Free Web NovelAs Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro entered the press conference hall, the reporters who had been waiting began furiously pressing their camera shutters.
— Citizens of Japan.
After offering a light bow, Koizumi raised his head. His face was filled with grief.
— Our Chief Cabinet Secretary, Congressman Hiroyuki, has been found dead with a gunshot wound to the head.
Koizumi briefly explained the incident before moving on.
— This act of terror is a challenge to state authority and an attack against our cabinet. I will use every power at my disposal to identify those responsible and ensure they are judged under the law.
He read from his prepared statement in a mournful voice, delivering a rather lengthy address.
“He’s responding quite aggressively.”
I stared intently at Koizumi on the television screen.
The sorrow in his tone, the grief in his eyes, the deliberate way he spoke toward the camera — all of it was calculated.
If someone didn’t know better, they would truly believe Koizumi was devastated by Hiroyuki’s death. It was an excellent performance.
After finishing his statement, Koizumi did not immediately leave the podium. Instead, he opened the floor to questions.
The first reporter he pointed to asked:
— Prime Minister, do you know why Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki was at that restaurant at that particular hour?
— I do not.
— That restaurant is known to be a secret establishment owned by the yakuza organization Yamaguchi-gumi. It is a place where figures from politics and business meet discreetly. One cannot even approach it without membership. Why, then, was Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki there? At that location, at that specific time? And why was he discovered there as a cold corpse?
It was a question that cut straight to the heart of the matter. Koizumi hesitated briefly before responding.
— I was aware such an establishment existed. However, there has been no confirmed result regarding why the Chief Cabinet Secretary went there.
Though Koizumi gave a general, noncommittal answer, the reporter showed no sign of backing down.
— According to information our news agency has received, one of the two men found dead alongside Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki was a vice boss of Yamaguchi-gumi. Do you have any comment on that?
The question was suspiciously detailed. I turned to Manager Ma.
“Manager, we haven’t leaked anything yet, right?”
“No, Boss. Nothing yet.”
We had not provided any information to the press.
I intended to release it when their imaginations had run wild — when their curiosity reached its peak.
Because I wanted the end of this situation to point toward the Japanese branch of Heaven’s Church.
However, Koizumi opposed allowing this incident to spread toward Heaven’s Church.
Religious matters were too complicated. In Japan, especially sensitive.
This was a country that had already suffered the Aum Shinrikyo terror attack.
If the issue of Heaven’s Church were to explode again while politicians who believed in religion still remained scattered throughout the government, even I could not predict how far the repercussions would spread.
That didn’t mean I intended to leave the Japanese branch of Heaven’s Church alone.
Feeding information to the media, adding fuel to the fire — that too was part of my plan.
— Nothing has been confirmed yet.
— But if this is true, it clearly contradicts your policies, Prime Minister. The second-in-command of the cabinet privately met with a vice boss of a yakuza organization. We don’t know what was discussed, but it is the exact opposite of your repeated statements about driving violent groups out of Japan!
As the reporter pressed on, Koizumi no longer bothered to hide his discomfort.
— What kind of answer are you hoping to hear?
— If it turns out to be true, what will you do? Will you investigate Yamaguchi-gumi?
That reporter was determined.
He seemed like someone who already knew, at least partially, about Koizumi’s connections to Yamaguchi-gumi.
— I have already instructed the Metropolitan Police Department to begin a search and seizure operation at Yamaguchi-gumi’s headquarters.
The reporter who asked the question — and the others nearby — began murmuring.
In response, Koizumi’s tone grew even firmer.
— I will never compromise with violence. The only reason I left Yamaguchi-gumi alone was because they acknowledged my policies and ceased violent activities. Let me say this again: I have no relationship with them whatsoever.
The reporter fell silent.
More questions followed, but the answers were all formulaic.
— That concludes the press conference.
The moderator swiftly ended the session, and Koizumi left the stage.
— Prime Minister! Prime Minister!
Reporters called out desperately, but he did not return.
The screen shifted back to the news anchor, who began reporting breaking news about the situation at Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters.
There was no footage — only captions and narration.
At that moment, my phone rang.
“Yes, Prime Minister.” fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
— President Kim.
Koizumi called the moment his statement concluded.
“I watched your address. Very well prepared.”
— Have you already provided information to the media?
Despite my compliment, Koizumi went straight to the point in a grave tone.
“Not yet.”
— We secured the scene thoroughly. Yet Yomiuri has already identified all parties involved.
Oh?
Koizumi was suspecting me.
“I told you, I haven’t leaked anything. If not me, perhaps the Metropolitan Police have informants within the press.”
— ......
“And if I had leaked it, I wouldn’t give them speculation — I would give them precise facts. So instead of interrogating the wrong person, proceed according to plan.”
— ...I will trust you.
Though he said he would trust me, distrust was thick in his voice.
It didn’t matter.
“Have you received the field report?”
— As planned, we intend to present it as Hiroyuki being struck by a stray bullet during a yakuza conflict.
“We staged the scene accordingly. There shouldn’t be major issues. If someone digs deeply enough, they may find inconsistencies — but you have no intention of allowing a prolonged investigation, do you?”
— That’s true. They say he was killed cleanly with a single shot.
His voice was cold — nothing like the grief he had shown during the address.
Even though a political rival had died, he felt nothing.
“It became a bit messy, but we wrapped it up cleanly. No need to leave unnecessary signs of resistance.”
— I intend to shake up Yamaguchi-gumi while we’re at it. Originally, I planned only a light reprimand... but since the reporters have caught the scent, I’ll have to respond more forcefully.
“Use whatever method you wish — but Yamamoto is absolutely off-limits. If you’re considering arresting Yamamoto, it would be better to kill him instead.”
— Of course. We cannot arrest Yamamoto. That would only cause the yakuza to stir again. I will ensure they fear state authority — but no more than that.
After the fright they had just received, Yamamoto would move according to my will for some time.
As long as Yamamoto remained untouched, I didn’t care what else happened.
“Very well.”
— I’ve heard that next week a diplomatic delegation from Korea will arrive regarding the Seven-Gwanggu issue. Two oil companies from Russia and the United States will also send board members. Will you attend?
“No. My role ends here. What comes next is not something I should step into. I have other matters to handle.”
I needed to cleanly settle both the Korean and Japanese branches of Heaven’s Church during this opportunity.
— What exactly are you planning to do on our soil...
“No more people will die. So there’s no need to be overly sensitive.”
— Well, if that’s the case.
“But if, in my absence, you fail to honor our agreement and change your stance, then you will meet me as an enemy.”
— I am aware. I am not that foolish.
He had just witnessed what happened to those who crossed me.
Koizumi would remain quiet for a while.
“While public attention is focused on Hiroyuki’s death, resolve the Seven-Gwanggu and North Korea issues quickly. That will minimize backlash.”
— I will handle it. We will speak again.
Koizumi ended the call first.
I lowered my phone and smirked.
“Koizumi has steeled himself.”
“It appears so, Boss. Judging by his movements, he intends never to raise another rival like Hiroyuki.”
“No matter how long he stays in power, as long as he governs, he won’t allow another rival to grow. If he did, that would be the limit of his caliber as a politician.”
The television switched to a hastily arranged broadcast analyzing Koizumi’s address.
It was nothing but praise for his achievements.
* * *
At that very moment when Japan was in upheaval—
Heaven’s Church, now without its master, was being swiftly seized by Kim Sunja.
“Lord! Embrace our pitiful Hyunsoo...”
The woman who had founded Heaven’s Church alongside Han Sungjin, and the biological mother of Han Hyunsoo.
She was now genuinely rejoicing at Han Hyunsoo’s death.
Though others were unsure whether he was truly dead, Kim Sunja knew.
When Han Sungjin was imprisoned, she attempted to seize control of Heaven’s Church.
But Han Hyunsoo moved a step ahead of her and pushed her aside.
So she /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ waited. Endured. Bided her time at the holy grounds.
She understood the greed of the Japanese branch better than anyone — and she had encouraged them from behind the scenes.
“Amen!”
Kim Sunja cried out loudly. Tears streamed down her Botox-tightened cheeks.
The believers gathered in the sanctuary saw her tears and began to cry with her.
In their eyes, she was merely a mother grieving for her son.
None of them saw the darkness inside her.
“Amen!”
“Amen!!”
As the congregation echoed her, Kim Sunja felt a strange satisfaction.
“My husband, the Messiah Han Sungjin, has suffered humiliation at the hands of unbelievers. My son, the second leader Han Hyunsoo, has become missing on Japanese soil, his life or death unknown. I believe this is a trial God has given us. Our faith...”
The service she led began in earnest.
The believers bowed their heads with fingers interlocked.
Only her voice filled the sanctuary.
Two men standing at the very back of the hall watched for a long moment before leaving.
“Hyung. Are you really going to let Mother take everything like this?”
The two men who exited were Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo.
At Han Hyunwoo’s question, Han Hyunjin snorted.
“You’re a competitor too, bastard. Don’t act friendly.”
“Hyung. If this continues, both you and I will end up abandoned again. Let’s push Mother out first, then split it between us. If things continue like this, we won’t have any place left.”
When Han Hyunsoo seized control of the sect, the two brothers were completely excluded. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Especially Han Hyunjin — once the strongest candidate for next leader — who was effectively placed under restriction, required to report wherever he went.
Grinding his teeth, Han Hyunjin said,
“That won’t happen again. You got a plan?”
Han Hyunwoo smiled thinly and nodded.
“I have proof that Mother was behind Hyunsoo’s disappearance.”
Han Hyunjin froze.
“What? Is that true?”
Han Hyunwoo nodded again.
“Yeah. Hyunsoo is already gone from this world.”
“...You mean he’s dead?”
“Of course. They’ll never find the body.”
By chance, Han Hyunwoo had overheard secret talks between their mother and the Japanese branch.
He learned everything she had orchestrated.
And he recorded it all.
“Do you think the believers would still elevate Mother as the next leader if they knew she was involved in Hyunsoo’s death?”
“No.”
Han Hyunjin shook his head, then narrowed his eyes.
“Then why show that to me? If you reveal it, you could gain the upper hand.”
“Hyung. We’re brothers. We can split it. Why should only one of us take everything? And... your support base is stronger than mine. The pastors favor you.”
His honesty seemed to ease Han Hyunjin’s suspicion.
“Fine. Show me the evidence first. Then we’ll talk.”
Han Hyunwoo smiled broadly and led him toward the location of the recording file.
There, in cold reality—
A mother who devoured her son.
And sons who joined hands to devour their mother.
