[CLOSED] Prefectural Elections Thread

Here's the latest from Akahata's news ticker:

DOMESTIC:

In a surprising turn of events, Hibiki Jana appears to have strongarmed Honda into a coalition with the Socialists. The last-ditch maneuver has drawn criticism from both parties, who have deemed it the "Unholy Alliance".
Jana, apparently keenly aware of this, has responded as follows,

"Make no mistake, comrades: The capitalist is -not- our friend. However, they -are- the enemy of our enemies, and with such stakes on the table it behooves us to recognize their agency. ... We shall have plenty of time to vilify each other once our common foe is defeated."

With the addition of Honda's holdings downtown, as well as Kurume, Nishi, and Hamura, Jana has acquired eighteen (18) districts for the Socialists.

INTERNATIONAL:

From a timely editorial: "Pravda and Japan maintain a precarious balance of power in Northern East-Asia. On the one hand, they repeatedly bested us at Khalkin Gol, and their political territory forms a natural encirclement around our holdings in Manchuria. On the other, their navy is largely obsolete, and their logistical effort is concentrated entirely upon the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which lays in range of our land artillery. ... Advantage goes to she whom attacks first. However it is doubtful that either party would commit themselves to such a long, costly, and potentially unwinnable conflict."

Genji: "It looks like... we have ourselves a winner after all. By tradition, I hereby have all voting stations closed down across the nation immediately. Lucia Konohana, on this very day in the 19th day of the tenth month, year 2017 in this ultimatum official announcement, after attaining only 12 prefectures, but has bested everyone else, you are as head of the Royalists party declared the winner."

Lucia: "It is an honor, your Majesty."

Genji: "You will do well to reign my country in your name, seems a lot of people love you more than me. But, this title no longer serves me any purpose, so I am handing this crown over to you now." she takes off her crown and places it on Lucia's head. "You are the first official Empress of Japan for life."

Lucia: "Thank you."

>They both hugged in the midst of incoming 24-33 km/h gusts from Lan, a super typhoon that is about to hit the capital by the weekend.

>Genji is stepped down from the palace, and Lucia Konohana immediately takes over the throne, starting her reign anew as the First Empress of Japan.

OOC: Final results are here, this election is officially over.

5 months later

< Had a flash of inspiration earlier today, so I'm considering repurposing this as a general news thread. I could make a separate thread if you'd prefer, but I figure these fake news articles are a great way to keep our creativity in shape. ^^

Also, the map might not be accurate when it comes to Japan's alliances. We can talk about that later. c: >

NORTH AMERICA/JAPAN (Reuters): After considerable deliberation, the heads of state of both North America and the Greater Japanese Empire have mutually agreed to withdraw their Montana and Yamato-class Super-Battleships from their bases at Guam and Truk Island. This directive, signed on the birthday of Japanese Crown Princess Konohana, forms the capstone of a vested effort to ease military tensions and facilitate cultural exchange between the two great powers.

Below: A North American Montana-class Super-Battleship, NAS Louisiana.

< ... >

Below: Hong Meiling (紅 美鈴), General Secretary of the Communist Party of China.

However, many of North America's ideological and economic allies (light blue) have criticized the agreement as being "too soft" on the Japanese. In particular, Chinese General Secretary Hong Meiling blasted it as "blatant hypocrisy", and "an affront to the concept of a united left." In response, President Cordelia Thompson has assured North America and her allies that the partnership is strictly to prevent another major war so soon after the Abyssal Crisis, and that North America has no plans of lifting the multilateral embargo on the Japanese.

Japan's European allies (light yellow) have yet to make any comment.

Backlash wrote

< Had a flash of inspiration earlier today, so I'm considering repurposing this as a general news thread. I could make a separate thread if you'd prefer, but I figure these fake news articles are a great way to keep our creativity in shape. ^^

Also, the map might not be accurate when it comes to Japan's alliances. We can talk about that later. c: >

-snip-

I'm sorry, but until I can confirm that the NN debate doesn't end up in Republican hands next month, which unfortunately they won't even budge, I can't do it. shrugs and shakes head

Even if I am able to get the next prefectural election into circulation, chances are, the popularity of turnout votes can be so low (or lack of participation) that the citizenry simply don't care about politics at all or turn into their devices and computers to cast votes.

6 months later

The prefectural elections for 2018 is about to start tomorrow, but the rules have changed so that instead of garnering prefectural votes, we now use regional votes. Two candidates at first will outvote each other in their starting region, then attempt to outvote other regions' candidates until reaching a five to three majority vote. There are now eight regions to choose a candidate. Only ONE out of the sixteen is the heiress to the throne due to a diminishing bloodline, although it is possible to topple the Lucian Dynasty by any other candidate. Here's the list, their ideological positions, and their goals in north to south order.

Deadline is not until November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving.

HOKKAIDO REGION
Kazehaya (Moralist Democrat) - Wants the people of Hokkaido to behave in a prudish way yet follows the free path.
Image no longer available

Urotsuki (Centrist) - She's a true dreamer, yet she tends to doze off at inconvenient moments and inspires the people to make their own decisions to fulfill their dreams should she pass her campaign. She is also a lover of cats.
Image no longer available

TOHOKO REGION

Oki (Democratic Socialist) - Already made a strong foothold in the initial polls, her high scores in the university are proof enough to make a point to her foreign friends back in America to spread the cause of socialism throughout the known lands.
Image no longer available

Tamai (Conservative) - Having gained the respect of her selected party as early as 16 in high school, her endorsements allow her to take control of the podium and participation in debate room conversations with her native trash-talk attitude and disdain for religion to make herself a fearsome rival.
Image no longer available

KANTO REGION

Homura (Libertarian Militarist) - Her extraordinary magical feats and slow aging in the past aren't enough to make her a highly respected candidate, it's her calm, yet cold demeanor with her devotion to modern technology and shielding augmentations that makes up for it. Her home city is situated in Mitakihara, Kanagawa, which is thought to be the most technologically advanced city in the world.
Image no longer available

Miya (Left-Wing Utopian) - The current heiress to the throne and not necessarily the last to replace the aging Empress, her compassionate, charming voice, zero tolerance towards any form of violence but in her private moments can be a sadist on the inside. She is also a Tulpa. If she wins, the dynasty will prevail and because of her abundant wealth from the inheritance, she might turn the whole nation around in a completely different way.
Image no longer available

CHUBU REGION

Noya (Liberal Socialist) - A successful working-class college student, having attained A+ honor grades over the past two full years, her expertise in agriculture and economics means she might be more than willing to implement the perfect A.I. program that not even the Empress even knows about if she makes the pass.
Image no longer available

Suga (Liberal Capitalist) - A rival of Noya and a childhood friend, she constantly argues with her over differences in how the economy can shape Japan's future, yet she is a respected college student with a similar path towards a free populace.
Image no longer available

KANSAI REGION

Honda (Capitalist Mega-corporation CEO) - A major leader in the auto manufacturing industry, she won't stop at nothing to take her chances in passing the majority to compete better against other automotive industry leaders around the world, even if it means sacrificing a dynasty to become a corporate powerhouse.
Image no longer available

Izumo (Humanitarian Rights Leader) - A prototype HIJMS shipgirl who didn't make it into the final phase of development now turned human rights activist is striving to achieve international fame in promoting Japan's residents and foreigners alike on her soil equality and the right to live without fear of facing prejudice.
Image no longer available

CHUGOKU REGION

Koide (Aristocrat) - A rich woman who can no longer tolerate litter and human waste, as well as not allowing people to walk around her private land along the northern beaches in her Shimane home. She wants to take a step further by privatizing beaches to make marine life easier to roam through, but only if she can make it.
Image no longer available

Mizushima (Liberal Anarchist) - A rebellious young adult grown tired of listening to government news, outlets, and even authority figures that she wants Japan to be as free and entirely two-dimensional as well, but she cares for the people, so she's not entirely out of her mind.
Image no longer available

SHIKOKU REGION

Ametsuchi (Conservative) - Freedom comes with a price, and Ametsuchi is looking forward to clamp down on rudeness within the general populace, going so far as threatening censorship of certain parts of the internet that Japan so much adores for years to comply with international laws when she sits on the throne.
Image no longer available

Samon (Liberal Socialist) - The successor to Jana from the last election allows this high school English expert student to open the airways of the language barrier to all English-speaking peoples of various countries and promoting translated versions of otherwise region-locked games into Western territories.
Image no longer available

KYUSHU REGION

Nitta (Democrat) - Arinori might have left, but Nitta is looking into overturning Tengan's rule over the Ryukyu archipelago and the southernmost island of the nation into hers to continue Arinori's role as a freedom fighter in the political race.
Image no longer available

Tengan (Republican) - She has been served one term as the leader of Kyushu, particularly Kagoshima in the last race, now she is going to serve for one more term again as before. With no changes to what she has done, she won't let her fellow right-wing people fall over their heads over heels to anybody, especially her closest rival, Nitta.
Image no longer available

Alas, my participation in this election might be even more sporadic than last year. I'll certainly try my best for ya, though! <3

Backlash wrote

Alas, my participation in this election might be even more sporadic than last year. I'll certainly try my best for ya, though! <3

Most people nowadays are stuck to their smartphones and computers so there will be far less people physically voting and more likely to vote on the go or at home.

A points system will be used rather than individually counting every single one, so every thousand residents in any given region who voted for a candidate is worth a single point. I am using the most recent available censuses' data to give us players the accurate estimated population count and maximum points contained, rounded down.

First phase of the elections starts later today EST to give time for Japan to sleep.

Hokkaido: 5,526,263 (5,526 points)
Tohoku: 9,010,749 (9,010 points)
Kanto: 42,638,767 (42,638 points)
Chubu: 21,705,592 (21,705 points)
Kansai: 22,450,369 (22,450 points)
Chugoku: 7,430,144 (7,430 points)
Shikoku: 3,878,340 (3,878 points)
Kyushu: 13,205,655 (13,205 points)
Total: 125,845,879 (125,842 points)

LucianDreamer wrote

The prefectural elections for 2018 is about to start tomorrow, but the rules have changed so that instead of garnering prefectural votes, we now use regional votes. Two candidates at first will outvote each other in their starting region, then attempt to outvote other regions' candidates until reaching a five to three majority vote. There are now eight regions to choose a candidate. Only ONE out of the sixteen is the heiress to the throne due to a diminishing bloodline, although it is possible to topple the Lucian Dynasty by any other candidate. Here's the list, their ideological positions, and their goals in north to south order.

Deadline is not until November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving.

HOKKAIDO REGION
Kazehaya (Moralist Democrat) - Wants the people of Hokkaido to behave in a prudish way yet follows the free path.
Image no longer available

Urotsuki (Centrist) - She's a true dreamer, yet she tends to doze off at inconvenient moments and inspires the people to make their own decisions to fulfill their dreams should she pass her campaign. She is also a lover of cats.
Image no longer available

TOHOKO REGION

Oki (Democratic Socialist) - Already made a strong foothold in the initial polls, her high scores in the university are proof enough to make a point to her foreign friends back in America to spread the cause of socialism throughout the known lands.
Image no longer available

Tamai (Conservative) - Having gained the respect of her selected party as early as 16 in high school, her endorsements allow her to take control of the podium and participation in debate room conversations with her native trash-talk attitude and disdain for religion to make herself a fearsome rival.
Image no longer available

KANTO REGION

Homura (Libertarian Militarist) - Her extraordinary magical feats and slow aging in the past aren't enough to make her a highly respected candidate, it's her calm, yet cold demeanor with her devotion to modern technology and shielding augmentations that makes up for it. Her home city is situated in Mitakihara, Kanagawa, which is thought to be the most technologically advanced city in the world.
Image no longer available

Miya (Left-Wing Utopian) - The current heiress to the throne and not necessarily the last to replace the aging Empress, her compassionate, charming voice, zero tolerance towards any form of violence but in her private moments can be a sadist on the inside. She is also a Tulpa. If she wins, the dynasty will prevail and because of her abundant wealth from the inheritance, she might turn the whole nation around in a completely different way.
Image no longer available

CHUBU REGION

Noya (Liberal Socialist) - A successful working-class college student, having attained A+ honor grades over the past two full years, her expertise in agriculture and economics means she might be more than willing to implement the perfect A.I. program that not even the Empress even knows about if she makes the pass.
Image no longer available

Suga (Liberal Capitalist) - A rival of Noya and a childhood friend, she constantly argues with her over differences in how the economy can shape Japan's future, yet she is a respected college student with a similar path towards a free populace.
Image no longer available

KANSAI REGION

Honda (Capitalist Mega-corporation CEO) - A major leader in the auto manufacturing industry, she won't stop at nothing to take her chances in passing the majority to compete better against other automotive industry leaders around the world, even if it means sacrificing a dynasty to become a corporate powerhouse.
Image no longer available

Izumo (Humanitarian Rights Leader) - A prototype HIJMS shipgirl who didn't make it into the final phase of development now turned human rights activist is striving to achieve international fame in promoting Japan's residents and foreigners alike on her soil equality and the right to live without fear of facing prejudice.
Image no longer available

CHUGOKU REGION

Koide (Aristocrat) - A rich woman who can no longer tolerate litter and human waste, as well as not allowing people to walk around her private land along the northern beaches in her Shimane home. She wants to take a step further by privatizing beaches to make marine life easier to roam through, but only if she can make it.
Image no longer available

Mizushima (Liberal Anarchist) - A rebellious young adult grown tired of listening to government news, outlets, and even authority figures that she wants Japan to be as free and entirely two-dimensional as well, but she cares for the people, so she's not entirely out of her mind.
Image no longer available

SHIKOKU REGION

Ametsuchi (Conservative) - Freedom comes with a price, and Ametsuchi is looking forward to clamp down on rudeness within the general populace, going so far as threatening censorship of certain parts of the internet that Japan so much adores for years to comply with international laws when she sits on the throne.
Image no longer available

Samon (Liberal Socialist) - The successor to Jana from the last election allows this high school English expert student to open the airways of the language barrier to all English-speaking peoples of various countries and promoting translated versions of otherwise region-locked games into Western territories.
Image no longer available

KYUSHU REGION

Nitta (Democrat) - Arinori might have left, but Nitta is looking into overturning Tengan's rule over the Ryukyu archipelago and the southernmost island of the nation into hers to continue Arinori's role as a freedom fighter in the political race.
Image no longer available

Tengan (Republican) - She has been served one term as the leader of Kyushu, particularly Kagoshima in the last race, now she is going to serve for one more term again as before. With no changes to what she has done, she won't let her fellow right-wing people fall over their heads over heels to anybody, especially her closest rival, Nitta.
Image no longer available

Hurray, continuity! For real, it's super-awesome to see some familiar faces in the race. You can expect my first posts very soon! ^^

I'm also rather pleased you referenced previous candidates from the last round of elections, especially my darling Jana. Wherever they are, I hope they're all doing well. <3

OOC: I guess I have to start my turn, looks like it is my chance to save my dynasty.

20/9/2018, Ginza, Tokyo
18:00 hours, rainy, warm

>Miya is running late into the big opening speech because of heavy traffic on her way to work from neighboring Chiba prefecture, which is the reason why she had to park her '96 Subaru in an unused parking lot building and cover it in tarp to shield it from excess water. Her mind is running with thoughts non-stop, but it should not impede her quest to become the next person in taking the throne. Unlike her aggressive counterpart Konohana in which she spouts imperialistic opinions on everything outside of the country, Miya herself is more relaxed and lets her mind speak out for herself.

>A crowd of people might have been watching her for moments, even minutes, is she expecting autographs, is she going to be attacked? No, but more likely they want to jump on her with divided words and will try to push her motives in the wrong direction. She finally breaks the silence and speaks.

Miya: "Oh, you're expecting me? Mind my lateness; I could blame the shoddy pothole or that touring bus behind me trying to make a turn to block my way."
Citizen 1: "Day by day with the same excuse isn't persuading us to shove you in with papers and other vague proposals to change this, change that."
Citizen 2: "Yeah, and what with that shiny new boots of yours? Are you filthy rich or what?"
Miya: "Psst, sock off on that, just being vile doesn't change my ways, you know better than that."
Citizen 2: "Exactly, you're getting the point, miss-"
Miya: "Mistress Miya, Ōjo of the whole land, yet a Daihyō of the metropolitan block."
Citizen 3: "Is this how you talk to us like that?"
Miya: "E e, sonotōri."
Citizen 2: "If you're willing to prove us that you're into ruling this land, and not that sickly Empress of yours, why not you take a look of my protest papers."
Miya: "You want me to ochitsukaseru on your rents and give you a sense of purity?"
Citizen 2: "Ha ha, double the truth spoken and right on point!"
Miya: "I'll have it snatched from your hands and take a good look at it later."

>As Miya attempts to go for the second citizen's proposal papers, a fourth resident interrupts her from across the street, running with a briefcase on both hands.

Citizen 4: "Wait, Mistress! Aren't you going to help us more with your charity runs, I felt a shaking from kilometers north from weeks ago!"
Miya: "Yes, I felt that too. It's just nature's way of running her course. I might help them this winter like I did with the Ryukyu tribes."
Citizen 4: "Excellent, Mistress!"
Miya: "Now, if you sumimasen, I am very late to my work in the palace. Yoi tsuitachi."

>Miya turns around, already soaked deep from the rain along with her umbrella she quickly walks back into the parking lot away from the crowd's eyes, closes the red umbrella, moves the tarp off her vehicle, and attempts to start her engine.

20/9/2018, A kissaten Kochi-shi, Shikoku Region
1:00 hours, cloudy, warm

September of last year seemed close at hand to Samon today. She reckoned she'd remember that turbulent autumn for the rest of her life. There were magnificent highs, pitiful lows, and moments wherein she found herself clasped between anger and fear, and through it all she'd emerged a changed woman. Stronger, smarter, and most importantly, alive and well.

But this was more than she could say for some of her comrades. She had taken holiday from her studies that fateful week to travel to Niigata, and found herself in the thick of the crowd when the first shots rang out. As she turned about, her foot caught a rock embedded in the hardened mud, and she might've surely been trampled had a figure not stepped in front of her.

He had been a striking figure to behold. A young warrior-monk from the area, clad in bright orange robes and carrying a naginata. His head was bald, his skin was tawny and gleamed in the sun, and every inch of his body was thick with taut muscle. He effortlessly planted his feet and split the flowing crowd, like a wuxia master might have parted a coursing river. Then, when the crowd had dispersed, all that stood past him was a wall of armed policemen.

He looked over his shoulder and spoke, "Daijobu?"

To which Samon could only stammer "H- Hai!"

"Good. Run."

But Samon could not. She was still dizzy, and captivated by the mythical visitor before her. Seeing this, the monk fixed eyes upon one of the policemen that was charging towards them with a baton. There was a great deal of shouting, and the policeman readied for a swing. But in place of the monk's head, the baton found empty air. Instead the monk had effortlessly sidestepped the swing, and in a moment that had been burnt into the stuff of Samon's mind, had skewered the policeman in a profusion of blood.

It was only then that she realized the gravity of the situation she'd found herself in. The monk again shouted for her to go, and this time she obliged. She looked back often as she barreled towards the trees, but the monk soon disappeared into a swarm of policemen. She never heard anything about him again.

Samon herself wondered if the whole story was apocryphal. Yet the officer had died - she'd carried his blood all the way home. Regardless, to say the incident had left an impression on her would be the understatement of ten-thousand years. She regretted not having her camera handy, but she'd painted the incident directly from memory, and analyzed it countless times.

Today, she was ready to share those conclusions. But first, a chance encounter with a friend from high school.

Fujimoto: "Yoo, Akarin! Is that you?"

Samon's eyes widened. She hadn't heard that voice in years.

Samon: "Akko..?"

She looked up from her papers, and a bewildered smile swept across her face.

Fujimoto: "In the flesh~. Long time no see, hun! How've ya been?"
Samon: "Heheh. Irreverent as ever, I see. I've been well, just somewhat tired of things."
Fujimoto: "Tired of life?"
Samon: "Just a little. I... regret to say, my father passed away last week."

Instantly, the grin left Akko's face. It returned as a very small smile as she sat beside Akari, held her hand with both of hers.

Samon: "It's... fine. These things happen."
Fujimoto: "I'm terribly sorry to hear that though... Are those papers for the procession?"
Samon: "Not quite, though they'll do my old man just as proud. They're speech notes for the rally today."

Akko seemed surprised, though she kept herself from appearing too chipper.

Fujimoto: "That's wonderful, sweetheart. I'm so happy for you. What's your platform?"

To Akko's surprise, Akari was already smiling again.

Samon: "Well... To put a long story short, love, I'm tired of tradition being the territory of the far-right. The Social Democratic party did a good job of letting Japan's culture determine its own trajectory, but ultimately these were tied to economic incentives. I'd like a worker's Japan, built by working hands, run by working minds. The new administration has done a remarkable job, and I'm angling to keep them around. But now the time has come for our peoples to take one final step."

Hereupon Akko's ears perked up. Something had changed about her old friend. She leaned closer, but in return Akari shook her head and peered out the window.

Samon: "I'll bet I could go on for hours about my ideals. Suffice to say, they come from the heart. You'll hear them proper in good time."

22/9/2018, Isumi, Chiba, Kanto Region
07:00 hours, mild, overcast

>Since Miya did not have the time nor the energy to make the big opening speech due to her unusual lateness from the unexpected traffic jam back in Tokyo, she made the long drive home, tired, and possibly hungry. She takes the long nap until dawn, and after settling down on her homemade sushi, she decides to have a meeting with an interviewer from the local news station. The interviewer in question cannot be named for anonymity reasons just outside her home.

Interviewer: “Hi, you must be Miya, right?”
Miya: “Yes, but I proclaim to be the mistress in line.”
Interviewer: “Now, what are your recent claiming reasons for the throne?”
Miya: “Destiny might have it on my eldest relative, Konohana, she’s terminally sick. Normally, her bodily condition was super healthy, phenomenally healthier than I ever witnessed it in my life, but upon noticing her face that has… aged rapidly, I knew that I called her hospital in Kazamatsuri City to look after her. ”
Interviewer: “Ouch, that is a disaster, is she going to hold on herself?”
Miya: “Sadly no, she’s constantly in supervision, and I was going for a big speech in Tokyo two nights ago when I encountered a traffic jam and have to stop somewhere nearby. I was actually going to the hospital myself to have a converse with her, but she rather in their special care than me.”
Interviewer: “Now, before you go, do you know anything regarding the rumors of a supernatural force with a known opposing party?”
Miya: “Not on my knowledge, sir, but thanks for asking.”
Interviewer: “We’re letting you on your way, then, uh, Mistress.”
Miya: “Thank you and yoi tsuitachi.”

>The interviewer walks away back to the news station, and Miya proceeds towards her car heading towards the port city of Chiba, where she will make up for the missed opening speech inside a restaurant that is currently hosting a book club meet with some of her familiar friends she met in the past few years.

~* * *~

22/9/2018, Chiba, Kanto Region
11:00 hours, mild, sunny

>Miya’s old friends never tire of a conversation with her since her days at school, yet none of them is as wealthy unlike her, and she generously accepts them. What is surprising to her is that her older sister Maya wants to ask her for forgiveness, thinking it would be her last redeeming quality from future bickering. Those green eyes, brunette hair, and sometimes bearing a grin are her recognizable traits.

>When Miya almost steps inside the book club event in a 90’s style restaurant, Maya is the first to sense her and runs at her with a cheery glow on her face.

Maya: “My sister is here? SISTER! Anata wa koko ni iru!”
Miya: “Watashi no saiai no chīsana shisu, Maya-san.”

>As the rest of Miya’s friends look upon the two in surprise to see them reunited after a year and a half, they make a small applause with additional cheer.

Maya: “Watashi wa okotta subete no nochi de anata o wasureru koto ga dekimasendeshita.”
Miya: “Ā, watashi wa kazoku no sawagi o shitte imasuga, itsumo watashi no me no naka no egao no on'nanokodesu. Watashi wa shitsureidatta to omoimasuga, jōhin-sa wa sokonawa rete shimaimashitaga, soreha nanika ga sore ni fusawashikunai toki ni kazoku ga kakawaru hōhōdesu.”

>One of Miya’s friends offers her a signing in to get her into the club, and she gladly accepts it. However, as soon as Miya gives the club’s yearbook back, she has something important to say to them.

Miya: “Hey, I know you all from the school and didn’t missed you, but I appear to be of high status and would kindly ask for your support, especially my elders.”

>This then causes all of her friends to stop cheering, replacing their moods with a mixture of concern, and sadness.

Miya’s Best Friend: “Why, Miya? Aren’t you going to stay in the book club with us?”
Miya: “I turn out to be the youngest daughter in line of someone very influential I didn’t even know for that long and she’s having serious health issues.”
Maya: “Nanite kotoda. Kanojo wa nani o shimashita ka?”

>Miya closes her eyes for a second, takes a deep breath to gather some thoughts under pressure, and then speaks softly.

Miya: “My elder ruler… has stopped taking medications to preserve her youth and hasn’t eaten anything for a while. When I saw her face a week ago, she isn’t what I used to see in years, aged, withering, and her eyes a bit blurry. Luckily, I called her hospital, but as luck would have it, she might not be returning to her usual self anytime soon.”
Maya: “Noooooo, watashi no shin'ainaru chōrō!” She tries to hug Miya, but she is confident that she can move on without her
Miya: “Sumimasen, ōkina imōtodesu. Kanojo wa iku hitsuyō ga aru, kanojo wa toshiwototteiru ga, sukunakutomo kanojo wa watashi ga shihai suru no o tanoshimini shite iru."
Miya’s Best Friend: “Umm, I mean to ask you of this Miya.”
Miya: “What do you have in mind?”
Miya’s Best Friend: “Well, I know you’re well-off, but we can help you secure your position for your family. We’re a small group, but our campus will definitely help you with a fundraiser, it’s starting tomorrow, we’re so excited to do this!” She returns the bubbly, cheery glow
Usui: “Yeah, we’ll help!” The rest of the group quickly nods up and down with returning smiles in agreement
Miya: “Thanks, but apologies for this… interruption.”
Usui: “No, no, you’re all welcome, Miya! We’re your old friends! You need anything, ask us, especially me! Oh silly me, I forgotten to give you my little pick-me-up note, there you go.” She hands a very small note to her.

>Miya bows down and her friends bow too. She promptly leaves the restaurant on her way to Tokyo, hoping that she would not miss the big opening speech this time.

What she might not know of during the whole time spent conversing is that there is someone else also in the same city, hiding in the shadows, if Miya were observant, it could be someone with long wavy black hair.