Shiro felt conflicted.
He had always been deeply curious about the unknown, with a strong yearning for mystery.
The Suzuki Zaibatsu had already reached the peak of what a business empire could achieve. There was little room for further expansion.
Having nearly conquered the corporate world, Shiro found himself drawn to mysteries, things beyond human understanding, beyond the reach of wealth and logic.
Now that he had stumbled upon so clues, he didn't want to let them slip away.
But at this mont, frustration weighed on him.
If he couldn't find a direct connection between Shinomiya Kaguya and Sanzenin Nagi, then the trail leading to the supernatural would vanish before his eyes.
As for any potential threats?
That was laughable.
He wasn't looking to make enemies, only to uncover the truth.
As the saying went, businessn do not clash with officials, and in the presence of true power, officials wouldn't dare challenge the unknown.
Even the governnt had to be respectful toward them, offering benefits to ensure stability.
This, in itself, was a form of protection.
That realization only fueled Shiro's desire to explore the supernatural.
But now, his investigation had hit a dead end.
He felt stuck in a frustrating limbo—so close, yet so far.
And without a way to confirm the link between Shinomiya Kaguya and Sanzenin Nagi, there was no way forward.
For now, he had no choice but to put his curiosity aside.
A deep sigh escaped him.
"This is probably the closest I've ever been to uncovering a real mystery."
"But in the end... I'm still just one step short."
Despite his disappointnt, Shiro was a businessman through and through.
He knew how to adapt, how to regulate his emotions.
"Fine. If I can't find the source now, I'll just wait."
"As long as I can keep tabs on Shinomiya Kaguya and Sanzenin Nagi, the opportunity will co again."
He still had patience.
---
Sonoko placed the photo back on the table.
"Dad, when did you even start getting into all this weird stuff?"
Her father leaned back, crossing his arms.
"Your mother and I have already conquered the business world."
"Am I not allowed to take an interest in other things?"
"I never said that."
Sonoko shook her head.
In fact, she had the sa curiosity about the unknown.
Maybe it really was in their blood, father and daughter, sharing the sa interests.
The only difference was that she had already seen things firsthand.
She knew more than he did.
But she couldn't just co out and tell him.
For now, it had to stay a secret.
"Anyway, Dad, let's talk business."
"A friend of mine recently ca into possession of sothing valuable. He wants to sell it, but he doesn't have the right channels. He asked to help."
"...???"
Shiro gave his daughter a long, scrutinizing look.
That sounded... off.
Was she seriously saying what he thought she was saying?
That basically sounded like.
"Sonoko, are you telling you have a friend who needs to offload stolen goods?"
Even Tomoko frowned.
"Sonoko, what kind of company are you keeping?"
"No! Absolutely not!"
Her mother's sharp stare made Sonoko quickly clarify.
"When have I ever hung out with people like that?"
As soone who had always been rational in serious matters, Sonoko's parents knew she wasn't the type to be easily deceived.
That realization made them reconsider.
Shiro was the first to speak.
"Alright. Let's hear it, what exactly is this 'sothing valuable'?"
"The stolen maple leaf gold coins from the Italian robber gang."
"...The ones that were just reported in the news today?"
Shiro narrowed his eyes.
The Italian robbers had been arrested that very afternoon.
And now, Sonoko was telling him she knew soone who already had the maple leaf gold coins?
It almost sounded like she had gone treasure hunting with them.
"It wasn't obtained today," Sonoko clarified.
"He told he had the gold coins for a few days now."
"If he didn't already have them, why would he even co to ?"
Tomoko remained unconvinced.
"And you agreed to help this friend?"
Instead of answering directly, Sonoko put a finger to her lips.
"Can't talk about that."
"But my friend is very capable. He managed to find the gold coins long before anyone else."
"I was curious how he did it, so I asked."
"Now I know. But I can't tell you."
"That was our agreent."
Shiro felt sothing stir inside him.
That sa instinct, the one that had helped him make countless business decisions, the one that had always led him to success.
And that instinct told him.
This was it.
This was the answer he had been looking for.
Slowly, he looked at Sonoko.
"Sonoko."
"You're sure you know the truth?"
"I'm sure."
"And you're choosing not to tell for a specific reason?"
"...Yeah."
Then, in a flash of intuition, he asked.
"Is it because of the supernatural?"
"Yeah—Wait, what?!"
Sonoko's eyes widened as she realized what she had just said.
Crap!
Shiro held his breath.
Then, a slow grin spread across his face.
The thing he had been desperately trying to uncover...
Had been right in front of him the whole ti.
"Dad! That was a trick!"
Sonoko glared at him, indignant.
Shiro, however, was in a great mood.
"All's fair in war, Sonoko."
"You let your guard down, so I took my chance."
"And besides—"you knew I was interested in this stuff, but you still kept it from ."
"If you want my help now, don't expect to hold back."
Leaning back into the couch, he gave her a smug smile.
"Here's the deal."
"I won't pry into what you're involved in."
"I won't investigate your friend."
"But the mont you can tell , you will."
"And in return."
"I'll take care of exchanging those maple leaf gold coins for you."
"Deal?"
He wasn't in a rush.
Now that he knew his daughter was a direct link to the supernatural, all he had to do was wait.
Sonoko hesitated, puffing out her cheeks in frustration.
She had walked right into that one.
But...
She couldn't refuse.
She needed her father's help to handle the gold coins.
"...Fine."
With a reluctant sigh, she accepted the deal.
Even though she was still annoyed that her dad had tricked her.
She had to admit.
That was exactly the kind of thing she would have done too.
***
Bonus chp For 600 PS
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