Academy City was a place for students, yet one of its core components was the countless commercial conglomerates visible on every corner.
These corporations invested in numerous industries, including a vast number of research institutions and schools. It could be said they were the true entities governing this city.
In School District 15, commercial high-rises stood row upon row, housing a great many television stations and media outlets.
By comparison, its land prices had long been the highest among all school districts. It was also the birthplace of all kinds of trendy elements, exceptionally bustling and prosperous.
The fortune required to buy a single building in District 15 was an astronomical figure for someone like Natsume-san.
For the Daidouji Group, however, while it was still a significant expense, it wasn't enough to cripple them.
"Buy a building? And in District 15, no less?"
Natsume-san was momentarily bewildered. So this was the good news her mother had mentioned.
Daidouji was her mother's maiden name, and the Daidouji Group was the business owned by Natsume-san's grandmother.
Considering that, Natsume-san was, without a doubt, a genuine young lady from a distinguished family—though she herself was completely unaware of it.
She lived month-to-month on her scholarship, with no luxurious concept of an allowance from her parents.
"Yes, it took a great deal of resolve to finally make this decision."
Tomoyo blinked, a thoughtful look on her face as she spoke.
"But the Daidouji Group is a toy company. To successfully break into Academy City, we need a decisive move that makes a real impact."
Resting one hand on her hip and cupping her chin with the other, Madame Tomoyo was deep in thought.
Ordinarily, these matters wouldn't concern her. However, in the near future, she was set to become the Chairman of the Daidouji Group's branch company in Academy City, forcing her to take them seriously.
The Daidouji Group had tried to enter Academy City before, only to meet with miserable failure.
Not only did their products face issues with homogenization, but there were too many competitors, leading to an unviably small market share.
In the end, they were driven out by a coalition of several companies in the toy sector. One of these rival companies produced the legendary Gekota.
Looking at it this way, while the Daidouji Group's standing in the toy world wasn't low, it still couldn't be called one of the industry's elite families.
Academy City gathered conglomerates from all over the world; the Daidouji Group was just a small, inconspicuous speck among them.
"But why buy a building so suddenly? Are you planning to launch some new product here in Academy City?"
Natsume-san still looked confused, her gaze turning towards a certain lady.
"Of course, it's for Sonoko-chan."
A certain lady's expression turned somewhat serious as she gently smoothed the disheveled hair on Natsume-san's head.
"For me?"
Not quite understanding, Natsume-san asked curiously.
"If the Daidouji Group has a physical presence in Academy City, I can obtain a pass ID for the city. That would allow me to stay here and take care of you, Sonoko-chan."
"Furthermore, I plan to buy you a supercomputer and establish a research facility dedicated solely to you, Sonoko-chan."
Tomoyo said with a smile, though a trace of worry seemed to flicker deep in her eyes.
"Eh?"
Natsume-san was taken aback, her mind momentarily freezing up.
This lady always spoke in such a calm, matter-of-fact tone, but the things she said were incredibly attention-grabbing.
Suddenly talking about setting up a research facility just for her, and buying a supercomputer too—when just moments ago they were discussing whether or not to buy a building.
Still, if she really had access to a supercomputer with decent performance, it would be a great help for Natsume-san's ability development. Not to mention an entire research facility.
Come to think of it, Natsume-san's current situation was quite free; she operated outside the major research institutions.
Although these institutions had sent her piles of emails, Natsume-san never accepted their invitations.
Even Academy City's own research into Natsume-san's ability was currently limited to regular physical examinations.
The compensation these research institutes offered was substantial, far more generous than what Judgment provided. But there were times when Natsume-san remained unmoved by money.
The main reason was her deep-seated distrust of these research institutes. Coupled with the fact that she had Reiko's computational power as her trump card, she didn't feel particularly worried.
But if it were her own family's research facility... that would feel completely different.
Take Kongou-senpai, for example. She had a research institute within the School Garden that her family had invested in. Developing her ability was undoubtedly much easier for her, and the security was high.
Thinking about it that way, Natsume-san felt an inexplicable sense of anticipation stirring within her.
But the question remained: why the sudden decision to buy her a supercomputer and build a research facility? And why was her mother moving to Academy City too?
She couldn't quite figure it out, but it all sounded like good news. Natsume-san felt happy about it.
"But... you're bound to lose a lot of money, right? Is that really okay?"
Having just heard the good news, Natsume-san suddenly grew concerned.
She couldn't help but feel that the Daidouji Group would have a tough time surviving in Academy City. It was a rather heavy topic.
Their family's toy company hadn't even opened for business in Academy City yet, and already Natsume-san was worrying about the competition.
The Gekota company alone was a formidable rival, boasting the staunch support of Misaka-senpai, Misaka 9982, Misaka 9983, and the entire series of Sisters.
After all, the Academy City market was limited, and student scholarships were fixed. Big spenders like Misaka-senpai were rare finds.
"Don't you worry about that, Sonoko-chan. I haven't come unprepared. Do you know about the Magical Powered Kanamin-chan?"
Madame Tomoyo asked after a moment's thought.
"I know her."
Natsume-san nodded blankly. She also knew that the final antagonist in the third season of the magical girl show was a bald guy.
"Kanamin-chan is actually produced by an animation studio under the Daidouji Group. I never expected it would help us gain a foothold here in Academy City."
Tomoyo said with a smile.
The anime was broadcast throughout Japan, not just Academy City. However, its viewership ratings were particularly high within the city, likely due to the high student population.
Although there were already several licensed toy companies in Academy City producing Magical Powered Kanamin merchandise, the Daidouji Group could also use Magical Powered Kanamin to break into the market.
Once the contracts with the other toy companies expired, the Daidouji Group would have no rivals in the magical girl segment of the toy market.
Just like the Gekota company, if you secured your own customer base, you could survive in Academy City.
"So that's how it is..."
Natsume-san's eyes widened in surprise, her mind in a slight turmoil.
No wonder she had always had a particular soft spot for Magical Powered Kanamin—there really was a deeper reason for it.
Natsume-san suddenly felt that a certain Index Librorum Prohibitorum might very well become a potential customer for the Daidouji Group.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.