Chapter 10

Dupont thinks it's okay to cry.

February 1904. Just as Japan and Russia clashed over Manchuria, the Imperial Artificial Fiber Company was also turning into a battlefield. This was because the first civilian product, nylon stockings, had exploded in sales in Europe and America, and orders were pouring in.

"Mr. Yokohara! Mitsukoshi Store is asking for an additional 500 pairs!"

"Wh-what? We're already struggling to supply Suzuki Store! Tell them to set a realistic deadline and reject it!"

"But I did, and they're still pushing for it!"

"Wh-why do they want it so badly..."

The stockings made from "ultra-fine monofilament PA66" were closer to bare skin, more beautiful, and more durable than traditional silk stockings. Special Advisor Hikari Terasu strongly advocated for commercialization, and Jōji Takachi, who lived in the United States and was well-versed in foreign cultures, supported her. However, other investors, including Naokichi Kaneko, were not quite convinced by the hearts of Western women and kept the production facilities at a conservative level. This led to the current chaos.

"Well, I give up, Miss Terasu. Even with my eyes, I couldn't predict this situation."

"If even the 'Napoleon of the Business World' couldn't see it, I don't think anyone could. I didn't think they would sell this well either..."

In the conference room of the Imperial Artificial Fiber Company, Kaneko, looking pleased, said, "I've been outdone," while Terasu looked apologetic.

"The stockings of the Imperial Artificial Fiber Company are now the envy of European and American women. We are receiving reports that they sell as much as we can supply. We plan to focus on the production of stockings and gradually expand our facilities to meet the demand..."

This was said by Masaharu Shiogara of Mitsukoshi Store. He exclusively imported products from the company Takachi ran in the United States (the famous Takazia) and was an investor in the Imperial Artificial Fiber Company.

"I thought this might happen, so I got the Army to agree to stop producing various military items made from PA66."

This was said by Tamamon Sasaki, who had just joined the Bank of Japan. He attended the meeting as a substitute for Shizuo Takahashi, who was busy purchasing foreign bonds.

"Wow, that's quite something."

"Minister of the Army, Terauchi, was furious, but Prime Minister Katsura said, 'If socks can replace ammunition, it's a bargain...' "

"Well, we didn't even have enough of them yet..."

The Army had ordered uniforms and other items for assault infantry, taking advantage of the mechanical properties of PA66, but the delivery date was extended by two years to prioritize foreign currency acquisition. Production had only recently started, and a significant number had not yet been produced, so they couldn't be sent to the field.

After that, the meeting shifted to discussions on how to quickly expand production facilities. As the conversation progressed, Terasu found it difficult to follow, so she began to think about the future research and development roadmap.

(Thanks to this, we have a clear plan for funding, but now the funds for equipment expansion might delay the practical application of "that" before Ito is assassinated. It's a polyamide, so with a little effort, we should be able to synthesize it...)

She aimed to prevent the assassination of Hirobumi Ito and the annexation of Korea. To achieve this, she needed to make "that" practical.

(Should I tell everyone about my past life? No, that would be unrealistic... I used to dream of 'reversing rebirth to change history,' but I never imagined it would be so lonely. No one can fully understand me, and that's so lonely...)

It's not that everyone was avoiding or disliking Terasu. On the contrary, the people in the room were trying their best to respect her. However, the future that only Terasu knew existed, and that alone created a gap between her and those living in the past, stretching endlessly between them.

Historically, nylon stockings were produced in limited quantities during the 1941 outbreak of war between Japan and the United States due to competition for parachute materials. In this world, however, they are being mass-produced as a means of earning foreign currency. Historically, it took until 1986 to pay off the national debt issued during the Russo-Japanese War, but how long will it take in this world?