Making an Effort

By the time the break ended, Fuyuki had reached a decision. He knew very well that this wouldn’t be an easy task to accomplish but the reward will worth the price. A document like that would obviously be a great advance for his mission to succeed. A mission that was vastly different from that of an ordinary delegate’s. Since he was no ordinary delegate either.

As he took his seat back in the meeting room again, he sent a message accepting the exchange in order to covertly get some tips on how to go about fulfilling his side of the deal.

Wintry Tree to Winter Breeze:

I accept the deal. But that Major seems to be a tough nut to crack. It might take some time to get the required info.

But his hopes were crushed the moment he read the reply a few minutes later.

Winter Breeze to Wintry Tree:

You still have 4 days left. Plenty of time.

Plenty of time, my ass. It may be plenty but not for dealing with someone who has a personality like him.

“This is a critical aspect that we cannot ignore,” said the delegate of France angrily which made Fuyuki realize that the meeting has already resumed for a while, only he didn’t notice. “There is bound to come a day when a person will decide to exploit it to his advantage. Then what?”

“Then that person must be a fool to do so,” Fuyuki commented suddenly without thinking. He already stopped speaking when he realized that he said his thoughts aloud. “I mean, even if that person were to exploit such a system, wouldn’t that be futile?” he looked around casually, and seeing all eyes on him, he decided to go all in now that he had started. “This device here,” he said, and pointed at the wristband on him, “is capable of detecting anyone’s location in real time. The moment someone does anything even remotely unjust, they can be arrested almost immediately. Then what’s the point of risking it all for doing something illegal? No one in their right mind would dare do that unless they have a death wish,” he stated categorically and even snorted lightly at the end as if mocking anyone who would fall into the latter category of attempting to do such a thing.

After his little improvised speech, the room was in an uproar as many people suddenly had opinions they wanted to share thinking that theirs was better or more important than the other’s.

Fuyuki looked around again not understanding why there was such a reaction to what he said. He didn’t say anything groundbreaking. Those are all obvious facts anyone can realize if they have a brain.

As he scanned the room his eyes fell on that certain nut he should try to crack. He only saw his profile as he discussed something with his father. No matter what it was, it seemed serious enough. After a few minutes, the old man turned forward and addressed everyone present.

“I agree with Mr. Saito. Anyone using the device for illegal purposes seems pointless given the device’s unique characteristics. So, Mr. Arnout, your reasoning is a bit far-fetched,” Feng Yiheng said in his usual slow, calm manner that made everything he said seem irrefutable. “Since we do not seem to reach an agreement on this point I suggest adjourning the meeting and for everyone to think over what we discussed today so that we can start anew tomorrow and hopefully reach an agreement.”

At this point, most of the people started to gather their belongings and get up. Some were already on their way towards the door, while others like Fuyuki...

He was absorbed in his wristband device as if checking the time or a message but in reality, he was waiting. The most prominent figures are usually in a rush to leave a place as if fearing to be followed, so he wanted to find the perfect time to stand up and leave. A time that seems natural, not too fast, so that he can leave before his targets do and make them notice him but not too slow so that it doesn’t seem intentional.

But in the end, all his efforts were in vain.

Because as soon as he stood up to leave, he heard a familiar voice calling after him.

“Fuyuki, I’m so glad you intervened,” said a woman around the same age as him. “I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes at that idiotic comment. If only people would think before they speak...”

“I didn’t say anything substantial. Those are facts,” he replied while waiting for the woman to catch up to him.

“How about we go eat something?” she asked when she finally approached him. “We’ve been here for hours and I’m starving. I’ve already asked a few other people to come as well. They said they’d love to.”

“Sounds good,” replied Fuyuki while racking his brain on what to do. He cannot directly ask a higher-ranking person than himself such as Feng Liwei and his father to join them. He is not that gutsy. But if they part ways here, he will have to wait until tomorrow to get closer to them. “Is there anyone else you would like to invite or we can go?” Fuyuki asked her at last, perhaps a bit louder so that the people walking close by could be able to hear it.

He was hoping to entice the woman in her, who subconsciously must consider Feng Liwei a handsome man with whom she wants to spend more time even if not alone. And she didn’t disappoint.

“I’m not sure...,” she said, hesitating shyly. “Perhaps, Major Feng. But I don’t dare ask him.”

“No problem,” he told her. “Hey, Major!” said Fuyuki to the back of the man in question, who was about to step out of the room. His father was already nowhere to be seen. He either left in a hurry or was waiting in the corridor for his son, who just stopped in his tracks abruptly. “We’re about to go have dinner somewhere. Care to join us?” Fuyuki asked while tilting his head slightly in what he considered a friendly, inviting manner.

“We will have a formal reception two days from now with everyone present invited.”

“The keyword is formal. While today’s occasion is not,” Fuyuki replied casually.

“I’ll pass," Major Feng said categorically but he was still good-mannered enough to say “But thank you for the invite,” then left the room.

“What a pity!”

“Sorry, Annisa, I’ve tried my best.”

“It’s alright, Fuyuki,” she said in a clearly disappointed tone. “I would’ve been surprised if he actually said yes. But I’m still disappointed that he didn’t.”

“I get what you mean,” he comforted her as they also left the room to meet with the others.

You have no idea how much I get it, he thought.