(Flashback)

*elegant music playing*

A glass of fruit punch was laying idly in hand, I had a smile plastered on my face as I was making small talk with a middle aged couple in formal dress.

(Ah, I remember. This was the opening of a new branch company. Grandma Akiko forced me to come as my parent’s representative as a form of social etiquette training.)

“Kieren! Come here and greet someone!”

Grandma Akiko waved her hand to get my attention from across the room. In doing so her sequined dress shimmered under the bright chandelier lights making her easy to spot despite the crowd of people. After excusing myself from the middle aged couple, I made my way over to Grandma Akiko and a strict looking old man in formal Japanese clothes.

“Kieren, this man is Mr.Ichirou. He is the founder of the Annex Corporation. His leadership has led to his company to become the number one interior design position for the past 5 years.”

While Grandma Akiko was introducing this man, his eyes were analyzing me from head to toe. I wasn’t sure what he saw in me but whatever it was did not impress him. He snorted through his nose and gave me a slight condescending stare.

(Sigh…Here we go again.)

“It is a pleasure to meet you sir, I am Kieren Moonfury. I am here to represent my parents for the Moonfury Corp. I will be in your care. ”

Despite seeing the disrespect in the old man’s eye, Kieren still gave him a cordial greeting. He knew that his grandma wanted him to meet this man because it would be difficult.

“Humph! Of course you will be in my care. A greenhorn brat like you will always make mistakes unless a strong wise man is there to guide you.”

(I see…this man doesn’t like me because he thinks I am too young to deal with business affairs. He’s the type to look at appearance of a person rather than the ability or talent of person. The type that feels superior just because they accomplished one thing…Haaaaah, this will be annoying.)

I put on a courteous smile and didn’t let a hint of my irritation show.

“Yes Mr.Ichirou. I am a greenhorn when it comes to business but don’t worry I have a great teacher that won’t lose to even to the most accomplished businessmen. With Grandma Akiko here to guide me thoroughly there is no need to worry about my education, even the most trivial and irritating tasks are taught with care.”

(Like right now for example.)

Grandma Akiko just stood off to the side and watched the conversation unfold.

“You?!”

“What’s wrong sir? I was only answering question about my education. I believe Grandma Akiko is one of the best teachers I could have, don’t you agree?”

There was no way Mr.Ichirou could reprimand Kieren for no reason in front of Grandma Akiko and just by the words alone there was nothing wrong. As long as Kieren acted ignorant, there was nothing that could be done against him.

I could see Mr.Ichirou grind his teeth in frustration. And with a clenched fist on his walking stick, he replied,

“I would have to agree that your Grandma Akiko is one of the best teachers. After all, she is the one that founded the Moonfury corp. and led it to become the number one corporation in security in the area of technology and personnel. And not only that, but to do so as a woman no less, admirable.”

I couldn’t help but glance at Grandma Akiko. I mean, Mr.Ichirou was trying to compliment her but he couldn’t hide his misogynist views. It is true that women weren’t generally seen at the highest business positions but it was usually due to the fact that they fought in the shadows of their husbands or sons. For him to not understand this when he was the head of the number one in interior design was suspicious. Either he was very lucky, purposefully feigning ignorance or he did not know all the things going on in the company. Seeing that Grandma Akiko was unaffected I looked back to Mr.Ichirou who looked so proud of himself.

(Really…This guy is so full of himself. There is the possibility that he is tricking me for some reason but since this guy judge people based on appearances first and now indirectly insulting grandma Akiko I doubt it. Though not uncommon this guys is probably a figurehead. I guess grandma wants me to practice dealing with these type.)

“Yes, Grandma Akiko is really admirable. As I’m sure you’re already aware, when she was just 12 years old she created an impregnable firewall that withstood hacking attempts for 5 years and the only reason it was cracked was because she herself created an even greater virus. Then, at 20 years old she started the personnel security aspect of the Moonfury corp. using the team of bodyguards she trained herself. Ten years later and the Moonfury Corp are well known as the best in the industry.”

The old man cut into Kieren’s speech.

“Hmph of course I know! That much is common knowledge.”

“Ahhh. Well I would like to hear some of the exploits you have made in setting up your company. Did you start off as a small interior designer and capitalized on a specialty design or did you perhaps negotiate with another country’s interior design company to collaborate to create a monopoly or maybe you inherited your company and used a business plan from a subordinate?”

“How dare you!”

“Mr.Ichirou please don’t get me wrong. I am genuinely curious on how you were able to bring your company to the top. As this is our first time meeting, I am unaware of the accomplishments you have done.”

“Very Well! I shall tell you! I was able to bring my company to the top through my admirable leadership and brilliant ideas.”

“Such as?”

“Such as what?”

“Ideas such as what?”

Kieren feigned a curious and earnest expression on his face. The exchange between Mr.Ichirou and Kieren attracted the attention of the party crowd. To such a face Mr.Ichirou couldn’t afford to dismiss him in front of the crowd or else his integrity and reputation would be damaged.

“Ideas such as improved marketing strategies to get a higher customers turnout.”

“Haha. Mr.Ichirou forgive me for saying but that isn’t exactly a new idea. In fact, that is an obvious fundamental in any business plan. I know you wouldn’t like to reveal any trademark secrets but just one new marketing strategy would be very enlightening. Would you please elaborate for this inexperience greenhorn?”

“Ah-hum, Well! In that case, I guess I have no choice then. Alright, listen well!”

(This old geezer is trying to stall for time while he’s trying to think of something to say.)

“The brilliant idea the great me had devised to increase customer turnout is…to…speak with other countries to promote my company’s designs to them. In doing so I was able to get my company to get a high turnout in other countries.”

“…I see…Well, thank you for this insightful experience. There are other people I need to greet some other guests as a representative of my parents. If we have another opportunity lets discuss some more about business.”

(I’ve had enough listening to the rambling nonsense of an old man.)

“Very well. I guess you have learned your lesson. Feel free to ask me anything you need, after all I am the only one who has the qualifications to lead the new generation of business pioneers. Hahaha!”

At this point Mr.Ichirou was giving a self-important laugh as he was oblivious to the cold stare of Kieren and his grandma. Grandma Akiko taught Kieren on the dangers of being arrogant and overbearing. Confidence was something that was vital for a strong character but being too strong led to underestimating others and being blind to brilliant ideas even if they come from those deemed weak or inferior. So to see the man credited with the founding of a number one design company was appalling.

“Sure Mr.Ichirou. Grandma Akiko I am going to greet the Amree couple next would you like to come with me?”

“My. I haven’t met the Amrees in years. I would be delighted to go with you. Mr.Ichirou we will catch up more at a later date.”

“Of course madam Akiko. We will talk later.”

Grandma Akiko and I walked away from the old man. While they did so they whispered to each other to in a way they couldn’t be seen by the old man.

“Grandma Akiko was there really any value in talking with that old fool?”

“Haha, don’t be so irritated. You need to be in more control of your emotions, especially in situations that irritate you or make you mad. To show your emotions would be disadvantageous when negotiating, analyzing and deciding. Another method available to you is to feign emotions that make your opponents underestimate you. Of course these rules are flexible and you must have the wits to decide what is best.”

“But he obviously wasn’t the one to make decisions yet he acts so self-important despite it being obviously a fake.”

“It’s true that he is a fake but don’t you think there was a reason why they would chose to have a figurehead at the top instead of the real executive making the decisions present everything?”

“Uhhh…”

Grandma Akiko gave me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“So you’re saying you had the nerve to disregard him just because you were a little perceptive and saw that he wasn’t the real mastermind behind his company?”

“No! No! I could tell from his outfit that he obviously wasn’t treated as the head by his corporation either. Since he is from an interior design company he should be able to correctly coordinate his clothes or at least have someone who would do it for him for a special event such as this. This indicates that he is near the end of his power.”

I nervously answered Grandma Akiko. I knew if I didn’t give her a proper explanation then I wouldn’t be let off with a little trouble. There was nothing scarier than Grandma Akiko’s punishments. In response to my answer her smile changed into one of amusement.

“Hmm…then what do you think could be the reason why Mr.Ichirou is still at the top?”

“The only reason I could think as to why he could still hold onto the top seat is because he was the founder of his company and the true masterminds only wanted to use his name until now. But it seems that it won’t be true for long.”

Grandma Akiko closed her eyes and waited patiently for my answer. When I finished speaking her expression didn’t change.

“…”

I waited for her response but didn’t see any indication of answering. I couldn’t help but break out into cold sweat as I could only wait.

“I give it a 40.”

(Uh-oh. That means Grandma Akiko is going to punish me when I get home…I want to run but if I do she’ll make the punishment three times as harsh.)

“Your answer is only half correct. Yes, Mr.Ichirou is used as a figurehead by his secretary. Since the secretary is not a relative he is using Mr.Ichirou’s lineage as support to get his ideas authorized but the secretary is engaged to Mr.Ichirou’s granddaughter so he will eventually become the heir just as you had predicted. What you didn’t realize was that Mr.Ichirou’s son has a grudge against his father. Mr.Ichirou was abusive because his corporation was failing under his leadership. In order to ruin his father he wants to first show him what he will be losing.”

“…I see. So it was a scheme on top of another scheme. But I couldn’t have known that Mr.Ichirou was an abusive parent unless I researched him.”

“Exactly. You did so much but did not even know anything about the person you aggravated. There is always a jumble of schemes going on behind and on stage. It isn’t wrong to insult someone who deserves it but you need to first understand if you have the right and power to insult them. You need to be cautious of conflicts within and between corporations.”

“Yes Grandma Akiko. I will be sure to take your words to heart.”

Grandma Akiko nodded her head.

“Good! Now, that we have the opportunity you must dance with all the young women in this hall.”

“Eh?! But there are over 20 of them at this party!”

The women at that come to these parties are the most vain and superficial characters I ever meet. Forced to look for a powerful suitor by their parents to increase the power and connections of their corporations the girls were always trying to flirt or impress others with their skills but rarely showed an ounce of personality. Their eyes had a varying degree of boredom as they didn’t really want to be there as well. It was tiring for both parties.

“Oh? You’re not going to listen to your dear Grandmother then? I guess I should just head home since you don’t need me anymore~.”

“What?! No, No! Of course I know Grandma Akiko is doing this all for me! How can that be, I still need you.”

(If she goes home now then she won’t pick me up later and leave me stranded here or force me to walk home. It is 40 miles back to our house plus a 10 mile swim across a river. Afterwards she would ignore me and order all the servants back home to ignore him especially the chefs and cleaners. The chefs always hate it if someone else went into the kitchen so I would have a hard time getting food to eat even if I want to cook for myself.)

“In that case go along and go find some nice girls to dance with. I will be considerate and allow you to dance two songs per partner instead of one. That way you can talk with them and get to know them better.”

“Thank you very much Grandma Akiko. I appreciate your kindheartedness.”

Although he was thanking her, Kieren’s formal tone and stiff smile betrayed his true feelings. If you looked closely you could also see that his complexion was a bit pale. Grandma Akiko couldn’t help but think in amusement,

(Haha, this kid dreads interacting with those rich daughters so much. If he gets troubled just from this much I wonder how he will deal with the middle aged women I’ve been preventing once he’s a little older, though at this point he will just get eaten up before he can give a proper greeting. Now, what should I do to punish him when he gets home…maybe tossing him down the hill for a week with only a backpack will suffice?)

Kieren felt chills run up his spine as he was introducing himself to a haughty looking girl. He glanced back at his grandma who was sitting leisurely on a leather couch with a glass of alcohol in hand. He dreads dancing with the other girls but he dreaded the punishment his grandma was planning even more. He understood what being stuck between a rock and a hard place.