"Mr. Mori, if you have concerns, I encourage you to raise them through proper legal or compliance channels. My attorney can coordinate with your representative if necessary."
Kenji sounded relieved.
"Thank you."
Before ending the call, he hesitated again.
Then said softly, "Your Japanese last night was extraordinary."
Amara almost laughed.
"Thank you."
He continued.
"But I was more impressed by something else."
"What?"
"You remained respectful after the chairman stopped deserving it."
Amara looked toward Hiroshi's old brass key resting beside her computer.
She smiled sadly.
"I had good teachers."
Kenji was quiet.
Then answered in Japanese.
"それは、よく伝わりました。"
That was very clear.
He ended the call.
Amara remained standing beside the desk.
Then she reached for Yoko Tanabe's number.
Because the situation had moved far beyond an insulting dinner.
And she wasn't going to protect the restaurant's future by relying only on good intentions.
Yoko began by contacting the restaurant's bank.
She didn't accuse anyone of misconduct.
She requested a meeting, provided the appropriate authorization, and asked for clarification concerning any third-party inquiries or representations about the restaurant's financial position.
The response revealed something troubling.
Several days earlier, a commercial property advisory firm had contacted people connected to the larger development proposal.
Its presentation described Kiyomizu Hana as a financially vulnerable business whose owners were expected to accept an acquisition offer.
The presentation included projected timelines for the restaurant's transition into a luxury hospitality complex.
Those timelines had not been agreed to by Amara.
The financial description was also misleading.
Kiyomizu Hana had debt, as many businesses did.
But its obligations were current.
Revenue had improved.
And no sale had been approved.
Yoko requested copies of the relevant materials through the appropriate legal channels.
She also sent formal notices asking that the inaccurate statements be corrected.
Meanwhile, Amara met with Sachiko and the family's property attorney.
They reviewed the building lease, the rear access arrangements, and the restrictions governing alterations to the historic premises.
The result was reassuring.
Kuroda International couldn't simply purchase the restaurant operating company and automatically acquire unrestricted control over the land.
The building belonged to a separate Sato family property entity.
The lease contained provisions intended to protect the restaurant's use of the premises.
And any major change involving the rear passage required agreements that Kuroda had not obtained.
Amara looked at the site map.
Then toward Yoko.
"So his hotel proposal depends on cooperation he doesn't have."
Yoko nodded.
"At least in the form currently being proposed."
Amara leaned back.
"Then why is he acting as though the project is inevitable?"
Yoko considered.
"Possibly because he believes enough pressure will make the remaining parties agree."
Amara looked toward Sachiko.
The elderly woman said nothing.
But her expression hardened.