The Empty Check (2)
"Ah... is that so?" Through a brief silence, Ryu Geun-tae sensed that Park Ki-soo was not happy with this topic. At the same time, he felt satisfied. After all, he had brought it up specifically to unsettle Park Ki-soo.
"Yes. As I've been building and operating YK Department Store, I've realized that one simply cannot beat the legitimacy of Seth. Didn't Seth open its department stores several years before YK? Plus, considering Seth is a group, the synergy with other affiliates is just... wow. I've come to the conclusion that I should just be satisfied with our first branch. Hahaha!"
Park Ki-soo had no response to Ryu Geun-tae's feigned modesty, simply listening in silence.
"Actually, the reason I came to see you is to make a good impression. Thinking about the scale and policies of Seth, isn't it possible that our YK Department Store might eventually become a subsidiary of Seth? Even if it doesn't become a subsidiary, the possibility of a dependent relationship is extremely high. But since I'm still inexperienced, I didn't know what else to do besides coming to visit. Honestly, I was moved by the warm welcome you gave me."
Park Ki-soo's insides boiled at the praise from Ryu Geun-tae, who was playing the "I don't know anything" strategy, but he couldn't bring himself to lash out. Regardless of the reason, Park Ki-soo was, after all, part of Seth. However, Park Ki-soo indirectly voiced his complaints to Ryu Geun-tae in a slightly different way.
"But why did you specifically come to see me...? If you wanted to make a good impression, wouldn't it have been better to meet my father, the owner of the company?"
If Ryu Geun-tae had given a stupid answer like, "Because it's hard to meet the Chairman," the meeting would have ended right there. However, Ryu Geun-tae won Park Ki-soo's favor with a masterful response.
"Hey, isn't business something you have to look at in the long term? Before long, Seth will be yours, President Park. Naturally, I had to meet you."
Seth is Park Ki-soo's. Park Ki-soo's expression softened considerably upon hearing this. If this statement had been a reflection of reality, Park Ki-soo would have been suspicious. He would have wondered, 'What is this? Why is he coming to me and flattering me like this? Is he after something?' But because Park Ki-soo lived a life far removed from his ideals, he lowered his guard to a certain extent for Ryu Geun-tae, who had appeared out of nowhere to make him feel good.
"It feels good just to hear you say that."
"'Just' feel good? Isn't it a matter of course?"
Park Ki-soo sighed.
"If only it were as obvious as you say."
"What do you mean by that..."
"I probably won't be able to inherit Seth."
"What? That's ridiculous... You're the eldest son, President Park. If not you, who else would inherit it? And isn't the successful expansion into Japan, which is known to be so difficult, entirely to your credit?"
Park Ki-soo gave a bitter smile.
"If only things were that easy. But reality isn't like that. If I had just a little more time, I would have secured my position, but as it stands, Seth Holdings hasn't properly established itself in Japan yet. And all the while, my younger brother has been steadily earning points by doing exactly what my father tells him to do right by his side."
Though he spoke calmly, Park Ki-soo revealed his deep-seated frustrations to Ryu Geun-tae through his choice of words.
"Time, you say..."
"That's right. If only I had more time... If I had entered the Japanese market as soon as I became an adult, I would have easily inherited Seth later, but I entered Japan at too late an age. If my younger brother inherits Seth, it will be impossible for my son to inherit it."
"Oh my... but I don't understand. With your potential, President Park, I would have thought you'd have secured your position. Has your brother been interfering?"
In that instant, Park Ki-soo allowed the seed of doubt he had been harboring in his heart—though he had never shown it on the surface—to bloom. 'Come to think of it... is my Japanese business so sluggish because my brother is sabotaging me?'
Thinking back, there had been several cases where deals fell through just before they were finalized, and instances where partner companies suddenly ceased business. While such things were common in business, Park Ki-soo's doubt, once ignited, quickly turned into near-certainty.
"Maybe so. The inheritance wars of chaebols are truly brutal. Phew... you came all this way to see me, but since I'm essentially a dead end, I'm afraid you've made a wasted trip."
"No, no. Today, while talking with you, President Park, I was struck by your deep and broad insight. If I continue to interact with you, it will be a great help to me as well. Whether you inherit Seth or not, I want to maintain a steady relationship with you."
At Ryu Geun-tae's words, Park Ki-soo looked somewhat moved and bowed his head slightly.
"To say such things... thank you."
"Don't mention it. Today's conversation was truly helpful. If you're okay with it, I'd even like to treat you as my older brother. Would that be alright?"
The attitude Ryu Geun-tae showed toward him, combined with his title as President of YK Department Store and his connections with the new military regime, made it impossible for Park Ki-soo to refuse.
"If that were to happen, wouldn't it be an honor for me? I've heard you have powerful influence in the military as well..."
"Influence? I just happened to ride the tide of the times. Anyway, I'll take that as your permission to call you brother."
"Uh... y-yes, let's do that."
"Thank you, Brother. Please, speak comfortably to me from now on."
"S-shall I?"
"Of course. From now on, think of me as your younger brother, and if you have any difficulties, ask me anytime. I will do my best to help you."
"What could a younger brother possibly help me with? Just coming by like this to talk is the best thing. Honestly, this is the first time in a while I've felt this at ease."
At Park Ki-soo's words, Ryu Geun-tae smiled inwardly.
'I've built up enough intimacy.'
Assume there is a person; their psychology when they earn 1 billion won is 100 percent different from when they lose 500 million of that 1 billion. When they first win 1 billion, they analyze stocks with a cool head to make a profit, but when they lose 500 million of that 1 billion, they don't think of it as a 500 million total profit, but as a 500 million loss, leading to over-investing and an inability to make rational judgments. Park Ki-soo was in exactly this situation, and thanks to that, Ryu Geun-tae succeeded in using his title to become "sworn brothers" with Park Ki-soo.
"'Sometimes'? I'll visit often. Next time, we should have a drink, too. Don't you think?"
"A drink... that sounds good. Japan's drinking culture is quite something."
A smile played on Park Ki-soo's lips as he imagined the nightlife. The moment his brain was turning to mush. Ryu Geun-tae seized the opportunity to drive the wedge in.
"But, Brother."
"Yes?"
"If we're going to drink, wouldn't it be best to drink in good spirits? Drinking when you're feeling bad is poison. Poison."
"Sigh... I suppose that's true."
"In that sense, I think I might be able to help you, Brother. How about it?"
"Help me? How? Even the military doesn't have much influence in Japan..."
"Hey! Brother, do you think I'm that oblivious?"
"Then?"
A younger brother nearing his 40s and an older brother in his early 50s. But the 50-year-old brother was drawn into the 40-year-old's words as if he were a teenager in puberty.
"Have you heard of the Umi-guchi-gumi in the Tohoku region?"
"Umi-guchi-gumi? Of course I know them. They're one of the top three Yakuza groups in Japan right now. But why?"
Ryu Geun-tae deliberately put on a playful expression.
"I can exert some influence there. If you wish, Brother, I can pave the asphalt for your business!"
Park Ki-soo swallowed hard as he watched Ryu Geun-tae move his arms from left to right, mimicking a shopkeeper shouting "Irasshaimase!"
"Th... that's possible...?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I heard the youngest daughter of the Umi-guchi-gumi is looking for a groom. If you want, Brother, I'll recommend your son as a candidate."
Having said this much, Ryu Geun-tae bowed his head with a sharp "Ha!"
"I, I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you, Brother, and I spoke without even considering your intentions. I'm sorry!"
But Park Ki-soo did not scold Ryu Geun-tae at all.
"No, no. Tell me more, tell me more in detail. The Umi-guchi-gumi is looking for a groom for their youngest daughter?"
Ryu Geun-tae nodded again.
"Yes. Her name is Hiroko, and she's in her late 20s. Since your son is around the same age, wouldn't they be a good match?"
"My son is 23 right now, though..."
"Hiroko is older, then. But it is certain that she has never been married. She studied medicine in France, failed her grade promotion exam three times, and then studied biology only to face the same situation, which is why her marriage has been delayed."
"France... I've heard the academic difficulty there is brutal."
In France, universities have grade promotion exams, and if you fail to promote three times during your university life, you can never study that subject again. Hiroko had gone through this process twice, which is why she was looking for a marriage partner late. Of course, the fact that they were looking for a groom candidate was half a lie. Watanabe Masao had proposed a political marriage for Hiroko to his father, and after obtaining his father's permission, he informed Yoon-gi of this proposal. Yoon-gi gave this information to Ryu Geun-tae, and Ryu Geun-tae processed it appropriately and leaked it to Park Ki-soo.
"What do you think? I don't know how much control Seth Holdings has right now, but if you have the power of the Umi-guchi-gumi behind you, you will at least become a leading company in the Tohoku region. If you play your cards right, you might even enter the top 30 companies in Japan. Faster than Seth in Korea."
Park Ki-soo's breath hitched for a moment. 'Top 30 companies! Faster than Korea!' The blood in Park Ki-soo's body began to circulate faster, and his hands began to sweat. If Seth Holdings entered the top 30 companies in Japan? It meant he could go beyond the level of being acknowledged by his father and become a son who surpassed him.
"Brother!"
"Yes, Brother."
"I'll think about it very positively. Can you give me one day?"
"Of course. It's a matter that requires careful consideration. Please contact me whenever it's convenient for you."
As soon as Ryu Geun-tae left, Park Ki-soo immediately called his close aide, Jung Dong-yoon.
* * *
"The Umi-guchi-gumi? A marriage between their youngest daughter and the President's son?"
"Yes. If that happens, the tiger that is Seth Holdings will be given wings."
"Come to think of it, I've heard something, too. That Watanabe Yasuda, the head of the Umi-guchi-gumi, distrusts his own son, Watanabe Masao. If the President's son unites with Hiroko, the youngest daughter, perhaps the President could absorb the power of the Umi-guchi-gumi itself..."
Jung Dong-yoon trailed off, but Park Ki-soo already had a vision of himself as the real power behind the Umi-guchi-gumi. And a moment later, Park Ki-soo recalled the fact that Watanabe Masao did not have the trust of Watanabe Yasuda.
'Is that guy the same as me?'
A shabby son who receives no attention from his father. But rather than feeling sympathy, Park Ki-soo came up with a scheme to exploit Masao's situation.
"Executive Director Jung."
"Yes, President."
"I'm just saying this as a thought."
Jung Dong-yoon knew well that it was absolutely not just a thought, but he didn't show it.
"Please, go ahead."
"Instead of my son, how about I marry Hiroko?"