Chapter 1
Project Inauguration
RYOTEI[1] SASAGAWA. It was late January, and although it wasn’t snowing, the temperature was below freezing.
Under the cold weather, I had already been waiting for an hour for the master's arrival.
“It's cold, Ayanokouji-san... When is Naoe-sensei coming...?”
Kamogawa, complaining for the third time, exhaled into his hands to warm himself.
“It's always the same. For Naoe-sensei, the appointed time is just a formality.”
“Does that mean he'll be an hour or two late at worst, by any chance?”
Apparently, that was the worst this man could imagine.
“How sweet. You're lucky if he shows up here today. Many times he doesn't show up at all.”
“Oh, no... How long are you going to wait for someone who might not show up?”
“Forever. Unless I hear from him, I'll wait even if the store is closed.”
“You'll die, you know...”
If you call yourself a Naoe faction member, you should be willing to die, but I'm sure Naoe-sensei won't care about the deceased.
We're merely the intermediaries.
Rather, it’s those who are already waiting for Naoe-sensei in the ryotei who are not so keen on the idea.
“But... It's amazing that someone is allowed to be loose with time. I'd normally be pissed off.”
“Loose with time? Do you really think so?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Even being late is a weapon for Naoe-sensei. As in the story of Ganryujima Island and Musashi Miyamoto.”[2]
Of course, he wouldn't normally use such an old tale as a strategy. It’s precisely because he’s Naoe-sensei that he’s allowed to do such unrefined measures.
(TL Note: ryotei 料亭: Traditional Japanese Restaurant)[1]
(TL Note: Ganryujima Island and Musashi Miyamoto: This story refers to a duel between two Japanese Swordsmen where Musashi Miyamoto arrived three hours late.)[2]
“The basic premise is that 80% of those who are turned away from a meeting have no choice but to cry themselves to sleep.”
These numbers are proof that not many people can stand up to Naoe-sensei. Even the current Prime Minister has no choice but to constantly ask Naoe-sensei for help. No matter how long they have to wait, they greet Naoe-sensei with a smile.
“The other 20%... What about them?”
“What's the use of listening to the remaining 20% of idiots?”
“Well, just for the sake of knowing...”
“They were so irritated at being stood up that they shouted at me and demanded that I call Naoe-sensei and make him tell them how long he’ll keep them waiting.”
Kamogawa, next to me, swallowed his spit as he cleared his throat.
Even though he’d only been in politics for a short time, he knows the horror of giving orders to Naoe-sensei. But each time I was faced with such circumstances, I took a firm stand and gave them all the same response.
“’I can't have Naoe-sensei taken cheaply.’ I'll just kick them out like that.”
I force them to bow their heads and either request another appointment or never show their faces again.
Now, another 80% of the people will bow down again.
While they have venom in their heart, they still make it a priority to see Naoe-sensei. Well, it’s almost impossible to have a smooth relationship with him when they choose to do so.
“It seems that Ayanokouji-san is having a hard time.”
“They say hard work pays off, but I've actually been hit more than once or twice—with an ashtray and a golf club.”
Since they can't get their hands on Naoe-sensei, they have no choice but to take their frustration out on me. But getting punched doesn't mean that Naoe-sensei will give me any gratitude.
“I can't wrap my head around it. Ayanokouji-san, have you been repeating this kind of thing for nearly four years?”
“It's simple, but not for everyone. But anyone can do it if they are willing to die for it.”
That's why I, who have no backing, no education, no intelligence, and no family background, get a chance.
But this guy doesn't know anything.
He’s two years older than me and a first-year councilor.
“Didn't Senator Kamogawa teach you the ironclad rule?”
The man standing next to me is the kind of politician I despise the most.
“My father didn't tell me anything like that...”
Typical second generation politician. Grew up spoiled and continues to survive in politics.
An abhorrent leech, but only a chosen one born into a privileged class can become one.
Kamogawa's father, Senator Kamogawa Toshizou, a long-time supporter of Naoe-sensei, is a veteran of over 30 years in politics.
Naturally, he would never allow his son to experience the harsh underclass. He's unlike me, a discarded piece that can be broken but continues to be valued as one of the parts that support the backbone of the Naoe faction.
“The only thing I was taught is that if I just shut up and follow Naoe-sensei, I would be safe as a politician. He said I could be a senator forever, the salary would be stable, and eventually I would be able to get a post there.”
He doesn’t have anything he wants to accomplish as a politician but becomes one just to survive.
There are a certain number of such people, second generation or otherwise.
It's a foolish and corrupt mindset, but these types live uselessly long lives.
They’re a blessing to those at the top because they can be tamed and get a vote among their peers without complaint.
“I can't wait to get out of the lower ranks and receive a cushy job.”
Kamogawa looked up at the night sky as he grumbled and complained.
“I'm hungry too… On a cold day like this, hot sake[3] is the only way to go.”
Can't this guy even wait in silence?
“Enough, shut up for a minute, Kamogawa.”
“It's okay to chat. It's not like sensei is here. Tell me more about Naoe-sensei and Ayanokouji-san.”
(TL Note: Sake: A Japanese Rice Alcoholic Beverage)[3]
I didn't care about the Naoe-sensei part, but what he said after that caught my attention.
“You mean about me?”
“I've heard rumors that most of the people who work under Naoe-sensei become useless soon, but Ayanokouji-san is a promising newcomer who’s highly valued. I'd like to know the trick to success for working under Naoe-sensei.”
Kamogawa spoke as if it was someone else's problem, believing the rumors. I felt the urge to punch him just then, but that would only give me a temporary sense of exhilaration.
Four years later, and I'm still a rookie. I should be more concerned about the fact that I'm being treated like this.
“Time for chit-chat is over. Turn your head.”
“What?”
I immediately adjusted my posture at the faint sound of a cab in the distance.
Kamogawa understood what it meant, and after clearing his throat, he straightened his back.
The cab slowly arrived in front of the ryotei.
Shortly thereafter, another black sedan pulled up slightly behind the cab. Without even a glance, it was obvious that these were Naoe-sensei's bodyguards.
I quickly returned my gaze to the cab, but the door didn’t open, and Kamogawa tilted his head curiously.
I could see Naoe-sensei through the window, so I restrained Kamogawa as he was about to run over.
“Don't do anything I don't want you to do.”
“Yeah, but...”
In the backseat of the cab, as far as I could see through the window, I discerned that a man and a woman were in intimate contact with each other.
If I interfered, I might incur unnecessary reprimand.
However, it was unusual for Naoe-sensei to be accompanied by a woman.
And even though it was in a cab in the middle of the night, it seemed an unwise move for a politician. After a minute of silence in the back seat of the cab, the door finally opened.
“See you later, sensei~.”
Kamogawa finally understood when he heard the young woman’s catcall from the back seat.
Naoe-sensei, who then chatted with the woman for a few more moments, slowly exited the cab.
One slender man got out instantly from the sedan’s passenger seat behind him as well.
Without saying a word, he stood silently next to Naoe-sensei.
It’s a bodyguard with a new face I’ve never seen before. But there’s no time to care.
“Thank you, Naoe-sensei.”
“Oh, thank you!”
Was Kamogawa flustered because he saw the scene with the woman, or because he’s simply up in front of Naoe-sensei?
Even if it was the latter, he was a fool when he acted in a way that could be taken as the former.
I took a half step in front of the eyesore that was Kamogawa and blocked his face with my shoulder.
But that may have been a needless worry.
Naoe-sensei, who had no regard for Kamogawa, was directing his sharp gaze only at the ryotei.
“Where's Asama?”
His suit and posture, which reminded me of his old age, made him look young at the same time.
“He is waiting for you. Let me show you around.”
I gave a glance to the nervous Kamogawa in the back, instructing him to pay the cab fare, and I led Naoe-sensei inside the ryotei.
As soon as we passed through the curtain, everyone from the proprietress to the head chef appeared in a hurry and bowed their heads.
Naoe-sensei took off his shoes without a change in his expression while he permeated the area with his aura.
Stepping on the wooden floor, he made his way to a private room at the far end of the restaurant.
Naoe Jinnosuke. A member of the ruling Citizens' Party, he has served in a number of positions, including Minister of Transportation and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and is currently serving as secretary-general of the party.
Although the secretary-general post is half a step behind that of the vice president, not to mention the prime minister, in terms of importance, the secretary-general is by far the most important post.
He’s the party's general manager, who holds the real power of the party.
Although he’ll turn sixty-eight this year, he hasn’t shown the slightest sign of retiring from active service.
In the world of politics, where there’s no retirement age, he’ll remain in his current position for another 10 or 20 years, unless his physical condition becomes a problem.
“Asama-sensei, I’ve brought Naoe-sensei with me.”
Beyond the shoji[4], Asama-sensei was waiting in seiza[5] to welcome Naoe-sensei. Upon seeing Naoe-sensei, he stood up and bowed deeply.
Asama Hisashi. He is 71 years old—three years older than Naoe-sensei.
He is currently serving as a vice minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, and is a leading figure in the Naoe faction.
For me, even Asama-sensei is a resident of the clouds.
But if Naoe-sensei appears here, he instantly switches from master to slave.
It’s a regular scene that shows at a glance that there’s such a gap in power.
“We have been expecting you, Naoe-sensei.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Asama. I've been busy with work.”
“I know how busy you are.”
I bowed my head, rubbed my forehead against the tatami, and quietly closed the shoji so as not to disturb the dialogue.
From this point on, it wasn’t acceptable to listen to the conversation between two big-name politicians.
“Quickly, Naoe-sensei. I'd like to ask you about that matter.”
I only had a sheet of shoji separating us.
The devil once whispered to me to continue eavesdropping and pick up useful information.
Or I could even bug the place.
But the world is not a sweet place.
Any deviousness would soon be exposed, and my political life would be cut short.
(TL Note: Shoji: Japanese Sliding Door)[4]
(TL Note: Seiza: Traditional Japanese sitting posture)[5]
I got up, left the place, and moved to another room far away.
In the private room that had been prepared for him, Kamogawa was situated on the lower seat, his gaze fixed on the sake in front of him.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No problem. Let's get started right away.
“Don't drink.”
“I’ve never seen this in an izakaya[6]. What’s this brand of sake?”
“Are you going to make me smell the sake as I see Naoe-sensei and the others off?”
“There’s nothing to be gained by carelessly messing around with alcohol.”
“Oh, no...”
A dazzling fine-dining restaurant. I don't blame him for feeling upset when told not to drink alcohol before dinner. In fact, I almost gave in to temptation a few times in the past.
Fortunately, I was able to witness the moment when someone who was mentoring me at the time got into alcohol and was reprimanded and cut for it, which led to my current abstinence. I’ve come to believe that the “alcohol” for those in power is the suffering of those below them.
It’s not only the lower-ranking members of the parliament. They look down on the people themselves.
They are always intoxicated by the fulfillment of their desire for conquest, ruling by rules of their own making.
“Ayanokouji-sensei, I have one thing on my mind...”
He’s a real chatterbox.
“Why do you always sit on your knees? Why don’t you just slouch at the table?”
“I'm used to it. I have to sit on my haunches for hours in front of Naoe-sensei and the others without a care in the world. If you don't get used to it on a regular basis, you will be in trouble when the time comes.”
We’re not even allowed to make a statement such as, ‘May I relax my legs?’
There was no other option but to continue sitting on the floor until your legs became necrotic.
“Oh, my God...”
(TL Note: izakaya (居酒屋): A spot to settle in, grab a drink, and get comfortable.)[6]
Kamogawa, who probably had no confidence in sitting on his haunches, hurriedly sat back down on his seat.
Even a small piece of egg tofu served on a small plate would’ve cost a great amount if ordered by itself.
However, there was no need to be grateful. I grabbed the small plate in a messy manner and poured it into my stomach without chewing it.
“What a waste...!”
I continue to eat, ignoring most of Kamogawa's incessant chatter.
I'm not interested in how expensive it was, how fresh it looked, or where the plate came from.
As long as I have enough energy to keep moving afterwards, that's all that matters.
“I'm going to the bathroom.”
I turned away from Kamogawa, stood up on my slightly numb legs, and left the room.
After using the restroom, I was about to return to the private room where Kamogawa was waiting for me when I spotted the backs of men in suits. Among them, there was a man who stood out from the crowd.
It was only for a moment, however, as he then turned a corner at the end of the hallway and disappeared from sight.
“What was that?”
I was tempted to follow him and see if he was who I thought he was, but I held back.
Though, I was sure that the figure was Senator Kijima. He was not a member of any of the three major factions: Naoe-sensei, Isomaru-sensei, and Prime Minister Miyako. Although small in number, he was in the fourth faction in the Citizen's Party, not belonging to any of the three major factions.
He’s so promising that he’s even touted as the man closest to the prime minister among the younger generation.
It’s not usual that they happen to be at this same ryotei restaurant.
It’s customary for the ryotei to make arrangements in secret so as not to allow an unfortunate encounter.
Is it possible that Naoe-sensei has already begun making moves toward the next election?
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