Chapter 338: President, Are You Still Planning to Run Away?

"Hold on to your ticket, don't lose it. If you can't find it after arriving, you'll have to buy another one."

"…Okay."

Rinji looked at the 190-yen ticket (around 1.3 USD) in his hand and nodded.

It was his first time riding public transportation like a train.

Since it was the time when office workers were getting off their night shifts, the train was packed. Even though Rinji and Shirogane were sitting in the corner seats, they still felt the squeeze and stuffiness.

"To be honest, I'm not really used to this kind of transportation."

"Rinji, I think your way of handling things is generally flawless, but you seem to lack a sense of frugality," Shirogane said. "Frugality is a virtue. Don't spend money on meaningless things. If you can ride the train, don't think about taking a taxi. You know how expensive Tokyo's taxis are."

"No… but have you considered the possibility that the railway might get bombed?"

"Huh?"

"Cutting off enemy logistics means transportation hubs are priority bombing targets."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. And this isn't a battlefield. Also, taxis are expensive."

"They're not too bad."

"…I really don't understand you rich people. Wastefulness is shameful."

"No no no, President," Rinji immediately retorted. "It's not like I was born into a wealthy family. I also experienced the time before my old man made it big."

"Huh?"

Shirogane was a bit surprised.

He had assumed Rinji was the kind who lived a life of luxury from birth, but it turned out he'd also experienced hardship.

"You really know what it's like to grow up in a poor household?"

"Yeah."

Shirogane felt a bit of admiration for Rinji.

No wonder he could live alone in Japan and master so many different skills. It seemed he developed independence early on because of his environment.

"When I was young, we couldn't just use private jets to go anywhere. Back then, my old man didn't have much money."

"Mhm."

"We could only go out in Rolls-Royces or stretch Lincolns."

"Mhm… huh?"

"Things like the AMX-56 Leclerc, Apache helicopters, and fifth-generation jets—I couldn't even imagine those back then."

"…"

"It really was a tough time," Rinji said with a laugh. "Thinking back, I've always lived quite frugally."

"I don't even know where to start complaining."

"If you want some inspiring rags-to-riches stories, I can tell you how my dad made his fortune."

"Oh, your father?"

"Yeah, he was born into an ordinary family, they say."

"Mhm."

"My grandma was a lawyer, and grandpa was a doctor. They lived in Manhattan, New York."

"…That doesn't sound like a poor household at all."

"Then my dad built his empire from scratch."

"Impressive. From nothing, huh…"

"Using 5 million dollars from who knows where."

"I'm done talking to you."

Shirogane felt a massive generational gap between himself and Rinji.

"Let's not talk about boring stuff. President, have you thought about that thing I mentioned before?"

"What thing?"

"That company I recently set up. I asked you to get some practice there."

"You mean the part about me becoming the chairman?" Miyuki looked down. "Stop joking. I'm just an ordinary high school student. How could I possibly take on a chairman role?"

"But haven't you been a bank president before? Just consider it more practice."

"You want me to use your company—something you spent so much money building—as a training ground? What if I mess it up? That'd be a huge loss for you."

"Don't worry about losses on my end. It's just a minor financial hit," Rinji said. "What matters is that you should take this opportunity to get familiar. It's a kind of learning too."

"Letting a high school student become chairman just to learn something?"

"What else can I do?"

"You really are bold."

Shirogane couldn't help but cover his face.

Sometimes he truly couldn't understand how Rinji's mind worked.

"But this is your company. Are you sure it's okay to hand it to me?"

"No problem. It's just a place for you to practice," Rinji said with a smile, then lowered his head slightly. "Besides, strictly speaking, it's not really my company."

"Huh?"

"A few years ago, I partnered with a good friend to start a business. But midway through, we were screwed over by some dirty tricks, and all our efforts went up in smoke. He couldn't take the blow and chose to end his life," Rinji said. "He founded the company, and I was the investor. I planned to restart the company in his memory. Once it's stable, I'll transfer ownership to his children. Until then, President, use it for practice."

"…It really sounds like you've had quite the life."

"More or less. Compared to the daily school routine, it was definitely more intense. But I think life now is pretty good too. Chatting with the student council every day is fun and relaxing," Rinji said with a smile.

"As long as you're happy."

"So, President, what's your decision?"

"…Can I ask something first?" Shirogane suddenly asked.

"What is it?"

"This is another trial, right? Like when you made me president of the Dainippon Bank. What happens if I run away from this one?"

"…Let me put it this way, President."

Rinji turned and looked at Shirogane.

"Your goal is still to win over Shinomiya, correct?"

"Correct."

"Since I promised to help, I'll give it my all. Otherwise, I'd be betraying my principles," Rinji said. "The Shinomiya family is vast and deeply rooted. To pursue Shinomiya and have a future with her, you must have formidable personal strength."

"Yes…"

"If you choose to run away now, then there's only one way I can think of to help you."

Rinji spoke calmly.

"That's to destroy the Shinomiya family entirely as fast as possible, ignoring the societal fallout, and level the gap between you and Shinomiya."

"Wha…"

"Now, President—are you still planning to run away?"

As the train neared the station, Rinji posed his question.