Chapter 014: The Aoki Family's Circle of Friends (Part 2)

When Chen Jiehua uttered the word "Uncle" at that moment, to Okamura Naoji, who was shivering in the cold wind, it sounded like music from the heavens! They had successfully established a connection with Okamura Naoji!

The two of them rode behind the others, following the group back home. After this train had arrived, there would be no further trains until after noon the next day, so the station could be left unattended.

By the time everyone returned home, it was already the early hours of the following day. After settling the guests for the night, Chen Jiehua brought Okamura Naoji back to his own room. The circumstances were limited—not out of any peculiar preference, but simply for lack of other options—they shared a bed.

There were simply too many guests, exceeding even the Aoki family’s expectations!

First, the Shimazu family from Kyushu, his mother’s side, was a prominent clan who had sent a sizeable group led by the family head himself, showing great respect. To everyone’s surprise, the venerable Fujiwara family had also sent a representative—an unexpected development. Combined with the numerous military men fetched from the station, the guest rooms were insufficient.

Along the way, Chen Jiehua found himself having a congenial conversation with Okamura Naoji, so he simply brought him back to his own room so they could squeeze in together for some rest.

From Okamura Naoji’s perspective at the time, although he had only followed Aoki Nobumasa for a little over three years, he had truly learned a great deal from his master. The title "personal disciple" was given to him by the master himself and recognized by his peers, so he was, in all respects, an insider and not one to stand on ceremony. Besides, this nephew was quite agreeable and their conversation flowed easily—what harm in sharing a bed?

Japanese society was also one deeply rooted in personal relations and alliances. The Aoki clan, thanks to Aoki Nobumasa’s personal achievements, had risen from a humble fishing family to a position of power within Japanese society. Even the Fujiwaras had sent a representative—an honor in itself. With the full turnout of the Shimazu clan, it was unsurprising that a mere lieutenant colonel like Okamura Naoji couldn’t be given a private guest room, and he harbored no complaints. Especially when the master's own grandson, a fellow military academy student, called him "Uncle" so affectionately—it was quite gratifying.

In truth, the Fujiwara representative was none other than Fumimaro Konoe, who had just been appointed as an executive member of the House of Peers in June 1924. At that time, given his noble standing, Fumimaro Konoe would not normally have attended the funeral of a mere secret service officer. Coincidentally, when news of Aoki Nobumasa’s death reached him, Konoe happened to be back in his hometown sorting through old belongings, preparing to return to Tokyo.

With time to spare before his train, and remembering Aoki Nobumasa’s past kindness during his own difficult days, he decided to pay his respects to the Aoki family—a matter of settling old debts. Only upon arrival did he learn that Aoki Nobumasa had died, so he chose to stay a bit longer to fulfill his obligations.

As for the Shimazu clan, ordinarily, the death of a concubine’s father-in-law would only require a token representative from the main family. Why had the entire Shimazu family shown up? The answer lay in their contemporary position: the Shimazu, though once a leading Satsuma clan and one of the four key domains in the Meiji Restoration, had produced no significant figures for two generations. In the military, their highest-ranking member was a navy lieutenant and, moreover, a technical officer rather than front-line staff.

Thus, the Shimazu family’s status was precarious—they desperately needed new connections. Upon learning of Aoki Nobumasa’s passing, they unanimously decided to use the funeral as an opportunity to network with the military elite, knowing that as an in-law of such stature, senior military figures would certainly be in attendance.

These, however, were side stories. At that moment, Aoki Seigen had no time to concern himself with Fumimaro Konoe or his Shimazu uncles; he had to take care of Uncle Okamura, the young lieutenant colonel.

With the system’s reminders, Aoki Seigen maintained his persona while engaging in lively conversation with Okamura Naoji throughout the night. If not for the generational gap, they might have sworn brotherhood! Later, should Aoki Seigen return to his homeland via Okamura’s connections, this cover would be watertight—even if he were to declare himself a Red in front of Dohi Maru, the latter would never believe it—not even if he were slapped twice!

On the 15th, Aoki Seigen’s uncle by marriage, Isotani Rensuke, who had just been promoted to lieutenant colonel, arrived.

Isotani Rensuke: Okamura Naoji, classmate, battalion commander of the 13th Regiment of the Japanese Army, lieutenant colonel.

In the days that followed, Aoki Seigen’s life became a cycle of kneeling in respect, returning greetings, and seeing guests off and on.

Okamura Naoji kept a low profile, quietly accompanying Aoki Seigen. His rank was too low to draw attention, and aside from the occasional visit from Isotani Rensuke, who would chat a bit as a classmate, few others engaged with him.

On December 22nd, the General Staff called the Aoki residence, summoning Okamura Naoji back to headquarters at once. The caller offered no further explanation, leaving them to infer the message themselves.

Only then did the Aoki family realize that this unremarkable lieutenant colonel might be a significant figure! They had neglected him for days—how impolite! Fortunately, that headstrong youth, Aoki Seigen, seemed to get along with him very well; the two were inseparable, so there was still a chance to mend the oversight.

When Aoki Ichiro and Aoki Saburo found Okamura Naoji, he was chatting happily with Aoki Seigen. They passed on the General Staff’s message and asked Aoki Seigen to look after his uncle and accompany him back to Tokyo.

On the surface, Aoki Saburo, the father, said, “Your studies are important; you should return early to avoid delay.” The implication was clear: keep your uncle company and help the family secure this valuable connection.

It was truly a case of mutual wishes—everyone hoped Aoki Seigen would accompany Okamura Naoji back to Tokyo. So, the two swiftly packed their belongings, rode to the station, and waited for the 7 p.m. train to Tokyo.

On the train, while Okamura Naoji dozed off, Aoki Seigen summoned the system.

“System, by indirectly causing Aoki Nobumasa’s death—the very father of Japanese espionage—doesn’t that count as a major historical change?”

“According to historical records, Aoki Nobumasa died of illness on December 12, 1924, on the way home to visit ancestral graves.”

“No way, really?” Though startled, Aoki Seigen’s training kept his expression and demeanor perfectly controlled.

“That is how history unfolds.”

“That’s just too bizarre! The time and cause both match! So you’re telling me, even if I hadn’t intervened, Aoki Nobumasa would have returned home at this time, and the real Aoki Seigen would have run into him on the train, and he’d have died of a heart attack all the same?”

“Correct, host. Your understanding is accurate.”

“Following this logic, if I tried to kill Okamura Naoji right now, I might fail—he simply wouldn’t die?”

“It’s possible. Host, you must understand: though history’s wheels roll inexorably forward, history itself cannot be changed, nor can its course be altered.”

“If history cannot be changed, then why was I sent to this era at all?”

“Everyone’s arrival serves a purpose. Every time-travel event carries its own historical mission.”

“I still don’t quite understand.”