CHAPTER 495: CHAPTER 493 AOZAWA’S THOUGHTS ON LOVE_1

Morimoto Chiyoda had Okayama Takeo head to Osaka to investigate the background of the missing family and see if any crime was involved. If so, the likelihood of Dio’s involvement was very high.

She arrived at the official residence. It was bustling, with construction crews renovating the building. Scaffolding and green netting obscured both sides. Morimoto Chiyoda glanced around before entering. A secretary led her to the fifth-floor office.

Unlike her previous visit with the Prime Minister, this time Morimoto Chiyoda didn’t have to wait at all and was led directly into the Prime Minister’s office. Warm-colored walls were adorned with ink paintings, and pretty potted plants were placed around the room. A tank housed a group of ferocious piranhas. The sofas and small tables exuded luxury. The office desk was crescent-shaped, flanked by bookshelves. The office was completely different from when Morimoto Chiyoda had visited previously.

Kochou didn’t sit down; she smiled as she stood up and said, "Morimoto, we meet again. Have a seat. What would you like to drink?"

Morimoto Chiyoda sat on the sofa and looked at the teapot on the small table. She shrugged. "Prime Minister, I prefer coffee."

"Sorry, I only have black tea here."

Kochou smiled, stepped forward, and poured a cup of black tea for her and one for herself. With a gentle smile, she said, "We are both exceptions in this country. You are the youngest in history and the first female Police Director. I am also the youngest and first female Prime Minister. This is the trust of the people and also a responsibility. We should get closer in the future."

Morimoto Chiyoda glanced at the black tea in her cup and smiled. "Prime Minister, you are the genuine article. You should understand how diluted my position as Police Director is."

"I’ve looked over your record and know that you lead a special task force providing a lot of important intelligence for the country. Without a doubt, you are a talented individual."

A faint smile touched Kochou’s lips. "I think it’s somewhat inappropriate for you to remain Police Director. The Minister of State is about to be promoted to Chief Cabinet Secretary. I want you to take over the vacated position. Minister Morimoto, this is a title that suits you."

Morimoto Chiyoda’s eyes darkened. She knew all too well that Kochou was proposing this position to put her on the spot. Yesterday’s unexpected incident had caught everyone by surprise, allowing Kochou, armed with Kumazo Yasuda’s letter of appointment, to assume the role of Prime Minister with swift decisiveness. The actions taken that evening further expanded the new Prime Minister’s authority. Now, she was being appointed as Minister of State. For someone her age, to have reached the position of Police Director was already an extraordinary promotion. To take a further step to become Minister of State was simply unthinkable. But if Kochou could make this appointment happen, she could display her resolute power to the outside world, as well as show her eagerness to recruit talent to those below her. If Kochou couldn’t make it happen, then Ministers and Members of Parliament dissatisfied with her would find various reasons to nitpick and attack. Her position as Police Director would certainly not be secure. Kochou could take this opportunity to see how many in the current cabinet and the Diet were dissatisfied with her appointment. She could also smoothly maneuver to place her own confidants in the position of Police Director. This way, whether or not Morimoto Chiyoda was promoted to Minister of State, Kochou wouldn’t lose. This woman is truly venomous!

Morimoto Chiyoda thought this and said with a smile, "Prime Minister, the position of Minister of State is beyond my capacity."

"I believe that even a recent university graduate could serve as Minister of State, let alone you, a top student from Tokyo University." Kochou didn’t give Morimoto Chiyoda an opportunity to refuse, smiling as she said, "Don’t be so modest. There is certainly a place for you in the cabinet."

"If that’s the case, then I must thank the Prime Minister for the promotion."

A smile appeared on Morimoto Chiyoda’s face. So, she wants to use me as a pawn? She might be slacking off, but that doesn’t mean she lacks ability or a temper. If Kochou keeps making things difficult, she shouldn’t blame me for tripping up this new Prime Minister.

"Good luck, I have high expectations for you."

Kochou smiled and raised her black tea. She wanted to stabilize her power as quickly as possible, which meant the Metropolitan Police Department must be under her control. A Police Director who didn’t follow her orders couldn’t remain in the position.

「Kita-Senju, Adachi Market.」

The morning sun poured into every corner of the market, illuminating tuna, fish, shellfish, shrimp, octopus, and more, as vendors enthusiastically promoted their goods to passing customers. The air was filled with the smell of fish. Water spilled from scooped fish slowly spread across the ground, getting trodden on by passersby, the mud instantly soiling their shoe soles.

Hojo Shouko carried ingredients for today’s lunch and tomorrow’s breakfast, carefully avoiding the dirty spots. Her shoes remained spotless as she left Adachi Market.

Aozawa hurried to catch up, walking alongside her. He laughed, "Shouko, what kind of milk tea would you like today?"

Hojo Shouko glanced sideways, a hint of confusion on her fair cheeks. "Aozawa-senpai, you always wait until I leave the market to walk beside me, keeping your distance while we’re inside. Why is that?"

Aozawa was slightly taken aback and answered truthfully, "I’ve noticed you’re quite familiar with the vendors there. If we walked side by side, it might attract some gossip. I don’t mind, but I’m worried it would be difficult for you to explain."

"Is that so?"

Hojo Shouko seemed pensive and withdrew her gaze. So Aozawa-senpai didn’t walk beside me in the market because he was thinking that. What a relief. Hojo Shouko sighed in relief inwardly. She had thought her haggling with the vendors had made Aozawa-senpai feel distant, or even disgusted. After all, not many people would accept a girl who haggles over every penny. It’s such a relief not to be disliked. Hojo Shouko felt fortunate about this once more.

Aozawa swung a tuna in front of her and said, "Shouko, what are you daydreaming about? What milk tea do you want?"

"Green juice pearl milk tea."

"You drink this every day, don’t you get tired of it?"

"Is that not okay?"

"Of course it’s fine, as long as you like it."

Aozawa strode towards the milk tea shop. Outside Adachi Market were several restaurants, milk tea shops, and snack stores, making it very convenient. Aozawa ordered a green juice pearl milk tea and a brown sugar latte pearl Uji matcha milk tea. He liked to try different flavors every day, only settling on the tastiest one after he’d tried everything the shop offered. This was his habit at this particular shop. At different milk tea shops, he would also order different milk teas. Aozawa wasn’t fond of sticking to one type of milk tea. He handed the green juice milk tea to Hojo Shouko and continued towards Kita-Senju Station.

Passersby frequently glanced their way. The girl’s outfit and temperament created a stark visual contrast with the large bag of groceries she was holding. Hojo Shouko was wearing an orange camisole dress. Her features were picturesque, her skin as white as snow on a winter rooftop, and she exuded the tranquil aura of a literary girl. Yet, in her right hand, she carried a bag of groceries.

She held the green juice pearl milk tea in her left hand, ignoring the looks of the passersby, and suddenly asked, "Aozawa-senpai, what does being in love feel like?"

"Huh?!"

Aozawa was a bit dazed by her sudden question. He turned his head. "Why do you ask that all of a sudden?"

"Summer Flower is always sending messages saying she’s bored and wants to be in a relationship. It made me a bit curious. What does being in love actually feel like?"

Hojo Shouko met Aozawa’s gaze, her eyes showing a hint of curiosity. She wanted to know how far Aozawa-senpai and Phoenix Academy’s Senior had progressed, and what their romance felt like.

"Summer Flower, huh." Aozawa wasn’t surprised, considering her personality. He remembered one morning, August 3rd, he was out, and his phone was on the bedside table in his bedroom. Summer Flower had relentlessly sent emojis until he returned. The sheer volume was so terrifying that Aozawa didn’t even want to scroll up to see them all. When she’s bored, she’s *really* bored. She can happily send emojis all morning without a break.

"Being in love is..." Aozawa was about to share his feelings, but when the words reached his lips, he didn’t know how to describe that feeling. Even though his relationships with Ayatsuki Ayaka, Phoenix Academy Maggie, and Morimoto Chiyoda had progressed that far. But if Shouko asked him what being in love felt like, he truly couldn’t articulate it.

Aozawa frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "Sorry, Shouko, I can’t answer that question."

"Aozawa-senpai doesn’t know either?"

A clear look of surprise crossed Hojo Shouko’s face. She had thought Aozawa-senpai would easily be able to describe what love was.

Aozawa shrugged and said, "I think it’s different for everyone. Some people feel that when they see a beautiful scene, they want to share it with their other half, and that’s love. Some feel that being by the other person’s side, talking about all sorts of trivial matters without growing tired, that’s also love. I don’t know what kind of love you’re yearning for, Shouko, so I can’t offer that kind of advice. I wouldn’t want to lead you astray."

Hojo Shouko continued to inquire, "Which kind is it for Aozawa-senpai?"

Seeing her determination to get to the bottom of it, Aozawa knew he probably wouldn’t be left alone unless he shared his true feelings. "Love, as I see it, is when you find any topic interesting with that person, and you never get bored. It’s like peacefully coexisting with family members, but sometimes it’s as thrilling as riding a roller coaster. A mix of tranquility and excitement. Haha, that’s just my personal opinion, don’t take it as advice."

As he finished, Aozawa laughed and shook his head. He felt a little embarrassed sharing his thoughts on love and didn’t want to continue the topic.

Hojo Shouko’s eyes flashed with confusion. In her eyes, Phoenix Academy’s Senior was so dazzling. Could they really coexist as calmly as family? On further reflection, she realized Aozawa-senpai’s relationship with that person also seemed to be like that—nothing overtly special, yet harmonious and faultless. Wait, by that standard, could *I* also be included?!

Hojo Shouko fell into deep thought, the taste of the green juice pearl milk tea in her mouth becoming indiscernible.