site 08: MMG

“Is there some reason you’re bringing up RFID chips again?” Hatoyama seemed irritated as he spoke.

“That plan was a massive failure. I’ve never seen such a poorly thought-out plan.”

“Some of the donors even claimed to suffer health problems. And the whole thing almost came to light,” Matoba added with a frown.

“Um, what happened to that one man? What was his name? The traitor.”

“Aaron Russo.”

Hatoyama nodded when Takasu said the name. “Yes, him. Was he properly ‘dealt with’?”

“Yes. There were no issues.” Takasu said no more.

It would be inappropriate to go into the details in a place like this. All everyone needed to know was that the traitor had been dealt with.

“It was actually during the information suppression after he was dealt with where you were very helpful, Mr. Hatoyama.”

Hatoyama chuckled and waved his hands in front of his face. “I don’t mind. It’s not my money. Japan’s ‘Freedom of the Press’ ranking has dropped to 65. It’s dropped even lower after the passage of the State Secrecy Law. Some of the younger Diet members say that this was something to be ashamed of, but it certainly does come in handy. Since everyone in the country thinks they’re free, there’s no room to doubt that it’s peaceful.”

“You have the whole public thinking you’re a clown, Mr. Hatoyama. Very cunning of you.”

Hatoyama smiled, pleased with Matoba’s statement. “It makes things easier, you see. The matter with the ‘occult’ is proceeding apace as well, then?”

“Yes, of course.” Takasu nodded respectfully. “The idea of turning the failed RFID project into an urban legend to bury it was quite bold.”

Matoba shrugged. “The first time I heard it, I was terrified at what might happen.”

“Either way, I’d prefer we stopped discussing the microchips. I don’t want to hear about any of our Dark History. Can you tell me how the new plan is going? Don’t tell me it’s failed so hard you’re already praying to God for help?” He was smiling, but there was no laughter in his eyes.

In his eyes, Matoba and the others caught a glimpse of the cunning man who played the fool, and shivered.

But Takasu ignored him and gave a small shrug. “Dark History, huh? It’s true that the RFIDs were a failure. But there’s nothing to be learned from success. And there is much to be learned from the history of failure. It is critical that we not become arrogant. We are, after all, the rulers.”