A Polite Refusal

Mitsui Chuta didn't say anything directly at the Sunrise, but instead gave Takuya a meaningful look and took him alone to Kitcho, a top-class restaurant in a quiet alley in Ginza nearby.

This is the place where the truly powerful and wealthy hold secret meetings; every blade of grass, every tree, every vessel exudes an air of "no entry without permission."

Chuta Mitsunami wasn't in a hurry to speak, Takuya was even less in a hurry to ask.

He was as clear-headed as a mirror.

Bandai businessman, seemingly calm and collected, harbors a subtle anxiety beneath his calm exterior, like an undercurrent beneath the surface of the sea.

Since the other party wanted to "train the eagle," Takuya would play along to the end.

Previously, Mitsui Chuta had acted as a go-between for Sega and Sunrise, Takuya remembered this favor. So he was very relaxed, treating it as having dinner with an old friend, chatting and eating and drinking with Mitsui Chuta.

Warm sake was sipped cup by cup, and exquisite kaiseki dishes were served one after another, creating an atmosphere as harmonious as a simple reunion of old friends.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

The aroma of sake in the air grew stronger and stronger, Mitsui Chuta finally couldn't hold back any longer.

He put down his glass and casually remarked, "Speaking of which, a Bandai ago some good-for-nothing guys from Bandai wanted to talk to Takuya- kun about something, but they couldn't get in touch with him. I hope I didn't cause you any trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Takuya showed a perfectly appropriate expression of apology.

"Oh, Mitsui -san, you have no idea what I've been going through lately. It was absolutely unbearable." Takuya picked up a piece of tuna belly, his face showing just the right amount of exhaustion. "My father gave the order, and I flew to North America."

"First, I settled accounts in Red City, then rushed to Los Angeles to haggle with those arrogant Hollywood producers, negotiate several IP collaboration projects, and inspect the company's channels there one by one. I was constantly on my feet."

At this point, Takuya seemed to remember something, put down his chopsticks, took out an exquisite velvet box from his briefcase, and pushed it in front of Mitsui Chuta.

"Here's a small gift for Mitsui -san: a limited-edition cufflink with the Paramount mountain logo. It's just a small token of my appreciation."

Mitsui Chuta instinctively took it, and before he could even speak, Takuya had already started talking non-stop.

"You haven't seen those people in Hollywood, they're all as shrewd as monkeys. I finally managed to finalize the adaptation of ' Hook ' with Steven Spielberg, then I went to John Hughes to negotiate a product placement for some kid. I also had to talk to James Cameron about technical collaborations. Just when I thought I could catch my breath, the Paramount guys dragged me to the East Coast to meet that military novelist, Mr. Clancy, and listen to him ramble on about submarine sonar for ages."

Takuya's words, spoken casually, struck Mitsui Chuta like a thunderbolt.

Steven Spielberg? James Cameron? These names—aren't they all top figures in Hollywood? Yet this young man talks about them as if he's talking about the manager of the convenience store downstairs.

This directly refuted what Chuta Mitsunami had said next.

Before Mitsui Chuta could reorganize his thoughts, Takuya poured himself another glass of wine and continued:

"I finally got back from the United States, and I'd just finished giving my performance review to the board of directors when my mother dragged me into this mess."

He smiled helplessly, but there was a hint of smug warmth in his smile.

"You know my mother's personality. She personally handled all the arrangements for my engagement with Eri. As her son, how could I dare to disobey her in the slightest? I had to cooperate wholeheartedly."

Takuya's combination of punches was fluid and flawless.

First came the busy international business, then the domestic matter of his engagement to the little princess of TV Tokyo. Each of these was a perfectly legitimate reason, one that left Mitsui Chuta with no grounds for criticism, and he even had to offer his congratulations with a smile.

"I see—congratulations Takuya- kun on your marriage to Eri! It's truly a match made in heaven."

Mitsui Chuta felt like he had prepared a whole host of words, but now it was as if a boulder was stuck in his throat, leaving him stuck in a limbo.

He had noticed it during the screening: the TV Tokyo producer's attitude towards Takuya was no longer "polite," but "respectful"—almost like a subordinate to their young master.

After a few more drinks with Takuya, Mitsui Chuta, emboldened by the alcohol, finally dropped all pretense of politeness and asked directly:

"Takuya- kun, let's not beat around the bush. What exactly does Sega need to do to help Bandai overcome this economic downturn?"

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Takuya's relaxed smile slowly faded. He picked up a chilled glass sake cup, took a small sip of the clear sake, and felt the cool liquid slide down his throat, but his eyes were sharp as knives.

He then picked up the sake pot and filled Mitsui Chuta's cup with sake. The clear sake poured into the cup made a soft sound.

"Mitsui -san, I understand Bandai's current difficulties."

"Therefore, at the last meeting at Sunrise, I already asked President Ito to convey my suggestion to Bandai."

"In addition to the assembly-free technology we previously helped develop—"

Takuya paused, then gently set down the sake bottle, making a crisp sound that struck Mitsui Chuta's heart.

"These are all details about the product, and they're the best solutions I could think of as a friend."

His tone was gentle, but the boundaries he drew in his words were clearly defined.

"Next, it's about the company's operations and future strategy. It's against the rules for an outsider like me to interfere in Bandai's internal affairs. If word gets out, what will others think of Sega? And what will they think of our ally, Bandai?"

Takuya's gaze deepened, as if he could see right through people's hearts.

"Mitsui -san, we are friends, and Sega and Bandai are allies too."

"That's precisely why we need to understand the importance of respect and avoiding suspicion, isn't it?"

His words instantly sobered up most of Mitsui Chuta.

A fine layer of cold sweat even seeped out from his back.

Takuya polite and cruel.

He didn't refuse; he just told you: I've done everything I could. The rest is up to you.

If there are any additional demands, they will come at a considerable cost, even to allies.

Mitsui Chuta finally understood that the subsequent decisions were no longer within his control, nor would Takuya willing to give in.

He let out a long breath, as if a huge burden had been lifted, and a smile returned to his face.

He picked up the sake bottle, filled a cup for Takuya, and then filled one for himself, a smile returning to his face, but this time, the smile held a deeper, more heartfelt reverence.

"I've learned a lot, Mr. Nakayama."

He raised his glass. "Let's not talk about these troubles then. Come on, tell me about your trip to United States, what interesting things you saw and heard?"