The Second Party War (6)
At the sound of the scream, a massive man in his forties appeared before his eyes. Kitamura instinctively clapped both hands over his mouth to stifle his own cry. Thanks to that, the narrow alleyway didn't attract any onlookers, and the man was able to continue the situation with a conversation.
"Ah, you don't need to worry. I'm the person who was instructed to come and make a proposal to you, Mr. Kitamura. I apologize for startling you upon our first meeting. My name is Satoshi."
"Satoshi...?"
"Yes."
Seo Jong-hoon nodded. 'Hmm, my massive frame doesn't seem to be helping much in situations like this.'
Satoshi was Seo Jong-hoon’s Japanese name. He had been scouting out promising land in Japan under Yoon-gi's orders, and at Yoon-gi's request, he had joined this operation. Aside from Jung Dong-yoon, he was currently the most fluent in Japanese among those who could follow Yoon-gi's orders with full force. That was why Yoon-gi had entrusted this task to Seo Jong-hoon.
"Uh... um... Mr. Satoshi, what brings you to see me...?"
Even though the man was a giant, he appeared to be around the same age as Kitamura and was acting like a gentleman, so Kitamura regained his composure and began to speak.
"Yes, it's a bit awkward here, so could we go somewhere quiet to talk? I think inside a car would be best... how about it?"
Kitamura looked back and forth between Seo Jong-hoon and his own car, then shook his head and guided Seo Jong-hoon to his house.
"You, take the kids and go into the room."
After ushering his family into the room with the telephone, Kitamura cautiously offered the sofa and sat down on a single-seat chair himself.
"I'll ask again. What brings you here...?"
He considered offering coffee himself, but deciding to test the other man first, Kitamura intentionally dove straight into the main point.
"Ah, you don't have to take it so seriously. It's just about the purchase of stocks."
"St-stock purchase?"
Kitamura, worried that his current push to sell off his shares had been discovered, tried to maintain a nonchalant expression to hide his nervous heart.
"Yes. You’re well aware of the famous 'Major Shareholder with the Gold Mask' in Sega these days, right?"
"Ah, of course, I know him well."
Kitamura felt a bit more at ease, thinking the man hadn't come knowing everything. Of course, he was still curious as to why the Major Shareholder with the Gold Mask was being mentioned here.
"It's nothing else; I was sent by that person. Since there isn't a unified opinion on the current projects within Sega, he expressed the thought of purchasing stocks at a high price from the directors who are opposed."
"Ho-ho..."
Kitamura licked his lips, thinking another opportunity had arrived, and waited for Seo Jong-hoon's next words.
"That person wishes to purchase the stocks currently held by Mr. Kitamura at a 20 percent premium."
Kitamura instinctively clenched the fist resting on his knee. However, inside, he began to run the numbers in his head. '20 percent? That’s 5 percent higher than what Nintendo offered! Then it’s a guaranteed profit. But if they’re calling out 20 percent from the start, there might be room to push it higher...?'
Once the lid on his greed was blown off, the desire began to spew out like steam.
"Hmm... that’s not a bad condition, but honestly, I am a man with loyalty to Sega. No matter how good the conditions are, selling my stocks is a bit..."
"I understand. It can't be helped. I apologize for coming at such a late hour."
As Seo Jong-hoon stood up without a moment's hesitation, Kitamura felt as if his Adam's apple had popped out.
"Ah, no! Wait! Mr. Satoshi!"
At Kitamura's restraint, Seo Jong-hoon looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Yes...?"
"Ahem! Ah, no. It would be a shame if you just left, so why don't you have a cup of coffee before you go?"
"No, that’s alright. I have other people to visit."
Kitamura blocked the path of the shaking Seo Jong-hoon, placing both hands on his shoulders and trying to seat him back on the sofa. It looked like a child trying to force a judo athlete to sit down.
"No, don't be like that. I'm telling you to have a cup. If word gets out that I didn't even serve a guest a cup of tea, I won't be able to function in society."
"Hmm... then please make it quick."
"Understood. I'll make it quick, so let's just sit and talk."
Once Seo Jong-hoon sat back down, Kitamura went into the room where he had shoved his family, asked his wife for two cups of coffee, and a moment later, the coffee was placed before them.
"Hmm, it tastes good."
Kitamura nodded with a satisfied expression at the customary compliment.
"Right? I was so charmed by my wife's coffee-making skills that I proposed to her on the spot. Hahahaha!"
It seemed he thought it was his killer joke, but since Seo Jong-hoon didn't laugh, Kitamura felt his patience wearing thin and brought up the main point first.
"You mentioned earlier that you were going to visit other directors, is that right?"
"Yes, that is correct. The maximum limit I've been permitted is 20 percent, so I cannot offer more than that. I intend to make quick purchases from the directors who accept these conditions."
"Honestly, 20 percent feels like you're giving too much."
"Pardon? But you clearly said you had no intention of selling at 20 percent..."
At Seo Jong-hoon's counter-question, Kitamura shook his head.
"No, I originally have very high loyalty toward Sega. But seeing you running around so hard, Mr. Satoshi, I’ve had a change of heart. But honestly, isn't 20 percent too expensive?"
"The person who sent me said that such treatment is deserved."
"No, it's still too expensive. How about we do it like this instead?"
"How so?"
Kitamura leaned in toward Seo Jong-hoon with a sly expression.
"Actually, I have a lot of influence over the other directors. If you guarantee me 25 percent, I will handle the other directors for under 18 percent."
"Hmm..."
As Seo Jong-hoon stroked his chin and fell into thought, Kitamura, feeling anxious, spoke up immediately.
"There's nothing to worry about. Even if I only do that for three people, isn't that much more profitable than 20 percent overall?"
"Can you guarantee it for more than three people? And as far as I know, your stock holdings are among the top tier of the directors, so a simple average would actually be a loss for me."
Kitamura had intended to increase his own ratio based on the number of people if Seo Jong-hoon agreed, but since Seo Jong-hoon had even seen through his stock holdings, he had to smack his lips and reduce his greed.
"Don't worry. When averaged out, I will definitely handle it for less than 20 percent. Instead, if it is handled for significantly less, you could give me a bit more incentive, right?"
"I only need to hit 20 percent. If it exceeds 20 percent during the final transaction, the deal is off, and if it doesn't, we sign the papers."
At the clear answer, Kitamura’s face bloomed with a smile as he nodded.
"Then, no problem. I will take responsibility and persuade the directors, so Mr. Satoshi, you just need to keep an eye on my ratio."
"But is it really possible? I don't mind just buying at 20 percent as I was told, but I'm worried about what happens if it doesn't go well."
"Don't worry. If you watch and feel like it's not working, you can just step in yourself, can't you?"
"Hmm... understood."
Seo Jong-hoon chatted a little more before leaving Kitamura's house, and a moment later, Kitamura's wife came out of the room.
"Was it a good deal?"
"Of course. I'm going to take this opportunity to sell my stocks with a hefty premium."
Kitamura began to walk toward his study, where he kept his computer, to calculate his assets.
***
"We shouldn't sell our stocks to Nintendo?"
Listening to the other directors, Kitamura nodded.
"Yeah. If we're going to sell, honestly, shouldn't we get at least 1 percent more?"
"But there's no room for further negotiation with Nintendo. We've dragged this out too long, and Nintendo has already put their foot down saying they can't give any more."
At the words of the director with the cool head, Kitamura shook his head.
"That's why we shouldn't sell to Nintendo."
"Then, who are we going to sell to? Even if we want to sell, it's only possible if there's someone to buy..."
"I didn't tell you guys, but there was a reason I asked for more than 15 percent from Nintendo. Do you all remember me raising my voice and shouting?"
In reality, during the negotiations with Nintendo, Kitamura had used every method possible to get even a little more premium.
"Of course we remember."
"That’s because there was a place that offered 16 percent."
What Kitamura had promised Seo Jong-hoon was 18 percent. But right now, Kitamura was suggesting 16 percent to the others.
'Since he promised to preserve my share as much as the profit margin, it's better to lower these guys' share even a little.'
Regardless of Kitamura's thoughts, the directors who received the proposal reacted positively. They had already decided to sell their Sega stocks for money anyway. In such a situation, if they could get even 1 percent more premium, there was no reason not to choose it. Since they hadn't signed a contract, it didn't matter at all if they changed the buyer right now. Therefore, all the directors nodded.
"Alright, then shall we proceed with the transaction immediately?"
While the directors were in agreement, the director with the cool head raised his hand.
"Wait."
"Why?"
"We should still contact Nintendo. Who knows? Maybe they'll raise it higher than 16 percent?"
"They threatened us saying they absolutely couldn't give more, so do you think that'll work?"
Kitamura spoke with a frown, but in his heart, he wanted to rip the mouth of the director with the cool head wide open.
'Please, Nintendo, please...!'
Despite Kitamura's desperate wish, Nintendo, having been contacted by the director with the cool head, hurriedly offered a 16.5 percent proposal.
"It can't be helped. I'll take responsibility and try to make it 17 percent."
At Kitamura's words, thumping his chest, the directors' faces brightened even more, but this time, the director with the cool head stepped up again.
"Then, we should ask Nintendo again."
This time, Nintendo offered 17.5 percent, and eventually, this process was repeated one more time. It was a situation that felt like an auction house with a shill.
"W-wait a minute!"
Kitamura hurriedly left the room, found a telephone, and called the contact number Seo Jong-hoon had given him yesterday.
[Yes, hello?]
"Ah, is this Mr. Satoshi? This is Kitamura."
[Yes, that's correct.]
"We have a big problem. Nintendo has offered a 20.5 percent premium."
The premium currently offered by Nintendo was 18.5 percent after the situation repeated once more from 17.5 percent. However, Kitamura relayed the words as if Nintendo had offered 20.5 percent.
[20.5 percent... you say...]
"If this happens, all the stocks are going to go to Nintendo!"
[Just a moment... could you wait just a moment? It will take a few minutes.]
"Please do it as quickly as possible. The directors are gathered right now and are making a fuss about selling quickly."
[Understood.]
A few minutes that felt like an eternity passed. When Seo Jong-hoon's voice was heard over the receiver, Kitamura held the receiver to his ear with intense focus.
[We will offer 25 percent.]
'Got it!'
The moment he heard those words, Kitamura shouted for joy. However, Kitamura did not know. Why Yoon-gi had offered 25 percent again through Seo Jong-hoon.