Tokyo Three Generations

Tokyo Three Generations

Author: Niomiya Izumu

Summary:

Jun Takasaki, the son of a senator, uses his family background and his own wit to navigate between the seemingly bright surface world and the turbulent underworld. His actions are neither for justice nor evil, but solely to satisfy his own desires.

He has both enemies and many close friends. What kind of stories will unfold between him and them, and what kind of future will they lead to?

A light novel with a realistic core, featuring no superpowers or supernatural elements, but seemingly full of love.

This is written purely out of personal interest. If you don't like it, feel free to skip it. Thank you!

Main text

1. The Funeral That Began

The luxurious and grand Toyokawa Hall is a place where political and business elites gather and socialize every day, and today it is even more lively and crowded than ever before.

The actual controllers or representatives of several large conglomerates, dozens of members of parliament or their representatives, and countless political, business and entertainment celebrities... When these people gather together, trillions of assets are at their feet and the pulse of national power beats with their will. What a grand scene this is.

Unfortunately, this is a funeral, so there are no scenes of people drinking and laughing together here today; all that can be seen are faces that seem frozen in time.

Everywhere you look, there are pure black clothes. These pure black blocks stick together and swallow the entire crowd.

In the spacious hall, the original glittering decorations have been temporarily put away, leaving only black and white embellishments. Only the wreaths and candles from all over the country placed at the entrance or around the coffin can give people a little bit of bright color.

Although there were many people, and each of them was someone of great importance, no one whispered or laughed. Everyone seemed to be mourning a great figure who had just passed away with heavy hearts.

For a tycoon whose wealth and status are enough to influence the national business community, this pomp and circumstance is certainly fitting.

Unfortunately, although the scene was grand and the atmosphere solemn, the funeral was more grand than sorrowful.

With such a prominent position and power, she could enjoy the adoration of everyone while she was alive, but when she passed away, she could only receive a quiet farewell from people.

Politicians and businessmen attended the funeral politely, then each harbored their own agendas, seeking opportunities to cooperate in the new era of the Toyokawa family; relatives calculated how much they could gain from the redistribution of family power; monks chanted sutras indifferently, waiting to receive extremely generous rewards...

Everyone calmly accepted the fact that Mizuho Toyokawa had passed away; only her closest relatives would truly feel grief.

Jun Takasaki was one of the "passersby" who showed no sadness whatsoever.

He is 19 years old and just started his first year of university. A "funeral" seems like something too far away for him.

Why would he come here for a funeral? Or why does he even have the right to stand here?

This was certainly not due to his own ability, but because he was the son of Congressman Hiroshi Takasaki (a genuine 'Mr.') and the heir to the political dynasty of the Takasaki family.

The Takasaki family's rise to prominence began in the early postwar period. Takasaki Jun's great-grandfather, Takasaki Kiyoshi, made a fortune in business during the period of rapid economic development. He then placed his hopes for the family's further prosperity on his son, Takasaki Jun, who was also Takasaki Jun's grandfather. With his full support, including the family fortune, Takasaki Jun entered politics in the 60s. After much effort in his hometown of Akita Prefecture, he was elected as a member of the Diet and held onto his position for the next half-century.

Politics is never a game for one person, and the Takasaki family certainly understood this well. Before deciding to enter politics, the family tried every means to curry favor with Kakuei Tanaka, a high-ranking and powerful figure in the Liberal Democratic Party at the time. With the help of this "secret general," they finally succeeded and became members of the "Tanaka faction."

After securing his hard-won seat in parliament, Jun Takasaki did everything he could to navigate the political landscape. Although he didn't achieve anything particularly outstanding, his keen sense of choosing sides allowed him to weather crises such as Kakuei Tanaka's forced resignation from the party in the 70s due to scandal, the factional infighting after Tanaka's stroke in the 80s, and the large-scale resignations from the party due to the electoral system change in the 90s and the defeat of the Tanaka-Takeshita faction and other factions in their infighting. He thus cemented the Takasaki family's place on the country's political stage.

Even in 2009, a year marked by severe headwinds and an unprecedented defeat for the Liberal Democratic Party in the elections, he still managed to win re-election, making him a true "unshakeable figure" in the Diet.

Unfortunately, individual efforts cannot change the course of history. Over the decades, the Tanaka faction, which was once at its zenith and controlled more than a hundred members of both houses of parliament, has declined and weakened after several large-scale internal conflicts and waves of resignations. It has been replaced by its former arch-rival, the Kiyohokai. As a result, Takasaki Jun was unable to advance further and could only waste the rest of his political career in parliamentary seats.

In 2012, Takasaki Jun, who had been in politics for nearly half a century, finally announced his retirement and handed over his political resources to his son, Takasaki Hiroshi. As a result, Takasaki Hiroshi became one of the "second-generation politicians" and was re-elected as a member of parliament.

Compared to his father, Jun Takasaki, Hiroshi Takasaki's political career can only be described as lackluster. He followed in his father's footsteps and joined the "Heisei Ken," a remnant faction of the Tanaka faction.

Because of the weakening of his faction and the faction's mediocre personal abilities, he could only be considered a nobody in Congress, incomparable to those powerful members of Congress who could wield considerable influence.

Hiroshi Takasaki was well aware of his own abilities. From a young age, he had developed the spoiled temperament of a young nobleman, enjoying a life of pleasure and debauchery. He was on the VIP lists of various nightclubs in Ginza. Although he had toned it down a bit after becoming a member of parliament, he still indulged in pleasure and had no lofty ambitions whatsoever.

In his view, he would be content as long as he could preserve the family business and help his son, Takasaki Jun, take over when he got old.

Long-term rule has turned the Liberal Democratic Party into an unbreakable interest group. In many places, parliamentary seats have become no different from family property. Second-generation members of parliament are commonplace, and there are even third or fourth generations of members. So, Takasaki Hiroshi's wish can probably not be considered "delusional"...

That concludes the brief background recap; let's return to the funeral.

Because he was absent-minded, Jun Takasaki's attention was somewhat scattered.

Although he appeared outwardly deeply grieved, his gaze kept wandering before finally settling on the portrait.

Mizuho Toyokawa, the former head of the Toyokawa Group... No matter how many big or small things she did in her life, the only trace she left in the world now is a large portrait hanging in the center of the lobby wall.

Looking at the portrait of the beautiful woman with graceful bearing, Jun Takasaki could only sigh with regret.

Indeed, as far as the deceased is concerned, Mizuho Toyokawa was far too young; she was only in her early forties.

In this age of highly advanced medicine, it is simply unimaginable that such a wealthy and powerful tycoon would die suddenly from an illness at such a young age.

However, it actually happened, which inevitably brings to mind the famous lament from "The Tale of Genji"—"Life is impermanent, like morning dew."

Jun Takasaki was not a person who liked to be sentimental, so his sentimentality did not last long.

He simply passed the rest of his boring time as an emotionless bystander.

At this moment, the inner door of the hall opened, and the bereaved members of the Toyokawa family came out one by one. They walked to the side of the coffin, expressed their gratitude for the arrival of the distinguished guests, and accepted the condolences of the mourners.

Of course, Jun Takasaki knew that the older man at the front was named Sadaharu Toyokawa, a boring and rigid old man. He was the son-in-law of the previous Toyokawa family head and now acted as the head of the Toyokawa family, managing the vast assets of the Toyokawa Group and countless branch companies as the actual controller.

Behind him stood a handsome middle-aged man with a lifeless, fish-like expression. Yes, he was Toyokawa Mizuho's son-in-law, Toyokawa Kiyoshi, and currently one of the key management members of the Toyokawa Group.

And behind Toyokawa Kiyotaka...

Upon seeing it clearly, Jun Takasaki suddenly froze, then instinctively straightened up.

She was a very pretty girl. No, simply describing her as "pretty" would be too cliché. She had blue hair, golden eyes, and delicate features. She was about fifteen or sixteen years old.

She possesses both the allure of a young girl and the poise cultivated from childhood by a wealthy heiress.

Of course, what touched Jun Takasaki the most was her outfit at that moment.

She wore a black top and skirt, along with black leather shoes. Apart from a pearl necklace around her neck, she wore no other jewelry. This deep black outfit made her face and slender neck appear even whiter and more like jade.

Of course, you can also see a little bit of white socks through the slight swaying of her skirt as she walks, which unexpectedly brings a touch of cute contrast.

Although it may sound inhumane to say this, the girl's mourning attire is truly memorable and unforgettable.

Even though he had never seen her up close before, Jun Takasaki could immediately guess her name and identity—that's right, she must be Mizuho Toyokawa's only daughter, the eldest daughter of the Toyokawa family, and the future head of the family, Shoko Toyokawa.

Jun Takasaki knew he was lucky to have been born into a good family, but this young lady was the square of his luck; she was born with a diamond spoon in her mouth.

As one of the country's top conglomerates, the Toyokawa family's immense wealth and the power it brings are destined to fall into her hands someday—her mother's death may have accelerated this process, after all, in faraway England, there is a crown prince who has been waiting for over seventy years before finally achieving his goal.

However, she didn't seem to feel fortunate about it.

On the contrary, although her expression was calm, one could see genuine sadness, making one wonder if she was about to burst into tears at any moment.

Wealthy families often have weak family ties. Even between parents and their own flesh and blood, there is often a sense of estrangement. Some people even wish their parents would die sooner, and even if they pretend to be grieving at the funeral, they cannot fool those who are watching.

But she was genuinely saddened by her mother's passing.

Judging from her appearance, her family life must be quite happy... Jun Takasaki thought to himself.

Jun Takasaki could hardly understand this feeling because his father was a playboy, and his parents' marriage was just an ordinary political and business alliance. He even felt that the two of them hadn't had a conversation that lasted more than a minute in years.

But precisely because of this, he genuinely felt sorry for Miss Xiangzi.

Because we've experienced it, we feel the pain of loss all the more intensely. Mizuho Toyokawa must have been deeply concerned about her daughter, Shoko, before she passed away.

Human life is impermanent, as fleeting as morning dew.

Jun Takasaki couldn't help but sigh again, his gaze filled with more pity—although it was not his place to pity the eldest daughter of the Toyokawa family, her parents were still alive, weren't they?

Miss Xiangzi didn't notice him, or rather, none of the Toyokawa family's direct descendants did. This is easy to understand. Although the Takasaki and Toyokawa families had a history of acquaintances, a powerful and deeply rooted conglomerate like the Toyokawa family had countless "old friends," including many politicians from generation to generation. Among these people, the Takasaki family certainly wouldn't be in the top tier. Moreover, since Representative Takasaki himself wasn't present this time, Jun Takasaki, who came as a representative, could only sit in a relatively inconspicuous position at the back of the VIP section.

However, Jun Takasaki didn't seem to have any objections to this.

To unrelated people, what difference is there between a funeral and a wedding? It's just a formality; the important thing is simply being "eligible to attend." He stood at the back, quite consciously, playing the role of a background figure.

However, although he was absent-minded, as is standard for attending a funeral, Jun Takasaki, dressed in a black fitted suit and black tie, still had a certain "handsome and dashing" air about him. His overly young and innocent face made this outfit not look very mature, but rather added a touch of aggressive and handsome charm.

Jun Takasaki is quite confident in his "modeling". He inherited his father's handsome face and is 180 cm tall, which is considered tall in Japan. Because he loved sports since childhood, his body is also quite strong, enough to make him stand out among his peers.

Of course, now is not the time to boast. He was just letting his complicated thoughts dispel the emotions he felt when he saw Miss Toyokawa earlier.

With the arrival of the family heads, the funeral ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner. The distinguished guests took turns going to the coffin to comfort the bereaved family and offer their final blessings to Toyokawa Mizuho, ​​according to their seating arrangements.

Among the VIPs, there were quite a few who could be described as "extremely busy," so it was impossible to give everyone a long time, and thus only enough time to exchange a few polite words.

Takasaki Jun sat in his chair, coldly watching the people in front of him take turns going up to pay their respects. Toyokawa Sadaharu had a secretary by his side. Whenever someone Toyokawa Sadaharu didn't recognize came over, the secretary would whisper a few words to Toyokawa Sadaharu, reminding him of the guest's identity, and Toyokawa Sadaharu would express his gratitude to each person.

After a long while, it was finally Jun Takasaki's turn. He calmly got up and walked quietly to the mourners with neither hurried nor slow steps. Then, he walked to Old Deng and bowed.

After raising his head, he addressed Toyokawa Sadaharu with words of condolence, following proper etiquette: "My grandfather and father were deeply saddened to hear this tragic news. The Takasaki family has benefited greatly from the care of Lady Mizuho during her lifetime, and we wish her a peaceful journey."

Old Deng had probably heard this kind of platitude a hundred times today, but he wasn't moved at all. He just raised his eyelids slightly and then gave a cold reply.

"Thank you for your comforting words, Mr. Takasaki. Please give my regards to Mr. Takasaki."

When he said those words, Jun Takasaki had already accomplished his task for the day—the funeral was a grand social event, and the Takasaki family had secured their place, neither too high nor too low, but at least they had a place, and that was enough.

However, Jun Takasaki did not leave immediately, because his gaze fell on the girl behind Old Deng.

The girl had her head down, her gaze gloomy and calm, as if everything was no longer relevant to her.

Because of the closer distance, he could even see the slight trembling of the girl's long, blue eyelashes.

That's why, amidst the girl's grief, he also sensed something else.

Was that anger?

Yes, those golden eyes held a fury that seemed capable of burning everything. Jun Takasaki even had the illusion that she was about to explode, shout at everyone, and then flee the scene.

It's understandable that someone would be deeply saddened by the death of their mother, but why such anger? He couldn't understand it.

What other troubles or unresolved issues has she encountered?

...It seems even more interesting now.

He stared at Toyokawa Shoko for a moment, then he realized with a start that he was standing in front of Toyokawa Sadaharu.

This is not only Toyokawa Shoko's grandfather, but also the current head of the Toyokawa Group. He is not someone you can easily offend.

After a moment of tension, Jun Takasaki quickly recovered and added to Toyokawa, "Please accept my condolences, Miss Shoko. As a young person of similar age, I fully understand her feelings at this moment, and I feel deeply sorry for what happened to her... I believe that Mrs. Mizuho will be watching over her from heaven."

Because he didn't lose his composure for too long and managed to smooth things over, it wasn't considered impolite. Old Deng could certainly tell that the young man in front of him was genuinely sorry for his granddaughter.

"Thank you." He thanked her again, but this time with a touch more warmth.

At this moment, Jun Takasaki did not waste anyone's time. He bowed deeply to the bereaved family again, then turned and returned to the VIP section.

However, he could never forget that fleeting glimpse he had just seen.

2. The Source of Conflict

Even moments later, Jun Takasaki was still immersed in that fleeting glimpse. That scene would likely remain deep in his memory forever.

Is this what they call love at first sight?

Of course not. In terms of age, Jun Takasaki was no longer an innocent boy; and considering his short life experiences and what he had seen and heard, it was even more impossible for him to still retain such innocence.

The impact he had just experienced came not only from the stunning beauty of Miss Toyokawa, but also from the sense of despair, resentment, and anger that shattered her, making her seem so vivid and real at that moment, breaking down the barrier created by the word "Miss".

These pampered young ladies live in a greenhouse carefully built by their families. They don't have to bear the weight of life or worry about their future livelihood, so their joys and sorrows seem superficial and pale.

However, the pain and anger that Toyokawa Shoko had just felt were so real, so genuine, like a trapped beast in dire straits. That bloody pain and loss made her, for a brief moment, a person named Toyokawa Shoko, rather than a pale symbol of a "young lady," finally revealing that she was just an ordinary person.

A genuine and vibrant appearance is more touching than any trained pose.

Of course, if she had a choice, Miss Toyokawa probably wouldn't want to "live so vividly"...

He could understand the pain a little girl felt when she lost her mother, but beyond that pain, were there other hidden reasons?

He was very curious, but reason told him that it was best not to delve into the secrets of such a wealthy family, as that would only cause unnecessary trouble for himself and his family.

Just as Jun Takasaki was still immersed in his feelings and reverie, he suddenly felt as if someone had tugged at his sleeve.

The force was just right, enough to remind him of the occasion, but not so much as to be offensive.

Jun Takasaki immediately snapped out of his daze, then glanced slightly to the side, only to be met with a gaze full of doubt and inquiry.

This was a man in his thirties, dressed in a black suit like Jun Takasaki because of the funeral. Even his short hair was neatly combed. He was thin, with a focused gaze, exuding an aura of both shrewdness and caution.

“You seem a little distracted,” he whispered to Jun Takasaki, a tone that sounded more like a “remonstrance.”

The fact that the two could face Takasaki Jun with such an attitude clearly indicates that their relationship was extraordinary.

His name is Kenji Sakura. He is the secretary of Jun Takasaki's father and is also Jun Takasaki's assistant or caregiver when he attends social events.