Chapter 79 – Spring Bullet Tour? (1)

The spring bullet tour had begun.

The destinations were Osaka and Kobe in the Kansai region, plus, if possible, a series of tourist spots. At the very least, we’d go to Hiroshima and Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture. On the way back, we’d also stop by Aichi.

“So Komatsu Limited is really in Komatsu, huh.”

“According to the long-term plan, once the business expands, the headquarters will be moved into the Ootori Building. But for now, everything is to remain in Komatsu.”

“Yeah, I know that. But Hokuriku is way too far.”

As I said that, I averted my gaze slightly toward the window, where the scenery flowed by. We were moving at a considerable speed, and there was a noticeable vibration.

Right now, we were on a train running along the Tokaido Main Line. It was an express train, but it didn’t have a name yet. The name would only be given in September of this year—“Fuji.”

For now, it’s simply called “Special Express Train No. 1 and 2,” but it’s a luxurious train made to show off to the world, with first- and second-class cars, a Western-style dining car, and an observation car.

And I was currently sitting in the dining car—not in my private sleeper or the observation car—because it was right around meal time. And since everything was by reservation only, I had no choice but to come if I didn’t want to miss my meal.

No way would a first-class passenger settle for a station bento.

Around me, several of my attendants besides Shizu were also eating.

The bigger issue for me was how incredibly long it took, even on Japan’s fastest train.

The trip from Tokyo to Kobe took nearly half a day—about 11 hours and 50 minutes—even with Japan’s top-speed express service. I never expected to be reminded so clearly of just how amazing the Shinkansen is in a situation like this.

And this was the best Japan had to offer. Hiroshima was one thing, but just thinking about heading to Hokuriku made me a bit gloomy.

“Then why not cancel the visit?”

“I already said I was going. A last-minute cancellation isn’t an option. Besides, that place is one of those places where you absolutely have to go in person.”

“Is that so?”

Yes, being able to cancel at the last moment is a blessing. But since it’s not acceptable in most places, I try not to do it. Still, sometimes my soul gets pulled in that direction.

And from here on out, I had no choice but to speak as my soul led me. Time to show off my history nerd knowledge.

“That’s right. The founder’s younger brother is none other than Yoshida Shigeru, the current Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. And Yoshida’s wife is the eldest daughter of Makino Nobuaki. Got it? That connects straight back to Ookubo Toshimichi.”

“One of the Three Great Nobles of the Meiji Restoration?”

Shizu tilted her head slightly.

“Exactly. The very person you study about in school.”

“But why would someone with such lineage be in Komatsu?”

“If I recall, he bought a mine in Komatsu, and from there, went on to found a separate company—Komatsu Limited. Right, Torasaburou?”

The burly, middle-aged man who had been half-listening to our conversation until now finally turned toward us at my words.

“Oh. Reiko, you’ve done your homework. With you around, I might not even be needed,” he said.

Apparently, he had been listening to everything after all.

And this man had unilaterally declared that, at least for this trip, I could call him without honorifics in private.

When I asked why, he said it was because I was the one in the center of all the complicated matters within the Ootori family these days.

“It’s only because of your connections that I can go on visits like this so easily, Torasaburou.”

“Well, I know Takeuchi personally, and my old man knew Yoshida too.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not like I’m actually going to meet Yoshida Shigeru or anything. We’re just going to Komatsu, remember?”

“Oh, right. So where’s the first stop?”

“First is the Suzuki Main Office in Kobe.”

“We’re skipping Osaka?”

“Leaving it for later. We’re striking west first.”

“You’re on the offensive, huh? I sure got dragged into quite the trip at my age,” he said with a sigh, though he sounded more amused than anything.

“I—I do feel a bit bad about it, you know. But…”

“I get it. There’s no one else in the Ootori clan who has as many connections with the places we’re visiting as I do. Besides, I’ll get more than enough out of this just seeing everything along the way.”

“Thanks. But still, it’s kind of a brutal schedule. I really wish we had a plane.”

“I feel the same. Have Kawanishi build one.”

“That’s part of the reason I’m going too~”

Thinking about that, I recalled the tour plan.“Reiko, I heard about it. You’re going on a trip for the entire spring break, right? Abroad?”

Before our usual study session, Ryuichi-kun asked me.

“Nope. Domestic.”

“Domestic, huh. Then I guess I’m not that interested.”

“I wanna go too!”

“I’d love to come with you~”

Youko-chan hugged me tightly, and I hugged her back just as tight. A moment of pure bliss.

But still, I couldn’t exactly take her on the trip. Well, if she absolutely insisted, I wouldn’t stop her, but…

“You’re not clinging to Youko? Is it going to rain tomorrow or something?”

“Ahahaha! I think it’s more likely to snow~”

“I think it’ll be a blizzard.”

“I want snow~”

The Ootori children all commented however they pleased.

They might be right, but I have my reasons—one or two at least.

So I said, “Just a moment,” and took out a memo.

“Here. This is the travel schedule and a brief list of objectives.”

“I got it first—ugh!”

“What’s wrong… Hey, what’s a ‘bullet tour’ supposed to mean?”

“Wow, you’re going to so many places!”

“Umm, Reiko-chan, can you really do this in two weeks?”

“As you can see, it’s a nine-day plan. I’ll be back by my birthday.”

At those words, everyone visibly recoiled.

Yeah… I kind of get how they feel. After all, the memo says this:

(Night of Day 1 – Travel) Tokyo → Kobe

(Day 2) Kobe (Suzuki, Kobe Steel) → Himeji (Hirohata, Aioi)

(Night of Day 2 – Travel) Himeji → Hiroshima

(Day 3) Hiroshima (Matsuda) → Itsukushima (shrine visit)

(Night of Day 3 – Travel) Hiroshima → Osaka (Nishinomiya)

(Day 4) Nishinomiya (Kawanishi) → Takarazuka (Revue) → Arima Onsen (1 night)

(Day 5) Osaka (Umeda, Dotonbori, and other scouting)

(Night of Day 5 – Travel) Osaka → Kanazawa (Komatsu)

(Day 6) Komatsu (factory) → Kaga Onsen (1 night)

(Day 7 – Travel) Kaga Onsen → Aichi

(Day 8) Aichi (Toyota)

(Night of Day 8) Aichi → Tokyo

(Morning of Day 9) Tokyo – return home by car

(I might’ve gone a bit overboard with this…)

That crossed my mind, but I’d already informed the people at each destination, so changing the plan wasn’t an option. If there’s room in the schedule, I was even thinking of squeezing in a night at Atami.

“Ahahaha, that’s seriously a bullet tour. You’ll be fighting for 24 hours straight.”

“Reiko-chan, take care of your health, okay?”

“You’re spending most nights on sleeper trains. Don’t die.”

“I’m more worried about Great Uncle Torasaburou, since he was the one who said this schedule was fine.”

“That guy’s tough, he’ll be fine. It’s Reiko the kid who’ll definitely wear out first.”

“That’s why I put a hot spring in the middle.”

This time, everyone starts offering their commentary. And overall, they’re all saying this plan is ridiculous.

But in this era, using overnight trains for long-distance travel to avoid wasting time is normal. So they’re half-joking anyway.

So I decided to play one card just in case.

“And on the last day… how about all of you come to Atami or Shonan?”

“Oh, you mean to meet up and stay the night?”

Gentarou-kun figures it out immediately.

The other three also light up with smiles at almost the same time.

“I’m in favor~!”

“Then I’ll go pick up Reiko-chan!”

“Ah, I see. Then we’ll stay there from the day before. Where should we go?”

“Reiko-chan and Great Uncle Torasaburou will probably be tired, so…”

“Atami it is. Alright, it’s decided.”

Ryuichi-kun finishes Youko-chan’s sentence, but since she’s an angel, she nods happily with a big smile.

“Yeah, I’m in too. Okay then, Reiko-chan, safe travels!”

“No, we’re going after spring break starts.”

In September 1929, the train was officially named “Fuji.”
With the train cars updated in autumn 1930, the Tokyo–Kobe travel time was dramatically reduced from about half a day to 9 hours.

Komatsu Seisakusho (Komatsu Ltd.)
Takeuchi Meitarou – older brother of Yoshida Shigeru. That alone tells you how prominent his position is.

Yoshida Shigeru

No explanation needed for this man.