Episode 22: Yuto and the Middle East Crisis
Stock Market Plunge | A Storm Sweeps Through the Garden
The breaking news spread around the world overnight.
The United States had launched a military attack on Iran in the Middle East.
The following day, global stock markets fell sharply.
It was the single largest market drop since the launch of the New NISA.
With trembling fingers, Yuto opened his investment app.
Every mutual fund he owned was showing red.
His unrealized gains had disappeared, and the total value of his portfolio had fallen sharply.
On television, market experts spoke with grim expressions.
"The escalating situation in the Middle East has triggered immense anxiety over global oil supplies."
"We could see disruptions on the scale of the historic Oil Shocks."
Yuto stared silently at the screen.
These investments were supposed to grow steadily, using time as a powerful ally.
Yet the completely unpredictable reality of war had suddenly shaken that assumption.
Then another thought entered his mind.
"Maybe I should sell."
Before things get any worse. While the damage was still relatively small.
"If there was ever a time to run away, maybe this is it."
Yuto looked down at the tiny pot beside him.
Hikappa was still there.
He had always intended to nurture it slowly over the years.
"Hikappa... I'm so sorry."
Just then - his smartphone buzzed softly in his hand.
An Email from Miona-sensei
It was a message from Miona-sensei.
From: Miona
To: Yuto
Subject: Are you doing okay, Yuto?
Dear Yuto,
I saw the news. The markets seem to be dropping quite drastically.
Is Hikappa doing all right?
You don't have to force yourself to reply, but I was a little worried and wanted to check in.
SYuto stared at the screen.
He couldn't move for a moment.
It was only a few short lines.
Yet somehow, it felt as if someone had gently reached out and touched the deepest part of his anxiety.
A Night of Facing a Wavering Heart
Should he sell?
Or should he stay the course?
Yuto still had no clear answer.
Hikappa remained beside him, quietly glowing.
He took a deep breath.
He opened a reply window and began typing.
From: Yuto
To: Miona-sensei Subject: Re: Are you doing okay, Yuto?
Dear Miona-sensei,
Seeing the news filled me with absolute panic.
To be completely honest, I have an overwhelming urge to just run away.
But looking at Hikappa right now has helped me calm down a little.
I will give it some more thought before making a decision.
Yuto
Yuto read the message once more.
Then he pressed Send.
In the Midst of Stillness
After sending the email, Yuto opened his investment app once again.
The numbers were still flashing red.
Nothing had improved.
But something inside him had changed.
The chaos in his chest had become slightly quieter.
Hikappa was still there, just as it had always been, glowing with a soft and steady light.
The figures on the screen hadn't changed for the better.
Yet, for some reason, looking at that quiet screen brought Yuto a strange sense of relief.
He didn't have an answer yet.
He didn't know what the market would do tomorrow.
But he also didn't have to decide everything tonight.
Hikappa continued to glow quietly in its little pot.
And for tonight, that was enough.
Global events can affect financial markets in ways that are impossible to predict.
When markets suddenly fall, fear can make us want to act immediately.
But moments of panic are precisely when our choices are tested.
Instead of making an impulsive decision, sometimes the better choice is to pause, take a breath, and give yourself time to think.
Long-term investing is not about predicting every storm.
It is about learning how to remain steady when the storm arrives.
Today, Yuto did not find an answer. He simply chose not to run away in panic.
And sometimes, that is already an important step toward staying the course.