When it comes to high-quality jewelry in Japan, Harajuku District is undoubtedly the place to go.
Kobayashi Tetsu wasn't particularly knowledgeable about such things, but he knew that Harajuku was where he could find custom jewelry shops.
The next day, Kobayashi Tetsu went to Harajuku. For some reason, standing on the streets of Harajuku, he felt like he was at Taikoo Li.
People who visit Taikoo Li often feel like they're just a bunch of mongrels.
"Wait, is Harajuku even part of Japan?" Kobayashi Tetsu watched a tall person dressed in green and purple walk past, and he couldn't help but press his fingers against his forehead, a headache coming on.
He'd just dyed his hair, nothing too outrageous. But standing on the streets of Harajuku, Kobayashi Tetsu felt strangely out of place.
There were plenty of jewelry shops in the area. Kobayashi Tetsu looked up and entered a nearby shop called Tsujihara-ya.
Though he'd hoped to encounter a snobbish shop assistant, perhaps because he exuded an exceptionally refined and extraordinary aura, several Tsujihara-ya staff members rushed over to greet him as soon as he entered, their attitudes exceptionally enthusiastic.
Kobayashi Tetsu couldn't help but tap his cheek.
"Seeing how young I am, aren't you worried I can't afford your prices?"
The staff bowed in unison.
"Mr. Kobayashi, you jest! Your face is well-known from television. Someone like us would recognize you at a glance!"
Kobayashi Tetsu sighed.
Well, that's that. Looks like I won't get the satisfaction of proving them wrong.
He stated his purpose directly: "I'd like to commission a 15 cm tall statue, made entirely of pure gold."
The Tsujihara-ya staff: —————?
After a brief silence, they sprang into action.
"The price will depend on the purity you choose. The higher the purity, the higher the cost."
"Tsujihara-ya can provide a professional appraisal certificate."
"We'll offer exquisite packaging, including shatter-resistant resin and a high-quality base."
"You've chosen an excellent time! Gold is currently the most stable investment, and Japan has only recently lifted its gold restrictions!"
Kobayashi Tetsu turned to one of the staff members. "Could you elaborate? I've just returned from overseas after several years."
It was a perfectly reasonable explanation. Kobayashi Tetsu never shied away from displaying habits uncharacteristic of Japan, as his persona was that of a repatriated Japanese expatriate.
The shop assistant responded, providing a brief explanation.
Japan is a country lacking in precious metals, and for a long time, there were strict prohibitions on gold, silver, and other precious metals.
The Iwami Ginzan and Sado Kinzan mines, among others, had been depleted centuries ago. Even if they continued to dig, they might only find a Giant Centipede, far from enough to meet actual demand.
Therefore, after World War II, Japan strictly controlled gold. It wasn't until the 1970s and 1980s, when Japan's economy was booming, that these restrictions began to be gradually lifted.
By 1982, the restrictions were completely lifted, allowing private individuals to hold large amounts of gold, opening gold trading shops, and permitting various stores to import gold to make gold jewelry.
The value preservation of gold goes without saying.
So at the time, many Yakuza members wore large gold chains called "Kihira Chains," which they kept to sell for money when they needed to flee.
But no matter how you look at it,
Kobayashi Tetsu's request for a fifteen-centimeter-tall gold statue is definitely not a small amount.
If the purity is high enough, it would weigh around five to six hundred grams.
A pure gold statue like this would cost at least thirty to forty million yen.
Kobayashi Tetsu quickly estimated that this seemed about right. Based on his understanding of domestic gold prices and the yen exchange rate, it would be roughly this price by 2025.
Kobayashi Tetsu casually pulled a sketch from his bag.
"Sonic, have you seen this? Use this design for the statue. Engrave 'Atlas' on the base and leave space for my signature."
The staff nodded vigorously, diligently noting down every detail.
Tens of millions of yen was no small sum. Even in a high-end district, this was a major deal that demanded attention.
The staff member suggested, "For a statue of this scale, there will be some leftover material after production. We could use it to make small ornaments. Would Mr. Kobayashi like some?"
This service was included in the overall price—part of the tens of millions.
"Small ornaments?" Kobayashi Tetsu pondered for a moment. "Then keep them for gilded ornaments. They should be suitable for men to wear."
He planned to distribute them to Atlas employees later.
After a moment's thought, Kobayashi Tetsu added, "Also prepare a few more small ornaments. They shouldn't look too precious or too gaudy, but rather simple and modest while still appearing to have some value. The price can't be too low either, and they should be suitable for women to wear."
The staff's eyes lit up. "How many would you like?"
Kobayashi Tetsu held up three fingers.
Three should be enough.
"How much is too much? What kind of bicycle do you want?"
1
The Sonic Statue, made entirely of pure gold, weighed a staggering 500 grams. Including the packaging box and base, it tipped the scales at over two pounds—heavy enough to kill Ayari Chihiro if dropped on her.
Currently, this statue sat in Atlas's office, even drawing Iwata Satoru over to stare at it, despite his typically austere upbringing.
Such a heavy gold statue must be worth a fortune!
Iwata Satoru looked up at Kobayashi Tetsu. "President, won't someone steal this if we keep it here?"
Kobayashi Tetsu chuckled. "No, I'd almost prefer if someone did. A theft would only increase our publicity! Besides, if something gets stolen from the Mitsui Building, the property management would be liable!"
You don't pay such exorbitant monthly rent for nothing. It's not just for the prime location; they're also responsible for security!
Kobayashi Tetsu casually pulled out some small trinkets from the bag—mostly gold-plated rings and bracelets made from leftover Sonic materials. At his request, they had specially crafted over twenty pieces, even adding a bit extra to the budget.
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't mind. He simply told everyone to come and get one item each, treating it as a staff benefit.
Since it was just after the New Year, he considered it a New Year's gift.
After settling everything, Kobayashi Tetsu finally glanced at the newspaper on the table.
The newspaper had already published the complete answers to the second puzzle, directly revealing the address of the physical store and the need to visit it to obtain the third step of the puzzle. Besides the newspaper, someone had recently purchased an issue of GG on TV as well.
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't know who had done it, but he was grateful to them.
Although this disrupted the event somewhat, it also gave him ideas for further intervening in the activity.
He casually flicked the resin covering the statue. The bronze "Atlas" inscription on the base gleamed, and a space for a signature waited, just waiting for him to pull out a pen and inscribe "Kobayashi Tetsu" in bold letters.
"Come on, the great treasure hunt era can begin! I'll reserve this golden statue for the overall competition winner! Let's drag ordinary people into this trend too!"
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