Kouhei begins his investigation with his partner, Gondo, as the final act of this special business trip edition.
“What a huge amount of files. Is this the information that will shake the political and financial world?”
The voice and the elegant aroma of tea told me that Fumiyo was behind me.
“I don’t approve of eavesdropping.”
“I’m so sorry. I’ll keep it confidential, so please overlook it.”
“Confidentiality, huh? Weren’t you supposed to become a bureaucrat?”
“I can’t be a bureaucrat. You yourself were complaining that precedence and conflict avoidance were rampant, weren’t you?”
Fumiyo sat down on the sofa and took a sip of her tea. I wonder if this is Darjeeling?
“There was a time when I grumbled about such things. I was young then. Before I knew it, I had adapted to the customs of Kasumigaseki and lost the passion I had when I joined the ministry.”
Bureaucrats are often criticized by the public, but I believe most of them join with enthusiasm and ideals.
As they are buffeted by the waves of reality, their rough edges gradually soften, and they unknowingly become conflict-avoiders. … I was like that too.
I made excuses, saying I had grown up, but… it’s not true. It’s the sour grapes of someone whose passion and ideals have been chipped away.
We who remained in the ministry used to mock those who left to pursue reform, but they probably had their own beliefs.
Fumiyo looked at the files spread out on the living room table.
“Oh, is this politician involved in corruption too? I’m surprised, given his popular, down-to-earth image.”
“Fumiyo, this woman is not a down-to-earth politician. She’s a politician of commoner-level insight.”
“I don’t approve of you looking down on commoners.”
“I’m not looking down on them. The political sense of commoners is fine being amateur. Instead, commoners are professionals in something. A musician like you is a professional in music, and a baker is a professional in making bread. So, shouldn’t a politician be a professional in politics? However, politicians who are lauded as ‘down-to-earth’ in this country are generally not professionals.”
“You mean to say that politicians who speak solely on emotion are branding themselves as down-to-earth?”
“Exactly. Politicians shouldn’t be insensitive to public sentiment or opinion. But they shouldn’t just pander to public opinion either. I think politicians of a previous era had more backbone than today’s politicians, where populism runs rampant.”
“That’s a fair point. Why don’t you become a political commentator?”
I give a wry smile at Fumiyo’s suggestion.
“Fumiyo, I’m…”
“Yes, yes, I remember. Commentators are the type of people you dislike the most. Uhm, it’s easy for anyone to just look at the results and complain. High-minded pronouncements that only state the obvious are useless. ‘Try doing it yourself before you criticize,’ wasn’t that it?”
“To be precise, I dislike commentators who only criticize. There are some who have studied thoroughly and offer comments worth listening to. It’s a shame they’re a minority. Speaking of commentators, it’s almost time for the noon talk show.”
“You watch talk shows too?… It might even rain.”
A friend of mine is appearing. He’s probably not getting paid.
I turned on the TV remote.
“According to this morning’s Sanryu Shimbun article, Finance Bureaucrat Susumu Tomabechi is suspected of child prostitution, and investigators are reportedly close to questioning him. Tomabechi is suspected of engaging in lewd acts with minors while on a business trip to the United States…”
Am I the only one who feels disgust on the anchor’s face as he reads the news?
“… This is your doing, isn’t it?”
“It’s a down payment to Gondo. I wanted to see Tomabechi’s crying face at least once while I’m alive.”
“You better live. Don’t talk as if death is a foregone conclusion.”
Before I could answer, my smartphone rang. I turned on the recording function and answered the call.
“This is your doing! How dare you! What do you think will happen when you make an enemy of Kasumigaseki…”
“You made an enemy of Kasumigaseki, Tomabechi. You’ve tarnished the name of the Ministry of Finance.”
“I-I’ll remember this! I won’t let this go!”
“Heh heh, it’s fine to satisfy your twisted desires, but did you think it would be okay in the United States? You’d be better off thinking of excuses for your wife and her family than complaining to me. Your father-in-law must be furious.”
After hanging up, I quickly blocked the number.
As soon as I finished, the phone rang again. … This number belongs to Mizuki.
“It’s been a long time, Director Mizuki. How did you get this number?”
“Gondo from the Sanryu Shimbun told me. Is the Tomabechi matter your doing?”
“Yes, I thought I’d give you one last favor, Director.”
“A favor? You mean returning a kindness with evil! Tomabechi is my subordinate! I won’t let this slide either!”
He’s as dedicated to self-preservation as ever.
“Director, there’s no other way to deal with a malignant tumor than to remove it early. Gondo had already started investigating Tomabechi’s sexual proclivities on his own. Gondo may be an outcast, but he’s a capable reporter. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time before Tomabechi’s abnormal sexual habits are exposed. In that case, we have to make the first move, don’t we? It might be a fatal blow after you’ve been appointed to a responsible position, but now it should be manageable. In fact, you have nothing to do with what Tomabechi did.”
“… I will be held responsible for management.”
“Probably, but you won’t be demoted solely for that. Wouldn’t you be sympathized with within the Ministry?”
“Perhaps, but what I want is tangible benefit, not sympathy.”
I agree with him on that point. I’ve learned firsthand that sympathy is useless.
“I’ve promised Gondo, who I leaked the information to, to refrain from pursuing you. If Tomabechi is dealt with quickly, he should write a favorable article. If the scoop source is sympathetic, you’ll be able to weather this with your influence.”
This is pure fabrication, of course. Gondo will refrain from pursuing this matter, but he won’t write a flattering article. You will be dealt with for something else.
“… That’s right. It’s best to deal with Tomabechi, who has a stain on his record, quickly. But if that’s the case, you should have contacted me beforehand.”
Hmph, relief is oozing from his voice. I’ll send you to hell a little later, so look forward to it.
“I did contact you. But Director…”
It would be inconvenient to be suspected at this point, so I truly did contact you.
You were the one who instructed them not to put my calls through, weren’t you?
“… I apologize. I’ve been very busy lately. There won’t be any similar cases, will there?”
“There won’t be. Please show me sitting in the Vice-Minister’s chair during my lifetime.”
“Ah, I intend to. I’m sorry for being so abrupt after you’ve helped me. I was just very busy.”
Mizuki, who seemed to regret discarding me slightly, hung up the phone.
I know your schedule and workload better than anyone.
You think I’d believe such a lie, considering how clueless you are.
Even if you regret it a little now, I have no intention of stopping my revenge.
“Magnificent. What a villainous performance. That’s why they call you the sharpest mind in the Ministry of Finance.”
“That’s not a very flattering compliment. Fumiyo, please hold onto this.”
I handed two radio transceivers to Fumiyo.
“What are these?”
“They’re radio transceivers, as you can see. One for you and one for your daughter.”
“Airi is fine. She told you to call her that.”
“Understood. These transceivers are precautions for your and Airi’s safety. We don’t know what Tomabechi might do when cornered. If Tomabechi comes when I’m not here, press the button on the transceiver.”
“What happens if I press it?”
“Four university students from the karate club will come from the house across the street. They’re my hired help. When I go out without them, please have two of them accompany you.”
“You’re really efficient. Why don’t you assume the title of the modern Count of Monte Cristo?”
The Count of Monte Cristo? It’s a favorite novel, but I didn’t expect to end up doing something similar.
Life is unpredictable. But, irreverently, I’m starting to enjoy this situation.
This kind of difficult situation is trivial compared to Namihei, no, Kanata, who is fighting for his life.
“I’m back. Wow, I did a good job for the first time in a while.”
“Gondo, please ring the intercom before you come in. And knock too, you barbarian.”
Gondo scratched his bedhead and grumbled.
“You two attack in perfect unison, even after divorcing. I’ve been flying around the country on Amakake’s job, and I finally get back to Tokyo, only to be made to help with your revenge without a break. Can’t you show some compassion for a pathetic man like me?”
“Thank you for your hard work. Would you like some tea? Kouhei, you prefer coffee, right?”
As I nodded, Fumiyo began preparing the coffee maker.
“Gondo, how did it go?”
“It was a very interesting result. I’m tempted to pursue this matter even if Amakake hadn’t asked me to.”
The investigation I entrusted to Gondo is the most important matter for me right now.
I hope my guess is correct. If it is, a path might open up for Kanata.
I’m a weirdo for enjoying the political maneuvering behind the Olympics more than the competitions themselves.
