National Diet Building,
Inside an office.
After relaying the message to Daichi Fujiwara through Chika Fujiwara, Luo Shu, seated on the sofa chair, lightly tapped the armrest with his index finger and said in a somewhat relaxed tone:
"It seems Mr Fujiwara thinks the same way I do, choosing to become the Chief Cabinet Secretary."
Hearing Luo Shu say this, Kurumi Tokisaki, beside him, showed some surprise:
"Miss Chika's father actually chose to become the Chief Cabinet Secretary?"
"I thought he would choose the more prestigious position of Prime Minister."
Luo Shu smiled and shook his head as he said to Kurumi Tokisaki:
"In terms of power and status, the Prime Minister is indeed the most suitable position, but even if I support Daichi Fujiwara, we must see if he has the foundation to become Prime Minister."
"How many parliamentarians stand by his side? How many are trustworthy? How many departments can he actually control?"
"These are all things Daichi Fujiwara cannot be certain about, since previously he wasn't the heir to the Fujiwara family's political resources, just a second son."
"I don't want to support him to reach that position only to have him rely on us to solve every problem. Would he be working for the Hidden Management Department, or would the Hidden Management Department be working for him?"
Understanding Luo Shu's perspective, Kurumi Tokisaki wore a faint smile:
"So both you and Mr Fujiwara chose the position of Chief Cabinet Secretary? Is it because of the special nature of this position?"
"Indeed." Luo Shu nodded, acknowledging his thoughts. "The position of Chief Cabinet Secretary, to put it bluntly, is about managing the Cabinet on behalf of the Prime Minister."
"Communicating policies up and down, facilitating exchanges between official departments - all fall within this position's scope."
"Rather than Chief Cabinet Secretary, it might be more accurate to call it Deputy Prime Minister. Even when the Prime Minister is abroad on visits, the domestic Chief Cabinet Secretary is practically equivalent to the Prime Minister."
"Normally, this position is held by the Prime Minister's most trusted person, but if the Prime Minister cannot control the Chief Cabinet Secretary, then the situation becomes quite clear."
"Undermine the Prime Minister and use the advantages of the Chief Cabinet Secretary position to cultivate our people within the Cabinet?"
Hearing this, Kurumi Tokisaki lowered her gaze and smiled lightly at Luo Shu:
"Although your reasoning is quite thorough, why do I always feel there's some mischief hidden in this?"
Luo Shu glanced at Kurumi Tokisaki, who said this, seeing her smiling face examining him, then slightly raised the corner of his mouth:
"Caught me, huh?"
Kurumi Tokisaki raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile: "So what exactly are you thinking, Luo Shu?"
"Nothing much, just want to try undermining the Prime Minister for a few years, then see if we can put Chika in that position."
As he said this, Luo Shu couldn't help but adopt a serious expression:
"If Chika became Prime Minister, it would probably be quite interesting, don't you think?"
Hearing this, even someone as unflappable as Kurumi Tokisaki had her face freeze.
Making Chika Fujiwara Prime Minister?!!
Thinking of that chaotic being who acts recklessly, and then imagining her in the Prime Minister's seat, Kurumi Tokisaki couldn't help but blink:
"Rather than interesting, I think you might need to visit a neurologist."
What kind of mind would come up with the idea of making Chika Fujiwara Prime Minister?
"Moreover, saying that Daichi Fujiwara is more suitable for the role of Chief Cabinet Secretary – you're essentially just trying to use Chika Fujiwara's own father to keep a leash on Prime Minister Chika Fujiwara and prevent her from causing too much trouble, aren't you?"
"You've really gone to great lengths to prop Chika Fujiwara up!!"
Faced with Kurumi Tokisaki's smiling rebuttal, Luo Shu stroked his chin and turned to Origami Tobiichi beside him:
"Is my idea really that delusional?"
To this, Origami Tobiichi replied expressionlessly:
"No, I think your idea is quite feasible."
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately turned back and retorted to Kurumi Tokisaki:
"See? Plenty of people agree with this!"
'The "plenty of people" you're referring to is just Origami Tobiichi, isn't it? And given Origami Tobiichi's personality, wouldn't she agree with whatever you say anyway?'
Kurumi Tokisaki couldn't be bothered to criticise Luo Shu's behaviour anymore. She sometimes thought her own ideas were quite chuunibyou, but she never expected Luo Shu to be even worse.
Chika Fujiwara was only 16 years old – she hadn't even reached the minimum age of 20 to run for Prime Minister – and this guy was already preparing for her campaign.
Unbelievable.
Just then, Origami Tobiichi nodded and said:
"Having daily relations with the Japanese Prime Minister at the Prime Minister's residence does sound quite interesting."
"Moreover, having Mr Daichi Fujiwara serve as Chief Cabinet Secretary is a brilliant idea."
"With this arrangement, Luo Shu, you could play with Chika Fujiwara all day long at the Prime Minister's residence without affecting state affairs."
After saying this, Origami Tobiichi raised her index finger towards Luo Shu:
"Truly a genius idea!"
Hearing this, Luo Shu fell silent.
Especially under Kurumi Tokisaki's teasing gaze, Luo Shu remained silent.
'Was Origami Tobiichi some kind of mind reader?'
"Origami, sometimes, even if you've guessed something, you don't necessarily have to say it out loud."
As Luo Shu said this, he fixed Origami Tobiichi with an intense stare.
To this, Origami Tobiichi calmly replied:
"If you want me to keep quiet, I suggest using a stick."
"Preferably one that can automatically grow larger or smaller."
Hearing this, Luo Shu's mouth twitched. "Do you want it that badly?"
"Yes."
Kurumi Tokisaki couldn't quite handle the conversation between the two and quickly made an excuse:
"It seems Takatsuki Izumi and the others haven't arrived yet. I'll go hurry them along."
Upon hearing this, Luo Shu glanced at Kurumi Tokisaki's expression of wanting to escape, but didn't try to stop her, simply nodding as he said:
"Alright, that works. Make sure to bring Giada and the others back with you, so they don't cause any more trouble."
"Then, I'll take my leave~"
Kurumi Tokisaki maintained a straight face, lifted her skirt slightly, and with elegant poise, gradually sank into the City of Devouring Time.
After Kurumi Tokisaki left.
Facing Origami Tobiichi's unwavering gaze, Luo Shu's face twitched as he beckoned for her to crouch down.
While Origami was busy, Luo Shu, sitting on the sofa, lightly tapped the couch with his index finger, narrowed his eyes, and looked out at the gloomy night outside the window:
"Strange, even though things are basically over, the Calamity Concept lingering in Chiyoda Ward still hasn't dispersed..."
"Is something still brewing?"