Tokyo Wingman King

"What are the benefits?"

"benefit?"

Kujo Misaki seemed to have heard the funniest dirty joke of the century, shaking her head and laughing.

"You could spend your whole life trying to find a single bad thing about being my son."

“You’ve got it wrong, Mr. Kujo. I’m asking what benefit you would get if I agreed.”

Kujo Misaki raised an eyebrow, paused, and said in surprise,
Do you think I need to ask you for something in return?

"It's hard to say. Theoretically, relationships are also a kind of transaction, and every decision has its price. Even if you don't ask me directly, I still have to pay the price I need to pay."

"You sound more like Kenjiro, that guy who's gone mad, than Konoe Takuma."

The air in the hall was slightly chilly. The head of the Kujo family poured out the tea he hadn't finished in his cup, and Asama immediately refilled it with a hot cup.

"Really? I don't think I resemble anyone. Of course, it's your freedom to label me, but please don't interfere with my freedom because of the labels others have given me."

"Interference? You're overthinking it, Asama. There is neither freedom nor interference from us around you. Perhaps Brother Ma Yuan disagrees with this, but the reality is—you've been stuck in Brother Zhuo's bonsai all along."

Have you read Foucault's *Madness and Civilization* and *Discipline and Punish*? Every bit of self-discipline you practice is prepared for you by Brother Zhuomo. He's that kind of power-hungry individual who enjoys making everyone scramble and waste time striving for the standards he secretly sets.

"Didn't you realize this in the principal's office at Toyo Eiwa that day? A cane, morality, responsibility. If you want a standard answer, then it proves that a standard answer once trained you. No matter how unwilling you are, you must admit that the ability you're pursuing is precisely what Takuma-nii wants to impart to you."

Asama, of course, could not admit this.

"You're overthinking it, Mr. Kujo. No matter how much power Mr. Konoe has, he can't control where I have dinner tonight, let alone interfere with what kind of person I become. It's a bit surprising that Mr. Kujo also reads Foucault?"

Kujo Minamoto didn't expose Asama's intention to change the subject, and answered following Asama's question.
"The things you're exploring now, our generation also finished exploring by the time we were around 20. Zhuomo and I probably read them even earlier, around 2,000 books by the time we were 14 or 15."

You don't believe me? We're not reading those filler books like poems, essays, or short stories. We're reading the philosophy and social science books you've been reading the most in recent years. And we're not just skimming through them. We consult various experts at home to get answers to our questions.

Thanks to this reading competition, we two, like you, had unremarkable physical education classes before high school, and looked at our peers as a bunch of naked monkeys just crawling out of the rainforest.

"Are Mr. Ichijo and the others like this too?"

"No, they're monkeys in tuxedos."

So who won the reading competition?

Kujo Misaki took a sip of tea.

“They each have their strengths and weaknesses, but I focus on new things (Western learning), while he prefers outdated things (Chinese learning). In terms of keeping up with the times, he has already lost.”

It seems this person has a deep understanding of winning strategies.

"Then why don't any of the Five Households of Attendant have such a broad range of knowledge as you do?"

"Aren't you one? You even hid your recommended reading list in some dating tips."

"No, I have no connection with the Five Households."

Kujo Misaki's ears seem to be able to automatically filter out all of Asama's attempts to distance himself from the situation.

"The laziness of your generation can perhaps be partly due to technological advancements—in the past we had to remember the phone numbers of more than 200 people, now we rely entirely on electronic address books. It's certainly a good thing not to waste time on things that are becoming obsolete, but most people haven't used their free time wisely."

Every generation has its own blind spots and shortsightedness. We struggle with making choices, while you struggle with making commitments.

You're different, Asama. Seeing your rebellious yet ambitious side reminds me of my own youth.

“I never thought I was rebellious in any way. Your daughter and Mr. Konoe’s daughter seem to fit the description of rebellious yet ambitious more.”

"Hehe, the rebellion I'm talking about isn't [not wanting to listen to the older generation], but rather [wanting to overturn everything the older generation did]."

“I never thought of turning the family’s fields into something else.”

Kujo Misaki smiled, took out a brown leather box, opened it, and inside were several cigarettes tied with rubber bands.

Want to smoke?

I don't smoke.

Seeing Kujo Misaki shrug and raise her eyebrows, then put the leather box away, Asama nodded and added,
"Thank you. My opinion of Mr. Kujo has increased by 1 point."

What's your score now?

"52 points."

"So, what score would you give Konoe Tsuru?"

Asama recalled the number of times Konoe Takuma had earned money.

"55 points."

"A perfect score of 100?"

"It's a secret, but the good news is that your scores aren't particularly low."

"You truly are as Kenjiro said, [and you're the most confident person of your generation]. Do you think that if you were in this position, you could do a better job than any of us?"

Kujo Misaki changed her cross-legged position to a seated position, calmly awaiting her answer.

"I never thought about that kind of thing."

"Anyway, whether I think about it sooner or later, I'll have to face it eventually."

"Shouldn't we renegotiate the benefits and compensation? If you had paid me earlier, it might not have been 52 points, Mr. Kujo."

"Hehe, if I really have any ulterior motives towards you—I'll never get tired of things that make Konoe think about and feel embarrassed."

Kujo Misaki gave Asama a smile that was both wicked and cheerful.

"Mr. Kujo, you keep calling him Konoe Takuma, then Takuma-nii, then Takuma again. I'm really curious about your relationship with him."

Kujo Minamoto did not respond to Asama's question, but continued to explain,
"Asama, have you ever thought about why we are all willing to support you?"

“But I have no connection with the Konoe family.”

"It's related to this, and it's not related to this."

When you discover a monster with exceptional growth potential before you, one that readily absorbs the properties of almost everything it consumes, you find it hard to resist the urge to feed it. This is because creation, empowerment, and control can bring a profound sense of power and satisfaction.

"Are you treating me like a character in a raising simulation game? I really don't understand. Where exactly have I provided positive feedback to you weirdos? Can't I change?"

"You can only blame yourself for being too outstanding. If you were a boring person like Konoe Yu, or someone like Konoe Chiyo who thinks everything is too simple, Konoe Takuma wouldn't have gone to such lengths to promote you. We wouldn't be so idle as to help Konoe Takuma gather firewood."

It's definitely because it's too conspicuous.

"I don't think I'm particularly outstanding in any aspect."

"Isn't your anti-tracking technology pretty good? And then there's your disguise skills, your ability to conceal your talents, your investment skills, your ability to build cliques, and your skills in winning over girls. The fact that you can adapt to Konoe's extreme imperial education is enough to show how excellent you are."

"These technologies seem to have nothing to do with Mr. Konoe, right?"

"In any industry, if you are familiar with it enough, you can find a mentor in a person. There is no point in simply denying it."

“Mr. Kujo, it seems we’ve wasted too much time on trivial matters.”

"Let's get back to payment. What do you want in return for helping me deal with the little quail?"

What can you offer?

"We should at least hear your [outrageous asking price]. Didn't Kenjiro tell you that [offering a price is also a form of self-introduction]?"

"Mr. Kujo, could you help me erase all of the Five Regents' memories of me? Let Asama Shizumi disappear from the Five Regents' sight completely."

Kujo Minamoto was surprised by the severity of Asama's father-hate relationship.

"Asama, being born into one of the Five Regent Families means you will lose the freedom of an ordinary person, but at the same time, you will gain the freedom that many people dream of. If you really want freedom that has nothing to do with the Five Regent Families, you will also lose the power to maintain freedom that you currently hold in your hands."

“Mr. Kujo isn’t omnipotent. I just want to make my life a little quieter.”

“Being my son is naturally much more peaceful and free than being Konoe Takuma’s son.”

Unlike your father, I don't have a cloning obsession, nor will I pass on my shortcomings to the next generation. The heir doesn't need to carry any burdens of ideas or expectations, doesn't need to be in the public eye, and doesn't need to learn how to do things. Just leave the tasks to the professionals.”

"Please allow me to refuse; I have no intention of finding a second father."

"If Asama, you're unwilling to be my godson, do you expect me to end up like Ma Yuan and Kenjiro, waiting to marry my daughter to you?" I have no desire to be some kind of son-in-law of the Five Regents!
"Not interested..."

"Heh, you're just as hypocritical as your father. Not interested in getting involved with the girls of the Ichijo and Nijo families?"

"I didn't provoke them! By the way, why have you been saying from the beginning that I would attack Nijou Reina?!"

"Did you just admit it? You already knew that Kenjiro Nijo and Takumi Konoe had been in cahoots, and he was particularly concerned about the KKIS matter."

"Ichijo-san, Nijo-san and I are just friends."

Kujo Misaki suddenly changed the subject.
"So what's your opinion of Alice?"

"Unfamiliar."

"That's going to be difficult. You interfered in your sister and Alice's competition a couple of days ago. Now that Alice and your sister have transferred to KKIS, are you going to take sides again?"

"No, that won't happen. It was Mr. Konoe's idea to interfere in the match. Go and settle the score with him."

“You’ve got it wrong. It’s fine if you take sides in KKIS. But spoiling your sister too much will only hinder her growth.”

Even if the earth is destroyed, I will not pamper her.

"That's because your father spoils her too much, and now he's being a bit too lenient with you too."

"."

Kujo Yoshinobu pointed to the third tea canister, asking Asama to change the tea.

"The free service has expired. Please do as you please, Mr. Kujo."

"If the supplier's service is inadequate, it won't be easy to get the final payment."

"Is Mr. Kujo trying to renege on his debt?"

"It depends on your sincerity."

Asama changed the tea.

Kujo Misaki drank her cup with satisfaction and smiled.

"It's time for your second offer."

After a moment's thought, Asama made a decision.

"I need information from KKIS information security officers. Surely Mr. Kujo can handle something this easy?"

"You keep saying it has nothing to do with Konoe Takuma, but you're quite eager to do things for him. Giving her to you isn't out of the question, but whether you can bring her under your command depends on your abilities."

Two addresses and a set of contact information were delivered to Asama at lightning speed.

Kujo Michiko's generosity made Asama think that starting with the information security officer would probably not yield any results.

Kujo Minamoto then tested Asama with the latest political news. Asama gave a half-hearted, half-serious answer, but only received a nod of approval from the other party.

As for the bargaining chip that could be used to negotiate with the visiting president, Kujo Yoshinari was not so optimistic. He revealed to Asama that this is a world where everyone is worse off, and the decline of the United States is both a fact and a symptom, so we cannot be complacent. Before it collapses, a Black Hawk helicopter can still replace the head of a country—as long as that country is even worse off.

It seems that even though the Kujo family is calling for a return to the Asia-Pacific region, they still haven't been able to dispel the mystique surrounding the strength of Nishida University.

"Oh, right, Mr. Kujo, you forgot something, didn't you? What about the dinner party guest list?"

"Knowing you were coming, that kind of thing isn't necessary. You can meet later."

"Should we change clothes? After all, someone else is leading them."

"It doesn't matter, it's fine the way you are. Just say that there are other people at the banquet."

"That's it."

I had lunch with Kujo Minari and was surprised to find that he was an elderly man living alone. Throughout the entire Kujo residence, I neither saw the mistress of the house nor Kujo Alice, the reserve partner of Ryuzoji Seiwa's justice.

It was just the two of them eating.

Lunch was simpler than I expected.

A slice of smoked chicken breast, a piece of roasted duck breast, several roasted potatoes, an avocado and vegetable salad, and a glass of white wine.

Asama didn't order any alcohol, but surprisingly, the Kujo family served grape-flavored Fanta.

"How come you have the same taste as Alice? What's so good about this soda water?"

Asama had known for a long time that Alice Kujo was a heavy user of grape-flavored Fanta.

"I don't know why she likes to drink it; I drink it for the nostalgia."

"I have never raised my daughter in poverty."

"Don't treat Fanta like a drink for the poor. Even the President of the United States loves to drink Coke."

"That's because Coca-Cola is an American symbol, and public figures' hobbies are a business."

Kujo Misaki seemed very busy; she ate lunch for more than ten minutes before leaving in a hurry.

Asama was left alone at the Kujo residence, staring blankly at the old butler, Sakon.

"How long until the person Mr. Kujo said will arrive?"

"As agreed, they arrived in about 20 minutes."

Aren't they here?

"Yes."

Old Sakon responded with an apologetic smile.

"Young Master Asama, may I ask you a question?"

"Mr. Sakon, may I ask?"

Have you ever heard of Shinichiro Kondo?

Doesn't this old guy know? Or is he just pretending?

Asama showed a curious expression.
"Who is that? Several people have asked me that recently."

"Hehe, a very outstanding young man, but compared to a young hero like Asama, he seems quite ordinary."

"Mr. Zuo Jin is too kind. If there is an opportunity, I would be grateful if you could introduce me to you."

"I would be honored if given the opportunity."

After the old housekeeper, who had sent the younger sister to prison, claimed he had something to do and left, Asama was left all alone.

Is it possible that Sakon has truly lost Kujo Minari's trust, or is this just a deliberate act to impress him?
Not sure.

There weren't many bodyguards or servants left. Were they planning to get themselves killed in this location where even navigation wasn't available?
Asama wandered around the Kujo residence, lost in thought.

Fortunately, the assassin did not appear.

He squatted by the pond and watched the koi for nearly an hour before finally finding the ones he needed to take care of.

Just one person.

A girl wearing a kimono but with her short hair dyed blonde.

One glance was enough to know who she was.

Alice Kujo's younger sister, and the illegitimate daughter of Misaki Kujo.

Yuuki Yuria, or rather, Kujo Arikuri.

"Nice to meet you, Asama-nii-sama! I'm sorry, picking out clothes took up too much time."

The girl looked at Asama with a slightly shy gaze.

This situation is getting a bit bad. (End of Chapter)