[Novel: Venus Syndrome] (45) The Young Legislator Challenging Reform

House of Representatives Members' Office Building, Seiji Gojo Office

(Early April, 20XX, Afternoon)

"Well, Gojo-san. The people at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare were calling you a presence shaking things up from outside the system."

Eto, from the political desk of a national newspaper, laughed as he set down his paper cup of coffee.

"That 'outside' phrasing is pretty blunt."

"It's fine as long as they're just saying it behind your back, but apparently it even came up in a briefing for the Minister's secretariat. They were split between the opinion that 'it's better not to react' and the opinion that 'if you leave him alone, it will spread, so it's better to crush him.'"

Seiji Gojo nodded quietly.

"The fact that they're debating it among themselves means it's working."

—

After the reporter left, he returned to the conference room where the staff were gathered in front of a screen.
Naoto Fujita, in charge of social media operations, was working on a tablet.

"'#CanDoItButGrade1?’, it’s starting to trend again! There are hundreds of replies to videos like the one of someone cooking with a prosthetic arm, asking, 'Is this really Grade 1?'"

A third-year student at a private university's political science department. He had been active in mock diets, but his knowledge of system design was still shallow. He was the type who believed in the 'heat' of politics.

"'#SupportUpdate’ is also growing. The phrasing 'Showa-era systems with Reiwa-era technology' is really catching on."

Miri Shioya, in charge of public relations, projected footage for a short PR video onto another monitor.
A former local station caster. She became interested in politics through her reporting experience and had a high level of professionalism regarding video editing and message design.

"How about the title 'Independence doesn't come from dependence'? I think it would spread well if we closed with the copy, 'It's no longer an era where you just get protected.'"

"Good. Let's put it out."

Gojo nodded slightly and scribbled words onto the whiteboard.

"Support exists not for 'permanence,' but for 'transition.'"

"Excuse me, just a moment."

Hiroto Arima, the policy lead who was present, spoke up modestly.
A former bureaucrat from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. He was the type more interested in structures and social design than the systems themselves.

"Let me explain this a bit more clearly."

Shioya stopped what she was doing, and Fujita also took his eyes off his tablet for a moment.

"The context currently spreading, 'If you can do it, you don't need support,' carries the implication that 'it's only natural to be excluded from support' in terms of the system.
However, 'being able to use' a prosthetic arm is not a uniform matter; the prerequisites—such as training time, home environment, cost, and psychological resistance—differ greatly."

Fujita furrowed his brows.

"But there are people involved who say, 'If you try, you can do it.' I see quite a few people saying, 'I don't need support' themselves."

"I understand that those voices exist. But a system only functions when it encompasses not just those who 'can,' but also those who 'remain unable.'
For example, it's like training wheels on a bicycle—"

"But isn't it strange to keep training wheels on someone who has become able to ride?"

As Fujita interrupted, Shioya continued.

"Exactly. The idea of 'graduating from support' is positive, and it's resonating with people. I can really feel the atmosphere changing from 'it's natural to be protected.'"

Gojo nodded.

"That's what changing things is all about. If the system doesn't fit the times, we have no choice but to move it ourselves.
We will properly incorporate the common sense of 'graduating once you become able' into the system."

—

Arima lowered his gaze to the materials in his hand.
For a brief moment, Shioya and Fujita looked at him, but they returned to their respective screens.

"How about the title 'The system we'll change starting tomorrow'? The context of 'a young politician challenging an old system' will definitely strike a chord."

"You can put it out as is."

Gojo added another phrase below the whiteboard.

"If you can do it, you don't need support. That is how society moves forward."