sit down and work together, the results are often better than you initially imagined.

Satsuki didn't intend to investigate for the time being how much he planned to gain from this deal.

Business doesn't require both parties to have completely aligned goals.

Capital is enough as long as interests align.

Tsutsumi Seiji put down his teacup.

Satsuki noticed his movement and looked up at him.

Their eyes met.

After a moment of silence, Tsutsumi Seiji finally spoke.

"If I'm willing to discuss it, I have requirements regarding Ryohin Keikaku and PARCO's operating methods."

Upon hearing this, Satsuki smiled gently.

"Please speak."

"First and foremost, the Ryohin Project needs to maintain its independent brand."

"Yes, that's fine. This can be written into our long-term operating principles."

Satsuki answered quickly.

"Furthermore, I can promise that Saionji will not change the original design system or the existing team."

"As long as the business is operating normally, Saionji will not interfere with the design department arbitrarily."

"I bought it because I believe in the direction it has already taken, a direction that has been proven by the market."

Tsutsumi Seiji nodded.

"PARCO too."

His tone was even slower than before.

"I don't want to go back in a few years and find that it has just changed the signboard of Saionji and started operating like a regular department store."

"Please rest assured."

Satsuki shook her head.

"Let's not even talk about the fact that Saionji itself has department store-related assets."

"If Saionji only needs commercial real estate, the cost of developing it itself is lower."

She looked at Qing Er.

"I am willing to pay the price commensurate with PARCO's current value because it has developed a business capability that is difficult for other companies to replicate."

Tsutsumi Seiji looked at Satsuki for a while.

Satsuki didn't continue explaining. She simply picked up her teacup again, lowered her head, and took a sip of the tea that had cooled down slightly.

Everything that needed to be said has been said.

Seiji Tsutsumi now understands perfectly well why she chose these companies today, what Saionji wants to gain, and what she is willing to retain after the transaction.

As for whether or not the other party is willing to open the door in the end, it's no longer up to her to decide that for them.

The room was quiet for a while.

Soft conversations could be heard coming from the exhibition hall outside, through the walls.

Tsutsumi Seiji picked up his teacup and took a sip.

He finally spoke when he put it back on the table.

"FamilyMart allows both parties to begin discussing shareholding and governance arrangements."

Satsuki, who had been looking down at the teacup, raised her head upon hearing this.

His eyes lit up considerably.

Tsutsumi Seiji saw it.

Hmm, her acting is pretty good. If he hadn't known that this girl could absolutely keep her emotions completely hidden, he would have almost been fooled.

"Regarding the Ryohin Project, I'd also like to hear the proposal that Saionji is prepared to make."

He paused for a moment.

"Let's not discuss control of PARCO for now."

Satsuki's smile did not fade.

She simply waited quietly for what was to come.

"If you want Saionji to acquire a significant stake first, we can discuss it."

Tsutsumi Seiji looked at her.

"As for how far we can go in the future, let me see how you plan to run the business."

Satsuki nodded gently.

"Can."

He agreed readily.

Tsutsumi Seiji glanced at her again.

I thought you would at least try to fight back.

Satsuki couldn't help but laugh after hearing this.

"Mr. Qing Er has already agreed to let me in. If I insist on sitting here today and competing with you for the last board seat, that would be too greedy."

She leaned back on the sofa, her tone becoming more relaxed.

"Let the people in charge of negotiations handle the shareholding ratio, board seats, and governance terms slowly."

"You certainly know how to make things easy."

"My father has been telling me to rest more lately."

Satsuki said in a very serious tone:

Seiji Tsutsumi chuckled and shook his head.

"And the price?"

Satsuki's playful expression softened slightly.

"Let's discuss based on a reasonable valuation."

"For the portion involving operational control, the premium paid can also be included in the conditions."

She looked at Tsutsumi Seiji.

"Since Saionji is here to formally discuss the acquisition, he will not ask Mr. Seiji to lower the price due to personal relationships."

Seiji Tsutsumi nodded slightly.

"it is good."

"Then let the people below make contact first."

"I will have the relevant materials prepared, and I will also inform the relevant companies in advance."

Satsuki then truly smiled and gave a slight bow.

"Thank you for your trouble."

"Don't thank me yet."

Tsutsumi Seiji glanced at her.

"I just agreed to start talking."

"That's enough."

Satsuki answered quickly, appearing magnanimous.

Seeing that Satsuki seemed to relax visibly after hearing the good news, Seiji Tsutsumi's brow twitched.

Something feels off. Would she really be such an easy person to talk to?

He reviewed the situation again, but still couldn't find any problems.

Satsuki, standing before him, had already picked up her teacup and taken another sip.

Halfway through his drink, he looked up as if he had just remembered something.

"By the way, Mr. Seiji."

Seiji Tsutsumi had just picked up his teacup when he heard this and paused.

Could it be that...?

"besides?"

Satsuki couldn't help but laugh when she saw his reaction.

"This is really just a minor matter."

"you say."

Tsutsumi Seiji put the teacup he had just picked up back down, his gaze still fixed on Satsuki's face.

He wanted to see where this girl could come up with another condition.

Satsuki simply smiled.

"If the deal is finalized in the future, I would be very happy if Mr. Seiji were willing to continue participating in some of Ryohin Keikaku's cultural and design projects with PARCO."

Tsutsumi Seiji was taken aback for a moment.

Having already prepared to continue negotiating, I was momentarily speechless upon hearing this.

Satsuki glanced at the exhibition hall outside the lounge.

"Business matters can be left to the company and management."

"But the design of the Ryohin Keikaku project, the PARCO exhibition, and those cultural projects..."

She thought about it for a moment, then laughed first.

"To be honest, I can only see the interesting aspects of many of these things right now. If I were to take charge of the project from scratch, I would probably make things very difficult for the person in charge of planning."

Upon hearing this, the corners of Tsutsumi Seiji's mouth slowly began to turn up.

Satsuki looked at him again.

"Since Mr. Qing Er is willing to continue participating, why should I drive away the person who truly understands these matters?"

Tsutsumi Seiji stared at her for a long time.

The inexplicable wariness I felt just now suddenly seemed somewhat unnecessary.

He even felt that he had been somewhat corrupted by Yiming.

After spending a lot of time with Saionji Satsuki, I always felt that the happier she laughed, the more trouble was likely to follow.

This time, she really only added a kind word.

More importantly, this statement wasn't just meant to please him.

Satsuki has already explained clearly enough why Ryohin Keikaku and PARCO are valuable. Now that she is willing to continue to participate in those cultural and design matters, it at least shows that she really intends to preserve the original character of these companies.

Thinking of this, Seiji Tsutsumi's expression completely relaxed.

"Since you've put it that way..."

He smiled and picked up the teacup.

"If I have the chance in the future, I'll probably still be unable to resist meddling in other people's business."

"That would be perfect."

Satsuki's eyes crinkled into a smile.

"However, if Mr. Seiji suddenly requests an additional art project without any budget considerations, I will still have the finance department contact you."

"They just said they welcomed my participation."

"Participation and unlimited budget are two different things."

Tsutsumi Seiji laughed out loud.

"You really are still the same Saionji Satsuki."

"Isn't this great?"

Satsuki asked back in a serious tone.

The slightly tense atmosphere between the two, which had arisen from the acquisition negotiations, immediately eased again.

Satsuki lowered her head and finished the last bit of tea in her cup, then looked up.

"So, can we consider this a successful deal?"

Tsutsumi Seiji thought for a moment.

"At least the direction has been clarified."

His tone also returned to its previous gentleness.

"FamilyMart and Ryohin Keikaku can begin formal discussions, with PARCO initially focusing on equity stake. The price and specific terms will be negotiated further by both parties."

"That already means we're halfway there for me."

Satsuki nodded in satisfaction.

Looking at her like this, and remembering that he had just suspected that she was hiding some kind of trick, Tsutsumi Seiji couldn't help but shake his head.

"You're easier to talk to today than I expected."

"What kind of evaluation is this from Mr. Qing Er?"

Satsuki was immediately displeased.

"I've always been easy to talk to."

I'll reserve my opinion on that statement for now.

"..."

Satsuki stared at him for two seconds.

Forget it.

I just received such a huge benefit from someone today.

Respect your elders.

She forgave Mr. Qing Er once in her heart with great generosity.

Seiji Tsutsumi had already stood up.

"Shall we continue watching?"

Satsuki also put down her teacup.

"Doesn't Mr. Seiji have a few more works he insists I see?"

"I thought you were going to drive that red sports car back after we finished the business deal."

"How could that be?"

Satsuki stood up and straightened her coat.

"I came here specifically to see the exhibition today."

Tsutsumi Seiji glanced at her.

"And while you're at it, buy a few companies?"

Satsuki paused for a moment.

He then casually raised his head.

"Let's talk some business."

"FamilyMart, MUJI, PARCO."

Tsutsumi Seiji counted them for her.

"It's only a little bit."

"..."

Satsuki suddenly realized that this person and Tsutsumi Yoshiaki were indeed brothers.

She decided not to pursue the topic.

"Mr. Qing'er, let's look at the painting instead."

With a smile, Tsutsumi Seiji opened the door to the lounge for her.

"please."

"Excuse me."

Satsuki bowed slightly and walked past him.

The exhibition hall outside was still lit up.

The art, the guy, and the crowd that the two had just left behind came back into view, and the white canvas that had been cut open in the distance still hung there quietly.

The business deal has been finalized.

At least for the rest of the night, they can really just talk about art.