Chapter 7

A/N: While I do research on its history and government, I will not be putting most of them in my fic. Please don't take any historical/political information as facts - they're mostly born from my imagination.

Time break will be indicated later on this chapter.

As usual, thank you for every review, favorite, alert and for simply giving this story a chance!

Note: LDP refers to Liberal Democratic Party

Happy reading!


"You're serious about that?"

Eijun slanted a sideways glance at Haruichi. "What's so surprising?"

"I always thought you would go for the bureaucrats eventually," Haruichi said as he reached for his cup of tea placed on the table. "It's not as if Seidou isn't a good choice if you really are interested in law. I just can't seem to see you doing that."

Eijun propped his elbow on the arm of the chair, leaning the side of his face against his closed fist. Haruichi appeared content in waiting for Eijun's response, taking slow sips of his tea. Eijun let the silence dragged on for a moment more before he spoke up: "What do you think of the bureaucrats, Harucchi?"

Haruichi paused, then set his cup back down on the saucer. Eijun could see Haruichi turning the question in his head, then he looked up and met Eijun's gaze. "I never really..."

"Don't tell me you really are blindly following your brother's footsteps," Eijun said airily, not commenting on Haruichi's stiffened form beside him. "I find that hard to believe."

Haruichi lifted his chin, as if he just steeled his resolve and had mustered all his dignity to answer Eijun's question. Eijun hid the upturned smirk behind his fist and arched a brow. "I don't find them particularly inspiring," Haruichi confessed, then leaned back on his chair, turning away from Eijun as he faced forward instead. "I just want to be one of the... shadows," he stopped, then stared at Eijun as a blush rose to his cheeks. "I don't know how to put it."

Eijun thought that the description was rather apt. That's ambitious, Harucchi.

"You do know," Eijun remarked lightly, "that the elite bureaucrats will be one of the major determining factors in the election held next year?"

While the LDP was considered one of the most successful parties to be in power, the scandal that occurred in 1996 undeniably played a big part in their losing of the following election. The bribery with a newly-formed telecommunications company involved not only top leaders of LDP including the then Prime Minister, but also had a few members from each respective ruling party, though they made up the minority of the government. However, it was obvious that the LDP was the most adversely affected with several influential party members being forced to resign from their positions.

Eijun was pretty sure that the backbenchers and the bureaucrats would play a big part in the upcoming election. If a risky and unpopular policy reform was to be introduced now, it would very likely divert favor back to LDP - the citizens were rather conservative voters, after all. To be honest, the election in 1997 that ended in a landslide victory for the opposition was a little surprising.

The decision-making process of each proposed legislation was undisclosed, and obscure at best; but the fact remained that the bureaucrats had a significant role in its matters with its part as a tacit, unspoken position of a mediator between the backbenchers and the Minister. Frankly, Eijun thought the decision was very much built on the part of the bureaucrats, with them acting as an in-between and therefore having the power to lean the final results to what they desire.

This also meant that the nature of bureaucrats, once thought to be representative of its citizens because they were supposed to be impartial and unaffected by politics, would inevitably become highly politicized.

"I never gave much thought about it," said Haruichi, after a small pause. "Is that the reason why you wanted to accept the offer for bureaucrats?"

"Partly." Eijun shrugged, letting his gaze drop down to the stack of files his father had assigned him to look through. He would absolutely love to be present in the next meeting with his father just to spite Katsuo. He supposed some part of him would always have immature thoughts like this. "It just seems interesting."

Haruichi's gaze sharpened, and it was only after a while that he spoke up. "I heard from my brother that it's really competitive in there. Draining, maybe."

"That just multiplies my interest," said Eijun, arching a brow.

"Why do you sound like you're going to join the bureaucrats?" Haruichi said slowly, angling his body so he was facing Eijun completely.

Eijun grinned. "No, why would I do that? I just like keeping my options open."

"You promised Miyuki-san, didn't you?" asked Haruichi, with a tone of incredulity. "You are always one to keep your word."

"I never said I'm going back on my promises," Eijun drawled, a corner of his lips tugging upwards to a smirk.

Haruichi eyed Eijun suspiciously, but decided to refrain from commenting further and Eijun led Haruichi to safer topics like Wakana and Sanada.


"Kominato-san," Eijun greeted, clasping Ryousuke's hand in a firm handshake. "It's a pleasure to see you after so long."

Ryousuke smiled the usual unnerving smile of his, but Eijun found it easy to brush off once he got used to it. "How's my little brother doing?"

"Very well," replied Eijun. "I don't suppose you're here to discuss Harucchi?"

Ryousuke's smile sharpened with a predatory edge. "I'd like to, but I'm here today as a bureaucrat."

Eijun sat down after Ryousuke took his seat opposite him across the coffee table. The afternoon crowd in this cafe was rather tame because it was tucked at a more secluded corner of the central district, and Eijun often came here for tea alone to gather his thoughts. "Would you like some coffee?"

Ryousuke shook his head as the smile vanished from his face. Eijun waved the waiter away with a mouthed, "No, thank you", and waited patiently for Ryousuke to begin.

"I volunteered to come here today instead of my colleague when I realized you were one of the bigger fishes they intend to net in for the scout," Ryousuke paused, then folded his arms and leaned back on his chair. "Have you made up your mind yet? It has been two months, and there are no news from you."

"I'm not very sure yet," Eijun said calmly, "I can't say I'm not interested in it, though."

"Why are you wavering? I remember you to be one of the more decisive ones back then," Ryousuke said with a frown between his brows. "It's not because of my little brother, is it?" His tone turned slightly icy at this.

Eijun resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Ryousuke could make quick and sharp judgments, but when it came to affairs of his brother's, he seemed to lose that advantageous edge. "I don't think Harucchi would like that assumption."

"Are you dodging my question?" Ryousuke inquired coolly. "Whatever you two had in the past shouldn't have any effect on your choice now. Unless it's re-established?" The smile that crossed his lips now wasn't one that Eijun was familiar with: it was darker, like a promise of a bite if Eijun didn't answer the way he liked.

Oh, Christ. Eijun stared at Ryousuke for a moment, so thoroughly amused he had to bite back his laughter. Ryousuke really needed to relax. And suddenly, Eijun realized that while Ryousuke might be here because of his own interest in Eijun as a potential colleague, the primary factor was largely attributed to Haruichi. Just because relationships between fellow bureaucrats weren't allowed to maintain a strictly working relationship didn't mean that it was ever going to be a reason for Eijun's decline of their offer. In fact, he thought it to be one of the rules that was least applicable to him - he was never going to enter into a relationship with a bureaucrat anyway, if he was going to join them.

"Don't worry, Kominato-san," Eijun reassured him, flashing a wide grin, "It was cleanly broken off last time."

Ryousuke didn't change his expression, but his shoulders relaxed slightly. "He isn't fit for that kind of relationship."

If only you know how he's like in bed.

Eijun managed to hold in that thought from passing his lips, and nodded instead. Ryousuke would kill him if he knew Haruichi wasn't as innocent as he thought - though it might add quite a bit of an excitement in Eijun's life, frankly. Ryousuke's protectiveness never got old. A smile drew Eijun's lips upwards.

Ryousuke looked away and settled to turn his gaze to the quiet road outside, where a car or two passed occasionally. "We have expanded the offer. It will be easier for you to join us if you'd like it to be." Ryousuke placed his folded arms on the table, and a smirk tugged his mouth upwards as he fixed his eyes on Eijun. "Not that I'm exactly approving of their methods, but we'd need a little favor from you for that to happen."

Eijun expected this, and he shifted himself on the chair to make himself more comfortable. "Sorry, but I'd have to decline. I'm sure I'd pass the trials."

"Someone's confident," Ryousuke stated, both his brows raising. "Did someone else make a guarantee for you?"

"No," Eijun answered truthfully, "I just have enough faith in my capabilities."

Ryousuke remained silent, then leaned back against his chair. "Well, well, Kuramochi certainly is right in his description of you."

"An arrogant bastard?" Eijun guessed.

"More or less," Ryousuke said, "not that it isn't justified."

Now that they were past the stage of formal exchange, Eijun allowed himself to relax from his posture and waved a waiter over to ask for a cup of tea. He gestured to Ryousuke who declined the offer again. After the waiter left, Eijun asked, "How is your job?"

"Stimulating," Ryousuke replied, revealing teeth in his smile. "Probably something you'd like. Unless you've another offer in sight." A brow lifted questioningly.

"I'd love to have a variety of options, actually," Eijun said lightly, deciding to evade the question. He didn't think Miyuki would like it if he let Seidou slip from his lips. "Do you've another one privately?"

It was there for barely a second, but Eijun noticed a contemplative expression crossing Ryousuke's features. He wondered if it was staged or something genuine.

"If I do have a company, you'd be one of the first I'd hire, Sawamura-kun," Ryousuke drawled as the waiter moved forward to place the cup of tea in front of Eijun. Eijun pondered over it as he took his cup, then shoved the thought away - it was not likely to be important, anyway.

Ryousuke had his eyes on the road again when he spoke up. "Nonetheless, the offer still stands - you can take a few months more to reach a conclusion."


Eijun moved his knight over and crossed the middle boundary.

Kuramochi's brows were knitted to a focused frown as he glared at the chess pieces. "How are you so good at this," he complained.

"Practice," Eijun said simply. "It's really your kind of game, I think."

Kuramochi made a sound of disbelief. After a moment, he moved his pawn forward. Eijun grinned, then slid his bishop diagonally upwards. "Heard of Zaikai Kyuuym, senpai?"

Kuramochi froze, then a cold expression crossed his face. "Who told you that?"

Eijun blinked at Kuramochi, bewildered. Why the sudden hostility? Though Eijun was sure it wasn't directed at him, he decided that setting his gaze on the chess board might be safer. "I heard of the name, that's all."

Kuramochi's posture remained stiffened, and he hunched over the board for a good minute. "If that's true, good." Kuramochi pushed his rook up. "What did you hear about him?"

"Nothing much," Eijun murmured. He had thought Kuramochi might hear of something regarding Miyuki from Ryousuke, because it was unlikely that Kuramochi would know that Zaikai was Miyuki.

From that reaction just now, however... Eijun stared at the chess pieces, corner of his mouth lifting when he found that Kuramochi had fell for his trap: he had shifted a knight to put Kuramochi on defensive, giving the false image that he was solely focusing his attacks on the queen, when he in fact had his sights set on the king.

Triumphantly, he pushed his rook forward. "Checkmate." Kuramochi cursed, moving his king to the right. Eijun slid his queen sideways. "Checkmate again. That's a dead end."

Kuramochi groaned, falling back on the floor. "I told you, I hate chess!"

"And I told you that you'll pick it up soon," said Eijun calmly as he swept the pieces back into the box and folded the board together. "You're smart."

Kuramochi jerked his head, eyes meeting Eijun's with an expression of disbelief. "Did you just praise me?"

"Are you going to change your description of me, if I say yes?"

Kuramochi sat up immediately. "What description?"

"I heard from Kominato-san," Eijun explained dryly. "I didn't know you were carrying that expression around. I wonder what Miyuki-san would say if he heard."

Kuramochi barked out a laugh. "Miyuki knows your true nature, Sawamura!" He clapped Eijun on the shoulder twice heartily. "Don't worry!"

I would be worried if he does know me that well. "How does Miyuki-san take rejections, actually?" He wondered out loud. "He seems pretty self-assured."

Kuramochi paused, then answered: "Badly. He's not used to it." Kuramochi guffawed. "You'll probably be one of the few to be able to get under his skin. I'll be looking forward to that."

"I see." That gave him enough reason already, then. "I hope I won't disappoint you," Eijun said sweetly.

"Wait." Kuramochi's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You aren't thinking of pulling out, are you?"

"Of course not," Eijun said, widening his eyes with the right amount of indignation in his voice. "I'm a man of my word."

"I thought this had something to do with you asking for a few months of freedom before you enter Seidou." Kuramochi seemed visibly relieved as he scrambled towards the TV console for the controllers. "C'mon." He threw one of the controllers to Eijun who caught it swiftly as Kuramochi selected a game.

Sorry, senpai.

Technically, when Eijun agreed to work with Miyuki, the latter didn't specify which job he was talking about. He wouldn't be breaking his promise if he went for bureaucrats instead.

And then, there was the added bonus of angering Miyuki. Brilliant.


Five months later


Eijun was promptly handed to one of the civil servants at the office after the hundred of them sorted to this building was divided into different, smaller groups. "I would not bother introducing myself - I doubt we'll meet again to be honest," he said as he hurried past the counter, "assuming you got in based on your own merits, you should know that it's really better to be independent here. Friendly piece of advice: almost everyone here is a shark."

"Except me," he added proudly after a beat of silence. He touched the stubble at his chin that was tinted a dark brown, mimicking the shade of his hair. Eijun stared at it, slightly amused. Most bureaucrats seemed to be against growing a beard. He did act like he was proud of it, though. It reminded him of something... "It's usually busy around here, so ask questions when you only have to."

He swept his eyes over Eijun contemplatively. "Then again, you're the Sawamura, aren't you? I heard about you."

Eijun stared at him, then decided it was better to remain quiet. He touched his stubble again. "Aren't you going to ask who?"

"I won't ask if you don't intend to say it, sir," Eijun replied.

He blinked at him, then scratched his head sheepishly. "Okay, let's stop that sir thing. I'm Isashiki Jun."

Eijun held out a hand. "Nice to meet you, Isashiki-san."

He clasped it and shook it heartily. "Maybe I'll see you around, Sawamura-kun. I'll just bring you over there and brief you for a bit. I need to leave for a meeting later." He gestured to the space at the far corner. Then he paused as if something else caught his attention and a frown knitted his brows together. "Oh no, he should know better than to hold a coffee like that."

Eijun turned his head to where Isashiki's attention lie, and saw a man leaning over one of the office cubicles. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and a white mug was in his left hand as he patted his pocket for something. His mouth moved, and the person waiting in the cubicle frowned impatiently. As they approached the table, the man's arm seemed to give an involuntary jerk and the brown liquid splashed out along with the movement, spilling some onto the table.

"Damn you, Zaikai-san!" The man sprang up from his seat, hissing furiously.

Zaikai?

Eijun felt his breath hitch in his throat. Isashiki was unaware of Eijun's sudden trepidation and raised an arm in greeting. "Hey, Zaikai!"

"Oh, Isashiki-san!" The man turned, and the black-rimmed glasses that set on his nose was though a different pair from what Eijun had seen on him the previous times, he was definitely... Zaikai's eyes almost immediately fell on Eijun, and his gaze sharpened after surprise flashed past his eyes.

Eijun had the instinctive reaction to take a step back, but remained rooted to the ground. I am a Sawamura, and I'm not scared of anyone. Eijun pushed himself to move forward instead as Isashiki approached Zaikai with a beaming smile.

"You should know better than that," Isashiki said irritably, rolling his eyes at the man still standing at the cubicle, wiping his table clean with angry mutters under his breath. "Wasn't Zaikai holding his cup?"

"I forgot about that," the man said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry," Zaikai apologized, bowing to the man. Eijun would have thought it was sincere if not for the momentary twitch of his jaw. What is he doing... why is he behaving like this?

Isashiki waved the man off dismissively and took Zaikai by the elbow over to Eijun instead. "Ignore him, he's a grouchy asshole as usual." They stopped in front of Eijun. Eijun schooled his face to an impassive mask and morphed his expression to a questioning one.

Isashiki took the lead and gestured to Zaikai. "This is Zaikai Kyuuym, and this," he pointed to Eijun, "is Sawamura Eijun."

"Ah." Zaikai's eyes narrowed. "I see. Nice to meet you." He held his hand out with a stiff smile.

Eijun felt a mirroring smile slant across his lips as he took Zaikai's hand. His fingers clasped around Eijun's hand with a firm squeeze. "Nice to meet you, too."

The polite smile had dropped from Zaikai's face, and his lips are pressed together, obviously unhappy with Eijun's presence here. The dark look that crossed Miyuki's face made Eijun's smile stay. I did not break my promise, right, Miyuki-san?

Miyuki didn't look appeased by Eijun's high spirits at all.

Predictably.

"Um." Isashiki coughed. Abruptly, Eijun realized their hands were still connected with the handshake and pulled his hand away. "I'll be bringing Sawamura-kun over to his spot, then."

"If you don't mind, I can bring him over there instead. You do have a meeting later on, don't you?" Zaikai turned to Isashiki and sent him a disarming smile.

He slapped a hand to his forehead. "Right!" He exclaimed. "Sorry about this!"

"Don't worry about it."

Isashiki left in a flurry of panic, passing his table and snatching a file off it before he turned the corner for the lift. Miyuki slung a heavy arm around Eijun's shoulder then, forcing him to walk in pace with him.

"Are you sure you can do that with a coffee in another hand?" Eijun asked before he could stop himself.

Miyuki slanted a look at Eijun. "Why are you here?" He very nearly hissed. Eijun suppressed the inane urge to chuckle and opted for blinking innocently instead.

"What are you saying, Zaikai-san?" He inquired with the perfect amount of confusion. "I am, technically, working for you now."


A/N: hope you enjoyed this chapter and do leave a review to tell me your thoughts! I'd love to hear what you think!

-mysticflakes