Tokyo: Oreimo

Page 135

"Arrogant!" Phoenix Inu no Munema scoffed at the future his daughter spoke of.

Shibaura Electric, run by the Phoenix Institute, is already one of the top companies in the country. Even though it was affected by the economic bubble a few years ago, it is still a domestic giant.

This is the result of generations of accumulation by the entire family, and finally achieved through his lifelong efforts.

"If you can do that, then it's up to you."

Phoenix Inu no Munema didn't take it seriously at all.

"In ten years, I will assist him and help him reach at least half of Shibaura's level."

That's boasting.

After leaving the restaurant, Phoenix Inu Saori regretted her words. She knew very well how difficult it would be to accomplish such a thing.

Family businesses were valued at tens of billions of dollars last year, and even if it were only half that, it would still be worth at least tens of billions of dollars.

That's an astronomical figure.

It's not something that can be achieved simply by making animations and games; it requires companies like Sony or Shibaura, and the accumulation of experience over time.

Fortunately, Phoenix Inu no Munema lowered his demands, citing the excessive delay.

"Ten years is too long. Let's set a small goal instead. If you achieve it, then it's up to you."

"If you can increase the company's market value to over $1 million within three years, I will no longer interfere with your marriage."

"And no matter what, you have to bring him back to see me once this year. I need to confirm this with him in person."

"Confirm what?"

"Ask him if he would agree to the Phoenix House family's offer of marriage."

.....

Upon returning to Tokyo, Saori Hououin did not go back to the company, but instead went to Akihabara.

She entered Uncle Yamazaki's shop at Toshiba Akihabara Electronics Trading Co., Ltd.

"You actually came back on your own. I thought you would be grounded like your aunt."

Yamazaki appeared quite shocked.

Because Saori Hououin had informed him before returning home, he had already made preparations for Ryosuke.

A modified GTR.

As long as Saori sends out a distress signal and contacts Ryosuke, he can secretly drive with Ryosuke to abduct her.

"I should have done it back then, but I was too young and timid, and I didn't even have a car."

Having overheard the other party's plan from Yamazaki, Hououin Saori covered her face.

Courage isn't used like that.

Ultimately, the reason why Grandpa disagreed with Aunt's marriage to Uncle Yamazaki was because both of them were too young, and Aunt herself had a weak personality. The best way was to make it a fait accompli.

At worst, I'll just be kicked out of my home.

But if we were to do something like snatching someone away, we would definitely face even stronger opposition. It's easy to imagine that Grandpa wouldn't agree to marrying my aunt off either.

She suddenly realized that it was a good thing in a way that her aunt hadn't married this elder.

"So the engagement was called off?"

"Yes, we reached an agreement with Father."

"Really? You're luckier than Miki, and much more capable, able to handle this kind of thing on your own."

"It's only safe for now, and it's only for a limited time."

"Ok?"

“I promised the old man that I would bring Aniplex’s market value to 1 million within three years.”

Yamazaki paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"Isn't that an easy thing for you? It's just a mere 100 million yen. That kid's games are selling like hotcakes again. My CD burner has been running non-stop for days."

"Hasn't that already been achieved? The amount that's been taken from me must be more than 100 million yen, right?"

Phoenix Inu Saori looked at her elder with an expression as if she were looking at a fool.

"It's one hundred million dollars, Uncle Yamazaki."

"...If converted to local currency, it would be nearly 160 billion yen."

Yamazaki's smile froze on his face.

Is this what it takes to marry the eldest daughter of the Phoenix Inu family?

Starting from scratch, he built a company with a market capitalization of 160 billion yen in just three years....

"Besides that, there's something else I'd like to confirm with Uncle Yamazaki..."

Phoenix Inu Saori's expression became somewhat awkward.

This was the first time he had ever seen such an expression on this younger person's face.

"Go ahead."

Do you think he would be angry if I asked him to marry into the family?

Chapter 129: Let's try something different?

What are your thoughts on marrying into a family?

Ryosuke looked at his phone, bewildered, and confirmed that the caller was correct.

The other party called me first thing in the morning just to ask this kind of question?

That's so strange.

"Normally, they wouldn't agree."

Ryosuke responded.

She has plenty of money and her own career, so there's no reason for her to do something like marrying into another family that restricts her freedom.

He cares quite a bit about whose surname the child takes.

Although I had changed my surname once because my mother remarried, I couldn't control that kind of thing, after all, I needed to make a living at that time.

As for now, he is quite satisfied with Takashiro Isao. His stepfather and mother have a good relationship, so he hasn't paid attention to this aspect.

"is it?"

On the other end of the phone, Yamazaki lit a cigarette, a melancholy look on his face.

"I would have agreed if it were me, but it's too late now."

"?"

What is this shop owner worried about?

Ryosuke twitched the corner of his mouth.

"I have no other questions, kid."

Yamazaki hung up the phone immediately, looked at Hououin Saori in front of him, and spread his hands.

"You know the answer now, and it seems there's no other way to go. I advise you not to bring it up."

To reach a scale of $1 million in three years without any background or starting from scratch, how is that possible?

You should know that in Yamazaki's eyes, Ryosuke was already the kind of person who was very impressive.

It's only been a little over a year since they started making the game, and their company assets are already close to 300 to 400 million yen.

This is a wealth that ordinary people like them could never accumulate in a lifetime.

However, compared to the goal set by Phoenix Inu Saori, there is a gap of dozens of times.

Rather than knowingly doing something you can't do, it's better to just give up.

"How will we know if we don't try? That guy Shi Yuze might have that kind of confidence."

"That's true. With your personality, you would never give up without trying."

Yamazaki shrugged; to be honest, he wasn't optimistic.

After learning the whole story about his return home from Saori Phoenix, he roughly figured out what the head of the family was planning.

Given his proud personality, there's a high probability that if he fails to fulfill this betting agreement, he'll obediently go home and get married.

By setting a goal with an extremely low probability of success, the Phoenix In family will not suffer a loss regardless of whether Saori can achieve it.

"By the way, Uncle Yamazaki, you can actually try that game too."

Before leaving, Saori Hououin suddenly mentioned it.

"I remember you and your aunt met at school, right?"

"Hmm? I'm old enough to have moved beyond those lowbrow interests."

Yamazaki curled his lip in disdain.

"Let's just play around with it for now. I also gave one to my aunt, and judging from her reaction, she seems to like it quite a bit."

Hearing his junior say that, Yamazaki turned his head away and silently lit a cigarette.

"I see."

"I suggest you prepare some tissues beforehand, sir, so you don't cry too much and look terrible."

"Tch, they're adults, they don't cry."

"is it?"

"That kid probably didn't even graduate high school, right? He'd cry playing his games? Absolutely impossible!"