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  Abe Riku, the Prime Minister of Japan, clutched at his nose, a faint pain in his eyes barely suppressed by the painkillers he had taken. Not that it’s that unusual, every day has been a series of headaches retly. I suppose I should be grateful a lot of the problems are the good kind, if there be such a thing…

  Seated in the feren were four very important figures. Fujiwara-san, Ichijou-san and Takatsukasa-san were all there, the heads of the Three Great Noble Houses. In addition, Takakura-san was here was well, in his dark red suit that seemed to be his trademark. We are only missing the Imperial Family. But then, Princess Mikasa is too busy to attend…

  “So, our all-quering heroes return tomorrow. They should be in the air nht?” Riku snorted, remembering what his daughter had called them. Like most people, his daughter and wife were glued to the ce of the events in Britain and the aftermath, even now, getting on for two weeks ter.

  “Yes, and we should prepare to wele them back with the resped honour they deserve. Even if they might not thank us for it.” Fujiwara-san said softly. “Public opinion is… mixed. Though we are fortuhat most of the ire of the public is focussed on a. There are other problematients mixed in, but… we deal with those iime. A dispy of patriotism only help us.” Fujiwara-san was looking remarkably bright ahy, even his skin less wrinkled, and his hair had regained some lustre.

  “Yes, we have a diversity ions here in Japan, but less than two pert are Christian. Thus the religious uhat is troubling Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa is rgely passing us by. There have been some acts, but we mahem.” Takakura-san, the religious liaison said with a smile, which then faded. “Though not all is rosy, I admit.”

  “I don’t know what I’d do if we had religious ixed in as well. I don’t envy the British. Not that it will stop us gouging them for our aid, of course.” Riku decred. “By the way, you are looking great.” he said to Fujiwara-san, following his earlier thoughts, and he was surprised as the normally impcable man looked a little embarrassed.

  “In the end, I was rather forced to get Chirurgery. We had good reasons for refusing, but…” he eyed his fellow nobles. “… I think those reasons are no longer valid. In fact, I find myself able to get far more done, and hopefully I will be able to live to see the end of this crisis, and knoan and the nobility survive onwards into the uain future. You should all suffer the pain too.”

  “It’s all very well, but Akio-kun isn’t as generous as he once was.” Ichijou-san pointed out. “Although…” he grinned happily then. “… we always make a trade.”

  Takatsukasa-san frowned. He had been healed by Oshiro-san, so was aware of both the power and the pain of it. “Giving further cessions seems wasteful. He has already taken so much. Too much.”

  I think he’s still sore about what has happeo Takatsukasa house. Well, more fool him. If he ’t see the bes… Before Riku could speak, Ichijou-san surprised him by speaking up jovially, g Takatsukasa-san on the shoulder, despite his bitter look. “e on, Itsuki. It’s been weeks, you should get over it. It’s not like your blood isn’t iing. Hinata- is yranddaughter too, just from your daughter not your son. Besides…” his smile was wicked. “… there is always the option Hinata- mooted. Sakura- is always avaible…”

  As Takatsukasa-san’s frown deepened, Ichijou-san tinued. “You’re lucky. Akio-kun deeply treasures family and those he likes. So long as you show Hinata- fairness and treat her as family, he’ll look after you and Takatsukasa house, and their children will be heirs with your blood flowing in their veins. Me, I’m just fortuhat my Mayumi is such good friends with Hinata-. We’re tied together in busioo, so… it all works out.” He was smug, but Fujiwara-san interrupted.

  “So long as they survive.” His words were crisp and cold. “First Kyoto, then London. These battles are fearsomely dangerous. One misstep ah cims them, and we lose some of our most potent defenders. We hardly be pt. I worry.”

  “I bet you do.” Ichijou-san said sympathetically. “After all, your Miyu- is one of the Chosen. How is she doing now? Mayumi says she’s blossoming with fidence. Before, Mayumi felt that Miyu- was by no means her equal, but it seems her thoughts have ged.”

  “Yes, Miyu has indeed grown more fident. Fag such dangers, even if Oshiro-san strives to minimise them, will toughen up anyone. Miyu is no different. Fortunately, her role is a defensive one, I am told.”

  “Yes, we don’t know enough about just what goes on in this Boundary.” Takakura-san pointed out. “Though I gather intelligence from those of the faith.”

  “Hinata- tells my Mayumi about it too. While she’s visited the Boundary ahis Territory, obviously she was not exposed to any danger.” Ichijou-san agreed. “From what Hinata- said about Miyu- though, her ability is priceless for building a stroory. I wonder if it might be better to be stronger in battle, like Akio-kun, however?”

  Takatsukasa-san was silent, other than his e with Hinata-san, his granddaughter, Riku knew he had the least influen these matters. It must be hard, having the legad the status, yet being uo arrest the slide to irrelevance. If he was wiser, he would rejoice that his granddaughter is on the up, and rebuild their family. “I’m not an expert at all, but from the information that the Military have gathered on Chosen, as well as Tsumura-san from his daughter, it’s not aher or choice, is it? They grow stronger. Which is both an opportunity, and a danger.”

  “Yes, through training strength be gained, but I am not sure if training ever exceed the gifts the kami provide.” Takakura-san mused. “I hope to find the ahough. Well, my granddaughters will be taking part in more of this training.”

  “Not just them.” Fujiwara-san decred. “We o get more of the nobility involved. Not just our daughter and granddaughters, but sons and grandsons too. To that end…”

  “More cessions?” Takatsukasa-san pined. “We have already given quite enough.”

  “You think so?” Ichijou-san disagreed. “That’s short-sighted. Takakura-san was there at cve, no? Didn’t that girl Eri- demonstrate signifit strength? And she’s most definitely not a Chosen. It’s a shame she’s injured after that mess in Kyoto, otherwise she might rival some Chosen?”

  Takakura-san that. “Certainly pared to some whose forte is not bat-reted.”

  “That is beside the point.” Fujiwara-san decred. “Itsuki, it is time to let the matter go. If it bothers you so much, then suggest Sakura-san to the boy. Though I fear that ship has sailed. He no longer wishes to be burdened with arranged marriages.”

  “I don’t know why, if I was in his shoes…” Ichijou-san smirked. “…I suppose it doesn’t matter. It’s up to Sakura-. She’ll be spending more time with Hinata- and versely with the others. Maybe she’ll fall for him? Who knows. My Mayumi is certainly taken by him… not in that way.” He s their quizzical looks. “No, she’s an inquisitive, curious girl, who has been very bored and stifled by her status and upbringing. But with the ges to Miyu- and Hinata-, as well as the excitement of being able to stand in partnership with Akio-kun, creating a business never-before seen in Japan… it’s ged her, it excites her.”

  “The simple fact of the matter is, we rely too mu what was, not what is.” Fujiwara-san agreed with Ichijou-san. “It is only natural, as in proteg what makes up the core, the heart, the soul of Japaurally look backwards. No, now we must look forward to the future, eyes unclouded and minds clear. Now, if we wish to preserve the best of Japan, we must make it something the Chosen want. More importantly, what Oshiro-san wants.”

  “Better the devil we know, huh?” Riku agreed. After all, Britain has proved that Chosen ’t exactly be trusted, not all of them, anyway.

  “For a devil, Akio-kun is rather charming.” Ichijou-san ughed. “He’s easy to uand as well. He has his bottom line, which ’t be crossed. No disrespect or harm to him or his family and friends. They say that a devil never breaks their word, either, and he does like win-win sarios. It’s good business, really. I find it refreshing to deal with. Shige is right of course. If what he wants is what we want, then there is no flict.”

  “There are other ways to get close to him as well.” Fujiwara-san agreed. “There is his sister, for example.”

  “Hang on a minute.” Riku said, surprised. “Haven’t we just discussed that his family is something that shouldn’t be touched?”

  Fujiwara-san looked at him coldly, and Riku paused, w if he had spoken out of turn. “I know. I am hardly such a fool as tet su important matter. No, I spent some time with him in London, along with my granddaughters, and Katsuro’s family. I believe I uand him quite well. I am not suggesting we propose any sort ement. It is simply that when his sister moves to Tokyo spring, the sons and grandsons of nobility will likely have more ces to i with her. Oshiro-san cares deeply for her, but he will allow her to make her own decisions. Should she find a man she likes, that would hardly hurt our cause.”

  “If that did happen, that man had best not cheat on her or cause her upset.” Ichijou-san said, his expression wry. “He’d be dead if he did. Our sons and grandsons aren’t the best behaved, not like our daughters. That would go as poorly as any flirting with Akio-kun’s women. In fact…” he shrugged. “… I’m rather more worried about adding male nobility to the mix. randdaughters have all done well, but…”

  “There’s too much to gain from his support.” Takakura-san agreed. “Fortunately he was already involved with the true shrines and temples, so even with poor Yamato-kun’s blunders, he has not abahem. But the nobility…”

  “We offer less than the faith does, in terms of support for that other world, the Boundary.” Fujiwara-san tinued. “The Imperial Family has not had many dealings with him, or us. They are holding back, apart from Princess Mikasa, but with events in the United Kingdom, they will likely have to step forward. We… we provide money and influence, but with his new profile, it is hard to admit how easily he could secure financial and political support from elsewhere, should he so desire it. Besides…” his expression was a little grim. “…if he wished to relocate to Britain, I dare say he would be weled by the Queen and their Prime Minister with open arms, after his deeds, and his mother is British. No, we o re-evaluate ourselves.”

  “So, just what is important to us?” Ichijou-san asked and Riku spoke up.

  “From my point of view, it’s the security and peace of Japan as a natiohat defending from fn threats such as a and the USA, or by handling internal issues. We have the protests and occasional acts of spontaneous violence. Worse…”

  “The movement deg that all those Chosen by the kami are abominations and evil.” Takakura-san said softly, drawing their attention. “So far, several shrines have been attacked, though norue ones. In addition, a number of people have been assaulted. If Japan was not sely peaceful, and religious tolerahe norm, it could be much worse. Worldwide, people are calling for a. They fear what they do not uand, and the events in Britaioo loud, too eye-catg, too grim.”

  “If they were to attay Chosen, the attackers would e off worse.” Riku said, but he did uand the dangers. “In addition, we have to decide what to do with our ese prisoners. We’ve put it on hold, as they’ve all been cooperative and sat in prison quietly, but… we have to make the decision soon.”

  “The problem is, they’re fools. Short-sighted fools.” Ichijou-san sighed. “Much as we wish this never happened…” he looked at Takatsukasa-san then, who gnced away, a touch ashamed. “… it did. And even if by some miracle all the world did decide to supress the Chosen, who then would stop what es ? Spiritual beings like Shaeu exist, there’s no ign that. And I don’t much fancy trying to survive an apocalypse without those meant to stop it.”

  “We have already started preparations on that front.” Riku said. “Stockpiling preserved food, water, medical supplies, fuel and more.”

  “Excellent. The nobility will assist.” Ichijou-san agreed. “I suggest we keep major warehouses underground, in the areas Akio-kun and the others trol.” He looked at Fujiwara-san then with a grin. “Your Miyu- gives you an advahere. She protect your estate. In fact, she protect the estates of a number of the nobility, no?” he paused, thinking. “Besides, if disaster strikes, Akio-kun and the others would rush to her aid, which is your aid.”

  “We are getting off the subject.” Fujiwara-san demurred. “I do agree our stockpiles should be located in protected areas. There is a clear liweeory and safety, though the particurs remain unclear. And with pns to use these earth element wielders to secure and stabilise underground facilities, we rest assured of maximum safety. But back to the subject at hand. What do we want? Obviously, we desire pead security.” He echoed Riku’s words. “Those of us who lived through the period after the Sed World War know the sorrows and the losses of times of turmoil. rotect little in such terrible times.”

  “There’s not just that though. Faith, art, culture, what makes Japan a uion.” Ichijou-san agreed. “That means preserving people. Artisans, musis, artists, craftspeople, more. Nothing further be lost. Land be retaken, but certain buildings and locations are priceless parts of our history aage. Those must be defended.” He paused, smiling at Fujiwara-san. “My Mayumi is no dancer, but your daughters, and also Sakura-san, they perform, do they not? At least that be preserved.”

  “Oshiro-san does find Miyu’s dang appealing. Despite being young, he does have some appreciation of culture, although… he has more modern sensibilities.”

  “Don’t all the young nowadays?” Riku sighed. “My daughter certainly does. I’m not sure where she got her foul mouth from, but it’s extremely undylike. I wish she was mraceful like yranddaughters. But no, Japan is not just the old, but the oo. Some aspects might be problematic, but the best of it needs proteg as well.”

  “We gather more Chosen, through the Ministry, and cmp down on crimes and troublemakers.” Ichijou-san announced. “Suzuki Haru- and the others we have gathered have been doing good work, along with the Military Chosen. But we focus most of our efforts into supp the stro. And right now, that’s Akio-kun. He has warned us he ’t guarantee he is or will remain the most powerful, but from events in London, he suits our needs.”

  “Besides, better the devil we know and trust.” Riku said again. “Even if you find another didate to support, yranddaughters are already linked with him, and untangling that would be difficult.”

  “I wouldn’t even dare to try and take Hinata- from him.” Ichijou-san scoffed. “I like living too much. I may be old, but I’m still enjoying life. Besides, I want to see my Mayumi marry, and my great-grandchildren. Though finding a man to put up with her selfishness, of a status she won’t look down on…”

  “That is why you he Chirurgery.” Fujiwara-san emphasised. “We must live to see the end of this crisis, and Japan’s legacy passed on.”

  “I have a suggestion.” Takakura-san said, drawing all eyes. “This charity cert, to raise funds for the victims of Kyoto. Why not… expand it?”

  “Oh, how so?” Riku asked, ied.

  “Involve the faith, sihe public doesn’t uand what is involved. And also Oshiro-san and his group, sihey are the news in the public eye. We show the public that we are not afraid of scrutiny, though obviously we are not publig the abilities and purpose of those Chosen by the Gods. We also wihe young. As the Prime Minister pointed out…” he Riku, aowledging his truths. “… preserving the nean as well as the old is vital, and that means appealing to the culture of the youth. Idols, games, these ics. All are tools we o use. As for the eion, what matters is security, stability, tradition. Both camps be served. After all, new jobs will be created in preparing aing to the ging world.”

  “A good idea.” Riku approved. “I trust you hahe preparations?”

  Takakura-san agreed. “I have es, though I will also require Ministry support.”

  “Well, now that is settled, what else do we o discuss?” Riku said, and as the meeting turo other matters, he held in a sigh. Things are only going to get more difficult from here. Yes, we hold the advantage we are more anised and are starting preparations early, but… just how does one prepare for the potential end of the world?

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