Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk

Chapter 245 Marui Fiber Industry [Basic Content Updated 5k]

After lunch.

During his lunch break, Kiryu Yaya rode his motorcycle to the vicinity of the Totokan.

He entered the underground meeting room with ease.

It was midday, and the huge venue was only filled with a few people.

After all, everyone needs to rest at this time.

I don't know if that information broker is online or not.

Kiryu Yaya walked to an empty terminal, sat down, inserted his membership card, clicked on "Trading Hall" in the left menu bar, and typed a message in the input box: "Intending to advance the acquisition of Marui Fibers, please arrange a meeting."

He pressed the send button and then leaned back in his chair to wait.

At the same time, he thought to himself that if the information vendor was not online, he would go to the address and ask in the afternoon.

After all, they had already made an appointment with Keiko Miyazawa.

The cursor blinked a few times on the screen, and after about two minutes, a new message popped up in the dialog box: "Received! The family representative has been contacted. They wish to speak by phone first. The number is 06-6211-3847. The contact person is Makiko Marui."

Kiryu Yaya's eyes lit up.

Surprisingly, this information broker was still online at this time.

This kind of dedication deserves to be called a model worker.

Kiryu Yaya wrote down the number, sent a message saying "Thank you, keep in touch," and then left the underground venue.

He found a public phone booth at a convenience store at the end of the alley, put in a ten-yen coin, and dialed the number.

The phone rang three times before being answered.

A young woman's voice came through the receiver, her tone visibly weary: "Hello—this is Marui Fiber."

"Ms. Marui, this is Kiryu. The agency should have already informed you."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then it seemed like an immediate reply: "Yes, yes. The agent told me you're interested in this factory—"

"If it's convenient, I'd like to understand the basic situation first."

Kiryu Yaya asked calmly, "How is your father doing?"

Marui Makiko paused for two seconds, then lowered her voice: "—I'm still in the hospital. The doctor said I'm recovering well, but I probably won't be able to run the factory anymore. I—don't really know much about business."

She herself found it difficult to speak at this point: "After graduating from university, I've always worked in clerical positions and have never been involved in manufacturing. With my father's passing, everything has piled up on my shoulders—orders, workers, loans, equipment maintenance—I have no idea where to begin."

"So you want to sell the factory?"

"----right."

She answered very decisively.

"The agent said your expected price is 55 million yen?"

"Yes—this was an assessment done before Father was hospitalized, including both the land and the building. Of course—"

As if afraid that the price was too high and would scare people away, she quickly added, "If you think it's too high, the price is negotiable."

Kiryu Yaya hummed in agreement and didn't dwell on the topic.

"It's better to discuss the price in person. Are you free this afternoon? I'd like to go and take a look at the site."

The person on the other end of the phone visibly relaxed: "Yes, yes, anytime is fine. What time will you arrive?"

"Around 3 PM, I already have the address."

"Then I'll wait for you."

After hanging up the phone, Kiryu Yaya stood in the phone booth, looking at the gray sky outside the glass door.

He thought for a moment, then tossed in another coin and dialed Miyazawa Keiko's number.

The call was answered quickly, her voice tinged with surprise: "Kiryu-kun?"

Kiryu Yaya hummed in response, then asked in surprise, "How did you know it was me?"

Keiko Miyazawa chuckled softly, "Because at this hour, you're probably the only one who would call me."

After a moment's thought, Kiryu Yaya understood what Miyazawa Keiko meant.

In business matters, whether it's a company or a business partner, people generally wouldn't choose this time to make a phone call.

He chuckled softly and said, "I've already arranged a time with the factory. Shall we go at 2:30 this afternoon? I'll apply to the bank for a field trip."

Keiko Miyazawa said okay, then asked, "Where should we meet?"

"Come pick me up at the bank. Higashi-Osaka is too far, and it's inconvenient to ride a motorcycle."

"Okay, I'll come pick you up."

After hanging up the phone, Kiryu Yaya put the receiver back on the landline, pushed open the glass door of the phone booth, and walked back to the street.

He got on his motorcycle and returned to the bank.

1:40 PM.

Kiryu Yaya returned to the bank.

He went up to the third floor, to the office area of ​​the financing review department, where there was still some time before the lunch break ended.

But most people were already waiting at their workstations.

Kiryu Yaya saw Yamada Masakazu in the section chief's office through the frosted glass, so he walked to the door and knocked twice.

"Enter."

Masakazu Yamada frowned slightly, but when he saw that it was Yasuya Kiryu who had entered, his expression softened, and he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Section Chief, I'd like to go on a field assignment this afternoon."

Masakazu Yamada put down his pen, his gaze lingering on Yaya Kiryu's face for a moment: "Fieldwork? Where to?"

Watanabe Fibers.

Kiryu Yaya replied, "It has an annual revenue of around 20 billion yen, which is considered quite good in the Kansai region. The conditions aren't great, but it was recommended by my high school classmate, so I couldn't refuse to check it out."

When Yamada Masakazu heard about Watanabe Fiber, he actually frowned.

But when he heard that the visit was only out of personal connections, he relaxed, but still offered a few words of advice: "With annual revenue of 20 billion yen, you're certainly among the top in the Kansai textile industry. However, it's been difficult to get financing approved for such asset-light companies lately."

Kiryu Yaya nodded: "I know, that's why I said I'd go check it out."

Masakazu Yamada approved, "Okay, go and come back soon."

Kiryu Yaya bowed slightly, turned and walked out of the office.

Back at his workstation, he quickly tidied up the documents on his desk and put his notebook and pen into his briefcase.

As I stood up, I caught out of the corner of my eye that Chihaya Yuri's gaze was coming from diagonally opposite me.

"Fieldwork?"

"Hmm, Watanabe Fibers has a financing intention, I'll go over and check it out."

Chihaya Yuri looked at her left foot: "Then I won't go with you this time. Be careful on your way."

"Thank you for your concern, senior."

Seeing that it was almost time, Kiryu Yaya picked up his briefcase, walked through the office area, and headed downstairs.

Before long, the familiar Toyota Crown drove up and stopped in front of him.

Kiryu Yaya naturally opened the passenger seat and got in.

Keiko Miyazawa was wearing the light beige knitted cardigan she bought last night, paired with a white round-neck top, which made her look youthful and vibrant.

Keiko Miyazawa noticed his gaze, showed off her outfit, and commented, "Kiryu-kun has excellent taste. It really looks good on you; it's simple and versatile."

Kiryu Yaya smiled gently and said, "I'm glad you like it, Keiko."

Keiko Miyazawa raised her voice and said, "Of course I like what Kiryu-kun chose."

Kiryu Yaya nodded: "Then I'll pick out a few more for you next time."

Keiko Miyazawa chuckled twice, her joy barely concealed: "Let's go! Higashi-Osaka, right?"

"Yes."

Keiko Miyazawa started the engine.

The black Toyota Crown smoothly drove onto the main road of Midosuji, heading towards Higashi-Osaka.

"How's that factory?"

Keiko Miyazawa, gripping the steering wheel, asked casually.

"The data looks good, the equipment is new, and the debt is clean. The main thing is that the employees have a good foundation."

He leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on the road ahead: "Forty-seven employees, with an average tenure of over six years. Such skilled workers mean that we can start work immediately after the purchase, which is quite rare."

The car slowed down on a relatively secluded street in eastern Osaka and turned into a narrow alley that could only accommodate two cars at a time.

"It should be the building in front."

Kiryu Yaya pointed to a two-story building in front of him.

The factory sign was faded, but the factory was still relatively clean overall.

A dark blue light truck was parked at the entrance, its bed empty, as if it hadn't been loaded with cargo in a long time.

The roller shutter door was half open, and you could see the sewing machines and cutting tables in the workshop.

As soon as the two got out of the car, the factory's side gate was pushed open.

Makiko Marui came out.

She looked to be under thirty, wearing a faded dark blue work uniform, with her hair tied in a low ponytail at the back of her head.

She saw Kiryu Yaya and then Miyazawa Keiko beside him, paused for a moment, and then quickly walked over to him.

"You are... Mr. Kiryu?"

"Yes, this is my companion, Miyazawa."

Kiryu didn't elaborate, but simply stepped aside to make room for them: "Would it be convenient for you to show us around the workshop first?"

"Of course, please come in."

Marui Makiko stepped aside to make way for the two of them and led them into the factory through a side door.

The air in the workshop smelled of fabric and machine oil.

About forty sewing machines were arranged in four rows, but less than half of them were running at the moment.

The workers, dressed in light blue overalls, walked with their heads down, stepping on the pedals. Occasionally, someone would look up at the visitors who came in, and then quickly look down again.

At the end of the workshop, an old man in his sixties was standing by the cutting table, holding a cutting pattern in his hand, and checking the order in which the fabric was stacked.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his gray eyebrows twitching slightly.

"This is Accountant Terada."

Makiko Marui turned to the side and explained, "After my father was hospitalized, he has been helping to look after the factory's accounts and equipment."

Kiryu Yaya bowed slightly: "Terada-senpai, excuse me."

Terada, the accountant, put down the cutting pattern in his hand, took off his reading glasses, glanced between him and Miyazawa Keiko, and then slowly said, "If you want to see the equipment, I have a list here. The maintenance records for the batch of machines that were replaced in the first year of Heisei are all here."

"Thank you for your help."

Over the next ten minutes, the accountant Terada led the two from the first-floor workshop to the second-floor cut piece warehouse, and then around to the equipment room at the back.

He clearly stated the model number, purchase year, and maintenance records of each machine.

Kiryu listened quietly, occasionally asking a question about depreciation rates or parts supply.

Keiko Miyazawa walked to the side, her gaze sweeping over the sewing machines, cutting tables, and ironing equipment, without saying a word.

This is Kiryu's home turf; she only needs to swipe her card at the very end.

When he reached the corner of the warehouse, Kiryu Yaya stopped and his gaze fell on a half-new overlock machine.

He gently pressed the presser foot of the machine head, glanced down at the production year on the motor nameplate, and then turned to Accountant Terada: "This overlock machine was replaced in Heisei 2, right?"

"That's right."

Terada, the accountant, adjusted his reading glasses: "Original parts are still available, and the failure rate is not high."

Kiryu Yaya nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

Taking advantage of this pause, he casually glanced at Makiko Marui, and with a slight thought, activated [Banker's Eye].

The semi-transparent information panel unfolds silently in view.

【Marui Makiko】

Age: 28

[Position: Nominal Head (Acting) of Marui Textile Industry Co., Ltd.]

【assets:】

1. Sumitomo Bank general deposit: approximately 180 million yen

2. Postal Savings Fund: Approximately 50 yen

3. An investment apartment in Naka-ku, Nagoya (currently under mortgage): appraised value approximately 28 million yen.

[Liabilities:]

"1. Residential loan (Nagoya apartment): 22 million yen"

2. Living expenses loan (for father's hospitalization): 120 million yen

Total liabilities: 35.2 million yen

Net worth: Approximately 650 million yen

Marui Fiber Industries, Ltd.'s Book Assets:

"1. Factory buildings and land: appraised value of approximately 32 million yen"

2. Net book value of machinery and equipment: approximately 21 million yen.

「4.应收帐款：约1，800万円【资产合计：约7，500万円】

[Liabilities (Legal Entity):]

"1. Osaka Credit Union Equipment Loan: 20 million yen"

2. Accounts Payable (Raw Material Suppliers): Approximately 11 million yen

3. Unpaid wages (last three months): approximately 420 million yen

Total liabilities: 35.2 million yen

[Corporate net assets: Approximately 39.8 million yen]

[Hidden Information: This company's order data for the fourth quarter of last year deviates significantly from the industry cycle; please be cautious.]

Upon seeing the notification, Kiryu Yaya's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, but his expression remained unchanged.

Turning his gaze away, he said to Makiko Marui, "The equipment and inventory situation is better than I expected."

Makiko Marui visibly breathed a sigh of relief: "Mr. Terada has been very diligent in maintaining this."

"What about the accounts?"

Kiryu Yaya asked casually, "The intermediary said the main debt is an equipment loan, and I'd like to confirm the details."

Marui Makiko glanced at Terada, the accountant, almost instinctively.

The old accountant pushed up his reading glasses and slowly pulled a crumpled brown paper envelope from his work uniform pocket: "The details are all here. The loan from Osaka Credit Union still has a little over 20 million yen left, and the repayment records are attached."

Makiko Marui took the envelope and handed it to Yaya Kiryu with both hands.

Kiryu Yaya did not refuse and immediately tore open the seal and took out the paper inside.

Several pages of neatly folded paper, with a handwritten repayment record on top, followed by several pages of bank transfer receipts and a summary of the loan contract.

He glanced down and quickly scanned the page.

Equipment loan from Osaka Credit Union, with a balance of 20.3 million yen.

The repayment history is generally on time, with the most recent payment being in the middle of last month, amounting to 420,000 yen.

There are no overdue or extended periods.

"The accounts are indeed very clean."

Kiryu Yaya folded the paper neatly, but instead of putting it back in the envelope, he held it in his hand and looked at Marui Makiko: "Do you also have the shipping ledger and purchase order? I'd like to take a look at them together."

"some."

Marui Makiko immediately turned around and walked to the old desk in the corner of the workshop.

She bent down and rummaged through the files for a while, then pulled out a thick stack of folders and placed them on the top shelf of the table. She then pulled out a brown paper file box.

Accountant Terada slowly walked over, stood by the table, rested his hands on the edge of the table, and looked at the stack of folders.

Kiryu Yaya glanced at the label on the side of the file box to confirm the year before pulling out the first file.

That's the shipping log from March of last year to March of this year, bound by month.

He started flipping through the pages from the beginning, his fingers moving slowly across the paper.

Shipment quantity, order number, customer name, delivery date —

His gaze lingered briefly on the client's name field.

The client pointed to one of the lines: "Have we worked with Marui Fibers before?"

Makiko Marui leaned closer for a look, frowned, and shook her head: "I don't really remember him—Mr. Terada?"

Terada, the accountant, adjusted his reading glasses, glanced down at the line of text, and said in a flat tone, "We took on this client in the second half of last year. They're not a long-term customer, but they settled payments quite quickly."

Kiryu Yaya nodded without asking any further questions.

He continued flipping through the pages, his eyes scanning the rows of numbers.

Marui Fiber's accounts were indeed not complicated, with clear entries and exits and very few alterations to the paper.

But as he flipped through the pages, he noticed a detail:

Starting in October of last year, the shipment volume suddenly increased significantly.

It wasn't a steep rise; the slope was relatively smooth, but it was significantly higher than the levels of the previous few months.

If you only look at data from a few months, you won't see any problems.

However, when the timeline is extended and compared with the shipment volume in the first half of last year, this change becomes very obvious.

He closed the shipping ledger, not rushing to a conclusion, and instead picked up the stack of purchase orders.

The purchasing records are relatively consistent, and the quantity of fabrics entering the warehouse and the quantity shipped are basically in line with each other, without any obvious discrepancies.

Cotton yarn, chemical fiber, lining, zippers, buttons—every single item has a receipt.

However, Kiryu Yaya noticed that the names of the purchasing companies were the same as those of the customers, and several of them had names that were not mentioned before.

Terada, the accountant, remained standing by the table, occasionally glancing at the documents more than once when Kiryu Yaya turned to a few pages.

Kiryu Yaya noticed these subtle movements, but didn't point them out on the spot.

His finger stopped on one of the pages, then he looked up at Makiko Marui: "Ms. Marui, if it's convenient, I'd like to confirm a copy of the bank statement."

"Flowing water —"

Marui Makiko hesitated for a moment and looked at Accountant Terada.

After a two-second silence, Terada, the accountant, finally spoke: "The original is in the safe, but we have a copy."

He turned and walked behind his desk, pulled open a drawer, took out a brown paper file bag, and handed it over.

Kiryu Yaya took the document bag, opened it, and took out copies of the bank statements, arranging them by month.

As he flipped through the document, he quickly compared the data in his mind.

Increased shipments and increased purchases were reflected in corresponding bank statements.

It looks like it fits perfectly.

But that's precisely where the problem lies.

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