CH76

The person who introduced himself as "Dazai" was an elderly man. He looked at least twenty years older than my grandfather. Despite this, the old man appeared in the parlor dressed in a suit and tie, even though he was only meeting a 14-year-old guest.

The menu was sushi. They said it was made by one of Japan's top chefs, and it was indeed clean and free of any off-flavors.

"I had prepared some fine sake, but what a pity."

I was a minor… Jo Soo-deok was driving… Akira-san was abstaining due to his serial publication… As a result, the top-tier sake, which they said only ten bottles were produced annually, was left sitting on the table.

It was after I had eaten about five pieces of sushi when the old man looked at me and spoke.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you one thing."

"…?"

"How does someone so young come to possess such a large amount of money?"

"I was born into a wealthy family."

"No matter how rich…"

"It's an extremely wealthy family."

I tried to brush it off with a joke, but he still seemed curious. Sigh. Well, it's not exactly a big secret.

I briefly explained how I discovered one of Da Vinci's works and how I released 'Dream Quest.'

Had he heard rumors about me?

"Ah, so you're that person."

A large smile spread across the old man's face.

"I had heard that you were very young, but I never imagined it would be to this extent."

"I feel the same."

"…?"

"I heard you were a vintage car collector, but I didn't imagine it would be on such a scale."

When I turned his own words back at him, the old man burst into hearty laughter.

"You certainly are composed. You don't seem the least bit intimidated by talking to an old man like me."

"Maybe it's because I live with my grandfather."

"More likely…"

"…?"

"It's probably because you want nothing from this old man."

Nothing to ask for, huh?

"Meeting people who need money every day, you naturally come to realize something. No matter how hard they try to look confident, they can never completely hide their underlying desperation."

The old man took a sip of tea before continuing.

"But in you, I can't sense that kind of energy at all. You don't desire anything, so you can be genuinely confident."

"Is that so?"

The old man then advanced the conversation.

"Do you know who makes investors the most anxious?"

"…?"

"Those who don't need investments. If their content is solid, and they already have enough capital, why would they borrow other people's money? Success is right in front of them; there's no need to share the pie."

He seemed to categorize me as one of those types. This only fueled his desire to invest even more.

'Sorry, but,' I thought, I have more than enough money myself.

Perhaps reading my expression, the old man took a step back and changed the subject.

"You mentioned you visited the garage."

"Yes. The collection is truly incredible."

"I'm practically a patient."

"It was very impressive."

At that moment, the old man paused briefly before speaking again.

"Have you ever wondered why I obsessively collect vintage cars?"

"I'm not sure."

"It's because of a very childlike imagination."

"A childlike imagination?"

"I have this vague hope that I can preserve different moments in time within each unique car body."

Was he referring to the car's year of manufacture? Like a 1931, 1948, or 1959 model?

"No matter how rich someone is, they can't buy time, can they? I'm talking about time, something that's impossible to measure with money."

In other words, he wasn't merely collecting cars but was trying to gather the history embodied in each vintage vehicle.

"As you live, you'll eventually meet people who don't need money."

"…"

"Even those kinds of people, it seems, hold the past in high regard. That's why I collect vintage cars—to catch the attention of those who are sick of money, like you."

Oh.

"What do you think? I'd like to gift you the cars you've chosen."

"Wouldn't that be an investment disguised as a gift?"

"Call it whatever you like. But, you'll find it hard to refuse my offer."

"And why is that?"

"Because I hardly want anything from you either."

He wasn't investing for immediate gain. He simply wanted to open a connection, nothing more. That's probably why he had such calm eyes, not expecting anything beyond that.

If my grandfather is a charismatic business leader, this 'Dazai' was more the type to advance steadily and calmly, step by step, with keen insight.

In any case, I had come here to spend money.

'So why's the atmosphere like this all of a sudden?'

Just a moment ago, I was begging Akira-san to accept a gift, and now I was in a position where I had to negotiate whether to accept a gift from this old man.

'Though it's not my place to say as someone from the future.'

Life is unpredictable. Ahem.

Naturally, I clearly expressed my intention to refuse. I had more than enough money. I said I wanted to buy the cars with my own money, but the old man was just as firm.

"At least when it comes to the 1931 Alfa Romeo… that's not something money can buy. It's like trying to buy an artifact from a museum."

"So, you're saying it can only be a gift?"

"Exactly."

Walking away would be one way to handle this, but now that I know it's not for sale, I want it even more!

"Chairman, won't you regret this?"

"Regret what?"

"If I take the gift and suddenly retire. Won't you feel wronged?"

"Do you really think the world is so easy that someone like you could just up and retire?"

There's no getting through to him, no matter how much we talk.

Just like Akira-san 30 minutes ago, I needed to come up with a compromise.

"I'll accept the gift… but."

"…?"

"I'd like to pay for the cars I chose."

In simple terms, I was saying I'd buy the Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Mini, and Mustang, and if he really wanted to gift me something, he should pick a different car altogether.

'Yeah, I'll just pick something reasonably cheap.'

Almost as if he could see right through me, the old man gave a sly smile.

***

There were plenty of cheaper cars in the garage. I planned to pick one of them.

But!

Instead of leading us to the garage, the old man guided us to the basement of the building. We had to pass through several thick iron doors just to get in.

'Hmm.'

The soft lighting began at the top of the stairs, and the railings were made of high-quality ebony. Something about this felt ominous…

"This space was designed by Richard Meier."

Richard Meier? The architect who won the Pritzker Prize?

If he was in charge of the design…

'That means the real treasures must be stored here!'

Grrr.

Once we finished descending the stairs, the first section came into view. A blue car contrasted sharply against the white walls, and in the center was the iconic Cobra emblem.

"This car was made by Carroll Shelby."

The old man chuckled lightly as he explained.

"Ah, I suppose I should tell you who Carroll Shelby is. He participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race and won as part of the Aston Martin team. After retiring due to health issues, he founded the tuning company Shelby American."

Shelby American!

They played a key role in the movie *Ford v Ferrari*—the battle between Ford and Ferrari. It's no exaggeration to say that Shelby American's engineering made it possible for the U.S. to beat Ferrari for the first time.

"Since this car was made solely for racing, it doesn't even have a license plate. It's designed exclusively for track use."

In the second section, a car that looked like it came straight out of a comic book appeared before my eyes.

"A 1938 Bugatti."

Bugatti… One of the most luxurious brands, with base models starting at 3 billion won. And this was a 1938 model?

"Every part of this car was assembled by hand. You could say mass production was never the goal for this model."

Forget aerodynamics—they focused solely on beauty with this design.

I think the villain Penguin's car looked just like this one.

"Only five of these were ever produced worldwide. One was lost during World War II, so now only four remain."

History? Rarity?

Sure, those are all great.

But this one had the allure to captivate people with its design alone.

You know that saying, right?

When you see a gumiho (nine-tailed fox), you're instantly mesmerized.

That's exactly how this car was.

No kidding.

…Dazed.

Akira was half out of his mind, staring in awe.

Even Jo Soo-deok, who had no real interest in cars, was practically drooling!

Honestly, that might have been the moment the game was over.

Even after a parade of Le Mans 24-hour winner-level cars was introduced…

Who cares!

In my heart, there was only room for one Bugatti from '38.

'If I had to pick one more, I'd be tempted by the Shelby King Cobra, but…'

If I had to choose just one without any extras?

I would've picked the Bugatti without hesitation.

Was it that obvious on my face?

"It seems there's no need to ask,"

The old man gave a faint smile.

***

On the way out of the mansion,

I'd spent 8 billion won on four cars.

The problem was, the car I received as a gift was worth more than all four combined!

'Is this even okay?'

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Someday, it'll all come due.

But I didn't dwell on it for long.

The way he spoke of collecting time, and the look in his eyes when he said he wanted nothing in return.

'He definitely wasn't just an ordinary person.'

It wasn't simply that I wanted the car—

I had a gut feeling that maintaining ties with him would never be a bad idea…

'Of course, the Bugatti was stunning too.'

Ahem, anyway.

On the way to drop off Mr. Akira.

Vrooom!

As I cruised down the open road, I fell into deep thought.

Was it that old man, 'Dazai,' who left such a strong impression on me?

The conversations we had kept floating around in my head.

The old man wanted to invest in me.

Without asking for any special business ideas, he just wanted to invest in me as a person.

In other words,

'To the old man, investing meant acquiring people.'

Today and tomorrow, countless portfolios will land on the old man's desk.

But rather than the grandiose plans written on paper,

'He'll focus entirely on understanding the person in front of him.'

I came to spend money, but…

I ended up gaining something priceless that money can't buy.

Wait, hold on.

'What's a guy nearing retirement supposed to do with lessons like this?'

Ahem!

I tried to shake off my thoughts and quickly shifted my gaze outside.

Down the long, stretching road.

Vroom! Vroooom!

Cars, each carrying their own history, were racing forward in the same direction.

TL/n -

You should definitely watch the Ford vs Ferrari movie ✌🏻