Chapter 583: Satsuki's New Office

The morning of February 4, 1992.

Tokyo, Odaiba, Saionji Tower.

“Mm… Not bad at all.”

Leaning back in the spacious executive chair, Satsuki rested her hands on the armrests and gave it a gentle half-spin.

As the chair rotated, the floor-to-ceiling windows behind her—taking up nearly the entire wall—gradually brought the scenic panorama of Tokyo Bay into her view.

The weather was glorious today.

The winter sun shone upon the sea, glistening with fine silver ripples. In the distance, Shinagawa, Shibaura, and the staggered skyline of downtown Tokyo were all clearly visible.

Looking out from here, one could even spot several cargo ships slowly cruising through Tokyo Bay.

Satsuki spun another half turn.

“Hehe.”

This top-floor office in Saionji Tower had finally finished all of its interior decoration yesterday.

In truth, the corporate headquarters had been gradually put into service ever since its opening ceremony on January 10.

However, there were simply too many companies under the Saionji banner, and their various departments had originally been scattered across different parts of Tokyo. Merely coordinating the moving schedule, verifying communication systems, and setting up office facilities had taken over three weeks.

It was not until yesterday that the staff in charge of the headquarters relocation finally announced that the executive management floor was fully ready for operational use.

Thus, bright and early this morning, Satsuki had eagerly hurried over.

Of course, as the master of this tower, she naturally had no need to carry anything herself.

Moreover, strictly speaking, what belonged to her was far more than just this office in front of her.

The entire top floor of Saionji Tower had been designated as Satsuki’s private executive suite.

Stepping out from the dedicated private elevator, one first arrived at the secretarial office and reception area responsible for daily administrative affairs. Beyond that lay private conference rooms, a study, a rest suite, and several multifunctional rooms suited for various purposes.

The entire floor featured an independent communications and security system, making it impossible for unauthorized personnel to gain entry.

As for the premier room boasting the finest location and the most expansive area, it was, naturally, Satsuki’s primary office.

Across the large executive desk, documents had already been neatly categorized and organized.

On the right side of the desk sat a black computer terminal, flanked by a telephone, a fax machine, and dedicated equipment connected to the group’s internal communication network.

Most of the cables and ports that would otherwise have taken up considerable space were tucked discreetly beneath the desk.

As for the personal belongings she had brought from the main residence, Chizuru had meticulously arranged them in the adjacent cabinet.

Even the small teacup she was accustomed to using was already resting on the coffee table.

After spinning in her chair for a bit longer, Satsuki finally brought herself to stand up.

Clearly, though, she was not quite done playing around yet.

Walking up to the desk, she reached out and pressed a control key at the edge of the tabletop.

Accompanied by a soft mechanical hum, a concealed control panel slowly rose from beneath the surface.

“Ooh—so they really built it.”

Satsuki’s eyes sparkled slightly.

She tested a few controls and pressed another button.

The motorized sunshades near the floor-to-ceiling windows smoothly retracted, immediately flooding half the office with winter sunshine.

“Not bad, not bad at all.”

Satsuki nodded in satisfaction, then circled to the other side of the desk to inspect several hidden drawers.

Many of these designs had been personally proposed by her back then.

At that time, the entire tower existed only on architectural blueprints, and she had merely put forward a few requests to the designers based on her personal habits.

She hadn’t expected every single one of them to be fully realized today.

She walked over to the wall and checked the file cabinets concealed behind the wood paneling. After confirming they opened and closed smoothly, she finally halted, thoroughly content.

The entire office was styled with dark wood-paneled walls, complemented by charcoal-gray stone and subtle metallic accents.

The furniture arrangement was uncluttered. Aside from the executive desk and bookcases, a spacious lounge area was laid out on the other side, where several sofas encircled a low coffee table, flanked by several carefully curated potted plants.

The overall aesthetic neither carried the overly rigid atmosphere of traditional Japanese corporate offices nor mirrored the Western corporate executive suites that seemed obsessed with making everything out of gleaming metal.

At the very least, it suited Satsuki’s personal tastes perfectly.

She walked back to the floor-to-ceiling windows and admired the scenery outside for a while longer.

As she gazed, it suddenly struck her that spending all day in such a lovely place dealing with dry, tedious work felt a bit wasteful.

“Ah… Chizuru.”

“Yes, Milady.”

Chizuru, who was tidying things nearby, looked up immediately.

“I suddenly don’t feel like working today.”

“Understood.”

Without the slightest hesitation, Chizuru put down what she was holding and picked up the schedule beside her.

“I will notify the secretarial office to cancel the remainder of your schedule today. The two meetings scheduled for this afternoon can be chaired by Managing Director Endo on your behalf, and as for the documents requiring your personal approval, I will instruct the respective department heads to hold them temporarily…”

“Wait, wait, wait.”

Satsuki hurriedly cut her off.

“I was just joking around.”

“…Understood.”

Chizuru halted her pen.

Seeing how thoroughly prepared Chizuru was to arrange her playing hooky, the corners of Satsuki’s mouth curled up.

“What I mean is, if there comes a day down the road when I truly don’t want to work, I’ll just move my desk right by the window.”

She turned around and gestured toward the sweeping panoramic window.

“Sitting there every day, looking at the view, drinking tea, occasionally signing a document or two… that sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it?”

Chizuru inspected the space beside the window thoughtfully.

“There is indeed plenty of space here. If Milady wishes, I can arrange for the staff to rearrange the furniture today.”

“Mmm, no need to be in such a hurry…”

“Furthermore, Milady.”

“Hm?”

“In truth, you could retire right now.”

“…Eh?”

Satsuki was momentarily stunned.

Yet Chizuru spoke with complete earnestness.

“The group has already established an exceptionally sound management system, and each department has dedicated executives in charge. Even if you no longer take part in day-to-day operations and merely retain final decision-making power over major matters, it would not significantly impact the group’s normal functioning.”

She paused to reflect, then added:

“If Milady wishes to reduce your workload even further, even regular meetings can be eliminated. You would only need the secretarial office to brief you privately when it concerns the group’s major investments, executive appointments or dismissals, and other critical matters.”

Satsuki listened in mild bewilderment.

“Chizuru…”

“Yes.”

“Are you seriously trying to get me to retire?”

“If that is Milady’s desire.”

Chizuru curtsied slightly.

“I will do everything in my power to arrange it for you.”

“…”

Satsuki stared at her.

Chizuru gazed back quietly, clearly seeing nothing amiss with the suggestion she had just put forth.

After a few seconds, Satsuki finally could not hold back a laugh.

“Haha… Honestly.”

She reached out and lightly pinched Chizuru’s cheek.

“I’m only eighteen, you know, and you’re already planning my retirement life?”

“Because Milady no longer needs to handle these duties personally.”

Chizuru answered as if stating the obvious.

“As long as you are willing, you could devote all your time to the things you enjoy.”

“Mm… That certainly sounds tempting.”

Satsuki pretended to ponder it seriously for a moment.

Then, looking out the window once more, she shook her head gently.

“Still, it’s far too early to retire.”

After all, there were still so many things she wanted to do.

Besides, having gone through the trouble of building this five-hundred-meter headquarters, she couldn’t very well announce her retirement right after moving in, could she?

If Endo and the others heard that, they might actually burst into tears.

The thought made Satsuki stifle another laugh.

“Let’s leave retirement for the future.”

She turned around and strode toward her new desk.

“For now, let me properly enjoy my new office first.”

“Understood, Milady.”

Chizuru closed the schedule and placed it back in its original spot.

As for the discussion about retirement just now, she had clearly committed it to memory.

At any rate, the moment Milady truly decided to stop working, she could begin making arrangements at any time.

…

Joking aside, Satsuki was genuinely thrilled that she would no longer have to bring the bulk of her work back to the main residence.

Over the past few years, as Saionji’s business expanded, the stack of documents she had to process at home grew thicker by the day.

At first, it had merely occupied a few shelves in the study, but later, an entire room adjacent to her bedroom had to be repurposed into an archive room.

Eventually, there were times when she had just finished dinner and was ready to unwind, only for the secretary to deliver several documents requiring her personal signature.

As a result, time originally meant for reading or listening to music inexplicably morphed into work hours.

Now, at last, she could enjoy some peace and quiet.

With Saionji Tower officially operational, the group’s key departments had assembled in Odaiba one after another, and administrative, financial, and managerial duties that had previously been scattered across various sites were now being centrally coordinated through the new headquarters.

Reports from around the globe, investment proposals awaiting approval, and routine operational matters could all be handled by relevant departments first, sending up only the issues that truly required her final decision.

That way, she could leave the vast majority of official business here in the office.

As for home…

Naturally, it should be for resting!

At this thought, Satsuki suddenly felt that the billions of dollars spent constructing this tower had yielded yet another splendid return.

She had no desire to work so hard building such a vast empire only to find herself still working the moment she returned home.

Of course, if a genuine emergency arose, she would naturally deal with it as needed.

Yet at least for now, she finally possessed the means to separate her work and private life a little.

Satsuki sat back down behind the desk.

Picking up the topmost file on the desk, she casually flipped through a few pages.

It detailed the relocation progress of each department and the first-phase performance of the administrative systems following the official opening of the new headquarters.

Most departments had already completed their move, while the few still undergoing equipment calibration and personnel adjustments would resume normal operations over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, several dedicated communications lines connecting overseas branches were currently undergoing final testing.

Having finished reading, Satsuki picked up her fountain pen and signed her name at the bottom of the document.

Then, she handed the file to Chizuru.

“Send this to the secretarial office.”

“Yes, Milady.”

Chizuru received the document and tucked it into her portable folder.

Just as Satsuki reached for the next file, a gentle knock sounded at the office door.

“Satsuki?”

A familiar voice came from outside.

“Father?”

Satsuki looked up.

“Please come in.”

The door pushed open, and Shuichi stepped inside holding a document.

Today, he was dressed in a dark gray suit with a neatly tied necktie, appearing as though he had just concluded some formal business.

“How is it?”

Upon entering, Shuichi first glanced around the surroundings.

“Getting used to the new office?”

“Of course!”

Satsuki nodded immediately.

“It’s much more comfortable than the study at the main residence.”

“Oh?”

Shuichi walked over to the desk, his gaze sweeping over the orderly equipment and files before turning toward the window.

“It really is quite nice.”

He approached the panoramic glass and looked down.

“Looking at Tokyo from here offers quite a different perspective.”

“Right?”

Satsuki stood up as well.

“And the view from here is even better than from your floor, Father.”

Hearing this, Shuichi turned his head.

“What, I barely walked in the door and you’re already showing off?”

“Not at all.”

Satsuki shook her head with complete solemnity.

“I am merely offering an objective introduction to the merits of my new office.”

“Oh—an objective introduction, is it?”

Shuichi drew out his words.

“Then should I have them reallocate our floor assignments?”

“Well…”

Satsuki thought for a moment, then suddenly winked at him.

“If you like it so much, Father, you could always move up here.”

She gestured to the side.

“This entire floor belongs to me anyway, and there are still several empty rooms.”

Looking at her generous display, Shuichi raised an eyebrow slightly.

“And work under your watchful eye every single day?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I’d rather not have my own daughter catch me slacking off.”

“Ehh—”

Satsuki deliberately dragged out her tone.

“So Father usually slacks off?”

Ahem.

Shuichi cleared his throat.

“I was merely giving an example.”

“Oh, just an example, is it?”

Satsuki nodded thoughtfully.

“Then I’ll have to mention it to Chizuru later so the secretarial office keeps a closer eye on Father’s schedule.”

“Hey, hey, you cheeky girl…”

Shuichi looked at his daughter with fond resignation.

Satsuki, meanwhile, had already turned back toward her desk as if nothing had happened.

Father and daughter chatted a bit more about the new headquarters.

Shuichi asked if she had any other suggestions regarding the layout of the executive floor, and mentioned that several departments downstairs were currently adjusting schedules for conference rooms and shared amenities.

Satsuki had nothing she wished to alter.

After all, she had personally approved most of the designs for this floor, and now that it was in active use, the results aligned closely with her expectations.

“That’s good to hear.”

Shuichi nodded.

“The design department revised their proposals countless times just to satisfy you.”

“My thanks to their hard work.”

Satsuki picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

“Once the entire tower’s office systems are completely stabilized, they should be given a proper vacation for a few days.”

“Mm, I’ll pass that along.”

Shuichi acknowledged, then seemed to recall something as he looked down at the document in his hands.

“By the way, Satsuki.”

“Yes?”

“There’s been a new development in Nagatacho today.”

Hearing those words, Satsuki, who had been lounging comfortably against her chair, straightened up slightly.

“The Special Security Bill?”

“That very one.”

Shuichi nodded.

This bill could be traced back to the June 27 Incident of last year.

After Satsuki was targeted in an armed attack, Saionji had begun pushing for reforms to the existing private security system, seeking to allow qualified private enterprises, under strict government oversight, to deploy specialized security forces legally armed with firearms to protect vital facilities and key personnel.

Following over half a year of negotiations and coordination, this once deeply controversial reform had finally crystallized into a formal bill.

“The Parliament is formally debating it today.”

“Oh?”

Satsuki’s eyes lit up.

“So soon?”

“Hardly soon.”

Shuichi picked up the document from the coffee table and turned to the first page.

“Seven months have passed since last June. Just the title of the bill alone was revised back and forth multiple times.”

“The National Police Agency, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the party factions have spent the past half-year arguing endlessly over it.”

“Now, at long last, there is an official version ready for formal debate.”

Upon hearing this, Satsuki immediately waved to Chizuru.

“Chizuru, turn on the television.”

“Right away, Milady.”

Chizuru walked over to the lounge area and switched on the large wall-mounted television.

The screen illuminated.

With a quick switch of the channel, the familiar Parliament chamber soon appeared on the screen.

NHK was broadcasting a special live transmission of today’s House of Representatives session.