Ch. 48: Fraternizing with the Enemy
2:44 PM, August 3rd, 1921, Kojima Estate, Outside of Tokyo
The Kojima Estate was an illustrious complex located in the quiet Japanese countryside. Besides the large Japanese-style mansion that had the perfect view of a beautiful lake and many gardens, it also had its own stables and a large fenced in clearing for horse riding. Lelouch and Kojima, both dressed in equestrian clothing, were riding horses. Activities ranged from galloping around to jumping over a variety of obstacles. When one of Kojima's butlers came out to announce lunch was being served, Lelouch and Kojima dismounted and took over their helmets.
"I'm impressed with your riding skills Mr. Lamperouge. Not many people I know can match your ability." Kojima said.
"Well I've been familiar with equestrianism since I was a very young boy." Lelouch replied as he remembered riding horses at Aries Villa with Nunnally and his mother. "Seeing how you've cleared all this forest just to build this course shows me you are a big fan of the sport."
"Definitely. Practically fell in love with the sport ever since I first visited England on a business trip. Cost me a fortune to not only clear the woods, but to build the stables, import the finest horse breeds, etc. And don't get me started on what I had to go through to get all the flowers for the gardens."
Both of them then laughed as they walked to the chairs and table set up next to one of the koi ponds. As they sat down, the butler presented several bottles of imported French wine along with various Japanese dishes made of the finest ingredients.
"I hope your time in Japan so far as been enjoyable." Kojima asked as he started to cut the piece of marinated fish on his plate.
"My experience so far has been overly satisfactory." Lelouch replied as he ate a piece of sushi. "Your estate is so tranquil. Far enough from the crowded city to relax, but not too far that you can't keep track of your business."
"Indeed. That reminds me, I am quite surprised someone of your age has managed to accrue so much wealth."
"Well you can say it's just a mixture of smart investments, knowledge of economic forces, and luck."
"Of course. So why exactly are you so interested in investing in Japanese manufacturing industries? Word on the street is that you have been having lots of money being transferred from all over the world to here."
"The same as any other person who wants to invest, to make money. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious." Kojima replied after sipping some of his wine. "It's just nobody has heard of you and suddenly you're the guy everyone is talking about. I mean people with your kind of money don't just spontaneously appear out of thin air."
"This is my first time I am expanding my investments into Japan. I mostly do my business back in America. However, certain circumstances made it more ideal to invest here than in America." Lelouch said as he ate some of the well-cooked pork on his plate. "By the way, aren't you close friends with various senior officials within the government?"
"Indeed I am. People whom I befriended include senior military officers, politicians, even some members of the Imperial Family."
"I see. I just have one question for you." Lelouch replied.
He then pretended to scratch his eye in order to take out the contact he was wearing. Once it was out, he proceeded to look straight across the table. Kojima caught a glimpse of the bird-shaped sigil in Lelouch's left eye. Before he could react to what he saw, Lelouch activated his geass.
"Now, tell me in explicit detail everything you know regarding Hirohito's activities and plans."
"His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Hirohito wants to take power away from his father the Emperor, whom he and his associates believe is not fulfilling his duties. But in order to not appear like he his simply usurping the Emperor, he plans to legally gain power via the Imperial Diet. To ensure the Prime Minister and the other members of the Cabinet to approve, Prince Kotohito has threatened the Prime Minister to have the War Minister to resign and convinced Field Marshal Viscount Uehara, Chief of the Army General Staff, to refuse nominating a new minister if such an event were to occur, effectively forcing the Prime Minister to dissolve the Cabinet in accordance with the Meiji Constitution." answered the now-geassed Kojima.
"So he wants to grab his father's position legally." Lelouch thought to himself.
"I was instructed to sell and invest more resources in the war effort against Russia in order to get the military elite to comply with the Crown Prince's associates. I also was instructed to make large donations to various members of the Diet in exchange for them to not interfere in the plan. Hirohito's back room diplomacy with the Russians along with his recent trip to the West has also resulted in many members of the Diet, specifically the privy councillors, to approve of him. Field Marshal Tōdō's recent death also resulted in more people questioning the health and judgment of the Emperor. With all these factors put together, Hirohito plans to have Prince Aritomo call the privy councillors for a meeting in order to declare a regency."
"And what does he plan to do once he is declared Regent?"
Kojima stood silent as the iris' of his eyes still slightly glowed due to the effects of being geassed.
"That's all you know. Still, you provided me enough information for me to make my next move." said Lelouch.
He then quickly put the contact on his left eye as the geass taking hold of Kojima started to wear off.
"Uh what just happened? We were talking about investments or something like that?" asked a confused Kojima.
"Yes we were Mr. Kojima. However I must apologize but I am afraid something came up and I must leave early. I thank you for the wonderful experience here along with the fantastic lunch."
"Oh you're absolutely welcome. It's ashamed you must leave early. I was planning to give you a tour of the mansion's architecture."
"It sadly will have to wait for another day." Lelouch replied. "Have a nice day."
Lelouch then proceeded to change out of his equestrian uniform and back into his business suit before being escorted by Kojima's butler to the front entrance of the mansion. He then signaled his chauffeur parked along the circular driveway outside of the mansion's entrance to pick him up. The chauffeur started the car and drove it towards the mansion's entrance. The chauffeur, who's eyes were partially blocked by the driver's cap he was wearing, stepped out and opened the passenger door for Lelouch. The chauffeur then closed the passenger door before proceeding to get back in and drive away.
"So how did the meeting go Zero?" asked the chauffeur.
"Went very well. By the way that driver's cap and sweater-vest jacket combo really worked well Kae."
"Luckily it did. I'm constantly afraid someone is going to not be fooled by it and therefore blow my entire cover."
"Hey you fooled me when we first met in the mountains back in Korea."
"However at that time I had a sweater wrapped over my mouth, therefore muffling my voice. The only thing that prevents me from being identified as a woman is the fact my hair is tucked away in this cap."
"Nevertheless your adaptability, disguises, and stealth have provided us with the necessary means in gathering key intelligence. That is why I will need you to carry out my next assignment." Zero replied.
"And that would be what?"
"I want you to trail Prime Minister Hara Takashi and report all of his daily activities."
"Did you just say the Prime Minister?" Kae asked with bewilderment. "Me, along with several of the other members of the Zero Division, almost got arrested for trailing Aritomo and Konoe. What makes you think the Prime Minister will be any less difficult?"
"Because if what I have heard is correct, Prime Minister Hara is an idealist politician who is stuck in a swamp of bureaucracy and patronage. He's more focused on those issues than he is on his own immediate surroundings." answered Zero.
Back at the mansion, Kojima walked back in and headed to his private study.
"That Mr. Lamperouge fellow was fairly nice wouldn't you say sir?" the butler asked.
"Yeah, a little too nice. But that doesn't bother me. What I am really bothered by is the fact that someone with that much money could maintain such a low profile for a prolonged period of time. Also the fact he wanted to leave quickly all of a sudden seemed rather odd."
"Is there anything I could do to help you investigate this Mr. Lamperouge?"
"In fact there is." replied Kojima. "Call up my private security and have them trail Mr. Lelouch Lamperouge. I want a constant flow of reports describing every action he takes."
"And what will you do in the meantime?" the butler asked.
"I'm going to make a special phone call." Kojima answered as he approached the phone set in his private study.
He cranked up the phone's dynamo and asked the operator to connect him to the Kojima Bank San Francisco-branch. After waiting for half a minute, someone picked up on the other end of the line.
"Hello?" asked the voice.
"Good day. This is Ichiro Kojima, Chairman of the Kojima Group."
"Oh hello Chairman. Never expected you to call here directly. Must be very important. How may I assist you?" the voice replied.
"I want you to keep an eye out for any past and future transactions made by a Mr. Lelouch Lamperouge. I also would like your men to find out what you can about him in general. I want a full profile on this guy. Utilize whatever influence and resources you have."
"I shall do that sir." said the voice on the other side before it hung up.
Kojima then proceeded to call another overseas branch and made the same request. By calling a few more of his banks, Kojima had a worldwide network of information gatherers ready to retrieve and put together all intelligence relating with Lelouch Lamperouge and his mysterious background.
5:05 PM, September 3rd, 1921, Kyōbashi District, Tokyo
Sitting at the desk in his office, Lelouch was writing the activities of the past month in his journal. "Been exactly one month since I assigned the Zero Division to gather intel on Prime Minister Hara. Compared to the elites such as Aritomo, Sadanaru, and Konoe, Hara is fairly easy to approach. Living up to his name as the "commoner prime minister", Hara exhibits little to no interests in things that he considers "excessive", such as added security personnel and bodyguards. Approaching him should not be difficult. The only question is where do I approach him and what do I do."
Suddenly Park, who was holding a bunch of papers in his hand, came walking into the room. "Sorry to interrupt you, but I have some messages from HQ you would definitely like to see."
Putting down his journal, Lelouch took the papers and proceeded to carefully read them. "Seems like Kim Gu is managing the Black Army pretty well back in Shanghai. He also seems to have maintained the Provisional Government's approval of us. Other than that nothing serious has occurred."
"That's a relief to hear. Guess it means the Japanese are being a little a lax with their plotting and scheming lately." Park replied.
"Or more likely it means that they are preparing to make their next move against us. And to make the problem worst, we don't know where they will make that move. All we currently know is that Hirohito is trying to gain political power by having him being declared Regent. If I had to guess, his next move must be big if it warrants gaining that amount of power."
"That reminds me." said Park as he pulled out a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket. "Me and the rest of the team just compiled and organized all the information on the Prime Minister we gathered for the past month."
"That's excellent. Now let's see what the Prime Minister's daily habits are."
Lelouch unfolded the paper and read it. On it was Hara Takashi's schedule, which was created via observing him daily, noting down all his activities and destinations, and organizing them after carefully reviewing all the details. Looking at it, one could see a particular pattern of habits that is done on a weekly basis. Now all Lelouch needed was to find the perfect time and location to make his move.
"So the Prime Minister likes to go and hang out at the Ueno Park every Friday at around 4:00 PM." Lelouch said as he examined the schedule. "Park, tell Kae that I am going to need her to act as my chauffeur again next Friday."
Park immediately nodded his head and exited the office. Lelouch, jubilant that one month of tailing Hara had paid off, made preparations for the next phase of his plan.
Meanwhile, standing across the street from the luxury apartment, was a man wearing a charcoal-gray, three-piece suit and a fedora. He also had a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth. Taking out a notepad, the man started to write something on it as he constantly shifted his view from the notepad to the apartment and back.
3:57 PM, September 16th, 1921, Outside of the Prime Minister's Residence
Kae, dressed up as a chauffeur again, and Lelouch both waited in the car, which was parked near the front gates to the Prime Minster's Residence. They were far enough to not stick out but close enough that they could observe who would go through the front gate.
"This intel that we worked our asses for about a month better be correct." Kae said as she gripped the steering wheel. "Also why do you need me again as your chauffeur? Shouldn't I be with the others helping gather more info?"
"Because you are in charge of the Zero Division, which is my personal guard and my only protection here. Since this operation requires me to personally participate, I want the best protection ready at hand. As for the others, they are getting enough done on their own."
In the distance the front gate to Prime Minister's Residence opened. A car then drove out and exited the perimeter of the residence. Looking at his pocket watch, Lelouch saw it read 4:00.
"Just as the intel said he would leave." Lelouch said.
He then instructed Kae to carefully follow the what was most likely the Prime Minister's car from a distance. She then traversed down various roads as she tried to maintain her visual of the Prime Minister's car.
When they arrived at Ueno Park, she could see the Prime Minister's car park itself next to the sidewalk. The door then opened and Prime Minister Hara Takashi, an elderly man in a suit and top at stepped out. It then appeared he was talking to his driver before he proceeded to walk into the park while the driver of the car took off.
"Alright let me out here." Lelouch said to Kae.
He then proceeded to walk into the park, which was full of trees now showing signs of yellow due to the change in seasons. Shortly after entering the park, he could see Hara walking down the pathway. Maintaining his distance, he carefully followed him and made sure he wasn't being noticed. Fortunately the park was overall quiet since there were few people there, which was an advantage for Lelouch.
It was then a sudden gust of air came through and blew off Hara's top hat. It floated in the air for about a second before falling down on the grass adjacent to the pathway.
"Now's my chance." Lelouch thought to himself as he saw the elderly politician slowly walk towards his top hat.
He proceeded to run past Hara and towards the top hat. He picked up the hat and brushed some of the dust off.
"I believe this is yours sir." Lelouch said as he gave the hat back to Hara.
"Why thank you man. I would've gotten it myself though."
"It's not a problem. Besides, it looked like you needed some help getting it back."
"Well as you can see, I'm not the young man I used to be." Hara jokingly replied.
"Anyway I have a request to ask you." Lelouch said as he quickly took the contact lens out of his left eye and activated his geass. "I want you to reject all commands and requests made by Crown Prince Hirohito, Prince Kotohito, Prince Yamagata Aritomo, Prince Fushimi Sadanaru, and anyone associated with the armed forces without hesitation."
"Of course sir." replied the geassed Prime Minister.
Lelouch put the contact lens back in his eye while Hara suddenly regained full conscious as a result of him not being under the influence of geass anymore. Hara, who felt confused, nevertheless brushed it off and continued with his walk around the park. Lelouch meanwhile walked back towards the park entrance where Kae was waiting to pick him up.
As he walked back, Lelouch suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck stick up. Instantly he turned around and examined his surroundings for felt like he was being watched. It was then while scanning through some of the trees that he happened to get a quick glimpse of a man wearing a kimono disappearing behind the trees.
He then quickly ran as fast as he could until he managed to reach the entrance of the park. Seeing Kae parked on the side of the road in the distance, he ran to the car and within a blink of an eye got in.
"Did everything go according to plan?" Kae asked.
"It did! Just go!" Lelouch commanded.
Kae then started the car and proceeded to drive back to the apartment.
"So what's all the panicking about?" she asked.
"Sorry about that, but I think there's a possibility we ourselves are being watched."
"Wait what!? Who was following us?"
"I don't know. In fact I'm not even sure we are being followed. I just got a weird feeling after finishing what I had to do with the Prime Minister." answered Lelouch. "I will alert everyone to be more careful and war of their surroundings. Still, we should not let this hinder our current progress for there's much more work that has to be done."
Authors Note: Well I managed to find the time to complete another chapter. I apologize for the long wait and appreciate everyone's patience. The next chapter will be released as soon as possible.
We now know that Hirohito is planning to gain power by having a regency declared, effectively giving the Emperor's powers to him. Of course what he plans to do with them is still unknown. We also have people seemingly spying on Lelouch. Can anyone guess what Hirohito is planning to do along with who is the one behind the spies? Please feel free to post any predictions.