As they walked, Ai discussed her conjectures with Kumiko about Kudo's potential future changes.
Kumiko's response was:
As a science and engineering girl who has studied in the laboratory since she was a child and has a serious hormonal deficiency, don't blame others. You don't even understand your own life, yet you're thinking about the future of others. Aren't you tired?
"I'm just curious. After all, Kudo and I have the same experience."
What similar experience! His future is to be sued by me again and again, and then pay the money. After paying, he will go to the factory to make screws. That's it.
"...If he really turned to the dark side, I think you were the one who caused it."
The two walked and talked, and unknowingly arrived at the lobby.
In the hallway near the lobby, Reiko Kujo leaned against the wall, a woman's cigarette in her hand.
Her brows were tightly furrowed, as if she was still troubled by the previous issues.
"Cheer up and smile." An unpleasant voice came, "After all, the old aunt is getting married, good luck, don't be so sad."
Kujo Reiko didn't need to look back to know it was Kumiko.
She glanced at Keisuke Kumiko, shook her head, continued smoking, and kept her head down in silence.
"Aunt Kujo, your brother is right, you should be happier." Ai's voice sounded again from the side.
Reiko Kujo sighed and took a deep drag of her cigarette.
"You two siblings, please don't make me angry at this time, okay?"
"Isn't it just getting married? You're so old, it's a happy event," Keisuke Kumiko said.
Kujo Reiko rolled her eyes and said, "Yes, yes, yes. I'm already very old, this is a happy event. Do you want to give yourself away for this happy event?"
Pause.
Her face was as dark as a willow, and she let out a long sigh.
"Kumiko, what do you think is the right way for a woman to plan her life?"
"Hmm…"
Keisuke Kumiko looked her up and down for a while.
Is this all you women think about?
What kind of problem is this? It's a major event in our life.
Kujo Reiko shook her head; her tone was melancholy.
You don't know, my father is the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office. If he can successfully contact the other party's uncle, who is a member of Congress, he might be able to become the Prosecutor General before he retires.
"Well, I almost forgot that you are also the child of an official."
Keisuke Kumiko understood and nodded, "So, this is a classic political marriage? The troubles of the second generation of officials?"
"Don't call me a second-generation official. I have never relied on my father's power."
Kujo Reiko said, "But this matter is really difficult to decide, because the other party is a cabinet member and has great power."
"Then what are you worried about? Isn't this a good thing?"
"Hey, are you listening to what I'm saying?"
Kujo Reiko was speechless.
Can't you see? I don't want to get married at all. Don't you know that the president's son is already over 40 years old, has been divorced three times, and has several mistresses outside? No one would be willing to marry him!
"Oh, that suits you better. You seem like the kind of cold woman in that regard. Wouldn't it be better if he didn't want you?"
"...I'm talking to you, but it's like talking to a cow!"
Reiko Kujo covered her head like crazy and crouched down weakly.
At this moment, Keisuke Kumiko's voice came over.
Although I don't understand the troubles of second-generation officials, there are only two outcomes in this matter, right? Either you agree or you don't. Do you have any other choices? If you don't agree, can't you just refuse?
"I wish it were that simple."
Kujo Reiko raised her head and smiled bitterly.
My father is 65 years old this year. He only has five years left before retirement (the retirement age in Japan is 70). He doesn't have much time left to fight. Do you understand?
"I see." Keisuke Kumiko nodded, "So, in order for him to work hard for the last five years, you gave up your own hard work for more than 20 years."
Kujo Reiko was stunned, lowered her head, and remained silent.
Keisuke Kumiko continued.
"In order for him to have worked hard for the past five years, you first gave up twelve years of hard study in elementary, middle, and high schools."
"I gave up my four years of university studies and my law studies."
"I gave up the work that prosecutors have done for the next few years, and I gave up the hard-earned reputation of 'the Madonna of Prosecutors'."
"Then you would directly get married and end up being a housewife, cooking every day and waiting for your husband's return like a waiting stone."
"Oh, by the way, he still has a mistress out there and might not come home yet."
"Congratulations! Following Mouri Ran, another naive woman has inherited her legacy! For the bright future of Japan, there is a new housewife force! Japan's hope is just around the corner!"
Keisuke Kumiko spoke in rapid succession, laughing, scolding, and expressing his feelings with great enthusiasm.
Reiko Kujo stood there dumbfounded.
The cigarette in my hand was about to burn my fingers, but I didn't notice.
After a long time, her bitter expression gradually faded.
Instead, there was a smile of relief.
"Kumiko, you really are a very special person."
Kujo Reiko smiled slightly.
"I suddenly understand why you were the first person I looked for after this incident."
She extinguished the cigarette in her hand and slowly stood up.
"Let it be buried in the ground, if it's a middle-aged man."
Reiko Kujo reached out her hand and untied the leather rope tied behind her head casually.
Suddenly, her tied-up hair spread out like a waterfall and fell over her shoulders as usual.
"This hairstyle suits you." Keisuke Kumiko smiled slightly.
"Well, I did that hairstyle before the blind date. It made me feel awkward all day."
Reiko Kujo reached out and smoothed the hair flying behind her head.
Cheer up, very confident.
Pause.
"However, my problem is still not that easy to solve."
She thought about it and said again.
"I thought I might need your help."
Kujo Reiko looked at Kumiko with a mischievous look.
Keisuke Kumiko raised an eyebrow and immediately took a step back.
"You're not going to resort to that old trick of asking me to pretend to be your boyfriend or something, are you? Why don't you pee and look at yourself? You're already an old lady in your thirties. How can you stand next to a young man in his twenties like me?"
"If you dare to say the word 'old aunt' again, I will be rude to you."
Kujo Reiko laughed and clenched her hands, making a cracking sound.
"…"
Keisuke Kumiko almost forgot again.
As far as I remember, Reiko Kujo practiced Taekwondo.
The "independent women" in this world always seem to have some inexplicable and confusing skills.
"Anyway, if you want me to do that, it's impossible."
Keisuke Kumiko smoothed his clothes and looked at the woman in front of him with a smile on his face.
"Besides, why would you ask me for help? Do you have any bargaining chips?"
(End of this chapter)