dkrc Chapter 31 Financing Course Welcome Party
Chapter 31 Financing Course Welcome Party
At 6:10, the group from the financing review team left the bank one after another.
It was already getting dark in Midosuji.
The wind at the end of April blew along the street, and the new ginkgo leaves gleamed with a tender green light under the streetlights.
A group of bank employees in dark suits walked on the sidewalk, their briefcases jingling, their leather shoes clicking softly on the cobblestones.
During the day, they sit behind different tables, examining other people's cash flow, collateral, and operational risks.
By evening, they were just a group of ordinary office workers going to an izakaya after get off work.
"Takenoya" is located in a small alley behind Yodoya Bridge.
A dark blue noren (traditional curtain) hangs at the entrance, with the shop's name written in white on it. Pushing open the door, you'll find a wooden counter and several tatami rooms inside.
The air smelled of grilled fish, soy sauce, fried food, and beer foam.
A handwritten menu is posted on the wall.
Salt-baked mackerel
"Stir-fried Beef Tendon"
"Fried chicken nuggets"
"Dashimi-rolled tamagoyaki"
Octopus vinegar
Asparagus and Bacon Rolls
It's a very ordinary izakaya.
It lacks the expensive tranquility of a high-class ryotei in Kitashinchi, and the sophisticated distance of a Ginza shop.
But this kind of place is best suited for in-class gatherings.
The price isn't so high that the membership fee will make you cry, and the taste is enough to soothe your stomach after a long day of being tormented by numbers and risks.
The staff led them to a private room on the second floor.
The tatami room wasn't big; it had two long tables, and it was a bit crowded to seat about twenty people.
Masakazu Yamada naturally sat in the innermost seat of honor.
Yusuke Hashimoto, the most senior member of the financing review team and nearing retirement, sat next to him.
Then several department heads and senior staff members took their seats in turn.
Kiryu Yaya then naturally sat down in the lower seat near the door.
This wasn't arranged by someone else.
It's the seat that the newcomers should sit in.
Being near the entrance makes it easy to call the staff, have food served, and clear empty plates. It also makes it convenient to get up and pour drinks for seniors when needed.
He took off his suit jacket, folded it neatly behind him, and placed his briefcase in an inconspicuous spot.
Chihaya Yuri sat on the outer side of the middle section of the table.
A few minutes later, the beer was served.
The staff also brought out oolong tea, ginger ale, and Calpis.
As soon as the beer bottles were placed on the table, Yamada Masakazu looked at Kiryu Yaya.
"Kiryu, you came by motorcycle today, didn't you?"
"Yes."
Kiryu Yaya immediately replied:
"The car is already parked in the bank's underground parking lot. I'll take the tram back tonight and pick it up tomorrow morning."
Masakazu Yamada nodded.
"That's good. Bank employees should absolutely not be involved in drunk driving."
"I see."
Kiryu bowed.
After the beer was served, no one drank it first.
These are the most basic rules of a Japanese drinking party.
No matter how thirsty you are, you must wait for the opening remarks and a toast.
Kiryu Yaya picked up a beer bottle and began pouring drinks for his seniors, starting from the seat of honor.
He held the bottle with his right hand and gently supported the bottom with his left, keeping the label slightly upward. When pouring, the rim of the glass did not touch the glass, and the wine line stopped steadily at seven or eight-tenths full.
These details are common knowledge in Japanese drinking parties, so he naturally knew them.
As Kiryu Yaya poured sake for Yamada Masakazu, he whispered:
"Section Chief, thank you so much for throwing me a welcome party today."
Masakazu Yamada glanced at him while holding his cup.
"Today isn't just for you. The Shiraishi Refrigeration case is also considered closed."
"Yes. The successful closure of the Shiraishi case is also thanks to the section chief and all the senior colleagues."
Masakazu Yamada didn't say anything more, only nodded slightly.
Kiryu Yaya continued pouring wine to the side.
When it was Hashimoto Yusuke's turn, he handed over the cup with a smile.
"Kiryu-kun, I heard you managed to persuade Section Chief Iwakura at the meeting?"
"where."
Kiryu Yaya filled the glass for him with both hands, his posture very humble:
"Section Chief Iwakura was pointing out the risks from a debt management perspective. I was just stating what I could think of. There's still so much to learn."
Upon hearing this, Hashimoto Yusuke's smile deepened.
"It's a good thing that young people know how to be afraid of risks."
"I look forward to your guidance in the future, Hashimoto-senpai."
Kiryu Yaya bowed slightly and then continued.
When it was the turn of the female section chief, Wakako Kishi, he didn't take a beer, but instead took an oolong teapot.
"Section Chief, would oolong tea be alright?"
Wakako Kishiwagi paused for a moment, then smiled and said:
"Okay, thank you."
Kiryu Yaya poured her more oolong tea without saying anything else.
He had vaguely overheard her making a phone call home from the shore, and learned that she had to go back to take care of the children that night.
When it was Chihaya Yuri's turn, Kiryu Yaya also switched to oolong tea.
"Chihaya, my apologies."
As he spoke, he added a little oolong tea to her cup.
Chihaya Yuri glanced at him.
"Thanks."
Kiryu Yaya lowered his head and said:
"I hope the department head will continue to provide strict guidance in the future."
Chihaya Yuri picked up her oolong tea and said nothing more.
Kiryu Yaya returned to his seat only after everyone had a drink in their cups.
He didn't pour himself a drink.
It's not so bad that the newlyweds pour themselves a drink in this kind of setting, but it's still not very elegant.
Soon, Hashimoto Yusuke picked up a beer bottle and waved at him.
"Kiryu-kun, the cup."
"Thank you for your help."
Kiryu Yaya immediately picked up the cup with both hands and leaned forward slightly.
Yusuke Hashimoto poured him half a glass of beer.
He waited until the other person finished pouring, then held the cup with both hands and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Hashimoto-senpai."
"It's a welcome party today, so don't be too reserved."
"Yes."
Even so, he still didn't drink it beforehand.
Masakazu Yamada raised his glass.
The private room naturally quieted down.
"So."
Masakazu Yamada glanced at everyone present.
"The Baishi Refrigeration case is now closed. Although there's still a lot of work to be done after the loan is approved, at least we've passed the first hurdle. Everyone has worked hard these past few days."
The crowd responded in hushed tones:
"Thanks for your hard work."
"In addition, the personnel department has also issued a notice. Kiryu Yaya will be officially assigned to the Financing Review Division starting May 1st."
Masakazu Yamada looked at Kiryu Yaya, who was sitting in the lower seat.
"Kiryu."
"Yes."
"You have indeed made achievements. But don't forget, you are still a newcomer. The Financing Review Department is not a place where you can establish yourself with just one or two cases. In the future, if you don't understand something, ask your seniors; if you are unsure, report to the department head; and when you feel confident, be sure to confirm first."
Kiryu bowed his head.
"I've got it."
Masakazu Yamada nodded.
"Today's event is both a consolation party for Shiraishi's case and a welcome party for Kiryu."
He raised his glass.
"Well then, thank you for your hard work."
Everyone raised their glasses in unison.
"Cheers."
"Cheers."
The glasses clinked together, the sound not exaggerated, but neat and crisp.
Kiryu Yaya then took his first sip of beer.
The cold, bitter taste went down my throat.
He put down his cup, immediately stood up, placed his hands on his knees, and bowed deeply to everyone.
"Dear seniors, thank you very much for holding this welcome party for me today."
The private room fell silent.
Kiryu Yaya maintained a low profile, his voice not loud, but clear enough:
"I've only been in this industry for less than a month, and there are many areas where I'm still developing. The fact that the Fuji Metals and Shiraishi Refrigeration projects have come this far is thanks to the section chief, Section Chief Chihaya, and all the senior colleagues who have been constantly pointing out and supplementing my work."
He paused.
"Starting in May, I will continue to work hard as a member of the financing review team. I look forward to your continued guidance."
After he finished speaking, he bowed again.
This conversation was short.
There were no grand pronouncements, nor was the atmosphere raised too high.
But in this context, it's just right.
Yusuke Hashimoto was the first to speak with a smile:
"Nice to meet you, Kiryu-kun."
Others followed suit:
Please give me your guidance.
"You'll have a tough time from now on."
"Don't let Chihaya-sensei scold you until you cry."
I don't know who said the last sentence.
A soft chuckle came from the table.
Chihaya Yuri raised her eyes and smiled, a rare occurrence for her:
"If the report is written correctly, I won't yell at you."
Kiryu Yaya immediately chimed in:
"I will definitely work hard."
The laughter became a little louder in the private room.
After the opening ceremony, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
The dishes were served one by one.
Salt-grilled mackerel, fried chicken nuggets, dashi-mahi tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), beef tendon stew, and several side dishes to accompany drinks.
Kiryu Yaya didn't rush to eat.
He sat near the door, observing the cups of his seniors while also noting where the staff served the dishes.
When the plate was full, he would casually move it to the doorway; when someone's glass was empty, he would pick up a wine bottle or a teapot and ask in a low voice:
"Excuse me. May I have some more?"
In Japanese drinking parties, a newcomer's ability to "get things done" doesn't mean simply sitting around giving speeches while holding a drink.
Instead, they know to pour wine when they see an empty glass, and to move dishes that are blocking their way.
In his previous life, when he was a corporate account manager, Kiryu Yaya attended far too many drinking parties.
Those experiences cannot be directly copied when applied to Japan.
But the underlying logic is the same.
The lively atmosphere at a dinner party is often a business process.
The Japanese process is simply more restrained and emphasizes timing and discretion.
Kiryu Yaya, holding a beer bottle, slowly began "pouring drinks and exchanging pleasantries" from the seat of honor.
When he returned to his seat, half of the fried chicken pieces on his plate were gone.
Wakako Kishimoto casually picked up a piece and put it into his small dish.
"Kiryu-kun, have some too. If the newcomer just keeps drinking and doesn't eat anything, he won't be able to keep going later."
"Thank you, Section Chief Ansho."
Kiryu Yaya bowed his head and thanked him.
Masakazu Yamada glanced at him.
"How's your alcohol tolerance?"
"I can drink a little."
Kiryu Yaya used a very Japanese way of speaking.
Masakazu Yamada smiled.
"Such answers are generally not very credible."
Yusuke Hashimoto said from the side:
"He just had a few drinks, and his complexion didn't change. He should be alright."
Kiryu Yaya quickly said:
"Today is a welcome party, so I won't be impolite. But I have to go to work tomorrow, so I'll be mindful of my behavior."
Upon hearing this, several veteran employees nodded and smiled.
Drinking alcohol is fine.
But if drinking it affects your work the next day, that's a different story.
No matter how lively the drinking party at the Bank of Japan is, being on time for work the next morning is still the bottom line.
Midway through the meal, the staff brought over a few more bottles of beer.
The new employee, unaware of the situation, casually placed a beer mug in front of Chihaya Yuri.
Before Kiryu Yaya could speak, Kishigami Wakako gently said:
"Oolong tea will do here."
"Okay, sure."
The shop assistant quickly replaced the cup.
The whole process was very natural; no one stirred things up or offered any explanations.
Chihaya Yuri didn't even lift her eyelids, as if she was already used to it.
Kiryu Yaya saw this and knew that Section Chief Chihaya probably couldn't drink alcohol.
After a while, Chihaya Yuri picked up her oolong tea and looked at him.
"Kiryu-kun."
"Yes."
"Welcome to the Financing Review Department!"
This statement was made very casually.
It felt more real than many formal welcome speeches.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
Some people were talking about land prices during the bubble era.
Some people have complained that our store's review criteria have changed again recently.
Some say the people in the debt management class are getting increasingly fierce.
Kiryu Yaya mostly just listens.
He only answered briefly when asked.
When it came to the second round of drinks, Kiryu Yaya took the initiative to call over a staff member to confirm what everyone wanted.
"Section Chief Yamada, beer again?"
"Um."
"Where's Hashimoto-senpai?"
"I also drink beer."
"Chief of the Ansho, oolong tea?"
"Thank you for your help."
"Chihaya, the section chief?"
"Hot tea."
"clear."
He noted down the order and made no mistakes.
A few minutes later, the drinks were served.
Kiryu Yaya first placed the hot tea in front of Chihaya Yuri.
Chihaya Yuri glanced at the cup, then looked at him.
"You adapted very quickly."
Kiryu Yaya said in a low voice:
"Still learning."
"In banking, learning too quickly is sometimes not a good thing."
Why?
"It's easy to get crammed with more work."
Kiryu Yaya was silent for a second.
"I've already experienced it."
Chihaya Yuri picked up her teacup, and her lips seemed to twitch very slightly.
The smile was faint and fleeting.
Around 8 o'clock, Masakazu Yamada looked at his watch and announced that it was almost time to wrap things up.
In Japanese workplaces, drinking parties are not usually left to simply dissipate naturally.
Especially gatherings within the classroom.
There should be someone to give a speech at the beginning, and someone to close the event.
Masakazu Yamada picked up his cup.
That's all for today. There's still a lot to do after the Shiraishi Refrigeration case; we'll get back to work tomorrow. Kiryu.
"Yes."
"After the official assignment, don't rush to prove anything. First, solidify your basic skills."
"I've got it."
"Chihaya."
"Yes."
"Don't ruin the newcomers."
Chihaya Yuri answered calmly:
"I will use it according to the regulations."
Everyone laughed again.
Masakazu Yamada chuckled, then said seriously:
"Well then, one last drink. Kiryu, welcome to the Financing Review Division."
Everyone raised their glasses.
Kiryu Yaya held the cup with both hands, and his posture was more upright than before.
Please guide me in the future.