Chapter 78: Conference

Conference

A certain conference was being held at the residence of the Eternal Yoshiwaras on a certain day in December. The family head of the Yoshiwaras, Nanase, Yuuta’s caseworker Tomoe, Yuuta’s previous caseworker Ayaka, and lastly, the boss of Dreamseducers were present.

The one starting to talk after the formal greetings was Boss.

“My warmest congratulations for Aoi-sama and Yuuta-sama having become lovers.”

“Thank you kindly.”

“They have found each other in a wonderful romance, just like Nanase-sama and Takashi-sama.”

“I feel truly happy that Yuuta-sama has answered my daughter’s feelings of love.”

Nanase was a target of admiration and yearning as a woman, even for Boss. She was the one who had accomplished to build a great romantic relationship with Takashi while also being the family head of one of Nihon’s daimyo families.

For Boss as a common woman, Nanase seemed like a person who possessed everything a woman could ever want.

“I hear they’re already so intimate that they could become betrothed to each other at any moment.”

“Hehe, Aoi would certainly like that. But, Yuuta-sama seems to honor the traditional way.”

“So, it’s going to happen during Aoi-sama’s birthday next year?”

“As her mother, I would love for it to be like that.”

The next step for a couple, who had become lovers, was a betrothal, but it was the man’s duty to ask for the woman’s hand. Because the confession was likewise carried out by the man, it was up to him whether he’d take a woman as his fiancée or not.

And it was tradition for the man to ask the woman for her hand during her birthday.

“We plan to invite Yuuta-sama over on the Holy Night Festival and accommodate him in the 『Detached Building』.”

“I was allowed to see it earlier. Not only building a room but an entire building for Yuuta-sama…nothing less of the Eternal Yoshiwara family.”

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“I believe Yuuta-sama would end up being very considerate over here. As such, we have prepared a detached building so that Yuuta-sama can enjoy his time with Aoi without any hesitation.”

“I see. It seems like you are understanding Yuuta-sama very well, Nanase-sama.”

“I understand that he’s a gentle man who cares deeply about women. Just like my husband.”

“Today is a great day for me to be allowed to hear you brag about your husband.”

Nanase slowly took a sip from her tea and after another breath…

“How much are you willing to answer me?”

“Before that, are the Yoshiwaras willing to cooperate with Dreamseducers, whom I told you about last time?”

“Let me start with the conclusion: Yes, we will cooperate. Even after Yuuta-sama marries Aoi, the Yoshiwara will cooperate with Yuuta-sama carrying out his activities for your organization. Of course, this only applies as long as Yuuta-sama wishes to do so, though.”

“Naturally.”

“How about the new objective of your organization?” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

“We managed to obtain the approval of the prime minister and the parliament.”

“Those are great news.”

“It is Yuuta-sama’s very existence that has pushed the organization’s activity even further.”

Up until this point, Nanase and Boss only confirmed what they already knew. Both parties had gained an agreement during the preparatory meeting before this conference.

The important part for Nanase was coming after this.

“Yuuta-sama is very important for us, the organization and Nihon. I heard he suffered a high fever during last year’s New Year’s Eve.”

The one answering Nanase’s question was Ayaka.

“Yes. I, as his caseworker back then, nursed him.”

“What sort of sickness was it?”

“The result of the examination…says it was a cold.”

Nanase looked at Tomoe who was sitting next to her. For Tomoe, who belongs to Nihon’s Male Control Department’s Male Supervision Section, the vice-prime minister basically counted as superior, even if she wasn’t her direct superior. Moreover, Nanase was the family head of the patrons of Tomoe’s family.

“Even the records I took over mentioned a cold.”

Tomoe had been allowed to be present on this occasion as a woman from the Yoshiwaras. It didn’t change her being a caseworker of the state, but the two sitting in front of her weren’t here as representatives of the state, but as representatives of Dreamseducers.

“Did Yuuta-sama suffer a high fever due to a cold?”

Nanase faced Boss.

“No. The results of the examination were changed upon my order.”

Boss mentioning this meant that she had confirmed Yuuta’s will on this, Nanase judged.

“So what sickness was it?”

Her agitation caused Tomoe to speak faster than usual. Nanase, on the other hand, didn’t stop Tomoe. As outcome of her investigations into Yuuta, she had concluded that there must be something more about the current Yuuta then the eye meets.

“It wasn’t an illness.”

“Not an…illness?”

“Nanase-sama, Tomoe-san, you have heard about Yuuta-sama’s headaches, correct?”

“Yes… Yuuta-sama lost consciousness during the night of his class’s trip in October.”

Back then, none of them, including Aoi, knew about Yuuta’s headaches.

“You talked about the incident on that occasion, didn’t you?”

“…Yes,” Tomoe answered with a tear-choked voice.

The three other people in the room knew that Tomoe was blaming herself for that incident and thus no one in this place criticized her for bringing it up.

Yuuta had been attacked by headaches so strong that he fainted during his class trip and the trigger for all of it seemed to be the conversation about his past incident. This was a huge piece of information for Dreamseducers.

They didn’t clearly understand why Yuuta had those headaches. Was it an after-effect on the personality transplantation? Or did Yuuta have some sort of brain issue? Although he had been examined in one of the organization’s hospitals, the results showed no abnormalities. They believed that Yuuta’s headaches were deeply related to the incident, but since he also had headaches besides that, they couldn’t pinpoint the incident as the sole reason for them.

Even so, the organization had labeled that incident as the biggest reason while rejecting the idea of brain complications or anything like that.

Boss passed on the details which she had discussed with Yuuta in advance.

“You might say that Yuuta-sama’s memories…heart and soul were hurt by that tragic incident. As such we carried out an operation to seal the memories during New Year’s Eve last year.”

Neither Nanase nor Tomoe could immediately react to Boss’s words. They pondered how to interpret what she just said.

The one speaking up first was Nanase.

“Are you saying you manipulated Yuuta-sama’s memories?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“H-How could you!”

Understanding that they had basically done something to Yuuta’s brain, Tomoe raised her voice in anger.

“We suggested it as a method to Yuuta-sama, who used to stay at home all the time back then. In the end Yuuta-sama himself decided to go through with it.”

“Pushing such a decision on a junior high boy is crazy!”

Nanase held back Tomoe with a hand.

“Was that a suggestion you made while considering your organization? Or one you did while considering the country?”

“The organization. But, the prime minister was informed of it as well.”

“What about the parliament?”

“We would have been troubled if too many people knew about it, so…”

“I see.”

She had briefed the prime minister on it, but didn’t get the approval of the parliament.

“So it wouldn’t be wrong, even if I called it…human experimentation?”

“I would think so.”

This time it was Boss’s turn to slowly sip on her tea before looking at Nanase and adding, “After all, it’s not like it doesn’t exist.”

Nanase comprehended the meaning behind Boss’s words. Though the same probably couldn’t be said for Tomoe and Ayaka.

“You say it was worth it for Yuuta-sama?”

“The prime minister and I concluded it to be.”

“If we just look at the results…I guess it’s good you went through with it.”

“That is what I firmly believe.”

Nanase took another sip of her teat to calm her heart. Meanwhile silence dominated the room.

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“Could you pass us the documents pertaining to Yuuta-sama…and especially the ones related to memory manipulation?”

“I’m very sorry, but we cannot do that.”

“I see…”

Nanase intended to build a friendly relationship with Dreamseducers for Yuuta and Aoi’s sake. She could also appreciate the objective of their organization, which had been explained to her beforehand. Nanase believed that it was a good thing for Yuuta to help with Dreamseducers’s activities.

But, she couldn’t easily accept the things she had been told about Yuuta just now.

“Is it possible to manipulate Yuuta-sama’s memories again?”

“I have heard a report, stating that it’s impossible.”

“You can do it once, but not twice?”

“Yes. The one in charge said it was a one-time thing.”

The worst for Aoi and the Yoshiwaras would be Yuuta having his memories manipulated again, resulting in him stopping to be today’s Yuuta and breaking off the relationship with Aoi and the Yoshiwaras.

Nanase wasn’t willing to believe the boss’s words on it being a one-time thing.

The option of breaking the connection with Yuuta-sama at this point is non-existent.

Aoi and Nanase didn’t consider distancing themselves from Yuuta, even if his memories would be manipulated once again. If they were going to take a distance from someone, it would be Dreamseducers.

Nanase judged that it’d be possible for the Yoshiwaras to protect Yuuta if necessary.

However, it probably won’t end with just a small scar.

The prime minister also knew about Yuuta. They hadn’t obtained the approval of the parliament for the memory manipulation, but the goals of Dreamseducers were acknowledged by the parliament as they were for the sake of the society, which was experiencing change right now thanks to Yuuta’s activities.

If they tried to separate Yuuta from Dremaseducers, it’d result in the Yoshiwaras facing off against the state.

The thing necessary to protect Yuuta-sama… Avoiding a clash with the state and Dreamseducers…

“Tomoe-san.”

“Yes.”

“Would you listen to a request from me for Yuuta-sama’s sake?”

“If it’s for Yuuta-sama, I will do anything.

After hearing Tomoe’s reply, Nanase told the boss with a strong and powerful voice, “Please approve of Tomoe-san acting as a spy.”

“…A spy, you say?”

“Yes. She will continue to be employed in the First Section of the Male Supervision Department, but the employer will be me. Our family will also pay for her wages. Please pass this on to the prime minister as well.”

“…I see.”

“Please keep Tomoe-san as Yuuta-sama’s public caseworker. No need for a change there.”

“What about behind the scenes?”

“Isn’t Ayaka-san suited for that side? I think it’s also convenient for Ayaka-san to handle it.”

Boss slowly drank her tea while listening to Nanase. Once again the room was filled with silence.

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“You are going to cooperate with the normal Service Activities and Dreamseducer’s activities as long as they conform to Yuuta-sama’s will, correct?”

“Of course. We won’t go against Yuuta-sama’s wishes. However, please allow Tomoe-san to always accompany Yuuta-sama during your organization’s activities. If she is unavailable, our family will choose someone else to take her place.”

“What if Yuuta-sama refuses for Tomoe-san to accompany him?”

“Wh-!?”

Tomoe couldn’t stay quiet to this question of Boss.

“Why would Yuuta-sama be against me coming with him!?”

“Tomoe-san, calm down.”

“Ugh! …Y-Yes.”

Seeing Tomoe, who’s always calm and gentle, getting so enraged, Ayaka apologized in her mind.

Sorry for being unable to tell you the full truth.

“Why do you think Yuuta-sama would refuse for Tomoe-san to accompany him?”

“I think that would be Yuuta-sama’s wish at present.”

“At present… I see.”

Nanase discerned that Yuuta still had no intention to tell them the whole truth.

“You think that this is doubtlessly Yuuta-sama’s will, right?”

“Yes.”

Nanase didn’t think that Ayaka would lie about Yuuta’s wishes in this place. After all, it would be immediately exposed, once Yuuta told Aoi the truth. Nanase didn’t consider the other party foolish enough to take such risk for no real gain.

“I understand. In that case, please allow Tomoe-san to always accompany Yuuta-sama, if he wishes for it.”

“As you wish.”

For now we’ll wait and see how things turn out with this.

The Yoshiwaras didn’t change their stance of wanting to build a cooperative relationship with Dreamseducers. As long as Yuuta was working with Dreamseducers.

“By the way, are Yuuta-sama’s headaches and fainting an after-effect of the memory manipulation?”

“That is very likely. However, there are no problems with his brain.”

“A part of Yuuta-sama’s memories has been sealed… Seeing how I can’t take a look at the documents, I can only make guesses, but there’s really no impact on Yuuta-sama’s body, right?”

“I guarantee you that Yuuta-sama’s body is as healthy as it can be.”

Tomoe interjected, “Yuuta-sama has received two medical examinations after entering high school. I didn’t accompany him because those were Medical Examination Services. Did you prepare the hospitals who performed the medical examination?”

“Yes, that’s correct. We haven’t tampered with the examination results in any way either.”

Even so, the Yoshiwaras couldn’t just say, “Ah, okay, got it,” and be done with this.

“We will request Yuuta-sama to receive another medical examination in a hospital arranged by us.”

“Okay.”

Yuuta had received an examination in a nearby hospital when he collapsed during the trip. Afterwards he had also received an examination in a hospital run by someone close to the Yoshiwaras. But, all of this happened before they knew what they know now.

As such, Nanase couldn’t feel safe unless Yuuta got thoroughly checked from head to toe to see whether there are any problems with his health.

“Since you have sealed away his painful memories, we mustn’t talk about that incident in front of Yuuta-sama, right? Why did you keep that information to yourself!? …Wouldn’t it have been fine to tell us!?”

Tomoe’s anger was directed at Ayaka.

Yuuta had spent his day full of life as if that incident never happened. It had been Tomoe’s blunder to carefreely talk about the incident in front of Yuuta, even if the memories of it have been sealed away.

She had no intention to look for excuses or shift the responsibility for this.

But, she couldn’t suppress her fury about not having been told about this for Yuuta’s sake.

“Tomoe-san…forgive me,” Ayaka said with a trembling voice while bowing deeply. “I didn’t know either?”

“You didn’t know?”

“We didn’t precisely know the cause of Yuuta-sama’s headaches. Though I had suspected that it might have something to do with that incident.”

“W-What do you mean by that?”

“Up until now the headaches went away as soon as they occurred with the pain being momentary.”

“Huh? Up until now, you say…? Did Yuuta-sama have headaches before that?”

“Yes. Sometimes. We didn’t know why those headaches occurred either. At one point I also talked about the incident with Yuuta-sama, but back then he didn’t feel headaches so strong as to faint from them.”

“T-Then…”

“Him fainting from his headaches was a first for us as well. Going by the times when the headaches occurred until then, we thought it might be related to women in some way instead of that incident. Of course, we immediately thought that there might be some sort of issue with his brain and had him examined at the hospital. But the results showed no problems with his brain.”

Tears rolled down Ayaka’s cheeks as she explained with a quivering voice.

“Seeing how I couldn’t talk about the thing with Yuuta’s memories, telling you…”

“I see…so that’s how it is… Forgive me for yelling at you.”

“I truly deserve it…”

Yuuta had recovered from the incident and was actively taking part in Service activities. Tomoe had returned to being Yuuta’s caseworker after having previously been his caseworker during the incident. Telling her to not speak about the incident in front of Yuuta would just be digging up old wounds. Moreover, they truly didn’t know the exact reason for Yuuta’s headaches.

“We ended up talking about that incident….so I mentioned that woman’s name.”

“Suzune-san…was it?”

“Yes. I mentioned Suzune-san’s name…in front of Yuuta-sama.”

Being asked by Aoi, Tomoe had mentioned that name.

Each of their positions was different, but the Yoshiwaras and Dreamseducers wanted both to resolve the issue of Yuuta’s headaches.

Having silently listened to the conversation between Ayaka and Tomoe, Boss and Nanase looked at each other.

“We will share any information about Yuuta-sama’s headaches.”

“Our side will also inform you as soon as we learn something new.”

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Boss and Ayaka left the Yoshiwara estate and returned in their car.

“Ayaka-san.”

“Yes?”

“I take full responsibility for the matter with Yuuta-sama. You don’t have to take it upon yourself.”

“Okay…”

“We couldn’t tell them about the personality transplantation, but let’s wait until Yuuta-sama’s consciousness settles down.”

“Okay.”

“But, although this is nothing more than my own conjecture, I believe Yuuta-sama might think it’s not necessary to tell them.”

“Eh?”

“Remember what you told Yuuta-sama after he met with Lilith.”

“What I told him?”

“Yes, that the personality transplant has succeeded.”

“Ah, yes…I did tell him that.”

“This might have been a statement to calm Yuuta-sama, but I believe that it might actually be the truth.”

“The result of the successful fusion is today’s Yuuta-sama.”

“We have merely been guessing what sort of men lived in the Old World from the records left behind by them. In the end it looks like the Old World man is dominant within Yuuta-sama’s personality, but neither us nor Yuuta-sama himself know whether all of Yuuta-sama’s thinking is based on the values and memories of the Old World man.”

She has a point there, Ayaka thought.

Even if Yuuta-sama currently regards himself as the Old World man, the memories of the old Yuuta still exist within him.

“Yuuta-sama might believe that he’s trying to recognize himself as single entity, and not just the previous Yuuta or the Old World man. So he made the decision to hide the personality transplantation.”

“I see… I think so as well.”

“His painful memories had been manipulated; considering he came up with this pretext himself, the actual problem lies with the memories about that incident.”

“Yes.”

“I think it’d be best to never touch upon that matter ever again. Or maybe he must resolve something. I don’t intend to pressure him into making up his mind on this, but it’s necessary to keep investigating this issue.”

“You mean Suzune-san?”

“Let’s discuss whether we have to go that far.”

“…Okay!”

Ayaka renewed her determination to properly accept responsibility for her own wrongdoings.

I don’t plan to use Dreamseducers or Boss as a way to run away. I’ll do everything in my power for Yuuta-sama’s sake!

Seeing Ayaka’s face after she renewed her determination, Boss breathed out in relief. It was her who had decided to carry out Yuuta’s personality transplantation. The proposal itself came from Lilith, but Boss gave the green light to go ahead with it.

Making sure that Yuuta-sama can live soundly…that’s the atonement I must go through. I have to remove all of Yuuta-sama’s worries without fail. That incident is important as well, but there might be value in investigating Lilith a bit as well. She’s the central person in a top-secret project of Nihon. And although she belongs to Dreamseducers, the one who introduced her originally…’

Ayaka and Boss felt guilty in regards to Yuuta. In Yuuta’s eyes both were his patrons who have been guiding him in this unknown world, so he probably doesn’t want them to feel guilty.

But, the two would likely continue to think of it like that. For the rest of their lives…for the sake of Yuuta.

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On the other hand, Nanase and Tomoe talked with each other after Boss and Ayaka left.

“Just as I told you earlier, I would like you to act as a Yoshiwara spy within the Male Supervision Department, starting today, Tomoe-san. Please make sure that your surroundings don’t find out about you being a spy who has been approved by the prime minister and vice-prime minister.”

“As you wish.”

“In regards to Dreamseducers, we will form friendly relations with that organization just as decided.”

“Okay.”

“The organization itself is worth supporting. But, we cannot fully trust all their actions when it comes to Yuuta-sama who is to serve as the core of their new activity objectives.”

“Yes.”

“Tomoe-san, please protect Yuuta-sama by staying at his side when Aoi isn’t around.”

“I shall protect his life, even if it costs me my own.”

Nanase stared into the eyes of Tomoe which were filled with determination.

“There is no need to be overly suspicious of that organization. It’s a hindsight-based opinion, but if not for their activities…Yuuta-sama wouldn’t be here right now.”

“…Yes.”

As far as Tomoe was concerned, she couldn’t agree to that from the bottom of her heart, but the incident could only have happened because of her mistake. Dreamseducers having rescued Yuuta from being a shut-in and Dreseducers having done something inexcusable to Yuuta; those contradicting realities threw Tomoe’s mind and feelings in disorder.

Seeing Tomoe like that, Nanase said with a gentle voice, “The Holy Night festival is right around the corner.”

“Indeed.”

“Please take care of them while we spend the night outside.”

“I feel deeply honored.”

Nanase planned to participate in the Holy Night festival with Takashi and Mizuki. The three would spend the night elsewhere on that day.

Yuuta, on the other hand, was slated to visit the Yoshiwara estate and stay the night. Though he didn’t yet know that he wouldn’t stay in the main building, but the detached mansion that had been built for his sake.

Nanase asked Tomoe to stay at the main building while she was out of the house.

“Tomoe-san.”

“Yes?”

“You have a candidate for childbirth, don’t you?”

“Y-Yes.”

A candidate for childbirth refers to a man with connections to the family whose task would be to ensure Tomoe remains a high woman. If she could get that man to approve of her as a lover and bless her with his child, Tomoe and her child would be able to continue as a high family.

Tomoe’s family had promised the male candidate that Tomoe would waive her right as lover and that they’d hand over a big amount of money.

The promise to turn a woman into his lover and to have several rounds of sex to produce a child, if the man asked for it, and in some case, artificial insemination with the man’s sperm, if he didn’t request it; this was the true state which was being tolerated for the sake of allowing high families to maintain their status.

It wasn’t as though all high families could use such a method though. If they didn’t possess a fair amount of influence and money, it’d be impossible for them.

Tomoe’s family had the power to make it happen. Tomoe herself had saved most of her wages and thus she planned to pay the money, which would be given to the candidate, by herself.

If the common women knew about this situation, they’d probably be disappointed. The high womenere admired for the standard procedure of a woman falling in love with a man, her getting married to him, her getting him to have sex with her, and her giving birth to his children. Yet, in reality a part of the high women was doing this without love, dreams, or hopes, their sole purpose being the continuation of their high family.

“I wonder, could you tell your mother to show up next time?”

“Eh? S-Sure.”

“Please tell her that I have a request.”

“As you wish.”

If she heard that the Yoshiwara family head Nanase wanted to see her since she had a request, Tomoe’s mother would rush over as early as tomorrow.

I wonder what sort of request it is?

As the question had shown on Tomoe’s face, Nanase said with a smile, “A good relationship with Yuuta-sama. I’m looking forward to it.”

“P-Pardon…?”

Because it was only natural as his caseworker to build a good relationship with Yuuta and gain his trust, Tomoe couldn’t quite understand the meaning behind Nanase’s words.

Looking at Tomoe being so thickheaded, Nanase…

Tomoe-san didn’t have any luck with men, or maybe she didn’t notice the interest by the boys at all? Her insensitivity in these things reaches levels of ridiculousness.

Nanase partly gave up on Tomoe then and there.