Tokyo Three Generations

Before she could react, Jun Takasaki pulled out his phone from his pocket as if by magic. "Let's do the first thing now, exchange contact information."

Looking at the cheerful young man in front of her, and then at the phone in his hand, Toyokawa Shoko's expression became somewhat awkward.

Although she has a mobile phone and a chat account, she has always attended all-girls schools and her chat friends are all female classmates. She has never added any men.

It is really difficult to suddenly break someone's established lifestyle habits.

It seems like they've crossed the line.

But is this still the time to be particular about these things?

As long as the immediate problem can be solved, breaking the so-called "boundaries" is not a big deal.

Even if we don't know whether the other party can actually do it, how will we know if we don't try?

Besides, the two sides are at least "family friends," so even if she doesn't exchange contact information now, she'll most likely have to when she takes over the Toyokawa family. There's no harm in doing it a little earlier...

As ideas came to mind, Toyokawa Shoko gradually found peace. She convinced herself to break free from her habitual life rules.

Then, without waiting for the other person to urge her, she took out her phone, and the two became friends.

While Toyokawa Shoko hesitated, Takasaki Jun kept observing her changing expressions. Although she didn't say it, he clearly guessed that, apart from relatives, he was definitely the first man she would add as a friend.

He was naturally very happy to receive this honor, but what pleased him even more was Miss Toyokawa's resolute determination to carry out her decision once she made it.

It seems she does indeed have some potential to inherit the family business.

After exchanging contact information, Jun Takasaki stood up from the sofa first, then waved goodbye casually. "Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person who's bored. I won't send you any irrelevant messages unless it's necessary... Let's stop here for now. Time waits for no one. Just do what you need to do and wait for my message."

Toyokawa Shoko didn't say anything more. She stood up properly from her chair and bowed slightly to Takasaki Jun.

"Thank you for your trouble. If you can really help me out of this predicament, I will definitely repay you."

After saying that, she walked out of the room.

After she left, Jun Takasaki also leisurely left the room.

After returning to the hall, Jun Takasaki went back to Kenji Sakura's side.

"You've had a long rest now," Kenji Sakura couldn't help but complain.

"Anyway, nobody cares about me." Jun Takasaki waved his hand lazily. "Going to rest is much more useful than staying here."

Kenji Sakura was unaware of the implication, but he knew that the young master would occasionally utter strange remarks, so he didn't take it to heart.

“It’s almost time for us to leave. You can say goodbye to the bereaved family later,” he reminded them.

He had assumed that upon hearing this good news, the already impatient Jun Takasaki would feel relieved. However, to his surprise, Jun Takasaki seemed rather strange.

"What's wrong? Is there anything else?" His keen observation skills honed over years of experience made him instinctively sense that something was amiss, so he quickly asked.

Jun Takasaki glanced to the side to make sure no one was paying attention to him, then responded quietly.

"Actually, I just chatted with Miss Xiangzi for a while, and we even exchanged contact information."

Although his tone was calm, Kenji Sakura's face turned extremely ugly, and he almost cried out in surprise.

He barely managed to suppress his outburst, then frowned and even reprimanded Takasaki Jun in an almost scolding tone.

Why would you do something so unnecessary?

After all, he was assigned to "instruct" Takasaki Jun, and he wouldn't dare take responsibility if anything went wrong.

"Don't be so tense, okay?" Jun Takasaki replied softly. "What's wrong with us young people adding a new way to chat? Besides, isn't it a good thing for us to get to know the future head of the Toyokawa family in advance?"

That's what they say, but Kenji Sakura doesn't agree.

"You are too young after all. It is up to you, sir, to decide what to do. You don't need to make decisions on your own."

Jun Takasaki did not respond to this meaningless advice; instead, he changed the subject.

"Miss Xiangzi just entrusted me with something."

He deliberately avoided saying that he had approached her on his own initiative, instead implying that it was Toyokawa Shoko who had come to him for help. "Because of the long-standing friendship between our two families, I really want to agree, but the matter seems quite serious, so I'm a bit troubled... Kenji, what should we do?"

Upon hearing his words, Kenji Sakura panicked even more. "What is it?"

Jun Takasaki leaned even closer and whispered in his ear.

"For various reasons, Mr. Kiyoshi plans to resign soon, and Miss Toyokawa hopes I can help persuade him to reconsider..."

Kenji Sakura blinked and looked at Jun Takasaki with an incredulous expression.

He wasn't surprised that Toyokawa Seikao had the idea of ​​resigning, after all, everyone knew about the recent troubles in the Toyokawa family. What puzzled him was how his young master had suddenly become involved with Miss Toyokawa.

How did you meet her?

Actually, they had only met less than an hour ago... Of course, Jun Takasaki wouldn't say such a truth.

"We're not exactly close friends, just acquaintances." He smiled mysteriously. "I was quite surprised to receive this commission so suddenly."

Kenji Sakura wanted to press for more information, but he also knew that another issue was more important at the moment.

It would certainly be a good thing to be able to further develop the relationship with Miss Toyokawa and even the Toyokawa family, but rashly getting involved in family disputes would inevitably carry unpredictable risks.

In short, this is not a question that the two people present can decide.

So he composed himself and warned Takasaki Jun in his most serious tone.

"Please don't give an answer yet... Let's make a decision after we get back."

This was exactly the result Jun Takasaki wanted. If he went back and told his father himself, it wouldn't carry enough weight; his father would just think it was some childish trick. But if Kenji Sakura reported it, the situation would be different; at least his father would take it seriously.

Upon learning this explosive news, even the usually cautious Kenji Sakura was now tense, flustered, and a little excited. He also lost all interest in continuing the perfunctory socializing. As the funeral drew to a close, the two hurriedly left the venue.

Sitting in the car, Jun Takasaki watched as the luxurious and imposing Toyokawa Hall gradually shrank into an insignificant dot under the overcast sky, while he pondered how to face his father, Representative Hiroshi Takasaki.

Sitting in the driver's seat, Kenji Sakura was driving while making a phone call, reporting to his boss what the young master had just done.

It's obvious that he violated traffic rules, but who cares about such a trivial matter?

Toyokawa Kaikan is located in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. This area is close to the suburbs, has a large area and lots of green space, and is considered a gathering place for Tokyo's "old money" crowd, so there are many Western-style mansions here.

Their destination was Bunkyo Ward in the city center.

Since the Tokugawa Shogunate established its rule in Edo, the long-standing problem of "difficulty in finding a place to live" has plagued the people of Edo, and even members of parliament were not immune. As part of the benefits for members of parliament, the state provided them with extremely low-rent dormitories, allowing elected members from those regions to save a significant amount of living expenses.

However, for senior members of parliament who are wealthy or from prominent families, it would be beneath their dignity to crowd into parliamentary dormitories, and it would also be inconvenient for them to engage in various social activities (or conspiracies).

Therefore, these lawmakers would purchase their own private residences around the Diet building in Chiyoda Ward.

For the most influential faction leaders, these private residences could even become important centers of political activity.

For example, Kakuei Tanaka, who was once at the height of his power as the "shadow general," had a mansion in Mejirodai, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, which was called the "Mejiro Palace" by people inside and outside the party, the "shadow headquarters" of the Liberal Democratic Party, and another prime minister's residence. Even many foreign politicians would visit him when they visited Japan, in order to complete their visit.

In the 80s, to accommodate the constant stream of visitors, Kakuei Tanaka even built a reception room in his home that could hold more than 200 people. At its most prestigious, this room was always full of distinguished guests, and decisions about who would become prime minister and who would implement national policies were often made here.

When Jun Takasaki was a child, his grandfather took him on a "pilgrimage to sacred sites," where he reminisced about the grandeur of those days.

Unfortunately, Jun Takasaki never got to see the magnificent scenery; after his birth, all that could be seen here was decay and desolation.

Since Kakuei Tanaka suffered a stroke in the late 80s and passed away in 1993, the once-powerful faction gradually disintegrated, with major factions fighting amongst themselves, and many people leaving the faction or even the party.

Kakuei Tanaka's successor and daughter, Makiko Tanaka, lost power in the party's factional struggles and left the party in 2003. She later joined the Democratic Party, but in 2012, amid the collapse of the Democratic Party's government, she even lost the election in her hometown of Niigata and was forced to retire from politics, almost disappearing from public view.

Undoubtedly, the enormous wealth accumulated by Kakuei Tanaka can still benefit his descendants today, but for a politician's family, losing territory and seats is tantamount to losing their lives, and they will no longer have the right to participate in the stage and share the pie.

Although the Tanaka Mansion in Mejirodai is still magnificent, it has long been deserted and abandoned, becoming a relic of history.

This is a situation that the Takasaki family absolutely does not want to end up in.

Getting back to the main point, the Takasaki family's private residence is also in Bunkyo Ward, but it is much more low-key than the "Mejiro Palace," just an ordinary detached house. However, it has the advantage of a quiet environment, surrounded by the residences of doctors, lawyers, and other high-class middle-class people, so it can be far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Because they were driving from the suburbs into the city, the car wasn't going very fast. By the time the two of them got home, it was already evening.

They had barely arrived home when Representative Hiroshi Takasaki also rushed home.

As father and son, Hiroshi Takasaki and Jun Takasaki have somewhat similar faces and figures. Although he has many wrinkles on his face and his temples are slightly gray, one can still see some of his handsomeness from when he was young.

However, the father and son have completely different temperaments.

My father had dark circles under his eyes, and his gaze was cloudy and hesitant. Although he often put on a formulaic, obsequious smile, he could turn into a rage in an instant. If you just stared at him closely, it was not hard to come to the conclusion that he was a frivolous playboy, cunning and irresponsible, and used to bullying his subordinates and flattering his superiors.

At this moment, Representative Takasaki was adopting a serious, paternal demeanor in front of his son and trusted secretary.

However, the scent of perfume and alcohol emanating from him completely negated any semblance of "majesty" from the start. Out of respect for his boss, Kenji Sakura even adopted a humble and apprehensive demeanor, waiting to be reprimanded. Jun Takasaki, on the other hand, simply faced his father with a somewhat impatient expression.

"Did you just come back from some venue again? You're getting older, so you should take care of your health."

"You brat, what right do you have to tell me what to do?" Takasaki Hiroshi glared at his son, but although he seemed angry, there was no murderous intent in his eyes.

Although Hiroshi Takasaki is unreliable in many ways and is not a qualified father, at least he doesn't put on airs with his son and never pretends to be a "strict father of the Showa era." To him, his son is more like a "deed" he gives to his father. As long as his son doesn't interfere with his own life, he basically lets his son do as he pleases and rarely interferes. Moreover, because he is used to a life of extravagance, he is quite generous to his son and gives him plenty of pocket money.

Growing up in this environment, Jun Takasaki developed a lack of respect and an independent personality. The relationship between the two generations was more like that of friends than father and son, which was out of step with the atmosphere of traditional families.

After scolding his son, Takasaki Hiroshi sprawled out on the sofa and asked impatiently, "Tell me, what exactly is going on with the Toyokawa family?"

6. Desertion in the face of battle

"Tell me, what exactly is going on with the Toyokawa family?"

So, Jun Takasaki told his father everything he had learned from Shoko Toyokawa.

After listening, Hiroshi Takasaki was first surprised, then puzzled.

"A loss of 168 billion? For this, Toyokawa Kiyoko is going to be kicked out of the house? He might even lose his position as guardian? Is it really necessary? Toyokawa Sadaharu wasn't this strict before... Besides, kicking a son-in-law out of the house while his wife's body is still warm wouldn't sound good, would it? And what about Miss Shoko's opinion?"

Seeing that his father shared the same doubts as him, Jun Takasaki felt a sense of relief. "Indeed, I also find it strange, so I suspect there's more to it than meets the eye."

"So you want me to ask around for you?" Hiroshi Takasaki frowned.

Jun Takasaki blinked, looking at his father with anticipation.

"Alright, stop making that face, it's disgusting." Takasaki Hiroshi waved his hand in disgust, then his expression turned serious again. "Before that, answer me one question: When did you meet Miss Toyokawa? What's your relationship?"

Answering that they had no connection would definitely not work, so Jun Takasaki could only continue his lie: "Back in school, I knew a junior high student who transferred from the girls' school. She was a friend of Ms. Shoko, and I got to know Ms. Shoko through her, but we weren't really close, just casual acquaintances."

This reason is a bit perfunctory, but considering that Jun Takasaki is a fresh college student who has only recently graduated from high school, it seems normal that he had some alumni connections during his school years.

Moreover, this reason is more convincing than "we just met".

So Hiroshi Takasaki's expression softened slightly, indicating that he accepted the explanation.

Then he lowered his head and pondered for a while.

Judging from the information Takasaki Jun revealed to him, being able to get in touch with Miss Toyokawa and make her owe him a huge favor would certainly be very beneficial.

However, the problem is that it seems risky to get involved in the internal strife of the Toyokawa family so rashly—and for a middle-aged young master who only wants to maintain the status quo and live a comfortable life, "taking unnecessary risks" is just asking for trouble.

Unable to weigh the two sides, he found it difficult to make a decision.

“Dad, what’s there to hesitate about? No matter how much infighting there is in their family, Miss Toyokawa is the sole heir, which means the Toyokawa family will eventually be in her hands. As long as we can please her, we will definitely be rewarded in the future. Compared to that, what are a few risks? This is a hard-won opportunity.” Seeing his hesitation, Takasaki Jun urged him softly.

Faced with his son's advice, Takasaki Hiroshi thought long and hard before finally making up his mind.

“Alright, I can give it a try…” He nodded in agreement at first, but before Takasaki Jun could even feel happy, he changed his tone again, “However, something that can cause the Toyokawa family so much trouble must be something serious. I need to find out what’s going on first.”

Although slightly disappointed, Jun Takasaki knew in his heart that his father's cautious attitude was very reasonable, so he couldn't refute it and could only reluctantly bow his head to his father, "Then I'll leave it to you!"

"Why are you so interested?" Takasaki Hiroshi looked at his son with a puzzled expression. "I've never seen you so enthusiastic about this kind of thing before."

Before Takasaki Jun could answer, Takasaki Hiroshi seemed to realize something, then his lips twitched and he gave a strange smile, "I remember that girl was quite pretty... You wouldn't be?"

Jun Takasaki stubbornly raised his head. "That girl is quite pretty, but I'm not so easily captivated. I just think she's interesting, so I wanted to help her out..."

"You brat! All that talk is just because she's pretty!" His father didn't believe his explanation at all, laughed and scolded him, then raised his hand and gently patted his head.

============================

After the conversation ended, Jun Takasaki had dinner with his father and then returned to his room.

You asked where his mother is?

His mother, Mio Takasaki, was a marriage partner personally chosen by her grandfather, Jun Takasaki, for his son. She came from a wealthy merchant family and brought considerable assistance to the Takasaki family.

However, due to Hiroshi Takasaki's chaotic private life, the couple had not been harmonious since their marriage. So after giving birth to their son, Mio Takasaki also let herself go and lived separately from her husband, basically living their own lives.

She lived a comfortable life and didn't need to worry about making a living. With plenty of time, she devoted herself to classic "ladies' hobbies" such as calligraphy and flower arranging. She frequently participated in various related activities. During this period, she went to Nara and Kyoto to attend exhibitions, so she was not at home.

Hiroshi Takasaki also adopted a laissez-faire attitude towards his wife, letting her do as she pleased as long as she didn't cause any scandals that would embarrass the family. As a result, the family had a strange atmosphere that was both distant and harmonious. It wasn't exactly harmonious, but life just went on in a daze.

Jun Takasaki grew up in this kind of atmosphere and was used to it, so he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. He loved his parents and they loved him in return. As for the conflict between his parents, he couldn't and didn't want to get involved. He just let them handle it themselves.

Jun Takasaki waited for his father's reply while continuing his original life.

However, on the very day he returned to university, he suddenly received a phone call from his father.