NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Part4: The stock market crash
"Dad, Mom, I'm doing well," she whispered, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes. Overwhelmed with guilt, she thought of her past attempts at ending her life and how she had pawned her mother's cherished ring. A surge of remorse filled her. She realized how precious life was, especially when she had been so lovingly nurtured by her parents. The visit to the gravesite served as a poignant reminder of the value of life. She dabbed at her tears with a pink handkerchief, stood up, and bowed toward the tombstone before making her way out of the cemetery.
On her way back, Yoko stopped by a bookstore near the train station. She purchased several introductory books on stock trading and other investment materials. Once back in her apartment, Yoko voraciously read about stock investments, even skipping meals to focus on her reading. She was contemplating how to generate significant profits as quickly as possible from her initial 2 million yen.
"Ah! This is it! Margin trading!" she exclaimed while flipping through the books. As darkness began to envelop her window, an idea illuminated her mind like a light bulb. With a margin account, she could buy stocks worth up to three times her initial capital. In other words, with her 2 million yen, she could trade up to 6 million yen. While the introductory books cautioned against such risky trading, especially for beginners, Yoko felt that the risks were irrelevant if Imada's stock predictions were accurate.
Upon opening Imada's stock charts on the tablet, Yoko selected three companies. According to the charts, these companies had hit rock bottom, and their stock prices were projected to increase tenfold within a month. Most ordinary investors wouldn't expect such weak stocks to rise so dramatically, and many shareholders would likely sell out of fear of further losses. However, for Yoko, this presented an enticing opportunity to buy at a low price.
"So, 10 times 6 million is 60 million...crazy!" she exclaimed. Yoko found herself questioning whether this unbelievable situation was insane, or if she herself was losing her grip on reality. Still, she believed that people like Imada, who might have access to elite secrets unknown to the general public, could manipulate outcomes. She thought that by obtaining more information from Imada, she could steer her life toward success. She didn't want to go back to being a loser. After having a light meal, Yoko decided to take some sleeping pills and get some rest.
The next morning, news of a stock market crash on television made Yoko's heart leap with excitement. She quickly opened a margin account online and managed to snatch up the bottom prices of three companies as planned, using limit orders. This strategic move translated to an investment of approximately 5 million yen. While the majority of regular investors might shy away from purchasing stocks that had plummeted so drastically through margin trading, Yoko's confidence was bolstered by her invaluable ally: Imada's charts, which offered precise predictions for stock prices. On the television screen, analysts were in a state of panic in response to the crash, forecasting a continuation of bearish market conditions. Their predictions contradicted what Imada's charts were indicating.
The following morning, there was minimal movement in stock prices, and once again, Imada's charts proved accurate. Then, on the third day, stock prices began to rise with momentum. As if the analysts had never predicted a bearish market, that day they forecasted a bullish market on TV. When she changed the channel, the Prime Minister was lauding the country's progress toward economic recovery, claiming victory over the recent recession. The once-pessimistic stock market of just three days prior had undergone a complete transformation, with a surge in buying activity propelling stock prices to rise rapidly.
"I did it! I did it! Mom, thank you!"
The stock prices of the shares Yoko had bought had doubled within a few days. Yoko was already envisioning a future and counting her chickens before they hatched, browsing luxury handbags and shoes online, gazing at the items she desired. It was hard to believe that she could so easily dispel the suicidal thoughts she had recently grappled with, all through the power of money. Going from 5 million yen to 50 million yen in just a month meant she could pay off all her debts and still have a comfortable reserve to sustain her. No, perhaps she could amass even more wealth and secure a life of leisure indefinitely. Yoko began to sense that her life was undergoing a significant transformation. Having led a quiet life without a boyfriend, she didn't even know how to enjoy herself, but now she found herself daydreaming about a future filled with joy.
Yoko began to eagerly anticipate checking her stock prices every day. Imada's charts proved consistently accurate, dispelling any lingering doubts she might have had. Yet, beyond the reliability of the charts, Yoko was captivated by the enigma of Imada's true identity, like a character from a mystery novel. She couldn't shake the memory of her peculiar first encounter with him, and his words lingered in her mind: "Because I created you." Considering the undeniable accuracy of his stock charts, Yoko couldn't help but wonder if there might be some truth to his claim that he had created her. Even if he meant it metaphorically, the notion still sent shivers down her spine. Yoko contemplated whether she should confront the reserved Imada and extract the truth from him. However, she quickly realized she shouldn't. For if Imada had the power to create her, it stood to reason that he might also have the power to erase her from existence. The prospect was too unsettling to ignore.
Yoko stood up and scrutinized her reflection in the mirror, tilting her body at various angles with narrowed eyes. Despite receiving compliments on her beauty from men, she hadn't experienced anyone making advances toward her since her school days. Yoko realized she should have taken the initiative herself. She believed that if she became more assertive and showcased her attractive figure, there was a reasonable chance Imada might be drawn to her and eventually share his secret. Although he didn't stir her heart for some inexplicable reason, he was undeniably handsome and a remarkable person who had transformed her life. Yoko decided it was worth a shot.