The Mystery of Ren Amamiya - Lightning99
Stream 8:
Toranosuke Yoshida
Kichijouji-kid321: Holy crap. Ann knows the prime minister.
Toranosuke Yoshida rocked back in his seat, chuckling to himself, a golden light from the window falling over his face before he rocked forwards again.
'No, no, I'm not yet the prime minister. I hope I will be at the end of this current voting period, but that is where you all come in,' he said. 'Am I correct in my assumption that most of your chat is your age, Takamaki-san?'
'Honestly, it's a pretty even split. The larger group is about my age. A lot of them are younger, and some are older, too. Some don't have their age in their profiles,' Ann said. 'And please, Yoshida-san, call me Ann.'
'Of course, Ann-san,' Yoshida said. 'As I was saying, I am not yet prime minister. And I won't be without your votes, especially you youngsters. Your say is everything these days, especially with the voting age decreasing soon. But that is all I will say on the matter. I'm not here to bore you all with politics.'
'Actually, I don't mind if you talk a little more about your work. Well, as much as you can, at least. I'm sure the chat won't, either. That's the kind of discussions we have during these streams.'
'Is that so? In that case, allow me to convey my message, and then we can continue.' Yoshida leaned forward, clasping his hands together. 'After the unfortunate situation with Masayoshi Shido several years ago, I completed my goal of re-joining the Diet, and recently, I have started my campaign for prime minister. In short, I believe young people must be acknowledged more. After all, they are the future. In my experience, they have been mistreated. I want to shape the country in a way where we, as a collective, care for our fellow citizens and strive to help one another out rather than letting them struggle. Thank you.'
'I feel like I'm listening to one of your speeches in Shibuya,' Ann said.
'Aahaha, yes, those are fond memories,' Yoshida said. 'I find myself returning there every once in a while when I find the time. There is something refreshing about giving a speech in such a way. Perhaps it is merely nostalgia. Perhaps it is humbling.'
'I think you're absolutely right, Yoshida-san. We need to start caring more about others and helping them, too.'
'My view is only one of many, but I hope it is one people will adopt in the coming years. That is how I believe Japan will heal itself from the scars of our once corrupt system.' Yoshida paused, then smiled pointedly at Ann. 'Honestly, I may get in trouble for saying this, but one of my biggest inspirations is the Phantom Thieves. The message they bring and their work in changing the hearts of the corrupt to reduce injustice in society truly is admirable.'
Ann wanted to say thank you, but she said, 'I agree,' instead.
SuspiciousSceptic: The Prime Minister is a fan of The Phantom Thieves?!
Paladin-John112: Do I hear a scandal in the Diet?
Pink_Wool: Hang on… Isn't proclaiming your admiration for the Phantom Thieves bad for your image?
'Ah, interesting question indeed,' Yoshida said. 'I wouldn't say it is bad for my image, no. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with admiring somebody else's ethos, especially not when it is so benevolent. Moreover, nobody has nor can prove that the Phantom Thieves' actions are, as the police have sometimes suggested, illegal. Innocent until proven guilty, after all. Because of that ambiguity and their morals, I see no reason why admiring them should reap any unfortunate consequences. Of course, one of my opponents may try to use such a comment against me, but I will stand by my word until the end. They seem to have the power to do good, and that is what they are doing. Their results speak for them.'
Yoshida looked at the ceiling for a moment, hand on his chin.
'And, honestly, were someone to try and use these words against me, they would likely be the one to receive some criticism for it. After all, the Phantom Thieves are beloved by a large portion of this country and beyond.'
'You're right once again, Yoshida-san. I am a big fan of the Phantom Thieves, too. I spoke with Mishima a little while back about his documentary. Have you seen it?'
'I have,' Yoshida said. 'It is excellent. I agree with Mishima's speculation that the Phantom Thieves are a group of youths whom society has wronged. I suppose I should say they were, at this point. It has been several years since then. The fact that they still act now is inspiring. It truly motivates me to continue my campaign however long it takes for me to make a difference.'
'That was beautifully put. Thank you,' Ann said.
'Not at all. Thank you.'
They fell into a comfortable quiet, the words unspoken speaking louder than anything spoken could have. Ann turned to the chat, grinning at the comments that agreed with Yoshida and those that detailed her viewers' similar beliefs on the matter. Sometimes, it was difficult to see whether their Phantom Thief exploits made that much of a difference. Today was not one of those days.
'It looks like you've won them over,' Ann said, pointing out one particular comment:
GodHandV: A prime minister who isn't corrupt and a fan of the Phantom Thieves? You've got my vote!
'I can only hope,' Yoshida said.
AnnFann101: That's all well and good, but how do you know Yoshida-san, Ann?
'Ah, good question, Fann,' Ann said. She debated if answering truthfully was a good idea, ultimately deciding whatever happened, happened. 'Some of you probably won't believe me, but I met Yoshida-san through Ren.'
LaughingLLama: Of course, she did…
PhantomThiefRai: HAH! Knew it.
MaidChain81: Seriously, who is this guy?
TrueLord: FFS!
DarkSun: What, did Ren train the next Prime Minister or something?
Yoshida raised his eyebrows. 'In a way, Ren did train me, yes,' he said.
DarkSun: WHAT?!
Yoshida chuckled.
'He did not train me in the traditional sense of the word, but he taught me more than I can possibly repay. During his high school years, Ren volunteered to help me with my speeches despite everyone treating me as 'No-Good-Tora', an old nickname of mine. He saw something in me, whatever it was, and only through interacting with him did I truly begin to believe in myself. I became more invested in my goal, and here we are now.
'It was the strangest thing. I saw him for the first time – well, second, really – while he was working in Shibuya's beef bowl shop, and then suddenly, he was helping me. He wanted to learn how to give speeches, but I learned more from him than I think I taught him.'
'I'm not sure about that,' Ann said. 'He did learn a lot from you, especially with negotiating and speaking. His leadership skills increased quite a lot after he started working with you.'
'Is that so? That is great to hear.'
AnnFann101: I give up. At this point, he must be real. He's too powerful.
PhantomThiefRai: I did get that vibe when I met him the other day. Thing is…
Golden_Guy: I love him already. Can you share him, Ann?
Kichijouji-kid321: I'm new. Why is chat simping over this Ren guy?
Ann laughed and, for probably the fiftieth time, she explained the Ren situation.
Golden_Guy: PhantomThiefRai Wait a minute… What does 'Thing is…' mean? What do you have for us this time?
Instead of saying anything, Ann just sat back and apologised to Yoshida, whose eyes were scrunched in what Ann could only imagine was confusion.
PhantomThiefRai: Golden_Guy So you know how I said I met him?
Golden_Guy: PhantomThiefRai Yeah?
PhantomThiefRai: Golden_Guy He was as Ann said. Unfairly handsome, cool, good at everything I asked him to do, and really kind. But then he said something.
As Golden_Guy posted a rather intrigued-looking 'Oh?' into the chat, Ann said, 'Oh no.'
PhantomThiefRai: Golden_Guy He told me to keep his abilities a secret. He didn't deny that he was someone special! He even told me that a part of what I said was right!
Golden_Guy: Holy shit!
DarkSun: No way…
Endlave2011: The mystery deepens...
PhantomThiefRai: Endlave2011 It does, indeed! Because I have learned something essential today! Ren has acquired the speaking and negotiating skills of a potential Prime Minister!
MaidChan81: PhantomThiefRai Spit it out already!
Pink_Wool: This is too good.
TheLocalFlorsit: Spill thy tea, brother!
PhantomThiefRai: He now has the abilities necessary to convince and change the minds of society! So…
Ann felt her smile and heart drop all at once. She opened her mouth quickly, but Rai's message was faster.
PhantomThiefRai: Ren wasn't trained by the government but by a separate, smaller organisation that wants to overthrow the government! He wants to be prime
PhantomThiefRai: No, he doesn't even need to run for Prime Minister himself because he has made friends with Yoshida here! It is all part of Ren's plan to overthrow the government and save Japan from them!
PhantomThiefRai: So, to those of you currently arguing over which of you will steal him from Ann, fret not! Ren is not just for one person. He was born and made for all of us! Ren is ours!
Ann slammed her palm harder than she ever had into her forehead, disappointed in her own heart and mind that they ever thought the chat could figure out the truth.
The chat's response to Rai's theory seemed mixed, as always, but more vocal viewers were those favouring his theories. When someone asked Ann if they were right, if Ren was made for the people, Ann looked directly at the camera.
'No, he's not yours. He's mine,' she said, then flashed a shy smile Yoshida's way. Yoshida just smiled back at her.
It seemed Ann had finally found a way to stop her chat's obsession with Ren: to embarrass herself, live, in front of them all. She sighed, but, unfortunately, her face became hotter than it had been that summer – and it had been hot that summer – when the chat changed what they were obsessing over.
Golden_Guy: AHHH! He has to be real! THEY'RE TOO ADORABLE!
AnnFann101: Shit. They sound like a power couple. I might have to concede and give up on Ann…
Sapphire-Eyes: I'm crying. I haven't even seen them together, but I already know they're better than any relationship I could ever have.
Featherman616: Ren, you're giving us men a good reputation. You're a legend.
Truck-kun: Can I isekai this guy just to make the world fairer?
With someone like Yoshida sitting across from her, Ann wanted to crumble into the floor.
It took about fifteen minutes to get the stream back on track, though Ann was debating finishing early due to the likelihood that she would overheat. She didn't – she instead opened a window and stuck her head outside for a minute or two – and they continued for another hour, answering questions, chatting, and trying their best not to mention Ren.
'Oh, is that the time?' Yoshida asked, looking at his watch. 'Unfortunately, Ann-san, I must get going. I have a conference to attend in about an hour. I'm sorry to cut this so short.'
'Not at all,' Ann said. 'Thank you for coming. It was nice to talk to you.'
'Likewise,' Yoshida said, standing up. As he did, the distant revving of a familiar engine reached Ann's ears through the open window. Usually, no sounds reached them in the apartment, but that was the exception.
'Is that…?'
'Indeed,' Yoshida said. 'Niijima-san is heading my escort today. I insisted I did not need one, but she insisted more, even with how busy she is.'
'Makoto? Do you mind if I go and say hello?'
'Not at all,' Yoshida said. He looked at the camera once more. 'Remember, everyone, vote in the next election. It doesn't have to be for me, even though that would be grand. Just vote. You will shape the future. Thank you.'
They lingered a moment, reading the chat. Ann laughed at one comment.
PhantomThiefRai: I'm sorry to say, Yoshida-san, but I'm voting for Ren as the next Prime Minister.
Yoshida laughed.
'Honestly, if he were in the running,' he said, 'I would too.'