Di-Di-Di: Digimon Lotus, Book 1: New Gen of Tamers

[ Episode 9 | The Rightful Throne ]

The deserted streets of Tokyo stretched ahead, eerily quiet for the early afternoon. The group walked in a loose formation, their footsteps echoing faintly. The overcast sky gave the city a muted, grayish hue. Tomi led the way, his usual confidence tempered by the heavy silence of the empty streets. Mai glanced at her phone, the soft glow of the screen reflecting in her glasses.

(Mai) "It's 1:30, we should reach the Kinoshita building soon."

Jellymon floated lazily around Jiro, her translucent tentacles swaying like seaweed in water. With an inquisitive gleam in her mischievous eyes, she hovered close to Jiro's shoulder and landed lightly on it, perching there like a queen claiming her throne.

(Jellymon) "So, Jiro, what's the big deal with your family's corporation? All I ever hear is 'Kinoshita this, Kinoshita that.' What do they even do?"

Jiro gave a faint smirk, glancing at the Digimon sitting imperiously on his shoulder. 

(Jiro) "I figured you'd ask eventually, my father, Shin Kinoshita, is the CEO of Kinoshita Financial Group. It's one of the biggest multinational finance and investment corporations in the world. You know all those skyscrapers in Tokyo? Chances are that my family funded half of them."

(Jellymon) "Oh? So, you're saying they just hoard money?"

(Jiro) "Not exactly. It's more than that. KFG handles everything from global investments to asset management. My dad's team advises governments, funds massive tech startups, and even manages private wealth for some of the richest people on Earth."

Jellymon's eyes sparkled, equal parts impressed and skeptical. 

(Jellymon) "Hmph. Sounds boring. Where's the fun in that?"

(Jiro) "Fun? There's no fun in it, Jellymon. It's about power. Control. My parents didn't build KFG for fun. They did it to make sure they were the ones calling the shots. Whether it's the stock market or major international deals, when KFG speaks, people listen."

As the group passed a row of empty storefronts, the massive outline of the Kinoshita Tower loomed in the distance. Its sleek glass exterior gleamed faintly, even under the clouded sky. Jellymon narrowed her eyes at the building as they approached. 

(Jellymon) "Sounds like a lot of responsibility for one family. No wonder you're so uptight, Jiro."

Mai snickered at the comment, but Jiro didn't react. Instead, he folded his arms and sighed. 

(Jiro) "Yeah, well, that's why my parents are always on my case. They expect me to take over someday."

(Tomi) "Figures, kids like you always have big shoes to fill. It's like you're living in their shadow or something."

Jiro shot Tomi a sharp look but didn't respond. Instead, he glanced back at Jellymon. 

(Jiro) "That's why they've been so strict with me sometimes in my whole life. Everything they do is about teaching me how to run the company. My dad calls it 'grooming for leadership.' My mom? She's all about making sure I'm perfect. But I don't mind it..."

Jellymon gave an exaggerated yawn, then grinned slyly. 

(Jellymon) "Sounds exhausting. Good thing you've got me to keep things interesting."

Jiro smirked despite himself. 

(Jiro) "Yeah, you're definitely... interesting."

As they finally reached the base of the towering building, the enormous Kinoshita logo etched into the glass above the entrance loomed over them. The others stared up, craning their necks to take in the sheer scale of the skyscraper. Jellymon floated up, inspecting the logo with a tilt of her head.