Chapter 78: Humble Origins Are No Disgrace; True Strength Lies in Adaptability

The next day, May 30th, Saturday.

It was the first holiday since Shunobu Aoyama had been transferred back to the Metropolitan Police Department, and he was awakened in the morning by the ringing of the telephone.

“Hello?”

He picked up the phone, still half asleep.

“Mr. Aoyama, this is Sakai. The prototype is ready and has been fully tested. When would you be available…” President Sakai’s voice was filled with excitement.

“I’m available right now!” Instantly, Shunobu Aoyama’s drowsiness vanished. He hung up, got out of bed, and began dressing. After washing up, he hurried downstairs.

In the kitchen, Haruko Aoyama heard him and came out, saying, “Shunobu, you’re up unusually early today. Breakfast will be a little while yet.”

Her eyes flickered uneasily. Last night, after a long period without intimacy, she’d had an erotic dream; embarrassingly, the protagonist was not her husband, but Shunobu Aoyama himself. She felt deeply ashamed and guilty.

But Shunobu, his mind wholly occupied with thoughts of the loan machine, didn’t notice his sister-in-law’s odd expression. He replied offhandedly, “I have urgent business. I won’t be eating today.”

With that, he pulled on his shoes and dashed out the door.

“Shunobu…” Haruko watched as the door closed again, and could only sigh helplessly.

Half an hour later, Shunobu Aoyama arrived at Sakai Electronics Corporation, to find not only Sakai and his son present, but also Kazuno Nohara.

She wore a simple outfit: a white short-sleeved shirt and tight black pants, her voluptuous figure accentuated to perfection. Her curves were enticing, like a ripe peach whose juice would burst forth at the slightest bite.

“Mr. Aoyama.” The three greeted him formally.

Shunobu went straight to the point. “Where’s the machine?”

President Sakai and his eldest son, Taro Sakai, looked particularly exhausted. Taro, as the technical lead, sported dark circles nearly as prominent as a panda’s—clearly, they had been working overtime for some time.

“This way, please,” President Sakai invited.

Shunobu followed him into a room, where he saw a machine whose exterior closely resembled the automatic teller machines currently found in the market.

Taro Sakai introduced it: “After continuous revisions and testing, we finally produced this finished product. It perfectly fulfills the requirements you laid out, Mr. Aoyama. We’ve also installed an alarm system: if the machine is struck hard, it triggers a warning, enough to scare off ordinary vandals.”

“Customer service can remotely verify client information via camera, and guide first-time users through the loan process using the built-in telephone. The screen can play pre-recorded promotional videos…”

Apart from its appearance, this machine’s functions were identical to the automated consumer loan signing device launched by Takefuji Corporation in the original timeline a year later.

Takefuji’s loan machine screens would play promotional videos featuring beautiful women around the clock, both to capture customers’ attention and stimulate their borrowing desires—after all, beauty is something that money can buy.

Shunobu planned to replicate this as well. He didn’t think himself smarter than Takefuji’s founder, Yasuo Takei; anything worth copying, he’d copy as faithfully as possible.

“May I try it?” Shunobu asked.

President Sakai replied, “Of course. If we didn’t test it ourselves, how could we dare let you use it?”

Shunobu personally operated the machine. After confirming it worked perfectly, his mood soared. He clapped President Sakai on the shoulder. “Excellent, excellent! You’ve done a splendid job. Your company—no, more accurately, our company—is about to turn things around!”

“All thanks to you, Mr. Aoyama.” President Sakai’s face glowed with gratitude and excitement, repeatedly thanking him.

Shunobu released him and turned to Kazuno Nohara. “You handle the share acquisition for Sakai Electronics. Get it done as soon as possible.”

“Yes!” Kazuno responded obediently.

Shunobu stepped aside and dialed Noritomo Hikokawa, waiting for the call to connect before speaking respectfully. “Brother Noritomo, this is Shunobu Aoyama.”

“Oh, it’s Shunobu. What’s going on?” Hikokawa replied lightly, eating his breakfast.

Shunobu’s voice brimmed with delight. “I wanted to share some good news. The prototype we discussed is ready. Once the funding is in place, we can start mass production. Would you like to come see it for yourself?”

Even for Shunobu, who knew that automatic loan machines would appear in the original timeline a year later, seeing the actual device was thrilling. He was sure Hikokawa would be even more impressed; a real object was far more stimulating than any PowerPoint presentation.

“Where is it? I’ll come over after breakfast,” Hikokawa said, trying to sound calm despite his eagerness.

Shunobu replied quietly, “Sakai Electronics Corporation, 13-15, Fifth Block, Arakawa Ward.”

“Alright, I’ll be there shortly. Please wait for me,” Hikokawa said courteously before hanging up.

Although he’d said he’d finish breakfast first, once the call ended he had no appetite. He quickly ate a few bites, then headed out.

Shunobu put away his phone and turned to Sakai and the others. “Someone else is coming to take a look.”

“Yes!” President Sakai replied, glancing at his son. “Taro, you take Mr. Aoyama and President Nohara to the lounge.”

“No need. He’ll be here soon. Let’s wait together,” Shunobu declined with a shake of his head.

President Sakai acquiesced, “Yes.” He hurried off to bring over two chairs.

About twenty minutes later, when Shunobu judged that Hikokawa must be arriving soon, he had the others wait inside and went himself to the factory gate.

He waited for about ten minutes. A discreet Maybach pulled up. As soon as it stopped, Shunobu hurried forward and opened the rear door.

The world of officialdom certainly shaped a person!

“Brother Noritomo, you’re here.” Shunobu placed a hand on the doorframe to prevent Hikokawa from bumping his head.

“Thank you, Shunobu.” Hikokawa offered a warm smile, bent to exit the car, straightened his suit, and said, “Take me to see the machine.”

“Yes!” Shunobu closed the car door and led the way. “Brother Noritomo, mind your step. The factory floor may be littered with parts.”

His tongue had grown increasingly adept—thanks to the tutelage of Mrs. Nohara and Aya Asai.

Hikokawa smiled and nodded.

When they entered the room housing the prototype, Kazuno Nohara and the Sakai father and son, though unaware of Hikokawa’s true status, saw Shunobu’s deference and all bowed deeply in greeting.

“Brother Noritomo, here it is.” Shunobu didn’t introduce Hikokawa, but pointed directly to the machine and instructed President Sakai to demonstrate its operation.

“Yes!” President Sakai bowed and expertly operated the device. Shunobu narrated the process for Hikokawa.

Once the demonstration was complete, Hikokawa’s face remained composed, but his breathing had grown noticeably heavier. He stepped forward and caressed the prototype, silent for a long moment as he calmed himself.

At last he turned to Shunobu. “Arrange for your people to coordinate with mine as soon as possible and finalize the share acquisition. I’ll inject a sum of capital, and we’ll start mass production immediately. Roll it out first in Tokyo. Do your best. If you encounter resistance you can’t overcome, contact me.”

“Yes!” Shunobu replied at once.

Hikokawa patted him on the shoulder, speaking gravely. “Thank you, Shunobu.”

“I should be thanking you, Brother Noritomo. Otherwise, I’d be like a child carrying gold through a market. You’ve given me the chance to guard this treasure.” Shunobu’s voice was sincere and passionate. “I know my position is humble and my power limited; I can’t be of much help. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to pledge myself as your… younger brother! From now on, I’ll follow your lead, and even solving the smallest trouble for you will be my honor. Please, give me the opportunity to repay you!”

Though his declaration of loyalty might seem sycophantic, Shunobu felt no shame. After all, humble origins are not disgraceful; true men can bend or stand tall as needed.

Today’s humility would fuel tomorrow’s triumph.

“Now that you know me, your status is only humble for the time being.” Hikokawa promised him.

After their first meeting, Hikokawa had investigated Shunobu and learned he was not really Asai’s son-in-law, but he didn’t care; he valued Shunobu’s personal abilities.

As an only child, Hikokawa planned to enter politics next year. He naturally wanted a trusted confidant he could nurture within the police department. While the police didn’t wield much political influence, they held enforcement power—the grassroots authority backed by firearms.

He wasn’t stingy either. Shunobu had gifted him this automatic loan machine; whatever happened, he would reciprocate.

“Thank you, Brother Noritomo.” Shunobu bowed again and, seizing the moment, brought up the matter he’d discussed with Aya Asai. “I have a request. Aya and I are deeply attached. I hope you’ll act as a go-between and propose to the Asai family on my behalf.”

“Certainly.” Hikokawa agreed immediately.

He didn’t care that Shunobu wasn’t officially recognized as Asai’s son-in-law, because if he wished, he could make it happen. Besides, Aya clearly cared for Shunobu—otherwise she wouldn’t have introduced him to Hikokawa as her boyfriend. By agreeing, Hikokawa gained both Shunobu’s gratitude and loyalty and helped Aya as well—a win-win situation.

“Thank you for making this possible!” Shunobu raised his head, his voice trembling and eyes reddening with emotion, nearly in tears—a display of profound love for Aya, knowing that people generally appreciate those with deep feelings.

“Once you and Aya agree on the timing, let me know.” Hikokawa smiled and turned to leave. “I’ll be off. Make sure your people give their utmost attention to the loan machine rollout.”

“Brother Noritomo, let me see you out.” Shunobu followed closely, opening and closing the car door for him, then stood and bowed deeply until the vehicle disappeared from sight.

Only then did he straighten, exhaling slowly. Damn, flattering and serving others was exhausting. That’s why he had to strive upward, so that someday others would serve and flatter him.

He truly disliked doing such things.