Ah, whatever. Who knew which aspect Horikita Manabu would focus on?
For now, I might as well enjoy playing "interviewer" to my heart's content and do my part.
"Wow! That's a pretty good brainteaser."
Ichinose Honami froze for a moment before catching on to the pun. She nodded in realization and obligingly gave it her approval.
"Now then, applicant, here is your second question."
With Ichinose Honami's approval, Tatsuya Sakuya's mind raced, and asking questions came more and more naturally to him.
"If you opened every history book in the world, what would they ultimately be about? Tell me in one sentence."
After a little thought, Ichinose Honami gave a textbook answer that took a broad view:
"History books encompass everything. They tell of the succession of human civilizations."
"Wrong."
Tatsuya Sakuya shook his head without mercy.
"???"
Ichinose Honami blinked her clear eyes, her face full of confusion.
"History books are as vast as an ocean, but four words can sum them up precisely..."
Tatsuya Sakuya let the smile fade from his lips and gave what he considered the answer:
"And those are: fighting to be 'emperor.'"
"Fighting to be emperor...?"
Ichinose Honami paused. She had thought this would be another pun or corny joke like the one about "Donnie Yen," but when she saw Tatsuya Sakuya's serious expression, the relaxed look on her face gradually faded.
"Very realistic, but very cruel too, right?"
Tatsuya Sakuya gently turned the coffee cup in his hand. His tone was flat, like a scientist stating an objective truth, while his listener, Ichinose Honami, listened attentively.
"Thousands of years of human history seem all-encompassing and magnificent.
"But strip away the flowery language and moral disguises, and at its core, it's about plundering resources, moving up the social hierarchy, and endless slaughter to claim