The Reason My hair is Blonde Cause and effect Part-3
Chapter 26
"The thing is, that's what's happening."
"You said that quite nonchalantly."
At our study group in the school library, I explained the situation to the three boys, and Eiichi-kun responded with an exasperated tone.
By the way, a plainclothed policewoman was standing guard at the edge of the room.
"So, does that mean you won't be able to attend the Cruise Party tomorrow?"
Yūjirō-kun glanced at the policewoman as he asked for confirmation. Despite the eruption of the Asian financial crisis, or perhaps because of it, the Treasury faction* planned the party to reinforce their solidarity.
[T/N- I didn't quite get what Author meant , he used 大蔵 (okura) historically it meant a special section of Finance Ministry, I used Treasury faction here as I was not clear about which faction it meant]
The real purpose of the event was to raise funds for next year’s House of Councillors election and for Yūjirō-kun's father, the current Finance Minister, Izumikawa Tatsunosuke, who was running for the ruling party’s leadership.
"No. Even though you mentioned it so casually, isn't it usually impossible to invite someone like me?"
The current Foreign Minister, who was also aiming for the next party head, held one of our noble family's strongholds: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In Europe, where nobility still survives, blue-blooded diplomacy is not something to be underestimated. If the Foreign Ministry is a stronghold, then the headquarters would be the Privy Council. It's impressive that it survived; they must have defended it fiercely, even at the cost of the House of Councillors.
"Since there's the matter of Keika-in Bank, they probably want to bring your family into the Treasury faction," Mitsuya-kun said with a sigh.
Due to my grandfather’s rise and my father's scandals, the Keika-in family, despite being a duke's family, was estranged from the noble society. Thus, we focused on business, which also led to our current prosperity.
"Ah, if it involves the bank, they probably wouldn't complain. They probably want me to attend as the acting head of the family."
By now, many negotiations must be taking place among the adults. I stopped what I was doing and sighed.
"Not being able to make decisions about your own life is so inconvenient."
The next day.
Accompanied by my guards, I boarded the ship. Since it was a formal event, I wore my school uniform.
"I really wanted to decline attending due to the incident," Inspector Shouichi Maefuji in his suit said with a wry smile. It was Izumikawa Tatsunosuke who insisted, showing the power and influence of him and his faction.
"Presenting Lady Runa Keika-in of the Keika-in Dukedom."
With applause, I entered the party venue. However, the guests continued their gossip while clapping.
(It seems the Thai cabinet has resigned.)
(Indonesia's situation is also worsening.)
(Our domestic exchange rates and stock prices are in chaos as a result.)
(A mid-sized conglomerate that expanded into Southeast Asia is struggling and has asked the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for a bailout.)
(This is bad. If that conglomerate fails, there will be more bad debts. We’re already being criticized for dealing with bad debts and the consumption tax hike)
(That's why they invited her. Lady Runa Keika-in. Keika-in Group's Keika-in Bank and Keika-in Securities are colonies of the Treasury faction. To handle the conglomerate dissolution and bad debt processing, we need to keep the Keika-in family in good spirits.)
I can hear you, you know. Hiding my inner retort, I acted as the little lady and bowed to the party’s host.
"I'm honored to be invited, Minister Izumikawa."
"What an adorable young lady. Yūjirō talks about you often. Please continue to be good friends with him in the future too"
Well, although I was invited, but at my age, I can't get involved in any of these fishy adult conversations, so inevitably, I can only either eat at the sidelines or drink juice. Even though they fancyly promoting these ship as Tokyo Bay cruise, this ship in question is "Actress" was once one of the non-performing assets and is now owned by the Keika-in Hotel.
Actually, one of the topics here is what to do with this directionless ship, and holding this party on it could be seen as a way of putting it to good use. There's also the advantage that, since it belongs to us, we can ensure a secure security services.
"It's such a hassle to have to come to a place like this at my age," sighed Mitsuya-kun, attending a party for the first time.
It seems the name "Teito Gakushukan Quartet" has reached the ears of our parents, which is why we were invited.
Poor him.
Eiichi-kun, Yujiro-kun, and I are used to this and are happily enjoying the sweets and juice from the kids' table.
"That's right. Without any games, the time feels really long," I said.
"Keikain-san, do you play games?" Yujiro-kun bit into my conversation. As the host this time, he was really trying to entertain us. Eiichi-kun joins in as well.
"I do for a change of space time to time. But my butler, Tachibana, keeps an eye on me, so I can't play for long."
"I get it. My family too also makes me stop at a good point. What are you usually play?"
"A major RPG that's being advertised on TV. No spoilers, please."
Actually, I played it a while ago but have forgotten quite a bit. Thank goodness for the save feature. The generation without it must have been quite stressed.
"That one, huh. The big corporation in that world is definitely a zaibatsu."
"Right? Mitsuya-kun, are you also playing that?"
"Yeah. I played it, but I seem to have made the wrong choices and am now checking from the save point."
Oh no...
"Excuse me for a moment," I said, and headed to the restroom. Of course, a female bodyguard followed me, but she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.
"Miss! Get down!!"
Something that had rolled in front of us suddenly flashed, and I lost consciousness.
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Authors Note
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I plan to incorporate a moderate amount of old-fashioned, action-packed scenes typical of classic shoujo manga into this novel.
LDP Leadership Election
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election. It's a no-holds-barred, ruthless rule, so the person who wins here usually becomes the Prime Minister. And those who overexert themselves to become Prime Minister often stumble afterward.
Privy Council
The advisory body to the Emperor, often called the guardian of the constitution. It remained because of the aristocracy system, but its position is probably akin to the former British House of Lords (Supreme Court). The dismantling of the zaibatsu and the aristocracy system is likely a problem in this game's Japan as well.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The highest position prepared by the "blue-blood diplomacy" might be the ambassador to the UN. I also imagine that many aristocrats hold positions like the EU ambassador, with actual practitioners working under them.
Major RPG being advertised on TV
FF7. Raise your hand if you paused mid-way to gather information or retry to find the Aerith survival route.