Nishida Securities trader, Kimura Sugihara.
He alternated between three monitors, constantly tapping on the keyboard to enter buy and sell orders. He'd been yawning and fighting off drowsiness for a while now.
Kimura reached for his coffee, but before he knew it, the paper cup was empty.
Recently, several employees had suddenly quit the company. As if the workload wasn't already overwhelming, the workforce had shrunk, forcing the remaining employees to work overtime constantly.
He couldn't even remember the last time he'd left work on time. He kept requesting more staff, but the only answer he got back was to wait.
It was all because of that damn management efficiency. The company was happy because it meant they could cut labor costs, but the employees were swamped with work and didn't even have time to breathe.
Originally, he had been exclusively in charge of trading public pension funds, but now he was also handling general trading.
He moved mechanically, following instructions.
'JMP, buy 1 share at market price. Jaycom, sell all at 3250 yen. Manotel, sell all. And…' After entering the general trading orders, he turned his attention back to the public pension fund account. Toyota's current price was 151,300 yen. There were pending buy orders for about 3,000 shares. He still had to sell an additional 1,000 shares before the market closed.
Kimura yawned and typed on the keyboard. As soon as he placed the order, approval came through.
But then, something incredible happened. Even though he placed a sell order at the current price, a buy order at a lower price was executed in one go!
"W-wait a minute!"
Kimura realized something was wrong. He instantly snapped awake and immediately pressed the cancel order button.
Less than a second passed between placing and canceling the order.
"Haa…"
In the blink of an eye, the pending buy orders disappeared, but he had avoided the worst-case scenario.
He patted his chest in relief and checked his account's stock balance.
But…
'Huh? Why is it gone?'
He wondered if he was seeing things wrong, so he pushed up his glasses and squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again. But still, there wasn't a single share left.
He moved his gaze to the transaction history. He saw a string of hundreds of pre-placed buy orders being executed.
And near the end, a transaction for 14,970,000 shares was executed!
The more shocking fact was that the transaction price was just 1 yen.
'1 yen? Did I just sell all of it at 1 yen?'
Even if you place an order at a low price, the transaction should be executed at the buy order price. But the moment the pre-placed buy orders disappeared, a buy order at the sell order price of 1 yen came in and was executed.
Dozens of transactions were made like that. And unbelievably, one of them was for 14.97 million shares.
It was unbelievable.
'A-am I dreaming right now?'
His mind went blank, and his whole body trembled. It felt like his glasses had turned into a kaleidoscope, and his vision spun around and around.
At that moment, someone grabbed his shoulder and shook him violently. When he came to his senses, Department Head Okuma was standing right in front of him.
"Hey, Kimura! What the hell? What just happened?"
He stammered, "T-that… I-I think I made a mistake."
"A mistake? What kind of mistake?"
The aftershocks immediately followed.
The Nikkei index, which had been rising slightly just moments ago, was now down 4.3 percent.
***
Today, too, we sat in front of our computers, staring intently at the monitors.
The top sellers were Nomura Securities, Merrill Lynch, and JC Securities. Nishida Securities was also continuing to sell, but it was impossible to know if it was Japan's public pension fund's volume or not.
My finger was still hovering over the Enter key, and I didn't take my eyes off the monitor for a single moment. But the morning session ended, and the afternoon session was nearing its end, and still nothing happened.
Taekgyu munched on a snack next to me and said, "Looks like it's not today either."
"Seems that way."
There were less than 20 minutes left until the market closed.
Still, I shouldn't take my eyes off it until the end, right? But I'd needed to go to the bathroom for a while now. I should have gone before the afternoon session started.
Could I hold it for another 20 minutes? I didn't think I could.
"I'm going to the bathroom for a bit."
"Okay. I'll keep watch."
We carefully switched places while keeping our eyes fixed on the monitor. The fingers that had been just picking up snacks now hovered over the Enter key.
"Don't take your eyes off it."
"Got it, my friend. Trust me and go."
I quickly headed to the bathroom. The CEO's office was equipped with a bathroom and even a shower room.
After finishing my business, I stood in front of the sink to wash my hands. Looking at myself in the mirror, I was a mess.
My eyes were bloodshot, and my skin was dry. I hadn't shaved since yesterday, and my beard was growing out messily.
I looked like some kind of stock market addict or a coin junkie. No wonder Ellie was worried.
I didn't know what I was even doing anymore.
And I didn't know how long I would have to keep doing this.
I turned on the water and washed my hands. Maybe it was because I hadn't slept properly, but my head was spinning. Since it didn't seem like today was the day anyway, should I lie down on the sofa and rest for a bit?
I felt like I could fall asleep now.
Just as I was thinking that, I suddenly heard Taekgyu's scream.
"Aaaah!"
I was startled and burst out of the bathroom door.
"What's wrong?"
Taekgyu was standing there with his eyes wide open and his mouth agape, looking completely panicked.
Could it be…?
"What happened?"
In response to my question, Taekgyu stammered, "J-just look for yourself."
I looked at the monitor. The account now held 14,970,000 Toyota shares, which hadn't been there just a moment ago.
Taekgyu and I looked at each other.
A moment of silence passed. Then, without either of us saying anything, we burst into cheers.
"Wow!"
"Waaaaah!"
The investment was only 14.97 million yen. With that, we had made over 200 million yen in less than a second.
The return rate was a whopping 15,000,000 percent!
Could there be another case in financial investment history where someone earned this much profit in such a short period?
Taekgyu was so excited he was out of his mind.
"Wow, man! I just pressed Enter as soon as it popped up! My friend! Did I do it? Did I really do it?"
"Yeah. You did it! You did great, you crazy bastard!"
We hugged each other and rejoiced. As the excitement subsided, emergency news flashes were airing on the TV, which was on mute.
[(Breaking News) Nikkei Plummets! Suspected Massive Order Error!]
***
Japan's economic power is third in the world. Its stock market is the second largest after the United States and the largest in Asia. Therefore, its influence on other countries' stock markets is also significant.
Even before the breaking news hit, the unprecedented incident at Nishida Securities had already plunged Asian financial firms into shock.
Golden Gate's Korean branch was in chaos as well. The employees, who had been leisurely going about their work just moments before, were now moving frantically as if they were facing a disaster.
Oh Hyun-joo glared with wide eyes and issued instructions.
"Find out what happened right now! Don't take your eyes off the Nikkei, and keep checking the yen's movement!"
Ellie urgently asked, "What happened? Did 15 million Toyota shares really trade at 1 yen?"
Oh Hyun-joo loosened her blouse button as if feeling suffocated.
"Exactly 14,973,153 shares. And 14.97 million of those were taken by one place. For 14.97 million yen!"
It was still unbelievable even after hearing it again.
"N-no way. Where?"
"I don't know either."
Their original value was over 200 million yen. Who on earth could have bought them?
As she continued to give instructions, her secretary rushed in and said urgently, "Call from the Japan Branch Manager."
Oh Hyun-joo quickly picked up the receiver. Golden Gate Japan Branch Manager, Robert Akiyama, asked urgently in English without even greeting her.
[Are you aware of the current situation?]
She also skipped the greetings. "What exactly happened?"
Then, Branch Manager Akiyama shouted, [That's what I want to ask! It's been confirmed that the Korean branch bought the volume, are you aware of anything?]
Oh Hyun-joo was startled. "What did you say? Not the Japan branch, but us?"
[That's right. The Korean branch swept up the entire volume!]
"This is…."
[Nishida Securities just called, please check and call back immediately.]
The call was cut off before she could even reply. The Japan branch must be in even more chaos than here.
The Korean branch bought 14.97 million Toyota shares that came out due to an order error? Among the many clients, who could have done that?
At that moment, something flashed through her mind. It was what Kang Jinhoo and Oh Taekgyu had said before. They said they were going to buy Toyota shares, right?
"Could it be…."
Oh Hyun-joo sat down at her desk and typed on the keyboard. The OTK Company account appeared on the monitor. Seeing it, she was speechless with shock.
Ellie stared at the monitor with wide eyes. "D-did Jin-hoo and Taekgyu buy this?"
After a moment, Oh Hyun-joo regained her senses and screamed as if shouting, "Oh Taekgyu!!!"
***
Japanese Prime Minister's Office.
Prime Minister Okazaki was holding a meeting with Vice Minister of Commerce of China, Li Xuewei.
Japan and China had been in a cold relationship due to past historical issues and the Senkaku Islands dispute. However, recently, China had shown movements to strengthen economic cooperation with Japan, and this meeting was also held at China's request.
China was facing great difficulties after the trade dispute with the United States. On the other hand, Japan's situation was good. Due to the weak yen, exports increased significantly, and corporate net profits also increased greatly. While Chinese youth were experiencing job shortages, Japanese companies were desperate to find people to work.
Prime Minister Okazaki recalled Vice Minister Li Xuewei's arrogant attitude when he had visited China before. But today, he was very polite.
The meeting proceeded in a good atmosphere. The two men talked amicably as if they were meeting old friends.
Even so, they focused on grasping each other's intentions.
Vice Minister Li Xuewei said while drinking tea, "Japan is China's most important economic partner. I believe we can continue to expand cooperation in the future. The President hopes for a Japanese economic delegation to visit China."
Prime Minister Okazaki smiled. "We will consider it positively."
"Above all, I believe cooperation in the automotive field is urgent. Now is the time for Japan and China to join forces."
Automobiles are important industries for both Japan and China. And currently, Caros is shaking up this market.
"I heard you met with CEO Kang Jinhoo before."
Vice Minister Li Xuewei recalled the Korean youth in his 20s he had met before. Because of him, China had suffered losses of hundreds of billions of yuan.
'No, was it trillions of yuan?'
Although they had barely managed to seal the trade war, the Chinese economy was still reeling from the shock. That's why they had even come to Japan to request cooperation.
"I was quite surprised by the situation. You must have had a hard time, Vice Minister."
"It's not really that hard."
Japan was using the pretext of a traffic accident involving its citizens in the United States to pressure Kang Jinhoo and Caros.
He said while drinking tea, "There's a saying in Korean political circles that you won't end up well if you get involved with Kang Jinhoo. Prime Minister, you should also be careful."
'You guys are just stupid for getting played.'
Prime Minister Okazaki thought so, but smiled and said, "Haha, thank you for the advice. I'll have to stay alert if I don't want to look foolish."
In short, he was saying they were fools for getting played.
Vice Minister Li Xuewei smiled wryly instead of arguing back. He was in a position to ask for favors, so he had to play along today.
While the meeting was in full swing, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Cabinet Office entered the meeting room at a quick pace.
Prime Minister Okazaki asked, puzzled, "What is it?"
He bowed and whispered in his ear, covering his mouth. Prime Minister Okazaki's expression hardened as he listened.
Vice Minister Li Xuewei put down his teacup and said, "It seems you have urgent business, please go ahead. I will wait patiently."
"Please excuse me for a moment."
Prime Minister Okazaki immediately got up from his seat.
'Something big must have happened.'
What urgent matter could it be that would require interrupting the meeting?
Not long after, an aide approached and reported the situation.
An order error had occurred, and 10 percent of Toyota's shares had disappeared. If true, it was a major incident that would shake not only the stock market but also the global automotive industry.
"Has it been confirmed who bought them?"
"We are currently confirming."
How much time had passed?
The aide returned and said, "It's not certain yet, but there's a high possibility it's OTK Company."
Vice Minister Li Xuewei flinched for a moment.
"Kang Jinhoo?"
He was lost in thought for a long time before picking up his teacup again. The tea had already cooled.
Vice Minister Li Xuewei stood up from his seat without hesitation.
"I will return to Beijing now."
"Are you suspending the meeting?"
A sneer appeared on his face.
"Do you think Prime Minister Okazaki is in the right state of mind for that right now?"