Chapter 4 (Episode 4) 'Checking Account, Seizure'
The meeting with Annex concluded on the afternoon of the following day, Wednesday, March 2nd, leaving only the contract with Ocean Shipping to be finalized.
The contract was scheduled to be signed on the afternoon of Thursday the 3rd. Ogata faxed the summary to Tokyo from the hotel to that effect.
After that, he told the two of them that he would rest for the night.
At a time corresponding to early morning on the 3rd in Japan,
Ogata decided to take a shower.
The hotel was the New York Sheraton, a few blocks from Central Park, on the twenty-fourth floor. After his shower, Ogata put on a bathrobe over his bare skin and drank bourbon whiskey by the window. He had ordered I.W. Harper gold label from room service.
He swirled the thin glass lightly,
enjoying the fragrant aroma rising from it.
Outside the window, a sea of lights spread out.
It felt as if the navy-colored curtains were shielding him from the freezing outside world. The sight quietly stirred the excitement in Ogata's chest.
Looking at the clock, it was just past seven in the evening.
He picked up the bedside phone to call Tokyo.
It was past nine in the morning in Japan. While he was momentarily irritated by the unfamiliar ringing tone, it soon changed to a nostalgic sound.
“Yes, Fusou Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Tokyo Office...” “Hello, Ms. Nakajima—”
Before Kyoko could finish her greeting, Ogata had already spoken.
“Oh, Director—, is that Director Ogata?”
“Yes, it’s Ogata. Ms. Nakajima, how are you?”
“Director, how about you? Everything is the same as usual, I hope...”
“Yes, thanks to you, we’ve wrapped things up.”
“Yes, I saw the fax earlier... Congratulations.”
“Thank you. The main contract will be tomorrow, but all that’s left is to sign it.”
“Truly, truly congratulations. I’m so glad...”
At the end of those words, Kyoko’s voice trembled slightly.
She’s tearing up—
The moment he felt that, a small flutter ran through Ogata’s chest.
“What’s wrong... It’s thanks to your support. That we were able to get this far...”
Contrary to his anxious heart, her voice sounded terribly dear to him.
The feelings he once must have directed toward his wife now, for some reason, irritated his heart whenever he remembered them. Ogata had clearly realized that he had fallen for Kyoko’s kindness before he knew it.
“I’m sorry... Even though it’s a happy occasion, I...”
While bewildered by Kyoko’s lingering response, Ogata changed the subject.
“By the way, where is Director Yoshida?”
“Actually, he hasn’t come in yet today...”
“What? It’s past nine already, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s just past nine.”
“And the President?”
“He is in Shimizu today, I believe, for a meeting with Nankai Bank...”
“The two of them aren’t together, are they?”
“Yes, at least I haven’t heard that.”
“Oh, I see. Well, please have them call me whenever they can.”
After hanging up the phone, perhaps due to the shower, Ogata suddenly felt sleepy. Still, it was strange that both Director Yoshida and the President were absent on this day of all days. He had wanted to share the excitement welling up inside him. (Well, I’ll just wait for their call.) He placed the glass on the table and sprawled out on the bed.
In the distance, the siren of an emergency vehicle wailed. But it was only for a moment, and Ogata fell into a deep sleep.
--Ring, ring.
He woke up with a start and looked at the bedside clock.
It was just past 11:00 PM.
"...Hello."
He picked up the receiver while still lying down.
"It's me, Yoshida. Come back immediately--"
"Wh-what's wrong, all of a sudden..."
"Nankai Bank has seized the checking account."
Yoshida's voice sounded as if he were spitting out the words.
Ogata wondered if it was a dream.
However, not a single word that should have followed came out.
(To be continued in Episode 5)
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