"Fujiwara-kun is participating in the preliminary rounds today, so I really shouldn't bother you."
"However, with Fujiwara-kun's strength, the preliminary rounds are hardly a problem. How about I accompany Fujiwara-kun on a tour of the venue and introduce you to the place?"
Governor Morita invited him enthusiastically.
The secretaries and officials behind him also put on flattering smiles.
It was no wonder Governor Morita was so enthusiastic, completely disregarding the dignity expected of a governor.
The truth was that the election would be held in another month, and his term as governor had reached its limit, so the next election was about to begin.
Over the past few years in Chiba Prefecture, he believed he had done quite well. He would not dare say he had made great contributions, but he had not made any mistakes either.
Given the understanding and recognition the people of Chiba Prefecture had toward him, the possibility of him continuing as governor of Chiba Prefecture was very high.
But he also wanted to move up!
Governor Morita had heard that the current Prime Minister had resigned, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office was currently overwhelmed, and Ōoka Daoka of the Ōoka Family in Kyoto was preparing to run again.
And this time, Daoka's campaign had also received support from the Fujiwara family, which meant that the old and new political families were united this time.
Given the current state of Japan's political arena, no one would dare say the campaign was guaranteed to succeed, but there was still an 80% chance.
When the new cabinet was formed, it was estimated that it would be composed of people from the Ōoka faction and the Fujiwara faction.
Especially since, in private, Daoka of the Ōoka Family had nothing but praise for Toru. Who in the political world did not know that Fujiwara Yoshitaka was still able to hold the position of Chairman of the Japan National Security Committee because of his son's prominence?
Under this political structure, as long as someone from the Fujiwara faction was still ambitious and wanted to move up, they would truly want to cling to Toru's leg.
It was just that most people did not even have a chance to meet Toru.
So how could he, the governor of Chiba Prefecture, who now had ample reason to interact with Toru, miss this opportunity?
He did not dare dream of entering the cabinet, but there was still a chance to go further and become a Diet member, as long as Toru was willing to invest more resources to support him!
Toru was well aware of Governor Morita's intentions, and he did not refuse the governor's proposal.
To inherit the Fujiwara family's political resources, one had to talk and build good relationships with these core members of the Fujiwara faction in the political world.
This was something a politician had to do.
Haruno also saw the situation clearly and did not want to cause trouble here. She smiled and said, "Toru-kun, then Yukino and I won't accompany you for now. We'll head to the stands and cheer for you."
"You have to shout louder when you're cheering."
"Haha, I'll definitely make sure you hear me."
Haruno waved her hand and watched Toru and Governor Morita enter the venue together through the exclusive passage.
Standing quietly to the side, the cool and detached Yukino suddenly said, "Is this really okay?"
"What is, Yukino?"
"You're clearly using Toru-kun."
"He knows everything, and he didn't object."
Haruno let out a soft sigh. "...Yukino, this is unavoidable. For the sake of the family, there are some things I have to do."
"The Yukinoshita family doesn't just consist of us and our parents. There are other relatives too, and they all rely on us."
Yukino stubbornly said, "They should rely on themselves. They're just a bunch of freeloaders."
"Yukino, you still have such a kind sense of justice."
"No, I just think that what you're doing, Sister, isn't sincere at all. Anyway, I wouldn't do it this way. For the sake of the family or whatever, I think feelings like that are already tainted."
Yukino's clear black-and-white eyes looked at her sister as she spoke those cold, merciless words. "...Toru-kun won't like it."
A trace of displeasure flashed across Haruno's face.
Yukino really did not know the price of firewood and rice.
The Yukinoshita family had recently run into a crisis. This was not the first time. Family businesses always encountered crises in the course of their development.
And the previous crises had all been borne by Mother alone.
Haruno thought of what Mother had said last night.
Perhaps in the beginning, Mother had been as gentle and protective toward Aunt as Haruno was toward Yukino, not wanting her to feel pressure.
But as time passed, when the heavy burden of a family was placed on her shoulders, and when she saw her younger sister living freely and recklessly without even showing gratitude, the bond between the sisters had completely broken.
Would she one day, like Mother and Aunt, have her relationship with Yukino shatter completely as well?
Haruno did not know. She feared such a future.
Trying hard to suppress the fear in her heart, Haruno still wore a bright smile, making it impossible to see the turmoil inside her. "Let's go, Yukino. Let's not talk about these things for now. Let's go into the venue and cheer for Toru-kun."
"There are so many people today. If we don't get inside early, we'll be crushed."
She grabbed Yukino's hand, and the two sisters entered the venue through the main entrance.
Just after entering and looking for their seats in the stands, Haruno heard someone calling out to her.
"Yukinoshita-senpai, over here!"
"Yukinoshita, here, here, look this way!"
Haruno looked toward the shouting. A group of college students in casual clothes were waving at her with all their might.
"Why did you all come?"
Haruno pulled her sister forward. The people who had come were all members of the Tokyo University Karate Club.
"Fujiwara-kun is registered with our school's Karate Club, so he's one of us. Of course we have to come support him."
"Exactly. If Tokyo University students don't support Fujiwara-kun, wouldn't other people laugh at us?"
...
Several members of the Karate Club spoke with smiles, their eyes full of excitement and admiration.
"Stop fooling around. Just look at how many people are in the venue. A lot of them are definitely students from our university who came to cheer for Toru-kun."
Haruno said with a laugh and a teasing scold.
She sighed inwardly. When Toru first joined the club, most of the members had not been very friendly toward him.
Toru had skipped the first club activity.
To those proud senpai who were also Tokyo University students, Toru had seemed like a rule-breaking kohai.
But as time passed, Toru had now become like a male god in the eyes of these proud Tokyo University students. When some of the female students talked about Toru, their eyes were practically full of hearts.
Toru had completely conquered this group of Tokyo University students. Perhaps in academic research he did not have outstanding achievements, but with his character, integrity, and formidable strength, Toru had earned the respect of countless people.
"The president is also participating in the preliminary rounds at another venue today. Why didn't you go cheer for the president instead?"
Haruno teased.
"The president doesn't need our cheering..."
"Anyway, even if the president really makes it to the finals, if he runs into Fujiwara-kun or Makoto Kyogoku, he'll be defeated instantly. The important thing is participation."
"Haha, don't talk about the president like that. If he hears you, he'll beat you guys to death."
"He can't hear us anyway. You wouldn't go tell on us, right?"
A few Tokyo University students were overflowing with youthful energy, talking back and forth.
One of the male students noticed Yukino beside Haruno. His eyes lit up as he said, "Senpai, who is this next to you?"
"This is my sister, Yukino. Yukino, these are my clubmates."
Yukino bowed slightly and greeted the Tokyo University students politely.
Her cool temperament, skin as delicate as snow, and beautiful face made several Tokyo University students cry out in excitement, "Senpai, you actually have such a beautiful sister! You never told us before."
Haruno covered her mouth and smiled. "My sister has very high standards. It'll be hard for you to pursue her!"
"How would you know if we don't try?"
"That's right, my motto is, 'Never give up!'"
"My sister cares a lot about looks. Yours aren't enough." Haruno struck mercilessly.
"Senpai, that's a personal attack!!"
Several students cried out in grief.
One of them hugged Manabu beside him and said miserably, "Horikita, your sister was beautiful too when I saw her last time. Why don't you introduce her to me?"
Manabu adjusted his glasses and said expressionlessly, "My sister also cares about looks."
"Damn it, women these days are too superficial. What's the use of good looks? They should be looking at my ability!"
The pitiful classmate cried out in agony once again.
A group of people chatted and laughed as they waited for the preliminary rounds to begin.
Outside the venue, Rena stood in front of the camera with a proper smile, holding a microphone. "Hello everyone watching on TV and online, I am Rena from Nichibei TV."
"Today's Nichibei TV special program will have me taking everyone on a tour of Chiba Prefecture and bringing you the preliminary rounds of the National Karate Tournament being held in Chiba Prefecture today."
"Yes, just as everyone expects, Toru will also be participating in today's preliminary rounds, and we have also secured an exclusive interview. After the match, we will have an in-depth conversation with Japan's most highly decorated medal recipient."
After making her introduction in front of the camera, Rena got a short break.
She took out her phone and sent Toru a message.
[Boss, your willingness to accept an exclusive interview is a huge help to my work]
Toru, who was touring the venue with Governor Morita, saw the message and casually replied:
[You're working for the Organization. Why are you in Chiba Prefecture doing an interview?]
[I used my public identity as a TV station employee as an excuse to decline the Organization's work. My surface identity is very important, and the Organization can't really say anything]
Toru chuckled. As expected, slacking off was everyone's normal working state.
Even the official employees of the Organization were working hard to slack off.
[Boss, I've been in a bad mood lately, feeling a bit stressed]
[So?]
[Are you free tonight? I might need some way to relieve stress. Of course, if you're unwilling, then forget it]
These words seemed to say nothing, but between the lines they were full of teasing ambiguity.
[Come see me tonight]
Toru sent an address.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)