Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk

Chapter 130 Just Call Me Yuxiang [First Update, Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Kiryu Yaya didn't stop walking, but his ear twitched slightly involuntarily.

"I heard that he was questioned by Section Chief Iwakura at the mid-level meeting. Section Chief Miki also called him out, saying that he was too individualistic and didn't follow the rules."

"That's right. He's only been with the company for less than two months, but he's already handled a ton of cases. Fuji Metals, Shiraishi Refrigeration, Miyazawa Group, and now Higashi-Osaka Seiko. He's always at the forefront, acting like he's the only one in the entire bank who knows how to do anything."

"You can't say that. They are indeed capable; others might not have been able to handle those cases."

"Being capable is one thing, but in a bank, being too high-profile isn't a good thing. Didn't you hear what Section Chief Miki said? Always being at the forefront is harmful to the long-term operation of the entire organization."

"Didn't Section Chief Chihaya slam her fist on the table over this?"

"So what if they filmed it? Who's behind Section Chief Miki? It's Department Head Todo from the General Affairs Department. And who's behind Department Head Todo? Think about it."

"..——"

As he listened to these conversations, Kiryu Yaya's brow twitched slightly.

He had known all along that there were no secrets in the bank, but he hadn't expected the news to spread so quickly.

Less than two hours after the mid-level management meeting ended, those words should have spread like a virus throughout the entire branch.

Even if these people are gossipy, the news shouldn't spread this quickly.

Kiryu Yaya's heart skipped a beat at this thought.

It's clear that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

He ignored the rumors and went straight to the office area of ​​the financing review department.

It was getting late, and many people had already left and were on their way to "Takenoya".

Yuka Nakamura was still packing her things when she heard footsteps. She looked up, saw it was him, and smiled.

"Kiryu-kun, thank you for your hard work."

"Thanks for your hard work."

Kiryu Yaya returned to his seat.

Yuka Nakamura put down the trinkets in her hands, glanced at him, and suddenly remembered something. She stood up, took a can of coffee from the drawer, and walked over.

"Kiryu-kun."

Kiryu Yaya raised his head.

Yuka Nakamura placed the can of coffee on his table; it was a regular canned coffee, the most common brand found in convenience stores.

"Thanks."

Kiryu Yaya glanced at the coffee and said with a smile, "Nakamura-senpai, you've gone to so much trouble."

"I bought it at a convenience store; it wasn't expensive."

Yuka Nakamura smiled and sat down in the empty chair next to him, placing her hands on her knees with a slightly reserved posture, as if she was considering how to start the conversation.

Kiryu Yaya blinked: "Senpai?"

Yuka Nakamura pursed her lips, hesitant but still said, "Don't take what those people at the bank said today to heart."

"That's how it is in banks. If you do well, people will praise you; if you do too well, people will be jealous of you. It's not your problem."

Kiryu Yaya was slightly taken aback by Nakamura Yuka's words, then smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, senpai. I understand."

Yuka Nakamura seemed a little nervous and took a deep breath.

"I strongly disagree with those rumors. The claims that he is unruly, too high-profile, or harmful to the organization are all complete nonsense."

"Everything Kiryu-kun did, wasn't for the bank? Wasn't it all for the sake of the financing review department?"

"Without you, we wouldn't know what to do about that 800 million yen hole in Higashi-Osaka."

She spoke faster and faster, and only realized she had lost her composure towards the end, so she quickly stopped talking, her ears turning slightly red.

In short—I'm on your side.

Kiryu Yaya looked at her, a slight smile slowly appearing on his lips.

"Thank you, Nakamura-senpai."

"Don't call me senior anymore."

Yuka Nakamura waved her hand, her face still flushed: "I'm not much older than you, and—and to be honest, even though you joined the company later than me, I think you're much more capable than me."

"From now on—you can just call me Yuzuri."

In Japan, addressing someone by their first name creates a clear distinction. Using their surname followed by their job title maintains a safe distance, while using their surname followed by "Mr." is polite. Using only their first name without any suffix is ​​also acceptable.

That's a privilege reserved for friends, lovers, and family.

However, judging from Nakamura Yuka's behavior, it was probably just a well-intentioned consolation, and she didn't have any romantic feelings for him.

Just then, a semi-transparent interface popped up in front of Kiryu Yaya.

[New life options have been triggered]

[Yuka Nakamura takes the initiative to show you goodwill by addressing you by your first name. This is both a sign of closeness between colleagues and may also contain a hint of affection that goes beyond ordinary friendship.]

At this moment, faced with her kindness, you have three choices.

[Fork in the road 1: Politely decline and maintain distance. Tell her, "Nakamura-senpai, this isn't appropriate. Let's follow the proper etiquette."]

(Reward: Bank deposit increased by 1 yen)

[Second approach: Accept gently, but don't overstep boundaries. Thank her for her kindness, while indicating that you will still address her according to workplace etiquette in public.]

(Reward: Bank deposit increased by 2 yen)

[Branch 3: Take the opportunity to get closer, directly call her "Yuzuka," and agree that you can call her that in private.]

(Reward: Bank deposit increased by 3 yen)

Kiryu Yaya's gaze swept over the three options.

The fork is too abrupt and will embarrass her.

The three-way branching pattern is too ambiguous and easily leads to misunderstandings.

The second branch is both tactful and polite, and can maintain good relationships with colleagues.

Kiryu Yaya thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I appreciate Yuka-senpai's kindness."

His tone was gentle yet measured.

"However, it's better to follow the rules in front of everyone. Otherwise, if word gets back to the people in the general affairs department, they'll say I don't understand hierarchy."

Upon hearing this, Nakamura Yuka was slightly taken aback at first, but then she understood what he meant. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but she still nodded gently.

"You're right—I didn't think it through."

As she was about to get up and leave, she suddenly remembered something and reminded him, "Kiryu-kun, don't forget the party later. If you don't go, the section chief will be angry."

Kiryu Yaya chuckled softly and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Yuka-senpai."

After Nakamura Yuka left, a system notification appeared.

You have chosen branch two.

Bank deposits increased by 2 yen.

Current bank account balance: ¥1,581,200

Kiryu Yaya leaned back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly twice on the table.

He was still thinking about how to find evidence of Kiyomasa Ogaki's asset repatriation.

This is the most important and also the most difficult link in the chain of evidence.

After much deliberation, and having finished half of the coffee that Yuka Nakamura had given him, Yaya Kiryu walked to the public phone at the end of the corridor.

He took a ten-yen coin out of his pocket, dropped it in, and dialed the direct line to Keiko Miyazawa's office.

The phone rang twice before being answered.

"Miyazawa Group, President's Office"

"it's me."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then Miyazawa Keiko's voice became noticeably lighter: "Kiryu-kun? Still at the bank so late?"

"Yeah, just finished."

Kiryu Yaya leaned against the wall, his voice low: "There's something I'd like to ask you for help with again."

"you say."

He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then lowered his voice and said, "It's the same thing as last time, the Eighth Assets and the Ogaki Assets. What Mr. Uesugi found out is very useful, but I need some deeper information."

"What information?"

"Business transaction records of Ōgaki Asset Management Co., Ltd. In particular, transaction details between it and Yatsusagi, and the profit distribution path of Yatsusagi in the process of disposing of collateral."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone; Miyazawa Keiko seemed to be taking notes.

Kiryu Yaya continued, "Also, if possible, could you please check for me whether Ogaki Masami and Ogaki Kiyomi have any other companies, trusts, or real estate under their names? I want to know about any legal entities related to Ogaki Kiyomi."

"Are you trying to find evidence that Kiyomasa Ogaki profited from the Eighth Asset?"

Keiko Miyazawa's words hit the nail on the head.

After this period of experience, she has matured significantly in business and finance.

"right."

Kiryu Yaya did not deny it: "If the premium generated from the disposal of the collateral obtained by the Eight Assets at a low price ultimately flows back to Ogaki Kiyomasa or his family, then it is a complete chain of interest transfer."

"I see."

Keiko Miyazawa's tone became serious: "I will have Mr. Uesugi investigate as soon as possible. Mr. Uesugi knows many tax accountants and judicial scriveners. Some things that cannot be found through banks can be obtained through these channels."

"it is good."

The phone hangs up.

Kiryu Yaya put the receiver back and stood in the corridor, watching the sky outside the window gradually darken.

Ogaki Kiyomasa.

almost.