There is a toy building in Ginza with a history of over 100 years, called Ginza Hakuhinkan.
Although it's an older store and can't compare to other large toy stores, it has the advantage of a wide variety of toys and offers free trials.
However, the whimsical little building is just the surface; it is actually the headquarters of the Japanese Ministry of Magic.
Above the 8 floors open to the public, there are actually 18 more floors hidden.
Sam was pushed to the rooftop where he could see by the law enforcement officers, and then forcibly pushed into a storage room filled with fire-fighting equipment.
With a wave of the wand, the door closed, and the interior transformed into an elevator leading to the Ministry of Magic.
The 9th floor is the lobby, which is 5 stories high like a typical building.
Its space is very spacious, with cherry wood floors and walls and ceilings full of Japanese style.
In the center is an incredibly thick cherry blossom tree, its top almost reaching the ceiling.
Sam wasn't in the mood to appreciate the scenery.
The wand and the box used for delivery were confiscated, and the person was taken to the Ministry of Magic.
He didn't even need to think about that owl with the big butt that dared to extort half a month's salary from him; he knew that the law enforcement officers behind him would mistake him for an illegal wizard.
And those officials who come and go, it's one thing to stop and look at him, but could they please stop looking at him like he's a prisoner?
He is innocent; he was simply not notified before the intercontinental Apparition.
"Senior Ito, what has this person done wrong?"
"He is suspected of illegal entry. I'm taking him to the interrogation room now."
The young man talking to Ito looked on with envy, "I really want to pass the law enforcement team's assessment as soon as possible, so that I can be like my senior."
"Keep it up!"
Sam couldn't understand a word they were Grawp.
"Oh, right, senior—" the young man suddenly remembered something.
"Ashiya Department Head has already set off for the Magic Town, and you may have to personally oversee his interrogation."
"A piece of cake." Ito pushed Sam into a passageway.
They stepped onto the circular platform at the end and rose up to the 12th floor, which was slightly smaller.
Judging from the appearance, the Japanese Ministry of Magic has a triangular structure where the space decreases as the floors increase.
Just as Sam was wondering how big the rooftop was, Ito pushed him into a dark little room.
The candlelight lit up automatically, and you could vaguely make out a table and two chairs inside.
Not long after he sat down properly, Ito walked in carrying a bamboo scroll.
"Name?"
"Sam Chavez".
"Gender?"
Sam rolled his eyes at him.
"Answer my question!" Ito's face was grim. "If you refuse to cooperate, we have the right to take legal action against you."
He pursed his lips. "Okay, as you can see, I'm a man."
"Country of Citizenship?"
"United States."
"Profession?"
"Captain of the First Action Team Auror Office, Magical Congress."
Ito, who was using his wand to inscribe the interrogation record onto bamboo slips, looked up.
Is this unkempt appearance really the captain's?
"What is the purpose of coming here?"
"Vacation".
If you're going to make it sound plausible, at least make it believable.
That's it?
Ito sneered.
"Mr. Chavez, what is your reason for using intercontinental Apparition without prior notice and harassing five adult female non-magic beings?"
Sam was stunned.
Why dress like a student when you're all adults?
"I didn't harass them!"
"Is that so?" Ito's smile vanished. "Then what was your reason for illegally entering the country?"
Ugh, what bad luck!
To be honest, I'm afraid of being late if I sleep in, and that would be too embarrassing.
If you lie, you might get Veritaserum waiting for you later.
Although everyone knows about the deal between the Magical Congress and Vincent, it would be shameful to reveal the time and place...
Sam was almost certain Bradley would skin him alive.
Is this Auror captains in the Magical Congress are capable of?
This is an international joke. Chairman Randolph will probably have to personally get involved and skin him alive with Bradley.
"I said it was a vacation."
Sam looked miserable. "If you don't believe me, you can go find Wayne. He's the one who invited me here for vacation, and he even said I had to arrive on time."
"Wayne?" Ito quickly relaxed his clenched fist. "Is it Vincent Wayne, that second-year student from Hogwarts?"
"Yes, yes, that's the kid!"
Thinking about it carefully, it was he who set the date and location of the transaction here.
Oversleeping is wrong, but the culprit is this kid!
"Heh heh—" Ito sneered, "Consider yourself lucky, Mr. Chavez."
Our Ashiya Department Head happens to be attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Mr. Wayne's Gwent flagship store opening.
"That's great!" Sam exclaimed excitedly. "Go and inform your minister immediately; that will prove my innocence!"
"Please calm down, Mr. Chavez." Ito stood up.
"If that's true, we will certainly drop our suspicions about you."
8:40 AM, Shop No. 12, Magic Town.
The Gwent flagship store will officially open soon.
Thanks to the publicity from the Shingu Family's "Daily Wizarding News," the entire Japanese Wizarding World knows about today's grand event.
Even before dawn, a dozen or so reporters were already scattered along the nearby streets.
They occupied the best spots and took numerous photos when the main characters arrived.
This is a day that will surely make headlines.
However, compared to the sea of people outside, the atmosphere inside was unusually eerie.
"It's almost time~" Kenny joked, "Wayne, what kind of surprise have you prepared?"
Vincent remained expressionless. "No rush, we have plenty of time."
Five minutes later, Rinne couldn't hold back any longer. "Who are you waiting for? The ceremony is about to start."
"One person, someone who can somewhat keep the Abe and Ashiya families in check."
She could see a hint of panic on his face.
"Could it be that Auror?"
"Yes, that's him."
"Oh, it was him."
"Who is it?" Kenny and Jennifer exchanged a glance, then both froze in shock.
"That unreliable Auror?"
Vincent remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
"Who is it?" Hermione seemed more anxious than anyone else.
Rinne uttered a name in a dry, labored voice. "Sam Chavez."
After racking her brains, Hermione finally remembered who this person was.
Three people received the Magical Congress Medal of Honor last summer, and one of them was this young Auror.
But if he can receive an award, why would he be unreliable?
"Pfft—" Kenny and Jennifer both burst out laughing, which was quite unkind of them.
Yes, he was tied up Mummy by a group of children, and he was always beaten by his boss. He received a medal but was late at crucial moments.
I knew this person was unreliable, but I didn't expect him to be this unreliable.
Amidst a throng of gazes with varying emotions, Vincent struggled to express his thoughts.