He wore a sophisticated British-style pinstripe suit, complented by a scarf tucked in front of his chest, resembling a British gentleman.
So of the guests around also noticed and moved closer to eavesdrop.
"Regarding the Asakusa Shrine issue, I have no objections on my side," Director Takeuchi cautiously chose his words, speaking deliberately, "but lately, many people have approached hoping I could veto it. So I wanted to take this opportunity to report to the Chairman and seek your guidance."
The onlookers had different expressions upon hearing this.
So were apprehensive, so nostalgic, so angry, and of course, so were just curious onlookers.
Listening to the whispers around, Fujiwara Reya’s expression remained unchanged, standing with a straight posture. From head to toe, he exuded confidence, as if he could completely ignore others’ criticisms.
Mrs. Kasahara looked at Director Takeuchi and smiled aningfully.
Requesting guidance was certainly a diplomatic gesture. This director must have seen his younger daughter getting close to Fujiwara Reya and was unsure of his attitude towards Fujiwara; hence, he ca to sound him out to clearly choose the most advantageous path for himself.
"What does Mr. Fujiwara think?" She slightly turned her head, her gaze seed to pierce through Fujiwara Reya’s body.
"I have no other thoughts," Fujiwara Reya said in an uninflected voice, "my ho is gone, if I don’t rebuild it, should I sleep on the streets?"
"Hmm?" Mrs. Kasahara uttered a gentle sound of puzzlent.
"I wasn’t ho last night, and when I returned this morning, I found my ho demolished," Fujiwara Reya truthfully inford her, adding sarcastically, "soone probably wants to convert my land for comrcial use and rushed to evict overnight."
Mrs. Kasahara’s gaze suddenly beca sharp, looking at Director Takeuchi with authority, as if affirming his underhand dealings.
"No, this has nothing to do with ," Director Takeuchi quickly explained, "but a few days ago, a businesswoman ca to my office and inquired about converting the Asakusa Shrine plot for comrcial use; it might be her doing."
The businesswoman... Fujiwara Reya’s mind moved, and he asked aloud, "The day I visited your office?"
"Exactly that day."
"The one I chatted with?"
"Yes."
Director Takeuchi did not hesitate to sell out Kawashima Miki.
The plan was to tell Kawashima Miki the thod to shift the bla to Asakusa Shrine, and now seeing another bla could fall on him, he certainly wouldn’t talk about principles.
"Director Takeuchi," Mrs. Kasahara began to reprimand him, "Holding high positions, you must rember your responsibilities and mission, not be enticed by money and beauty; you must act impartially and not engage in corrupt practices."
Director Takeuchi imdiately bowed deeply: "Thank you for the Chairman’s guidance, I will rember it always!"
"Did you reveal the thod?" Mrs. Kasahara’s authoritative eyes continued to fixate on him.
"No, I didn’t say a word about that area," Director Takeuchi bent over, not daring to breathe, "on the contrary, I kept emphasizing to her ’religious land cannot be used comrcially’. "
"With rules, things should be done according to the rules." Mrs. Kasahara resud her gentle expression, speaking softly yet firmly to Director Takeuchi, "Regarding the renovation of Asakusa Shrine, everything should proceed according to the rules. If there are no issues procedurally, you must not obstruct, nor cause any additional complications."
"Thank you for the Chairman’s guidance." Director Takeuchi finally straightened up his waist.
Mrs. Kasahara no longer paid attention to him but let Fujiwara Reya follow her to et the leaders of various shrines present, clearly treating him as a junior under her wing.
The Chief Priest Fujisima of Kagura Inari Shrine, Ishiyama Priest of Hizaki Shrine, Koukou Chief Priest of Saitama Kita-in, a novice monk from Goutoku-ji... and the one Fujiwara Reya knew, Koubun Monk of Asakusa Temple.
Among this group of peers, he was most interested in Hoshimi Priest of Kamakura Hachimangu.
She was a young, beautiful lady wearing a light blue kimono, with features resembling Senior Sister Hoshimi’s by eighty percent.
"Yako, co over, co over." Mrs. Kasahara waved to her with a very happy expression, "There’s a little fellow I want to introduce you to."
Thus, Mrs. Hoshimi appeared before Fujiwara Reya, holding a small cloth bag.
Her eyes were small and profound, with an appraising look, blinking like a bird.
"Hello, Chairman Hoshimi." Fujiwara Reya greeted respectfully.
Perhaps because he was very familiar with Senior Sister Hoshimi, he felt a bit of inherent familiarity towards this lady.
Mrs. Hoshimi observed Fujiwara Reya for a mont, as if appraising him, and after completing her evaluation, she lightly chuckled and said, "No need to be so formal, just call Aunt."
"Hello, Aunt."
Fujiwara Reya’s expression was as docile as it could be.
No choice; both these ladies were long-standing figures holding high positions, way beyond what he could provoke for the ti being.
"To , Mr. Fujiwara is also an old acquaintance." Mrs. Hoshimi said with a smile, "Rinko often ntions you to , holding you in high regard."
Her tone was very sincere, not seeming to lie, and she had no reason to deceive a child.
But when she said this, her eyes did not look at Fujiwara Reya but were on Mrs. Kasahara, vaguely... with a provoking feel. Fujiwara Reya didn’t know if he guessed right, but his curiosity was piqued, and he subconsciously asked, "How does Senior Sister evaluate ?"
"Smart, gentle, neither arrogant nor impatient." Mrs. Hoshimi looked at Mrs. Kasahara as if flaunting her own, "No matter what he wears, he looks tidy and dashing, gentle and refined."
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