Chapter 5
Even Gin hadn't expected that Usuha Izuki's keen eye would be verified so quickly.
The people of Hakata were probably used to such scenes. Apart from the initial scream, passersby quickly returned to indifference. No one gathered around, only slightly detouring when passing by, which showed that someone had indeed died there.
The corpse just lay there. Vodka looked for a few seconds before averting his gaze, while Gin continued staring thoughtfully at that spot.
Based on Vodka's understanding of Gin, he vaguely felt that Gin seemed to be in a better mood now—at least much better than before.
Gin's mood had indeed improved somewhat.
He had originally felt that Usuha Izuki, as a tool for maintaining the Middle East smuggling routes, was both uncooperative and difficult to handle. They couldn't use force either, only accommodate him, which was somewhat irritating.
But now it seemed this person truly had ability. Working as someone responsible for interviews and recruitment wasn't slacking off, but genuine expertise in this area.
Gin had long been dissatisfied with the uneven quality of Organization personnel, feeling that those in charge of recruitment were incompetent, only hiring useless people. Not only could they not complete missions, but when they caused problems, he had to clean up after them.
If Usuha Izuki could utilize his talents and recruit more capable people for the Organization, his contribution wouldn't be small. Occasionally being a bit crazy wasn't unbearable.
As a loyal worker for the Organization, Gin discovered that what he'd thought was trash was actually an overlooked gold bar, and felt a touch of relief for the Organization.
"Let's go, the police will be here soon." After getting his money, Usuha Izuki turned to urge Vodka and Gin. "I'm getting a bit tired anyway. Let's finish what we need to discuss so I can sleep... By the way, you'll reimburse my room expenses, right?"
Vodka was speechless: "We will. But you don't need to worry about such small amounts—the Organization's salary for you isn't low."
Usuha Izuki insisted: "That's different. You definitely haven't enjoyed the pleasure of bargaining and saving money. We ordinary people like to get reimbursements and fleece the company."
Gin: "............" His hands were itching; he wanted to reach for his gun.
Vodka: "............" Could such words really be said out loud?
Such a wage worker mentality... Is this guy addicted to being an ordinary person?
How did Arak Wine raise this child!!!
Full of complaints, Vodka led them to the hotel where they were staying.
Because he really didn't want to deal with the lunatic anymore, plus he and Gin weren't originally responsible for negotiations, Vodka got him a room, confirmed this person was staying next door and couldn't escape, then quickly called Vermouth to come quickly—they'd found him!
Vermouth answered the phone: "I can arrive tomorrow... I didn't expect your efficiency to be so high. If I remember correctly, you should have just arrived in Fukuoka today, right?"
"Just a coincidence. This kid works as HR for an assassination company and tried to poach my boss!"
Hearing this miraculous first meeting, Vermouth couldn't help but laugh: "Hehe, this child is quite interesting. Your luck is pretty good too."
Vodka fell silent.
Pretty good luck? Do you want this luck?
Dealing with Usuha Izuki was really exhausting. Just this short while made him feel as tired as if he hadn't slept for three days, especially his eyes, which felt somewhat blurry despite wearing sunglasses...
Despite feeling a bit hurt by Vermouth's assessment, considering that if this mission failed they'd all be responsible, Vodka still warned her.
"Don't underestimate him. This kid has an exceptional eye for people. If you want to trick him, you'll need to bring out your acting skills."
Vermouth smiled and agreed: "How could I trick him? Before we even found him, Boss already offered very sincere negotiation terms. As long as he's not stupid, he'll definitely agree."
"No, I mean Arak Wine's inheritance..."
"I know. As long as he joins the Organization, the inheritance is still his." Vermouth lied through her teeth.
It's about winning hearts—withholding inheritance would be too insincere.
Anyway, the CIA had already taken most of the blame. Even if the inheritance given to Usuha Izuki was reduced by more than half, Usuha Izuki couldn't possibly settle accounts with the CIA. The Organization could both make money and win hearts—a double victory!
Vodka hung up the phone, feeling much lighter after passing the burden.
There were people with strange personalities in the Organization, but after mixing in the underworld and seeing so much of humanity walking the edge, good tempers were rare—but communicating with Usuha Izuki brought a different kind of exhaustion from others.
After all, simple cruelty, coldness, or violence didn't affect normal communication, but bizarre thought processes were different! You had to understand his convoluted thinking!!!
Actually, not understanding was fine too—using a gun was the most efficient communication method, but the problem was they couldn't be rough with Usuha Izuki. Vodka was truly at a loss, so better leave it to the eloquent Vermouth.
The next day, Vodka was awakened early by commotion from next door.
For various reasons, he'd placed an alarm at Usuha Izuki's door—when Usuha Izuki opened his door, he'd be alerted.
Vodka checked the time and found it was only five o'clock.
Hotels didn't serve breakfast this early. Was he really planning to run?
His heart immediately became anxious. Vodka hurriedly changed clothes, opened his door and rushed next door, only to find Usuha Izuki standing at his doorway with a suitcase, saying goodbye to a stranger.
This suitcase hadn't been there yesterday—it seemed to have been delivered by this person.
As long as he wasn't running, Vodka breathed a sigh of relief. After cautiously memorizing the departing person's appearance, he asked: "Who was that? What did he come for?"
"My friend came to deliver my luggage. After all, it would be awkward to go back to the company dorm now... I asked him to bring my stuff over." Usuha Izuki gestured for Vodka to look at his suitcase.
Vodka had already guessed it was for delivering things, so he didn't pay much attention to the suitcase, but was somewhat surprised: "Friend? You've only been in Fukuoka less than a month, right? How long have you known each other?"
This kid actually had friends?! He'd thought people returning from the Middle East would be highly vigilant and wouldn't be able to integrate into society so quickly to make friends.
Usuha Izuki: "We've known each other for almost three days."
Vodka suddenly choked: "............"
Only three days!!! You make friends way too casually!!!
"This... after only three days, you're not very familiar with each other, but you're already friends?" Vodka was very confused.
Usuha Izuki dragged his suitcase into the room: "We ordinary people are like this. After all, we're in the same company and roommates—isn't it normal to become friends? Yesterday I asked if he'd help me pack and deliver my luggage, he agreed. I said thank you friend, I'll treat you to dinner later, he didn't deny it and even said I didn't need to treat him, which proves we really are friends."
Vodka: "............"
Not only had they just met three days ago, but they'd only verbally become friends last night!!!
And the other person probably just wanted the dorm room to himself, that's why he was so eager! Stop being so optimistic about yourself!!!
Don't casually represent ordinary people! Ordinary people aren't like you!!!
Vodka used tremendous willpower to suppress his urge to complain, following Usuha Izuki into the room and watching him open his suitcase and pull out a golden glittering haori.
Vodka instinctively closed his eyes.
He simply didn't dare imagine what Usuha Izuki would look like today!!!
And that was just him—Boss wasn't even wearing sunglasses!!!
To protect Gin's eyes, Vodka bravely spoke up: "You... you dress quite fashionably. Did you dress like this in the Middle East too?"
He somewhat suspected whether Usuha Izuki wearing camouflage in the Middle East had affected his aesthetic sense.
Usuha Izuki naturally responded: "How could that be? In the Middle East I was either all black or all white all day. I've had enough of that."
So it was a rebound reaction... Arak Wine really didn't know how to raise children! Vodka once again added another mark against Arak Wine's account.
Usuha Izuki didn't know that Arak Wine had taken the blame for his abnormal aesthetic. He was discussing with the system.
[How about wearing this golden haori for negotiations? Mental +5, should help keep my head clearer.]
System: [Then I suggest pairing it with that cross earring. Perception +3, will let you more keenly sense the other party's thoughts.]
[Sigh, a pile of junk with too few choices. Your compensation really lacks sincerity—I'm too easy to appease.]
System: [...Don't be ungrateful! We even gave you daily lucky bags, and you still say you're easy to appease?]
Yes! The Undercover System had a bug! It caused the originally supposed-to-infiltrate-the-Organization 'Samukawa Shinryu' to now be Red side, while the fragile main body 'Usuha Izuki' entered the Organization instead, ultimately requiring this Suspicion Value System to take over.
But for Usuha Izuki to say he was easy to appease was really talking nonsense!
Think about yesterday's outfit!
Haori adding evasion, cowboy hat and earrings adding defense, shoes adding agility, hair clip, prayer beads and cross necklace all adding luck... Once he started running, even Gin's bullets couldn't catch him. Was this equipment a newbie could accumulate?!
More than half came from when negotiating compensation, the Undercover System tearfully hemorrhaged, and Usuha Izuki forcibly extorted as mental damages!
Besides a few important items, the system also had to arrange daily lucky bags for him—daily lottery based on luck. What other hosts had to use points to exchange, he might get from lottery. Only then did Usuha Izuki calm down. This pile of items came from that.
But Usuha Izuki felt he had good reason to be dissatisfied with the lucky bags: [You still have the nerve to say that! Do you know how many packets of instant noodles your broken lucky bags have produced? When I finally get something useful, it's all earrings and hair clips... Even Vodka's looking at me strangely!]
System: [You should be grateful we didn't give you women's clothing. Just say whether it's useful or not!]
Strength-focused Usuha Izuki reluctantly answered: [If it wasn't useful, why would I wear these things?]
[Speaking of which, should I draw today's lucky bag?]
[Forget it, let me save up for a ten-pull. Drawing now with nowhere to put things would be troublesome when moving.]
While communicating with the system, Usuha Izuki picked up a rose rosary to wear, casually asking Vodka: "By the way, when does my salary start? When can I officially start work? What do I need to do?"
Having discussed with Vermouth last night, Vodka calmly presented Vermouth's proposed plan.
"You start work today. The job is simple... Scouting talent to recruit is one aspect, and when we have some new members who need special attention, you'll infiltrate them as a newcomer and write observation reports—by the way, act more convincingly as an ordinary person. Real ordinary people don't constantly say 'we ordinary people are like this'!"
Usuha Izuki pondered briefly: "Okay, I understand. I'll properly observe these guys as an ordinary person forced to join!"
Vodka: "...???"
No, how did it become 'forced to join'? What kind of drama are you adding for yourself?!
Before Vodka could correct him, Gin's voice suddenly came from the unclosed door.
"Fine, do it that way."
Gin stood in the doorway with a cold smile: "Some rats have overflowing sympathy. If you can fish them out, I'll give you a bonus."
Vodka's expression was complex.
His first reaction wasn't that Gin's thinking was flexible or that he still hated rats so much, but—
Bonuses and such, truly worthy of Boss... he figured out how to communicate with this lunatic so quickly...