Reborn Rich

How long has it been since I was reincarnated into this world?

It must be around 16 years now.

At this moment, I am preparing for my upcoming enrollment at Suuchin Academy, a prestigious high school where my journey is truly about to begin.

Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Kaguya Shinomiya, the esteemed young lady of the immensely powerful and influential Shinomiya family, which commands a staggering 200 trillion yen in total assets. The Shinomiya family is recognized as one of the four major conglomerates in Japan. We don't just dominate the country's economy; our influence stretches deeply into politics, the military, law enforcement, and practically every aspect of life in Japan. This formidable reach makes us virtually untouchable, even though our hands are involved in a variety of illegal activities.

Such is the nature of my family—wealthy, influential, and undeniably powerful. Of course, this is my family we're talking about, and those 200 trillion yen are assets under our control. Our legitimate businesses include banking, railway systems, and automotive industries, all of which we own in significant numbers.

However, that's only the legal side of things. As for the illegal? Well, take Hayasaka Ai, for instance. She is not merely my personal maid; she has been trained as an assassin and a hacker. The fact that the Shinomiya family even prepares a maid for such specialized roles shows how deeply entrenched we are in the world of covert, illegal dealings. A maid who is both an assassin and a hacker? That speaks volumes about the extent of my family's reach and influence.

Although I am still only 16 years old and technically unqualified to fully access or manage the intricate affairs of my family's businesses, I am far from clueless. Hayasaka Ai has discreetly informed me of much, giving me a clear understanding of the reality behind the family's facade.

Being wealthy certainly has its perks. Not only do people flatter you at every opportunity, but they also flock to you like moths to a flame, eager for a taste of your influence. I must admit, I thoroughly enjoy what it means to live a life of luxury and indulgence. Take, for example, something as simple as bathing—various maids will attend to me, washing me meticulously. And when it's time to dry off, I don't lift a finger; they take care of it by gently wiping me down with soft towels. Even getting dressed is a task handled by others. Of course, Hayasaka Ai is the one who personally selects my outfits and assists with my dressing, while the other maids excuse themselves and leave us in privacy.

Furthermore, I never have to leave the mansion for a spa day. My maids are highly trained in giving massages, so all my fatigue, both mental and physical, is taken care of within the comfort of my own home. I don't have to worry about stress or exhaustion because we employ a small army of professional maids whose sole purpose is to ensure my well-being.

Even when it comes to health, there's no need to be concerned. Once a week, I undergo a routine check-up conducted by female doctors, and thanks to their thoroughness, I've grown up in excellent health. This, of course, is a direct result of my family's absurdly wasteful yet effective approach to spending money on anything and everything that guarantees my well-being.

This is what it feels like to live as the young lady of an enormous corporate empire, I suppose.

Sigh...

The difference between the rich and the poor is truly immense, isn't it?

I believe I used the wrong wording. Even the wealthy aren't typically this extravagant when it comes to spending money lavishly. They certainly exhibit a sense of restraint. I realized that, rather than focusing on the differences between the poor and the rich, there is an enormous gap between what it means to simply be wealthy and being a young lady of a vast corporation — especially one of the wealthiest in existence.

Even the wealth of the Koenji family from Classroom of the Elite pales in comparison to the affluence of my family.

For those who don't know how much 400 trillion yen was, let me explain its value in 2018, not in my past life of 2024, but in the current timeline.

What Could You Buy with 400 Trillion Yen?

In 2018 (3.64 Trillion USD)

With this amount, you could:

1. Buy the top 10 companies in the world by market cap, such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, etc., combined at the time.

2. Fund NASA's budget for the next 182 years (NASA's 2018 budget was about $20 billion).

3. Buy a small country like Luxembourg or Iceland based on GDP.

4. Eradicate global poverty for a few years, as the World Bank estimated it would cost about $90 billion per year to address extreme poverty.

5. Fund a large-scale space program, potentially colonizing Mars or building space stations.

Despite the indulgence and luxurious lifestyle I'm surrounded by, I hold myself to strict standards. I avoid spending my money recklessly or living unhealthily. I steer clear and avoid of activities like clubbing, drugs, or any other illegal endeavors that could not only damage my health but also tarnish my reputation. I am determined to live a long and fulfilling life, especially now that I've achieved such wealth and happiness in my new life, where all my needs are effortlessly met. I'm diligent about my diet, maintain my health, and exercise regularly to ensure I stay fit and increase my longevity.

In fact, I have developed a somewhat unhealthy obsession with training myself. I've committed not only to martial arts but also to archery, gun shooting, fencing, and many other forms of self-defense. These skills give me a sense of security, protecting me against any foreign threats. Additionally, I always have Ai by my side, as I live in constant fear of being assassinated or kidnapped — perhaps to coerce my father or for some other malicious purpose. I refuse to die, especially after acquiring so much wealth and happiness in this new life. The very thought of dying unsettles me.

Certainly, I'm not passive either. Now is the time for me to begin my business endeavors and extend my influence beyond the confines of my current world. I refuse to remain a bird trapped in a gilded cage. I crave the freedom to make my own decisions and forge my own path.

As I sit in the back of the car, I begin to map out my future. Hayasaka drives in the front, steering us toward our clear destination: Suuchin Academy, the elite academic institutions where the rich and powerful gather.

This is where my journey truly begins.

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"Hello, everyone! My name is Kaguya Shinomiya, and my hobbies include kendo and archery. Please take care of me." I introduced myself with a graceful bow while seated in class. After my introduction, the teacher began instructing the next student to introduce themselves.

This pattern continued, with each classmate standing and introducing themselves one by one, until everyone in the room had completed their introductions. Once that was done, it was time for the teacher to begin her lesson.

She started teaching us English, and the class settled into a more focused atmosphere.

Our teacher's name was Minamiya Natsuki, a character many would recognize from the anime Strike the Blood. However, in this world, there were no vampires, witches, or any forms of magic. She was simply a wealthy young woman who led a lonely life without a husband or family. Teaching wasn't something she did for the money; in fact, she didn't need it at all, as her personal fortune far exceeded the modest salary she received from the school. Instead, teaching was her hobby, a way to occupy her time.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, I quickly found myself surrounded by my curious classmates.

They gathered around me, their eyes full of interest and excitement.

"Shinomiya-san, are you really from the prestigious Shinomiya Family?" one girl asked eagerly, her voice filled with admiration.

"We've heard about you, Shinomiya-san! Not only are you a genius with better grades than all of us, but you're also incredibly skilled in archery and martial arts!" another chimed in.

"Yes! And it's rumored that you're extremely generous and compassionate towards those in need, even going as far as donating your own personal wealth to fund orphanages. Is that true, Shinomiya-san?" a third student added with awe in her voice.

The compliments flowed in from all directions, and the praise felt endless. Yet, despite hearing such things countless times before, it never ceased to bring a sense of warmth to my heart. I enjoyed being complimented, and the more praise I received, the happier I became.

With a humble smile, I nodded graciously, soaking in their admiration. Unlike the icy, cold personality of the canon Kaguya, I embraced the idea of friendship and connection. I believed it was far better to have many friends than to make enemies.

I answered each of their questions patiently, not once showing any sign of fatigue or irritation, even when their inquiries became increasingly personal. I continued to smile warmly and generously at them, maintaining my composed and approachable demeanor.

As the conversation flowed, my classmates began to develop an even better impression of me. They appreciated my patience, generosity, and willingness to engage with them. We talked enthusiastically until the bell rang once more, signaling the start of the next class.

With that, we all returned to our seats, ready for the next lesson.

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"Miss, are you alright?" My maid, Hayasaka Ai, began to wipe the sweat from my forehead, her expression filled with concern as she noticed my physical exhaustion.

After carefully wiping away the sweat with her handkerchief, Hayasaka handed me a bottle of mineral water. I gulped it down eagerly, feeling a great portion of my fatigue and thirst melt away as the cool liquid coursed through me.

"I'm fine, Hayasaka. Let's go home," I nodded, signaling for her to lead the way. She promptly escorted me to the car, taking the driver's seat while I settled comfortably in the back.

As we drove, my curiosity piqued.

"Speaking of which, Hayasaka, what do you think about Japan's entertainment industry these days?" I asked, genuinely intrigued.

I was very curious about Ai's opinion on the state of the entertainment industry, which seemed underdeveloped despite it being 2018. Strangely, this world lacked the iconic manga and anime like Naruto, Dragon Ball, or any of the globally famous series from our world. Instead, the anime here was dominated by beta male protagonists, cringeworthy romances, and a plethora of irritating elements that both local and global audiences found repulsive.

Consequently, many people avoided consuming Japanese culture through anime in this reality.

"Why are you asking about that, Miss? The entertainment industry in our country is notoriously corrupt. You really shouldn't get involved in it," she cautioned, her tone laced with concern.

I blinked in surprise, realizing that she was disconnected from the direction of my thoughts.

Suddenly, something clicked in my mind, and I blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"It's not that industry I was talking about, Hayasaka. I meant the anime culture, film industry, and the comic industry."

"Oh... I see. Sorry, Miss," Hayasaka sighed in relief. "I thought you were talking about that side of the industry."

Indeed, Japan's reputation in this world revolved around its infamous adult industry, and it was no wonder that anime, manga, and light novels—supposed to be the country's cultural exports—remained woefully underdeveloped. Even Hayasaka, who was usually knowledgeable, seemed unaware of it.

Here, Japan was renowned not for creating meaningful works, but for its eroge, hentai comics, and adult videos.

Even the idol industry hadn't gained much traction, probably because the anime culture that helped fuel it in my world lacked the same cultural impact here.

I sighed, reflecting on the challenge ahead.

It seemed that developing the entertainment industry was going to be a long and arduous journey.

But at the same time, I saw this as an opportunity.

I was determined to make anime great again.