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The shameful sight that the Minister of Defense Furusawa showed against Saegusa Kouichi greatly disappointed the Army Intelligence Department. In an effort to make a comeback, the Intelligence Department accelerated their plan of maneuvering behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, the target of the Intelligence Department's efforts was also making his own moves to counter them.
On the evening of the same day he was called by the Minister of Defense, Kouichi paid a visit to a ryotei in the center of the city. This was the same restaurant where Tatsuya, Masaki and also Mayumi had a private meeting with each other a few days ago. Mayumi had been called here just the week before. Now that he has been invited here by the same individual, Kouichi felt a strange sense of connection in these events.
"I've been waiting for you."
As soon as Kouichi opened the fusuma of the tatami room he was guided to, he was met by Tatsuya who had been standing waiting for him. Tatsuya bowed politely, and Kouichi returned the bow. And then he sat down at the head of the table he'd been guided to.
"Thank you for your invitation, Yotsuba-dono."
Kouichi then spoke to Tatsuya who was seated across from him.
"By no means, I should be thanking you for taking time out of your busy schedule."
Tatsuya shrugged off the "Yotsuba-dono" address without so much as raising an eyebrow.
In his mind, Kouichi felt like he had "misjudged the situation," but he didn't express it in his expression, or in any other way. The two faced each other in a similarly "composed" manner.
"First of all, I'd like to apologize."
Tatsuya formally started the conversation.
"I asked for your daughter's cooperation on a work matter, and it seems that it has caused you some trouble."
"It's my duty as a parent to look after my daughter, and it wasn't too big a hassle, so you shouldn't worry about it."
"Thank you for your generous words."
Tatsuya held out a tokkuri, and Kouichi extended a sake cup to him.
After Tatsuya finished pouring Koucihi a drink, the conversation continued.
"To be honest, I was surprised."
Kouichi didn't inquire, "What?" to Tatsuya's remark.
"That I opposed the Minister of Defense?"
Not only Tatsuya, but Kouichi also understood exactly what this conversation would be about.
"Yes. I thought that Saegusa-dono would place greater importance on cooperation with the government, so I thought it unlikely that you'd agree to my request."
In fact, Tatsuya had previously made a request of Kouichi through Mayumi to not give in to any government or military pressure seeking to prevent her from traveling to the United States.
"You're not entirely wrong about that."
"Heh", Kouichi laughed. It was more of a forced laugh than a wry smirk.
"I have no intention of blindly following them. It all depends on the time, place, and person in question."
"I see. The time, place, and person in question, then."
Nodding, Tatsuya's expression showed no trace of whimsiness.
"I just felt it was a good opportunity."
And, as if on cue, Kouichi added.
"And by that, you mean?"
Tatsuya asked Koucihi half-heartedly.
"I've been thinking about it for a while now. It's about time for us magicians to stop being so tolerant." "Tolerant?"
"Yes, tolerant."
Kouichi still had his usual poker face. But there was a tinge of bitterness in his tone.
"What about you, Shiba-san?"
This time Kouichi addressed Tatsuya as "Shiba-san" rather than "Yotsuba-dono."
"You've mentioned that Magian's don't have the economic base to be self-sufficient, and that it’s essential for them to coexist with the majority, is that right?"
His remark, at least on this occasion, could be his way of distinguishing Tatsuya as Shiba Tatsuya, and not as a member of the Yotsuba Family.
"It's as you said."
"I think the idea itself has merit. However, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that the various forms of [self-restraint] imposed on Magians have deprived them of their ability to be independent."
Tatsuya repeated the words, "It's as you said."
"Since modern times, society has become more prosperous through the division of labor."
"That's one of the concepts of classical economics. Adam Smith, right?"
"The classics shouldn't be underestimated."
Kouichi let out a wry smile. There was no sarcasm present.
"We offer our magical skills, and we receive money and goods in return. This is undeniably a division of labor. And this division of labor expands as the scope of the exchanges increases."
"I'm not well-versed in economics, but I can understand it."
This wasn't him being modest. It was nothing short of a fact that Tatsuya wasn't very familiar with economics, and everything that Kouichi just said was perfectly within reason and could be understood with a little thought, even without any technical knowledge.
"I don't think geographical expansion is necessarily a guarantee of economic scale, but it's definitely a major factor."
And even if you haven’t studied economics in depth, you can still draw this line of reasoning from watching how the world is run.
Kouichi nodded at Tatsuya's remark and deliberately lowered the tone of his voice.
"I don't believe that the reasons for wanting to confine magicians within the country are simply based on fear of the outflow of genetic data."
"You think it's about making us more dependent on the government?"
"I don't think it's an unjustified suspicion."
Kouichi said so confidently. Perhaps he has access to undisclosed information by some means.
"So you believe that by expanding into overseas markets, it will lead to the breakthrough we need for our economic independence?
"Yes, I do believe so. There are markets outside the country, not just magic related ones, that we haven't been able to access before. That's why I think it's a good opportunity when you assigned my daughter to travel to the USNA, Shiba-san."
"It certainly is an unexpected alignment of interests."
"Indeed. We can work together if it's for our mutual benefit. Don't you agree?"
"You have a point."
Tatsuya nodded without hesitation to Kouichi's question.
"Just so there's no misunderstanding, I don't have any feelings against Saegusa-dono."
For example, Tatsuya was well aware of the time when Kouichi lent a hand to Zhou Gongjin. Nevertheless, it's true that he doesn't have any kind of ill feelings because of it.
"Neither do I. I don't have anything against you, Shiba-san."
Kouichi, for his part, was able to separate his emotional baggage with Maya and his evaluation of Tatsuya.
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