Business Guidance Counselor of the Chamber of Commerce 8: Miura's New Scheme [#CreativeAward2025 #WorkNovelCategory]
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Sakuragawa City Hall, Commerce and Tourism Division.
The leaves of a houseplant placed by the window sway quietly in the breeze from the air conditioner.
Minagawa, the person in charge, hung up the receiver, furrowed his brow, and let out a deep sigh.
"Seiji Miura... him again."
Although Minagawa had only been working at the city hall for three years, he had heard Miura's name before.
A man who was deeply involved in the Chamber of Commerce as a powerful business guidance counselor and who had frequently appeared before the administration as a "vocal counselor."
This time, too, a "Report on Concerns" submitted by him directly to the mayor had been circulated.
"Deficiencies in the safety management system for event implementation," "Unclear accountability due to lack of coordination with the Chamber of Commerce."
At first glance, the content seemed calm and constructive, but one could sense a clear intent of pressure behind it.
Furthermore, a document stating that "no formal involvement has been made" had been delivered by Director Takimoto of the Chamber of Commerce to the Economic Department Director who oversees the Commerce and Tourism Division.
(At this rate... I can't give the go-ahead as things stand.)
Minagawa contacted Akiyama immediately.
"I am very sorry. At this point, a re-examination of the permit has become necessary."
"What...? Just the other day, you said there were no problems..."
"Yes, but there has been an internal judgment on the Chamber of Commerce side, and there were also points raised by Mr. Miura."
Having returned to the office, Akiyama reported to Yuto immediately.
"The city permit... it looks like it won't be granted. It seems like it's Miura's doing."
Yuto stared at the event materials on the desk and slowly clenched his fists.
"...But I won't give up. I can't let it stop here."
Behind those words, a resolve to resist the power of the Chamber of Commerce and the administration was quietly beginning to burn.
The morning of the pre-event.
Since the permit had not been granted, normally the event would have to be canceled.
However—
"We can't turn back now."
Shigeru Tanaka patted Yuto on the shoulder.
"Morita-kun, what should we do? Are we just going to give up like this?"
Yuto was hesitant.
"...It might be an illegal act. But if we stop this, everyone's spirits will be broken again..."
Akiyama pushed Yuto's back.
"Morita-kun, you are the one who decides."
"But I believe. I believe this event will become something important for the shopping street."
Yuto took a deep breath.
And then, he answered slowly.
"...Let's do it... For the sake of this shopping street, let's do it!"
The atmosphere of the shopping street changed.
The people who had been preparing since early morning scattered to their respective posts as the announcement for the start was made.
Not a single person stopped working.
It was a lively scene, as if they were remembering those days when it was once full of vitality.
Kota ran around between the adults busy with preparations.
"Hey, hey, where should I put this?"
With his eyes shining, he held a large cardboard box in both hands and shouted happily.
Beside him, Akari was lining up vegetables with her grandfather, Tanaka.
"Grandpa, the red tomatoes go on top!"
Like a small greengrocer owner, she peered into the box with a serious look and gave instructions to her grandfather, who was wiping away his sweat.
The lively voices of the children brought a new breeze to the shopping street.
It was a sound of small hope, a little different from the bustle of the past.
Freshly harvested vegetables were lined up at the storefront of Tanaka Greengrocer.
"This morning's cucumbers are crisp! Try a sample!"
As if invited by that voice, people gathered, and the vegetables sold one after another, like water soaking into dry sand.
Meanwhile, at Matsudaya, freshly steamed "special manju" were lined up, steaming.
"These are delicious," "If they say it's limited edition, of course I'll buy it."
A line formed in the blink of an eye, and everything was sold out by noon.
The owner of Matsudaya laughed with his face all crinkled up.
Furthermore, in the center of the street, there was a long line at the joint food booth of the restaurants.
Yakisoba sizzling on the iron plate, fragrant fried chicken, cold fruit soda.
Children frolicked, and parents laughed together.
Before anyone knew it, the shopping street was overflowing with people, wrapped in an atmosphere like a festival.
"Amazing...! People are actually coming...!"
Yuto was speechless at the dream-like sight.
Until a little while ago, no one believed in him.
They laughed, saying, "There's no way that will work."
But—
Now, right before his eyes, "hope" had truly taken shape.
Before he knew it, a single tear was tracing a path down his cheek.
"I did it...! Finally, I've made it this far...!"
Those words were not directed at anyone; they were like a prayer, as if he were embracing himself.
However—in the shadow of those cheers, there was a cold gaze.
A man standing in the shadow of the hill. Seiji Miura.
Watching the excitement of the crowd from a distance, he clicked his tongue softly.
"...Tch. They actually pulled it off."
Beyond his expectations, the shopping district had begun to move forward once again.
And it was doing so on its own, without relying on anyone else.
That fact was, to Miura, more detestable than anything else.
He couldn't let it end like this. He wouldn't let it end.
Flicking the hem of his coat as it swayed in the wind, Miura left the scene.
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