Chapter 144: You Are the Best Woman

"But you don't need to worry—because I can accept your sins."

Under the night sky, Ryujuka Momo grabbed Rinji's collar. Their faces were extremely close—barely a fist's distance apart. Rinji could clearly feel the warmth of Momo's breath brushing against his skin.

"My... sins, huh…"

"Yes."

Momo had a faintly devilish smile on her face.

"You're the kind of person who knows they're doing wrong and still does it anyway. Deep down, you probably realize that continuing this way will only drive others away from you, but you're not the type to change for the sake of how others see you."

"Should I say… you really understand me?"

Rinji looked at her with a faint smile.

"Like you said, I know what kind of person I am. I'm also fully aware that anyone who once got along with me would eventually leave once they see my true self. But I've never tried to hide that. If they choose to leave, I'll accept it."

"That's why I said—you don't need to worry about any of it."

Momo tightened her grip, and the two faces that were already close now touched at the bridge of their noses.

"I will accept your sins. And the only one who can accept them—is me."

"...Is that so."

After a moment of surprise, Rinji smiled softly.

"Thank you."

"Tch."

Momo suddenly let go. Rinji leaned back on the bench.

"After all that, all I get is a 'thank you'? You really are a boring man."

She didn't look back. She simply said "Good night" and walked away.

"Momo-senpai."

Rinji called out after her. She paused and turned to glance at him blankly.

"Hm?"

"You're the most amazing woman I've ever known. At least… to me."

"…Hmph. Idiot."

With that, she turned and walked out of sight.

What Rinji didn't notice was the slight upward curve at the corners of her mouth as she walked away.

—

"President, how's work going lately?"

"Still holding on… Sitting in the office with my nerves constantly on edge, but at least no one's come to give me trouble."

Two days later, Rinji gave Shirogane Miyuki a call.

After all, it was Rinji who'd introduced him to the job, so he figured he should at least check in.

By the third day, Miyuki was already under immense mental pressure. Although the job involved just sitting at a desk, any actual problem that arose would require him to think of a thousand solutions.

To prepare for that possibility, he had stayed up several nights reading finance books and mentally simulating every kind of banking crisis.

"Don't stress too much, President."

"No, this stress is your fault."

"Even if you mess up, it's not that big of a deal. At worst, Japan's economy gets shaken a little. No biggie."

"That is a huge deal!" Miyuki roared.

He knew Rinji was practically perfect in every way, but every conversation with him felt like talking to someone from a different dimension—it was exhausting.

"Besides, President, isn't it boring to just sit around all day? You're the bank manager. Change the policy however you like."

"You think I dare?"

"Why wouldn't you? You're the boss. This is social practice. If you don't take action, what's the point? That whole 'better safe than sorry' mindset will get you nowhere."

"…I'll try." Miyuki sighed.

This pressure would last until the end of summer.

"Once summer ends, you'll come out stronger," Rinji said cheerfully. "By the way, President, I'm going on a two-week trip. When I'm back, I'll come check on you. If you run into any issues, I'll give you a contact—he's a finance expert."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Miyuki received a LINE message from Rinji. Looking at the number's +1 country code, he was stunned.

"An American number? You want me to call someone in the US? In English?"

Above the number was a name:

'Wilson'? Who the hell is that?

—

Elsewhere.

TaRinji stood at a harbor, slipping his phone into his pocket.

Around him were several burly men in black—bodyguards—and an old man who looked frail but was surprisingly spirited.

"Young Rinji, how's my bank doing?"

"Almost bankrupt."

"Oh-ho-ho, that's impossible. With my luck, even a high school student could run it without any issues."

As he spoke, a glint of confidence shone in Katahara Metsudo's eyes.

"Maybe I'll even turn a profit."

"You're always so confident about your luck, old man."

"But of course."

Metsudo chuckled.

"Crisis always means both danger and opportunity. And every time I've faced one, the danger part vanished, leaving only opportunity. Even someone as dangerous as you, Rinji, is standing beside me—proof that my luck is unshakable."

"Well, that's impressive, you geezer."

"Let's leave it at that. Time to board the ship."

He turned his gaze toward the massive cruise ship docked at the harbor.

This vessel was 380 meters long and weighed over 250,000 tons—said to be the largest cruise ship ever built. It had everything onboard, from restaurants to casinos.

It was specifically built for the Kengan Tournament and was called the S.S. Kengan.

Rinji and the others boarded. Standing on the deck, he looked up at the towering vessel and remarked, "What a ship."

"If you like it, Rinji, I can give it to you once the tournament ends."

"No thanks. Not interested. Now if you gave me an aircraft carrier, maybe I'd be excited."

Everyone boarded. Rinji and Metsudo stood on the deck, gazing out toward the harbor.

It was packed with people.

"All those are the fighters and company reps for the Kengan Elimination Tournament—151 companies in total," Metsudo said as he looked down at the crowd. "But fewer than half will make it to the main event. Your job, Rinji, is…"

"To make the tournament more exciting, right?"

Rinji's eyes landed on a few figures hiding among the crowd, and a cruel smile played on his lips.