Toru stepped into the room and saw an energetic old man kneeling on the tatami mat, sipping tea.
When the old man saw Toru, his eyes lit up. He quickly set his tea down and beckoned, "Toru, come here, come here. Let me get a good look at you."
Toru walked over. Though he wasn't used to kneeling, he followed local custom and knelt on the tatami.
The old man studied him for a few moments, the more he looked, the more pleased he became.
Perhaps due to age, the old master had long since shed his youthful sternness and now acted more like a mischievous elder. He said with a smile, "Here, try this tea. It's good stuff, hard to come by."
He reached out to pour Toru a cup, but then slapped his forehead in regret. "Ah, look at me. I'm getting old and forgetful."
"You young people these days don't like tea. What would you rather have? I can have someone bring it."
As he spoke, he was already about to call the butler.
Toru shook his head. "No need to trouble anyone. Tea is good. I like both coffee and tea."
The old master immediately poured a cup and handed it over.
Toru accepted the cup respectfully with both hands and took a small sip.
It was indeed high-quality tea. The taste was mellow and sweet, and the person who brewed it had excellent technique, bringing out a rich and concentrated flavor.
Seeing Toru drink with proper manners, the old man's smile deepened. Once Toru put down the cup, he asked casually, "How's life in Tokyo?"
"It's good. That Western-style house is quite nice and comfortable."
After a brief pause, Toru added, "...I'm not living alone anymore. My sister from America has come to Tokyo and is staying with me."
The old master nodded. "Is that the little girl who came with you? Is she in school yet? Do you need help with the enrollment procedures?"
"How about Shuchiin Academy? You studied there for a year too."
The butler had already told the master that Haibara had come with Toru.
"She's still getting used to things here. I'm arranging a private tutor for her. Once she's more settled, she can start school."
That was the excuse Toru used.
In truth, Haibara had no interest in going to elementary school. It would be a complete waste of her time.
"In the Fujiwara, you also have an older sister and two younger sisters. They all have good personalities. You should try to get closer to them."
"You mean Chika and the others? I met them already. Their personalities... well, yeah, they're nice."
Toru's expression turned slightly awkward.
The old master laughed loudly, clearly aware of his granddaughters' eccentricities. "Their personalities are a bit odd, but they're good girls."
Toru agreed on that point.
As daughters of the Fujiwara, none of them showed the arrogance or entitlement of typical spoiled heiresses. It spoke to how strict the family's upbringing really was.
"What do you plan to do after graduating from Tokyo University?"
The old master asked the question cautiously.
Toru intended to enter politics directly. If possible, he would get involved even before graduating.
But that couldn't be said too openly. Instead, he needed to make the Fujiwara believe he was doing it for the family's sake.
They already owed him a lot. Framing it this way would keep him free from unnecessary family interference.
"After graduating, I originally planned to return to America."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the old master's eyes dimmed.
But Toru immediately followed up. "...But, if the Fujiwara needs me, I can do something else. I've gotten used to life in Japan."
The old master's expression brightened again. He smiled. "You still have three or four years until you graduate. We'll talk about it again then."
That was enough for now. He didn't want to push too hard.
After a short pause, the old master carefully broached another subject.
"Toru, the family might arrange a marriage for you."
"Don't rush to say no. It's just a formality. If you already have someone you like, you can stay with her. The Shinomiya family won't interfere."
"Oh, yes. The marriage is with the Shinomiya family. As long as you have a child with the girl from their side, the requirement will be considered fulfilled. Neither the Fujiwara nor the Shinomiya will expect anything else from you."
"I've already discussed this with your adoptive father, Spencer, and he agreed."
Toru stayed quiet for a moment, frowning slightly and pretending to be displeased. "I don't want the family deciding everything for me."
No matter what the situation, he couldn't appear too accommodating. Otherwise, people would think he was easy to control. Even if he intended to agree, this was the time to express his stance. Only then would the Fujiwara take his decisions seriously.
"No, no, the family won't interfere too much. Aren't we asking your opinion now?"
The old master immediately softened his tone.
Mainly because Toru was truly capable. Even without the Fujiwara, he could still do extremely well on his own.
More importantly, if Toru got annoyed, he could just return to America and thrive there.
"Do you have a photo?"
The old master was caught off guard by the question. Then he reacted and said to the butler, "Bring that photo of the Shinomiya girl."
The butler quickly left and returned with a phone. He scrolled and handed it to Toru.
The photo showed a beautiful young woman with snow-white skin and a noble air. Her long black hair and cold demeanor gave her a reserved, elegant presence.
The old master asked with a smile, "How is she? She's quite pretty, right? The family wouldn't pick someone unattractive for you. What if the child turned out ugly?"
Toru was amused by the remark.
Kaguya Shinomiya wasn't just "pretty." She was an absolute beauty. When her hair was down, she had a quiet, refined aura, like a princess hidden deep within the palace.
"Well, what do you think? Will you accept it?"
"Yes."
"The Shinomiya family will also be attending tomorrow. Shall we arrange for you two to meet?"
"Alright."
Toru accepted the marriage proposal calmly.
The old master was even more delighted. He drank several more cups of tea and muttered that if he weren't so old, he would've had a few drinks.
Toru stayed with the old man all afternoon, keeping him company and making him laugh heartily.
That evening, the Fujiwara held a family dinner.
Toru sat beside the old master.
During the dinner, Toru actually spoke a lot with his uncle, Daichi, Chika's father.
Unlike Yoshitaka, Daichi was more like a scholarly gentleman, with a mild temperament and no desire for political power.
Because of this, though he was the eldest son, he didn't inherit the Fujiwara's political resources and became a diplomat. Meanwhile, Yoshitaka rose to a cabinet position.
Toru had been planning to build stronger ties with the Fujiwara. Naturally, he was good at socializing and quickly controlled the rhythm of the evening.
As for his biological father, Toru's attitude softened slightly.
And even that small shift in attitude was enough to make Yoshitaka overjoyed. It was like a failed suitor being acknowledged by a goddess. He drank several cups in celebration and was eventually carried away.
The old master also understood that Toru still held resentment toward Yoshitaka. And rightly so. Yoshitaka had abandoned Toru and his mother when he was young. Whatever attitude Toru showed was entirely justified.
Because of that, the old master spent much of the evening scolding his second son, letting Toru's anger vent through him.
...
The next day was the old master's birthday.
The entire Fujiwara estate was decorated with lanterns and banners. The streets of Kyoto were filled with luxury cars. Nobles and officials from all over Japan gathered to attend.
On this day, Toru wore a haori over a black kimono and stood beside the old master, receiving guests ranging from financial magnates to prominent public figures.
"Toru, this is Governor Yamada of Kyoto Prefecture. This is Governor Yoshimura of Osaka. The Tokyo Governor couldn't attend due to a major meeting and sent his secretary instead."
"This is my grandson, Fujiwara Toru. I'm sure you've all heard of him."
"Haha, everyone in Japan knows about Fujiwara-kun by now. It's not like we live under a rock. How could we not know Japan's hero?"
"So Fujiwara-kun is actually your grandson, Master? And part of the Fujiwara clan too. What a talented young man!"
Inside the main hall, guests greeted the old master in order of rank and position.
Kyoto and Osaka weren't far, so their current governors attended in person.
Tokyo was farther away, so the governor and a few cabinet ministers only sent their secretaries.
Although noble titles were abolished in the 1950s, families like the Fujiwara had been passed down for centuries and were deeply entrenched in society.
Even if legal privilege was gone, everyone knew that the connections of these ancient Kazoku families still held immense power.
It was no different from America. Elections might be public, but without the support of key political families, you wouldn't even have the qualifications to run.
In addition to current governors, many Kyoto councilors and House of Representatives members also came.
Those personally received by the old master were the Fujiwara's political allies. This time, the old master brought Toru to meet them, marking the beginning of a transfer of political resources.
With this, the Fujiwara quietly let everyone in their network know that the next-generation heir had been chosen. From now on, Fujiwara Toru would be the face of the family.
After that round of introductions, the old master leaned close and spoke softly.
"The Shinomiya family is here too, but they're not the most important. While wealthy, they're lacking in political reach."
"Before introducing you to them, I'll take you to meet another Kyoto family. They're not Kazoku, but they've held great sway in Japan's political scene for decades."
"You should know them. Their head just stepped down from the position of Prime Minister."
Toru instantly understood who he meant.
The Ōoka clan.
The patriarch of the Ōoka family was the recently retired Prime Minister of Japan.
He hadn't stepped down in glory, though. His term had been short, and the clan was currently facing significant challenges.
(To be continued.)