pjbooks Chapter 403 A Business Card
Chapter 403 A Business Card
He spent more than two months preparing this document.
He investigated the routes, hotels, stations, contract terms, and project progress as thoroughly as possible. His problem wasn't a lack of thorough investigation, but rather that he was too eager to arrive at a conclusion different from the mainstream view.
As the idea that "Seibu will have a long-term advantage" gradually took shape, he unconsciously chose a calculation method that was more favorable to this conclusion.
Now, the girl in front of me is using the same publicly available information to shatter almost all of my arguments, one by one.
"Even if this part is included, the operating rights will still expire in ten or fifteen years."
Takahashi finally spoke again.
"The assets retained by Seibu will continue to exist."
This is his last argument that still holds water.
Unexpectedly, Satsuki nodded.
"Once the lease expires, Seibu certainly has the right to reclaim the operating rights."
"But……"
Satsuki looked at him again.
"Fifteen years of business will not all disappear immediately on the day the contract ends."
"Transportation routes, supplier relationships, brand awareness, and established consumer habits will all remain."
"Think about it, if a restaurant you've been eating at for over a decade suddenly changes its taste, would you still like that restaurant?"
Even so, you can't be sure that Seibu will renew his contract.
Takahashi said this quickly, as if he had finally found a way to retaliate.
"I can't."
Satsuki could actually say that, but she said it anyway.
"Therefore, I won't include all the benefits after the contract renewal in my calculations."
"I just feel that it's unfounded for Takahashi-senpai to write down the value of the operating rights as zero after they expire."
She looked at the two numbers on the blackboard.
"Long-term assets need maintenance, continued financing, and someone to manage them well."
"A term-limited operating right can also generate cash flow within its term and leave behind something that doesn't disappear immediately."
"Which one has existed longer and which one is more valuable are not directly equivalent to each other."
Takahashi stared at the blackboard for a while.
Satsuki has dismantled his three most important premises in succession, but she has never denied the value of the assets that Seibu has preserved, nor has she used any internal data to pressure him.
Every rebuttal started with his lecture notes.
Takahashi looked up.
"Ultimately, what are you trying to prove?"
When he said those words, his tone had lost its initial composure.
Satsuki did not answer.
She picked up the chalk again and drew a line next to what Takahashi had originally written: "Seibu has a long-term advantage," but she didn't cross out those words.
"This handout proves a lot of things."
Satsuki looked at the blackboard.
"Seibu benefited greatly from the cooperation; it preserved the project and the opportunity to continue operating."
"Saionji also needs Seibu's hotels, transportation, and convention facilities, so this collaboration is valuable to both parties."
Takahashi waited a few seconds.
"and then?"
"And that's it."
Satsuki lightly dotted the horizontal line with chalk.
"The existing data can prove that Seibu has benefited in the long term, but it cannot prove that Seibu has been superior in the long term."
She turned around and looked at Takahashi.
"Takahashi-senpai has arrived here."
Satsuki points in front of the horizontal line.
"But in the end, we took one more step forward."
The chalk then landed on the two words "dominant".
"And at this step, the information in the lecture notes is not enough."
The classroom fell completely silent.
Takahashi did not look at Satsuki again.
His gaze lingered on the conclusion he had written down, his lips were pursed tightly, and his hand holding the lecture notes unconsciously tightened.
This analysis is the culmination of more than two months of preparation.
He personally collected and organized every piece of data, including station information, hotel data, passenger flow data, and project progress data. The freshman in front of him didn't refute his investigation, but he undermined the foundation of the conclusions he valued most.
After a long while, Takahashi spoke again.
"According to you, Saionji Temple gained more benefits?"
He finally raised his head, his gaze fixed on Satsuki's face.
Satsuki shook her head.
"I didn't say that."
Takahashi frowned.
"You've been pointing out that I underestimated Saionji."
"Underestimating Saionji does not necessarily mean that Saionji has the advantage."
Satsuki put down the chalk.
"The full contract was not made public, and the accurate figures for the costs and benefits actually borne by both parties are not available to outsiders."
"Using this data to prove that Seibu is definitely superior is not enough evidence."
She looked at Takahashi and added:
"Conversely, proving that Saionji definitely has the upper hand is still not enough."
Takahashi paused for a moment.
He originally thought that after Satsuki dismantled his conclusion, she would naturally give a completely opposite answer.
But she didn't.
"So," Takahashi's voice lowered, "you can only prove that my conclusion is flawed."
"right."
Satsuki nodded.
"At this point, we can only prove this much."
She glanced at the lecture notes, which were somewhat disheveled from being flipped through.
"Takahashi-senpai's investigation was not in vain."
"It's just that the last sentence was written in too much of a hurry."
Takahashi remained silent for a long time.
If Satsuki were to declare Saionji the biggest winner at this point, he could still refute it by citing insufficient data.
However, she stopped at the point where the evidence could support her claim.
Instead of pushing their conclusions further in an attempt to achieve a more complete victory, they did not push them any further.
Takahashi finally reached out and picked up the chalk.
He crossed out his original conclusion, changing "Seibu has a long-term advantage" to "Seibu has a long-term benefit".
Only two words changed.
The conclusion of the entire analysis was completely different.
"you're right."
Takahashi put down the chalk, but the fact that a junior had publicly refuted all his reasoning left him with a clear sense of resentment in his voice.
"I have proven that Seibu can benefit from the cooperation in the long term, but I have not proven that it has gained more than Saionji."
"The data itself is fine; I was too hasty in drawing conclusions and went too far."
Naoki, sitting in the audience, stared blankly at the blackboard.
He was convinced that once these three junior students heard Takahashi's analysis, they would all become interested in the Economics Research Department.
He's not sure if he's developed an interest yet.
One of them changed the conclusion of Takahashi-senpai's lecture notes on the spot.
Satsuki put the chalk back in its place.
"Actually, Takahashi-senpai did a very good job with his research."
Upon hearing this, Takahashi couldn't help but glance at her.
"You just refuted my conclusion, so hearing this kind of evaluation feels a bit strange."
Satsuki laughed.
"Then let me put it another way."
"Your information is worth me sitting here and listening to until the end."
Takahashi paused for a moment.
His face was still somewhat stiff, but the resentment in his eyes gradually transformed into something else.
"I will recalculate."
"I will put all of these factors back into the portfolio: extension, financing costs, customer conversion, and the value left after the operating rights expire."
Takahashi looked at the two lines on the blackboard.
"Next time, I will produce an analysis that won't be so easily dismantled."
"That's what makes it interesting."
Satsuki nodded gently.
She was only curious about the topic on the sign, which is why she came in to listen to a student club research meeting.
Takahashi's conclusion does indeed have obvious problems.
However, he spent two months collecting information, personally visiting train stations and Odaiba, and did not shy away from the questions he faced.
If someone points out a problem, he will re-examine it; if he finds that a conclusion is invalid, he is willing to personally correct it, even in front of dozens of freshmen.
Such a person is far from being truly mature.
But it's worth giving them at least one chance.
Satsuki looked at Takahashi for a while, then reached inside her coat and took out a thin business card holder.
Below the podium, Reiko noticed her movement, and her eyebrows twitched slightly. Ayako also wiped the smile off her face.
Satsuki opened her business card holder, pulled out a pure white card, and handed it to Takahashi.
"This is for you."
Takahashi instinctively reached out and took it.
The business card was of very good quality, but it didn't have a phone number or any job title on it.
There is only a very small Saionji family crest on the top front.
The words "Saionji Satsuki" are written in the middle.
Below is the "Saionji Group".
He flipped it over and took a look at the back.
The back is also blank.
"This is?"
"If you are really interested in this matter, after you have completed the analysis again, you can take this business card to Saionji Group to find me."
Satsuki looked at him.
"The person at the door will let you in."
Takahashi looked down at the business card in his hand, then looked up again.
"Saionji...you work for the Saionji Group?"
I guess so.
Satsuki offered no further explanation.
She turned back to her seat and picked up her lecture notes.
"Ayako, Reiko, let's go."
"Can we finally go eat?"
Ayako immediately stood up.
"I thought Saionji-kun had forgotten about this."
Reiko tidied up the lecture notes and handed them back to the member at the door.
"Who was watching so happily just now?"
"I'm just nervous for Takahashi-senpai."
Ayako answered confidently.
The three of them quickly left the lecture hall.
……
The doors to the lecture hall closed again.
The silence lasted only a moment before hushed whispers arose from the back rows. Some were still looking back at the door, while others flipped back through their lecture notes, comparing them to the revised conclusions on the blackboard.
The minister in charge of the event walked onto the podium and gave a few brief closing remarks.
"That concludes today's open research meeting."
"There are also past issues of the department magazine at the entrance; interested students can take a copy home. If you'd like to participate in the next event, you can also leave your name and department."
The new students then gradually got up.
The sound of chairs being folded and unfolded, conversations, and footsteps quickly filled the lecture hall. Several members went to the aisle to collect the excess handouts, while others stood guard at the door to continue answering questions related to joining the club.
Takahashi was not involved.
He was still standing next to the blackboard, holding that pure white business card in his hand.
The amount of information above is unusually small.
The family crest of the Saionji family.
Saionji Satsuki.
Saionji Group.
There was no further explanation.
"What is her position in the group?"
Takahashi watched for a while, then turned and asked.
"They don't even have a way to contact you."
Naoki then squeezed through the back row. He had been busy seeing off the new students who were auditing the class and hadn't yet seen what Satsuki had given him.
"A business card?"
He moved closer.
Upon seeing the surname above, Naoki's smile quickly froze.
"Saionji Satsuki..."
He subconsciously read it aloud, then looked up at the closed lecture hall doors.
"Could she be...?"
"You're only realizing this now?"
The fourth-grade student leader was tidying up materials on the podium when he heard their conversation and couldn't help but turn around and glance at them.
Takahashi asked, "Does your senior know her?"
"I wouldn't say I know them."
The minister put down the folder in his hand.
"I saw her from afar at a reception last year when I attended one with my family."
After the minister approached, he first glanced at the business card in Takahashi's hand.
"You really don't know who she is?"
Takahashi shook his head.
All I know is that her surname is Saionji.
"She is the daughter of Mr. Shuichi Saionji, Satsuki Saionji."
Naoki was stunned.
"The eldest daughter of the Saionji family?"
The minister glanced at him.
"It's certainly not wrong to call someone that at school."
"But if you treat her only as a young lady in front of people who truly understand the Saionji family, you'll probably be laughed at."
Naoki's expression slowly changed.
"What do you mean?"
"Mr. Shuichi is of course the head of the Saionji family. But most people in the business world know why the Saionji Group has been able to get to where it is today in recent years."
The minister's gaze returned to the business card.
"From external expansion to internal integration, and now to this collaboration with Seibu, the person who has truly been in charge of these things has always been Ms. Satsuki."
Takahashi glanced at the blackboard instinctively.
"Was this collaboration also her decision?"
"At least in my circle, it's not exactly a secret."
The minister said.
"She rarely appears in public and doesn't hold any position within the group. Regular newspapers naturally wouldn't write about that."
"But the people in banks, trading companies, and those big corporations who are truly qualified to make decisions don't see her as just a daughter following behind Mr. Shuichi."
Naoki opened his mouth, then looked back at the closed lecture hall doors.
"So we just now..."
"I analyzed a deal in front of her that she personally led."
The minister finished the second half of his sentence for him.
Takahashi looked down at the business card again.
Of course he knew about the Saionji family.
The collaboration discussed at today's research meeting is directly named after this surname. However, in his understanding, the so-called "head of the family" should be someone who rarely appears in front of ordinary people and is even more distant from university clubs.
The person who had just been arguing with him at the podium was actually a freshman who looked a few years younger than him.
"Did she really enroll this year?"
"First year of economics."
Naoki nodded with difficulty.
"I asked that myself."
After he finished speaking, it was as if he finally remembered what he had said on the way from the school road to the auditorium, and his expression gradually became stiff.
"I also told her that Senior Takahashi had been preparing for this research conference for two months."
The minister said, "That statement is not wrong."
"I also said that once she hears it, she will definitely think our research department is amazing."
"This sentence can't be considered wrong either."
Naoki looked at the revised conclusion on the blackboard.
"But in the end, it was Takahashi-senpai who left his business card."
The minister smiled.
"So your recruitment this time was very successful."
Naoki couldn't laugh at all.
"They didn't agree to join our club."
Takahashi did not listen to them continue.
He lightly touched the edge of the business card with his thumb and asked again:
"Is this kind of business card special?"
The minister's smile faded somewhat.
"Very special."
"In fact, it's more accurate to say that business cards with this name are all quite unique."
He then pointed to the family crest.
"As long as you take this business card to the Saionji Group, the receptionist will know where to pass the message."
Takahashi looked up.
"Does she often give people these kinds of business cards?"
"At least I haven't heard of it."
The minister thought for a moment and then added:
"Satsuki Saionji doesn't hold a public position, nor does she need to exchange business cards like ordinary company employees. There probably aren't many people who would have her personally hand them something like that."
"My father had dealings with the Saionji Group for several years, but he didn't have any."
Takahashi lowered his head again.
Only then did he truly understand Satsuki's words before she left.
Take this business card to the Saionji Group to find her.
The people at the door will let him in.
That wasn't just a casual, polite remark.
The minister looked at him.
"Did she just invite you to the company headquarters?"
"After I finish the analysis again."
"So what are you going to do?"
Takahashi did not answer immediately.
A few club members were still tidying up the desks and chairs below the podium, while most of the new students had already left. The relationship diagram on the blackboard was still there, with the words "Seibu benefits in the long term" remaining next to the original conclusion, looking particularly conspicuous.
He lost completely today.
Satsuki never revealed her identity throughout the entire process, which shows that she disdains using her status to intimidate others.
She simply followed his established analysis, questioning him layer by layer, until he himself could no longer maintain his original conclusion.
But what Takahashi felt more deeply was no longer the embarrassment he had felt standing on the stage.
Importantly, that person gave him another chance to prove himself.
Takahashi put the business card into the inside pocket of his shirt and pressed it down with his hand to make sure it wouldn't fall out.
"Of course it needs to be redone."
Naoki asked, "Are you really going to the Saionji Group?"
"Otherwise what?"
Takahashi picked up the obsolete valuation sheet from the podium, glanced at it, then folded it up and put it back in the documents.
"She had already opened the door."
"I can't possibly lack the courage to go in and lose again, can I?"