Mid-August, Tokyo.
The stifling summer heat still blanketed the streets of Tokyo.
Nakayama Takuya cut short his summer retreat in Karuizawa, leaving Eri and their two children in the mountains while he drove back to headquarters alone.
As he pushed open the door to the Investment Department's private trading room, cold air rushed over him.
The atmosphere inside was utterly different from the frenzy when the Thai Baht had collapsed a month ago. Keyboard clattering proceeded in orderly fashion, carrying the calm composure of a battle already won.
Hoshino stood before the console, staring at the Southeast Asian exchange-rate data flashing endlessly across the screens.
Hearing the door open, he turned around and handed over a freshly printed settlement statement.
"Managing Director, you came back at just the right time." Hoshino pointed at the figures on the sheet. "All funds in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia have been completely liquidated."
Nakayama Takuya took the statement and gave it a quick glance.
The profits were quite substantial.
"You got out pretty quickly." Nakayama Takuya walked over to the coffee table by the window and pulled out a leather chair.
Hoshino followed him and sat across from him. "We had to get out. The profit margins in those three countries have already been squeezed dry by those people on Wall Street. What remains is nothing more than petty scraps of profit. Policy risks are rising sharply. If we keep squatting in there, we'll only be earning hard money, and one misstep could even cost us all the profits we've made so far. Taking the money and walking away is the safest move."
Nakayama Takuya nodded.
An assistant brought over two cups of freshly ground black coffee, placed them on the coffee table, then quietly withdrew.
Nakayama Takuya lifted his coffee and took