Life Will Change Book 2

Chapter 26: Mariko's Confession

Begin

~Normal POV

8/13 - Sunday

The next day they first went to check on the people who usually walked about Odori Park. The support for Hyodo seemed to have died down as nobody was raving about her any longer. Becoming a Monarch seemed to have its ways of being more dangerous than having a Palace. The fact that brainwashing was involved practically confirmed it. After a short while of checking on the civilians, Ann told them that Hyodo was holding a live press conference today. They all went to listen to it on their phones, being unable to get to the real location this time.

"Thank you all for taking your time to gather here today. Actually, there's something I've been meaning to share with everyone. As of today, I will be resigning from office. I do not intend to seek re-election, either. During my time as mayor, I've betrayed all of your trust. You may think of me as a mayor who's earned your trust, but in truth, there's plenty that I'm ashamed of. The snow sculpture that collapsed was built by an unscrupulous company that bribed one of my staff. In spite of my responsibility, I neglected to see the finer details... and went ahead with the construction. As a result, the sculpture ended up collapsing, and a girl's precious life was lost. Furthermore, I elected to cover up the truth, all so I could save my position. I've been garnering votes I didn't deserve in order to stay on as mayor... I betrayed everyone to protect myself... And I covered it up allowing more wrongdoing. I am among the guilty... That little girl... she died because of me. As such I will have the police re-investigate the case and offer my full assistance. And again, I will drop out of the election and forfeit my position as mayor."

The conference ended there. It was difficult to tell whether Hyodo would be tried for this. Of course they didn't think she deserved that but they had no say in such a matter.

"It seems that Hyodo-san's made up her mind," Makoto said.

"I wonder if she'll be arrested..." Haru said, sadly.

"Good question..."

"Hyodo was afraid that if she wasn't the mayor, she couldn't protect her people," Morgana said.

"She could have told the truth and made her underling take the blame." Yusuke said, "But she was concerned about other evils potentially lurking in the shadows..."

"I think this turned out for the best," Haru said, "Mari-san wouldn't have wanted to hide her mistake forever."

Akira felt his phone vibrate and Sophia spoke up. "Zenkichi is on the line."

He answered the call. "Yo."

"Hey," Zenkichi greeted. "You guys see Hyodo's press conference?"

"We did." Akira answered.

"Cool..." Zenkichi seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing. "I- uh, I know this might be taken with a grain of salt, Kurusu, but you all did a bang-up job. And I can't thank you enough. They plan on bringing Hyodo in as a key witness regarding the accident. I knew you'd want to analyze her phone too. So I pulled a few strings, and now I'm her personal chauffeur- at least as far as the station. If you want, I can let you talk to her first..."

"Haru would appreciate that. Thank you, inspector." Akira replied, genuinely.

~...

Zenkichi had apparently already agreed to let Hyodo stop at Odori Park before taking her in. They found her at the flower memorial talking softly to the deceased girl.

"I'm sorry... How could you ever forgive me, Kaho-chan..."

Haru approached Mariko first, with everyone following close behind her. "Mari-san."

Mariko stood and turned to them. "Oh... Haru-chan..." Her voice was softer than before. "Listen, there was something wrong with me. It's like I was in a terrible dream. I don't know when it was that my heart grew so cold... But after what you told me, I remembered who I really was inside. When I became mayor... I wanted to protect this city and everyone in it as if they were my own family... I remembered that feeling. Thanks to you, I've finally been able to confront myself. And I realized that I was doing a horrible disservice to that girl. I had lost sight of reality and begun acting self-righteous. Nothing I did was for her sake."

"But Mari-san, you were doing the best you could..." Haru replied.

"No; it's the truth. Had I not realized my mistake, I would have likely continued to hurt even more people. But that's not what Kaho-chan would want. So let me say thank you, Haru-chan... Thank you for saving this city... for saving my family!"

Haru's eyes well up. "Mari-san..." She quickly wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug.

Mariko accepted the hug warmly. "Your father's recent passing must have caused you so much turmoil... I'm sorry I added to it. But if there's anything I can do for you in the future- any way I can be there... Just ask me." She choked back a sob. "I say this because you're a precious part of my family too."

Haru felt a few stray tears run down her cheek. "Thank you so much, Mari-san!"

They stayed like this for a while; hugging each other and crying. The rest of the gang merely watched silently out of respect. Who knew when Haru would get to see her friend again, they had to cherish this moment for as long as possible.

Mariko pulled away from the hug first and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "I- I suppose I must get going. Though I am concerned about the state of affairs I've left our city in... I'll leave it up to my successor. An arrogant wretch like me has no place being the mayor."

"Does that mean you won't be involved in politics anymore," Makoto asked, curiously.

"Yes. I'm too ashamed to show my face in public. And at my age, there are plenty of younger folks who can-"

"Mayor..."

Mariko turned to look at the person addressing her and gasped. It was a woman. The very same woman who put this flower memorial here on their first day in Sapporo. She was the dead girl's mother. Mariko approached her cautiously to listen to her.

"I saw the news..." The woman said, "So you're resigning. And you're leaving politics for good?"

"That's right..." Mariko replied. "I've promised to step down and never-"

"You can't be serious!" The woman shouted suddenly. "Resigning won't bring her back- in fact, it won't change a thing! Kaho... nothing can change what happened to my daughter! So you can't! You can't just run away! You need to start over and become our mayor again!"

Mariko gaped at her in shock. "What?"

"When I was weeping with rage and grief... you stood there and cried with me. Instead of running away, you were there when I needed someone the most! I know your character more than anyone!"

Mariko thought for a moment. Starting over... yes, that seemed like a good idea. For some reason, her heart was telling her so as well. Though she'd never know why.

"Ma'am... Thank you for sharing your heart with me. Then I promise, to both you and your daughter... I will stand back up and become your mayor again!"

Haru wiped her eyes as she watched the scene. "Mari-san..."

While they were preoccupied watching this moment, Sophia chimed to get Akira's attention. "I don't get it, Akira. I know this is a sad moment. Everyone is crying. But it also feels warm and kind. How would you describe this?"

Akira didn't have to think hard about his answer. "This is happiness."

"I see. So that's why Haru helped Hyodo." Sophia said, thoughtfully. "To transform sadness into happiness. Recording valuable data. Sophia has learned 'happiness.'"

~End of Chapter