Tokyo Wingman King

Okay
Asama had already turned off both of his cell phones before entering the Sago residence.

After failing to get through on two consecutive phone calls, Director Sako, who had told Ryuzoji he could arrange it, wondered...

"Kondo-sensei's phone is off? No landline number, no emergency contact. Is this gambling addict hiding from his debts?"

Sako added,
"Ryuzoji, don't worry, I'll get back to you as soon as I can contact him."

Upon hearing Sako's words, Yamagata Ariaki burst out laughing.
"Director, it's better to be pessimistic. Perhaps Mr. Kondo isn't interested in being a tutor."

After being reminded by Yamagata Ariaki, Chief Sako seemed to recall something and chuckled dryly.

"Yes, yes, whether it will work out or not depends on Kondo-sensei's personal wishes."

It seems that, based on Director Sako's work experience, even though he didn't witness Shinichiro Kondo making that phone call in the principal's office, nor did he know about [Shinichiro Kondo's mysterious bet with the head of the Kujo family], he could still tell that Shinichiro Kondo, who was backed by the Kujo family, was not someone that a mere director of the academic affairs office could arrange and manipulate.

Therefore, Asama realized that the chances of finding decisive evidence from Chief Sako had become much smaller. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed Yamagata Ariaki to remind him.

But there are always gains. Compared to yesterday, when I spent several hours at KKIS and got nothing, today was the right day.

Asama has already figured out what he needs to do most at KKIS—search the homes of all the KKIS management personnel one by one, collect all the evidence, give the KKIS school management a fresh overhaul, and see how the Kujo family reacts.

Unbeknownst to Asama, the task of investigating KKIS, which involved wading through murky waters, had long since transformed into a mission to purify KKIS. The self-satisfaction of teaching and nurturing students and plotting behind the scenes was now relegated to a much lower priority.

Reshuffling the KKIS leadership, anonymously releasing evidence, and leveraging public opinion are not good methods. Even with Komaba's help to bypass censorship and spread the information, once the legal process begins, the Kujo family's influence could easily suppress the matter or even distort the truth.

So, who should the evidence really be handed over to?

Konoe Takuma, Nijo Kenjiro, Ichijo Asahi.
Or perhaps it's Kujo Miki herself? That's unlikely.

Perhaps the best solution is to let the Konoe clan deal with the Kujo clan? Doesn't this confirm that I'm the vanguard representing the Konoe clan against the Kujo clan?

However, in the previous phone call, the old man Konoe had already distanced himself from the Konoe family, saying that he would "not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries." If he were to rely on the old man Konoe's power, not only would he not be able to settle accounts with him, but he would probably even owe him a favor.

Can we afford to owe this favor?

Of course I can afford to owe it.

Asama asked himself the question and answered it.

Seeking help from the Konoe family might be the safest course of action. Even if it turns this favor into a tool for Konoe Takuma to shape him. Or rather, he would, as Konoe Takuma planned, become completely entangled in the power struggles among the five regent families, stirring up trouble for the Konoe family.

That's fine too.

His experiences over the past few months have made him abandon any illusions about becoming a [Shadow Power].

[Standing in front of unrelated people and taking responsibility for them], many people around me are already doing this.

He wasn't inherently averse to it, but he had always felt that such things weren't suitable for him. He was different from Arima Yoshihiko, Shinazugawa Rise, Takishima Tetsuya, and Ryuzaki Hayato; their living environments, lifestyles, and feelings and perspectives on things were all very different.

However, everyone will encounter one or two things that require them to endure discomfort and face them positively.

People are inevitably changed by the expectations of others. To put it negatively, other people are hell, but to see it positively, other people are meaning. This is also his view on all the people close to him after the summer vacation.

Whether as Rise Shinazugawa's patron, Tetsuya Takishima's friend, or as a normal person, Shizumi Asama should not hesitate on the issue of KKIS.

Ryuzoji Seiwa did not linger at the Sakura residence.

After the two high school students left, Masamune Matsueda returned to the Sako family's living room.

"I've heard that the young lady of the Ryuzoji family is a signal of the Kujo family's return. Now that Ariake has made contact with her, what do you think?"

"As the acting student council president, it's his duty to help freshmen or give preferential treatment to the children of the powerful."

"That's not what I meant. I remember your family hasn't found you a fiancée yet, has it? Could it be that the Yamagata family intends for Ariaki to marry into the Ryuzoji family?"

“Professor Sako, knowing this will not do you any good.”

"But I also know that talking to you about what you want to talk about won't do me any good."

"So next, I'd like to discuss a deal with you, Professor Sako."

"Ryuzoji-kun, I've done what you needed me to do."

No, you didn't do it.

Ryuzoji interrupted Yamagata Ariaki.
"None of my three questions have been resolved, so how can you offer any help? Does Chairman Yamagata think that showing you the way is equivalent to my cooperation with KKIS in promotion and joining [KID] to bolster your influence?"

The two people holding umbrellas were spaced two umbrellas apart.

Yamagata Ariaki laughed,

"Ryuzoji-kun, your second question clearly has an answer, you just don't want to accept it. Leading the way isn't really helping, it's just my duty, but I've already dealt with [FAB]'s harassment for you. Now, Francis Aosaki, lying in his hospital bed, is probably thinking about revenge against me."

Now that I've drawn his attention, he naturally won't bother you for a while.

Furthermore, while it is an honor for [KID] that you have chosen to join, as we introduced you to the company when you enrolled—as a senior member of [KID], you will also enjoy various conveniences and benefits within KKIS, including in dealing with [FAB].

"I don't need to rely on others to deal with Francis Aozaki. And the struggle between your KKIS Brotherhood is none of my business."

Yamagata Ariaki looked at Ryuzoji Seiwa under the umbrella. The girl's face was serious, aloof, yet innocent, possessing a sharpness that was meant to be admired from afar but not touched up close—a sharpness unlike that of the young lady from the Konoe family. But in his eyes, this sharpness was nothing more than a facade that had never truly cut through anything hard.

He chuckled, focusing on the last sentence of Ryuzoji's name.

"[You KKIS] It seems that Ryuzoji hasn't integrated well into our school yet."

"Well, after all, it's a school that suspends classes after only two or three days."

“Ryuzoji, I understand your antagonistic feelings very well. I know what it feels like for someone to go to a place they don’t like with a certain purpose.”

Ryuzoji Seiwa snorted coldly and retorted with the same words Yamagata Ariaki had just used.

"I explained the reason for transferring to KKIS on the first day, but you just didn't want to accept that answer. I've heard that KKIS takes everyone connected to the Kujo family very seriously and keeps a close eye on them. This kind of serious preparation is quite eye-opening."

"Haha, in Hachiinji Temple, there aren't many people as straightforward as Ryuzoji."

"If Chairman Yamagata is willing to step out of the ivory tower of KKIS, he will naturally be able to meet more often."

Ryuzoji's tone was laced with sarcasm regarding KKIS's recruitment capabilities.

Although KKIS brings together children of foreign dignitaries stationed in Japan, children of the Yamagata and Kisaragi families, children of various prominent families under the influence of the Kujo family, and children of large and small conglomerates, it is still significantly inferior to Toyo Eiwa. Although in the public's perception, most elite schools are similar, KKIS's grand and luxurious gates are more impressive than Toyo Eiwa's when people pass by these schools.

The two walked together to the subway station entrance and then parted ways.

Ryuzoji Chanwa watched with indifferent eyes as Yamagata Ariaki, whom she had just rejected, left.

Have lunch together or take her home, etc.
The hypocritical flattery of this KKIS acting student council president is unpleasant.

Speaking of hypocrisy, she couldn't help but think of the boy in her dream who would lie to her with a grin.

Asama Shizumizu told her silly jokes to coax her.
For example, there's the joke about the world and the trousers—[A customer complains that God created the world in six days, but the tailor spent six weeks making a pair of trousers crooked. The tailor points outside and says, "Look at this world, and then look at these trousers."]
There's Asama Shizumi who mimics her speech like a parrot, Asama Shizumi who sits opposite her quietly staring at her face, Asama Shizumi who accompanies her when choosing a silk hairband, and Asama Shizumi who attributes all the good deeds she does to system tasks.
It was clearly a dream, yet the memories were clearer than reality, like embers in a brazier reigniting in my heart.

I must be possessed by a demon, to be troubled by these dreams.

But those dreams possessed an unshakeable, undeniable precision; no one's dreams could be more real than hers, especially since her twin sister, Haruka, had also had strikingly similar dreams.

The reunion a few days ago evoked the same thrill as in my dream, as if a small pebble had been thrown into a hole at the end of my heart, stuck inside, and I could never pull it out.

If Asama Shizumi had pursued her as he did in his dreams before meeting those girls, she was certain she would have fallen in love because of those inexplicable dreams.
Ryuzoji stood silently at the subway entrance, holding an umbrella. Was falling for an imperfect, easily manipulated dream girl a sign of weakness?

In reality, Asama Shizusui gradually displays amazing talent, and my feelings for him also continue to grow. Is this a sign that I admire someone more capable?
She tried to deny her feelings once again, and failed.

Ryuzoji Seiwa couldn't understand why Asama Shizumi and the real him were so different, yet both could deeply attract her.

All she knew was that the real Shizumi Asama was an even bigger jerk than the one in her dream.

They said they would get back to me, but so many days have passed and I haven't heard anything back.

Could it be that the real-life Shizumi Asama is an unexpectedly forgetful person?
She subconsciously ruled out the possibility that [Ryuzoji Seiha was an insignificant person to Asama Shizumizu].

Ryuzoji Chanwa took a deep breath of the moist, cool air of early autumn rainy season, like a proper smoker, savoring the last puff of the last cigarette before the end of the day.

She then shook her head almost imperceptibly, trying to clear her mind and begin to seriously consider the KKIS investigation.

Although I joined [KID], many things cannot be carried out because KKIS is not resuming classes.

According to the information provided by Kohinata, [KID] and [FAB] are the main culprits behind the problem. The fact that [FAB] caused a disturbance at the school and spread drugs a few days ago proves that what Kohinata said is true.

However, in just a few days, too many strange things happened at KKIS: rumors of a blood demon, gossip about a top conglomerate heir, a mentally ill person blowing up the school gymnasium, unidentified individuals damaging the school's power grid, and a suspension notice with no end date.
It was simply a chaotic dance of demons.

Compared to these things, Shinichiro Kondo's gambling classes and exorbitantly priced elective courses seem rather unremarkable.

Shinichiro Kondo.
This seemingly gloomy and weary teacher, exuding a sense of deathly resignation, is fully integrating himself into the morbid school of KKIS through his quirky psychological experiments.

However, she was not entirely certain that Shinichiro Kondo was a bad person.

After all, according to Kohinata's description, he only denied being a member of the Ikeda faction. He might actually be an investigator sent by the Kujo family, such as Kujo Alice's father.

Ryuzoji recalled the lesson plans and pre-study materials for each subject that Mr. Kondo had sent to the Class 9 group chat in the first year over the past few days.

The ethics course he taught had more materials than all the others combined, and the annotations were exceptionally detailed.

Not to mention KKIS, even Toyo Eiwa might not be able to find 10 teachers who can achieve this level.

Speaking of teachers, because of the school closures, the inside man that Alice Kujo mentioned hasn't contacted her yet—Alice Kujo said she couldn't reach him either. She was very curious how this seemingly clever heiress could so readily utter such an incompetent statement as "can't reach him."

If Kohinata hadn't also mentioned the existence of such a person, Ryuzoji would have suspected that the so-called inside man was just something Alice Kujo made up.

Kohinata didn't know which teacher was assisting her, as she hadn't met that person yet.

Could that person be Asama Shizumizu?

Was everything that happened to KKIS done by him?
Spreading rumors and creating anxiety and panic are things he excels at, both in dreams and in reality.

Ryuzoji Seiha recalled the dismissive look on Kujo Alice's face when she mentioned Asama, and dismissed this hysterical and utterly absurd guess.

The likelihood of these two cooperating is perhaps even smaller than the possibility of Russia, whose army is still in eastern Ukraine, joining the EU and NATO before Ukraine does.

"In any case, given the current situation, returning to England soon seems impossible."

Ryuzoji Chanwa looked at the [Love Consultation Department] work group and said regretfully.

On one hand, there is coercion; on the other hand, there is enticement.

Vice Principal Matsueda used his chain-like linguistic skills to bind Director Sako to his reform chariot.

The primary goal is to get some of the foreign students at [FAB] to withdraw from the program.

The Yamagata brothers' collaboration on [FAB] was exactly what Asama wanted.

Matsueda left the Sako residence without revealing any further plans to Director Sako.

Director Sako was quite an oddball. When faced with this troublesome situation, his first instinct was to return to his bedroom and finish what he hadn't yet done with the young woman.

Asama searched the Sago family's rooms again, but found nothing new.

The youngest son of the Sako family neither took photos to document his life nor had the peculiar habit of keeping a diary; the boxing magazines and financial magazines on the bookshelf were rather unexpected. It's unclear whether he was influenced by the fighting-loving Masanori Kadokura and the loan shark Cecily Kashiwagi, or whether he influenced those two.

There was no intelligence about the disciplined person.

Let's leave the investigation of the Sako family here for now.

Where to go next?
Shall we go see what Ryuzoji Seiwa is up to?

It's Shinichiro Kondo again, and Ariaki Yamagata again; clearly, Ryuzoji is still working hard on the investigation of Alice Kujo. It's predictable that she'll join Ariaki Yamagata's [KID], which will both rid her of Aosaki's harassment and exacerbate the conflict between the two sides, allowing her to gather more information.

But what kind of operation is it to ask Shinichiro Kondo to teach during the school suspension period?
do not care.

It's almost noon, and this afternoon I need to help Shinazugawa look at Nakaoka's band's long-term development plan.

What should I do during this break?
I'll probably go visit someone nearby.

Now that he has already told Takishima and Komaba to stop interfering with KKIS, he should work harder.

Suddenly remembering something, Asama restarted the computer and checked the information.

Komaba and Takishima did not send him any new messages.

Da Hui sent him a final draft of the weekend's unlimited festival execution plan for his review.

In the relationship counseling group chat, Futami and Phoenix Institute are still exchanging information about a few requests.

I-san then sent him a long list of tracks to choose from, saying she would take some time in the next two weeks to record her second album, "A Musical Book for Hero."

On the English forum, the buzz surrounding the early student council election was completely overshadowed by the contest between Konoe Chiyo and Kujo Alice. Thanks to their outstanding performance in this contest, they had already pulled ahead of Takatsukasa, Nijo, and Arima in the polls.

Miyukiin wanted Takatsukasa to have a match with Arima as well, but Takatsukasa refused and asked Asama if he had any way to persuade him.

Asama replied with no.

The close matches between Konoe and Kujo over several consecutive days have led many to speculate that if the individual competitions remain undecided, this marathon competition, which is purely a sporting event, will either incorporate a knowledge quiz or introduce a team event.

Asama was also somewhat impressed by the stamina and willpower of these two; even NBA superstars who play back-to-back games don't get this tired.

In addition, Alice Kujo has launched a counterattack in the battle of public opinion.

Any post on the forum related to the two of them is a Verdun war of attrition, with fans putting each other down, labeling each other with insulting tags, and impersonating each other to incite conflict.

It's estimated that the outcome of this match will continue into next week's Nijo family dinner.

Kujo Minamoto hadn't confirmed the member information for the [Dinner Daycare] yet, and Asama wasn't in a hurry to ask.

During lunch break, even at subway entrances where there are no commuters, the air is still swirling with the crowds.

Without exception, modern city dwellers are all rushed around by their schedules.

One by one, the things written into the schedule flashed through Asama's mind at high speed.

He can confirm that his tolerance for uncertainty, ambiguity, and incompleteness is becoming stronger.

I wonder if Ai Fujiwara was part of this tolerance.

The phone was vibrating; Asama glanced down at the caller's name. (End of Chapter)