Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

Chapter 107 The Restless Cicada's Chirping

(Thanks to "安得解羽泽" for the expert certification! Thanks to "来点麻辣烫" for the expert certification! Thanks to "Alimo墨锦" for the eleven requests for more updates! Here's an extra chapter~)

July 20, 1988, 2 PM.

Tokyo, Akasaka.

This year's rainy season ended exceptionally early, as the Pacific high-pressure system seemed eager to take over the Japanese archipelago. Tokyo was encased in a giant, transparent sauna; the asphalt roads softened under the scorching sun, emitting a suffocating smell of asphalt tar.

Cicadas were chirping loudly in the roadside trees, their "zzzz" sounds piercing the eardrums of passersby.

Inside "Hana no Sato", a second-rate restaurant in Akasaka.

The air conditioning here seems a bit old; the vents are making heavy, labored sounds, unable to keep up with Tokyo's sweltering heat.

Several men wearing short-sleeved shirts and ties hanging askew around their necks sat around a tatami mat.

They are young members of the Takeshita faction (Keiseikai) of the Liberal Democratic Party, also known as "backbenchers." In the Diet, they are responsible for raising their hands, clapping, and cheering for the bigwigs during elections.

"Damn it, is the air conditioner broken?"

An irritable congressman tugged at his collar, grabbed a round fan from the table, and fanned himself vigorously, the hot air carrying cigarette ash onto his face.

"Just bear with it, Sato-kun."

His companion across from him picked up his beer glass, only to find that the liquid inside was no longer cold, so he reluctantly put it down.

"You know our current budget situation. We're lucky to even have a place to drink; don't expect to go to a place like 'Kouyue' with its air conditioning." (Even so, we go to a ryotei because it's reimbursable.)

"Funding, funding, funding again!"

The senator, known as Sato, slammed his fan on the table, making the edamame in the plate jump.

"It's almost August! The Obon festival is just around the corner! All those old folks in my constituency are waiting for me to visit them. If I don't bring back some gifts, what's the point of me even running for election next year!"

He lowered his voice, his eyes bloodshot from anxiety and anger.

"Didn't they say that as long as we followed Secretary-General Kanemaru and Prime Minister Takeshita, we wouldn't have to worry about money? Where's all the money now? Did those big shots take it to buy stocks?"

Although they were unaware that the established chaebols had also suspended political donations, meaning those bigwigs were actually broke, that didn't stop them from complaining.

"Shhh-keep it down."

His companion glanced warily at the sliding door, then moved closer.

"I heard... it's because of that."

He wrote the character "西" on the table with his finger.

"The Saionji family?" Sato frowned. "Didn't they say the Ministry of Construction had already intervened? Those businessmen's construction sites have all been shut down. Shouldn't they be kneeling before Mr. Kanemaru and begging for mercy by now?"

"beg for mercy?"

His companion sneered, picked up a edamame, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed it vigorously.

"Didn't you go to Ginza to see? They didn't beg for mercy at all. That Saionji not only didn't stop paying the workers' wages, but also gave each worker a 'high-temperature allowance.' Those workers are now living comfortably at home with air conditioning, even though they're using the money."

"Paid leave is one thing, but they even give you a 'high-temperature allowance' while you're indoors. Who knows how rich Saionji is?"

"and……"

His companion lowered his voice even further, tinged with longing and jealousy.

"I heard from Mr. Osawa's side that the Saionji family's money was actually prepared a long time ago. It's in their group's account and can be transferred at any time as 'sponsorship funds for summer political activities'."

Sato's Adam's apple bobbed.

"Then why...?"

"Because the construction site hasn't resumed work." His companion shrugged. "The Saionji family announced that the company is facing difficulties and a tight cash flow. As a conscientious and socially responsible company, they must prioritize the survival of their employees. So... political donations are suspended."

There was silence in the room.

Only the irritating chirping of cicadas outside the window continued tirelessly.

Sato grabbed the warm beer and gulped it down. The bitter liquid flowed down his throat and into his stomach, but it couldn't extinguish the fire in his heart.

When gods fight, mortals suffer.

He vigorously wiped the foam from the corner of his mouth.

"Mr. Kanemaru is concerned about his reputation and wants Saionji to bow down. Saionji is rich and powerful, so he'll just drag this out. But what we need is money to survive. If this stalemate continues, I'll go bankrupt this summer because I can't afford the rent for the office, even before the election."

He stared at the empty wine glass, his eyes gleaming.

"If... I mean if, someone could get those construction sites back to work..."

His companion didn't reply, but silently poured him a full glass of wine.

On this sweltering afternoon, a peculiar emotion was silently brewing in this stuffy private room, like mold.

……

Four o'clock in the afternoon. Xiaguan, construction site of the provincial building.

Building Guidance Bureau, Director's Office.

The air conditioning here is very strong, it's even a bit cold.

Director Noda sat behind his large desk, holding a pen in his hand, the nib hovering above the document, hesitant to put it down.

His face was pale, and his eyes were puffy, making him look like he hadn't slept well for several days.

On the desk lay a thick stack of newspapers and several faxes.

The New York Times: "A new example of administrative barriers in Japan? Saionji Group faces 'mysterious' work stoppage."

Weekly Bunshun: "Ginza's 'Landscape': Century-old shops cooperating with government inspections."

That photo was taken very well.

In Ginza 7-chome, on that huge construction site wrapped in blue dust netting, a banner with red background and white lettering that read "We firmly support the government's safety inspection. For the sake of the safety of the people, this project is suspended indefinitely for rectification" stands out glaringly in the sunlight.

Below the banner, a group of foreign tourists with cameras were enthusiastically taking photos.

This is no longer a rectification notice; it's blatant disregard for the Ministry of Construction's dignity and displaying it on the busiest street in Tokyo.

"Chief."

The secretary pushed open the door and came in, holding a report in her hand, looking somewhat flustered.

"I just received a call from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The US Embassy is inquiring about the reasons for the suspension of several joint venture projects of the Saionji family, and whether it involves non-tariff trade barriers..."

"Smack."

The nib of Noda's pen broke off. Ink splattered on the pristine white paper, forming an ugly black stain.

Tell them, the investigation is ongoing! The investigation is still ongoing!

Noda suddenly stood up and roared in a hoarse voice.

"That's for earthquake safety! For fire prevention! What does it have to do with trade barriers! Let them read Japan's Building Standards Act!"

"Japan has its own national circumstances; the entire country is located in an earthquake zone! How can we not conduct thorough inspections and do justice to our taxpayers?"

The secretary shrank back, not daring to speak.

Noda slumped back into his chair, covering his face with his hands.

He knew, of course, that this had nothing to do with the law. It was just a phone call from Shin Kanemaru, a purely political act of revenge.

But now, the fire has spread to him.

The Saionji family's "lying flat" tactic made them very uncomfortable.

They didn't cause trouble, didn't appeal, and didn't try to plead for leniency through back channels. They just openly "cooperated," laying all the losses and absurdities out in the open.

If it were an ordinary small company, it would have collapsed long ago under such administrative pressure.

But the Saionji family is different. They have money and the resources to afford to wait.

What's even more dangerous is that they are using this "victim" stance to put Jianshe Province under immense pressure in terms of international public opinion and domestic sentiment.

"Mr. Kanemaru..."

Noda muttered to himself.

That important figure is still persisting, still waiting for Shuichi Saionji to kneel down and beg for mercy.

But Noda is about to collapse.

Last night, he went to his usual club in Ginza, "Lumiere".

As soon as I entered, the madam, dressed in light purple, greeted me. Her smile was as flawless as ever, leaving no room for criticism.

"Oh, Mr. Noda, you've arrived."

She bowed slightly, her movements graceful, but she didn't naturally take his arm as usual.

"The same old spot?" Noda asked, referring to the best booth directly facing the stage.

"What a coincidence."

The madam looked regretful and gently covered her mouth with her fan.

"That spot is reserved for tonight. I've reserved a corner inside for you so you can have a 'quiet' drink."

She lowered her voice, her tone conveying a seemingly caring concern, yet it sent a chill down Noda's spine.

"After all, things are tense outside lately, and everyone's keeping an eye on Construction Province. If other guests recognize you, it might spoil your enjoyment. Don't you think so?"

After saying that, she beckoned a young, inexperienced female public relations officer to accompany Noda, while she turned and walked towards another table of trading company executives who had just entered. Her laughter instantly became warm and sincere.

That respectful distance was like treating a distinguished guest suffering from a contagious disease.

In this country, bureaucrats can be corrupt and lazy, but they cannot appear "stupid" or "domineering".

Especially during this period of rapid economic growth, once someone is labeled as "hindering economic development," their political career is over.

People will think that you are hindering Japan's economic development and blocking their path to wealth.

Noda opened the drawer, took out a bottle of stomach medicine, poured out two pills, and swallowed them.

The pill slid down my throat, bringing a dry, painful sensation.

He turned his chair around and looked out the window.

In the distance, the spire of the National Assembly building distorted slightly in the heat.

He suddenly had a feeling.

I am not the one wielding the knife.

He was just a piece of meat sandwiched between two giant rocks, being squeezed and deformed little by little as the pressure increased.

……

Dusk. Bunkyo Ward, Saionji Main Residence.

The temperature here is several degrees lower than outside.

The trees in the courtyard provide shade from the scorching sun, and the carefully designed water system keeps the place pleasantly cool at all times.

By the pond.

Satsuki wore a loose white cotton-linen dress and walked barefoot on the wooden corridor.

She was holding a small porcelain jar and casually scattering fish food into the pond.

"Splash—"

The water surface was churning.

Dozens of koi fish eagerly gathered around, their mouths agape as they devoured the falling bait. Red, white, and gold fish swirled and tumbled in the water, splashing up sprays of water.

"Young Miss".

Dojima Iwao emerged from the shadows of the corridor.

The security chief, dressed in a black short-sleeved tactical shirt, had clearly defined muscles and was holding a briefing in his hand.

"As you instructed, the message has been sent out."

Dojima Iwao's voice was deep and steady.

"Those young legislators already know. As soon as construction resumes, SA Group's funds will be unfrozen immediately, and additional support will be given to legislators who 'still care about the company's development during difficult times.'"

"Um."

Satsuki responded but did not turn around.

She grabbed a handful of fish food, but instead of scattering it, she held it above the water's surface.

The koi below went even more frantic. They jostled each other, and several even leaped out of the water, trying to reach the fair hand.

"Look at them."

Satsuki looked at the wide-open mouths of the fish.

"If you starve them for a few days and then give them a little treat, they will forget their fear and dignity, and may even bite their own kind to fight for a bite of food."

She let go.

Fish food falls.

The water surface exploded instantly as the group of koi fish stirred up the clear water in their scramble for the hard-won food.

"Those politicians are the same."

Satsuki patted the crumbs off her hands and took the damp towel handed to her by the maid.

"Kinmaru believed he could control everyone. But he forgot that his control was based on the distribution of benefits."

"When he couldn't feed the people below, and instead caused them to go hungry because of his personal grudges."

"Loyalty ceases to exist."

She dried her hands and turned to look at Dojima Iroha.

"Where is Chief Noda?"

"He's on the verge of a breakdown," Dojima Iwao replied. "This afternoon, he smashed a cup in his office. And our people discovered that he's been secretly contacting his former boss from the Land and Resources Agency, seemingly trying to get information about a transfer."

"very good."

Satsuki walked to the rattan chair under the eaves, sat down, and picked up a cup of barley tea with ice.

The ice cubes hit the side of the glass, making a crisp sound.

"Keep heating up."

She looked at the amber liquid in the glass.

"Have Wenwen News interview the businesses around the construction site. Tell them that the long-term work stoppage has affected nearby businesses, causing several small restaurants to close down."

"Make sure the concept that 'bureaucracy kills' is nailed to his forehead."

"I want him to know that if he doesn't jump ship voluntarily, he'll be the first to die when the ship sinks."

Dojima Ichiro nodded and closed the folder.

"Understood. There's one more thing."

He hesitated for a moment.

"Ichiro Osawa... has been quite agitated lately. He has hinted several times that he wants to see you or the head of the family, seemingly hoping we will give him a sum of money directly to bypass the formalities."

"not see."

Satsuki answered decisively.

She bit into a piece of ice in her mouth, making a "crunch" sound.

"Tell him that we have suffered 'heavy losses' under the blockade of the construction province and are in dire need of cash flow. Every penny we have now is being saved from the tiniest corners."

"Let him make a scene."

"Let him cause trouble at the National Assembly, at the party headquarters, and even bang his fist on the table with Shin Kanemaru."

"Only when you push him to the limit will he turn into a mad dog."

"What we need is a mad dog that can tear the Takeshita faction to shreds."

Dojima Iwao looked at the girl in front of him.

The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on her face. For a moment, she looked like an innocent student enjoying her summer vacation.

"Yes."

Dojima Iwao bowed slightly and retreated into the shadows.

Satsuki looked at the pond again.

The fish had finished eating the bait, and the water surface had returned to calm. Only a few ripples were still gently spreading.

"It's so hot."

She sighed softly, raised the barley tea, and pressed it against her cheek.

In the distance, cumulonimbus clouds are piling up in the sky.

The prelude to a summer downpour is here.

A torrential downpour that can wash away Tokyo's sweltering heat, grime, and outdated power structures is on its way.

And all she needs to do is sit here quietly.

Listening to the cicadas chirping.

Waiting for the wind to rise.