limb here – exposed! You’re sure it’s safe?’
‘Trust me!’
‘I do. It’s just-’
‘Stop worrying. Relax. Everything will be fine.’
‘Right! But I’m surprised Hatoyama agreed so readily.’
‘He has his own problems – I’m sure we can come to some agreement.’
‘I hope so! I can’t allow myself to be subjected to the same level of electioneering again, otherwise I’ll disappear without trace.’
‘I agree – that’s why any agreement with Hatoyama is our last chance.’
‘ Our last chance?’
‘Okay, your last chance. You know what I mean, but nonetheless, it’s important that you secure some kind of deal.’
Not for the first time Watanabe had wondered who it was that was truly in the driving seat.
The two men had continued to cool their heels, both fuming silently at the power play being enacted, that had them being kept waiting, rather than the other way round.
‘He's making us look like even bigger fools than we already are.'
‘He’ll be here!’
Hatoyama was an almost carbon copy of Watanabe. Both wore slicked-back, black hair, both had been dressed conservatively, both had a black facial mole on the left side of their face, both were relatively short in stature, however both had an aura and magnetism that lesser men could only admire. The only thing that separated them was that Hatoyama had a scar on the right side of his temple, the result of a fight in his youth, a fight in which, despite his wound, he had come off the better.
The men had bowed to each other and Watanabe had warmly invited the new arrivals to join them in the circle of comfy chairs and sofas surrounding a low table.
‘Drink, gentlemen?’
‘Please.’
Watanabe had nodded to Kinjo who in turn had caught the eye of an attendant.
The opening exchanges had been cordial if inconsequential with neither side revealing much of what was in their inner thoughts. The conversation had floated around important but irrelevant topics such as the unrest in North Korea and the health of the Emperor until eventually with the opening pleasantries exhausted the two men had girded themselves to address the kernel of their meeting.
‘So how can I help you ?’ Hatoyama had asked in a way that suggested that Watanabe must have been in real trouble.
‘I believe there are mutual benefits that can accrue from a discussion - from an understanding.’ Watanabe had been careful not to display any weakness.
‘Mutual benefits?’
‘The world can be a less inhospitable place if we all learn to rub along together, can it not?’
‘But specifically-’
‘Specifically, as you ask, I’m concerned about these rallies from the far right faction.’
‘Go on.’
‘They are disruptive to the Party.’
‘I can see why you might think that but why should that concern me?’
Watanabe had smiled and taken a sip out of his drink that had just arrived. ‘The Party has seen you right over the years, hasn’t it?’
Hatoyama hadn’t replied, instead he’d taken a long sip out of his own drink.
‘I’d like you to tone down the rallies – stop them if you can.’
‘You think I can do that?’
‘I know you can do that!’
Hatoyama had smiled. ‘And why should I?’
‘Like I said, there are benefits that can accrue.’
Watanabe had examined Hatoyama closely. He’d sensed him carefully thinking about what he had just heard. With his right index finger he’d scratched the scar on his forehead as he had a tendency to do when he was thinking. After some time he’d looked back up and smiled briefly.
‘Okay.’ He’d scratched his scar a further time. 'On one condition. I ask that you pay your respects to my mentor and visit him at the Mejiro temple.’
Watanabe had nodded in affirmation and with that the meeting had closed fairly abruptly.
As Watanabe