Nakano Wataru Suguru. Prime Minister of Japan.

 

He had saved his political career thanks to Yu-jin’s wit, but…

 

‘I’m sorry to Yu-jin, but gratitude can wait! Ninomiya comes first!!’

 

He didn’t hastily express his gratitude.

 

Right now, he was a heinous criminal seeking Ninomiya’s forgiveness.

 

How could he thank Yu-jin first?

 

It might upset Ninomiya.

 

What is this? I saved him at my disciple’s request, but he doesn’t bow immediately? Doesn’t he understand hierarchy?

 

Wait. Now that I think about it, he even embezzled.

 

Should I run away…?

 

Though this was just a worry. Just in case.

 

The Prime Minister decided to withhold his thanks for now.

 

-He glanced, glanced. Fidgeted.

 

‘It’s awkward to apologize in the car, so as soon as we get to Seol Ha-yeon’s office…!!’

 

Hence, he kept acting restless in the car.

 

Glancing at Ninomiya, fidgeting with his hands and feet. Biting his nails.

 

Silently showing that he was mindful of Miss Ninomiya’s mood.

 

“…….”

 

‘Wearing that won’t be a problem, but it doesn’t fit….’

 

‘What? No way, is this guy looking at another man’s wife with those eyes… No, it can’t be. He’s a devoted husband.’

 

In fact, neither Aika nor Yu-jin cared at all.

 

Therefore, upon arriving at the Chairman’s office, when the Prime Minister threw away his dignity and immediately bowed to the floor, their feelings were purely of bewilderment.

 

“Ninomiya!! I’m sorry!!!”

 

“……?”

 

‘What are you doing, brother?’

 

The Prime Minister’s proper dogeza.

 

The two disciples just blinked.

 

[Master, why is the Prime Minister doing this? He seems to be apologizing for something?]

 

[I have no idea. If he was angry about leaving the country without permission, I’d understand, but apologizing….]

 

“Given how much embezzlement has happened, it’s natural to be disgusted with Japan. I would have felt the same.”

 

“…Embezzlement?”

 

However, soon the word ’embezzlement’ emerged.

 

Aika widened her eyes in surprise.

 

What on earth was he talking about?

 

“I won’t excuse myself by saying I didn’t know since I had just taken office. I should have checked this first….”

 

“…….”

 

[Disciple, are they saying they secretly stole my money…?]

 

[Aha.]

 

Following the Prime Minister’s explanation, Aika froze in shock while Yu-jin understood everything and exclaimed.

 

‘So that’s why. I didn’t notice this in the first timeline since it was all resolved by then.’

 

Before regression, Yu-jin had met the Master in his second year.

 

By then, all the embezzlement issues had been resolved.

 

The exceptionally honest Prime Minister had gotten furiously angry and overturned everything.

 

So he hadn’t thought about it…

 

Of course. It made sense why someone like him would react this way.

 

After investigating the cause of the strategic nuclear’s escape, evidence of embezzlement had popped up.

 

He’d be scared enough to bow down like this. Yes.

 

‘If I explain that’s not why I left the country… No, wait? Could this be?’

 

Following this realization, a wicked smile spread across Yu-jin’s lips.

 

It was quite a malicious grin.

 

[Master, what will you do?]

 

[This bald man is innocent. He even did a dogeza, so I’ll forgive him. But those who conned me should be severely punished in the Prime Minister’s name.]

 

[Of course. And since we have such a good opportunity, shouldn’t we ask him for something?]

 

[I don’t particularly need to ask this bald man for anything….]

 

[———Wouldn’t you like to wear comfortable clothes?]

 

“……!!!”

 

Then Aika’s eyes sparkled.

 

Why had she only been wearing a hakama?

 

Wasn’t it because of a contract made when she was young?

 

But now, with the Prime Minister begging…

 

If she forgave him and asked him to void that contract…

 

A wicked smile spread across Aika’s face.

 

[My disciple is a genius, isn’t she?]

 

[Hehe. Whose disciple do you think I am? Oh, and let’s get permission to teach me in Korea.]

 

[Sure, sure. Let’s resolve everything at once. This bald man is quite capable. He’ll make it happen somehow.]

 

Excited by the unexpected opportunity, Aika.

 

And Yu-jin, just pleased at the thought of seeing his wife in casual clothes.

 

Thus, the plan to take advantage of the Prime Minister began…

 

“First, punish all the culprits. In the Prime Minister’s name, for embezzlement….”

 

“Threatening national security won’t end with mere embezzlement charges. Don’t worry, we’ll pin every possible crime on them.”

 

“Cancel the contract that forces me to wear a hakama.”

 

“I already tore up that contract. Wear whatever you like from now on.”

 

“……!!? Really? I can wear anything now?”

 

“…Pfft. Sure. Even if it’s something cute, no one will mind.”

 

The Prime Minister accepted all their demands more smoothly than expected.

 

“I’ll be staying in Korea for a while, teaching my disciple there.”

 

“Consider it an overseas trip. You can stay there as long as you like. I won’t mind wherever you live in the future.”

 

“…What will you do if an S-rank gate opens while I’m gone?”

 

“I’ll send a jet immediately, so just help with that. Oh, and we’ll cover your travel expenses.”

 

“…….”

 

He even proactively accommodated her convenience.

 

Aika blinked.

 

It was so different from the treatment she had received so far.

 

‘As expected of Ninomiya. A true patriot. To think he asks for something so modest despite all the suffering.’

 

On the other hand, the Prime Minister thought this was quite modest.

 

The strategic nuke was going abroad.

 

It seemed like an impossible condition to accept, but…

 

Aika was a person. Before being an awakened being, she was a person.

 

From the Prime Minister’s perspective, her demands were perfectly reasonable.

 

Wearing pretty clothes, occasionally traveling, marrying the person she loves.

 

She was just claiming the rights anyone should have.

 

He decided to comply wholeheartedly.

 

‘Well, actually, I have to do everything she asks. If Ninomiya just leaves, we can’t do anything about it.’

 

He had realized that he couldn’t force anything on her.

 

Thanks to this, Aika’s expression softened.

 

“Uhm, alright. Then I’ll let it slide this time, considering my disciple. Especially for you.”

 

“Thank you, Ninomiya. And… Yu-jin.”

 

Only then did the Prime Minister’s gaze fall on Yu-jin.

 

His expression was completely different from when he looked at Aika. Unlike a mere strong gorilla, the young man in front of him was a talented individual, possessing not only abilities but also wisdom and character.

 

On a personal level, he was a very likable person.

 

‘Although, for an unawakened person like me, he is quite dangerous…’

 

In fact, for Prime Minister Suguru, Yu-jin was a rather intimidating presence. According to known information, it was impossible for an unawakened person to resist his hypnosis. As the leader of a nation, he should avoid contact with such an individual.

 

This was also why Yu-jin wasn’t harassed by politicians.

 

But even so…

 

‘There’s no way that honest young man would do such a thing.’

 

His intuition, which had helped him rise to the position of Prime Minister, was telling him that this young man would be alright.

 

He never ignored his intuition.

 

“I owe you a great debt. Yu-jin. You saved my life.”

 

“The Prime Minister Nakano Watari says…”

 

A sincere expression of gratitude. You saved my life. I truly thank you. Such a simple and honest thanks.

 

But the sincerity of those words was fully conveyed to Yu-jin. His older brother was always straightforward in such situations.

 

The honest young man smiled.

 

“If there’s anything you want, just let me know…”

 

“Later, when I go on a trip to Japan with my master, please buy me something delicious. Though it will be after I graduate from the academy.”

 

“…What? You’re coming to Japan, Mr. Seo Yu-jin?”

 

“Of course. Since my master taught me swordsmanship, I should do something for Japan too.”

 

With that, he extended his hand with a smile.

 

A handshake meaning ‘Let’s get along well from now on.’

 

The Prime Minister, upon hearing the translation, immediately grasped it.

 

-Handshake.

 

“It seems we’ll be seeing each other for a long time. I will continue to call you brother.”

 

“Yes. Brother Suguru. I look forward to working with you.”

 

It was the moment when Yu-jin and the leader of a nation became sworn brothers.

 

* * *

 

After the conversation ended, the Prime Minister’s party returned to Japan with a grand farewell. Not as a war fanatic who had smuggled in a nuclear weapon, but as a pro-Korean Prime Minister who risked his life for Korea.

 

“…Are you alright? Conspiracy theories will arise, saying you’ve been hypnotized after meeting him.”

 

“The domestic public opinion will also be at risk. This happened early in your term.”

 

The officials who accompanied him spoke up after boarding the private plane.

 

They were unanimously worried. Meeting with a hypnotist was tens of times more dangerous than Yu-jin might have thought.

 

However, the smile on the Prime Minister’s face did not waver. Compared to the worst-case scenario he had considered before departure, Aika’s immigration to Korea was thousands of times better…

 

“It’s alright. He helped me until the end. As a brother, how could I speak weakly about this?”

 

In the moment of the handshake, hadn’t he subtly hinted at his intentions? Depending on the future relationship, he could offer his abilities to Japan.

 

The Prime Minister understood the meaning immediately. This was a very political proposal to strengthen diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan through Yu-jin and Ninomiya.

 

‘He would have done well in politics too. He’s a natural.’

 

The Prime Minister shook his head in amazement.

 

If he publicly revealed Yu-jin’s words? He could immediately fend off any political pressure.

 

He would be seen as someone who risked his life to create a bridge with Yu-jin, a talented individual, and Japan.

 

The potential drop in support due to the pro-Korean image?

 

It’s not just any Korean, but Yu-jin. Yu-jin, who wields a katana.

 

Moreover, he declared he would use his abilities for Japan too. Even the far-right would have no choice but to acknowledge it. Yu-jin’s hypnosis was irreplaceable.

 

Thanks to Yu-jin’s words, the Prime Minister felt a burden lifted from his shoulders.

 

‘The only problem is…’

 

“Even so, leaving Miss Ninomiya in Korea is extremely dangerous.”

 

Of course, there were still problems.

 

Ninomiya Aika. The strongest sword that could single-handedly handle an S-class gate, not just in Japan but in the entire world.

 

He had left her in Korea.

 

But the Prime Minister smiled again.

 

“So, should we just tie her down in Japan so she can’t leave? An unsung hero who saved Japan multiple times, for an S-class gate that could break out at any time?”

 

“Of course. Every other country does the same.”

 

“That’s for moderately strong people. For someone like Ninomiya, there’s no point in holding her down.”

 

Then what, should we stop her from leaving?

 

She looked like she was really about to escape. If she ran away, could we even stop her?

 

The officials’ faces twisted at the harsh reality.

 

“That may be true, but…”

 

“More importantly, she’s a woman too. A woman in love.”

 

“…What?”

 

Though they were confused by the Prime Minister’s words.

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“There’s something like that.”

 

In the midst of the puzzling atmosphere, the Prime Minister just smiled.

 

Recalling the scene he had just witnessed.

 

[Re-really? I can wear anything?]

 

‘Really, isn’t it too obvious, Ninomiya.’

 

Aika, who had lit up at the suggestion to wear clothes she liked. Then, the way she subtly glanced at Yu-jin.

 

For the married Suguru, her affection was all too obvious.

 

-Smirk.

 

‘Well, it’s her first love at thirty-two. I suppose it’s inevitable. From now on, wear pretty clothes and go on dates, Ninomiya.’

 

The Prime Minister silently blessed the future of the two in front of the plane.

 

“Disciple, touch as much as you want…”

 

“…!!!!?”

 

If he knew what was happening in Korea right now, the Prime Minister would probably be quite shocked at the excessive foolishness.