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

But the fact that Utsunomiya would still say such things only shows that he doesn't think his friendship is that important.

In the minds of people like Utsunomiya, anyone or anything can be sacrificed for the benefit of the group.

However, Aoyama managed to control his temper, since getting angry wouldn't solve anything.

"Thank you for your suggestion, Utsunomiya. I will consider it carefully."

He said so.

Make way for me: 003 Is his passion for music still there?

The theme of the Izumo Hotel meeting was to make forward-looking plans for Tokyo’s main tasks for the coming period and to assess the potential changes in support rates after the implementation of the plans.

Aoyama's campaign manifesto was "Bright Japan," which means developing bright, positive industries from which everyone can benefit, including culture, tourism, art, education, and healthcare. Aoyama's most significant political achievements since entering politics have also been concentrated in these areas. First, through a series of judicial trials and industrial restructuring, he transformed the largest yakuza organization in the Kanto region into a legitimate import and export trading group by arresting and releasing a number of people (Pokémon intrusion). Second, he supported the development of anti-syphilis drugs and achieved phased success (after all, it's Japan). The medical professor he strongly supported and his main assistant were even nominated for the Nobel Prize in Biology.

Because of his brilliant political achievements, Aoyama Mukai maintained a firm grip on the situation throughout the entire meeting. Even though several veterans of the Shigure Party were also present, they all expressed their silent support for the sharp edge Aoyama Mukai displayed.

On the other side, directly below the top-floor conference room of the Izumo Hotel—

The situation at the other meeting, however, was somewhat chaotic.

"Hoshika-nee, Kikuri-chan, it's been so long since we last met, you two are still the same as ever."

After waiting for a while, Iji Tomoka and Hiroi Kikuri followed the somewhat hoarse voice and saw a man with an afro wearing a top hat walking towards them.

"You are……"

While Ijichi was still trying to figure out who this person was, Hirota Kikuri was the first to recognize him.

"Are you perhaps Ah Bai Ge?"

"Hehe! As expected of Kikuri, she has such good eyesight."

Although the man with the afro had a rough stubble and his face looked like that of an old man, his smile was very sunny and had a warm quality that could infect people's emotions.

"Hyaku? Suzumiya Hyakubi? That little follower who always hung around Aoyama in high school?"

Ijichi Hoshika looked the man with the afro up and down with surprise.

“You’ve completely grown into a middle-aged man now.”

"So what if I'm an older man? Anyway, I'm not the type to be handsome. That's enough for the young master. I have my own style. Being a hero is pretty cool, isn't it?"

As Suzumiya Hyakubi spoke, she even made a gesture like a baseball player celebrating a victory after hitting a home run.

A simple-minded and honest guy.

In her heart, Ichiji Hoshika made this assessment of Suzumiya Hyakubi.

That guy, Yoshimasa Aoyama, even though he's already in a high position like the Governor of Tokyo, still keeps this simple and honest guy as his confidant.

Will there be another high-ranking politician who would make good use of this type of subordinate?

Should we say he has changed, or hasn't changed?

"Did he send you to pick us up?"

"Ichiji asked."

“Of course,” Ryougu Hyakubi replied instantly, “Don’t be fooled by the fact that the young master is in such a position now. He will not sever ties with the past. On the contrary, it is the people and events of the past that have supported him to get to this point.”

"Really? You're not cutting ties with the past... That sounds nice, but you've even changed your name."

"Well... there's another reason for that."

Suzumiya Hyakubi became somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this. He touched his nose, his gaze becoming somber.

But that surging passion immediately returned to him.

"Come with me first, Xingge-nee, Kikuri-chan, let's talk at my company. In two hours, the young master will also be there."

Suzumiya Hyakubi pointed to a cool-looking luxury car parked not far away, and said as she walked over.

But Iji Tomoka didn't immediately follow him. Instead, while holding onto Hiroi Kikuri, she called out to him.

"Wait a minute, Ah Bai... I have a question I want to ask you first."

"...? Just ask."

"Aoyama Yoshima," Ichi felt inexplicably nervous, she touched her lips lightly with her finger and asked with some difficulty, "Does he still play the drums?"

"of course."

Suzumiya Hyakubi answered even faster than before.

He laughed heartily, revealing a mouthful of bright white teeth.

"Young Master plays the drums every day, and he also sings and writes songs!"

Ijichi's mind went blank for a moment, and she subconsciously looked at Hiroi beside her.

Hiroi was also looking at her at the same time.

"We'll definitely be able to get him back into the band."

Both of them saw this burning will in each other's eyes.

……

After the meeting, Aoyama took out his personal phone and glanced at the email sent by Suzumiya Hyakubi.

They were only concerned about whether I was playing the drums... Could it be that someone wanted to curry favor with me and therefore commissioned these two to scout things out?

It's not fair to blame Aoyama for being overly cautious and speculating about the worst possible outcome from his former close friend. It's just that he's encountered too many pitfalls along the way, leaving him no choice but to be wary of those who deliberately approach him.

He had seen far too many of these subtle threats, both in Japan and the United States. And once he accepted one, he would be forced to participate in the Yinba campaign.

They might even fire James; I can't even imagine what that would look like.

However, since neither of them mentioned that incident from back then to "remind" me, there's no harm in going to see them.

"Governor, you don't have any meetings to attend now, but you have a work-related phone call to make in two hours... So, shall we take you home now?"

Suddenly, Takuya Utsunomiya's respectful voice interrupted his thoughts.

"what?"

"Private Marseille, have I disturbed your thoughts?"

"Hmm, it's nothing..." Aoyama waved his hand. "Secretary Utsunomiya, you can go home now. Mr. Suzumiya will come to pick me up."

“Yes,” Utsunomiya said respectfully, stepping back, but hesitated for a moment as he placed his hand on the door handle of the VIP lounge. “Governor, please be careful.”

"?"

Aoyama's hand, which was supporting his chin, trembled, and he almost lost his composure.

"Are you worried I'll run into assassins? You know I don't have much to do with those churches."

“…Okay.” Utsunomiya was merely fulfilling his duty as a secretary by offering a reminder, without pressing the issue further. “Then have a pleasant evening.”

Utsunomiya pushed open the door and was immediately met in the eye by a tall, burly man in his fifties.

This person is extremely robust, giving the impression of a colossal figure.

"Good evening, Mr. Suzumiya."

"Have a safe journey, Utsunomiya."

Utsunomiya politely gave up his seat, but aside from this basic courtesy, he seemed unwilling to talk much with the other person, exchanging only a few words of pleasantries before leaving.

"Uncle Jiang, let's go."

Aoyama Xiangye stood up, straightened his clothes, and prepared to leave.

"Ah Bai actually sent you to pick me up. What, is he tied up with those two and can't get away?"

After the two entered the elevator, Aoyama asked a question as if it were unintentional.

“I think Abai stayed on his own initiative. He sounded quite happy on the phone.”

雄

A smile appeared on the burly man's face.

Make way for me: 004 Hiroi Kikuri's impromptu singing and playing.

The location of Suzumiya Hyakubi's company is rather remote. You need to enter a courtyard through a truck access road next to an inconspicuous confectionery shop to see the company's entrance and the building it's in.

"A hundredfold return to the company."

The company name is full of ambition, but it is paired with a silly black and red color scheme for the company gate and signboard, which inevitably gives people the feeling that the company president wants to use the name of a powerful company to make a big splash, but is also a little lacking in confidence.

Every time Aoyama came here, he wanted to complain about Suzumiya Hyakubi's aesthetic sense, but when he calmed down and thought about it, this idiot who was single-mindedly focused on being a hero was just like that. Red represents passion and black represents resistance. This color scheme is also the embodiment of Suzumiya Hyakubi's inner beliefs.

From Aoyama's perspective, the red and black color scheme also has a special meaning.

In "The Red and the Black," Stendhal uses the red military uniform of the Napoleonic era to represent the path to promotion, and the black robes of priests to represent the way ordinary people ascend to high society.

The combination of red and black, wearing military uniform to face the struggle, donning a black robe to join the camp, upholding the bottom line and daring to fight to the death with the opponent, while also being able to collude with the right people at the right time, maintaining a balance between ambitious personal ideals and the deeply entrenched dark reality...

This also aligns with Aoyama's state of mind over the years.

So although Aoyama was not comfortable with the company's gate and sign, he never asked Suzumiya Hyakubi to replace them.

"Ah Bai and your two friends should be in the rest area on the fifth floor. You young people have a good chat, I won't go up."

Liang Gongjiang lit a cigarette, took two puffs, waved, and left.

Suzumiya Takumi is Suzumiya Hyakubi's adoptive father, and also Aoyama Yukihiro's father, Aoyama Yukihiro, a long-time partner and confidant.

Aoyama took the elevator and went straight to the door of the fifth-floor rest area.

The sounds of bass and drums, along with a highly infectious and technically proficient vocal performance, drifted from inside the door.

Alcohol affirms all joys and sorrows, but takes no responsibility for them.

"Rather than becoming emotionally numb, it's better to let your liver suffer."

Progressive rock mixed with psychedelic rock—Kikuri Hiroi is as radical as ever.

Aoyama felt his thighs begin to throb with the intense rhythm.

This damn talent...

Aoyama always knew that his body was better at perceiving music than his brain, which is why, even though he had good grades in high school and could easily have gotten into the University of Tokyo, he still joined what others called a "neglecting his studies" rock band.

The body's reaction is something you simply can't refuse.

With a soft sigh, Aoyama pushed open the door and entered.

The vibrant music rushed in, and although there were no dazzling lights and throngs of people like at a concert, Aoyama felt as if he had stepped into a sea of ​​people the moment he entered the rest area.

When Kikuri Hiroi enters her performance mode, her presence is as impactful as that of a lion king on the grasslands.

Iji Tomoka sat lazily next to the sound control panel, acting as the sound engineer, while the tuft of hair on his head kept shaking rhythmically with Hiroi Kikuri's singing, showing his inner excitement.

That little tuft of hair... I really miss it.

Aoki sighed to himself, then looked at Suzumiya Hyakubi with some displeasure.

If Hiroi and the other two are still the way Aoki remembers them, then Suzumiya Hyakubi's current behavior is a bit outrageous.

You 29-year-old old thing, actually, are dancing for Hiroi Kikuri.

And surprisingly, he danced quite well! He effortlessly pulled off all sorts of high-difficulty street dance moves, such as the one-handed giant loop, the 1990 inverted spin, and the head-brush windmill.

When did this guy learn street dance? Was he in prison?

Thinking about it carefully, it seems that apart from prison, there is no other place that could provide him with so much free time to master a skill.

When others go to prison, they're stuck in a hardship cell, but when you go to prison, it's like going to a vocational school, right?

"Ah, young master, you've arrived."

Suzumiya Hyakubi was the first to notice the silent Aoki, immediately stopped dancing, stood up, and bowed to him.

Although Ijichi Seika did not greet him, she silently looked at him.

Only Hiroi Kikuri remained engrossed in her bass guitar and the microphone in front of her, seemingly oblivious to Aoyama's intrusion.

Aoyama didn't feel offended at all. He waved to Ryoumiya Hyakubi, then went to brew a pot of tea and poured a cup for Ijichi Hoshika as well.