And the best way to expand fame and enhance credibility is, of course, through promotion.
Although the Internet is widespread nowadays,
and people's channels for receiving information are gradually shifting from traditional media to new media,
traditional media have not yet completely declined at this moment.
It remains a dominant platform for public communication.
Moreover, for the furniture industrya relatively traditional industry
traditional media have an even higher level of credibility.
Therefore, reaching out to these media outlets for promotion is naturally one of Laplace's top priorities.
Among them, Hyakubami Daily is the most ideal partner.
It has a good reputation and a large scale.
Furthermore, Hyakubami Daily's online media platform is also the most well-developed among traditional media outlets.
Unfortunately, as Yukino said, the negotiation was unsuccessful.
Behind Hyakubami Daily stands the Hyakubami Zaibatsu (note: Hyaku = Hundred, Bami = Devouring, Hyakubami Ichizoku = The Hundred Devouring Families).
One of the four major financial conglomerates of Japan.
Its scale is on par with the Shinomiya Zaibatsu.
It is unrealistic for Laplace Corporation to sway Hyakubami Daily with money.
As for collaboration,
the same principle appliesit is asymmetrical.
As a mouthpiece, Hyakubami Daily's top priority is, in essence, serving the Hyakubami Zaibatsu.
Other forms of cooperation or profits are secondary.
Therefore, the chances of collaboration are very low.
However, Hinatsuru Akina took the initiative to bring up this matter.
Moreover, her words were directed toward the person in charge of Hyakubami Daily.
"The person in charge of Hyakubami Daily is a... very interesting individual."
"I think if President Yukima meets her, there might be some progress."
"Want to give it a try? I can act as a bridge and arrange a meeting for the two of you."
Hearing this, Yukima Azuma nodded.
"If Hinatsuru-san says so, then let's give it a try."
After finalizing this matter, Hinatsuru Akina immediately left.
Later, she informed Yukima Azuma that the meeting would take place tomorrow at a caf in the Chiyoda district.
....
Before the meeting,
"Do we have any information on the other party?"
Yukima Azuma looked toward Yukinoshita Yukino.
Yukino nodded, went into her office to retrieve a file, and handed it to Yukima Azuma.
Opening the file, the moment he saw the name on the first line, Yukima Azuma quietly closed it again.
In fact, upon hearing the name "Hyakubami," he had already made some guesses.
Among the four major financial conglomerates,
the Hyakubami Zaibatsu is a rather unique case.
Unlike the Shinomiya Zaibatsu or other families, where power is concentrated in a clearly defined lineage,
"Hyakubami" does not refer to a single surname,
but rather a collection of multiple family lines.
Although the Shinomiya family also has branches, such as the Shijo family,
the main power still belongs to the Shinomiya family.
However, the Hyakubami Ichizoku is composed of multiple sub-families.
Among them, the strongest familyMomobamionly holds the head position temporarily.
Besides Momobami, there are also Jabami, Mushibami, Inbami, Totobami, Yobami, Warakubami, Honebami, Komabami, and so on.
These families together form Hyakubami.
There is no clear hierarchy between the families.
Only differences in strength among those who bear the name.
The position of head constantly changes with each generation.
It's like a venomous crucible, where those of the same bloodline slaughter each other to grow stronger.
Yet, this slaughter is maintained in a delicate balance.
Allowing Hyakubami to maintain its standing.
Almost everyone who bears the name "Hyakubami" in title is a lunatic.
After all, in a family where the strong trample the weak to survive,
one cannot live without madness.
And naturally, Hyakubami Daily belongs to Hyakubami.
The one in charge of this newspaper bears the surname: Jabami.
Full name: Jabami Yumeko.
This person, even within the entirety of Hyakubami, is one of the most troublesome individuals.
However, if the opponent is her, Yukima Azuma actually had some confidence that he could succeed in the negotiation.
.....
The next day.
Chiyoda.
Since it was still early, Yukima Azuma did not rush to the caf to wait but instead strolled through the streets.
Located in the center of Tokyo, the northwest of Chiyoda housed the old Imperial Palace, while the southeast led to Ginza.
Most of the streets were adorned with dazzling neon signs.
Even during the daytime, the luxurious and magnificent atmosphere was palpable.
But in contrast to this opulence
Chiyoda also carried a strong sense of nature.
There were many parks and well-preserved green spaces here.
After all, the area was formed by the accumulation of the Arakawa and Edogawa rivers.
The famous Chidori-no-Mori Park was also located in this area.
Yukima Azuma gazed at the distant rows of trees, contemplating strategies for the upcoming meeting.
At that moment
A faint sobbing sound came from nearby.
That sound caught Yukima Azuma's attention.
Turning his eyes toward the source
It was a little girl in a school uniform.
She stood before a pedestrian crossing, lowering her head and rubbing her eyes.
( -)
How should he put it?
It felt as if just approaching her would trigger a side quest.
But since it didn't seem to be anything troublesome, Yukima Azuma stepped forward.
However, someone had already accepted the quest before him.
"Are you having trouble with something?"
A young girl with long black hair and red eyes gently asked.
Yukima Azuma's steps halted.
The young girl noticed his presence, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and smiled at him.
"T-the crosswalk..." The little girl stammered.
(ЇЇ;)
Both of them immediately understood.
Perhaps she was unable to cross the street by herself.
It wasn't unusual; judging by her appearance, she was likely just an elementary school student.
Some elementary school students could travel across several prefectures alone to seek out a master.
But some elementary school students couldn't even cross the street by themselves.
"Why not ask the onee-san next to you? I'm sure she'd be happy to help you cross."
( — )
Yukima Azuma smiled.
"R-really?" The little girl looked up at the black-haired girl.
( ; — `;)
The young girl nodded.
When the traffic light turned green
The three of them crossed the street together.
But even after reaching the other side, the little girl still hadn't let go of the young girl's hand.
"There are still lots of crosswalks before my school..." Her eyes still shimmered with tears.
(Ї Ї)
The young girl patted her head. "There's no helping it, huh?"
( )(._.`)
Thus, the three of them continued along the street.
With someone by her side, the little girl no longer cried and became much more lively.
"This time is fine... but how did you get to school before?"
The young girl looked at her and asked.
Clearly, she was considering how the little girl would get to school in the future.
Upon hearing this question, the little girl's eyes welled up again.
"Before, I held Papa and Mama's hands... But now that I'm in a higher grade, the teachers said I'm not allowed to do that anymore, huhu."
(ЇЇ)
At this, she suddenly burst into tears.
This issue was clearly beyond the young girl's expertise.
She was momentarily at a loss.
Yukima Azuma guessed that, back in elementary school, this young girl was probably the type who could travel across several prefectures on her own.
He took out a tissue from his pocket.
Stepping forward, he helped lighten the young girl's burden.
"Even if you don't go to school in a group anymore, that doesn't mean you have to go alone."
"You can arrange to walk with your friends instead."
While wiping the little girl's tears, Yukima Azuma offered a solution.
"Eh? That's allowed?" The little girl stopped crying.
Just then, on the other side of the street, another little girl waved at her.
That was likely her friend.
"Thank you, kind onee-san and smart onii-san! Bye-bye~"
( ).
The little girl waved at both of them.
Then she crossed the street and ran toward her friend.
The two watched her go, both smiling.
Shortly after, the young girl glanced at her phone.
"Oh no, I'm going to be late." She said, about to wave goodbye to Yukima Azuma.
But he reached out and stopped her.
"Jabami-san, there's no need to go to the caf anymore. Let's just talk while we walk."
Upon hearing this, Jabami Yumeko first widened her eyes at him but soon let out a laugh.
"So it's Yukima-san, what a coincidence."
Her smile was soft and sweet.
It made people feel at ease.
And so, the two continued walking down the street.
"Jabami-san is truly a kind-hearted beauty."
"You're making me shy with that compliment, Yukima-san is the one who's really cool and stylish."
"Jabami-san must be in high school now, right? Which school are you attending?"
"I'm currently a first-year at Felis Girls' Academy."
"What a coincidence..."
"Eh? Does Yukima-san have a friend at Felis?"
"Umu, to be precise... not a single one."
"So you were just messing with me?"
Chapter 196: Want to Place a Bet?
Yukima Azuma and Jabami Yumeko strolled along the streets of Chiyoda.
They were supposed to meet to discuss a business collaboration.
However, since they ran into each other by chance, throughout their conversation, they didn't touch on business matters at all.
Instead, their discussion revolved around school life and getting to know each other better.
Jabami Yumeko truly had no idea who Yukima Azuma was.
So when they met by coincidence, she had no awareness of his identity.
Helping out a random elementary school girl was simply an act of kindness on her part.
Now, standing before Yukima Azuma, this gentle and compassionate girl
She was not pretending.
Jabami Yumeko genuinely had such a personality.
However, if a girl was purely kind and gentle,
She would have long been devoured, not even leaving a single bone behind, in Hyakubami.
Yet, Jabami Yumeko
Despite losing her parents, becoming the representative of the Jabami family even before high school
She still managed to secure the position of chief editor of Hyakubami Daily.
Holding the crucial throat of the Hyakubami conglomerate in her hands.
Clearly, beneath that gentle exterior
This girl possessed something special, something capable of swallowing others whole in the Hyakubami bloodline.
"Come to think of it, weren't we supposed to meet today to discuss a business partnership?"
In the middle of their conversation, Yukima Azuma shifted the topic. "Jabami-san, what do you think?"
Hearing this, Jabami Yumeko merely gave an apologetic smile.
"Regarding the collaboration, I've already discussed it with the representative of Yukima-san's company online beforehand."
"As for the conditions, Hyakubami Daily cannot make any concessions. I apologize."
"If Yukima-san is still interested, please consider Hyakubami Daily's terms."
Her tone was humble, yet her words conveyed an uncompromising stance.
When it came to serious matters, this girl held firm to her position.
Unburdened by any personal relationships.
Yukima Azuma had already anticipated this response.
So he didn't react much.
Gazing into the distance, Yukima Azuma suddenly spoke:
"Jabami-san, do you want to place a bet?"
Jabami Yumeko, mid-step, momentarily paused.
She tilted her head to look at Yukima Azuma.
Her originally gentle, crimson-red eyes seemed to ignite with a fire from the abyss.
A single word had triggered Yumeko's hidden nature.
This gentle, kind-hearted girldeep down, couldn't resist hearing the word bet.
Because she was addicted to gambling beyond control.
So addicted that, even knowing full well this was a trap set by Yukima Azuma,
She would still walk into it without hesitation, just to savor the thrill it offered.
"Eh? Really? What's the bet? How much are we wagering..."
"Ah, my apologies, I got a bit ahead of myself."
Mid-sentence, her eager voice suddenly halted.
Jabami Yumeko realized she had gotten too excited.
Her small pink tongue lightly licked the corner of her lips.
She gazed at Yukima Azuma with eyes full of anticipation.
"I don't usually carry cards or dice with me... and honestly, I'm not that skilled either."
"In that case, let's bet on something simple and easy to observe, like..."
As he spoke, Yukima Azuma raised his hand and pointed into the distance.
Jabami Yumeko followed the direction of his finger.
Over there, in a lush green park, stood a large tree.
Perched on its vibrant branches were two sparrows.
"Let's bet on how many seconds it will take for those two sparrows to fly away. Whoever guesses closest wins. How about it?"
Yukima Azuma tilted his head at Jabami Yumeko.
A wager that seemingly involved no skill whatsoever, relying purely on luck.
And yet, Jabami Yumeko could hardly contain herselfshe immediately nodded with excitement.
"Alright! This sounds fun! So, what's at stake?"
"Hmm..." Yukima Azuma drew out his voice.
"If I win, I hope Jabami-san will grant me a small wish."
"You know, Laplace Corporation needs Hyakubami Daily's publicity to build its reputation."
"But if you win..."
"Laplace Corporation will pay ten times the price that Hyakubami Daily has offered to secure the partnership."
"What do you say?"
At first glance, this condition seemed highly favorable for Jabami Yumeko.
A bet with a 1:10 payout in her favor.
Yet, Jabami Yumeko pursed her lips and stared at Yukima Azuma for a few seconds.
Even so, in the end, she still nodded.
"Alright, let's go with Yukima-san's conditions."
The bet was sealed.
Neither of them signed any documents.
It was merely a verbal agreement.
There were not even any witnessessuch a bet had no legal validity.
But it was still established.
Yukima Azuma believed that Jabami Yumeko would abide by the conditions of the bet absolutely.
As for what Jabami Yumeko was thinking...
Yukima Azuma didn't know, but perhaps this girl just wanted to enjoy the thrill of the bet first.
