One week later. At the dining room of the Meteorological Agency.

“Who was that beautiful lady?”

Akane asked Youichi suddenly.

“Who? What are you taking about?”

“Don’t play innocent. I saw you with a tall lady at the restaurant.”

“Did you see that? It’s just a business. She is a government official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And I was asked to explain my Ice Age assumption.”

“At the French restaurant? You looked very enjoying.”

“No, it’s not such…”

Youichi was a little embarrassed with her complains.

But at that moment their talk was interrupted.

“The breaking news from UK.”

The newscaster’s voice was coming from the TV on the wall.

“One hour ago British Prime Minister, Mr. Johnson announced the joint statement of COP26, the World Climate Conference for the Global Warming. According to the statement all the participants had agreed to the target which will restrain the average global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees on 2100. To achieve this target all the countries will be required to reduce the emission of CO2 until 2050.”

People in the dining room watched the TV all at once.

“It was finally finished. I thought it was impossible to reach the agreement.”

“We are now standing at the start point, aren’t we?”

They changed their subject.

“However they could not agree to the abandon of coal-fired power plants. China and Japan were strongly against this proposal and they compromised with the expression of ‘gradually reduced’. From other participants has already expressed the suspicion for the effectiveness of this agreement. Hereafter action of China and Japan will be focused.”

Akane sighed.

“Why are China and Japan negative against the reduction of coal-fired plants? It was one of the largest source of emitting CO2.”

“It is because for the economic growth. Both countries have been heavily relied on coal. The price of coal is rather cheaper than oil, gas and other materials.”

“It seems very selfish. I don’t like the way of China and Japan.”

Akane complained. But at this moment both Youichi and Akane had not noticed yet that this incident would be related to the enormous supremacy struggle of big countries.

On Friday 2 o’clock at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Keiko attended Youichi to the long corridor to the meeting room.

“The person you will meet today is the Ambassador to China of Japanese Embassy”

Youichi was astonished. Ambassador to China is one of the highest post in the Ministry and seldom meet a minor official like Youichi. What is his business?

Youichi got nervous in an instant.

“And please make it strictly confidential to meet him here.”

Youichi was further embarrassed. Strictly confidential? What is going on from now? Before finding out a reasonable answer they were in front of the door.

“Come in.”

They entered the meeting room.

“Well, thank you for coming today. Please have a seat. I am Fujita, Ambassador to China.”

He introduced himself with smile which made Youichi a little relaxed.

“I have heard of you from Miss Katuragi. There is an interesting person in the Meteorological Agency. I would also like to hear your Ice Age Theory.”

Youichi finally found the reason why he came here today. But why the Ambassador of China? What is his purpose?

“As you know, the COP26 Conference was not successful. China was rather negative for taking countermeasures. That country is still under developing and gives priority to economic growth. I felt I should study a lot.”

Youichi felt strange. If the purpose is just studying the Global Warming, there are many more suitable persons like a university professor or other famous specialists. Why should it be Youichi?

“Then, why do you think the Ice Age will come? What is your thought?”

Youichi gave up and explained just same as he did for Miss Katuragi.

“Hmm. Very interesting. The Global Warming will be just a trigger to the next Ice Age. If it is true, we are now going to the completely different way.”

Two weeks later, another annoying news has announced.

“Today’s afternoon the Chinese Government announced their coal consumption for the 3 rd quarter increased by 5 percent as compared with last year. It is expected China will be criticized by other COP26 members.”

Youichi wondered China’s action, remembering that meeting with the Ambassador.

To be continued