Black Wednesday

On September 14, Nakayama Takuya once again stepped into the Investment Department of Sega Headquarters.

Unlike the tense and oppressive atmosphere of my last visit, the air was now filled with an almost frenzied excitement.

On the huge whiteboard, the red curve representing the pound sterling exchange rate was falling, while several news flashes next to it clearly marked the latest battle situation.

The Finnish Markka was the first to depreciate!

The Italian Lira is under pressure!

The European Exchange Rate Mechanism is showing cracks!

Everyone in the department was energized, their faces beaming with excitement, yet they were also restrained by a strict discipline, creating a peculiar atmosphere of revelry on the eve of making a fortune.

Hoshino Hajime saw Nakayama Takuya, his eyes lit up instantly, and he almost ran to greet him, holding a freshly brewed cup of coffee, which he respectfully handed over.

"Executive! You've arrived!"

His enthusiasm was so great that anyone who didn't know him would think he was a long-lost father.

"Hmm." Nakayama Takuya took the coffee, his gaze falling on the whiteboard. "Looks like things are quite lively in London."

"It's more than just lively! It's a veritable feast!" Hoshino's voice rose eight octaves as he excitedly reported to his supervisor, pointing to a series of data on the whiteboard. "Executive Director, you're simply a genius! As soon as the Finnish Markka depreciated, those opportunists in the market went crazy, joining Soros and his pack of wolves in pouncing on the pound! Our informants in London say that there are so many sell orders that the trading system is almost crashing!"

He paused, lowered his voice, and said in an almost worshipful tone, "Most importantly, those United Kingdom banks you mentioned earlier are now the ones dumping the most! Their behavior is extremely ugly; they're practically tearing down their own houses!"

Nakayama Takuya calmly took a sip of coffee, seemingly unaffected by the noisy phone calls and keyboard clicks in the office.

How's our position building going?

"I followed your instructions exactly, and the phased stock purchases were completed. Costs were well controlled!" Hoshino Hajime his chest, his face full of pride.

"The United Kingdom Prime Minister was still on television today, confidently stating that the pound will never leave the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, much less be devalued," Hoshino added, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Upon hearing Nakayama Takuya finally smiled.

"The more he says that, the fewer cards he has in his hand, and the less confident he is."

He put down his coffee cup, looked at Hoshino's face flushed with excitement, and asked calmly, "What was the final signal? Do you remember?"

Hoshino jolted, immediately wiping away his smile. He stood up straight, like a soldier awaiting inspection, and answered decisively, "I remember! A significant interest rate hike! Once the Bank of England announces a significant interest rate hike, it means they've run out of options; it's their last bullet!"

"Very good." Nakayama Takuya nodded and turned to walk towards the door.

"Get the champagne ready, Hoshino."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the noisy office.

Wednesday, September 16th.

When news reached Tokyo that the Bank of England had violently raised the benchmark interest rate from 10% to 12%, Sega Investment Department fell silent for a moment, followed by an uncontrollable gasp.

All eyes turned to the figure sitting leisurely on the sofa in the corner.

"Executive Director—" Director Hoshino's voice trembled slightly, as he stared intently at the newly updated numbers on the whiteboard, as if they were not interest rates but a death warrant.

Nakayama Takuya, holding his coffee cup, gently blew on it, not even lifting his eyelids. "What's the rush? John Bull isn't at his wit's end yet."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the international dedicated line rang sharply again.

The operator's hands were trembling. He covered the receiver and shouted in a distorted voice, "Urgent telegram from London! The Bank of England has announced another emergency interest rate hike to 15%!"

15%!

The entire command post was silent, not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

Everyone understood what this meant.

This is a last-ditch gamble, risking the fate of the nation; it's a mad move to put all the chips on the table.

Hoshino suddenly turned around and looked at Nakayama Takuya.

This time, he couldn't even speak, his eyes filled with a mixture of fanatical worship and awe as if facing a god.

The prophecy has come true.

Absolutely perfect.

"The last bullet has been fired." Nakayama Takuya finally put down his coffee cup, stood up, and calmly walked to the whiteboard.

He picked up a marker and lightly drew a downward arrow on the red curve representing the pound's exchange rate.

A simple action, yet it felt like a command.

"Hoshino."

"Here!" Hoshino Hajime jumped, his body stiffening.

"Notify Sugiura to prepare to haul in the nets. We need to get the fish in before everyone else." Nakayama Takuya's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a calming power that filled the entire room. "Remember, leave in batches, don't disturb the market, leave quietly."

"Yes!"

Hoshino immediately grabbed the red phone and gave the preparation order to Sugiura, who was in London.

The next few hours were a long and agonizing wait.

The Investment Department was brightly lit, but apart from the sound of keyboards clicking and occasional whispers, there was no other noise.

Everyone was like a wound-up machine, precisely executing their tasks, their eyes bloodshot as they stared at every minute change in the numbers on the screen.

Nakayama Takuya and Hoshino did not leave; they remained in the command center, waiting for the London trading day to end.

Finally, as the clock struck 7 p. m. in London and 2 a. m. in Tokyo, the final news arrived.

The United Kingdom government has officially announced!

Withdraw from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism!

The pound is in freefall!

On the screen, the red curve instantly transformed into a waterfall, plunging down with unstoppable force.

"Exit! Take profits immediately! Everyone execute this!"

Hoshino practically shouted those words, his voice completely hoarse with excitement.

In an instant, only the rapid clatter of keyboards filled the command center. The sounds, when combined, resembled the roar of a combine harvester during harvest season, playing a golden symphony belonging to Sega.

When the last closed-out transaction was completed and the profit figure on the screen finally settled, the entire department fell into an eerie silence.

The next second, someone started it, and the emotions that had been suppressed for several days erupted like a volcano, with a huge cheer that almost lifted the ceiling of the headquarters!

Some people hugged each other excitedly, some collapsed into their chairs as if exhausted, and others looked at the astronomical figure, laughing and then tears streamed down their faces.

After all the finishing touches were completed, Hoshino accompanied Nakayama Takuya out of the headquarters building.

The morning breeze carried a hint of coolness, dispelling the fatigue of staying up all night.

Hoshino let out a long breath, looked at Nakayama Takuya beside him who looked perfectly normal, and finally couldn't help but ask cautiously, "Executive Director, the money we made this time—is it enough to cover the R&D expenses of the next-generation console?"

"Looking up at the sky, which was beginning to lighten, Nakayama Takuya stretched and casually replied, "Hmm... more or less."