"He certainly aspires to, and I'd say he's been successful in that endeavor." Hacking the entire country's broadcasts, faking his death to expose a corrupt politician, and then saving the world on top of that? Pretty successful run, she'd say.
"I've been wondering for a while how close you are to our point in time. I don't think the biggest news item I have to work with would help, but... has Akechi Goro crossed your path yet? It seems likely you'd have heard of the media-dubbed successor to your title before most people."
And that way, if Naoto hasn't encountered him yet, she'll have some idea of why Hifumi's asking.
"How so?" It's only natural that Naoto's curious about what Ren's getting up to. He's been an oddity while still giving off that strange air her own Senpai did.
"Hm... No, he hasn't. Then again, the more I remain distant from the media right now, the better. I don't need them distracting me at the moment back home."
Currently, she had other things going on that one person being her 'successor' was not her business. It wasn't the important succession to be inherited anyway.
"Most of it's his story to tell, if he so chooses. But I can say he successfully interfered with my mother's attempts to push me into idolhood, and got her to stop."
Kujikawa-san seems to enjoy that kind of work, at least since her hiatus. Hifumi would have hated it.
"That puts Ren and I at least a year ahead of you, then - possibly as much as two. I think you'd remember hearing about him, even if you hadn't met. He always struck me as... saying whatever he thought would make people like him the most."
"Mmm, yes. Being an idol isn't for everyone. Rise-san calls to complain about it often enough, but since her gradual move towards acting, they've become less frequent."
It's just not for everyone. The fact Rise got where she was took its own dedication sure enough.
"I see... I suppose that's one way to work into everyone's good graces, but then who is he truly?"
"She seems happy in her work, at least - she has since her hiatus, anyway. I'd vastly prefer the attention to be on shogi itself rather than the person playing it."
Hifumi nods. "An excellent question, and one I've never been able to answer for myself. He rather abruptly stopped doing any TV appearances just before I arrived here - granted, the media was also rather busy with the snap election, but even so."
She doesn't know what happened with Akechi, and she doesn't have any reason to think Ren would know, so she hasn't asked.
"I'm glad she was able to have it, then." And that's for Rise's own sake, rather than anything her fanbase or managers might want from her. Better that she's happy in what she does.
"Regular enough that the sudden, unexplained lack of them was notable. He'd taken time away from media appearances before, but had at least explained why."
Naoto nods, remembering their time in Inaba, and says no more on it.
"Hm... I don't really condone going on television. It tends to bring too much spotlight towards work. However, if there's an ulterior motive, then an exception can be made. I suspect similar case with him given the frequency if he's apparently the next acclaimed Detective Prince. There should be no other reason to appear otherwise."
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"I've been wondering for a while how close you are to our point in time. I don't think the biggest news item I have to work with would help, but... has Akechi Goro crossed your path yet? It seems likely you'd have heard of the media-dubbed successor to your title before most people."
And that way, if Naoto hasn't encountered him yet, she'll have some idea of why Hifumi's asking.
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"Hm... No, he hasn't. Then again, the more I remain distant from the media right now, the better. I don't need them distracting me at the moment back home."
Currently, she had other things going on that one person being her 'successor' was not her business. It wasn't the important succession to be inherited anyway.
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Kujikawa-san seems to enjoy that kind of work, at least since her hiatus. Hifumi would have hated it.
"That puts Ren and I at least a year ahead of you, then - possibly as much as two. I think you'd remember hearing about him, even if you hadn't met. He always struck me as... saying whatever he thought would make people like him the most."
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It's just not for everyone. The fact Rise got where she was took its own dedication sure enough.
"I see... I suppose that's one way to work into everyone's good graces, but then who is he truly?"
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Hifumi nods. "An excellent question, and one I've never been able to answer for myself. He rather abruptly stopped doing any TV appearances just before I arrived here - granted, the media was also rather busy with the snap election, but even so."
She doesn't know what happened with Akechi, and she doesn't have any reason to think Ren would know, so she hasn't asked.
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Naoto... made a face at the mention of TV appearances. "I see... His TV appearances were regular?"
Not something she recommended for a detective to do. He should know better...
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"Regular enough that the sudden, unexplained lack of them was notable. He'd taken time away from media appearances before, but had at least explained why."
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"Hm... I don't really condone going on television. It tends to bring too much spotlight towards work. However, if there's an ulterior motive, then an exception can be made. I suspect similar case with him given the frequency if he's apparently the next acclaimed Detective Prince. There should be no other reason to appear otherwise."
no subject
Her mother could probably speculate, but that's just all the more reason not to ask her.