All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends

Chapter 83: Yukinoshita Yukino Misunderstands Until Cries

Watching the same movie for the fourth time, one that he had already seen before.

Yet Yukima Azuma didn't feel bored at all.

The sparkling, water-like eyes of Bocchi and the conflicted boldness in her heart made it impossible not to tease her.

Eriri's cute reactions, gradually shifting from arrogance to shyness, coupled with her pear-flavored sweet lips, also left a lingering impression.

In contrast, the movie outings with Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kato Megumi were relatively more peaceful.

With Kato Megumi, things had only progressed to holding hands.

But just sitting next to Megumi while watching a movie was enjoyable enough.

As for Kasumigaoka Utaha, nearly anything could be done.

There was no need to do anything too extreme right inside the cinema.

When Titanic ended its screenings, the box office revenue figures were released.

Yukima Azuma's "all-in" investment had brought Laplace Corporation an enormous profit of $119 million.

After subtracting the initial investment capital, the net profit still exceeded $100 million.

For this investment, the return rate reached 1,000%.

Converted to Japanese yen, the figure reached a staggering 18.2 billion yen.

This unbelievable investment profit prompted Hayasaka Nao to take the initiative to call and report for the first time.

It seemed Hayasaka Nao had also followed along with a small investment.

But she didn't have the boldness to "all-in" like Yukima Azuma.

Even so, she still became a significant winner.

But compared to the profits, Hayasaka Nao was even more amazed by Yukima Azuma's foresight.

This man seemed to live up to his name.

Just like Laplace's demon, he could seemingly foresee the future.

During their conversation, Yukima Azuma and Hayasaka Nao briefly discussed the next investment plans.

Among them, $20 million was allocated by Yukima Azuma to invest in a man named Michael Dell.

This individual had registered his company two years ago with a capital of just $1,000.

The product he aimed to develop was computers.

Two years later, he had launched his creation and was in urgent need of investment to validate it.

Additionally, another $50 million was allocated by Yukima Azuma to invest in a computer operating system project by Microsoft.

The founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, was already a renowned entrepreneur and software engineer at this time.

His company, Microsoft, had also captured a significant share of the software industry in the United States.

Ordinarily, for a newly established venture capital firm like Laplace Corporation,

without strong backing, it wouldn't qualify to participate in the initial funding rounds for Microsoft's projects.

For a well-known company, when accepting investments, they don't just consider the money.

They also focus on the value the investor can bring to them.

Famous Wall Street venture capital firms, with just one investment, could generate media frenzy and massive advertising campaigns.

Investors with a strong foundation and extensive connections could rely on personal networks to expand product distribution channels or even resolve issues related to sourcing cheaper raw materials.

These were things that Laplace Corporation currently couldn't do.

However, that was just the typical scenario.

The computer operating system project by Microsoft at this time was an exception.

Because the same year Microsoft began seeking investment,

the U.S. government also announced that the Department of Defense would develop its own computer operating system and make it widely accessible.

On one side was a civilian system, and on the other, a government-backed system.

The trend clearly leaned toward the government.

For this reason, most venture capital firms didn't see much potential in Microsoft's project.

Thus, Laplace Corporation was able to secure this investment opportunity.

The remaining funds, aside from operational costs for the overseas headquarters,

were entirely used to invest in the branch in Japan.

And finally, with money in hand…

.....

Today, Yukinoshita Yukino was sitting in an office building conducting interviews.

Sitting across from her was a young woman named Isshiki Iroha.

She was interviewing for a position in human resources.

As Yukino looked over her resume, she couldn't deny that Isshiki was indeed impressive.

However, at present, all human resources matters at Laplace Corporation were personally managed by Yukino.

There was really no need for additional staff.

"Isshiki-san, have you considered trying a different position?"

After failing to persuade her, Yukino finally asked.

If it were in the past, she would have refused outright without another word.

But since meeting Yukima Azuma, she had started learning how to negotiate with others.

Isshiki Iroha shook her head.

"In that case..." Yukino was about to make her decision when her phone suddenly rang. "Excuse me, I'll step out for a moment."

She took the call and walked out of the interview room.

"President, do you need something?"

"Yukino, what are you doing?"

"I'm working... Do you have something else you need, President?"

If it had been anyone else, Yukino would have responded curtly: "I'm working. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."

And she would have actually hung up without waiting for a response.

"Yes, I do. Over the next two days, hire a few HR staff, then you stop working."

From the other end came Yukima Azuma's enthusiastic voice.

A massive question mark appeared above Yukino's head.

Was he planning to fire her?

Why?

Yukino tried to recall everything she had done over the past half-month.

Since she started working, she could confidently say she had worked diligently without any negligence.

Even in terms of workplace relationships,

after her last conversation with Kirisu Mafuyu,

Yukino's attitude toward Yukima Azuma had noticeably shifted.

The patience she never showed others was now fully extended to Yukima Azuma.

Even when Yukima Azuma occasionally talked nonsense,

she still listened seriously.

And yet, why?

"Moshi moshi? Yukino, are you listening?"

Yukima Azuma's voice came from the other end of the call.

"Yes, I understand," Yukino replied.

"Good. Once you're done, come over to my place. I've sent the location on Line."

"Alright."

Yukino quietly hung up the phone, a heavy feeling weighing on her chest.

She returned to the interview room.

Trying to maintain her composure, Yukino looked at Isshiki Iroha.

"Isshiki-san, welcome to the company. Please follow me to complete your onboarding paperwork."

Even with the looming possibility of being dismissed, Yukino upheld her sense of responsibility, finishing her work without any personal bias.

"Yukinoshita-san, is something wrong?"

On their way to complete the procedures, Isshiki Iroha curiously asked, noticing Yukinoshita Yukino's unsettled demeanor.

However, Yukino merely shook her head.

The turmoil in her heart was something she couldn't share with a stranger.

Once the onboarding procedures were completed, Yukino informed Isshiki Iroha that she would officially start work the next day.

After that, Yukino left the company building.

Following the directions on her phone, she made her way to the designated location.

On her way there, Yukino's mind was in chaos.

She couldn't understand.

Why, just when she found a glimmer of light, was she about to be pushed back into the darkness?

The past two weeks felt like a beautiful dream, and now it seemed to be on the verge of shattering.

When she arrived, she saw Yukima Azuma standing by the roadside.

Although she had told herself repeatedly on the way to stay calm, her heart was still far from steady.

She needed to stay rational.

But at this moment, Yukino couldn't hold back anymore.

She strode quickly over, grabbed the young man's shoulders, and spoke in a trembling voice:

"Why are you planning to fire me? Did I do something wrong?"

Yukima Azuma was bewildered.

"Who said I was going to fire you?"

Yukinoshita Yukino: o.O?

Hearing this unexpected answer, Yukino froze in place.

"But on the phone, didn't you say I should stop working?"

Yukima Azuma nodded.

"That's right. I meant stop working in human resources. When you first joined, I told you it was just a temporary role in HR, didn't I?"

"Now that we have money, keeping you in recruitment is truly a waste of talent."

"In a moment, we'll acquire a few factories and then establish a new subsidiary. You'll be the branch director."

"I can't trust anyone else with this role—only you, Yukino."

Yukima Azuma gently patted Yukino's shoulder.

Woman, I trust you completely!

In society, someone like Yukinoshita Yukino—honest, upright, and incapable of lying—was a rare gem.

If it weren't for Yukino, Yukima Azuma would rather manage all the branches himself.

After all, the foundation he had painstakingly built would be a cruel joke if stab in the back by someone he entrusted.

But Yukino...

Yukinoshita Yukino was truly someone who could be trusted without question.

Yukino's emotions were fluctuating, and at this point, she couldn't keep her expression in check any longer.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Why... can't you just say everything clearly, once and for all?"

Seeing Yukino cry, although his mind was still in confusion, Yukima Azuma took a tissue from his pocket and handed it to her.

Yukino grabbed the tissue, wiped her tears, and mumbled,

"How much did we make?"

Yukima Azuma didn't hide it.

"119 million."

Yukino nodded.

As expected of him.

With that, the company's fund was now much more ample.

However, to buy a few factories, the range of options might be a bit limited.

As Yukino was thinking this, Yukima Azuma added,

"USD."

At that, Yukino took a deep breath, then glared at Yukima Azuma.

She had gone numb.

It seemed like whatever happened with this person in front of her couldn't surprise her anymore.

It was just...

"I told you! Say everything clearly once!"

Yukino had just stopped crying, but now she felt like crying again.

119 million USD.

How long had the Yukinoshita family taken to accumulate 119 million USD?

Yukino thought.

Maybe not less than ten years, and perhaps eight years.

That was during a period of strong economic growth.

The guy in front of her couldn't just be described as "outstanding" anymore.

"How did you do it?"

"Invested in films. Didn't I say before I'd bet all the registered capital? A profit like this is pretty normal."

This guy was truly a Laplace demon.

After a long while, when Yukino had stopped choking up and wiped her tears dry, Yukinoshita Yukino returned to her professional demeanor.

"So, where are we going next, Laplace demon-sama?"

"Being called that is a bit embarrassing."

"You deserve it."

"Alright, alright, let's buy a car first."

"You're still not old enough to get a driver's license."

"Umu, so I'll buy one for you to use."

"I'm the branch manager, not a driver."

"Ehh? You haven't officially started yet? I'll pay extra for the driver position, how about it?"

"Fine, President."

"Yukino is so easy to sway when she's poor!"

"This is legitimate income."