'Why is it huh?' My father seems to be testing my political sensitivity.
"Because we are outsiders," I answered carefully.
"Oho? Elaborate." Father said curiously.
"For the Hojo clan, who are locals of the region. Our clan's sudden intrusion is like a slap to the face, we are not even natives of the region. Hojo, as the dominant clan for many centuries of this region, had considerable influence and pride as the leader of the region made it always rebel." I elaborated.
The Hojo clan has been dominating the region for a long time already, 'grandfather should have just annihilated' I thought but it seems reckless too.
"Good analysis. So do you think our clan should send a force and ruthlessly put this rebellious clan down?" Father asked but looking at his face, he seemed satisfied by early analysis.
"Apologies! I now think it is pretty reckless, I'm short-sighted earlier! Like father said earlier. We have many enemies and risk being surrounded!" I said truthfully.
"Hmm. Fair." Father noddingly said. He then looked at me and asked:
"Do you know why your grandfather did not annihilate the Hojo back then?"
I shook my head.
He continued: "The nobility(old dissolved samurai clans) may not look like it since their dissolution, but many of them are still powerful and very influential."
"I see. The Hojo is that kind of clan, and annihilating them may anger the other high-born clans." I murmured after realizing it.
I thought the samurai clans had been dissolved or so we thought but legally dissolving them is one thing but removing their influence is another. These clans have ancestral seats and are pretty old. These clans are also Daimyos or powerful landlords back in their day of the Sengoku Jidai. They are very influential, have wider connections.
"And also don't forget the Emperor. Raku, you must have a broad mind, these high-borns hate us because we have low blood, you must be sensitive in the political atmosphere to make the right decision as the future head, understand?" Father said sternly.
'Right, the Emperor too, that guy is a member of the vested interest. As father said, we are not an old samurai clan. If we, "lowborn" annihilated a clan of such. The consequences will be huge!' I thought.
I also felt pressure from my father's expectations of me as the future head.
"Yes!" I answered firmly.
"Good!" Father smiled.
"Then father, how should we approach this matter?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Raku, always remember that with meticulous planning, no matter how long it is, there is no problem that can't be solved. So there's no rush." Father said calmly.
I don't necessarily agree but seeing father's calmness, maybe he already has the way to deal with it and I can't guess it. I'm still immature when it comes to politics.
"I will keep in mind, pops. And also I want to ask permission." I added.
"What is it?"
"My classmates and I will be having a study session here next week." Yep, Tsugumi told me to have a study session together here. I am also excited to meet these manga characters in real life.
"It's fine, no need to ask me for such trivial things. You can invite your friends here whenever you want." Father said nonchalantly.
"Thank you pops!"
---
Issei, Raku's father, now had just permitted his son to allow his friends to visit the residence, he does not mind it.
And Raku then strolled out to leave and Issei is still looking at his son complicatedly.
'My son seems to be politically sensitive? He's also too young, I wonder how he learned to think like that.' Issei is confused.
Issei meant when he said he had him "educated" by shaping Raku's way of thinking and morals. Raku is known to be hardworking, artistic, well-mannered, well-educated in academics, kind, and slow to anger. He can be timid at times or at least that's how Issei sees it because Raku lacks the roughness and boldness of his predecessors.
But today he found out that Raku is in fact, more politically aware than he thought and he is so young. Issei is confused because he never made Raku this way or taught him such things.
He wanted him to have a good childhood or at least enjoy it so he won't blame him because Raku as the future clan head will be very busy.
'At least, my son is more promising than before.' Issei thought. This eases some of his worries at least the clan will have a less reckless head.
---
Walking away from my father, I can't help but heave a huge sigh of relief. My father is not a simple man.
Well, I guess that is expected.
'Are you kidding me? I'm not even a week old here and am I the next Clan head?! Are you for real?' I thought while shocked.
'I'm going to be a yakuza leader! Haha! Let's go!!' Of course, I am pumped up as hell. In my past life, I earned cash by being an underling of a gang, not even an official member of it, and just got the crumbs from the food chain.
'And instantly I am now on the top?! Holy Gucci! I like it! I hope this is real and I won't wake up if this is just a dream.' I prayed, and I'm not even a religious person!
I have a girlfriend now and a future Yakuza leader? Hell yeah! But then I instantly realized the pressure I will get as the future head, the responsibilities must have been a lot!
'But I got money tho.' That's the important thing.
Speaking of money, since I have no money right now, I might as well personally earn myself lots of cash.
'Hmm. Should I write those wacky novels I have read from my past life? I think I can still remember parts of it. And if my theory is correct, many or most of it does not exist here yet, haha! Let's go!'
…
'Uhh, how do you write stories? I have not done that before, what the f*ck.'
'You know what, I'll do something that I know best. Beat people up and get their money! Yeah, that's right! I can't wait for this summer break to end!' I thought excitedly.
I then realized that I still look weak and can't help but be depressed. 'My past body! I want it back.'
Welp, I'll work myself to death! I have 40 days to have some visible muscles. (Very minimal improvements though. A year is needed!)
---
And so the time has passed and it is already Saturday! Remember? I invited my girlfriend for a date!
I also told her to change that picture from her frame. So I thought we might as well go to a photo booth and have a picture there.
I am whistling some melody as I move around my bedroom, doing my thing. Generally looking for something cool to wear.
I must say, Raku's fashion is mediocre, what can I say. I am much better! I am way cooler than him and not lame.
After picking the clothes, I took a bath myself. To be honest, looking at myself right on the reflection of the water. Raku's hair — I mean my hair looked wack.
You are telling me this character got the girls liking him with this hair?! — what are those?!
Maybe I can't relate to the anime-logic, what can I do, I am just a former honorable human being that gets cash unconventionally.
I then opened my phone.
{Me: I'll go there at 9 am, okay? I miss you so much, I am so excited to see my cute girlfriend again! (o^▽^o)}
{Wifey Kosaki: (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄) Me too! I miss Raku a lot! I will be waiting! (≧◡≦) ♡}
I can't help but smile. I will never think that I'll ever use such emoticons but damn it, my heart is pounding every time we texted each other.
'I can't wait to see her again.'