Little Majesty
Chapter 42
Truly wealthy individuals NEVER go shopping themselves.
Because the department store's VIP service comes to their mansion.
However, being just a regular person with a previous life as a commoner, I obviously want to go shopping.
So, with my butler Tachibana and a new bodyguard, I decided to have a shopping spree at a department store in Ikebukuro.
If I had known such an encounter awaited me, I wouldn't have gone.
"Wow . There just So many people here♪"
It's winter.
Right in the middle of the Christmas season too.
Through the ongoing processing of bad debts using Keika-in Bank, the current stock prices remain in the twenty thousand yen range, even during the Asian financial crisis.
The stock prices have not sharply declined thanks to the robust cross-holding ownership among the remaining zaibatsu and the seemingly seamless operation of Japan's financial convoy system, positioning it as a sanctuary for capital amid the crisis.
As a result, although people feeling the economic downturn due to the consumption tax hike, there's still no sense of panic.
"So, Ojou-Sama.*
What are you looking for today?"
[T/N- so I am planning to keep using Ojou-Sama, mostly because I forget when to right milady young lady or lady , so I will just stick to Ojou-Sama]
Though I was in the mood for a secret outing or window shopping so to say and didn't need a representative, no department store would leave a VIP customer like the daughter of the Keika-in family unattended.
Especially not when they are currently verge of selling themselves off due to bad debt and Keika-in Bank, which stepped in to help, has sent an important figure.
That would be Tachibana.
I'm merely pretending to be his puppet.
The Teisei Railroad, a post-war Zaibatsu giant, was split among brothers after its founder's death, one part becoming the Teisei Department Store Group.
This group, which owns department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores, ventured into hotels and real estate during the bubble era, a move that ultimately proved fatal for them.
The bad debt amounted to about 1.75 trillion yen.
Teisei Department Store's misfortune was that one of its main banks, DK Bank, was immobilized by a corporate scandal, leaving them only to Keika-in Bank's mercy.
Keika-in Bank judged it impossible to rescue the entire zaibatsu and decided on a scheme to send the bad debts to the Resolution and Collection Corporation under the Keika-in Rules and acquire the remaining parts.
However, many are skeptical of this rescue, given that rescued company would surpass the scale of the mid-tier Keikain Group.
"Well then, shall we start by looking at pocket watches first?"
A pocket watch for an elementary school student is quite unusual.
But I don't dislike the ticking sound of a mechanical watch.
Have you ever heard the saying, "If you ever had watch it should high end one"?*
[T/N- yep I don't know which saying it is "時計は高級なものを持て" (Tokei wa kōkyū na mono o mote) it's original line]
It's said to be a social etiquette for professionals, but in reality, it's also a portable asset that can be easily pawned.
"In that case, Ojou-Sama.
How about this one?"
The pocket watch presented was sterling silver.
I admire its simplicity.
I also prefer a sterling silver pocket watch with an engravable lid.
The price is in the six-figure range.
"Would you like to have your family crest engraved on it? It would serve as a form of identification too."
It's practically being treated like a inrō*.
[T/N- Traditional Japanese small case , used to handle precious things]
By the way, the Keika-in family crest is "Tsuki ni sakura." (Moonlit cherry blossoms)
"Hey, you there, Want to become a model?"
Where did this guy come from?
Ignoring my cold stare, the man framed me with his fingers, talking non-stop without listening.
"You have a good eye for picking out that watch, really sharp.
But your outfit,umm, it's not working at all!
Listen, they should have this amazing princess dress right here,
perfect for the vibe we're going for.
And hey, you get to keep rocking that watch,"
"Excuse me, sir. This person is…"
The flustered VIP service representative tried to reveal my identity, but he was stopped by the man.
Tachibana, on the other hand, couldn't hide his displeasure towards this rude person.
"What is it?
Didn't you call me to shoot the winter campaign that will decide the future of Teisei Department Store?
Then let me do as I please!
This little girl will surely able to stir the future of this department store."
In a way, he's not wrong.
Currently, we're speeding towards ruin.
I couldn't help but voice my thoughts genuinely.
"What do you know about me?"
"I know nothing. Except that you'll become a great woman*. Isn't that enough?"
[T/N - it's the most respectfull way I can translate his words, but if you don't understand then let me explain he basically said when she grown up she will be sexy type of beauty instead pretty/cute type of beauty oof you still don't understand let my temporary Chinese web novel writer soul explain-
As she matured, her beauty only blossomed further, evolving from a youthful allure to a mesmerizing, mature radiance that commanded both respect and admiration. Her figure became a perfect blend of elegance and seduction, every curve accentuated by the refined, form-fitting dresses she wore. Her hair, now longer and more lustrous, flowed like molten gold, a stark contrast against her sophisticated attire. Her eyes, now sharper and more discerning, held a depth of experience and wisdom, often drawing people in with their captivating intensity. Her lips, always poised in a subtle, knowing smile, spoke volumes of her confidence and the power she wielded. Every gesture, every glance was.....]
I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief and then admitted defeat.
An artist has a unique world view and the confidence to speak their mind regardless of others further proved his substantial achievements as a photographer.
"Tachibana.
It's our Defeat!"
"But Ojou-Sama…"
"Teisei Department Store is placing their bet on this individual, and in turn, he is placing his trust in me. Given his discerning eye, it seems fitting for us to take a chance as well."
Despite our best efforts, if Teisei Department Store collapses here, it will cause trouble for Keika-in Bank, which is trying to bail them out.
With the Asian financial crisis and the Ministry of Finance scandals, a 1.75 trillion yen bad debt explosion is a nightmare I don't want to see.
DK Bank will undoubtedly crash.
Without minding my sigh, the photographer proudly declared.
"See.
Didn't I say this girl would be amazing?"
I really want to punch him.
"Hey. Runa…"
"Keikain-san…"
"Keika-in…"
Don't say it. I know.
Other students are also whispering and glancing my way.
I had no choice!
Tesei Department Store Group Winter Campaign
— Did you find what you were looking for? Her Little Majesty —
This was the moment my nickname, "Little Majesty," was established.
Posters featuring me in a princess dress, sitting on a throne and holding a pocket watch with a provocative gaze, were displayed simultaneously in department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores of the Teisei Department Store Group.
Apparently, this campaign was an unprecedented success.
Since then, this photographer has often come to bother me by asking me to model, but that's story for another time.
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Authors Note
&
Glossary
┻━━━━━━━━━━┻
"Model debut is also one of the classic elements in shoujo manga.
By Masato Kasugaki Sama
【Teisei Department Store】
The original inspiration is a certain department store group.
At this time, the logistics industry typically had debts in the hundreds of billions, which was troublesome.
Besides department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores, they also owned a beef bowl chain.
【DK Bank】
The bank that was the stage for "Financial Corruption Islands: Curse" (Ryo Takasugi, Kadokawa Shoten).
I still remember the movie scene where everyone on the stage bowed their heads in unison.
【Keika-in Family Crest】
Also the logo of the Keika-in Group.
Based on "Moon with Stars," with the stars replaced by mountain cherry blossoms.
【Photographer called "Sensei"】
A photographer famous for shooting nudes.
Note that the personality is fictional.
Probably in the future, there will be a flashy dispute when he asks to shoot nudes.
[T/N - Japan and there obsession with loli's]