Reo stood amidst the circle of investors and businesspeople, speaking with a calm assurance that belied his young appearance. His voice was steady, measured — every word designed to implant an idea, an impression.
"Technology should not only drive profits," he said, glancing around the group, "but also create ecosystems. A company that controls its ecosystem controls the market."
The older businessmen exchanged glances. Some raised eyebrows. A few nodded, visibly impressed. Others — the smarter ones — leaned in slightly, listening more closely.
Reo continued.
"My plan focuses on three pillars: innovation, infrastructure, and influence. Technology is the first step, but infrastructure sustains it. Influence multiplies it."
He paused deliberately, letting the weight of his words settle.
In his old life, he had given hundred-million-dollar pitches to rooms full of sharks. Compared to that, this was child's play. These men saw him as a curiosity now — a 'child prodigy' — but soon they would see him for what he truly was:
A king in the making.
One of the directors clapped slowly, smiling. "Ambitious words for someone so young."
"Age has nothing to do with ambition," Reo replied smoothly. "Only with time."
The group chuckled lightly, but the tone had shifted. The joking had stopped.
They were beginning to take him seriously.
Out of the corner of his eye, Reo noticed movement. Ayaka Hanabira, the young actress he had spotted earlier, was making her way across the hall, politely excusing herself from her entourage.
She's heading this way...?
Reo's heart beat once — calm and calculated — and he returned his attention to the group, as if he hadn't noticed her at all.
Moments later, she stood a few feet from their circle.
"Excuse me," Ayaka said sweetly, her voice clear as a bell. "May I join this conversation?"
All eyes turned to her. The businessmen immediately stepped aside, eager to welcome a celebrity.
But Ayaka's eyes weren't scanning them.
Her gaze locked directly onto Reo's.
A flicker of recognition passed between them — though, logically, they had never met before.
Still, something in her expression hinted otherwise. Curiosity... and perhaps a faint sense of challenge.
Reo gave a small, polite nod. "Of course. It's an open discussion."
Ayaka smiled, stepping into the circle. She tilted her head slightly, studying Reo more closely.
"I heard about your presentation," she said, her voice lilting with genuine interest. "They say you're the youngest entrepreneur here."
Reo shrugged lightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his lips.
"Young or not, the market doesn't discriminate. Only results matter."
Several of the investors chuckled approvingly at that.
Ayaka's smile widened, intrigued. "Spoken like someone who's already seen how the world works."
Reo's gaze sharpened slightly.
Smart girl.
Unlike the others, Ayaka wasn't treating him like a child. She was measuring him — the same way a professional measures a rival or a future ally.
"I prefer to see things as they are," Reo said simply.
"And what do you see now?" she asked, almost teasing.
Reo met her gaze evenly.
"I see opportunity. Everywhere."
The room seemed to grow quieter around them, though in reality, the background noise hadn't changed.
Ayaka laughed lightly, covering her mouth with her hand. "You're an interesting one, Tanaka-san."
Reo smiled back, though inside, he was already making calculations.
Ayaka wasn't just beauty; she was intelligent, confident, and ambitious — exactly the kind of person he would need in his life.
But he wasn't desperate.
He wouldn't chase.
He would create a world so bright, so towering, that people like Ayaka would come to him naturally — drawn in like moths to a flame.
"Likewise, Hanabira-san," Reo said with perfect politeness. "I hope we can collaborate someday."
Ayaka gave a sly smile.
"Someday," she echoed, before gracefully slipping back into the crowd, leaving the faint scent of flowers in the air.
Doraemon, who had been hiding nervously near the snack table, finally waddled over, eyes wide.
"Who was that?!" he whispered urgently.
Reo chuckled under his breath.
"Someone who will matter," he said simply.
Turning back to the investors, Reo refocused. He wasn't here to chase stars today.
He was here to start building his empire.
And this was only the beginning.
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