Begin!

~Normal POV

8/9 - Wednesday

In the spirit of enjoying their time off, Haru wanted to visit the old government office in the city, due to the flower garden surrounding it. The building wasn't actually in use anymore, but it remained as a cultural property, so that made it a little more bearable to Akira. The garden was free of other tourists at the moment.

"It's actually pretty hip for such an old place!" Ann commented brightly.

"Simply marvelous. There's a stillness and symmetry here that ignites my artist's soul!"

"And the garden is so lovely!" Haru gushed, "How many different kinds of flowers do you think there are?"

Before anyone could attempt to guess an answer, a harsh woman's voice yelled from somewhere behind them. "This flower is completely wilted! How could you overlook this!?" This drew their attention immediately.

Down the path, there was a woman and a man standing next to one of the rose bushes. The woman was quite distinctive looking. She was an older woman; tall and slim. Her brown hair was done up in bouffant style, and she had hard angled eyebrows. Her face was dolled up with red lipstick, black eyeliner, and blue to pink eye-shadow. She was dressed very professionally in a black business dress with dark rose motifs on it; and she had a light royal blue scarf around her neck. She had two large diamond earrings. The man she was talking to was clearly her subordinate, given the fearful, apologetic look on his face.

"What's going on over there," Haru asked.

"Don't know but she looks pissed…" Ryuji said, quietly.

"Ma'am, I'm so sorry!" The man pleaded. "It's just, this summer's been much hotter than last year…"

"Spare me your excuses." The woman snapped. "This flowerbed is one of the city's main points of attraction. Have you forgotten you work for the most powerful woman in Sapporo Central? Perhaps you won't much longer."

"Please, no!" The man begged. "I'll do anything to fix this!"

"You can keep your eyes glued to these flowers around the clock for all I care- just do not let this happen again!" The woman demanded.

The man bowed fearfully. "Then that's what I'll do, Mayor!"

The gang couldn't help feeling sorry for the man. This lady was quite intimidating. The woman glanced their way, noticing them for the first time. She calmed down from her tantrum and approached them with an apologetic look.

"Are you all here for sightseeing?" She asked, gently. "I'm sorry you had to witness such unprofessional behavior from our staff during your visit."

"Oh no, ma'am, it's not an issue," Akira replied, politely.

She took his politeness with a grateful nod. "Ah, nice to see a young one showing their elders some respect." She looked in Haru's direction and did a double take. Her mouth fell open in shock. "Oh my… could it be? You're… Haru-chan?"

Haru stared back at her in surprise. "What?"

The woman smiled warmly. "Of course you wouldn't recognize me! You were tiny the last time I saw you! It's me, Mariko Hyodo; your father was a very good friend of mine!"

Haru racked her brain for a moment before her eyes widened in realization. "...Mari-san?!"

Mariko smiled even brighter. "Yes! Oh, that lifts my heart! It's been so long!"

The two hugged tightly, sharing warm greetings as if they were family. The rest of the gang watched them with silent curiosity.

"My goodness, look at you!" Mariko said, happily. "So beautiful and all grown up! Why, you're almost taller than me now! I thought I was just seeing things at first, but no, of course it's you. You look just like Izami! How old are you now?"

"Eighteen, I'm in college too," Haru answered.

"For management?"

"Of course!"

"That's a good girl!" Mariko replied, proudly. "Whatever are you doing here in Sapporo?"

"I'm on summer vacation, and I'm taking a road trip with my boyfriend and our friends." Haru said. She turned to the others. "Everyone, this is Mari-san, she was one of my father's clients. I haven't seen her since she moved away. They used to go golfing together too. And she'd always keep me company whenever I was bored or lonely."

"Some freaking coincidence…" Ryuji muttered, softly.

"Honey, be nice-" Haru said, "This is my boyfriend Ryuji."

Ryuji, having seen how temperamental the woman was just now, opted to greet her with a cautious, "Nice to meet you, ma'am."

Mariko gave Ryuji a once over. Her lips pursed a bit in curiosity rather than outright disapproval. (Seeing how he dressed was probably what set her off.) But she quickly dropped the initial attitude. "Well, far be it from me to tell Haru-chan how to live her life. However, I do want to know. I seem to recall hearing a rumor that you were engaged last year?" She said, quizzically to Haru.

Haru's lips pressed into a tight smile with very little effort taken to hide her obvious satisfaction as she replied. "Oh. It didn't work out."

"Ah, I see. Say no more, dear." Mariko said, in understanding. "Well, I hope this young man is treating you better."

"Ryuji treats me like a queen!" Haru replied, blushing a bit. "You have nothing to worry about. Ahem- and these are our friends; Ann, Akira, Makoto, Yusuke, and Futaba."

Mariko bowed respectfully to them. "You may call me Mayor Hyodo. It's a pleasure to meet you all." She said, grinning. "You say you're on a road trip?"

"That's right, ma'am," Makoto answered. "We just arrived here yesterday."

"How wonderful! Well, I hope you enjoy yourselves here. I assure you that in Sapporo you will have no worries under my watchful eyes."

Mariko's demeanor turned somber as she turned back to Haru, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Haru-chan, dear, I didn't get a chance to say this when it happened but… I'm so sorry about your father…"

"Oh, thank you for your concern," Haru said, gratefully.

Mariko sighed. "If only I hadn't been so busy, I would have come to the funeral…" She sniffled. "Oh, Kunikazu… He was a good friend…" She patted Haru's shoulder gently. "Dear, if there's anything that's been troubling you, know that I'm here for you with open arms."

"I appreciate you saying so, but I'm ok." Haru assured. "I have good people managing the company, and I'm working hard to finish my degree. I also have the support of people who care for me." She gestured to her fellow thieves. "And while I'm grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people, I still have to walk on my own two feet."

Mariko smiled again at her words. "Haru-chan… my, how you've grown. Well, I have to get back to work. It's so nice to see you again though; if you ever want to stop by for tea, just say the word and I will make time in my schedule for you!"

She turned back to her subordinate who was still standing stock still awaiting his next order. Her smile disappeared back into a stern look. "Don't just stare at the ground!" She snapped, "Replace these hideous flowers at once!"

"I-I'm on it!" The man said, before scurrying away.

Mariko sighed while fixing her hair. "Goodness… The moment I turn away, they all start slacking off…" She walked away stiffly, leaving the gang alone at last.

Haru watched her old friend leave with a concerned expression on her face. Ryuji put his arm around her shoulders comfortingly. For a while, nobody knew what to say while they let her ponder what had happened.

"...Sorry to be so blunt, but… she seems really two-faced." Makoto said, carefully.

Haru hesitated before replying. "She… used to be really kind to everyone…"

"You ok, Haru?" Ryuji asked.

Haru nodded. "I'm fine… just a little surprised is all… Oh- sorry I didn't get her keyword. I was… preoccupied."

"It's alright, we get it." Akira said, reassuringly. "We'll be going to her speech tomorrow anyway. But before that, we should search the city for intel on her. After seeing her in person, I'd like to know more about what's going on here…"

"Yes… I'd like to find out what changed her too…" Haru said, quietly.

~...

They spent the evening gathering intel on their target. Of the few things they were able to learn, they all led back to what they'd already witnessed in person. She forces workers to stay on the job, regardless of poor health. She makes ridiculous cleanup campaigns where not a single speck of dust can be seen in the city… All of these things were abhorrent. And knowing about them didn't make Haru feel any better. There was one description above all others that could be attributed to Mayor Hyodo.

She was the very definition of a control-freak.

~End of Chapter