Tokyo Three Generations

"A family meeting?" Toyokawa Sadaharu was first puzzled, then angry. "Why was a family meeting held without my notification?"

“Because this is Xiangzi’s opinion,” Toyokawa Kiyoko replied calmly. “As the heir to the family headship, she has every right to decide to convene a family meeting. As for why we bypassed you, it’s because we’re discussing your issue in this meeting…”

Now that things have been said to this point, everyone understands.

Toyokawa Sadaharu suddenly realized that his son-in-law and Toyokawa relatives had conspired in secret and then launched a coup in his daughter's name to oust him from power.

"Fine, I underestimated you. You're ruthless!" He glared at his son-in-law.

He guessed that his son-in-law's previous dejected appearance and his willingness to take the blame and leave were all an act of "keeping a low profile" for him to see. In reality, he was secretly plotting to incite his daughter to stand up and become his enemy.

Due to my own carelessness, I have ended up in such a desperate situation.

At this moment, all that remained in his heart was regret. Why hadn't he been more ruthless and made him leave as soon as possible? Why hadn't he kept Xiangzi under control and isolated, thus allowing her and her relatives to side with him?

It's too late for regrets now.

Before he could catch his breath, Toyokawa Kiyotaka handed him a thin paper document.

"Just now in this meeting, we have agreed that you will voluntarily resign to quell the criticism from the outside world regarding the group. Whether based on the family hierarchy or the number of board seats, this resolution is sufficient to be effective. And more importantly, it has already been agreed to by Xiangzi."

After he finished speaking, he sighed softly, "I'm sorry, Dad."

Being publicly dismissed by the board would be too embarrassing; only his own resignation would be respectable. Therefore, this is a "letter of urging," not a statement of dismissal.

Of course, if the father-in-law refuses to listen to reason and then has to suffer the consequences, then don't blame everyone for being impolite—presumably he's not that stupid.

Toyokawa Sadaharu ignored his despicable son-in-law and instead looked at his granddaughter with a sorrowful and desolate gaze.

"Xiangzi, are you going to betray your grandfather too?"

At this moment, his usual domineering and spirited demeanor had vanished, replaced by the image of a wounded old lion who knew he had nowhere to turn.

Facing her grandfather's gaze and questioning, Toyokawa Shoko felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

She knew it was betrayal, and she knew even more clearly that it was a choice she had no other option but to make.

She stood up from the sofa, looked at her grandfather with teary eyes, and then bowed slightly, eventually bending at almost a 90-degree angle.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa,” she said, her voice choked with sobs. “But the predicament I’m facing leaves me with no choice but to make this decision. I could have pretended not to know anything and shirked my responsibility, but… I can’t do that. I have to take responsibility; I can’t let Mom down.”

I know how much of a blow you'll suffer this time, and I don't expect you to forgive me. But at this moment, please respect my decision, and please... please give us a chance to look to the future!

14, the tail end of youth

On an unremarkable evening, the public relations department of the Toyokawa Group released a public statement.

"Mr. Toyokawa Sadaharu, Representative Director and Chairman of Toyokawa Holdings Group, has voluntarily applied to the Board of Directors for resignation due to old age and declining energy. After careful consideration and taking into account his opinion, the Board of Directors has approved his application, and Mr. Toyokawa Kiyotaka will succeed him in his position."

We thank Mr. Sadaharu Toyokawa for his many years of contributions to the Group's development. Mr. Toyokawa will continue to serve as the Company's Honorary President and will continue to provide assistance to the Company.

The announcement was short, but it was enough to shake the entire business world.

Because Toyokawa Sadaharu's resignation came without any prior warning, and he himself had been busy with various business operations of the company in recent years, such a sudden resignation has left people with much to think about.

Soon, the explosive news spread across social media and then made the front page of major newspapers such as the Yomiuri Shimbun the following day. After the stock market reopened, several major listed companies under the Toyokawa Group experienced sharp stock price fluctuations, even triggering a market sell-off and dragging down several sectors.

His sudden departure has sparked various speculations, ranging from a sudden illness to a "family coup." These conspiracy theories have spread like wildfire, but no official response has been received from the Toyokawa Group.

All members of the Toyokawa Group and its affiliated companies have remained silent and have not responded to any questions. Even Toyokawa Sadaharu himself has not released any personal information.

This "cool-down" public relations strategy achieved the desired effect. After the initial reactive response, both onlookers and the market itself digested the sudden news. In just a few days, the stock price slowly rose again and eventually returned to its original position.

Ultimately, the world can keep turning even without anyone; no one is indispensable.

Besides, Toyokawa Sadaharu has been in charge of the Toyokawa family for so many years. Although he has made great "contributions", he has not achieved anything earth-shattering. He can only be considered a ruler who maintains the status quo. What difference would it make if someone else were replaced?

And so, this explosive news gradually dissipated like ripples on a pond after a stone was thrown in, the world returned to normal, and people quickly forgot about it.

—No, it's not without impact either.

Those very few people who received prior information secretly made a fortune by shorting stocks related to the Toyokawa family.

Today was a day off, so Congressman Hiroshi Takasaki had a rare opportunity to eat breakfast at home. At the table, he looked at the news in the newspaper with a broad smile.

“I’ve disliked that old man for a long time, and now he deserves his bad luck.” He pointed to Toyokawa Sadaharu’s portrait in the newspaper, then chuckled and said to his son on the other side of the table, “You’ve really done something remarkable.”

Jun Takasaki's expression remained unchanged, but he took a big bite of bread.

He was, after all, a young man, and it was inevitable that he would have vanity. When he thought about how such a big thing as the "change of ownership of the conglomerate" was actually something he had come up with on a whim, he couldn't help but feel a little proud.

“Since you have done such a great favor for Miss Xiangzi and her father, our two families can now have a more harmonious relationship. You should spend more time with them,” Takasaki Hiroshi ordered his son. “The Toyokawa family still needs to rebuild, and we will definitely have many opportunities to cooperate in the future.”

After saying that, he seemed to remember something, "Come with me to their house today to offer our congratulations."

What does "with me" mean?

Jun Takasaki suddenly lost his appetite for bread.

This old man used to run faster than anyone else and kept telling me to let go and not worry about it. But now that he sees that my side has won, he acts like nothing happened and brazenly comes out to take the credit.

That's just like my dad's style all along.

"You told me very strictly back then not to interfere in the Toyokawa family affairs anymore. Aren't you afraid of being embarrassed if you go to their door like nothing happened now?" Jun Takasaki had to remind his father.

When his son pointed it out, Hiroshi Takasaki looked slightly embarrassed, but quickly became nervous again.

"Would they really be angry about this?"

"That's not necessarily true. Miss Xiangzi has a very good temper. As for Mr. Toyokawa Kiyoshi, given my previous excellent performance, he has already told me that he hopes our two families will cooperate more in the future. So as long as you visit, you will definitely be treated as an honored guest," Takasaki Jun replied leisurely.

Hiroshi Takasaki then realized that he had been tricked by his son.

"You brat!" He glared at his son, but then he remembered how much he had earned this time, and he couldn't stay angry.

So, he used his expertise as a member of Congress to quickly change the subject.

"Kenji will transfer this new allowance to you later. Don't squander it this time! I definitely won't be giving you any more this month!"

=====================================

After breakfast, Hiroshi Takasaki made an appointment to visit Kiyotaka Toyokawa, which was immediately accepted. Kiyotaka Toyokawa said he would be waiting for him at home that afternoon.

So, in the afternoon, the Takasaki father and son traveled together to the Toyokawa family's private residence.

As soon as he got off the bus, Jun Takasaki felt that the atmosphere here had changed a lot. The tension that seemed like an impending storm was gone, and even the sunshine felt brighter.

To his surprise, Toyokawa Kiyoko and Toyokawa Shoko personally came to the door to greet them.

"Mr. Hiroshi, and Jun, it's a pleasure to have you as guests at my home." Upon meeting, Toyokawa Kiyoshi greeted the father and son warmly, while Toyokawa Shoko followed silently behind her father.

Hiroshi Takasaki had visited this mansion several times before, but he had never been treated with such formality.

He was overjoyed at this exceptional treatment.

"Mr. Qinggao, congratulations on successfully taking over the conglomerate." He smiled and nodded repeatedly to the other party.

“There’s nothing to congratulate me on…” Toyokawa Kiyoko sighed from the bottom of his heart. “Now that my wife has passed away and my father-in-law has resigned, the burden of the entire conglomerate has fallen on my shoulders, and it’s really too much to bear.”

"Sigh, you must be exhausted." Takasaki Hiro sighed, seemingly with sympathy. "The Toyokawa family is large and powerful, so it's inevitable that there are troublesome things to deal with every day. But I believe that with your ability and experience, you can definitely keep things in order. In a few years, Miss Shoko will come to share the burden for you. As for us... if there's anything we can do to help, just let us know, and we will do our best."

"Thank you very much then." Toyokawa Kiyoko nodded slightly.

He proposed the strategic alliance between the two families, but to be honest, given the power of the Takasaki family, it's quite difficult for them to compare with the Toyokawa family. Rather than saying he cared so much about the power of the Takasaki family, it's more accurate to say he had higher hopes for the silent young man next to Takasaki Hiroshi.

During a break in his conversation with Hiroshi Takasaki, he subtly glanced at Jun Takasaki, but he didn't see a trace of smugness in the other man. He just looked indifferent, as if none of this concerned him.

"He's really good at keeping his composure. It seems this kid has the potential to achieve great things in the future," he thought to himself.

However, he is still too young and needs to hone his skills and accumulate experience gradually.

He glanced at him, then chatted with Takasaki Hiroshi in a relaxed and casual manner.

Soon, the two walked into the mansion while chatting, continuing the adults' boring social conversations, while the two children were left behind.

At this moment, Jun Takasaki finally snapped out of his reverie.

The two of them, without prior arrangement, followed the same path as before and headed towards the mansion's garden.

"Xiangzi, how are you feeling now?" Takasaki Jun asked as they walked.

“It’s…strange.” Toyokawa Shoko tilted her head and thought for a moment, then answered truthfully, “I thought it would be very difficult, but when I actually did it, I found that it wasn’t difficult at all. Sometimes people really can do things that surprise even themselves…”

“Right…” Jun Takasaki shrugged. “This is what it feels like to grow up. You are slowly becoming the kind of person the heir to the Toyokawa family should be.”

“Maybe that’s true. But I’m not happy about it…” Toyokawa Shoko looked into the distance with a hint of melancholy. “Seeing Grandpa in so much pain really breaks my heart. If only I didn’t have to make that decision!”

Jun Takasaki didn't respond. He knew how Shoko was feeling. Not many people like to be the bad guy, especially for someone like her who grew up in a greenhouse. When she suddenly had to make a painful choice, she would definitely be under a lot of psychological pressure.

This is part of growth, just like the pain a giant butterfly experiences when it emerges from its cocoon—inevitable and indispensable.

Sure enough, after a moment of reflection, Toyokawa Shoko laughed again. "I'm sorry for showing such a pathetic face now. I'm sure you'll find it laughable. Actually, although I feel sorry for Grandpa, I haven't regretted it for a moment. From the current situation, this is the best way to handle it. Thank you, Jun. You gave me tremendous encouragement and courage... I really don't know what I would have become without you."

"Please don't say that." The usually proud Jun Takasaki suddenly waved his hand, declining the other party's gratitude. "I was just offering suggestions. It was all your decision. If there is any credit, it should go to you first."

This isn't feigned modesty; he's genuinely sincere.

He originally thought he could play the role of a knight in arms, slaying enemy generals and capturing flags, and rescuing the princess in distress with a dignified air; but he found that he had only become a "strategist" who was pulling strings and cheering from behind the scenes. From beginning to end, the one who really solved the problem was Xiangzi.

So, although the problem had been solved, he was not proud of it, and even felt a little embarrassed by Xiangzi's praise.

“Heh, you really are quite stubborn…” Toyokawa Shoko looked him over for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. “I thought you were a reliable adult, but I didn’t expect you to have such a childish side.”

Seeing Xiangzi's radiant smile, Takasaki Jun chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

"So, what are you planning to do now?" He then changed the subject.

“Didn’t I tell you before?” Toyokawa Shoko replied with a smile. “Now that things at home have been resolved, I’m going to return to my normal life. I’m going back to school and will focus my energy back on my studies and music. The paperwork is in progress, and I’ll be going to school in a couple of days.”

Jun Takasaki could sense the joy and anticipation emanating from the other person.

So he was infected by the laughter and started laughing too.

"That's wonderful... Your classmates must be waiting for you with bated breath."

“It’s not that exaggerated.” Toyokawa Shoko shook her head. “But there are indeed a few good friends waiting for me. To be honest, I was in such a bad mood because of all the things that happened at home that I didn’t reply to their messages, which made them worry for so long. These past two days, I finally mustered up the courage to reach out to them again and told them that I was going to go back to school. They were all very happy.”

"You're so lucky to have these friends." Junya Takasaki breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I'm relieved."

"I don't have much time left before I take over the family business, and I really want to cherish these remaining moments, spend quality time with them, and create the best memories." Toyokawa Shoko looked up at the sky with longing. "It's quite a coincidence, actually. Today, a classmate and friend of mine is coming to visit me. She's very important; she's the daughter of a big star!"

After a pause, she seemed to remember something. "You should have met her; she and her mother attended my mother's funeral."

Jun Takasaki thought back for a moment and found that he had no recollection of it.

There were so many prominent people at the funeral, including political figures and celebrities, that he couldn't be bothered to remember them all. Besides, he was only thinking about his own affairs and didn't pay attention to so many people.

Before he could reply, Toyokawa Shoko picked up her phone, looked at it, and then excitedly waved to Takasaki Jun, "Ah, she messaged me, she's arrived, let's go together!"

15. The initial audience

Before Takasaki Jun could react, Toyokawa Shoko led him out of the garden and towards the gate.

To be honest, after Toyokawa Shoko's introduction, he also became interested in this visitor.

After all, Xiangzi attended a top private girls' school, so the classmate who received such "favor" from her must not be an ordinary person.

The two of them quickly reached the door, and sure enough, there was already a girl there.

Although it was a holiday, she was still wearing a girls' school uniform. However, even though it was just a simple uniform, she still looked like a big star.

Her skin was delicate and fair, her features exquisite, and she had a head of smooth, light blue hair. At this moment, she stood quietly in place, her hair swaying slightly in the breeze, truly giving people a feeling of "ethereal beauty".

"She's truly an amazing beauty, like she stepped right out of an anime or game!" Jun Takasaki thought to himself in admiration.

Beautiful girls have this kind of magic; just looking at them from afar is pleasing to the eye.

"Xiangzi, is she your classmate?" Takasaki Jun asked softly.

“Of course it’s her, there’s no one else.” Toyokawa Shoko replied with a hint of pride. “How about it? Isn’t she beautiful? She’s the most beautiful student in this year’s class at our Tsukinomori Girls’ Academy.”

Although he felt that Xiangzi's words were a bit exaggerated, after seeing the real person, Takasaki Jun found it difficult to refute them.

Even as the two were talking, they didn't stop walking and had already walked to within a few meters of the girl.

The girl also emerged from her previous aloof state and turned her gaze to the two people approaching her.

When she saw Toyokawa Shoko, her eyes lit up, but soon, when her gaze fell on Takasaki Jun, she felt a little confused and nervous.

Although the wind wasn't strong, the way she stood alone at the doorway made her look as if she might be blown away at any moment, so fragile that it was terrifying.

Jun Takasaki didn't know where this strange "sense of vulnerability" came from, but he just had this instinctive feeling.

He quickly realized the source of this "fragility." The girl opposite him was less ethereal and more aloof—her excessively pale skin and expressionless beauty made her seem more like a delicate doll than a real person.