Ward 0 Mayoral Inauguration
The sun will rise.
Surely it will, no matter how much pain you face or how dark the way ahead seems.
The sun will rise upon a brand new day and shine on you unconditionally.
And with it will come glimmers of hope.
Take your first step towards the light. That one step alone is the beginning of the long journey we call life.
Today is when I took that step.
We’re live on the scene here at the HAMA Ward 0 Mayoral Inauguration Ceremony. This is a critical moment for HAMA, as it has been unable to clear visitor quotas for the past two years in a row, leaving many unsure as to whether it can retain its status as a designated tourism region.
As you can see, many of the locals have gathered here with high expectations for today’s ceremony! We’ll be sure to keep all of you at home updated!
(I can’t believe they’re airing this on national television… I didn’t know it would be such a big deal, but it makes sense when I think about it. People all over the country are worried about HAMA’s condition right now.)
(Kafka’s gonna be up there today to officially take over as the Ward 0 mayor after his dad… I don’t know how he does it. I’d be worried sick.)
(But still! His operation was a success, and he did well in post-surgery rehab. Kafka can do this… I know he can!)
Dearest citizens of HAMA, we’d like to thank you for joining us for today’s ceremony. Before we begin, we have a few words from the current HAMA Ward 0 mayor, Oguro Rihito, as well as HAMA’s auditor and Tokyo Ward 8 mayor, Shigematsu Hakkei.
*applause*
Can you believe they’re finally passing the baton? Well… Now that I think about it, our current mayor isn’t the most reliable man around…
But his son is taking over now, right? I heard he’s only 20, so I’m not sure he’ll be any better.
Business hasn’t been great for me since I started losing customers last year… If HAMA loses the tourism region title, that’ll be the nail in the coffin for this whole city. Restaurants have already been closing left and right for a couple of years.
Tokyo’s only giving HAMA the absolute minimum amount of financial aid… Who knows where things will go now that we’re getting a new mayor.
Tourism region days over… Crazy tax increases… Bankruptcies everywhere… No point in living… Loss after loss after loss…
(Ugh… Nobody’s in a good mood here… But I can’t say I don’t understand.)
(Kafka’s dad is really nice, but…being a mayor really isn’t his forte. People just kinda walk all over him…)
(I think Kafka could do a better job, but… We only have a year to turn things around. Does he really have a good idea on how to handle all of this?)
(But I’ve decided that I’m gonna stick by his side and work with him to renew HAMA no matter what. I’ll finally get to hear what he’s got in mind for the future today. This is important stuff!)
Without further ado, it is my honor to introduce HAMA’s soon-to-be mayor, Oguro Kafka!
*applause*
Thank you for coming out here today, citizens of HAMA. I’m Oguro Kafka, and as I’m sure you all know, I will soon be acting as HAMA’s Ward 0 mayor moving forward.
*applause*
That’s practically a grade schooler up there! Geez, Tokyo’s Ward 8 mayor is really staring him down. The kid might as well be gum on the bottom of his shoe.
Well, Auditor Shigematsu is hard to please. Places can lose their status as tourism regions almost instantly because of a single bad review from him…
Crazy stink eye from Tokyo’s Ward 8 mayor… Crazy sudden appearance of unwanted new Ward 0 mayor… Crazy fast degradation of HAMA… Crazy expected tourism region demotion… Crazy hopeless life incoming…
(Oh no… People don’t trust him at all…! Hang in there, Kafka…)
Ahem. I see there are some disturbances in the crowd. I don’t blame you. I’d also be worried if someone so young and inexperienced suddenly came into power like this.
K-Kafka…? Um, the script says that we should be conducting the succession nice and peacefully. W-What’s going on…?!
Calm down, Dad. It’ll be fine. No need to panic in front of all of these people.
Hmph. Rihito, it seems to me that your son has no intention of taking his role as mayor seriously. Are you sure he’s fit for this position?
Oh, he’s quite sure, thank you very much. We agreed beforehand to have me succeed if my surgery went well, so I would appreciate it if you kept out of our family matters.
Oh, is that so? How bold of you to tell me to “keep out” of something that concerns all of HAMA, not just your family.
In case you’ve forgotten, I am the one who decides what HAMA can do with the subsidy it receives from Tokyo.
Really, now?
What’s going on up there? Things don’t look very friendly…
Current mayor floundering… New mayor fuming… Tokyo mayor unsparing… HAMA done for good…
W-Well then, let us proceed with the succession ceremony! I’ve received the honor of leading the oath for today!
The title of HAMA Ward 0 Mayor, as well as authority over all travel and hospitality industry activities of HAMA-18, currently possessed by Oguro Rihito, will now be passed on to Oguro Kafka—
As the new HAMA Ward 0 mayor, Oguro Kafka will partake in HAMA’s travel and hospitality industry justly under Tourism Law, as well as manage and lead all of HAMA’s ward mayors. Can both parties hereby take this oath?
Oh, we’re… We’re back on track… Yes! I hereby transfer all of my current rights as HAMA Ward 0 Mayor.
I humbly accept the Office of HAMA Ward 0 Mayor.
As Tokyo Ward 8 Mayor and Designated Tourism Region Auditor, Shigematsu Hakkei will inspect and supervise HAMA’s travel and hospitality industry in accordance with Tourism Law and submit the appropriate tourism reviews to the federal government. Can you hereby take this oath?
I suspect this will be my last year in this role, but I suppose it is my duty as of now. Yes, I swear to conduct a fair and just inspection as auditor.
Oh, you’re leaving us so soon? I guess we’re getting a new auditor next year then.
How impudent…
(This… This is so awkward…! They both have to take it down a notch—everyone can hear them…)
W-Well, without further ado, it is my honor to welcome our new HAMA Ward 0 mayor!
*applause*
I expected him to be just some spoiled rich kid, but… He’s actually pretty plucky, don’t you think?
Maybe we’re in better hands with him than with Rihito…
I heard his late mother was that one famous scientist… He looks just like her.
Yes, well, as the new HAMA Ward 0 mayor, I would like to take the time to present my decisions for HAMA moving forward. To start…
HAMA will no longer be accepting the subsidy from Tokyo!
*murmuring*
(…Huh?! What in the world are you thinking, Kafka?!)