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Chapter 96 – Preparing for Departure

“So then, you said there was something else you wanted to talk about.”

“Ah, yes. It’s about the long-term trip to the U.S. that I’ve mentioned a few times before.”

Since the topic had lightened up a bit, I took the opportunity to shift my tone.
Otherwise, I wasn’t sure my nerves would hold.

“How long are you planning to stay?”

In response to Great-Grandfather’s question, I pretended to think for a moment, then said what I had already decided.

“Around three months, including travel time. I saw a lot over spring break, but this time I want to see the world. That trip in spring made me realize just how much I don’t know.”

“…If a child says something like that at your age, there’s no choice but to let them go. Right, Father?”

Before Great-Grandfather could respond, Grandfather gave a supportive answer. I could take that as having a free hand.

However, Great-Grandfather wore a slightly troubled expression.

“Three months, huh… Well, you don’t need elementary school studies, and if you’re back before the next school year, it should be fine. See as much as you want—until you get tired of it.”

“We’ll need proper escorts and preparation, though.”

Grandfather added that as if it were just a side note, but something about it felt off to me.

“Escorts? Am I really in that much danger?”

“Yeah, well, anyone in the core of the Ootori family is in about the same level of danger. That’s why you had escorts during your spring trip, remember?”

“Yes. I was a little surprised, but nothing really happened.”

“It’s not as safe as the Imperial Capital, but it was still within the country. But going to America is different. Did you know? Back in February of this year, in a city called Chicago, gangsters had a big shootout and killed each other with guns.”

(Ah, the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. Right, this was Prohibition-era America, during Al Capone’s time…)

That’s what I was thinking, but what I said out loud was something else.

“So that’s why I’ll need escorts too. Oh, but with the method I’m planning to use, I can’t take very many people at once.”

“What, are you thinking of using a plane? Sorry, but crossing the Pacific by airplane still isn’t possible.”

“No, not that. A German airship. It’s doing a round-the-world tour this summer, and it’ll stop in Japan, so I thought it’d be nice to ride it.”

“Oh, one of those Zeppelin airships? Then I want to ride it too!”

Grandfather was clearly excited. I guess men really do love flying.

“I’ve never heard anything about an airship coming to Japan,”

Great-Grandfather, perhaps due to his age, didn’t seem particularly interested.

“It came to me in a dream. There’ll be movement in Europe before summer, so I’d like to reserve a ticket. But there’s only space for a few people.”

“Ah, right, that one only holds about 20 passengers. So that means just you and maybe one more. Well, Tokita should be fine.”

“Tokita’s already in America.”

“I see. That’s right. Then is there anyone else?”

“Yeah, we can’t exactly send a child alone.”

The three of us fell into thought. It was an unexpected blind spot.
For now, I offered a suggestion.

“What if we assign someone from within the group—one of the key employees—and arrange for them to have some kind of business in America?”

“That won’t do. Reiko, it has to be someone close to you, someone with knowledge and refinement, and ideally, someone capable of protecting you to a certain degree. Otherwise, we can’t entrust you to them.”

“There’s really no one more suitable than Tokita. He’s the president of Ootori Investments and already considered an important figure.”

“Also, wouldn’t it look bad if a company employee went on an air voyage when no one from the family is aboard?”

(Sounds like someone’s a bit jealous, Kiichirou.)

I listened to Grandfather’s words while suppressing a slightly mischievous smile.

But it’s true—no one in the Ootori family has ever flown before. In fact, aside from a very small number of pilots, it would practically be the first time for any Japanese person.

However, when I thought about who else might actually have a reason to go to America, one name came to mind.

“In that case, how about Professor Kouryuu—no, Uncle Kouryuu? Didn’t he get a few letters from Europe and America inviting him to give lectures?”

“To line it up with the Nobel Prize, huh. But wouldn’t it look silly if he ends up not winning it?”

“Then we can say it’s a preliminary visit to one of the universities that invited him.”

“Come to think of it, there was talk like that. Hm… Kouryuu does have some martial arts training, and for a few days in the tight space of an airship, he should make a suitable travel companion.”

“Yes. Sounds good. We’ll have the local branch over there handle the groundwork for the lectures and such.”

And so, the matter was settled—but then Grandfather gave me a look, slightly disappointed.

“To think you can get along even with that Kouryuu… Why is it that Genji doesn’t work for you? Talking with him is probably easier than with anyone else in the family.”

“More like, Reiko and Kouryuu get along because they’re both outliers. Right?”

Even Great-Grandfather threw in a rather blunt assessment.
I was a little annoyed that I couldn’t really argue against it.

“It’s not that I dislike Uncle Genji. But if he ends up leading the group, it’ll almost certainly fall apart. You both know that, don’t you?”

When I said that flat-out, both of them gave me a “yeah, fair enough” kind of look.
I mean, I’d only told Uncle Genji not to get in the way—I hadn’t directly said he was no good, so I guess I’m not much different. Still, I don’t think being vague about it is helpful.

Apparently, my Great-Grandfather thought the same.

“He used to say he wanted to become an artist, like his son, Koshirou, when he was a child. But unlike Koshirou, he didn’t have any talent. Even so, he picked himself up and said he’d support Kiichi… but it’s hard to say if that was ever going to work out. Just unlucky, I suppose.”

“Really? Huh, if that’s the case, he’d be happier going back to his hobby path.”

“That’s too harsh. Even the other day, you were a little too blunt with Genji—right to his face. …Still, Reiko, you really are a kid after all.”

“What! Of course I’m a kid! Sure, I keep thinking I need to grow up quickly and handle all sorts of things, but that’s not something I can control!”

I couldn’t help raising my voice at Grandfather’s terribly rude remark—that I only spoke without hesitation because I was still a child.
But even that earned me a sigh from Great-Grandfather.

“Saying ‘when I grow up’ instead of ‘I want to grow up soon’—that alone is already not something a child would normally say. Be careful how you speak in public.”

“Y-yes, sir…”

“But I suppose we can’t just sit around, either. Reiko, listen closely.”

Suddenly, Great-Grandfather straightened his tone and posture.
I responded in kind, straightening my posture and turning to face him.

“I entrust you with the decision-making authority for the Ootori family regarding this trip to America—or Europe. Based on the outcome, we will determine your position within the family moving forward.”

This wasn’t the usual intentionally casual, childish tone. I brought my hands together properly and bowed deeply with a tone appropriate to the moment.

With this, I would at least become a full-fledged member of the Ootori family. That’s what I thought—but I had a question, so I continued.

“I humbly accept. And regarding matters within the family?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Besides, if your dream was truly a divine message, then we already know the outcome will be a win, right? So don’t worry about anything else—more than anything, go out and see the world. If your spirit doesn’t break from that, then take the reins of the conglomerate. If it does, then we’ll begin the real search for a suitable husband and entrust the next generation of Ootori to him. Understood?”

At the end of Great-Grandfather’s words, I raised my head.

His tone had softened, so I tried to respond in kind—but something pulled at my soul.

“Yes. Then I’ll return triumphant—and lift not just the conglomerate, but all of Japan into flight.”

“Where do you even learn to spout such grandiose lines? That part of you is oddly childish too. Well, it does put my mind at ease though.”

My grandfather also gave his approval as the family head. His words probably served as a declaration that I would be treated as a full-fledged member of the family. Great-Grandfather’s eyes softened at his words as well.

But that only lasted for a moment.

“And if this trip to America, including the matter of the U.S. stocks, ends in failure, then you’ll bear the responsibility—at least within the family. So if you fail, you may no longer even be able to call yourself the ‘Dreaming Miko.’

Never act lightly, and be mindful of your words and actions. This is advice from someone who’s lived longer than you. Also, when you return to Japan, make sure to speak properly with Zenkichi as well.”

I bowed my head at the end of Great-Grandfather’s words, feeling a slight loneliness.

The reason he entrusted me with the authority wasn’t simply because the destination was far away. We could easily communicate by telegraph, and there should be time for correspondence.

Despite that, he entrusted me with the decision-making not for the sake of speed, but because I sensed his intent to hasten my maturity into an adult.

He had likely come to terms with the fact that he didn’t have much time left.

Even if that wasn’t the case, he must have realized that, even as a retired elder, he could no longer maintain the strength to remain deeply involved in the family’s affairs.

That’s exactly why I responded with firmness and sincerity.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll take it to heart.”