America: My Time

Chapter 37 Property Purchase
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Property Purchase

Despite having a beautiful woman in his arms, John did not succumb to her charms. After settling Naoko into her accommodations, he immediately resumed his work, not forgetting his mission in Japan. He needed to thoroughly understand the progress of Phoenix Comics, the fashion magazine, the animation, and the Phoenix Weekly. He also had to arrange and deploy resources for Tsutaya's retail business; his time was still very limited.

Phoenix Comics' growth has exceeded its expectations. It was originally thought that it would take six months to expand its weekly circulation before discussing advertising, but Phoenix Comics has now met its requirements, and the weekly can now launch an advertising business. As for the fashion magazine, progress has been slow; it's just a new magazine with limited attention and needs time to cultivate the market. The light novel imprint is also fully underway, and the animation company's structure is complete. All of this forces John to admit that Matsumoto Taro's abilities are quite impressive.

Taro Matsumoto also conducted a feasibility study on Tsutaya, providing a comprehensive survey of Tokyo and detailing the situation of bookstores, record stores, and other retail businesses. John's plan was for Tsutaya to focus primarily on real estate, with the goal of completing its development before the bubble economy burst.

After settling things at Phoenix Comics, John returned to the hotel. Naoko, having recovered considerably after a day of rest, rushed over to John upon his return, saying, "You're back!" As she spoke, she took the briefcase from John's hand and thoughtfully helped him take off his coat and hang it on the clothes rack, perfectly embodying the gentleness and consideration of a Japanese woman.

John sat down on the sofa to relax. Naoko thoughtfully brought him a glass of water and sat beside him, quietly watching John deep in thought on the sofa. The more she looked at him, the more captivated she became.

In his spare time, John contacted real estate companies in Japan, planning to buy property in Tokyo. There are many real estate companies in Japan, most of which are established and reputable. He needs to buy a villa in the suburbs of Tokyo as his residence, as staying in hotels all the time isn't very comfortable, especially with a woman with him.

Not long after returning to the hotel, Fuji Real Estate sent a very attractive female agent. Judging from her attire, she was clearly an elite type. After meeting her, this female agent, Suzuki Miyuki, knew that people who could afford to stay in luxury hotels were all wealthy, and that the person in front of her was American, so she adopted a very humble attitude.

“Mr. John, these are some photos and information about our villa in Tokyo. You can take a look first, and if you like anything, we can visit it in person!” Miyuki Suzuki’s voice was gentle and could win people’s favor.

John nodded and said, "Thank you, Ms. Suzuki!"

Then, looking at the information and photos, each photo was accompanied by a description to help clients understand the advantages of these properties. What's even more thoughtful is that the description was in English, which shows Suzuki Miyuki's serious attitude towards her work.

John carefully read through the document, then returned it to Miyuki Suzuki, and said with a smile, "Ms. Suzuki is very dedicated to her work. She even considered that I am an American and changed the instructions to English. This shows how serious you are about your work, which I admire. However, your company can only provide this level of property. I think I need to find another company!"

Miyuki Suzuki was momentarily stunned. John's meaning was clear: he wasn't interested in these properties. She asked in confusion, "Mr. John, what are the unsuitable aspects of these properties? Please point them out!" She then bowed.

“It’s a bit small, not convenient to live in!” John said, took a sip of tea, and waited for Suzuki Miyuki’s reply!

Miyuki Suzuki lowered her head, feeling another wave of surprise. She thought she had overestimated this client's financial capabilities and was proceeding according to the highest standards she had ever met, but she had underestimated them, and seriously underestimated them at that. So she quickly said, "Please forgive me, Mr. John. Better information will be sent over soon. I'll make a call!"

John nodded, and Suzuki Miyuki bowed again before politely leaving. She then went to the hotel bar to make a phone call. Although the Japanese have many flaws, their work efficiency and attitude towards work are very high during this period. In less than twenty minutes, someone delivered the documents to the hotel.

Holding the documents, Miyuki Suzuki returned to see John and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. John, for taking up your time. This time we'll give you a discounted price to make up for our shortcomings!" After hearing Miyuki Suzuki's words, John nodded slightly to show his satisfaction. He couldn't help but be satisfied with such a work attitude; in the United States, they wouldn't have been able to do this.

John was very satisfied with the information provided by Miyuki Suzuki. These properties were all high-quality, with sizable plots of land, elegantly maintained yards, and hot springs, indicating significant appreciation potential. He selected two properties, handed the information to Miyuki Suzuki, and said with a smile, "Come pick us up tomorrow morning!"

"Hi," Suzuki Miyuki bowed in thanks, feeling very happy that the deal was done.

From beginning to end, Naoko sat quietly beside John without saying a word. Her gentle demeanor pleased John. If it were an American woman, she probably wouldn't have been so quiet; she would have been eager to look at the documents and offer her opinions!
Although the two rested in the same bed that night, they did not engage in any intimate acts. Although John had endless passion in his heart, he considered that Naoko's health was not yet up to par and he could not indulge himself too much, so the two went to bed early.

The next day, around nine o'clock in the morning, Miyuki Suzuki drove over. The real estate company's storefront was very well done, and the cars used to receive customers were luxury cars, to show that they valued their clients!
When John brought Naoko to the hotel lobby, Miyuki Suzuki greeted them with a bow and said, "Good morning, Mr. John!"

"Hello, Ms. Suzuki, let's go!"

Miyuki Suzuki led the way, guiding John and Naoko into the car, which sped towards the outskirts of Tokyo. Both properties were fully furnished; for this type of property, the real estate company used top-of-the-line materials because those who can afford such properties are wealthy and don't care too much about the price; they care more about the quality of the house and the surrounding environment.

John viewed both properties, one in Matsutō Ward and the other in Setagaya. He was very satisfied with both the environment and the quality of the properties, and in the end, he decided to buy both, since he wasn't short of money!
Setagaya is Tokyo's most representative affluent district, possessing traditional Japanese customs and culture. The houses throughout the area are all detached, lacking the oppressive feeling of high-rise buildings, and featuring more comfortable designs, earning it the title of "the ultimate luxury residence." It is understood that most residents are renowned entrepreneurs, A-list celebrities, and cultural figures; the area is synonymous with "wealth."

Matsuto Ward is Japan's most tranquil and affluent neighborhood, home to several renowned universities. According to local sources, since the Meiji era, Matsuto Ward has been a gathering place for Japanese royalty and nobility, and is now a top choice for international celebrities, often referred to as Tokyo's "back garden."

This property in Setagaya is a bamboo garden, covering a considerable area and divided into a front yard and a back yard. The yard is very elegantly designed, with several artificial hills, a large bamboo forest, a flowing stream, a crystal-clear pond, a delicate bridge, a pavilion, and a natural hot spring in the back yard. The servants' quarters are located outside the yard. It's a small courtyard, and the price is not low.

Songtao District is a courtyard with a winding path paved with thousands of pebbles in the front yard, complemented by bamboo groves, green trees, gray walls, wooden pillars, and a surrounding corridor. It is a traditional house with a considerable area and also has a hot spring.

Neither of these properties has a large enough hot spring outlet to be developed into a hot spring hotel, which is why John chose them. While the prices seem high now, they will likely multiply in value within a few years. Of course, what he cares about isn't the monetary value, but rather a comfortable lifestyle.

As long as John is satisfied with the property, the price is not an issue. He paid very generously, and in one lump sum, making both parties happy. To express their gratitude, the real estate company, at John's request, specially hired someone to thoroughly clean and inspect both properties to ensure there were no problems.

After learning that Naoko could drive, John first took her to buy several cars, all registered in Naoko's name. This delighted Naoko; having her own car was very convenient for an entertainer. Then, the two bought bedding and all sorts of household items, and finally hired eight housekeepers. At this time, housekeeping in Japan was very safe; the companies providing services were all large and reputable, with strict rules and regulations, ensuring that nothing would go wrong, even with Naoko's special status.

(End of this chapter)