Chapter 63: Successfully Clinging to a Powerful Ally, Born with a Rebellious Streak

The next day, May 16th, Saturday.

For the next five days, there was no need to report to the police station punctually, so today, Shunobu Aoyama indulged himself in a rare lie-in. When he finished washing up and came downstairs, he found breakfast already prepared on the dining table, with a note attached.

“Shunobu must be working hard lately. No matter how busy you are, remember to eat breakfast. I’m off to work part-time at the flower shop. See you tonight.” A smiley face was drawn at the end.

Shunobu Aoyama chuckled, tore off the note, and sat down to eat. His sister-in-law had thoughtfully covered the food, so it hadn’t gone cold and still retained some warmth.

At noon, Aya Asai arrived at his house to pick him up by car.

Since there was no work today, Aya Asai wasn’t wearing her usual suit. Instead, she had on a white camisole dress. Two slender straps rested on her delicate, fair shoulders, and the fullness of her bosom threatened the strength of the fragile straps. The dress hugged her waist and hips in a flattering silhouette, its hem falling just below her calves. On her feet were exquisite silver heels, and when she walked, the skirt swayed, revealing glimpses of sheer stockings.

Japanese women are especially fond of wearing stockings, perhaps because they generally don’t wear shoes at home.

“The person we’re visiting today is Juro Hikokawa…” Aya Asai explained as she drove.

Shunobu Aoyama’s eyes widened instantly.

Juro Hikokawa was a highly influential political figure, having served as member of the House of Representatives, Minister of Transport, Minister of Education, Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minister of Home Affairs, and was currently Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission.

The National Public Safety Commission is the department responsible for overseeing and managing the nation’s police forces, including disciplinary actions and high-level personnel changes.

He had thought that if Aya Asai could introduce him to a member of Parliament, it would already be quite impressive. He hadn’t expected such a surprise.

“Ahem…” Aya Asai, feeling somewhat awkward under his gaze, cut through Shunobu’s fantasies without ceremony: “What are you thinking? Of course we won’t disturb someone of his stature directly. We’re meeting Juro Hikokawa’s grandson, Noritomo Hikokawa.”

“Oh.” Shunobu Aoyama understood, finding this more plausible. “Tell me about him.”

“Noritomo Hikokawa is the only male of his generation in the Hikokawa family. His grandfather is a politician, his father is president of Kintetsu Corporation, so he has both wealth and power. He’s been doted on since childhood, so it’s only natural he’s a bit proud. You must be respectful. But within their social circle, he’s considered quite amiable and ambitious—shouldn’t be difficult to get along with…”

Aya Asai continued describing Noritomo Hikokawa as she drove, soon stopping in front of a villa.

“This is his private residence.” Aya explained, then got out and retrieved a gift box from the back seat, handing it to Shunobu Aoyama. “Juro Hikokawa enjoys tea. This is top-grade Da Hong Pao brought from China. Noritomo should appreciate it.”

“Thank you.” Shunobu Aoyama said sincerely.

Aya Asai snorted, then rang the doorbell.

“Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~”

Before long, a middle-aged woman dressed as a housekeeper hurried out, bowed after opening the door, and said, “Miss Asai, Mr. Hikokawa is waiting for you. Please come in.”

“Thank you for your trouble.” Aya Asai replied with a cheerful bow, then led Shunobu Aoyama inside.

They crossed the front yard to the main house.

The housekeeper produced two pairs of slippers for them.

After changing shoes, they followed the housekeeper through the living room to the backyard, where under the shade of a poolside umbrella lay a slightly overweight young man in swim trunks, looking around twenty-six or twenty-seven, with an air of calm maturity.

“Noritomo!” Aya Asai called out brightly from afar, her smile radiant and sweet.

Shunobu Aoyama shivered.

He hadn’t expected this side of her.

Aya Asai noticed his reaction from the corner of her eye and glared fiercely at him. If not for helping you, I wouldn’t need to lay aside my icy facade and put on a smile.

“Ah! It’s Aya!” Noritomo Hikokawa sat up from his lounge chair and waved them over. “Come and talk.”

Aya Asai led Shunobu Aoyama forward.

“Noritomo!” Aya stepped up and bowed.

Shunobu Aoyama followed suit.

“No need to be so formal, sit wherever you like.” Noritomo Hikokawa, just as Aya had said, was indeed very easygoing. He pointed to the adjacent loungers, his gaze appraising Shunobu Aoyama. “Aya, is this the boyfriend you mentioned? Hmm, not bad looking.”

“Not really, he’ll do, but he’s far inferior to you, Noritomo.” Aya Asai slipped her arm around Shunobu Aoyama.

Shunobu Aoyama stepped forward and bowed. “Mr. Hikokawa, I’m Shunobu Aoyama. Sorry to trouble you.”

He then presented the tea with both hands. “Here’s a small token for my first visit, please accept it.”

“Noritomo, this is top-grade Da Hong Pao my father brought back from China,” Aya Asai added.

Hearing this, Noritomo Hikokawa gave Shunobu Aoyama more attention, signaled the housekeeper to accept the gift, and invited them both to sit. “Alright, stop standing. My neck gets tired talking to you like this.”

“Thank you!” Shunobu Aoyama and Aya Asai responded, then sat on the two loungers beside him.

“I don’t like beating around the bush,” Noritomo Hikokawa said, popping a grape into his mouth and speaking indistinctly as he chewed, “If Aya is willing to offer her father’s tea as a gift, it means the Asai family acknowledges you as their son-in-law. So what brings you here? Just say it.”

“Thank you!” Shunobu Aoyama glanced at Aya Asai, then addressed Noritomo Hikokawa: “I have a significant gift I’d like to offer you.”

Noritomo Hikokawa frowned and looked at Aya Asai.

Aya Asai gently kicked Shunobu Aoyama under the table.

But Shunobu Aoyama remained unmoved, sitting upright and meeting Noritomo’s gaze calmly.

“Heh, Aya, your boyfriend is quite interesting.” Noritomo Hikokawa chuckled, his tone relaxed. “Go ahead, tell me about your big gift.”

“Thank you! Here’s the situation…” Shunobu Aoyama began by analyzing the current economic downturn in Japan, then discussed the growing demand for loans among the populace, finally getting to the point. “I’ve partnered with a financial corporation to invent an automatic loan machine, similar to an ATM. Customers can complete borrowing transactions directly on the machine…”

As Shunobu Aoyama spoke, Noritomo Hikokawa stopped eating fruit. The casual look on his face gave way to seriousness and focus.

Aya Asai, meanwhile, grew increasingly uncomfortable as she listened.

“Once these machines are released, I believe they’ll revolutionize the entire credit market. But this fortune is too vast for me to handle alone, so I hope to cooperate with you, Mr. Hikokawa.” Shunobu finished, bowing deeply to indicate he had said his piece.

Noritomo Hikokawa realized this was indeed an enormous opportunity, a lavish gift—not just financially lucrative, but politically advantageous for an aspiring politician.

Once automatic loan machines were deployed nationwide, the convenience and privacy would attract countless customers. During elections, if lowering interest rates or deferring repayments were offered in exchange for votes, this group could wield immense influence.

Of course, it couldn’t be done so blatantly, but it was feasible. If managed properly, it would avoid violating election laws, since everything was operated by a private company, leaving plenty of room for maneuver. Large conglomerates already influence employee voting in similar ways.

“Mr. Aoyama, you truly are offering me a grand gift!” Noritomo Hikokawa exhaled.

Shunobu Aoyama kept his head respectfully lowered.

After pondering briefly, Noritomo Hikokawa said, “I’m willing to cooperate. I’ll introduce a company to invest and acquire thirty percent of your financial corporation’s shares, and I’ll only take thirty percent of the profits.”

“Wait…” Shunobu Aoyama raised his head in disbelief, wondering if Noritomo Hikokawa had underestimated the profits this machine would bring.

Otherwise, why so generous?

He had expected to settle for a 90-10 split.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine a 70-30 division.

Noritomo Hikokawa raised his hand to cut him off, his expression calm. “I meant what I said—just thirty percent. Mr. Aoyama, I no longer care about money, you understand? What matters to me is what this machine can bring besides wealth.”

Shunobu Aoyama suddenly understood—he’d been thinking too small. Indeed, with his family background, Noritomo Hikokawa didn’t lack money; he already had more than he could ever spend. Additional wealth was just numbers to him.

Still, Shunobu admired him. Who doesn’t want more money? Yet, Noritomo was willing to relinquish the majority despite holding the advantage. How many could do that?

“Thank you! Understood. Once Mr. Hikokawa invests, he can make personnel changes in the company as he sees fit. I have no objections.” Shunobu knew, Noritomo would accept a smaller share but demand management rights.

He didn’t mind; his own status was still too low to worry about such things. To seize this chance, earn a fortune, and acknowledge Noritomo as his patron was already enough.

As for the future, if opportunity allowed, he could always try to regain control of the company.

Yes, he’d just latched onto a powerful leg, and already his mind was plotting to climb higher. He was born rebellious, never content with anyone above him.

Except for women.

“Aya, you have excellent taste. Mr. Aoyama has a promising future ahead!” Noritomo Hikokawa laughed, complimenting Aya Asai, then turned to Shunobu Aoyama. “Mr. Hikokawa sounds too formal. From now on, address me as Aya does.”

“Thank you! Noritomo!” Shunobu switched immediately, his heart pounding. With the Hikokawa family as his umbrella and the Asai family as his support, his future seemed bright, his prospects boundless.

Aya Asai managed only a strained smile.

After saying their farewells, as soon as they got in the car, Aya Asai finally couldn’t hold back. “Do you know how many people commit suicide each year because they can’t repay their loans?”

Had she known Shunobu’s purpose for seeing Noritomo Hikokawa, she would never have made the introduction.

“Loan freedom—I’m not forcing anyone to borrow! Besides, am I a loan shark? Our company’s rates are within legal limits. If someone can’t survive because of this, that’s clearly a national problem, not the company’s. So instead of blaming me, blame those high-and-mighty politicians who turned the country into this mess.” Shunobu Aoyama’s tone was calm.

Aya Asai was both angry and helpless, for what he said was true. She could only stew in silence.

“Alright, I’ll have the company set rates lower than the market average.” Shunobu soothed her, since she’d helped him greatly today.

Of course, lowering the rate wasn’t because he was soft-hearted, but to attract more customers.

The Japanese were lucky to encounter him.

The good days were just beginning.