As February arrived in Tokyo, the bone-piercing chill still lingered through its streets and alleys, refusing to fade. But to those with keen noses, the air already carried the faint, exhilarating scent of blood.
Sega Headquarters. In the spacious, bright Managing Director's Office, the heat was turned up high.
Nakayama Takuya sprawled without a shred of decorum in his soft executive chair, his crossed legs propped against the edge of the desk. He idly flipped through an analysis report on North American sales of Tomb Raider, humming some unknown tune under his breath.
With a bang, the solid wooden door was shoved open in a rush.
Director Hoshino strode in at a rapid pace, having forgotten even to knock.
The investment department heavyweight, usually impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, now had his tie slightly loosened. He gripped a thin folder tightly in one hand, his eyes burning with barely restrained fervor.
"Managing Director, those hungry wolves on Wall Street finally couldn't hold back any longer—they've made their move!" Hoshino pulled out a chair and dropped into it, then slapped the folder onto the center of the broad mahogany desk.
"Oh? They finally decided to take a bite?" Nakayama Takuya slowly set down the report, pulled his legs off the desk, and casually picked up the folder. A playful smile curved his lips as he opened it. "Let's see how these American bastards plan to carve up this enormous Southeast Asian cake."
"Quantum Fund is leading the charge. That old fox Soros is at the helm, together with several top European and American hedge funds." Though Hoshino's tone remained steady, his speech had clearly quickened. He pointed at the bolded figures in the folder. "Just yesterday, they borrowed roughly 15 billion Thai baht in one go on the offshore