Chapter 14

Mizuki, who works as an editor at the window, has decided to write for the new label of Kōichi Okaya.

A few days later.

At her luxurious residence in the prime location of the city.

A black limousine stops in front of the samurai residence.

A woman in a black suit gets out of the driver's seat.

She, wearing sunglasses, opens the door.

An elderly man in traditional Japanese attire steps out.

With long white hair and wrinkled skin, his eyes are sharp, like those of a hawk.

【Kaita Kōgen】.

He is the current president of the Kaita Group.

The woman in sunglasses bows and says,

"Mr. Kōgen, Miss Ruko is waiting for you."

"Thank you, Zengawa."

With the bodyguard Zengawa, the two head towards the residence.

"President Kaita!"

Someone rushes over from the entrance.

Kōgen does not move from his spot.

Zengawa quickly moves and subdues the man who rushed over in an instant.

"Isn't that Mr. Miyano?"

The man called Miyano is a current member of the Diet.

"President! Please, lend us your strength!"

"Zengawa."

"Hai...!"

Kōgen ignores Miyano and continues forward.

"Please wait! President! I beg of you!"

"Please step aside. Mr. Kōgen is very busy."

"Such...!"

Handing the man over to Zengawa, Kōgen proceeds.

Along the way, several men bow as he passes by.

Doctors, lawyers, and various others...

The pillars of the nation, waiting to meet Kōgen, have been bowing since early morning.

Unlike Miyano, who tried to make contact forcefully, they wait with their heads bowed until they are acknowledged.

...However, Kōgen ignores them as if they were mere air and enters the residence.

As Kōgen takes off his sandals and steps into the entrance, a servant immediately comes over.

"Welcome back, Mr. Kōgen."

"Send the people outside away. They are unpleasant."

"Understood."

"Where is Ruko? Where is my beloved granddaughter?"

"She is waiting in the inner room."

Kōgen nods solemnly and proceeds to the back, leaving the servant behind.

He walks down the red carpeted corridor and arrives at his destination.

A vast Japanese-style room, like a set from a historical drama, spreads out before him.

"Oh! Ruko! Ruko! It's been a long time!"

Kōgen breaks into a smile and raises his voice.

Ruko... whose pen name is [Kaita Ruko], is sitting in a proper seiza position.

With white hair and red eyes, she wears a red kimono and has a loveliness reminiscent of a Japanese doll.

"Grandfather, it's been a while. I'm glad to see you're well."

"Indeed! Indeed! I'm fine!"

...Kōgen's face breaks into a silly, uncontrolled smile.

No one would think that this man, who wears such a silly smile, is the head of a massive conglomerate that controls Japan from behind the scenes.

Yes, Kōgen dotes on his granddaughter.

"Ruko, can't you call me Grandpa?"

"Grandfather, I'm 18 now. 'Grandpa' is a bit... awkward."

"You'll always be my grandpa, no matter how old you get!"

"No, I don't like it. It's embarrassing."

Kōgen's shoulders slump, and he sits down in front of Ruko.

"By the way, Ruko. I bought it. Your new volume... [Teacher, Could You... Have Died?] the final volume."

Kōgen takes out a book from his pocket.

It is the final volume of [Senmo], which Ruko recently published.

"Thank you. How was it?"

"Indeed. I was moved. It was a truly excellent work. You are indeed my proud granddaughter."

Kōgen nods happily.

"Thank you. But... I heard from Zengawa's sister that you tried to order 50,000 copies of [Senmo]?"

Ruko glares at Kōgen accusingly.

"Zengawa...! She let it slip!"

"Grandfather, you always tell her not to do that, don't you?"

"Ugh... But... It's a book written by my beloved granddaughter. Of course, I want to buy them all!"

Ruko, the heiress of the Kaita Group, who possesses immense wealth, could easily buy up the entire first edition if she wanted to.

For Kōgen, buying up the first edition of 100,000 copies at a mere 700 yen each would be a simple task.

But...

"That goes against my principles as a writer."

"But! Wouldn't you be happier if your book sold well!?"

"No, Grandfather. I'm much happier when strangers, fans, are delighted by my work than when family members buy it."

"Ugh..."

Kōgen frowns and grinds his teeth.

He adores Ruko so much.

He would give her anything she wanted.

He would love to buy up all the books she publishes and display them in his study as a collection.

But Ruko opposes it.

"...I understand. I'll settle for one copy."

"Thank you, Grandfather. And, you know, [he] said that the book is selling well even without you doing that."

Ruko's cheeks turn red.

It was the expression of a girl in love.

Seeing this, Kōgen nods in satisfaction.

"The editor... wasn't it Okaya? He did a good job this time. The final volume... was a truly excellent book."

"Yes. Okaya is a reliable person. He did a great job with the final volume."

"I can't thank him enough... By the way, Ruko. Bring him here soon."

Ruko's face turns red.

"Why...?"

"Well, I want to see the man who will succeed the Kaita Group."

In other words, he wants her to bring her fiancé.

Ruko's face turns bright red, and she shakes her head frantically.

"Okaya... is... different! He's... just an editor and a writer... in a professional relationship! It's... not... romantic... at all..."

Ruko, who usually has a stern expression, is blushing.

Seeing this, Kōgen is pleased with his granddaughter's growth.

"Ruko, you've grown into a woman... I'm happy."

"But... it's not like that!"

"The man you chose. I won't oppose your relationship. Besides, from this book and his work, I can see that he is a sincere man."

"I agree that Okaya is a sincere man. But... it's... impossible."

Ruko's shoulders slump.

"Impossible? Why?"

"Because... Okaya is married."

Ruko knows this because she has met Okaya several times.

But...

"Oh, Ruko, did you know? He's divorced."

"Wh... What...?"

Ruko is taken aback.

"Is... is that true...?"

"Yes."

Kōgen adores Ruko.

Naturally, he has had the men who approach her investigated.

"He recently separated from his wife."

"Is... is that true!?"

Ruko stands up, her hands on the floor, her eyes sparkling, and her cheeks flushed with joy.

Kōgen nods in satisfaction.

"Go and ask him out. If you want, I can even provide a place."

"Um... well... that..."

"What is it?"

"......Please... wait a moment..."

Ruko fidgets.

Kōgen sighs.

"Ruko, why are you hesitating?"

"Because... if I confess and he rejects me... I don't want that."

"Nonsense. Ruko is the heiress of the Kaita Group. If you marry, you'll be the next president. Who would reject that?"

"But... I...!"

Ruko shakes her head vigorously.

"I don't want... to be seen as... Kaita Ruko. I want to be seen as an individual... and to be in a relationship as such."

Ruko has always been seen only as the granddaughter of the Kaita Group president.

This has caused her various troubles, which she has found unpleasant.

But... Okaya is different.

He sees her as a writer and a business partner on equal terms.

She finds this relationship comfortable and doesn't want to ruin it.

"But Ruko, if you start a relationship, Okaya will eventually find out that you are Kōgen's granddaughter."

"......I know... that's why I'm struggling..."

Seeing his granddaughter struggle with love, Kōgen smiles genuinely.

He has always provided her with a comfortable life.

But... there are things even Kōgen cannot do.

Providing her with the happiness of a girl her age.

Kōgen likes the man, Kōichi Okaya, who has made this possible.

"Well, you have plenty of time. Take your time to think about it."

"Yes... Oh, by the way, about Okaya, I have a favor to ask."

"Hmm..."

"Actually, there is a foolish person who has done terrible things to Okaya."

"Tell me about it."

Ruko reports about the foolish person, Kiso River.

Kōgen, who was in a good mood a moment ago, suddenly looks like a demon.

But a true demon with real power does not show anger.

He quietly... harbors the flames of anger in his belly.

"I see... So, this foolish person, Kiso River, needs to be punished."

"That's right. Please, I beg of you."

"Of course, it's easy. In that case, his ex-wife, Misa, should also be punished, shouldn't she?"

"Wait, what do you mean?"

Kōgen reveals that Okaya's ex-wife, Misa, was having an affair.

"Oh..."

Ruko's forehead veins pop out.

"Okaya... that wonderful person... betrayed... and had an affair... with that scum... hahaha..."

Ruko's angry expression is just like Kōgen's.

"Grandfather, make that foolish woman suffer."

"I understand... But, Ruko..."

Kōgen clears his throat.

"You're asking me for two favors. Shouldn't you ask in a more appropriate manner?"

Kōgen looks at her expectantly.

Ruko's face turns red, and she clears her throat.

"Just this once."

"Indeed."

Ruko stands up and sits close to her grandfather.

"Please, Grandpa."

"Indeed...! Leave it to me, Ruko...!"

He hugs his beloved granddaughter tightly.

Ruko, embarrassed, tries to pull away.

But he holds her firmly, not letting go.

"Leave it to me. I will ensure that the trash, Kiso River, and the foolish woman, Misa, suffer greatly."

"Please, Grandfather."

"...Won't you call me Grandpa?"

"I said just this once."

Ruko turns away.

"Rest assured. I will make them deeply regret ever laying a hand on the granddaughter of the Kaita Group."

Kōgen is more motivated than usual.

After all, it's a request from his beloved granddaughter.

He is determined to do his best.

"By the way, Ruko. Isn't it time for your meeting with Okaya?"

"! That's right!"

Ruko stands up quickly.

"I'm looking forward to your next work. I expect and trust that you and Okaya will create a wonderful story."

"Yes. I put a lot of effort into this one."

"...Can't I buy all the copies?"

"No."

Kōgen's head hangs low.

Ruko gathers her things and rushes out.

"Grandfather, then I'll be going."

"Indeed, see you again, Ruko."

...Thus, the matters of Kiso River and Misa reached the ears of the conglomerate president.

The two will deeply regret becoming enemies with a man who has significant influence over Japan's politics and economy...

They will deeply regret it...