Tokyo: I'm really not a killer

"Gentlemen!"

Masakazu Shinomiya stood firmly at the podium of the Imperial Hotel press conference, his voice clearly and powerfully transmitted throughout the venue via the microphone.

"First of all, I must express my deepest apologies and highest respect to all the citizens who were frightened by the bank hijacking incident in Hong Kong, as well as to the police officers who worked tirelessly on the front lines."

"As a father and as a public figure, seeing innocent people dragged into violence and witnessing such a blatant challenge to law and order fills me with anger and... a profound sense of powerlessness."

He paused slightly, took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress the pain deep in his lungs.

"Perhaps many people will be concerned about my family and my relationship with my daughter."

"My family, like millions of ordinary Japanese families, has experienced laughter, tears, and irreparable regrets."

"I wasn't born standing here."

"Many people don't know that I come from an ordinary family, and my parents also struggled to make a living. My path to education was not smooth. Some people mocked me, saying that I was a 'poor boy who benefited from his stepfather's fame,' and that I didn't even have a penny to spare in my pocket."

"But I never complained, and I never gave up! I know that this society doesn't pity the weak; it only recognizes the strong!"

"Therefore, I studied desperately, putting in unimaginable effort to get into the University of Tokyo, because I believe that knowledge, conviction, and an indomitable spirit are the most precious assets of an individual and a nation!"

"My wife, Rio Suzuki, was a kind and simple woman. Her passing is a wound in my life that will never heal."

"Her innocence and beauty constantly remind me that the country I'm striving to build should allow all kind-hearted people like her to live in peace, without worrying about tomorrow's livelihood or living in fear of a chaotic social order!"

He clenched his fist and pounded it on the podium, producing a dull but powerful echo:

"I have witnessed poverty and know the taste of hunger and cold; I have felt the chill of losing loved ones and experienced the confusion and struggle of facing the torrent of fate alone!"

"Some might say, 'Shinomiya Masakazu, you're too cold-hearted. You only care about power and don't care about your daughter at all, which led her to make such a terrible mistake—'"

"No, you're wrong!"

"I know better than anyone that empty talk about feelings and justice can't fill stomachs, protect families, or make this country strong again!"

"Everything I do, every step forward, every struggle to climb out of the mire, is so that more people don't have to repeat the hardships of my childhood, don't have to experience the pain of losing loved ones!"

Masakazu Shinomiya raised his arm and shouted:

"Yes, I have my convictions! I stand by reviving tradition, because it is the root and soul of our nation, the bond that unites us! I stand by restoring order, because only under the light of law and discipline can ordinary people enjoy true safety and dignity! I stand by opposing irresponsible immigration policies, because we must prioritize the employment and future of our hardworking, law-abiding citizens who deeply love this land!"

He didn't give reporters any time to ask questions.

The clerks sitting in the front row, along with the reporters from their own television station who had been carefully arranged to be there, faithfully recorded this deeply moving scene.

The camera panned across Masakazu Shinomiya's sorrowful yet resolute face, then across the audience below, who were moved by the emotions—the invited supporters erupted in enthusiastic applause and shouts of approval.

However, beyond this dominant emotion, there are also other reactions.

A reporter in the audience seized the opportunity to raise his hand and ask a question:

"Councilor Shinomiya, do you admit that the discord between you and your daughter led Shinomiya Rin to have a motive for committing the crime?"

Masakazu Shinomiya said, "The truth of the matter has not yet been ascertained, and the identity of the robber is still unclear. She may not be my daughter. If she is, I will not show any favoritism."

Reporters don't like to hear pretty words. If everyone only shows their glamorous side, what's the point of readers reading the news? To put it bluntly, people read the news to see the ugly side of the world.

He continued to press the matter with pointed questions:

"Is it because of these tense family relationships that criminals were able to take advantage of the situation and choose such a highly inflammatory and targeted method to carry out the hostage situation?"

Masakazu Shinomiya realized that his speech had been interrupted.

Humans are emotional beings and are easily swayed by their environment. Some lecturers who give speeches at schools can always move teachers and students to tears. The core point of this is that they do not allow students to interrupt their emotions.

If anyone laughs, the lecturer will immediately reprimand them sternly; if anyone asks an inappropriate question, the lecturer will immediately interrupt and correct them.

An excellent speaker is adept at controlling the emotions of the audience.

Masakazu Shinomiya's voice suddenly lowered, trembling slightly:

"As a father, I am both worried and angry right now."

"What I worry about is my daughter's safety, and I worry that I may have done something wrong that led her down the wrong path."

"What angers me is that if someone dares to impersonate my daughter and exploit our minor conflict—any parent here can understand the headaches of dealing with a child's rebellious phase—if the truth is a conspiracy by someone with ulterior motives, I will never compromise with criminals for the sake of my personal reputation at this moment!!"

"Whatever the outcome, I, Masaichi Shinomiya, will accept it calmly and fulfill my responsibilities as a father and as a member of parliament!"

He straightened his back and scanned the entire room with piercing eyes:

"My past, my family, my principles, even my ruthlessness—all of this is for one goal—to listen to the voices of the people and fulfill my promises!"

"I want to build a stronger, more united, and more orderly Japan, so that every hardworking citizen can live on this land with dignity! This is the meaning of my existence, and this is the battle I will never give up!"

The applause erupted like a long-accumulated tide the moment Shinomiya Masakazu finished speaking.

Community representatives and supporters of the councilor's camp had already stood up excitedly. Waving their fans in support of Masakazu Shinomiya, they shouted, "Congressman Shinomiya!" and "Well said!"

At the same time, Hara Masaki pulled the trigger.

He had figured out Shinomiya Masakazu's speaking habits. This guy always waited for the audience's emotional response at the end of his speech—if he wasn't mistaken, Shinomiya Masakazu would raise his head and speak three seconds later.

"Three." Yuan Zhensheng started the countdown.

Reporters from their own television station, positioned in specific locations, kept their cameras fixed on Masakazu Shinomiya, capturing his slightly tired yet incredibly resolute expression after his speech, as if he were carrying the heavy weight of the nation's expectations.

"two."

The older residents saw a reflection of their own youthful struggles in his words, and tears welled in their eyes as they sat in front of the television. Shinomiya Masaichi opened his arms wide, basking in the applause, and raised his finger once more, emphasizing: "I will never compromise with evil!!"

Snapped.

A dull thud echoed on Shinomiya Masakazu's forehead, blood splattering from the back of his head. His face was frozen in a resolute expression, his fingers hovering in mid-air, still unable to comprehend what had happened.

"one."

Genshin stopped the timer.

1,500 meters away, Shinomiya Masakazu collapsed instantly.