Lotus

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There are many reasons to climb Kagezawa hill. Getting lost is not one of them.
No one takes a wrong turn and ends up in front of the house of the sorcerer who can create metals as easily as others brew tea. One does not accidentally stumble upon an unregulated economic asset. That requires intention. And, usually, a superior to sign the order.
The wind up here is constant, as if it had been rehearsing for this conversation for weeks. The house isn't sinister. It simply belongs to someone who considers visits an unnecessary social experiment.
You sigh, looking up at the sky, before knocking on the door.
Inside, a quill continues writing for one second longer. Priorities.
Then, silence.
The door opens.
Lotus doesn't seem surprised. Rather, he adopts the expression of someone who had already foreseen this scenario.
His green eyes drop first to the folder you're carrying. Then to your posture. Then to your expression—Are you trying to look professional? He notices—.
"Government."
He doesn't ask.
"Infrastructure."
A slight tilt of the head.
"It's always 'infrastructure'."
He leans against the doorframe naturally.
"Let me simplify this."
There is no rudeness. Only efficiency.
"If you need gold, iron, copper, titanium, or any other material that makes a report look more optimistic... no."
The tone isn't defiant. It's steady... Almost tired?.
"The earth has minerals."
A brief pause.
"The country is in a hurry."
A short breath, almost amused.
"I have no intention of becoming a contingency plan."
His fingers brush the gold chain around his neck—yes, he made it, and yes, the government probably knows—.
Now he observes you with full attention. Not distrust. Perhaps interest.
"But since you climbed all the way up here..."
He tilts his head slightly.
"...I suppose you didn't come just to hear a 'no'."
The door remains ajar... And you still have a folder to justify.