Lord-Campione
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New Dawn Chapter: 022
🕑 Added 2024-10-20 06:14:55 +0000 UTCNow, the man was intrigued, and not in an unpleasant way.
It could all go very badly if he wasn't smart enough about it. But as soon as the man opened his mouth, everything became as easy as ever.
Once again, this was an anime world. The plot was well thought out and complete. All of the characters and the motivations were already prepared; he just needed to carefully change their paths so he would be safe.
Tysone didn't really care about the plot of the world; he wasn't going to act a certain way so that the same events would unfold. In a zombie world where survival is everything, wouldn't it make sense for the plot to be skewed here and there, so that the events might be better managed, even if by a scoundrel such as him?
"Oh? Go on, young man. Talk. I'm all ears."
Yuriko was quite interested in what he had to say as well, perhaps because she was a businesswoman herself, and Tysone's idea was quite innovative and interesting.
And so Tysone talked about the concept, how profitable it would be, and more importantly, the advantages it would provide the country of Japan. He discussed it in length, passionately, and was very certain to be as respectful as possible.
"A Rage Room would be the first of its kind in Japan. A form of emotional catharsis for a target demographic currently underutilized in our current market, both on the sales end and advertising side. One would certainly have to think outside the box. It's a gamble, but also a ground-breaking and massive opportunity." He added, glancing briefly at Souichirou, who looked as though he was growing increasingly more impressed with every sentence. How long had it taken Tysone to rehearse that little speech in his head?
He wasn't one for analytical and technical talking. He didn't like to use big words. Complex sentences. But he couldn't adopt his way of talking in a circle of people that expected him to talk in a more educated manner. He needed a mask. Something similar to what he wore everyday but with a hint of intelligence. So that's exactly what he did.
"As well, it'll boost your reputation with the locals, sir." Tysone continued. "If this idea was endorsed by the esteemed Souichirou Takagi, then the average citizen would surely feel encouraged, as well as happy, and proud of their leader. Someone who encourages and supports a progressive idea, instead of suppressing it as those in the past might have."
Tysone's mind was running full speed, trying to calculate the outcome of every single choice of his.
Yuriko couldn't have looked happier. "It does seem like quite a unique idea. You might be onto something."
But Souichirou looked pretty amused by this, though there was hardly a change in that stone-like expression of his. Perhaps that was a mask as well. A way to intimidate and not let people descry his true emotions. "Hmm. Not only would you stand to benefit, I would as well. You thought this out a lot, haven't you? What is it you seek out of this? Money? Power? Reputation? Or are you just looking for something new to keep you busy, and wanted my opinion? Even a self-serving man would at least put thought and care into an investment of this size."
Yuriko gasped lightly, placing her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Dear."
"It's alright, ma'am." Tysone said politely. "Your husband is smart. I would be suspicious, too. However, my aim is all of that. You asked me what I'm getting out of this. Like you, I am an ambitious man. And I don't just settle with less." He said. "I am a man of innovation. That's why I have ideas and plans up my sleeves. Money is great. But how much can money truly do, unless you use the wealth itself to innovate and further the livelihoods of those that deserve it? Innovation is what takes us forward, not mere monetary value."
Souichirou tilted his head slightly, humming. Tysone was slightly panicking inside, but outwardly he kept his amiable smile perpetually fixed. He didn't care much about the livelihoods of the locals, but when interacting with this man, he needed to use as many emotionally charged lines and clever twists of the words as he could.
He needed to appeal to him on a monetary, visionary, and humanitarian standpoint. Otherwise he may not listen to him and write him off as another greedy power-seeker.
The frown on Souichirou's face eased a bit. "I may have made the mistake of believing you were using my dear daughter for your own selfish ends." He commented. "That was hasty of me, wasn't it?"
"Mistakes of judgment are a sign of the times we live in, sir. It's not as much a sign of a miscalculation, but a reminder that the world is more treacherous, and indeed cruel, than the idyllic, idealistic environment some are so fond of imagining. People will take advantage, and will deceive. Such is human nature. Survival of the fittest."
A glint of surprise flashed past Souichirou's eyes. "Indeed. Excellent analysis."
That conversation couldn’t have gone better.
Though, this time it was Yuriko who spoke up. "That was unexpectedly well-put and accurate coming from someone so young. However, there is something about your words that doesn’t quite sit right with me, Tysone."
A knot tightened in Tysone's chest. "Go on, ma'am."
Her eyes narrowed. "Are you not using my dear daughter because you want to get on her father's good side? Some sort of deal with the Takagi's is a part of this, is it not?" A kind smile sat beneath sharp eyes. There was a subtle shift, for even Souichirou let her speak freely. "You speak of innovation and the benefits to the community, but these words feel rehearsed, almost like they’re meant to convince rather than express genuine belief. You must've known beforehand how much my husband cares about the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. Aren't you using sweet words to make your own gain?"
Tysone silently exhaled, clenching his face. The man nodded quietly at his wife's words. She had always been the smarter of the two.
"That's not it at all, madam." Tysone maintained a diplomatic smile. His right eye twitched in irritation, but he clamped it all down. Maybe getting under his skin was also part of her tactic. "Yes, I see the potential for profit, but more than that, I see a void that needs to be filled. People are living in a pressure cooker, and the stress... it builds up. Now, do we let it all boil over and cause people to commit suicide in record numbers, like in Korea? Or do we turn that stress, that energy, into something that might be worthwhile to both them and the economy as a whole?"
Tysone was a bit drained. He had come here expecting it to be a challenge, but his quick and calculated responses were taking a toll on him. It was not as if he were having an idle chat with someone on a more equal level with him. One was a genius businesswoman, the other a seasoned politician.
Silence stretched on for a while. This time, it was Souichirou who spoke up. "I'll admit... it's an interesting idea." Tysone was about to smile, thinking that he had convinced them to go with it, but—"Let me get straight to the point. Allow us to run this venture for you. We could ensure that all the resources are at your disposal, and you wouldn’t have to worry about the risk or the capital. Of course, that would mean the Rage Room would be under our management. You would be well-compensated, naturally, but we would oversee the operation."
It was a generous offer on the surface, but he understood the implications. If he accepted, the Rage Room would no longer be his vision; it would be controlled by the Takagis, with him relegated to little more than an employee.
Yeah. It kind of pissed him off. Just a little bit.
"So, what do you think?"
Saya alternated her gaze between her father and him. She was concerned.
"I'm afraid that's impossible." Tysone abandoned all pretense. A modicum of politeness was all he could manage. A long period of silence ensued.
"Excuse me?" Souichirou scoffed incredulously. "My offer was quite generous. Are you telling me that's not acceptable?"
Saya was about to intervene, but Yuriko smartly held her back. “Mom!” She hissed.
"I appreciate the offer, sir." Tysone's face was tense. The pressure Souichirou was emanating might as well have been like that of a mountain, but he was confident. "However, if I’m going to take on a challenge, I want to be involved at every level, not just as a hired hand. I didn’t come up with this idea just to hand it off and sit back. I believe in it enough to put in the work and take the risks myself. I would rather fail on my terms than succeed under someone else’s direction.”
