Chapter 47: You Are the Prey

Kitahara stepped out of the office, and the sound of a commotion drifted over from nearby, as if someone was arguing.

He cast a curious glance in that direction.

That was the office of the general manager. Citibank maintained a branch here, and the power held by a bank's general manager was considerable—investments, loans... their voice carried weight across every sector.

Who had the audacity to cause trouble in a place like this?

*Clack!*

The main door was pushed open angrily, and a woman strode out with an aggressive aura.

Her attire was formal; she wore gold-rimmed glasses, her hair was styled in an updo, and she was dressed in a proper business suit. A Financial Services Agency badge was pinned to her lapel, clearly marking her as an elite from a government department.

The Financial Services Agency was the regulatory authority overseeing banks, which explained why she had the confidence to put on airs.

After all, it was their responsibility to supervise banks.

However, the trace of lingering anger on the woman's face detracted slightly from her elite aura.

Shortly after, a short man in his fifties emerged, offering a subtle insinuation: "Ms. Chumaki, I think you might want to reconsider the request I just made."

"Not interested. Find someone else."

"I don't think you should speak with such absolute certainty. Perhaps there will come a day when you'll have to come back and beg me," the man said with a chuckle.

"Get lost!"

The woman raised her middle finger without a shred of politeness. Her demeanor was remarkably assertive, carrying an intimidating presence that contrasted with her appearance and commanded respect.

The woman left with a cold expression. Before she had taken many steps, she caught sight of Kitahara standing right in front of her. Her footsteps paused, the anger on her face vanishing instantly, replaced by the surprise of unexpectedly encountering an acquaintance.

Kitahara gave a slight nod, offering a polite and amiable smile. "What a coincidence, Senior Chumaki. Are you here on business too?"

The woman standing before him was none other than the future powerhouse he had crossed paths with last night.

Yet this formidable woman was still in her formative years, not yet fully matured... Above her alluring figure was a youthful and beautiful face, making it easy to guess her age—she couldn't possibly be older than a university student.

Kitahara's eyes were filled with curiosity. Why was she at a bank, and how had she gotten into a conflict with the people here?

"Junior?"

Miyako Chumaki looked at the young man before her, momentarily stunned. "Why are you here?"

"My bank card has had its limit restricted, and there are a few things I've been wanting to buy lately, so I thought I'd come and get it sorted out... though it didn't really work out." Kitahara offered a wry smile.

"What happened?"

Miyako Chumaki still held a certain fondness for this young man in her heart.

If it was something within her jurisdiction and she could help, she wouldn't mind doing so.

"It's like this..."

Kitahara recounted his trouble.

Immediately afterward, a smile as warm as a spring breeze bloomed on her face, her tone shifting effortlessly. "Is that all? Such a trivial matter, you didn't even need to come in person; you could have just told me."

The Financial Services Agency was the regulatory body over the banks. Although this particular matter didn't fall under Miyako Chumaki's direct purview, she could still leverage her authority just a little bit.

Miyako Chumaki made a phone call. Her tone was brisk and efficient as she quickly gave a few instructions, and then she smiled at Kitahara. "In half an hour, it will be sorted out... But I'm curious, what on earth are you planning to buy that would cause your bank card to be restricted?"

"Just a minor hobby," Kitahara said casually. "Nothing special."

"A hobby?"

A flash of interest crossed the depths of Miyako Chumaki's eyes. Bank card limits were set very cautiously and evaluated based on an individual's spending capacity.

The outfit Kitahara was wearing was worth at least six or seven hundred thousand yen; that meant his usual spending definitely hovered around the million-yen mark... Was even that much money not enough to burn through?

Miyako Chumaki narrowed her eyes, staring at Kitahara for a long moment as if appraising something, before parting her lips to speak. "Junior, your timing is truly impeccable. I happen to have something I'd like to discuss with you."

Seeing her warm smile, Kitahara frowned slightly.

He certainly didn't remember this deep-minded, formidable woman as being gentle... Her craftiness and her desire for money were deeply etched into his mind.

This visit boded no good.

*Ding—*

A system notification chimed.

[On an ordinary afternoon, you met Miyako Chumaki, a formidable woman who chastises her subordinates, at a bank... The branch manager of Citibank bowed and scraped before her like a subordinate, not even daring to speak in a loud voice.]

[Though nearing forty, she has lost none of her charm, and you know she harbors a fondness for you... A woman in her forties is at her fiercest prime. You decide to take the initiative and solve the worries of this powerful woman.]

[Turning the tables on life begins with capturing the heart of a formidable woman...]

[Strive to win her favor! Make her supplementary gold card your own!]

[You were born to live off a woman!]

[Quest: Make the formidable woman fall for you]

[Reward: Double your existing assets]

Double his assets?

With yesterday's expansion, Kitahara's current assets had already reached forty-five million yen. Doubling that would mean ninety million.

Converted into foreign currency, it was a massive sum.

Though in Tokyo, where billionaires were dime a dozen, it was a relatively small amount, this money was entirely liquid and had enormous practical utility.

Even if left untouched, the annual returns generated would be quite substantial.

Kitahara's tightly furrowed brow suddenly relaxed, and his face broke into a warm, genial smile identical to Miyako Chumaki's.

Two foxes, both smiling.

Prey and hunter...

The roles could shift in an instant.

"Indeed, I also feel my timing is impeccable, though this doesn't seem like the place for a conversation," Kitahara nodded.

"There's a nice cafe nearby. Would you mind joining me for a drink?" Miyako Chumaki said warmly.

"Of course."

...

Cafes near Shibuya had always been quiet, with soothing light music and the bitter fragrance of coffee beans slowly drifting past the guests' noses.

The weather today was fine; although the forecast predicted heavy rain in the afternoon, at least for the moment, the weather remained very bright and clear.

Miyako Chumaki wore a tight-fitting business skirt, and as she sat in the chair, her curves appeared even more breathtaking. Her full hips pressed against the seat, outlining a shallow curve, and her collagen-rich face carried a subtle look of distress.

Kitahara set down his cup of black tea, the steam curling upward as he gradually collected his thoughts amidst the wisps of vapor.

Make a formidable woman fall for him?

To be honest, that wasn't an easy task—though that would apply twenty years from now.

The present Miyako Chumaki had just stepped out into society, and her weaknesses were quite apparent.

Kitahara contemplated for a moment, then raised his head with a smile. "So, Senior, what is it that you actually wanted to discuss with me?"

"I'm starting a business,"

Miyako Chumaki confessed. "A childhood friend of mine is a graduate of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, specializing in biomedical engineering and related to medical equipment—she's an engineer... She developed a patent while at university, and the prospects are there. It's just that..."

"She lacks starting capital."