Delusional Diary July 23rd: The Hoko-ji Temple Bell Inscription Incident

Arrived at work at 8:46.
Nao-san was talking about the 'friendship' situation of a mutual female friend, 'A-san'. Apparently, 'A-san' has heard many times that her close friend 'B-san', whom she is always with, has been badmouthing her behind her back.
Although she had let it slide for the time being, this time, 'C-san', a friend who was even more furious on 'A-san's' behalf, whispered to her and even offered a 'yakuza-style' service, asking, 'Shall I make B cry?'
'So, 'A-chan' thought it would be a nuisance to the people around her if she kept going like that, and she finally decided to say it to 'B-san's' face. Trying to be as calm as possible,
'I know you've been badmouthing me. It's reached my ears.' She said, 'But it's a nuisance not just to me but to everyone around us, so let's stop doing that. If you have a complaint, tell me directly.'
Then, the other party, flustered and pretending to be oblivious, said,
'No, I don't badmouth anyone! Huh? Besides, I have nothing to gain from saying that in the first place. It's definitely better for the two of us to be on good terms, right? So, I have no reason to badmouth you...' She said, tilting her head!
Everyone burst into laughter, then said, 'Wow! That's just...' in disbelief, or smirked and chuckled, 'There it is!'
'Not only that, but after that, she even said,'
'Oh, I see. But you know, sometimes when people tell us, "You two are really close, aren't you?" I sometimes accidentally say, "No, no, not at all." Just to be humble!'
'That must be what's wrong! Maybe I'm not showing enough gratitude to you in those moments. I'm sorry about that! I really think I don't show enough gratitude to you on a daily basis. ...I'm sorry about that point.'
She said, looking down!
Everyone chimed in, saying, 'Ah, that!,' 'That's something I hear often!,' 'It's like a standard phrase for liars, a classic format, isn't it!' and they laughed out loud in renewed disbelief.
Just then, Hideyori-san, a third-year employee from the neighboring department, passed by while preparing to go out for the afternoon and said, 'You all look like you're having a lot of fun!'
That young 'Toyotomi Ace,' who had been working on the front lines at the Osaka branch until last year, said, 'I made a blunder over there with that "Hoko-ji Temple Bell Inscription Incident." If it weren't for that... You all probably know about it, even if you don't show it on your faces, right?'
'I had a bell made for the temple, and the inscription carved on it was "Kokka Anko" (May the state be peaceful and prosperous) and "Kunshin Horaku" (May the lord and his subjects enjoy prosperity). The Tokugawa side was absolutely furious about this.'
'They said the "Ka" and "Ko" characters in "Ieyasu"-han's name were being split! Like they were sliced from the torso in a magic show! And for "Toyotomi," they said it meant the "lord" was enjoying himself while watching the "field" of the "subjects"!'
'They went on and on. Are you making a fool of me? Are you trying to curse me? They were relentless.'
'But in reality, this was almost entirely a pretext and strategy set up by the other side. To invade us. Just like you all were saying earlier, it was exactly the way people talk when they are clearly lying. I was totally set up. Well, there's no point in saying that now.'
Hideyori-san appealed tearfully as such a victim. However, Nao-san, who seemed quite familiar with the circumstances, said in a very cautious tone,
'I see. But regarding that matter, the internal investigation concluded that "the act of splitting a name, or 'imina,' was known to be disrespectful even by the common sense of the time," right? If I recall correctly.'
'What do you think about that point, Hideyori-san? No, just as a simple question from a noisy old lady.'
Then, Hideyori-san's eyes began to dart around at high speed, as if he were wearing a vintage 'LZR Racer' swimsuit.
'Ah, w-w-well, that's true. ...Huh? Oh? But why is that? In the first place, I have nothing to gain from intentionally splitting a name. After all, it's definitely better for people to be on good terms, right? So, I have no reason to insult the other party...'
'Ah, well, but when the bell was finished and people around me said, "That's a sharp and cool inscription!," I did give a sloppy reply like, "Don't be stupid, that's not the case." Maybe that was taken the wrong way. I'm sorry about that point!'
'I'm just no good at those kinds of rough things. ...I'm truly sorry to the other party and to all of you for that.'
He said, looking down.
Everyone nodded over his shoulder and exchanged very strong, meaningful glances that said, 'Well, that's a confirmed guilty verdict, he's completely cracked!'

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