NOVEL NEXT Episode 34 - The Future Reflected in Her Eyes
Episode 34: The Future Reflected in Her Eyes
In the past, the Niwa family had been an obscure local clan. However, following several major successful transformations—the zaibatsu consolidation after World War II, rapid development in the industrial sector during Japan’s economic revival, and asset restructuring in the new century—a man named Niwa Daizo had single-handedly built a business empire that commanded universal respect.
“Is that so?”
The novelist blinked.
“Somehow, it seems like Niwa-kun is quite afraid of his grandfather. I wonder why?”
“I think it’s not just him. Even Niwa Keiji, the nominal head of Niwa Industries today, fears that man—his own father,” Miyagi-san said, pointing at the middle-aged man in a suit walking half a step behind the elderly man in a kimono.
…I see.
So this was the relationship between the three generations of the Niwa family.
As expected of a prominent zaibatsu family. It was just like—
“Just like something out of a mystery novel. The kind of place where even patricide wouldn’t be surprising—a true ‘House of Darkness,'” Miyagi-san softly echoed his thoughts.
“Though in the Niwa family’s case, it’s somewhat inevitable. Setting aside the other family members, Niwa Daizo, as both clan head and family patriarch, is a man whose ambitions and desires match his capabilities—in every aspect.”
The girl’s crimson-painted nails retrieved several thin documents from her handbag.
“Video Tapes.”
Miyagi-san seemed to have a habit of organizing information in this way.
“Besides fishing and golf, Niwa Daizo’s hobbies included dangerous pursuits more suited to hot-blooded youth, like street racing.”
“Beyond his addiction to the mental stimulation of risk-taking, he was equally unrestrained in matters of carnal desire. Over the past fifty years, Niwa Daizo has had relations with dozens of women, and his illegitimate children number in the double digits… though this hasn’t been confirmed. Only his advancing age and physical limitations finally put a stop to it.”
“His extreme thirst for money and power has been Niwa Daizo’s driving force—”
She paused briefly before continuing with an “and here’s the important part!” tone.
“Eight years ago, Niwa Financial Group merged with several other companies and zaibatsu to establish Niwa Industries. But this ‘merger’ was only superficial. In reality, several previously well-performing companies were secretly driven to the brink of bankruptcy through underhanded methods and corporate espionage.”
“Afterward, Niwa Daizo purchased the majority of these companies’ shares at rock-bottom prices. Rather than a merger, it was essentially a hostile takeover. Through such methods, the Niwa family acquired vast shareholdings and ultimately secured leadership of the new conglomerate’s board of directors.”
For a corporate giant like Niwa Industries—an international conglomerate operating across multiple sectors—it was naturally impossible for it to be completely controlled by “one family” or “one person.”
However, Niwa Daizo was the “exception.” Through his exceptional business acumen, boundless energy, and iron-fisted management style, he had become the de facto leader of Niwa Industries.
“At least, none of his decisions have ever been opposed by the board or corporate executives. They probably realize that temporary resistance would be meaningless.”
After all, everyone knew Niwa Daizo as someone who would use any means necessary to achieve his goals and never give up until he succeeded. The price of failing to block his plans and becoming a target of this fearsome man was too high—no one was willing to risk it.
After that—
Naturally, Niwa Daizo had become something of a monarch or dictator within the company, a position he maintained to this day.
“I imagine Niwa Daizo’s competitors and partners are quietly waiting for the day he either dies of old age or loses his mental faculties,” Miyagi-san said, her tone unclear whether mocking or approving.
“Ah, so that’s why…”
The novelist quickly caught on.
This was undoubtedly the reason for the mounting tensions within the Niwa family.
Niwa Daizo wasn’t getting any younger, and no one could guarantee how long his vitality would last. Once he fell, his competitors and board members would surely descend like a pack of hyenas eager to feast on a dead lion’s carcass.
His son, Niwa Keiji, definitely wouldn’t want to see such a scenario unfold. He likely hoped his father would transfer real power to him, but Daizo seemed to have no such intention… It was natural for him to feel anxious.
Moreover, there were other illegitimate children and Niwa family members with inheritance rights, all watching like hawks.
…
After handing the documents to the novelist, Miyagi-san shared her “personality analysis.”
“Based on current information, the Niwa family has no hereditary mental illnesses. They’re normal people. However, it’s precisely because they’re ‘normal’ that they have the potential for ‘distortion.'”
It was these “normal people” with clear desires and ambitions who, driven by rationality, could commit acts more “abnormal” than any mentally ill person.
The novelist listened intently to her words before finally asking:
“What do you mean? Could it be that you, Miyagi-san…”
“Ahaha, of course not. Observing from afar is fine, and I wouldn’t carelessly get involved with trouble from such a corporate giant.”
Despite her words, there wasn’t a trace of fear in her pupils.
Her gaze at the back of this enormously influential figure in Japanese society was like someone observing tropical fish in an aquarium.
“No matter how high and mighty they appear on television or in newspapers, physiologically they’re human beings just like everyone else.”
“Cut their throats, stab their hearts, slash their arteries, feed them poison, put a bullet through their temples—kill them, and they die.”
“Hit them and they feel pain, push them too far and they’ll beg for mercy, when denied forgiveness they’ll curse and swear, and in despair they’ll regret their past…”
Those beautiful eyes, shimmering with an unusual iridescence, had seemed to reflect the “future.” Watching her, the novelist couldn’t help but form such an extraordinary thought.