Dining Symposium

 Chapter 22

When someone suddenly become Wealthy , what kind of people do you think they attracts ?

"Please donate to our cause!"

"I have a profitable opportunity for you!"

"As a relative, you should lend me a helping hand!"

Ofcourse ,These opportunists blinded by greed, I too knew that.

"I'm handling it myself, but it's not enough, so I've hired a driver for you my lady , as I will focusing more on these issues" Tachibana explained.

While I entrusted Tachibana with dealing with these opportunists, when he wasn't around, Keiko-san, the nanny, took on that role. Her negotiating skills is unquestionable as she once reigned over Ginza's night , but being a woman, she was also susceptible to being underestimated.

It seems hiring a driver also considered support as a of from such male hands.

[T/N- in short usually Tachibana deal with these money-hungry people but when he isn't around Keiko-san take over the role . She is capable with words but note all the time words work or many just don't give her importance as she is "woman" so a form male presence as of driver added]

"Also, I've hired a detective to investigate not only the people in this mansion but also those around Ichijou-san."

"Why?"

I tilted my head in confusion, and Tachibana calmly explained the reason.

"Opportunists target those around to reach their main target."

The Yodoyabashi Bank of this world incurred a massive loss of 500 billion yen in an unprecedented economic event. The daughter of the influential head of the bank worked at an art gallery, which became one of the stages of this scandal. It's implied that her father's affection for her made him vulnerable, and the gentlemen of the bubble era are well adapt to the underworld didn't miss to seize this weakness.

"Does that mean I'm being targeted?"

"Rather, it would be strange if you weren't targeted. You've gained a large sum of money, and precautions need to be taken for its management."

Tachibana then smirked in a way that was hard to describe.

It wasn't directed at me but seemed to lay ground work for his next words.

"Until now, it was difficult for anyone to lay a hand on you. Various people, including internal security, were watching over you."

With that one sentence, I could infer.

Perhaps, I too was wearing a similar expression as Tachibana.

The surveillance imposed on me due to my father's scandal also served as protection.

But the fact that Tachibana needed to take precautions meant that surveillance had been lifted or relaxed.

There were only two possible reasons.

"Uncle, or General-Secretary Katou, right?"

"Yes. It's likely an apology from General-Secretary Katou."

I thought it was unnecessary, but since I hadn't even known about the surveillance until now, I couldn't exactly complain.

Whether Tachibana knew my inner thoughts or not, he continued calmly with the alarming news.

"Keika-in Bank, which merged with Choshin Bank and Nihon Credit Bank*, turn out to be a Pandora's box of politically connected loans. Some politicians may have been saved by the fact that these loans were dealt with before being disclosed as non-performing loans."

[T/N - from now on I will be referring ' Credit Bank' as 'Nihon Credit Bank' as it is in Light Novel official translation, and it sounds cooler too]

Originally, Choshin Bank and Nihon Credit Bank were special banks under national policy, which later became ordinary banks. Therefore, rumors circulated vividly about politically connected loans, as far as being dubbed as politicians' piggy banks.

In my past life's memory, it was rumored that the audacious behavior of foreign investors who purchased one of these banks was due to silencing ruling party politicians with politically connected loans. Whether you ask it's true or not, in this world, it seems that such stories are indeed true.

"We should also address the issue concerning Ichijou."

"In that case, how about holding weekly dinners? Making time and sharing the same meal in the same place can also foster a sense of solidarity that cannot be ignored."

I nodded at Tachibana's suggestion. After all, as a still elementary school-aged girl, if Tachibana and Ichijou betrayed me, it would be the end. Therefore, it was necessary to constantly ensure their loyalty.

"That sounds good. So, when will the dinner be?"

This dinner would be habitually held once a week, changing the date and time if necessary, and would become the highest decision-making meeting where I and the executives of my conglomerate would gather.

Tachibana casually mentioned the date and time for the first meeting.

"Since the young lady has school, Saturday night would be suitable."

The first dinner.

As the three of us, Ichijou, Tachibana, and I, began eating, saying "Itadakimasu," the menu for the meal prepared by Keiko-san was homemade hamburgers.

It was lovely that there was a flag stuck in my hamburger.

While I was enjoying the hamburger, I learned a shocking fact.

"Moonlight Fund isn't a company!?"

I was so surprised that I ended up spitting out rice, but my mind was full of shock.

Seeing my reaction, Ichijou smiled wryly and began to explain the intricacies.

"In reality, there is a company organization called Moonlight Fund in the United States, and it does asset management, but among us, Moonlight Fund refers to the deposit account under your name, young lady."

This seems to be a desperate measure concocted by Tachibana and Ichijou to somehow cover up the flaw of me being a child. By using this setup, they have prepared multiple layers of security measures to ensure that even if something happens, I won't be caught*.

[T/N- Well buisnesses are never white at best they are grey. So future scandal is always a possibility.]

The foundation lies in the account created at the former Tokyo branch of the Old Far Eastern Bank, where the five hundred million yen loan, once secured by the mortgaging the mansion, was deposited. However, this debt itself has already been repaid by a paper company called Moonlight Fund in Panama. Furthermore, this five hundred million yen has been transferred to a private bank in Switzerland through multiple funds and lent to a high-tech company through a paper company called Moonlight Fund in Bermuda. However, the owner of this Moonlight Fund in Bermuda is the Moonlight Fund in Isle of Man. The funds of the Moonlight Fund in Isle of Man are entirely funded by my private account in a Swiss bank, and the Moonlight Fund in Panama also fully get it's funds from the private bank in Switzerland.

[T/N - okay , let me explain, first of all their multiple funds named "Munlight Fund" got it ? . So in panama , bemunda , Isle of man are places where this shell company "Munlight Fund" are . I don't need to explain what is Shell company in this let in the game do I ? And the money they need to operate come from each other. Clear? Now they need principal amount too right? And it come from the account of Runa of Switzerland Swiss bank ! And what gives money to that Swiss account you ask ? It would the Runa's account in old Far Eastern Bank and now Keika-in Bank named "MUNLIGHT FUND" it's more like public fund in name though. Ah there actual company named "Munlight Fund " in America's wall street too.

It's a old trick too avoid too much questions from low tear media or general populace]

So, the Moonlight Fund conducting IT company investments in the United States has a branch in Silicon Valley under a corporate name registered in the Isle of man Islands, and its owner is the Moonlight Fund in Panama. This sets up a structure where the work of the Moonlight Fund in Bermuda is subcontracted.

It's incredibly complicated.

"Why make it so complicated?"

Even though I'm getting explanations with diagrams, seeing the same name repeatedly is confusing my head, Ichijou explained the reason with a wry smile.

"The main reason is Tachibana's concern about dealing with opportunists. If we operate under the same name to this extent, even if the opponent is an extra-ordinary person, they'll get lost in the confusion."

Despite all the complexity in the proliferation of paper companies and fund transfers, the actual work is handled by just one building in Silicon Valley. The profits gained are then made complex, the routes obscured, and ultimately funneled into the private bank in Switzerland.

This account is indeed the core and center of the Moonlight Fund.

"Furthermore, the purpose of spanning multiple organizations was to increase the debt."

There is a financial term called leverage. It's a method of borrowing money to raise a large sum with little initial capital. The funds created by borrowing among the Moonlight Funds established in many countries amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars. By channeling this immense capital into the US IT industry, it has now grown to several billion dollars, riding the wave of the IT bubble. Currently, they seem to be repaying the debts in precarious situations and moving for profit.

"Huh? I understand bringing the money earned in the US to Japan, but what about converting dollars to yen and taxes?"

Tachibana and Ichijou exchanged glances at each other at my question. Despite being my whims, they must have been seriously crossing dangerous bridges for the sake of Japan's economic relief.

"All the money spent in Japan is borrowed."

Here's how it works. When the Moonlight Fund Japan Corporation was established, funds were provided by the Far Eastern Bank, and at that time, Japanese yen was lent. Later, during the process of the Far Eastern Bank becoming Keika-in Bank, other city banks provided Japanese yen, but they had a special clause stating repayment must be in dollars. This is the key to everything. The Japanese yen, which was lent at a significantly high rate due to exchange rate risks, was repaid in a lump sum by the Moonlight Fund. The dollars were provided by an investment bank in New York, but they were aware of the skyrocketing value of the IT company stocks owned by the Moonlight Fund. Using that as collateral, the borrowed dollars were repaid at the New York branch of the city bank in Japan.

"Honestly, I don't think even the Ministry of Finance has fully grasped the whole picture of the Moonlight Fund yet. Right now, the Ministry of Finance is struggling to control the rescued Keikka-in Bank and Keikka-in Securities."

"I heard that the National Tax Agency has taken action, but it seems like they've been stopped from above. If by any chance, we attach an even riskier bank to Keika-in Bank, there's a secret agreement where we provide the funds, negotiated by Minister Izumikawa and Secretary-General Katou. Plus, the current National Tax Agency is busy pushing for the long-awaited consumption tax increase, so it's in chaos."

Ichijou supplemented Tachibana's explanation. Financial administration in the Ministry of Finance is strictly divided between the Banking Bureau for banks and the Securities Bureau for securities. The power struggle between the rescued Keika-in Bank and Keika-in Securities quickly turned into a battle between the Banking Bureau and the Securities Bureau. And the National Tax Agency, which is involved in tax matters, couldn't act due to various issues related to the 5% consumption tax hike.

"Isn't there a risk of being blamed later?"

As I voiced my concern while poking at the dessert pudding with my spoon, Ichijo shrugged and blurted out. The existence of the aristocracy in this world.

"As long as the aristocracy's immunity from arrest exists, the National Tax Agency ultimately has no choice but to back down. The most commonly used crime under this immunity is tax evasion. Although we intend to operate within a gray area close to legality, if questioned, the Keika-in Ducal Family will step in, and the National Tax Agency would prefer not to act."

"Furthermore, since the young lady is a minor, I serve as her guardian for these accounts. At the same time, the transfer of funds between accounts can only be done with my and Ichijou's consent."

Tachibana and Ichijou must have wanted to reassure me that they would ultimately be the ones to bear the brunt of any trouble, but as a child unable to take responsibility, I couldn't help but feel frustrated.

"However, it's not good for both of you to take the fall like this. Let's think of a legal way to bring the money to Japan and use it."

As I finished eating and put my hands together, Tachibana and Ichijou followed suit, and we all said together:

"""Itadakimasu"""

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Authors Note

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[Moonlight Fund, excessively elaborate]

The original inspiration is from the "Manx 2 Flight 7100 crash." After going to such lengths to launder the company, it's inevitable to wonder where the responsibility lies. I couldn't help but scream while watching "Mayday," and I'm sure I'm not the only one. In Japan, this tragedy has been repeated with tour buses and became the catalyst for bus regulatory reform.

[Swiss Bank]

This is a famous bank known for being favored by certain snipers in a certain manga. However, there is no bank called "Swiss Bank"; it refers to the general term for private banks based in Switzerland. It was the best choice to protect the young lady's assets from opportunists, but there are tall tales about how the development of Swiss finance was due to the Romanov family leaving secret assets here and then perishing. The connection between Swiss banks and the Romanov family runs deep, leaving much to the imagination...

[Consumption tax hike]

The consumption tax was raised in 1997, becoming the trigger for the ruling party's major defeat in the next year's Upper House election. The Ministry of Finance, a huge government agency, was not only dealing with the collapse of banks like Tokyo Kyowa and Yamaichi but also pushing for the lon

g-awaited consumption tax hike. However, it couldn't fully exert its power. The times always provide compelling reasons that seem inevitable.

~~~Ending~~~