Partnership Negotiations, an Old Hand in Politics / Undercurrents, the Struggle for Power
He saw a new notification pop up in the System Bar, regarding the price change of Sakayanagi Arisu Stock.
[Because of your plan, Sakayanagi Arisu deeply moved. She can no longer suppress her feelings and wants to stay by your side forever. Sakayanagi Arisu Stock price has risen by 60, currently at 260.]
"Wow... such a big increase?"
The girl, her face flushed, leaned against him, exhausted. Hashiba Hikaru gently straightened her school uniform.
Chapter 758 Cooperation Negotiation, an Old Man in Politics.
After the cross-grade joint exam, there were still quite a few chain reactions among the first and second grade students.
After all, the way partners were chosen was a two-way selection process, and after going through this test together, many seniors and juniors have built very good friendships.
Of course, there are exceptions, such as the group of people chosen by Tsukishiro.
Although Amasawa Ichika became partners with Sakura Airi, she actually had no interest in this beautiful senior. Instead, she kept pestering her to find out about Hashiba Hikaru.
As for Hashiba Hikaru's partner Yagami Takuya, he never appeared in front of the boy again after the exam, and it is unknown whether he was brewing some plan or had completely disappeared.
"That junior from Shiraishi asked me to go shopping again today. It feels like I have another little sister now."
Ichinose Honami and Ando Sayo were chatting. The junior student, Shiraishi, was her partner in this exam. Shiraishi's grades were pretty good, and she had a cheerful personality.
"Haha, that's because Ichinose is always very popular with girls."
"That's right, that's right."
"Compared to this, I've heard..."
Hashiba Hikaru had no interest in listening to the girls' gossip; instead, she opened her phone and looked at Koenji Rokusuke's chat window.
After agreeing to cooperate with him, the young man waited for the other party to contact him.
Still no news?
The boy rubbed his temples. In any case, he was now in a passive position, and the waiting process was always difficult.
As afternoon approached, Hashiba Hikaru got up to head to the Student Council, and just then, Koenji Rokusuke's message finally arrived.
Koenji Rokusuke: I have already contacted someone who needs money to help him advance his position. He is a partner of the Koenji Family and is trustworthy.
Hashiba Hikaru: Did you give him my contact information?
Koenji Rokusuke: I've already given it to him. He'll probably call you before 6 PM today. How you handle the negotiation process is up to Hashiba Boy's own abilities.
Hashiba Hikaru: I understand.
After putting down her phone, Hashiba Hikaru's mood instantly improved.
If the other party can really help him make this happen, that would be the best outcome.
In the Student Council President's office, Hashiba Hikaru summoned two people this time: Sakayanagi Arisu and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
"So, is negotiation necessary today?"
"Yes, I heard that the other party is currently active in politics and needs money."
Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka standing beside her, "If the cooperation can be successfully reached, perhaps Chairman Sakayanagi can return sooner."
Do you need me to provide intelligence?
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's mind worked quickly. After listening to Hashiba Hikaru's explanation, he understood why she had called him over.
"Yes, before this call comes in, I need Ayanokoji to tell me everything you know, including... your father."
Looking at the expressionless boy in front of him, Hashiba Hikaru remained calm.
He had long noticed something: although Ayanokoji Kiyotaka seemed like a person with little emotional fluctuation, every time his father was mentioned, the other man would clearly show different emotions, which would be very obvious when compared to his father.
"..."
"Can."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka paused, his expression somewhat off, but he still nodded.
"Then please tell me the intelligence first, so that I can take the initiative during the negotiations later."
Over the next ten minutes, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka recounted all the information he knew, including how his father founded the [White Room] and how he entered politics.
He knew some of it long ago, and others he learned through a loyal butler.
"I see, that's about right."
After piecing together the information known to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Sakayanagi Arisu, Hashiba Hikaru had a fairly clear understanding of the situation. It was clear that Ayanokoji Atsuomi's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a powerful figure was far from easy.
Because this road is difficult to travel, that man is definitely not someone to be trifled with; he may be the most formidable enemy he will ever face.
"Do we need to stay here during the negotiations later?"
Although Sakayanagi Arisu was called in along with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, she didn't stand to the side. Instead, she sat on Hashiba Hikaru's lap as if no one else was there, a position she was already used to.
"If it's relatively early, you can listen to it; after all, we're partners who'll advance and retreat together."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled. If Sakayanagi Narimori could return sooner, his pressure would be less, and he would be able to do his own things more easily.
"Then let's wait."
Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at her phone; it was only a little past four o'clock, more than an hour before the time forecast given by Koenji Rokusuke.
So, for the rest of the time, the trio stayed together in Hashiba Hikaru's office.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood by the window, gazing at the scene on the distant playground, while Sakayanagi Arisu was pressed close to the boy, her eyes closed and leaning against his chest. Hashiba Hikaru was browsing the School Forum on her phone, her expression indifferent.
After a while, a pleasant telephone ringtone sounded in the quiet office, instantly attracting the attention of the three people.
"Hello."
Hashiba Hikaru answered the phone, Sakayanagi Arisu looked up, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stepped right over.
"Is that you, Hashiba- kun?"
Who are you?
When the call connected, the other person's voice sounded like that of a frail old man, carrying a sense of vicissitude, but his tone was not low at all; on the contrary, he sounded very energetic.
"My name is Higashiyama Majo. I currently do some clerical work at the Ministry of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Communications. I wonder if you've heard of me?"
"Of course I've heard of him. Mr. Higashiyama is a very decisive educator. I admire your ability and determination."
Hashiba Hikaru has done a lot of research these past two days, learning about the experiences of many famous political figures.
"Don't flatter me. The young man from the Koenji Family has already told me about your affairs. I heard you're planning to deal with Ayanokoji?"
"... You could say that."
"Haha, that guy is quite clever. From Naoe to Kijima, everyone else kept retreating, but he managed to keep going up. That's a skill in itself."
Do you find it difficult?
"... Of course there are difficulties. After all, he's not a newcomer. Politics is about cooperation; breaking ties can have many consequences."
The old man on the other end of the phone spoke calmly, "Hashiba- kun, why don't you tell us your real demands first? What... exactly are you planning to do?"
"..."
After a moment of silence, Hashiba Hikaru answered.
"I hope that Chairman Sakayanagi of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, can come back."
"That's all?"
"Yes."
Hashiba Hikaru had already sensed the other party's attitude. This Mr. Higashiyama and Ayanokoji Atsuomi were both active figures in the political arena. It was impossible for them to be irreconcilable enemies; at most, they would just clash.
Since that's the case, let's just back down for now; there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future anyway.
"That's simple then, I'll send someone to handle this."
Higashiyama paused for a moment, then continued, "I heard that Hashiba has made quite a bit of money in the stock market recently. As for me..."
"There are a total of 1 billion yen. Consider this my contribution to the new plan I proposed to Mr. Higashiyama. After all, what you are doing is beneficial to the people."
This is just Matoba talk; you can't be too explicit about donating money, so this is the only way to express it.
"Haha, Hashiba- kun is a really straightforward young man. Don't worry, I'll help you get this done."
Higashiyama let out a hearty laugh and said...
"If Mr. Hashiba intends to enter politics in the future, he may come to me at any time."
Thank you for your kind offer.
Chapter 759 Undercurrents, the Struggle for Power.
Is that enough?
After hanging up the phone, Sakayanagi Arisu looked up at Hashiba Hikaru's face.
"That should be about right. Since Mr. Higashiyama is a long-term partner of the Koenji Conglomerate, he shouldn't go back on his word. I'll transfer the money to Koenji Rokusuke, and then I'll leave the rest to him."
Hashiba Hikaru sent a text message to the burly blond man on her phone, then smiled at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sitting opposite her, "Ayanokoji, if Chairman Sakayanagi could come back, the pressure on your end should be much less."
"I hope so."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka thought for a moment. When that man first came here, it was Sakayanagi Narimori withstood the pressure and prevented him from forcibly taking him away.
If Sakayanagi Narimori could return and take full control of the school, there would be another way to solve the problem.
"I also hope it can be completed smoothly. It all depends on Mr. Higashiyama's abilities. Let's wait for news."
Hashiba Hikaru patted Sakayanagi Arisu's small hand, gesturing for the girl to get up from her lap.
"Get up first, it's almost time, let's go have dinner."
"Um."
After the silver-haired girl stood still, her small hand still resting on Hashiba Hikaru's body. Having listened to the entire negotiation, she was now eagerly anticipating the day her father would return.
"Ayanokoji, would you like to come along?"
"I won't go; I have some things to do."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shook his head. He was currently working in the Student Council's Club Management Department, and he was usually quite busy with a lot of things to do.
"That's settled then. Let's just wait for the outcome."
Hashiba Hikaru's voice was gentle, "We'll formulate a new plan once Chairman Sakayanagi returns."
"Clear."
Despite his advanced age, Higashiyama Majo remains active in politics and maintains a highly disciplined lifestyle.
After the Koenji Conglomerate transferred the promised 1 billion yen to Hashiba Hikaru, a smile appeared on his aged face as he stared at the extra money in his account.
"Heh, it's amazing that an ordinary high school student can get so much money. Young people these days are really something else."
The old man poured himself a cup of tea and then called his secretary over.
The secretary was a young man in a black suit, with a respectable appearance, and probably around thirty years old. After entering the room, he bowed very respectfully at a ninety-degree angle.
"Teacher Higashiyama, what can I do for you?"
Who are the members of the School Board of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School?
"The Sakayanagi Family, the Kujo Family, and the Konoe Family."
The secretary answered without any pause; this was part of his daily routine. He couldn't afford to need to think when Professor Higashiyama asked a question; that would be a dereliction of duty.
"The Kujo Family? That's Ayanokoji's recent business partner, no wonder..."
Higashiyama Majo stroked his gray beard and squinted as he spoke.
"Help me arrange a meeting with Konoe Masashi. Tell him I'm feeling nostalgic about the days we spent studying together at Toyo University and I'd like to invite him for drinks."
"Yes, where does Professor Higashiyama plan to meet?"