Tokyo, 1994, starting with medical training

Chapter 46 Misunderstanding

A clever subordinate might be trying to help the department head verify the authenticity of the document, or perhaps he simply happens to be nearby.

As Kiryu Kazusuke raised his hand, she snatched the business card from between his fingers.

[Member of the House of Representatives Genta Okawara]

The font above was specially commissioned from a calligrapher and then printed; it contains only a few simple characters.

Below is a handwritten private contact number, a direct line that only a very small number of people in the inner circle can access.

The paper used is not ordinary coated paper or business cardstock.

Instead, it's Echizen washi paper, a type of paper with a unique texture and a warm, smooth feel, used only for high-end custom business cards.

Not to mention the gold-embossed family crest.

The subordinate's face also turned pale.

She works as a secretary and is very sensitive to this kind of high-quality paper and printing process; it is definitely not something that a cheap print shop on the street can imitate.

"Department Head..."

She quickly retreated to Section Chief Yoshino's side, lowered her voice, and stated her judgment.

After listening for a few minutes, Chief Yoshino's rationality began to return.

The current economic situation is like a quagmire, and with rumors circulating in the city hall about staff reductions, everyone is living in fear.

Whether the business card was actually picked up by the drunkard or whether there was a real connection between them, it doesn't matter.

Just thinking about the possible consequences made her feel like there was a noose around her neck, ready to strangle her at any moment.

She dared not gamble, not even a little bit.

At this moment, Kiryu Kazusuke had already turned around, seemingly about to make a phone call.

"Wait a moment!"

Section Chief Yoshino rushed forward and blocked the road.

"Um, sir..."

She forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and the foundation on her cheeks was caked up from her earlier excitement.

Actually, it's all a misunderstanding.

As she spoke, she bent down slightly and pushed Representative Ōkawara's business card back with both hands.

"I drank too much just now, and my eyes are blurry."

"Thinking about it carefully, I can't entirely blame you for this. After all, I did lose my balance and was blocking the aisle a bit."

"Yes, it was you walking behind me that I accidentally bumped into."

Her attitude underwent a complete 180-degree turn.

She went from being a shrewish woman yelling in the street to being reasonable and even somewhat humble in an instant.

Faced with absolute power, face is nothing but a fart.

"Is it really... a misunderstanding?"

Kiryu Kazusuke stopped in his tracks, tilted his head, and looked at her with a blank expression.

"It's a misunderstanding! It's absolutely a misunderstanding!" Keiko Yoshino said with a forced smile. "This is such a small matter, why would it bother Congressman Ōkawara?"

Seeing that Kiryu Kazusuke didn't speak, she immediately turned around, walked quickly to the table, and grabbed two banknotes.

"I'll accept this compensation."

"This 2 yen should be enough for dry cleaning your clothes. Is that alright?"

At this point, her tone was almost pleading.

Forget 2, she'd even pay him 2 out of her own pocket, as long as this guy leaves now and doesn't call again, she'd be willing.

The surrounding diners were stunned.

This change of expression is faster than turning the pages of a book.

Mina Saionji huddled in the corner, only half of her head showing.

She knew the value of that business card.

In the civic class, the most common topic of discussion among the students was gossip about these important figures.

Dr. Kiryu actually knows such an important person?

Since you know each other, why do you still live in the same Lianyi Single Apartment as her?

"Oh, I see." Kiryu Kazusuke nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. "Since the section chief says so, then, let's leave it at that."

He took the business card and put it back in his pocket.

Then he waved to the still-dazed shop manager: "Check, please..."

The store manager was taken aback.

Kazusuke Kiryu pointed to his own table.

"No, no, thank you! Sir/Madam!"

The store manager is also a very capable person.

He had seen the whole scene just now. Even the section chief of the city hall was afraid like a grandson. Was this just a simple drunkard?

Kazusuke Kiryu waved his hand.

He took out his wallet from his pocket, pointed out a 10,000 yen bill, and slapped it on the counter.

He grabbed his coat, turned around, and left.

Section Chief Yoshino only breathed a sigh of relief after watching Kiryu Kazusuke stagger out of the yakiniku restaurant and disappear into the night. Her legs went weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground.

It's good that you're alright.

It's good to be alive.

"Department Chief...are you alright?"

His subordinates gathered around and asked with concern.

"Get out! All of you, get out!"

Section Chief Yoshino shoved them aside, venting all his resentment and fear on these innocent subordinates.

Saionji Mina stood on the outermost edge, trying hard not to laugh.

……

We left the barbecue restaurant.

A biting wind blew in my face, carrying some unmelted snowflakes that stung my skin.

[Saionji Mina's world line has been resolved]

[Reward: Improvement in physical fitness - slightly]

The words flashed before Kiryu Kazusuke's eyes, and a familiar warmth surged through his body once more.

Although it's only "slightly", the feeling of accumulating little by little is quite nice.

At least, the alcohol from those few glasses of draft beer I just drank has been broken down much faster in my body, and I'm unusually clear-headed; even that slight tipsiness is almost gone.

He raised his wrist and glanced at his watch.

8:20 PM.

I just ate so much meat, I won't be able to sleep when I get back. Besides, the apartment is only about ten square meters, and it's really depressing to stay there for too long.

He decided to take a walk on the street.

Maebashi City, while not as bustling as Tokyo, still boasts a vibrant nightlife as the capital of Gunma Prefecture.

Along both sides of the street, various signs competed for attention.

The neon lights of the pachinko parlor were flashing wildly, and the loud noise could be heard from far away even through the glass door.

Office workers in suits gathered in twos and threes, cigarettes in their hands, loudly complaining about their bosses or why mortgage rates hadn't come down yet.

This was 1994.

The fourth year after the bursting of the economic bubble.

People are no longer as spirited as they were a few years ago. They no longer talk loudly about golf and skiing, nor do they wave around large sums of money to grab a taxi.

Passing by an electronics store, I saw a TV in the window playing a program featuring the popular idol group SMAP.

When Takuya Kimura's excessively youthful face appeared on the screen, it caused several passing high school girls to scream.

"This TV looks good; it's a Sony Trinitron CRT."

"It must cost over ten thousand, right?"

"I can't afford it, I can't afford it. My dad said my bonus for this year is gone again."

The conversation of passersby drifted into my ears.

He looked at the posters pasted on the glass window, and the prices on them made him feel a little emotional.

Prices are still rising due to inertia, but people's incomes are starting to shrink.

This price gap is gradually severing the hopes of ordinary people.

In this era without smartphones and mobile internet, people's access to information is limited and outdated.

Everyone is still indulging in the fantasy that "this is just a temporary adjustment and the economy will recover soon."

Little did they know that this would be the beginning of the "lost thirty years".

This book wouldn't have been possible without the support of all of you readers. Especially those who voted with monthly tickets, wrote reviews, and a few readers—I read those posts several times late at night, and I was deeply moved. I hope you will continue to support me; please read on, leave comments, and vote with monthly tickets. This really means a lot to me, thank you.

(End of this chapter)