A Story in Yokohama -11 【Tokyo Bay】
A Story in Yokohama【 Subtitled "Longing"】-11
A month later, Yuichi was standing in front of the office staff.
"I have decided to work with you all as a tax accountant of the office. I look forward to working with you all and hope to do my best. If any of you wish to take this opportunity to leave the office, I will provide you with a proper severance package as stipulated. In addition, I will give a 10 per cent raise to all those who are willing to overcome the difficulties of a sudden change in tax accountant and continue to work with me."
Being selfish, Ono was not well liked by the staff and some even detected the injustice he was committing. Under these circumstances, Yuichi's proposal was favorably received and the succession of the office was carried out without hindrance.
Ono was devastated.
"What's wrong, Ono-san?"
"It's nothing."
"Drinking so heavily isn't good for you."
"I can't come to Ginza often anymore."
"What's up with that?"
"Never mind."
Ono started to drink out of despondency, but he couldn't stop the disappointment that was welling up in him. (I heard that a young man, the second generation, like me, had taken my place.)
He handed two bundles of a million to a gangster he used to know and said.
“Let that young man say who the ringleader is and break one of his arms.”
A few days later, Yuichi was suddenly surrounded by two strangers and put in a car without asking for help.
One of them pulled a knife on him and the car driven by the other arrived behind the warehouse at Yokohama Wharf.
As they got in the car, the man with the knife said,
"You must be Yuichi Murakami."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to ask you a question. A young man like you can't possibly take over an office. Who's backing you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The man twisted Yuichi's right arm forcefully.
"I'll break your arm.”
After the man finally gave Yuichi's arm back, he said.
"Let's get you talking straight."
It was a situation from which there was no escape.
"Lawyer Y put me in touch with them."
"What's this? That guy. How much did you pay him?"
"I didn't give him any money. The lawyer asked me to run the office in a way that would prevent it from falling apart. I'm just an employee."
"I don't trust you. Who is the person who cornered Ono?"
"I don't know."
"Sounds like you want more pain."
Suddenly there were lights on from all sides.
Four cars were surrounding the car Yuichi was in.
"Oh no, cops?"
A man came out of one of the cars and told them to get out.
It was J.
J talked with them for a while, but eventually he let them go.
Ono received an unexpected report.
"I'm finished with you. So much for you, give me 5 million."
"That's not what we're talking about."
"He’s too strong for me, and that’s not what I want. The 5 million isn't for me, it's an apology. You won't be free either."
Ono was stunned when he got the call from J.
J said.
"Bring me the 200 million I gave you and one of your arms."
Ono shuddered.
"Please forgive me."
"That's the punishment for your shallow moves. I'll spare your arms for now and bring me 200 million."
"I don't have the money. It’s less than 200 million."
"What are you going to do?"
"Forgive me for paying 100 million."
"Alright. The remaining 100 million is a loan to you. It's notarized."
"I can't pay you back for that."
"I won't demand it as long as you keep quiet, the interest rate is 15 per cent per annum and 20 per cent for late payment. If you make a foolish move, I'll take it back immediately."
A bag containing 100 million was in front of Yuichi.
"Apology money."
"It's the money I was originally going to pay. You don't have to pay me back."
"It's not my money."
“The office was only acquired because of your work.”
“It didn't cost me much. The money I spent on it came from the people who hurt you.”
"So I'm going to invest it in you, because I'm sure you'll be a lot more comfortable if you pay up to the executive."
“Don't mind my business, but if you insist, I'll hold on to it. But you can have it back whenever you need it.”
Commentary
The main characters in the first part of the story are Naomi (the heiress), Yuichi (a tax accountant), and J (Yuichi's friend).
J rose to prominence in the world of the yakuza, and Yuichi became a tax accountant after graduating from college, but their relationship has been unbroken.
This is the end of the first part of the story.
From next time, the story becomes the case at the heart of the story.
・・・To be continued・・・