Light Novel Volume 0/Summary

Prologue
Atsuomi Ayanokoji monologues about the disparity of society in Japan, and how one can be in heaven while another in hell. A person born rich can go into poverty while some many rise from rags to riches. He had a humble origin and not much money growing up. He had wasted much of his life away, but his ambition never ceased as he aimed to be at the top.

By 25, he had amassed the funds while being of age to enter politics, but lost all his savings after losing. He campaigned on all sorts of lip services only to fall short. It was 2 years later that he was able to get elected while serving in the ruling party. Unlike others who had established pedigrees in politics, he was a newcomer and free to be attacked. To rise up, he had to take on dirty work that no one else did. Ranging from working with the Yakuzas to bribery and worse. At age 36, he had finally gained some power, which meant that more things had to be done to solidify his base.

Jump to another scene, it was the first time he saw his 1 month old child through the glass. Tabuchi reported the results of his tests and that there were no defects from the baby. He was told that he could interact directly with the baby, but instead, he ordered them to start the fourth generations tests immediately. He orders Tabuchi to film this moment of a parent giving away their child to the whiteroom. Once done, he put the baby down and wished to be in contact with Sakayanagi.

After 10 years of politics, he wanted to start a new life here, and doesn’t mind sacrificing everything, even his child. But first, he had to erase Naoe sensei, who was a stepping stone as well as the absolute authority. He tells Kiyotaka to struggle if he wants to live and that he is very fortunate to be seen by him instead of being raised by a family member. He was lucky for that, but, whether he was a child or an adult, everything is to be done by himself. He never thought he would have a child. That is until 4 years ago where he learnt about the Whiteroom's existence.

Chapter 1
In a Sasagawa restaurant, Atsuomi and Kamogawa were waiting for Naoe-sensei to arrive. The former commenting that they’d be lucky if he even arrived, saying that he has failed to show up many times before. Despite being asked how long he'll wait, Atsuomi replied that he'll wait indefinitely, unless there's a message to say otherwise. He gave a scale, saying 80% of people would be obedient while the remaining 20% naive enough to summon an audience with Naoe would be given a terrifying ordeal. However, mostly it was Atsuomi who got the back end of the stick, saying he's almost been killed by a golf club and ash tray before. He found it to be part and parcel, since even if their anger were directed at him, Naoe still wouldn’t entertain them. Kamogawa pitied him for having to deal with it for the past 4 years.

Atsuomi questions him, asking if his father Kamogawa senior never taught him the ironclad rule of giving it your all, which was how Atsuomi got this job. These types of people were who he hated most, second generation leeches, who gets everything on a silver platter. His father Komogawa Toshizou had supported Naoe for a few years, and had over 30 years worth of political experience. He replied that his father never said it before, but he was instead taught to never cross Naoe-sensei and to accumulate years to get a good position. He then asks Atsuomi to talk more about himself and how he got into Naoe's good grace.

Atsuomi tells him chatting is over before correcting his posture, hearing a taxi just arrived. Naoe's figure could be seen, alongside some bodyguards and a woman. Atsuomi blocked Komogawa from Naoe's view but it was unneeded as he asked for Asama. Naoe Jinnosuke from the Citizen Party has had many ministerial roles, and is currently the secretary general. Aside from the Prime Minister, he was only half a step behind the Vice President, but his importance was definitely higher.

Despite being 68, he could easily hold the position for 20 more years, showing no signs of retiring. Despite being his senior of 3 years, Asama who was the vice minister of many ministries bowed deeply to Naoe-sensei. Both of them being so high above that Atsuomi couldn’t even imagine, as his head touched the floor. Despite wishing to eavesdropped, he moved to a different room to ensure his political journey is not threatened.

Returning to Kamogawa who was preparing to drink, Atsuomi tells him to do otherwise out of respect when they send them off. He was regularly seen sitting on his knees, to which he had gotten used to by doing it for hours at a time in front of Naoe. After eating briefly, he went to the toilet and returned to see another man with suited bodyguards. Turns out it was another Member of Parliament Kijima, who was fourth in line of the Citizen Party, and the man closest to the Prime Minister among the younger members.

It appears that Naoe was preparing to run for the next election already as he called Atsuomi into the room. Naoe praises Atsuomi for working under him for 4 years when others couldn’t even manage 6 months, while also being part of the handful of politicians that entered in their 20s. Most importantly, he did so despite being a 'have-not', a term meant for people not of rich backgrounds or blessed backgrounds. The highest someone like him could achieve is at politics, while any higher requires being connected in a multi generation system where his child has to get up there to give him a higher position. He thanks Naoe for accepting him, though the latter said he owes it all to his competency. Likewise, he was also helped by him, but his efforts had not been acknowledged.

They began talking about Isomaru Youkou, the third in line to the Citizen Party, and an elderly man like Naoe. After decades of facing him, Naoe says he is not someone to worry about but instead, it was Kijima who was number 4. Kijima was young and popular, but his biggest factor was coming up with Advanced Nurturing High School. So much so that the image of the Citizen Party is synonymous with Kijima's face. Naoe called Atsuomi to see whether he was still with him, with him replying that Naoe will always be the one he studies under. It was a known fact that after choosing a faction, you aren’t allowed to leave. Naoe then assigns Atsuomi and Kamogawa a new project, which was the blueprint of the Whiteroom. Despite how impossible it sounded, there was no room to disagree as they accepted the project, with fame promised to follow along if they did it well.

To solve Japan's population issue, this project seeks to take in all the lost and abandoned children, while also making them fervent supporters of the Naoe faction. This top secret project wasn’t told to their own party member, but Naoe already prepared someone to help the two of them, his name being Sakayanagi. However, Naoe wasn’t going to spare them any financial assistance nor allow them to use his name to start up the project, as he wishes them luck.

Before leaving, Naoe introduces Tsukishiro Tokinari to Atsuomi, and says he's useful and not much order than him. By useful, it meant that he was willing to do any and all shady things, as well as having influence in the opposition party. They left soon after, but not before Atsuomi saw Tsukishiro's eerie smile. Kamogawa was confused as to why Naoe showed up in a taxi, as well as openly having an affair with a much younger girl. Atsuomi replies that Tsukishiro was useful for a reason, but their focus should be on the project. Kamogawa's impression hadn’t been good in front of Atsuomi, but he reasons that he should be useful if approved by Naoe.

Chapter 2
Kicking off the planning stage, Atsuomi calls Ooba to assign a new job for him, knowing dirty means are inevitable. Kamogawa suddenly buzz his door as he invited him in. Kamogawa was surprised at Atsuomi's 10000 yen rental place, given how much a member of parliament is paid, and with his level, he should easily have over a 20 million yen salary. Kamogawa brings up Kisarazu who was 3 steps above himself, and how he is already living in a mansion, and that it was likely the bank loaned him money. However, Atsuomi rebuts him that banks won’t loan people whose terms are not guaranteed. This depresses Kamogawa, but unbeknownst to him, banks would probably flock to him cause of his association to his father. They discuss situations where they have limited money, and their differences were readily shown.

Atsuomi asks why he was here, but already knew it was through Naoe's order. He argues that he's fine with Atsuomi getting most of the credit, but even a little was fine, and that he can prove useful. He lighted up after Atsuomi accepted him, saying their first job is to secure an experimental facility. He assigns him research behind the size, budget and avoidance of public eye. If done well, he would be recognised. Knowing that with right words and praise, he has to be useful, Atsuomi sprinkled many in. To be safe, their budget should be around 700 million yen. After chasing him out, Atsuomi took out his bankbooks and gathered the 10 million yen he had as a start up.

Atsuomi travelled to a resident area in Shirokane located in Minato ward. The nameplate Sakayanagi was clearly visible as he was quickly taken in to see the master. They were the same age, and probed each other through their subtle words. Atsuomi went straight to the topic and said that he would like for Sakayanagi to be the pipe between himself and the financial world. He wasn’t bold enough to ask him to invest, but he wanted him to know their pitch for the future. Sakayanagi asks if it wasn’t wiser to ask from his father, however, it was returned that his faction was closer to Kijima. Although there was a chance he could be as well, Atsuomi trusted Naoe's words enough to seek him out. He was right, since instead of friend, he found his father to be a foe, to which he also embraced the rivalry. He went on to scan over the document, and sympathises with their issue.