Comforting and Vacation

After dealing with the open and covert questioning from the company, Nakayama Takuya prepared to go home to adjust to the time difference and take a short vacation.

He went back to the company before he even adjusted to the time difference, and that was for this.

As he walked toward the elevator, he saw Finance Department Kuroda's wry smile as he came to "communicate and confirm."

Department Head Kuroda practically jogged to catch up, his face, known throughout the company for its seriousness and rigidity, now plastered with a slightly stiff smile.

He pressed the down button before Nakayama Takuya could, then turned to the side and struck a standard "please" pose.

"Executive Director, you've worked hard!"

Nakayama Takuya gave him a wary look, said nothing, and simply nodded slightly.

For a moment, the only sound in the elevator lobby was the faint blinking of the indicator lights.

Department Head Kuroda's forehead was beaded with sweat; he felt the silence was more oppressive than any interrogation. He cleared his throat, finally unable to hold back, and bowed to explain.

"Executive, regarding the inquiry letter from the United States branch a few days ago, it was purely a routine matter for the Finance Department, a necessary oversight procedure, as you know, simply for archival purposes—"

His back bent lower and lower, almost parallel to the ground, and his voice carried a pleading tone that he himself was unaware of.

"Regarding the budget, absolutely, absolutely no problem! Everything going forward will be based on your instructions, Senior Executive!"

This "iron-faced judge" who could send a director's expense report back for resubmission at the company now resembled a student confessing to a teacher for not doing well on a test.

Looking at him like this, Nakayama Takuya couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

A few days ago, the text on that fax was so cold, every word treating company rules as a weapon.

Now, the person in charge of this authority seems to wish he could tear up the regulations to wipe his sweat.

The elevator arrived with a "ding," and the doors slowly opened.

He didn't leave immediately, but instead reached out and patted Kuroda's shoulder lightly.

Kuroda's body stiffened instinctively, then he realized that this was not a slap in reprimand.

"Minister Kuroda," Nakayama Takuya said calmly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger, "I understand your difficulties and I understand your responsibilities."

Hei You suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with remorse. He had prepared a whole lot of self-criticism and apology, but he never expected to receive such a response.

"The Finance Department's primary duty is to safeguard the company's finances and be responsible for every expenditure. You did the right thing, and you did it very well." Nakayama Takuya withdrew his hand, put his hands in his trouser pockets, and looked relaxed.

He then changed the subject, a hint of mockery in his voice. "To be honest, if I were to make such a large off-budget expense without consulting the Finance Department, and they didn't even send a single inquiry letter, then I would really be worried that the company's management system has rotted away."

These words were like a warm current, instantly dispelling Kuroda's fear and unease of the past few days.

He had initially thought he had offended this powerful young executive and was even prepared to be reassigned to a sinecure. But instead of blaming him, the other party characterized his "questioning" as a demonstration of diligence and even as proof of the company's health.

What composure and skill this demonstrates!

Department Head Kuroda felt the cold sweat on his back evaporating rapidly. He opened his mouth, but found his throat dry, only managing to squeeze out a few words: "Executive Director—I—... don't deserve it—"

"There's nothing I'm afraid to accept," Nakayama Takuya smiled. "My responsibility is to find new growth points for the company and explore the future. Sometimes, the future can't wait for layers of approval. Our responsibilities are different, so it's normal for things to clash."

He looked at his reflection in the elevator door and straightened his tie.

"In urgent situations, we must act expediently, but we cannot break the rules. Here's what we'll do: when I return from my vacation, I will personally prepare a detailed report and complete all the procedures."

Nakayama Takuya paused, turned his head, and looked at Kuroda's face with a penetrating gaze.

"This report isn't for explaining to anyone, but to provide your Finance Department with a complete and compliant file for future reference. I can't let those who strictly enforce the rules end up living in fear; that's not the corporate culture Sega should have."

"In the future, if there are similar situations at the United States branch, just send me the bill directly."

In short, this not only relieved the Finance Department of all responsibilities, but also provided them with maximum convenience and security for their future work.

Minister Kuroda could no longer hold back; he suddenly bowed deeply to Nakayama Takuya at a ninety-degree angle.

"Thank you so much for your understanding, Executive Director! I am extremely grateful!"

This time, there was no trace of fear in his voice, only heartfelt admiration and gratitude.

"Alright, go ahead and get busy." Nakayama Takuya stepped into the elevator and pressed the close button. "By the way, the Blue Mountain coffee you bought are good. You guys are very thoughtful."

The elevator doors slowly closed, shutting out Kuroda's face, which was flushed with excitement.

Returning to my home in the Minato Ward, I opened the door and was greeted by a familiar and comforting warmth.

Shedding his weariness, he changed into the slippers that had been prepared in the entryway and immediately saw the people in the living room.

Under the soft light, his wife Eri, was leaning back on the sofa, holding a parenting magazine in her hands.

She was wearing loose, comfortable loungewear, and her belly was noticeably protruding, which enveloped her in a gentle halo, making her look serene and beautiful.

Takuya's heart melted instantly.

At this moment, nothing is as real or important as the scene before us, whether it's Wall Street or the Silicon Valley empire.

He tiptoed over, leaned out from behind, wanting to surprise his wife.

"Cough cough!"

A deliberately serious cough came from the direction of the restaurant, interrupting his actions.

His mother, Nakayama Miyuki, came out carrying a plate of sliced fruit, her face devoid of a smile, her eyes fixed on him.

"So you finally decided to come back? I thought you had some important business in United States that made you abandon your home."

Upon hearing this, Takuya was both amused and exasperated. He quickly stood up straight and greeted his mother respectfully, "Mother, I'm back."

"Business trip?" Nakayama Miyuki slammed the crystal fruit plate down on the coffee table, making a crisp "clang" that startled Takuya.

"Does anyone ever leave their pregnant wife alone at home for weeks on a business trip? Eri's belly is getting bigger and bigger; how can she manage without anyone by her side?"

The way he said that makes it sound like he's been having an affair.

Takuya opened his mouth, about to explain the urgency of the work, when Eri, who was beside him, tugged at his sleeve with a smile and winked at him playfully, signaling him to be quiet.

She put down her book, gently took her mother-in-law's arm, and said in a soft voice, "Mother, please don't be angry. Takuya is working hard for our family; he's very tired."

As she spoke, she gently stroked her belly, a happy smile spreading across her face, "And he calls every single day, without fail. The baby's been so good too; he even kicked me just now, like he was saying, 'Welcome home, Daddy!'"

"Real?"

Upon hearing this, Nakayama Miyuki's expression immediately brightened. She no longer cared about scolding her son; her attention was instantly drawn to her unborn grandson.

"Really? Another kick? Let me hear it!" She immediately beamed and leaned closer, carefully pressing her ear against Eri's belly, listening intently to the rhythm of the new life, her face full of anticipation.

Completely left out, Nakayama Takuya shook his head helplessly, looking at the happy mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in front of him, feeling both helpless and warm.

He could only turn around and walk to the record player in the living room, take a record from the record cabinet, and put it into the record player.

Debussy's "Clair de Lune" flowed gently from the surround sound speakers in the living room.

This record player is a "prenatal education device" that Takuya prepared for Eri and the child in her womb.

To this end, Takuya explained a lot of principles to his mother and even brought out the doctors from Sugiyama Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital to give their own experiences.

When Eri saw Takuya come to accompany her to do prenatal education for the baby, her smile became even sweeter.