Listening to Toru's life plan, Shizuka hesitated, then finally said, "This is the first time I've met someone who treats becoming Prime Minister as their life goal."
"That just means Hiratsuka-sensei hasn't met enough people. None of your students have such grand ambitions?"
"If someone said something like that, the other students would probably make fun of them."
"That's school bullying. That's when Hiratsuka-sensei needs to step in and give them a proper lecture."
Toru sighed thoughtfully.
"Becoming Prime Minister isn't that easy."
Shizuka took another sip of beer.
Toru thought for a moment, then nodded seriously. "Hiratsuka-sensei, you're right. The first step to becoming Prime Minister is buying a high-quality bulletproof vest. And preferably a helmet that covers your neck too."
Shizuka blinked, then suddenly burst into laughter, slapping the table hard, laughing until tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Fujiwara-kun, you're hilarious. Good thing I wasn't eating, or I'd have choked. With lines like that, don't worry, if you ever become a candidate, when you run for councilor, I'll definitely vote for you."
She wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Then I'll accept your vote in advance, Hiratsuka-sensei. And since you have so many students, make sure to ask them to vote too."
Toru joked.
"Of course. But I teach in Chiba. All my students live in Chiba. Unless you run there, I can't help you."
Shizuka teased back.
After joking around, the two became completely comfortable with each other. Their conversation flowed without hesitation.
By now, Shizuka couldn't even tell if Toru's ambition to become Prime Minister was a joke or if he actually meant it.
This young man was strange, but interesting.
After thinking for a moment, she said, "Fujiwara-kun, since you're a freshman at Tokyo University in the Faculty of Politics and International Studies, you might meet a friend of mine. Or, more accurately, one of my students."
Toru looked surprised. "Hiratsuka-sensei, didn't you say earlier that your life would be complete if even one of your students got into Tokyo University?"
"So has your life mission already been fulfilled? You'd better be careful. You're still in your prime. Don't start thinking about life being complete already."
Shizuka's eyes lit up. "You remembered what I said."
Women were always moved when someone remembered their words seriously. She paused, then smiled. "...Do I really look that young? You're not lying to me, are you?"
"Of course not. And Hiratsuka-sensei is beautiful too. I don't believe you don't have a boyfriend. I'm sure you've had plenty of men chasing you."
"Well, some have. But not many. How should I put it... maybe my personality is strange. Or maybe my standards are too high. None succeeded. And before I knew it, I'd become an old woman."
She sighed.
"Usually, when a woman is too beautiful and too capable, men assume she already has a boyfriend. And even if they like her, their inferiority complex stops them from trying."
Toru spoke calmly.
Shizuka laughed softly. "I'll take that compliment. Fujiwara-kun, you're good with words. You must have had a lot of girlfriends."
Toru shook his head. "It isn't easy to get into Tokyo University. All my free time went into studying. Where would I have time to date?"
As the two chatted, it was already past ten, almost eleven. Neither of them knew how many bottles of beer they had gone through.
"No, I can't drink anymore. I'm done. Boss, bill please!"
Shizuka called out, then turned to Toru. "...I said I'd treat you today, so don't take out your wallet."
Toru nodded.
"Total is eight thousand six hundred yen!"
The boss brought over the bill.
They had only eaten two bowls of ramen and some sides. The rest was beer.
Shizuka paid for everything, including Toru's food.
She stood up, swaying. Toru quickly supported her. "I'll help you. Be careful."
"Okay."
She didn't refuse.
The boss winked at Shizuka behind Toru's back, as if to say, I've done my part. Now it's your turn.
Outside, Shizuka took a deep breath, lit a cigarette, and walked toward an Aston Martin, taking out her keys.
Toru didn't recognize her at first. Anime was anime, reality was reality. He couldn't identify a character from twenty years ago at a glance.
But after they talked and her name came up, he remembered who she was.
He knew her family wasn't simple, a wealthy household.
But an Aston Martin? That was beyond wealthy.
"You're this drunk. You're not going to drive, are you?"
"Of course not. I value my life. I don't have much cash on me, so I'll grab some and check into a hotel."
"You're not calling a driver?"
"I don't like other people driving my car."
Toru understood.
"Then I'll take you to a hotel."
"Thank you, handsome Fujiwara-kun."
Shizuka leaned heavily against him, face flushed, giggling as she held his waist.
They walked slowly. Her entire weight pressed against him, her perfume mixed with alcohol lingering in the air.
Toru remained calm.
The street was quiet at this hour. As they passed a corner, Toru's eyes drifted toward the shadows.
Someone was sitting there.
A small figure, probably a girl, wearing a white dress. Long black hair hid her face as she looked downward.
A Komuro cat lay curled in her lap. The black fur, yellow eyes, and white dress created an eerie scene in the night.
"Fujiwara-kun, what are you looking at?"
Shizuka noticed his distraction.
"There's someone sitting there. She looks young. Why would a student be out this late? Did something happen?"
Toru pointed.
Shizuka leaned forward to look.
"Fujiwara-kun, what are you talking about? There's no one there."
"...Huh?"
Toru looked again.
The girl in the white dress was still sitting there. The cat stared at him with glowing yellow eyes.
What was this?
Was Shizuka too drunk to see?
No. She wasn't drunk at all. Toru knew she was acting.
But she still said she didn't see anything.
A cold wave rushed over him. His scalp tingled.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇◇
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