Tokyo: I'm really not a killer

The official turned on the television, and Shinomiya Masakazu watched the live broadcast. The screen was showing a live report from an Asahi Shimbun reporter at the scene of a bank robbery in Minato Ward 3-chome.

The reporter spoke very quickly, and the content was highly inflammatory:

"The bank robber claimed to be Rin Shinomiya, the daughter of Congressman Seiichi Shinomiya..."

Shinomiya Masakazu leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the screen, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

The administrative officer stood to the side, drenched in cold sweat, barely daring to breathe. He cautiously observed Shinomiya Masakazu's expression, trying to guess what the senator was thinking.

Masakazu Shinomiya remained silent, listening as the reporter linked the so-called father-daughter conflict to political issues, portraying Shinomiya Rin as a dangerous individual driven to extremism by family discord.

"Mr. Shinomiya, this... this must be a setup! How could Miss Shinomiya possibly..." The administrative officer finally couldn't hold back any longer, lowering his voice as he tried to defend Shinomiya Rin, or rather, to defend the reputation of the Shinomiya family.

Shinomiya Masakazu raised his hand, signaling the officials to be quiet.

He knew very well that the bank robbers were most likely not Shinomiya Rin.

That stubborn and mediocre daughter always tries to prove herself with her cheap sense of justice, so naturally she wouldn't commit a public robbery.

It's more likely that someone is impersonating his daughter in an attempt to drag him down.

This was a brilliant move. It's true that he has a bad relationship with his daughter, and by using this as leverage, he's made a spectacle of himself, even if he's not a piece of shit.

The robber has publicly called for his presence, specifically requesting him to appear as his daughter. If he doesn't show up and lets the situation develop unchecked, what will public opinion say?

How will journalists and political enemies attack him?

They would say he's "cold-blooded and heartless, unwilling to even show up when his own daughter is in dire straits"; they would question whether he "truly cares about the safety of his constituents," after all, he wouldn't even personally handle the crisis caused by his own daughter...

They might even blame his inaction and cowardice for all the public panic and potential casualties caused by the hostage crisis.

Shinomiya Masahita knew those rabble very well.

Indeed, in his eyes, the masses were a mob that could be incited by emotions and also be swayed by them.

This is a crucial period in the election, and he must be present.

It wasn't to save the daughter who might be an imposter, but to maintain his own political image, silence his political enemies, and present to the public an image of a legislator who cares about the safety of the people and is willing to take responsibility.

The key is to appear on camera and express concern about the incident.

Even just standing outside the cordon can, to some extent, control the direction of public opinion and shift the focus of the father-daughter conflict to his sense of responsibility in personally handling the crisis.

If it's over, he can still make excuses; if it's not over, there's nothing to say... If he just wants to lie low, that's fine, there are plenty of shameless politicians out there; but he wants to go further and move into the Prime Minister's residence.

"Prepare the car." Shinomiya Masakazu turned off the television, his voice calm and even, yet carrying an undeniable command. "To Minato Ward, 3-chome."

"But, Mr. Shinomiya, it's too dangerous there! And the robbers might..." the officer tried to dissuade him.

"It's precisely because it's dangerous, and it's coming for me, that I have to go even more." Shinomiya Masakazu stood up and straightened his suit cuffs.

He paused, then looked at the administrative officer:

"I need to contact senior officials at the Metropolitan Police Department to know the most accurate situation on the scene and the specific deployment of the police. In addition, I need to prepare a brief statement for the media, with the main theme of 'shock and grief, belief that the kidnapper is not my daughter, but full cooperation with the police to ensure the safety of the hostage.'"

"Yes!" the officer replied quickly.

Masakazu Shinomiya arrived at 3-chome in Minato Ward by car and saw from afar layers of police tape cordoned off the street corner, with bright red and blue police lights flashing glaringly, and police cars, fire trucks, and news reporting vehicles crowding the surrounding roads.

SAT (Special Attack and Rescue Team) members, fully armed, were on guard at various locations. In the distance, the bank doors were tightly closed, the blinds were drawn, and the atmosphere was heavy.

As soon as Masakazu Shinomiya's convoy approached the police line, it was spotted by sharp-eyed reporters, and flashes and cameras instantly swarmed in, surrounding his vehicle.

Reporters, microphones in hand, eagerly bombarded the crowd with questions; police quickly deployed personnel, painstakingly parting the people to clear a path for Masakazu Shinomiya.

Surrounded by his officers and entourage, he walked calmly toward the temporary command area set up by the police.

During the journey, he nodded slightly toward the media, but did not stop or make any comments. He just frowned slightly, looking worried and trying his best to deal with the crisis.

High-ranking officials from the Metropolitan Police Department and the commissioner, who were already aware of the situation, came forward to greet them.

The director and others gave him a brief report on the current situation in hushed tones: the robbers still controlled the inside of the bank and were holding dozens of hostages. Negotiation experts were trying to communicate, but no progress had been made so far.

Shinomiya Masakazu glanced at him sideways and asked, "You guys didn't do anything, just waited for me to come over?"

The chief was momentarily speechless. He couldn't very well not answer his superior's question. After a quick mental search, he said, "It will take us time to control the scene, and the biggest problem is the news media. I've already sent my best officers to disperse the reporters..."

He saw the footage on TV of Yamamoto Koji waving and driving them away, and felt that his officers were still capable of getting things done.

"Alright."

Shinomiya Masakazu said impatiently:

"The situation is very clear. Whoever is inside, taking innocent people hostage and endangering public safety is an unforgivable crime. As a member of parliament, my personal reputation and family issues must never be placed above the safety of the people and the dignity of the law."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the chief and the high-ranking officers of the Metropolitan Police Department present, his tone leaving no room for argument:

"As a member of parliament and as a citizen, I advise and urge the police to immediately prepare a plan for a forced entry. The primary objective is to ensure the safety of all hostages. Only after this is achieved should the hostage-takers attempt to resist..."

Shinomiya Masakazu's voice rose slightly as he spoke, enunciating each word clearly:

"I support the police shooting him if necessary."

Several high-ranking officers and the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Department present all changed their expressions and couldn't help but look at each other in dismay. No one had expected that Masakazu Shinomiya would be so resolute.

Without hesitation, the administrative officer secretly called in a reporter from his own television station before Shinomiya Masakazu could even speak.

"Quick! Bring the cameraman! Mr. Shinomiya is about to make an important statement! Regarding the principles for handling the hostage situation! Hurry!"

He briefly pointed out the location and asked the reporter to record what Shinomiya Masakazu was about to say; at that moment, the camera lens was pointed at Shinomiya Masakazu's profile, and the latter spoke passionately:

"For thugs who openly challenge social order, there's no need to consider their identity! Even if she really is my family member, everyone is equal before the law!"

The highlight!

This is a brilliant political performance!

It is the perfect material to portray the image of a tough leader who puts the law and public safety above personal feelings and even family!