1.1
The meeting ended about an hour after Naoe-sensei entered the private room.
After seeing Senator Asama off, Naoe-sensei called me and Kamogawa into a private room.
Based on the three boar cups as well as the number of small bowls of food on the table, I could assume that Senator Kijima was in this room.
The food was delicious, however, there’s no sign that they touched their chopsticks, so it seems that they finished their meal mostly by discussing. It seems clear that they had a few drinks and then called it a night.
“Is there something on your mind?”
I feel a tension in my heart—as if he read the slightest glance I gave him.
“No, it's nothing.”
‘Someone was here, wasn't there?’ There was no way I could say such a thing.
I guess it was only natural for him to know what was on my mind, but he didn't pursue the matter.
“Ayanokouji, how long have you been working for me?”
“This is my fourth year under sensei.”
“That's right. First of all, only a handful of people can become politicians in their 20s. I can say without a doubt that you are the first among the “have-nots” to climb the ladder of success.”
The have-nots. It's one of the terms coined by Naoe-sensei that refers to those who aren't blessed with a good environment. Such as second or third generation people, excluding those whose parents are from the business world and have strong backup, who I dislike.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that whether or not one actually makes it big as a politician is determined by these two categories: the “haves” or the “have-nots.”
To put it simply, it’s similar to an owner-operated company that’s run by family members.
Outsiders are outsiders, no matter how talented they are. Unless you’re extremely talented and lucky, there’s a limit to the summit you can aim for.
There’s no bright future awaiting the have-nots.
In other words, the reach of a person like me usually stops there in the world of politics. The only way to go further than that is to entrust my children to pass it on to the second generation. Then, as a result of further selection, I will be allowed to reach the upper echelons somewhere in my generation.
However, since there are already many second and third generations vying for the few available seats, it won’t be easy for them to rise in the political world even if they send their descendants into politics in the same way. Those who sit in the chairs first will be connected to the fourth and fifth generations as stronger holders.
“I am truly grateful to you, Naoe-sensei. You picked up someone like me.”
“It's because of your ability. In fact, I've been helped in many ways.”
There was no point in exchanging pleasantries. But it was an unavoidable path for a politician.
Whenever Naoe-sensei praises someone, something unwelcome awaits him.
“But your ability is not yet recognized within the party.”
“Of course. I am very much aware of that.”
All the credit, big or small, will be siphoned off by Naoe-sensei.
The only one who understands that those feats originally belonged to me is Naoe-sensei, who’s right in front of me.
Especially when it comes to the opposition, I'm sure the same goes for the unknown.
“Today's discussion, as you may have guessed, was about Isomaru.”
Isomaru Youkou has reigned in politics for many years as the number three of the Civic Party.
“He's getting old, just like me. There aren't many chances to get the prime minister's seat, you know.”
Was this a discussion to counter Isomaru-sensei's rival presence?
“The faction members are very wary of Isomaru anyway. He's certainly an opponent not to be underestimated, but if you ask me, he's an easy guy to understand. For better or worse, he’s a man who only uses old-fashioned methods.”
After decades of friendly competition in the political world, they probably know each other's tricks.
“I don't think Isomaru is the one we really need to watch out for.”
“You mean...”
“Are you acquainted with Kijima?”
Perhaps because I saw the back of what appeared to be Senator Kijima, my body reacted involuntarily.
Today, I heard only of important figures, including Asama-sensei.
Naoe-sensei's sharp eyes, unchanged from usual, laid upon me.
“I've seen him several times, but I've never had the chance to talk to him directly.”
“I think he's the biggest enemy we should be wary of.”
Although they are members of the same political party, he doesn’t hesitate to call them enemies.
This is evidence that Naoe-sensei, who’s been enjoying his own power, is very wary of Kijima-san.
If Naoe-sensei and Isomaru-sensei are the shadows of the Citizens' Party, the exact opposite is true for Kijima-san. Kijima-sensei is a young and powerful man who, under the light, is being promoted as the signboard of the Citizen's Party, pushing clean policies to the forefront.
Although the number of party members who naturally support him continues to increase, it’ll be a while before he threatens Naoe-sensei and his colleagues.
I had thought so. But it seems that he acknowledges Kijima more than I assumed. I wondered if he had grown to the point where he was a threat to Naoe-sensei.
The three young men gathered under the leadership of Prime Minister Miyako are Naoe-sensei, number two, Isomaru-sensei, number three, and the young Kijima-sensei, number four. They are earnestly vying for the next prime minister's seat.
“Do you know what is the biggest factor in Kijima's rise to his current post?”
“I'm sure he has many accomplishments, but I would say the highlight is the existence of the ‘ANHS.’”
Advanced Nurturing High School. An institution established to nurture young people with a future directly under the government.
It has not yet achieved much, but great expectations are being placed on it.
It is more correct to say that the government has high expectations for it.
“The education of children is inseparable from the development of a country. ANHS is well received by the supporters. I'm impressed that they have come up with an interesting idea, even for an enemy.”
Kamogawa listens with sweat on his forehead, unable to interrupt the conversation.
The air conditioner in the room is quite hot but it's not unreasonable, given the content of the conversation.
“Young party members are blindly putting faith in him.”
With his extensive media exposure, many of them view the Civic Party through Kijima. “I just wanted to make sure you weren't on Kijima's side too..”
“You must be joking. I will only be under your care.”
This is at least not a lie.
Even if Isomaru-sensei or Kijima-sensei's faction makes a great leap forward in the next election and Naoe-sensei is deprived of his position, they’ll have to share the fate of the sinking ship.
But what was the purpose of having dinner with Kijima-sensei, such an alarming opponent? I’m curious, but I don't have time to focus on that right now.
“Actually, today we decided to officially start the project we’ve been discussing behind the scenes.” Saying this, Naoe-sensei releases a brown A4-sized envelope onto the table.
“This project is a serious one that could affect my political life. Now that not only Isomaru, but also Kijima, and the opposition parties are slowly rising to the top, it's finally time to move it.”
Naoe, who lives so that someone else will refill his cup when it’s empty, drank it all in one gulp.
“The project's existence will definitely have a big impact on the election.”
That's how important the contents of the envelope in front of him are.
“Most of my aides don't even last six months before they leave. Either pure incompetence or they can't keep up with the unimaginably hard work. But you've been with me for four years now, and you're not just getting weaker, you're getting stronger by the day. You remind me of my old self.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Let me ask you guys. What kind of politician is superior? Kamogawa, answer me.” He asked him such a question.
“What?”
He could neither keep his silence nor give a proper answer.
A very good politician. That would be very different based on the viewpoint of those who were watching him.
“He who can answer the wishes of the people...?”
An answer, but a simple one. From the people's point of view, that is. Even a child could have come up with that answer, but Naoe-sensei nodded once and looked at me this time.
“How about you, Ayanokouji?”
Excellent or not, that's the answer.
“If I may say so, I believe it would be someone like Naoe-sensei.”
Receiving praise, Naoe began to curl his lips but I quickly resumed speaking.
“Bad politicians serve tempura to customers who want sushi.”
“Customers? What do you mean?”
“A customer is a customer. Sometimes they are the people, sometimes they are politicians, sometimes they are something else.”
Politicians aren’t dealing with any one group in particular.
A politician who can't answer the needs of an unspecified number of customers is not needed.
“Don’t you have your way with words? So, what’s your point?”
“A good politician will serve good sushi to customers who ask for it. Probably only 30%... no, 20% of politicians can do this… Politicians who have the support of many people naturally fall into this category.”
“Wouldn't you say that's a very good politician already? Because he serves the customers the sushi they want, and he serves it well, right?”
Certainly, this is the limit of what a good politician can achieve for an ordinary person. But I don’t think that’s what it means to be one that’s excellent.
“If you claim to be a superior politician, you need to be more than that. I consider him to be someone who can induce customers who want sushi to be maximally satisfied by offering them curry and beef bowls.”
It’s not enough for a politician to answer requests obediently. There are many situations in which it’s necessary to avoid causing dissatisfaction, even if the requests cannot be answered at times. Even when it comes to a single bill, there are only two choices: to pass it or not to pass it.
Those who don’t pass the bill will be dissatisfied. That is why we have to prepare a third option that is neither of the two and suppress both support and opposition.
The Naoe-sensei in front of me has shown such skill many times.
“I see. Quite a nice way to put it.”
“Thank you.”
Here, Naoe-sensei's eyes turned even more intense and sharp.
“I hope someday you can put that idea into practice with your own hands.”
Someday. Someday, huh? It's already been four years, but in the political world that is nothing at all.
I wonder how many more years I have to continue working in the bottom before that someday arrives.
“Don't look so down. You’re capable. I can see that after watching you for four years. That's why what’s required of youngsters like you is tangible results.”
He took a bite of his snack with his chopsticks, then turned the tip of the chopsticks toward the envelope.
“I don't think it's ‘only been four years’. It's already been four years. It's about time you got some credit for making it on your own.”
“You mean you'll give me that opportunity?”
Time and time again, I have repeatedly set the stage for Naoe-sensei.
The credit goes to Naoe-sensei alone, and the mismanagement goes to me alone. It is not mere charity that I have repeated such irrationality and absurdity.
The fist on my lap naturally clenched tighter.
“You can take it that way. But I'm going to make sure it succeeds. Are you ready for that?”
‘Do you mind if I look inside the envelope?’ There was no way I could say such a thing.
“Shortly after I received my position under you, you once said to me, 'Everything one does is determined by one's goals.’”
I had no way of knowing it at the time, but it was a quote from a great man.
If I fail, my past four years will probably be erased in an instant.
“I will put my whole heart and soul into this.”
I bowed deeply and readily agreed to take on the project.
“If you succeed in this project, fame will naturally follow, you know.”
I don't trust him at all, but I've never even heard him say such a suggestive thing before.
At least it’s true that this is a different and more important project. It's a chance I received because I've earned his trust. I'm not going to miss it.
“Look it over.”
“Excuse me.”
I picked up the brown envelope on the table and pulled out a stack of papers about 5mm thick.
The first sheet is titled “Human Resource Development Plan (tentative).”
“The level of education in Japan is going down. Japan now needs to provide education not for the next five or ten years, but for the next 20 or 30 years.”
“I’ve never heard that you’re enthusiastic about education.”
“Politicians are supposed to focus on education. Even if they’re not the slightest bit interested in it, it will lead to votes inside and outside.”
This man doesn’t really want to change education in Japan. He’s just formulating a strategy to increase his power and gain more support.
The idiot next to him is fidgeting and wondering about the details of the project.
“You can join in too, Kamogawa. Try it with Ayanokouji.”
“Oh, thank you!”
Kamogawa peeked in somewhat forcefully, smiling happily.
There was no need to have this guy help me, but if Naoe-sensei decided so, I had no choice. The human resource development plan, to put it simply, was to provide education for gifted children as soon as they were born.
After I finished reading through everything, I had Kamogawa read it again.
“What do you think? Do you understand it, Kamogawa?”
“An educational institution under the direct control of the government, starting from infancy? I've never heard of it.”
The questions that sprang from Kamogawa's head were meaningless.
“If you've heard of it, you can't say it's a major attraction, can you?”
Without any need for me to correct him, he was kicked to the curb by Naoe-sensei.
There is not a problem with this project
“You've got to learn to be a little more flexible, Kamogawa.”
“I'm sorry...”
“But since you're such a newcomer, I'd like to ask you something. How does this project look in your eyes?”
“Well... I don't know what to say.”
The snake stared at me, or rather, it didn't even look at me, but it stiffened.
Then, with a tearful expression on his face, he turned to me for help.
“Naoe wants to know what you think of this project. He doesn't want your superficial approval, you can answer as you like.”
If I made any comments that would make Naoe-sensei look bad, I would only spoil his good mood.
“Well, then... um, I was wondering.. would there be parents who would send their children to an institution to be educated from infancy? It just doesn't seem feasible to me... It would have to be kidnapping, wouldn't it?”
Hearing this, Naoe-sensei looked my way as if testing me.
“That's a fair question. Can you answer that, Ayanokouji?”
An uneducated answer that might be acceptable for a rookie, but not for me. I took a breath and turned to Kamogawa.
“It doesn't matter. There are hundreds of children abandoned by their parents immediately after birth every year, at least that we know of.”
Procuring babies is no small feat.
“Abandoned children can receive generous government support and proper teaching without putting their lives in danger. Education without risking their lives. The project also makes it easier for them to enter high school and college.”
“Exactly. Yes, the answer is the same, but if the process that leads to procuring children are unconventional, you will see the project in a very different light. You'll have to study hard under the road.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Depending on how it unfolds, it could lead to an approach to mothers. There are easily over a hundred thousand abortion procedures a year in this country with its declining birthrate. It could be a satire on a society that does not easily allow childbearing, and it could also serve as a receptacle.”
Grinning, Naoe-sensei nodded and took another sip of sake.
“And if this plan works, of course the political and business worlds will be very interested.”
“What?”
“Apart from the lives that’ll be discarded, there are also many lives that won’t be treated fairly, especially for wealthy people. Illegitimate children and unacknowledged children...? Is that right?”
“Yes, there are many famous people who have children in secret. However, they’re unable to provide a proper education due to lack of outward support. And if the government supports them behind the scenes, I'm sure they’ll change their attitude and hope for the best.”
Little by little, the full picture of this project began to emerge.
“And eventually, some of them will want their beloved children to have the best education possible.”
That is Naoe-sensei's idea of a human resource development planning project.
He receives funds from wealthy families and takes the children they want kept hidden to educate them. He then trains them thoroughly so that when they eventually come of age, they will become Naoe Faction members, and sends them off to political office. And they will be obedient servants who’ve been educated for gifted children. They’d also be children who share the blood of businessmen.
Is this the beginning of a forward-looking plan? It may seem risky, but if it succeeds, the rewards will be immeasurable. If we refuse to back down at this point, we will be immediately removed from the ladder by Naoe-sensei.
“The people on this list...”
“The people on this list are geniuses who’ve been banished from the field. They are difficult to deal with.”
There were about ten documents, each one with a biography like a resume.
“These are people who left the stage due to problems in economics, psychology, and other fields, despite their ability to represent Japan, or even the world.”
I see. This human resource development project entails various risks. If the children are to be educated in a semi-mandatory manner, there will naturally be opposition to the project. In that sense, it’s not likely that a prominent figure with authority would willingly cooperate.
On the other hand, if they are well-known for their abilities despite their problems, it would be easier to get them to agree to the project by offering them money.
They may have many issues with their personality, but they certainly seem to be competent. Without knowledge and experience, education can only be done in a vague way. That said, it wouldn’t be realistic to pull in people like those tutors and develop them into leading figures in Japan. It's not an easy job, I'm flattered to say.
“Remember? Right after you came under my employment, we talked about education.”
“Of course I do. My philosophy of education is to get children interested in politics from an early age, to have them learn about it, and to develop them into politically-minded individuals. This will lead to the future of Japan, and that is why I asked to be allowed to be taken under Naoe-sensei.”
“I thought it was just some clever nonsense from a rookie congressman right after he told me, but in the end, I got the idea from that statement myself. In other words, you are qualified to participate. Will you do it? Ayanokouji.”
These are not words asking for confirmation. It was no different from a coercion or order. The minimum requirement, then, is that I accept the offer with a resounding “yes” from a moral standpoint, and this time is no different.
It's the best project that sublimates and embodies my educational philosophy.
“Of course, I will accept the project.”
“This is a top-secret project, and not only in the opposition party, but also in the ruling party, it’s not at a stage where we should inform them. Besides, there are ethical issues involved. If it’s exposed at the halfway stage and you come under criticism, your political life will be over.”
My political life will just end, not Naoe-sensei's, who drafted this project.
No, to be precise, it will result in several people hanging themselves, including Kamogawa beside me.
“I will do my best. However, I have a favor to ask of Naoe-sensei.”
“What?”
I know it may seem presumptuous, but I would like to speak up now.
“This project will be difficult for me and Kamogawa to proceed alone. Could you please introduce me to someone you trust?”
“Of course I'm going to do that. There is a man named Sakayanagi who’s well known in the political and business world. He is a young man not much older than you, but he’s well-spoken and trustworthy. You should give him a try.”
I've heard of him before, I think he's the old man in charge of the ANHS... but in any case, he must be a man with the backing of Kijima-sensei.
“I didn't say it well enough,” he said. The Sakayanagi you imagine has a son. That’s the one you will meet with.”
I see. He must not be directly related to Kijima-sensei.
“Understood, sir.”
“And I have something important to tell you, don't expect any financial support from me.”
“What? A project of this magnitude is going to cost a lot of money.”
I grabbed Kamogawa by the shoulders and stopped him from saying anything else.
“It's going to require a certain amount of recklessness, but... can we borrow Naoe-sensei's name?”
“That's not possible right now either. It's not a good idea to let on that I'm involved.”
Kamogawa’s face, knowing that he couldn’t get any backup, grew pale at the sight of the situation.
“Well, I'll be counting on you, Ayanokouji.”
He was being very unreasonable. But I had to swallow his recklessness in order to move forward.
“I will carry out this project with all my heart.”
Even if this was just an idea, a project that he would throw away tomorrow, if that’s what Naoe-sensei wants now, I will just respond to it. We were advised and dismissed. I took the initiative to open the sliding door of the room in order to see Naoe-sensei off.
At the end of the corridor, a newcomer, a bodyguard, was waiting for Naoe-sensei's return. “Oh yes. Was this the first time Ayanokouji had met this man?”
“sensei's bodyguards work very hard, so it's not unusual for them to be replaced.”
The man in front of me looks at me with a smile on his face the whole time.
“May I introduce myself?”
The bodyguard responded showing no particular interest. Normally bodyguards aren’t allowed to make such comments, but Naoe-sensei didn’t seem to be offended. His voice sounded thin, but Naoe-sensei seemed to buy it. He must be more than just a guy.
“His name is Ayanokouji, and he's a moderately promising legislator. It wouldn't hurt to say hello.”
A man with a straight, beautiful posture stepped closer to me and held out his hand.
“My name is Tokinari Tsukishiro. I'm sorry to say that I'm not a bodyguard.”
“You say you are not a bodyguard... Who are you?”
“He's well… he's a jack-of-all-trades, to put it plainly. If you have any trouble, you can count on Tsukishiro. He may not be much older than you, but he’s a very useful man.
“A jack-of-all-trades?”
As if he had been waiting for me, the man who introduced himself as Tsukishiro offered me his business card.
“From personal protection to information gathering, I'll do anything you need.”
So he's a ‘whatever you need,’ sort of person? What a shady guy. But the fact that Naoe-sensei is walking around with him like this means there’s no doubt that he’s capable in his own way.
“My name is Ayanokouji, and Naoe-sensei is taking good care of me. If there’s any inconvenience, I would very much appreciate your assistance.”
“I’m not only a member of the Citizens' Party, but I’m also a member of the Peace Party.”
The Peace Party is the first opposition party. It’s an organization that has always had an adversarial relationship with the Citizens Party. Just before I became a politician, the Peace Party almost won the election in an upset. If not for Naoe-sensei's orchestration of the Peace Party, the administration might have been overturned.
If you belong to one side, you are hostile to the other side. That’s universal, regardless of if you're a politician or not. But being a friend to both sides?
Tsukishiro walked away with Naoe-sensei, keeping an eerie smile on his face the whole time. He put Naoe-sensei into the waiting cab and continued to bow his head until the car was out of sight.
“It's cold. I don't think anyone is watching anymore...?”
“Still, keep your head down for at least a minute after the car is out of sight. And don't let up or look tired after you're done lowering your head. You never know where the eyes are.”
That's exactly what the people at the ryotei are doing, even stealing glances at us. If they hear that Naoe-sensei was using foul language as soon as he left, that would be the end of it.
“But why was Naoe-sensei in a cab today? And why was he being intimate with a young girl? Even if you ignore the age difference, that's cheating.”
“That's why he's such a jack-of-all-trades, isn't it?”
“What?”
Of course, I don't know the specifics. But if I dare to think of a reason, it could be that Naoe-sensei himself was acting as a decoy to lure someone out. That's a possibility.
“That's not what we should be concerned about. Focus on the human resource development project.”
It's always the case that things are unfolding horribly behind the scenes that we know nothing about.
“It's a great project, but it's sort of outrageous.”
It's true that it's a hell of a project. However, it seems like a blunder that Naoe-sensei let Kamogawa in on it as well.
This man is light-mouthed and has no convictions whatsoever. That's all well and good as long as the plan works, but when it doesn't...
No, Naoe-sensei is not blind to such things. Should I take it as a sign that he dared to have this man by his side in case I failed? I don't know the details, but it looks like I'll have to start off with a nasty shackle on me.
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