When Mr. Toda’s business met with financial difficulties that left him with huge debts, I wasn’t able to receive my salary. I had to endure the winter cold with not much more than an open-necked shirt. These were really hard times. Mr. Toda’s other employees quit one after another. There were even some who cast insults at him as they left. Yet despite my own hardships, I did not have the slightest complaint. All I cared about was protecting my mentor. I staked my life on this, and completely threw myself into the struggle. This all happened during my early 20s.