On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Side Twenty-Three – Fujiwara Shige, Head of Fujiwara House

Shige kept his displeasure deep within, his face impassive, though there was no concealing the anger boiling in his steely gaze. The score or so of men sitting around the table were still arguing after this proposal, splitting into factions, each wrapped up in their own interests. It is quite the disappointment. Just how long must I… no, to dwell on that now is just needless.

Beside him, sensing his fatigue one of his two security guards, the giant half-Japanese and half ‘something’ man, who towered over everyone at nearly half a foot over six feet tall, handed him a mug of coffee. Taking a sip he held in a sigh. Kona. The US president is said to drink little else. It is good, but cannot staunch my worries alas.

“I still don’t know if this is a joke.” One executive was saying. He might be wearing an expensive suit from a well-known London tailor, but it wouldn’t make him look anything but a balding man trying to appear important. “Surely this must be some sort of test, right, right?” he was appealing to the other executives, who like him, almost to a man, were wearing similar attire, with expensive watches and ties, each striving to show off how impressive and essential they were. It is enough to make me despair. Still, there were a couple of exceptions.

“Enough, if you really think Fujiwara-dono would do such a pointless thing, I worry for your sanity.” The man, Harada Koji was saying, trying to rein in the quarrelling. “Just because we did not see it coming or think it impossible, if we are asked to do this, then we should respond with our best efforts.”

If only Koji-kun was my son… he was currently the acting leader of policy decisions in the Fujiwara group, and at his words a half-dozen around the table nodded agreement.

“Yes, Honoured Father wouldn’t lie to us.” a man in his fifties said. His hair was dyed, and his suit was extremely extravagant, paired with a watch that Shige had given him on his twentieth birthday, quite the antique. Yet I note he has had it restored. Typical. Too fearful of me to wear a different one, but too proud not to have it changed to his tastes.

“Indeed, a very good point Hidemasa-sama!” one oily executive agreed, trying to earn points with him no doubt. “It is wisdom like that which shows you are indeed Fujiwara-dono’s oldest son. I don’t see Kazuhito-sama here. could he… not make it to such an important meeting?”

“No, I fear he had to work. Apparently he is meeting a Russian delegation regarding international co-operation on trade or some such. A worthy goal no doubt, but…” Hidemasa said doubtfully.

To think I’d have lived so long as to have to deal with this. Barring Koji-kun and another man who was standing almost unnoticed in the shadows, everyone here was a Fujiwara family descendant, from either the main or the branch lines. Once that meant they would be resolute, powerful and dedicated to the country, but over the last few generations, since the war… If only we had not engaged in such folly. All three pillars that supported Japan nearly fell, and after the rebuilding… Decadence was proving even more destructive than outright war…

Gesturing to his imposing guards, simply known as ‘Left’ and ‘Right’, they stood taller, drawing everyone’s eyes. “I find this argument unseemly.” Shige said, his voice quiet yet still able to dominate the rich executives, including his son. “While I do not encourage blind obedience, when I give an order I expect it to be treated seriously. Right now, every one of the Fifty-Seven and most of the Three-Hundred will be holding similar meetings and looking at where to go from here. This will be our sternest test since the war, and I have no wish to see us fail here.”

Indeed, after none in the houses of nobility, neither new nor old, had owned up to developing these new abilities, Itsuki, Kira and I decided to establish countermeasures and bring everyone together. It could be the catalyst to either rebuild the nobility back to past glories, or…

“Of course Honoured Father.” Hidemasa gushed. “But still, since none of us have seen or heard of such things… it is hard to comprehend. Still, I am sure we can come up with a plan to satisfy you!”

As more pointless discussion followed, Shige half-listened, while pondering his own plans. How I envy Kira with strong young heirs. He can leave this to them should he wish. As for my sons… one was dead alas, his eldest, who he had invested much effort into raising as his successor. By comparison his other two were left to their own devices, and had become spoiled and rebellious respectively. Still, they had done one thing right.

“How about we survey every employee of the Fujiwara group?” one was saying. “Our subsidiary businesses employ over a hundred thousand people. Surely we would unearth one or two if they exist?”

“Or we could put up a reward? Money will surely move some to come forwards?”

“Yes, that sounds…”

Ugh, I hope the others in the Fifty-Seven have more creativity. And after this I need to meet with the Prime Minister. I can’t leave the Diet in the dark forever, but managing what they know is crucial. International tensions over this…

Luckily plans were already being made, with some possible leads via financial transfers that aroused interest, as well as some hints of suspicious activity that Public Security and the Police could not explain. Still, that would be far from enough…

Maybe it is time to bring in some fresh blood, shake up the decadent young pups that think that I am content to leave the Fujiwara family and the fate of Japan in their hands? Hmm, yes, maybe…

Standing suddenly, Left and Right moved to flank him. Everyone looked up and waited for his words.

“I shall leave you to discuss the matter for a short time. Hidemasa, is your daughter Honoka here?”

“Of course Honoured Grandfather. She is delighted at the thought of seeing you.”

“In that case, I shall take a moment to visit with her. Do continue your deliberations while I am absent.”

Leaving with Left and Right following him, he reached the room where his granddaughter was staying. Gesturing for Left and Right to stay outside, he knocked on the door. A young and elegant voice called out. “Yes, who is it?”

“It is Shige. May I enter?”

“Oh Grandfather, of course!” came back the bright reply, and he pushed open the door, to be greeted by the sight of a young girl sitting primly on a chair, back straight and posture impeccable. She was wearing a school uniform, a traditional sailor-suit type, with a very long skirt and long-sleeved shirt. On seeing her grandfather she smiled, an expression of joy on her beautiful face.

“Grandfather, it has been too long!” she said. Standing, she gracefully walked over to an antique tea-set and began to pour two cups. When she was done she brought one over to her Grandfather.

Taking the tea he sipped it. Perfect as ever. How my Granddaughters came from the loins of my two sons, well it is a mystery as great as these new strange powers that the Shrines advised us of…

“It is most excellent. I dare say you are the star of the tea ceremony club.” He said, placing the cup on its saucer. “By the way, how is school? Are you getting on with the other daughters?”

“Of course, Grandfather.” She nodded, placing down her own saucer. “We speak little, but I have served many during tea ceremonies, and they often come to watch me dance.”

Oh yes, I remember the last dance recital. “And your cousin? Unfortunately Miyu is not present today, as her father has his own matters to attend to.”

Honoka paused, before smiling prettily. “I have little contact with her, as she is in High School, yet during dance classes we do speak. I have no complaints in our relationship. Our bodyguards are sisters, so occasionally we might cross paths elsewhere.”

I… see. It was too late to regret the choices they had made in the education of noble daughters. Itsuki and Kira agreed with me. All nobility benefits when their wives and daughters are true Yamato Nadeshiko. But it is a lonely path, with no room for friendship…

Feeling strangely guilty, he asked a question that had been on his mind more often recently. “Your fiancé has already been chosen, do you not wish to know of him?”

“If you wish to speak of him, then of course I will listen, grandfather.” Honoka smiled brightly, bowing deeply. “I am sure whichever husband you have chosen for me will be suitable for a daughter of Fujiwara house, and I have been training in the bridal arts to be a perfect wife. I know that Miyu feels the same, though her marriage will no doubt come sooner than mine.”

A perfect answer as always, radiating elegance. Still… my old heart does ache. If only my remaining sons… no, I cannot fix what cannot be fixed.

“So, tell me more about school.” He said, and she started talking joyfully, topping up his tea periodically.

How wonderful would it be if one of my granddaughters was chosen to bear this new power? Alas, it was not to be. Still, that gives me an idea… “I am thinking of having a shrine maiden assigned to you and your cousin, to help you understand more about the spiritual side of our country. I believe it will be of benefit to your growth. She will stay by your side, like your bodyguard does. Would you have any objections to this?”

She looked puzzled for a moment, before shaking her head, her long black hair cascading like a waterfall behind her. “Of course not grandfather. I would be honoured to learn anything you feel I should, to make me a better wife and daughter of Fujiwara house. I will welcome this shrine maiden into my life, and listen earnestly to anything she can teach me.”

As he smiled at her perfect response, his mind was whirring. Even if they have not been gifted with powers themselves, if they are guarded and taught by those who do have them, then perhaps… is this what we have been missing in our plans? He would have to owe Takakura-san a favour, but no doubt he would be able to mediate some suitable personnel. They would have to be refined, and able to attend the same school as his granddaughters…

As he pondered he continued to make pleasant small-talk with Honoka. As his time with her drew to a close he left her with some words of encouragement, before being escorted back to the meeting room by Left and Right. Hopefully they would have come up with something useful in his absence. Granddaughters are a joy indeed, and I love them dearly, but their fathers…