Matoi had already relayed the news to her own squadron by text; partially because they thought Junpei's reaction would spoil it for Ueno.
"(…and after some analysis, they were able to pinpoint his ability as being able to create these consumable Revenants.)" Daishi smiled as the other Ueno students applauded that night. "(Before we celebrate, I would ask that we remain careful over the next month or so, and possibly tonight. Yes, Katuhisa is dead, but there may be other hosts we have not yet arrested, and they may lash out without their leader. There's also the matter of the property damage, though I wouldn't yet worry yourselves with that.)"
"(We saw it on the news -- that awful tsunami.)" said one of the students. "(Daishi, do you think they'll ask us to rebuild near there? I hope we can do something to help.)"
"(It's certainly a concern, but I'll speak with the government tomorrow morning on it. They have their own construction-related professionals, who I've been assured are already working to repair their homes. Junpei, I imagine you'll be needed throughout the night.)"
"(Yes, Daishi.)" he muttered. "Fuck."
Another of the students avoided glancing at Mia. "(Daishi, what will happen with that neighborhood?)"
Daishi nodded. "(It's alright. Yes, it's unfortunate what happened, and almost worse how she has been treated afterwards, but the government is already considering how best to recompense the victims. I'll remind you that had she not done so, it's unlikely Katuhisa would have felt as pressured, with eight hosts in reserve.)"
"(Yes, but have we found out yet why he did all of this?)"
"(That should come in the next weeks, I'm certain.)"
As the rest of her squadron went to their rooms for the night, Matoi talked with the Ueno students into it, and something odd occured after a few hours. Perhaps her own growing drowsiness, she became aware of another figure at the table, and turned to see it was herself looking at herself looking at herself. As she moved her hand, she moved her hand. As she spoke, she did in a heavier Japanese accent.
Over the conversation, she did small things like move her fingers or clear her throat to see if she did as well, until she adjusted her badge, and noticed on it was her name affixed by Japanese for 'Vice-President'. This brought her back to this universe with clarity, and the figure retreated in to the moment as Matoi, formerly deep in a time far from here, allowed her head to crest above it and take initial breath.
A few students had more questions for Daishi before bed, anew in the light of night, and Daishi answered them as he had earlier: with no real specific information, yet put in such a way that reassured them with an illusory sense of control. It's doubtful he even does this intentionally; the man is simply so obsessed with politicians that he automatically adopts their mannerisms in lying to those that give them power, then eagerly give back the contempt they are often granted.
One such politician was Kaoru Sakurai, who some days later, was at his home and being told by his longtime aide: "(Sir, the new polling has come back.)"
Kaoru took his aide's tablet and read over it. "(It's largely what I had expected for the LDP, given how abysmally they've conducted themselves in the previous months. To say that a party should seize upon times of crisis created by their opposition would be so stupidly obvious as to be cliched, but... I believe, in the coming weeks, there'll be much written of evidence conveniently overlooked by the prime minister, had he only been willing to act sooner.)"
"(The assassinations led to quite a loss in incumbency status for the LDP, as well. I'm sure they'll appoint replacements, shortly, but historically, such candidates do not perform as well. Voter priorities have shifted, as well. It'll likely worsen when they decide to tell those residents they can't have their homes rebuilt. Of course, first everyone will need to wring their tears out over Haru. The news has been unwatchable for the past few days.)"
"(Yes, she was quite the ugly bitch, wasn't she?)"
"(Ah, it almost makes me wish for when the American students were in the news. The one with that ridiculous mask, I could do without, but the Japanese one and the other woman were very sexy.)"
"(Quit rotting your brain with tabloids. Those students have the same function in America as our students do here. However aground they may sometimes run on the reef of their ineffectual leaders, one should respect them for that.)"
"(…I suppose they did prevent quite a few deaths, at least. My apologies.)"
Kaoru examined his aide's expression, then seemed excited. "(In fact, I spoke with the Japanese student a few days ago. She was rather pleasant. Oh, we started off by speaking about a tennis match we were watching, but we eventually were on the subject of Murakami. Have you read him?)"
"(A bit, sir. Some of his short stories. I enjoyed the one about the bakery robbers, where they compromise and rob the McDonalds.)"
"(Yes, that's an excellent one. I had told her about this... rather chilling one he had written. It was about this corporate raider, who finds his company in debt as the economy falters. Near bankruptcy, in fact. He finds that consumers have become too static to accept what he produces, too senescent. He's continually mocked by his business rivals, and soon he is at risk of completely losing his wealth and prestige. One day, however, he's... approached by a thug, with his own personal motivations and resources, but what does that matter to his own ambitions?)"
+++
Mia checked her luggage bag for their private flight, having bought every cheap manga magazine - even in Japanese - she could find for Serena on their way out.
Marisa looked into her bag. "Wait, Serena reads Japanese?"
"No, but she wishes she could."
The three looked back at Matoi, who was still speaking with Rin & Daishi; Rin laughed at something she said, then made an exaggerated motion of leaving as Matoi spoke to Daishi privately. "(Something else I was curious about. How has the news responded to Haru's death?)"
"(It's… admittedly, been quite controversial, but I see no reason I won't remain president of Ueno.)" said Daishi. "(I doubt it'll remain in the news for long, given the perpetrator is dead, and most seem eager to blame the civilian police for it over Ueno. Even Japan First, who are usually quite bellicose, have refused to place any blame upon myself or the LDP for it. It's refreshing to see them regain their sense of civility.)"
+++
"(…and after the terrible deeds have been committed, he finds he has begun growing back into his old status. Perhaps not all at once, but his rivals have weakened, and the public finds him receptive towards their own angers. Why shouldn't they? Through the press, he ruins his rivals' images and leaks their movements, here and there, and some of their trade secrets. The thug eventually dies in a shootout with the police, along with it any evidence of the deed. The businessman is safe again. Back to his world of wealth and privilege.)"
"(But does he... eventually turn himself in?)" The aide looked away. "(It seems a- little unrealistic. I don't think a man could live with something like that on his conscience. What good will his success be?)"
"(Well, I said it was a chilling story, didn't I?)"
Someone knocked at the door. The aide went to answer it: it was Junpei, who bowed. "(My apologies if I interrupted you. There's a Revenant nearby - I must evacuate you.)"
The aide looked back at Kaoru, who patted him on the shoulder, and they got in his throne and left.
[END OF ARC: I REALLY THINK SO]