Expulsion of Councilor Kondo
Councilor Kondo’s PoV
I was ushered into the manager’s room.
The employees stared at me with tense eyes, and the atmosphere in the room was heavy. They looked at me with cold eyes, as if they were looking at a criminal. I could sense the tragedy that was about to happen.
Our branch is headed by a member of the Prefectural Assembly. A person who is so busy that I hardly ever see him takes the trouble to call me so early in the morning. It’s almost a death sentence.
The secretary opened the door and the branch manager entered. I stood up and bowed my head.
“I apologize for the trouble I have caused you.”
I bowed my head. I could only cling to the naive hope that he would let me off the hook.
A heavy silence filled the room.
“Do you know what you’ve done?”
The words shattered the sweet hope.
“I’m so sorry.”
I bowed my head as if on my knees. The branch manager turned on the TV.
There was my recorded voice screaming angrily. My outburst against the principal and the Aono family yesterday was played over and over again. And also the footage of my response to the media earlier.
The headlines read [Controversial Councilor Refuses to Resign], [Outspoken Councilor Intimidated Reporters into Keeping Their Mouths Shut], and [Criticism from Across the Country. XX City Flooded with Calls of Complaints].
“I guess it was a complete failure on my part to encourage you to run for mayor. There are local elections this year. It’s hard for us to defend you. You understand. I’ve also received protests from former Mayor Minami and Prefectural Assembly Yamada. What are you going to do? They’re among the most powerful people in this area. It would be suicidal for us to anger them.”
The cruel reality of the situation has just dawned on me. I can’t stop shaking.
The party had raised a lot of money for the mayoral election. They’ve already spent money preparing for it. It’ll all be wasted. For someone who is about to lose his job, the despair runs deep.
“I really …”
Because I don’t know how many times I tried to apologize, but I was stopped.
“It’s no longer your level to apologize to me. This matter is also seen as a problem by the center. Minami-san and Yamada-san told me that I should be held accountable in a formal setting. It’s expected that you will be expelled due to your problematic behavior. Before that happens, you should hold a press conference, sincerely apologize, and admit that you were wrong. Then our wounds will be less severe.”
Hearing these unsympathetic words, I opened my eyes with a snap and shrugged my shoulders. But I couldn’t get the girl’s words from yesterday out of my mind. The reaction of the Party headquarters and branches was too swift. This is what it means …
My ruin will not stop.
“As expected, it’s …”
The branch leader made a face of displeasure and shrugged his shoulders. The end of the sentence became harsher than ever.
“You think you have a choice. It’s a gesture of goodwill. Remember, if you refuse, we will also turn against you.”
Seeing his anger, I couldn’t help but let out a pitiful cry.
Even if I could convince the branch manager, I can’t silence the father of yesterday’s girl who is higher up.
“Do you understand? I already have the location for the press conference. Arrive at the hotel with this memo one hour before the start time. My secretary will take care of the rest.”
Total surrender. After that, I will be put on a fully automated wagon and just disintegrate. I’m finished. I have lost everything.
Yesterday I was a candidate for mayor, and I had a smooth career, and in one day I lost everything. All that awaits me is to be exposed as a national disgrace, to be used as a pawn on the Internet, and to do nothing but watch as I lose it all, little by little.
Wealth, fame, and happiness are all gone. The only grace left is a few more hours. I was supposed to be the chosen one, but I finally realized that I am like a baby who can do nothing in front of those who have the power to go beyond …
No one will help me when I burst into tears. No one.
“Hey, keep an eye on him so he doesn’t run away. I don’t want to be humiliated any more than I already am.”
I’m already being treated like a sinner. I was aware that I was slowly climbing the stairs to ruin.