Another political ally

The next morning came with a hearty breakfast for the entire family, a bright and sunny Sunday morning heralding the advent of a pleasant day ahead. The TV displayed this morning's news broadcast, and the entire family's eyes were glued to the headlines: "Group of Students rescued from ****".

"This morning, police have resolved a **** of at least five high school students after receiving an anonymous call at roughly 8pm yesterday," The news broadcaster spoke, "As the kidnappers were armed with guns obtained from unknown sources, the police were **** to kill them in self-defense, allowing them to rescue all five victims alive. Sadly, the victims did not emerge unscathed, having been subject to physical **** and sexual ****, and according to DNA tests they determined the presence of both males and females among the kidnappers. Only two female kidnappers survived the shootout, having surrendered to the police after losing their nerve. We will update you on this case as more information becomes available."

Koharu gasped, not believing what she just heard. Part of her wanted to believe it was just a dream, that she would wake up the next morning and the news proved false. However, the faces of her bullies posted on the TV screen added fuel to the fire, as if showing the sheer absurdity of divine retribution that befell them.

"I can't believe it..."

However much she may have disliked them, hated them even, she would never wish such a fate upon them. Most likely, they'll be traumatized for life and become shut-ins, just as she was.

You simply sighed, taking another bite of buttered toast.

"Well, I guess that's that for them," Yuka muttered, awkwardly sipping her cup of coffee.

"So it is," Said Kyouka, nibbling on her sunny side-up eggs.

"On other news," Said the news broadcaster, and their eyes were glued to the TV again, "A high-ranking politician of the opposition Progressive Action Party (PAP) was just found dead in Ueno Park, the cause of **** being blunt **** trauma to the head. The victim's name is Watase Ichibei, a fifty-four-year-old minister who was a vocal proponent for increased transparency measures against corruption in the police ****. He had garnered popular support among voters of his party but was the target of **** threats due to the high-profile investigation of several sex-trafficking rings..."

"Man, that is really scary," Yuka commented apprehensively, "Not every day you hear of a politician being murdered."

"That's right..." Said Koharu, "Somehow, I pity those bullies; they'll just be a footnote compared to the politician."

And it was just a fact of life; unless you were a person of particularly high status or accomplishment, your name would almost always be a footnote compared to the big magnates. It was just life.

The entire day was uneventful, and since the Tachibana girls all had their own stuff to do, you whiled away the time chatting with your most powerful ally in the police **** on a payphone, dialing her work number.

"Oshima Shioko of the TMPD [1], how can I help you?"

"Hello Shioko," You greeted.

"Ebinuma Yuu," Shioko greeted back cordially, "I take it you want an update on possible contacts?"

"I do," You answered, "Any leads?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I do have someone willing to help us," Said Shioko, "But first, do you know of Watase Ichibei?"

"He was the senior politician of the PAP who was murdered, yes? His name was on the news bulletin this morning," You answered.

"Good. That saves some explaining," Shioko said, "It's been near-total chaos in the station here due to some unexpected information popping up, but I can't talk about that on the phone, not here."

"Then shall we meet at Izakaya Akita, seven o'clock?" You suggested.

"Sounds good," Said Shioko, "As for the contact I mentioned, she'll be coming to meet with us there."

"Then I'll see you soon," You said.

"Don't be late," Said Shioko.

And the line went dead.

Today was your technical day-off from work, since Izakaya Akita offered six-day work weeks to all its employees. Being here as a customer was a different experience, and when you entered, Akane was there to greet you.

"Irashaimase!" She said, "Oh, Yuu-kun? I didn't expect you to come as a customer today."

"I'm here to meet with a friend for dinner. Mind if we have a private room for four?" You asked.

"Of course, this way," Akane beckoned.

You were led to a single enclosed room with a low table and floor cushions, artfully decorated with simplicity and the natural beauty of nature in mind, as befitting the Japanese mindset. You took your seat as Akane offered you a menu.

"Please wait while I bring you a pot of tea. If you need anything else, just press the bell button here on the table and we'll attend to you shortly," Akane said before taking her leave.

You leaf through the menu, mentally picking some appetisers to order for later, patiently awaiting Shioko's arrival.

The door to the room opens, and you see both Shioko and another middle-aged woman dressed impeccably in business attire, smooth and pressed to the nines. She looked exhausted mentally, her eyes full of black bags and an air of doom around her, yet carried herself with elegance, pride and dignity as befitting an elite-educated woman of high status. She was gorgeous with her long, silky-smooth black hair, her sharp bespectacled eyes that belied high intelligence, and a buxom, ample cleavage that drew the eye of countless male onlookers.

"Shioko, you arrived on time," You remarked.

"Ebinuma Yuu, this is Nobusawa Michie, Secretary of the Progressive Action Party. Michie, this is Ebinuma Yuu, my... benefactor," Shioko explained.

"Hajimemashite," Michie bowed with a polite smile, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Please, take a seat," You beckoned, "Anything in particular you want?"

"Not really," Shioko said, "Although I think I'm taking the Katsudon special."

"I'll pick my own order, thanks," Michie smiled, "I must say though, you don't look like a real benefactor to me, Yuu-san. No offense meant."

"I am aware," You smiled unfazed, "I much prefer my current appearance, actually."

"Ah, so you prefer your enemies to underestimate you then?" Michie said, "I have to wonder though, exactly how did you manage to get Shioko's trust? No offense to either of you, but well... I trust the two of you know."

"I know, I wasn't exactly the trusting type myself," Shioko admitted, sipping her tea, "But he saved me from a real predicament, and he did so when he could have turned a blind eye."

"Yes, I remember the story you told me," Michie acknowledged, "The only question is how?"

"How about we order our food first, and I show you later?" You suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Michie nodded.

Once you placed your order and the three of you were alone, Michie dropped her polite smile and levelled a professionally stoic expression at you, her eyes like a wolf's, eyeing its adversary. You cast a spell to automatically muffle sound from inside, to ward off eavesdroppers.

"If I may be so bluntly honest, you do not look physically fit for a fight, and neither have I ever heard of you in any political circle," Michie pointed out, "You also do not have any outstanding credibility in any field, you have no reputation, you have not committed any striking deeds of any noteworthiness, you are not particularly wealthy, and the incident in which you rescued Shioko and her colleague's son? There was no mention of it at all, not even among the local underworld."

She leaned forward a little closer, her eyes hardening.

"And yet Shioko spoke of it as if it was the god-given truth," Said Michie, "So tell me, Ebinuma Yuu: Who are you?"

You smiled and raised a hand, and a swirl of black mist wrapped around Michie's throat as if to constrict her neck. She wrapped her hands around it, only to grasp air, and she felt a hand on her shoulder. She saw Shioko shake her head, and Michie calmed down and sighed, and the black mist dissipated.

"I must admit, you did your homework," You said approvingly, "No wonder you rose to the rank of Secretary."

"One has to be capable of feeling circles of various echelons to stay ahead of the competition," Michie stated, "And from what I see, you clearly aren't a normal Human being."

"If I said I'm a living god, would you believe me?" You asked.

Michie sighed, "Honestly, I don't think it truly matters one way or another. At least I know you're every bit the powerful benefactor Shioko made you out to be. Now then, we've both laid out our cards on the table, what next?"

"How about we start with why you approached Captain Shioko for help?" You suggested.

"Alright then," Michie said, "It concerns the recent **** of Watase Ichibei. I take it you know the ongoing premise?"

"Only what was reported on the news," You answered.

"It is true; he was investigating several sex trafficking rings," Michie said, "He was focused and determined, and his act of chivalry endeared many party members and public voters to support him, so his **** comes most unexpected, and at a very inopportune time when parliamentary elections are soon to take place. The PAP is in chaos right now, scrambling to find a replacement politician as focused, experienced and charismatic as Watase-san, but... it is not going well."

You silently nod at this.

"My police department was brought in on the case to find conclusive evidence as to the perpetrator's identity, but we've been stonewalled at many turns," Shioko said frustratedly, "Not only are certain members being uncooperative, but they've also been exerting influence to prevent us from implicating certain folks, or so I feel these past few days. Even some of my own men are beginning to pester me to drop the investigation entirely, along with a certain Commissioner. That was when Secretary Michie approached me, offering to help us bypass our restrictions on condition this deal is shared only between us."

"It is only fair to be this cautious when politics are involved," Michie said matter-of-factly.

Akane then opened the door, and the conversation went silent as Akane brought in trays of food and drink, which you gratefully accepted with polite bows of the head. Once you were alone, the discussion resumed.

"In other words, you suspect that people on both sides are deliberately obstructing your efforts because of some conspiracy they don't want you to uncover," You concluded, "What about you, Michie? Can I ask what do you get out of this?"

"Why, to purge the corruption within my own party, of course," Michie smiled, "And in the TPMD Adachi Branch as well."

"How very altruistic of you," You remarked.

"Unconvinced, I see," Michie said, "Then how about this? They murdered my beloved mentor, and I do not want to let the culprits go scot-free. I also want to right the party and make sure we achieve something worth a damn, so we can win the next election."

"Political triumph and a righteous cause on your side make a fearsome combination," You smiled, "I appreciate your candor, Michie, and am more than willing to help you."

"Just like that?" Asked Michie.

"Just like that," You nodded, "And besides, there are people I need to protect, and your mention of sex trafficking rings does have me worried."

"You believe they might be operating in your area?" Michie inquired.

"I fear these sex trafficking rings may endanger my family," You clarified, "And I cannot take chances."

"Same here," Shioko said, "I and my nephew almost fell victim to such scum."

"...It seems we all have something we want out of this investigation," Michie said, raising a glass of beer, "I look forward to working with you both."

"As do I," You smiled, raising your cup of tea.

And you clicked cups together.