After being elected as the governor of Tokyo, he will debut as a band!

"Sister, you...oh right, I just remembered we're out of mirin at home, I'll go to the supermarket to buy some!"

Ichi Nijika placed the tea set on the coffee table and turned to walk towards the front door.

Ijichi Hoshika also realized that her position with Aoyama was somewhat ambiguous, and she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. But after all, she was a 29-year-old mature woman, and even if she was really shy, she wouldn't let her rationality collapse.

Seeing that Hongxia's hand was already on the doorknob, she quickly shouted, "Hongxia, come back!"

Hongxia's body trembled slightly before she reluctantly turned around. Although she still had a smile on her face, it was somewhat stiff, as if she thought, "It's not appropriate to do that kind of thing in front of my sister."

"Ahem... Hongxia, don't get the wrong idea. Mr. Hack and I are talking about serious business."

Ichiji Hoshika cleared her throat, adopting the dignified air of an elder sister.

"Yes Yes Yes."

What could Hongxia say? She could only go along with her older sister, even though her true thoughts were—

You're already on top of her, and you're still trying to "talk about serious business"? Do you talk about serious business while kneeling on someone's lap? What a hypocritical adult!

"Then I'll just go out and give you two adults space to talk about serious matters, won't I?"

Hongxia added.

"No, this is a serious matter that concerns you. If you leave, we can't talk about it."

"What does this have to do with me?" Hongxia looked at her sister and Qingshan Xiang suspiciously for a while, the Doritos on her head twitched involuntarily, and suddenly she showed a look of realization, "Could it be... that you are finally going to confess to me?"

"Huh? How did you know?... Did you overhear our conversation?"

It was obvious that Ichiji Hoshika had misunderstood that Nijika had guessed that Aoyama was going to reveal his identity to her, and she was quite surprised.

"Really..." Hongxia rubbed her temples, thinking to herself, did she really need to eavesdrop on this? You even changed your phone screen picture to a photo of Mr. Hack's hands playing guitar. Knowing your personality, if you've gone this far, you must have done everything!

Then she sat down solemnly on the single sofa next to them and asked in a serious tone, "So? How many more months?"

"What months?" Ijichi Hoshika was completely baffled by her sister's question.

"Of course it's because I'm going to be an aunt in a few months!"

"Who wants to talk to you about this?" Xingge's face darkened, and she raised her hand to slap Hongxia on the head.

Hongxia covered her head and blinked at Qingshan Xiang, "Mr. Hack, aren't you going to do anything about her?!"

"Um... Xingge, Hongxia just misunderstood us. You can explain it to her clearly. There's no need to resort to violence, right?"

Ichiji Hoshika snorted coldly and turned her head away.

Even if she really wants to admit her mistake, she won't back down verbally; silence is the ultimate form of submission for her... I wonder if, at that point, she'll bury her head in her pillow and tough it out.

"Alright, Hongxia, your sister isn't actually angry. When she really gets angry, she strangled Hiroi Kikuri unconscious with a rear naked choke. But what you asked earlier was really inappropriate, something about how many more months until she becomes an aunt. You should at least ask that after she gets married."

"So when are you getting married?" Hongxia, always one to take advice, immediately put Qingshan's advice into practice, "My sister is getting on in years."

"This can't be rushed. The average age of first marriage in Tokyo is already over 34. Whether it's me or your sister, we're still several years away from that age..."

Aoyama has always been a scumbag.

To be fair, someone of his social standing has no need to get married unless it's for the purpose of consolidating resources and building alliances. He could manage to arrange the work and lives of his mistress and children perfectly well without getting married.

Getting married can lead to having to consider various benefits, which can actually make the relationship between two people less pure.

That's right, how could a top politician in Japan marry the person he loves?

People like Toyokawa Shoko or Yashio Rui, who have family resources behind them, are more suitable as the official wife in public.

Anyway, after hearing him say those words, Hongxia looked at him with this expression (﹁﹁)~→.

"Don't think I'm fooling you... Putting everything else aside, Hongxia, you don't even know what I look like or who I really am. How can you really trust me to become your family?"

"This……"

Aoyama's words were absolutely sincere.

Hongxia listened attentively, and after thinking for a while, she stood up and bowed very seriously to Qingshan.

Japanese people, whenever they want to do something important or say something important, they must begin with a bow, and some might even kowtow on the spot for a more solemn gesture.

“Mr. Hark, I know your true identity is definitely not ordinary, but my sister is my most important family member (Ijichi, who is far away overseas: What about me?). I hope to understand what kind of person the person she is associating with is. Only in this way can I feel at ease entrusting this naive and dishonest sister to him.”

"Hey, Hongxia, wait a minute! When did I say I wanted to date this person? And who asked you to give me away? I have no plans to get married yet, so stop worrying about me..."

Ichiji Hoshika was a little embarrassed by what she said and gestured wildly, trying to get her to take back what she had said.

But then she saw the determination in Hongxia's eyes... Looking at Qingshan Xiang again, although his face was covered up, there was a hint of a smile in the corner of his eye that peeked out from behind his sunglasses.

This made Ichiji Hoshika realize something.

This guy was initially going to reveal his identity to Hongxia, but now it's Hongxia begging him to know his identity.

If he confesses to Hongxia voluntarily, Hongxia won't feel morally pressured to conceal his identity. However, if Hongxia begs him to reveal his identity, after seeing his true face and learning his true identity, she will naturally feel obligated to help him hide it.

The moral responsibility of identity

Since you're so eager to see this, you must be prepared to pay the corresponding price, right?

...Those who play politics are all cunning.

Ichi Seika felt her fist harden.

"Alright, Hongxia, since you've made up your mind, I'll grant your wish."

Aoyama first took off his sunglasses, and then removed his mask.

Ten years later, he once again revealed his lineup to Ichiji Nijika in a face-to-face setting.

“Mr. Hack… I feel like I’ve seen your face somewhere before…”

High school girls aren't usually interested in politics, but Aoyama's high profile during the election season made her feel familiar with his face.

“Then let’s get to know each other again, Nijika-chan,” Aoyama smiled and nodded. “My name is Aoyama, I’m Ichiji Hoshika’s high school classmate and a member of her band, and my current job is…”

"Governor of Tokyo."

……

I don't know why, but the thought of losing my perfect attendance record this month gives me a sense of freedom when I'm writing.

Isochō Music Awards: 133 Shall we have a long-awaited hug?

"…………"

Ichi Nijika stared blankly for about thirty seconds before finally uttering these words.

"What is this? Is it a reference to 'Qin Shi Huang, send me money'?"

This meme spread from a neighboring country to Japan via the internet and has become quite popular among young people.

“…Hongxia, I know it’s hard for you to believe, but take a closer look at his face.”

Ichika tugged at Nijika's arm, urging her to stand closer.

Actually, it was completely unnecessary. When Aoyama appeared on television, the photographers didn't zoom in on his face. Although he was very handsome, what really stood out was his physique. With his broad shoulders and narrow waist, he had everything he needed, which gave him an energetic and tough image, thus instilling in voters the confidence that "he will definitely achieve something after taking office."

Although his looks aren't as stunningly handsome as those of you here, they're enough for him to make a living in the entertainment industry. Among a group of politicians with generic faces, he stands out and is extremely recognizable.

Ijichi Nigatsu squinted at him for a while, her eyes widening and her mouth opening wider and wider. Finally, due to leaning forward too much, she even stumbled and almost fell, but fortunately, Ijichi Seika caught her in time.

But after that stumble, Ichiki Nijika's mind finally cleared, and she was finally able to connect the face in front of her with the young high-ranking official on television who had given a passionate speech in front of millions of voters.

The Governor of Tokyo...

Niji Natsumi recalled what she had learned in her civics class... The Governor of Tokyo is the highest administrative official of Tokyo’s twenty-three wards, twenty-eight cities (normally twenty-six, but Chiba and Kamogawa are included), five towns, and eight villages. As the controller of Japan’s premier metropolitan area, his decisions can have a significant impact on the entire country.

The highest-ranking person I've ever actually met in my life was probably the principal of Shimokitazawa High School... And Shimokitazawa High School is a public school, whose principal and teachers are managed, appointed, dismissed, and supervised by the Setagaya Ward Board of Education in Tokyo. Although they are not in a superior-subordinate relationship, the Board of Education still holds the power of life and death over most public high schools. Once a member of the Board of Education visits the school, although it doesn't involve the entire school mobilizing to show "spiritedness" like in neighboring Japan, the principal and several vice-principals inevitably have to bow and scrape.

The Governor of Tokyo is several levels above the members of the Setagaya Ward Board of Education. If the former wants to meet the latter, he would probably have to submit a written application... Even if the application is approved, it would probably take several months unless there is an urgent matter.

Needless to say, the principal of Shimokitazawa High School can handle all related matters through the Setagaya Ward Board of Education, and at most, the matter will be submitted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education for discussion... If he wants to see the Governor of Tokyo, unless he gets extremely lucky, he won't even have a place to submit a written application.

The principal can't even get a chance to meet a high-ranking official, yet he can see him every few days? Not only that, he gets personal instruction in drumming from him? And he even gets invited to dinner by him?

Did I not wake up properly this morning?

Ichi Nijika felt a little dizzy.

No, this isn't a dream... It really hurt when my sister hit my head just now.

In short, how should one behave when meeting such a high-ranking official? Should one bow and scrape like a school principal? No way, I can't do that!

How to do? !

"Hey, so much, so much..."

She stammered for a long time but couldn't come up with any meaningful words, and she even confused herself. Her legs went weak and she sat down on the sofa.

"Hongxia, why are you being shy? I'm still the same Hack. Just talk to me like you always have."

Qingshan smiled and said.

"Hmm...that's quite difficult..."

Nijika Ichimiya muttered to herself.

While Japanese officials may not wield as much authority, that's relative. They don't take your offenses seriously because "approaching the people" is a cost-effective way to gain public support. Just putting on a show is enough to win over voters—a win-win situation, so why not?

But if you actually say something to his face that might affect his interests or the interests of his group, then... well, politicians certainly can't get involved themselves, but these people have all sorts of connections with various social groups. You'll be in trouble if you can tell whether those people are genuine or not.

The high number of missing persons and suicides in Japan each year is certainly partly due to the incompetence of the Japanese police, but is it really possible that the tacit approval of those high-ranking politicians is also at play?

Of course, Governor Aoyama, who pursues "industries under the light," would not collude with these people. How could Tokyo's economy and people's livelihoods be improved if he were with them?! However, the reputation of a group cannot be changed by any one individual within it.

Aoyama: I'm all because of these insects! (Painful face)

"It's not good to be so formal... Oh, by the way, Hongxia, do you remember when I held you when you were little? You even kissed me back then."

Aoyama didn't want Ichiji Nijika to distance herself from him after revealing her identity, so he simply brought up the past.

“Ah…” Hongxia blinked. It would have been fine if the other party hadn’t mentioned it, but now that it was, she remembered a little bit.

She was probably only six or seven years old at the time. Although her memory was not very clear, she could still recall some things.

I do remember my older sister bringing a tall, handsome... but not very sunny older brother to our house. At first, I was a little afraid of him, but after seeing him use a few plastic buckets and metal plates to play a rhythm that made the whole family of Ijiji shake their legs like crazy, my impression of him completely changed.

After that, she naturally went up to him and started talking to him. Touched by the gentle smile on his face, she kissed him when her parents weren't looking.

Ichi Nijika's pretty face flushed bright red instantly.

I remember now! I remember everything!

Young girls are the most emotional beings in the world. When they are shy, no matter what your identity or status is, you cannot shake the burgeoning emotions in their hearts.

"you you you"

"You! You're Brother Qingshan?!"

At this moment, Nijika, like Goto Doku, wore an expression that could only be described as abstract.

“Absolutely the real deal,” Qingshan thought for a moment, then opened his arms to Hongxia. “Hongxia, it’s been ten years. How about a long-awaited hug? You can also kiss me like you did back then!”

"Hey! You're going a bit too far, Aoyama, harassing my sister right in front of me!"

Ichi Hoshika glared at him from the side, but didn't actually hit him. Hoshika knew that he was saying this on purpose to help Hongxia ease her tension.

Igomachi Music Awards: 134 Brother Aoyama, I'm so glad to see you again.

"let it go."

Aoyama put his hand down and then stood up from the sofa.

"Xingge, may I use your bathroom?"

“Hmm…please go ahead…” Xingge glanced at him and replied thoughtfully.

Aoyama knew that what he said to Ichiji Nijika after taking off his mask and sunglasses was incredibly informative, and the latter needed some time and space to process it.

So he decided to go to the bathroom for a while—to check the ingredient lists of the shower gel, shampoo, and toothpaste.

He walked around the coffee table in front of the sofa and took two steps toward the bathroom. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him, and then a short, light figure approached and gently wrapped her arms around his waist.

Of course, it was just a light hug; there was no lingering, and we parted immediately after touching each other.

"Brother Qingshan, welcome back."

“Hongxia, you…” Qingshan was somewhat surprised by her behavior, but did not turn around.