章 18: Chapter 17: The Old Man and the Song
In Kyoto, Japan, nestled in a tranquil courtyard that exuded a sense of Zen, elegance, and quietude, a white-haired old man in a pristine white kimono sat under the eaves, his gaze resting on a playful Shiba Inu frolicking near a meticulously arranged rock garden. His faint smile radiated a warmth that was both gentle and harmonious, reflecting a life of calm contemplation.
But despite the serene atmosphere, Mitsui Aragoshi, who stood outside in a perfectly tailored black suit, felt a sense of nervousness. In his hand was a folder containing information that felt almost lifeless, its contents cold and factual.
"You found the boy, then," the old man said in a calm, assured voice, as if it were already a foregone conclusion.
"Yes, Grandfather," Mitsui replied, stepping forward to hand over the file. "Here is his information."
The old man took the folder, his eyes settling on a photograph attached to the first page—a photo of a young boy who matched the one he had been seeking. His eyes softened, but rather than reading further, he closed the folder and gestured for Mitsui to recount the details.
"His name is Kaminari Denki, fifteen years old. He recently graduated from Tanibori No. 1 Junior High School in Saitama. His academic record is impressive, he's held the top rank in his grade from elementary school all the way through junior high, without ever slipping to second place," Mitsui recited.
The old man, however, was not easily impressed. As a member of the Mitsui family, he had seen his fair share of prodigies and high achievers. A top ranking in public schools wasn't anything extraordinary for someone with his background. But when Mitsui added, "And he's maintained perfect scores in all subjects for six consecutive years," a hint of surprise flickered in the old man's eyes.
"Oh?" the old man murmured, his tone light. "So, my little benefactor is quite the genius. That's impressive."
Once his grandfather finished speaking, Mitsui continued, "He's also passed the written exam for U.A. High School's Hero course and will be taking the practical exam next week."
"So, he wants to be a Hero," the old man mused, his eyes momentarily distant as he considered this. The thought that the boy who had saved his life aspired to be a Hero seemed fitting. "Yes, that suits him. A boy like that should indeed be a Hero."
"Grandfather," Mitsui ventured carefully, "U.A.'s practical exam has a notoriously high failure rate. Should we reach out to the school on his behalf, maybe through one of our business connections?"
The old man turned his head slightly, a bemused expression on his face. "Do you really think U.A. would take a request from us seriously? Or that the Mitsui family holds sway over an institution like U.A.?"
While the Mitsui family was indeed powerful, with influence that extended across Japan and even internationally, their power lay within the realms of business, not the elite circles of the Hero world. They could indeed leverage some lower-ranking Heroes or influence a few Hero agencies through business ties, but the idea of interfering with U.A.'s internal affairs was absurd.
Mitsui, however, wasn't convinced. "But we've supplied U.A. with Hero costumes and specialized equipment for years now," he insisted. "Surely, they'd give us some consideration?"
The old man's eyes glinted with a touch of amusement at his grandson's naiveté. "You've misunderstood the nature of that relationship," he replied. "It isn't that U.A. needs us. We provide those resources because it grants us access to future Heroes. And besides, several other companies are providing the same services. If you think U.A. sees us as anything more than just another supplier, you're mistaken."
But rather than chastising Mitsui further, the old man simply shook his head and declined the suggestion gently. "No, I'm confident this boy can pass the exam on his own. He has the ability."
For some reason, the memory of his first encounter with Kaminari played in the old man's mind. There had been something about the boy, an aura that exuded both strength and humility, that made him certain Kaminari would succeed.
"As you wish, Grandfather," Mitsui said, bowing his head in acquiescence. Though he still didn't entirely grasp why his grandfather placed so much faith in U.A.'s autonomy, he let the matter drop.
"Shall I arrange to contact the boy, then?" Mitsui asked.
The old man paused, considering the question. He certainly wished to meet Kaminari again and express his gratitude properly, but it didn't feel right to simply thank him with a few words. After all, the boy had saved his life, and that kind of debt demanded more than a token gesture.
His gaze fell on the folder Mitsui had brought, and a thought crossed his mind. Mitsui had mentioned Hero costumes and equipment earlier… Yes, that could work.
"No, let's not contact him directly," the old man said, a small smile curling at the corners of his lips. "I want to give this child a surprise a big one."
"A… surprise?" Mitsui echoed, raising an eyebrow. His grandfather's tone hinted at something more than just a simple gift, but he did not press the matter.
"By the way, is there anything else about him? What about his family?" the old man asked. If he couldn't repay Kaminari directly, he could at least make life easier for those close to him. That would be the least he could do.
Mitsui flipped through his mental notes on Kaminari's file. "His father started a small toy company a few years ago," he began. "And Kaminari himself is something of a musician. He's an independent artist who uploads his songs on MTV's music platform. One of his tracks is getting pretty popular, but he's not that well-known yet."
"A musician, too?" the old man chuckled, intrigued by the boy's multifaceted talents. Kaminari was only fifteen, yet he had already achieved more than many adults. With perfect grades, entry into the Hero program, and a budding music career, it was clear that Kaminari was a truly exceptional young man.
"Which company owns that music platform?" the old man asked, curious about whether there might be an easy connection he could leverage.
"It's part of Viacom Media Group, based in the U.S.," Mitsui replied.
"Do we have any dealings with them?"
"Not directly, no," Mitsui admitted.
"It doesn't matter," the old man said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Speak to your father and have him reach out to someone at Viacom. See if they can give this boy some special attention on the music platform. It shouldn't be a difficult favor to ask."
At the level the Mitsui family operated, arranging a meeting with Viacom's executives wouldn't be a challenge. Even if they hadn't done business before, there was always room for mutually beneficial arrangements, especially with such a simple request.
"As for his father's company," the old man continued, "find a way to give it a little extra support. Nothing too overt, but make sure they get some favorable deals."
Mitsui nodded, committing the instructions to memory. "Understood. Is there anything else, Grandfather?"
"That will be all," the old man said, rising from his seat. "You may go." He moved gracefully to the edge of the porch, glancing out toward the Shiba Inu still playing in the yard.
"Yes, Grandfather." Mitsui bowed again and began to walk away. But before he reached the courtyard exit, his grandfather's voice stopped him.
"One more thing," the old man said, his tone contemplative. "Have someone arrange for me to listen to this boy's music… I'd like to hear his song."
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