Chapter 146: Playing the Long Game ( 146 )

Words : 1018 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 146: Playing the Long Game ( 146 ) Location: Harusawa Corporation — Executive Dining Lounge (Tokyo) The meeting had wrapped up. The final contract was signed. The terms were sealed. Now, in the refined calm of the executive dining lounge—elegant lighting, polished floors, the distant clink of porcelain—Kazuma and Keiko sat across from Satoshi, the head of Harusawa Corporation. The air was lighter, but still held a veneer of formality. Satoshi rose gracefully and extended his hand with a composed smile. "Thank you for this opportunity," he said. "Having the Takahashi Group as not just a key stakeholder, but also a strategic partner, continues to be our greatest strength." Kazuma stood and shook his hand firmly, meeting his gaze. "Likewise, Mister Satoshi. We’re honored to support Harusawa Corporation’s vision." Satoshi chuckled politely, then slightly turned toward Keiko, with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "To be honest," he said, voice polished with flattery, "our entire executive team feels reassured when the Takahashi Group is involved. The professionalism, the resources, the sheer reach of your group—it elevates the entire operation." "We’re grateful," he added smoothly, "that such a powerful institution continues to place its trust in us." Kazuma offered only a faint, polite smile. "We place trust where it’s deserved." Just as Kazuma reached for his tea, Satoshi’s gaze shifted to the woman seated beside him. Elegant. Composed. Dressed in a tailored white blouse and a soft beige skirt—modest, yet quietly commanding. Satoshi tilted his head slightly. "Ah... Mister Kazuma, is this your wife?" Kazuma nodded calmly. "Yes. This is Keiko—my wife." "Ah, I see!" Satoshi smiled, offering a brief, courteous bow from his seat. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Sakaenji." His tone remained polite but casual—uncertain, unaware. He didn’t recognize her. He didn’t grasp that this quiet, poised woman was the youngest daughter of Takahashi Group’s founding family—Kyouko’s younger sister—and the very person whose presence at this table was no coincidence. Keiko smiled softly. Satoshi offered a courteous smile, lifting his teacup. "Ah... I really hope I get the chance to meet your big boss someday." He chuckled softly. "It must be impressive, working directly under someone of that stature." Keiko and Kazuma exchanged a brief glance. Kazuma remained composed. "He’s quite busy these days. That’s why he asked us to come in his place." "I see..." Satoshi nodded politely. "Did you fly in this morning? The business class flights from Osaka and Okinawa can be quite hectic these days." Kazuma gave a slight nod. "We flew in this morning, yes." Keiko spoke gently, her tone soft and polite: "But not commercial. We used the group’s jet—father prefers we avoid the public routes when traveling for company matters." Satoshi blinked, only slightly caught off guard. "Ah... I see. A private jet." He let out a small, impressed chuckle. "Well... that certainly makes things easier." Kazuma simply smiled. "It’s more efficient. Especially when the schedule is tight." Inside Satoshi’s mind... Yes. Yes. This is it. He sipped his tea, smiling politely at Kazuma and Keiko, nodding at all the right moments. The Takahashi Group... One of the wealthiest and most influential families in the country. And now? Now they’re backing Harusawa Corporation. Not just as shareholders. Not just as contract partners. But directly involved. Sending personal envoys. Private jets. Family-tier representatives. This is the turning point. This isn’t just another board alliance—this is a stairway. A golden staircase leading to something bigger. More funding. More contracts. More reach. More power. With Takahashi at his side, Harusawa Corp could finally rise beyond its mid-tier label. He could become more than just an inherited name. He could build a true empire. Satoshi smiled to himself. Yes. Everything is falling into place. He nodded and smiled across the table, the perfect picture of a polite executive—but beneath that surface, burned a greed-driven certainty. First, Yamashita Corporation. That deal was already secured—thanks to Satomi. Because she was married to Nakagawa Haruki, Mister Yamashita’s golden boy. Haruki had influence. Haruki had the chairman’s trust. And Satoshi had Haruki tied down through Satomi. That alone had brought Harusawa Corp more contracts than they ever could’ve secured on merit. But now... Now Takahashi Group was stepping in. This wasn’t support. This was an opening. A door into the highest echelon of Japan’s corporate world. Yamashita gave him influence. But Takahashi? Takahashi meant legacy. Two of the biggest names—one tied by marriage, the other? Soon tied by ambition. Satoshi smiled to himself, the warmth of power blooming in his chest. Harusawa Corporation will rise. And I’ll stand at the top. He smirked. If Haruki didn’t have influence, I’d have told Satomi to drop that boy years ago. Haruki was nothing special at first. Too quiet. Too polite. The kind of man who followed orders, but didn’t chase power. But then... Yamashita started favoring him. Trusting him. Promoting him. Suddenly, Haruki became useful. Now? Now, he was one of Yamashita’s most trusted executives—a direct line to contracts, capital, and long-term growth. So I’ll make sure Satomi keeps him busy. She was cold, but sharp. She knew what to do. Lucky, he thought, that she was the one who suggested he move in with us. More control. More proximity. As long as Haruki stayed with Satomi, nothing else mattered. Let him be awkward. Let him feel trapped. That was fine. As long as he didn’t leave. As long as Yamashita’s ties held. And best of all... It was my idea to have Kyouko keep an eye on him. He chuckled softly to himself. Kyouko. Graceful. Obedient. The perfect quiet wife. She’d never interfere. She wouldn’t let things get messy. Haruki respected her. Probably felt guilty around her. That was the point. If she was in the same house, Haruki would never act out. Would never try to find another woman. Wouldn’t get too confident or start thinking he could walk away. Satoshi’s smirk widened. He’s boxed in. Just the way I like it. Satomi keeps him emotionally tied. Kyouko keeps him morally bound. And I keep the money flowing. Everything was perfect. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 146: Playing the Long Game ( 146 )

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