Ginzan-cho Fairy Tale (Episode 6)

Chapter 5: The Hometown Where Fairies Live

On Monday morning, before the start of the workday, Takahashi and Tanaka reported the results of the first Youth Settlement Meeting to Iida, who had just arrived at the office.
“So, while there are a few tasks to address, we have generally received approval to proceed with the theme of ‘The Hometown Where Fairies Live’ for the Youth Settlement Meeting.”
Iida took over the tasks from Takahashi.
“First, go ahead and purchase the books. Since we’re at it, why don’t you consult with Sato Bookstore and buy not just ‘Introduction to the Fairy Realm,’ but also several books related to fairies for the school, the community center, and the senior welfare center? It might help create the right atmosphere for the ‘Hometown Where Fairies Live’ project.
As for the Jennifer matter, let’s have the Board of Education approach the prefecture. Once we get approval from the prefectural board, please finalize the schedule. Well, that much is fine.
Now, about that, what was it, the UK inspection trip—should we let the mayor know today? To avoid any trouble during the budget compilation for the next fiscal year, let’s give him a heads-up and confirm the direction at least. It’s better to tell the committee members early if it’s a no-go, so we don’t give them too much expectation.”
Iida looked up at Takahashi’s face with the expression of a scolded pet dog.
“That’s true. Setting aside the details, let’s report the outline of the Youth Settlement Meeting orally.”
Takahashi immediately picked up the receiver, called Munakata, the General Affairs Section Chief, and confirmed the mayor’s schedule.
“Section Chief, he says we can go explain it to the mayor right away. Please, let’s go.”
Iida stood up in a hurry, pen and notepad in hand.

When they opened the door to the mayor’s office, the mayor, who was sitting in front, looked up, recognized Iida and Takahashi, and showed a friendly smile. As a former president of Hasegawa Construction, his business smile was skillful, regardless of his true feelings.
“It’s good news, right? I don’t want to hear anything but good news. It’s about Friday’s Youth Settlement Meeting, right?”
The two nodded and stepped in front of the mayor’s desk. Behind them, General Affairs Section Chief Munakata was waiting near the door. Iida took the lead.
“Yes, I’ve taken the time to report to you urgently regarding the Youth Settlement Meeting. We will submit a report later, but may I have Takahashi report to you orally for now?”
“Go ahead.”
Takahashi bowed and began to speak.
“First, at the Youth Settlement Meeting, it was decided that we will examine specific future measures under the theme of ‘The Hometown Where Fairies Live.’”
The mayor nodded with satisfaction.
“Furthermore, I would like to report that there was a request to invite a British lecturer, Ms. Jennifer, to the next meeting to hear about British fairies, and also a request for the committee members to conduct a UK inspection trip next fiscal year.”
The mayor’s face turned stern.
“A UK inspection trip next fiscal year? What does the Planning Section think about that?”
Iida’s face turned pale, and he lost his voice. Takahashi responded immediately.
“The Planning Section believes that a UK inspection trip is necessary for the ‘Hometown Where Fairies Live’ project, so we would like to request that it be included in the budget for the next fiscal year.”
Thinking he might have overstepped, he answered clearly nonetheless.
“You fool!”
The mayor’s angry voice rang out.
“What are you doing, bringing this to me without any thought, just because the committee members said so?”
Iida answered while keeping his head bowed.
“I apologize. I wanted to report to you first, so I came here before we had fully considered it within the section. I will take it back and examine the necessity of a UK inspection trip for the next fiscal year.”
The mayor’s face turned even redder.
“Section Chief Iida, that’s what I’m saying is wrong. If you take your time considering an inspection trip in next year’s budget, you’ll miss the opportunity. That won’t do. Raise your head, and Section Chief Munakata, come here too.”
Section Chief Munakata lined up next to Takahashi.
“The premise is to advance the ‘Hometown Where Fairies Live’ project. Depending on future meetings, I want you to prepare to include the budget in the September supplementary budget and realize the ‘UK inspection trip’ within this fiscal year. The committee should be limited to this fiscal year, and we must start concrete projects in the next fiscal year.
Speed is important for this kind of project. As soon as possible. I want you to promise the ‘UK inspection trip’ to the Youth Settlement Meeting members, raise their expectations and excitement for the project, and push it forward all at once. Do you understand?”
Iida nodded vigorously, and Takahashi and Munakata nodded quietly.
“Section Chief Iida, please continue to report on the movements of the Youth Settlement Meeting as a top priority. It was good to receive prompt reports last time and this time. I’m counting on you.”
The three bowed and left the mayor’s office.
Once outside the mayor’s office, Section Chief Munakata spoke to Iida in a slightly excited voice.
“You really managed to push through an incredible story. I was speechless that you’d include new project costs in the September supplementary budget when there’s no funding source like a national supplementary budget. I’ll report it to Section Chief Kimura, but Section Chief Iida, you should talk to Section Chief Kimura as soon as possible too. Setting aside the details,
‘We are including the UK inspection trip in the September supplementary budget. I’m sorry for the trouble, but I’d appreciate your cooperation. It’s the mayor’s policy.’ Please at least pay that much courtesy. I and Chief Takahashi will handle the rest.”
“I was surprised too. I thought even the initial budget for next year was impossible. I’m sorry for the trouble, Section Chief Munakata. I’ll talk to Section Chief Kimura early.”
“The trouble can’t be helped. After all, it’s partly the fault of the General Affairs Section for not being able to wrap up the ‘Hometown Creation Project’ last fiscal year. But Chief Takahashi, you really got the committee members to buy into the ‘fairy stuff.’”
Munakata asked, unable to hide his surprise. Since Munakata was the one who selected the committee members, he seemed to feel the difficulty of managing them strongly.
“It seems it was effective that Tanaka made a bold claim based on the book ‘Introduction to the Fairy Realm,’ saying, ‘Great snakes, Zashiki-warashi, Kappa, and all yokai are fairies.’ That’s the merit of the General Affairs Section for hiring Tanaka this fiscal year. The Section Chief and I wouldn’t have come up with that idea. A great snake is a great snake, after all.”
Following Takahashi’s support of the General Affairs Section, Munakata softened his expression.
“That aside, Chief Takahashi. It seems Tanaka-kun has brought in a word processor, but there is no application for ‘Electrical Equipment Bring-in.’ I’m not saying it’s forbidden, but please have him apply for it urgently.
It’s a violation of the rules, and from the standpoint of fire management and theft prevention, it’s a situation I cannot overlook. Tanaka-kun probably doesn’t know the rules yet, so please guide him on that as well.”
The tone was a bit harsh, but there was a strange sense of solidarity among the three, and a calm atmosphere flowed.
“I apologize, I will have him apply immediately. Also, since he seems to need thermal paper to use the word processor, I will send a purchase request later. Thank you.”
“Chief Takahashi, you never come away empty-handed, do you? Understood.”
Munakata returned to the General Affairs office, laughing.

Back in the Planning Section, Iida gave instructions to Tanaka again.
“Tanaka-kun, I’ve obtained the mayor’s informal consent for the UK inspection trip. However, it will be handled in the September supplementary budget, not the initial budget for next fiscal year. To fully advance the ‘Hometown Where Fairies Live’ project, the town is showing it’s serious. Let’s do our best with a sense of speed.”
Tanaka stood up involuntarily and looked at Takahashi’s face. Takahashi nodded slowly.
“It’s going to get busy for the next meeting.”
(This project might actually work out.)
The two felt a positive response. While watching Iida, who had a beaming smile, return to his seat, Tanaka asked a question.
“Chief Takahashi, I want to write a thank-you letter to the author of ‘Introduction to the Fairy Realm,’ but I shouldn’t write about the work content, right? It would violate the duty of confidentiality, wouldn’t it?”
“Public servants have a duty of confidentiality, but the ‘Hometown Where Fairies Live’ project is not a secret, so there’s no problem writing about it in the letter. I think it’s good to properly convey your gratitude. Could you also get some tourism pamphlets from the Commerce and Tourism Section and promote the town’s tourism as well? Though I think it might be a nuisance to the recipient.”
Tanaka immediately headed to the Commerce and Tourism Section.

The kettle on the stove was steaming intensely, but the spring sunlight was streaming in through the window.

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