NOVEL NEXT Episode 28 - Niwa Industries
Episode 28: Niwa Industries
“You mean, the Niwa family…”
Sachiyo turned away from the papers she’d been grading, surprise evident on her beautiful face.
“Why are you so surprised? Shouldn’t you at least know the names of the popular students in your grade?” the Novelist couldn’t help but quip.
“That’s not what surprised me,” she said, adjusting her glasses while giving him a peculiar look.
Though the Novelist had no particular fondness for “glasses girls,” there was an undeniable intellectual charm to Sachiyo in this moment. It was difficult not to stare.
These glimpses were rare, however, as she only wore glasses while doing paperwork.
“Haven’t you really heard of the Niwa surname before?”
“…Eh?”
The Niwa family was a zaibatsu that rose to prominence in post-war Japan, providing crucial support during the economic reconstruction and the boom of the 1980s. The domestic term “zaibatsu” eventually fell out of use, replaced by “Group”—a conglomerate centered around banks and traditional industrial enterprises, bound together through historical connections and mutual shareholdings. This transition brought new opportunities for the Niwa family.
After the turn of the century, the Niwa Group united with several prominent financial groups and enterprises to establish a comprehensive business entity: Niwa Industries. Today, Niwa Industries has grown into an international conglomerate spanning multiple sectors: logistics, construction, real estate, ocean shipping, tourism, food processing, entertainment, retail chains, cultural publishing, banking, and beyond.
…
“That’s impressive,” the Novelist remarked disinterestedly after hearing Sachiyo’s overview of Niwa Industries. Something stirred in his memory.
He had encountered the Niwa surname recently. While investigating potential murder signals for Otsuka Ken, he’d found a note about a “Niwa Industries affiliated mall” when researching that commercial building with its holiday-only curtain wall projections.
He hadn’t given it much thought then. Now it seemed that hadn’t been just another company.
“Most people react when they hear this surname,” Sachiyo said helplessly, pressing her hand to her forehead. “It’s one of the country’s largest conglomerates—you see it constantly in online and television media. How could you not remember?”
Is that so? Perhaps his mind had unconsciously filtered it out.
“So Niwa-kun comes from that powerful financial family? That’s incredible. What’s the full story?”
“Unfortunately, information about Niwa family members is kept private from ordinary people. It’s hard to say whether his surname actually connects to that Niwa family.”
“From what I understand, some have asked out of curiosity. When they did, Niwa-kun neither confirmed nor denied it—he simply changed the subject.”
The female teacher set down her pen with a long sigh. She stretched to relax—though Sachiyo wore a conservative suit, it did nothing to hide her stunning figure.
…Too sensual. This woman shouldn’t make such movements… No, it wasn’t that they didn’t suit her—it was precisely because they suited her too well that she shouldn’t do this in front of students and colleagues.
The Novelist began to understand why Sachiyo didn’t take on regular teaching duties. Perhaps the school worried the male students wouldn’t be able to focus on her lessons at all…
He caught himself staring at how her white shirt pulled taut across her chest and unconsciously touched his nose.
“Even a branch family connection would be remarkable for ordinary people. If there were any inheritance rights involved, that would be even more extraordinary,” Sachiyo said lazily, leaning back in her chair.
…I see.
The Novelist suddenly understood his classmates’ fascination with Niwa-kun’s birthday party. They were trying to uncover his true family background!
“Even at private Yuihara High School, young masters of this caliber are rare. That’s probably part of why Niwa-kun is so popular. By the way, what do you think of him?”
“By normal standards, he’s a good person,” he answered after consideration.
“How honest, Liang-kun. I thought you’d dislike the sunny pretty boy type.”
“Since I occasionally receive his help, I won’t speak ill of Niwa-kun. However…”
The Novelist paused.
“If I had to say, rather than being a ‘sunny pretty boy,’ it’s precisely his ‘nice guy’ quality that I find more disagreeable.”
Whenever someone asks for help, he assists enthusiastically without question. That’s who Niwa Takahito is.
“You’re quite twisted… You’ve benefited from his kindness, haven’t you?”
“Of course, I won’t deny that. But that doesn’t change my evaluation.”
Humans should only pray for changes within themselves.
In this world, living alone is difficult—yet it must be done.
Helping others unconditionally reveals a personality flaw. Even if it creates seemingly beautiful outcomes temporarily, it will surely invite disaster eventually.
Besides, does helping others automatically make someone good or excellent? One should reserve judgment on that—
“Let’s set aside your stubborn prejudices for now—I’m not interested in hearing more. Anyway, you didn’t do badly this time. You’re planning to attend Niwa-kun’s birthday party too, right?”
Sachiyo’s face showed a slight smile, her expression satisfied.
“At any rate, keep a good eye on Ogiwara when other students are present. After these few weeks pass, it should be fine.”
…So what’s the situation exactly?
“By the way, have you considered my previous suggestion? Unless you can capture the heart of an heir to a huge conglomerate like Niwa Industries, you probably won’t survive in society.”
“Please don’t worry about that.”
What “ab•so•lute•ly im•pos•si•ble” thing are you talking about?
“Oh right! Why don’t you try confessing to Niwa-kun? Maybe he unexpectedly won’t reject you!”
You just want to see the drama, don’t you!
“…”
The Novelist decided to ignore her. It seemed Sachiyo wouldn’t tell him the truth either. In that case, he could only continue along the predetermined route.