Chapter 46
After Morofushi Hiromitsu finished complaining, feeling Vodka's silent sympathy, he tentatively asked: "I don't think I can help much here. How about giving me a different assignment?"
Vodka was sympathetic, but Vodka refused.
"No way. I already told him to have you cooperate with him on this mission. Now that I can't contact him, if I suddenly replace you, he'll definitely blow up when he gets back." Vodka spoke earnestly. "For the organization's sake, just bear with it a bit longer. Report any progress to me immediately."
Morofushi Hiromitsu wasn't really trying to escape this mission. His complaints were partly genuine emotion and partly because he felt this performance would gain Vodka's trust.
When you do work, you need people to remember your contributions, or it's wasted effort. Undercover agents especially need to pay attention to this, otherwise it's hard to climb up.
Vodka's response was within Morofushi Hiromitsu's expectations, so he smoothly continued, asking with a slightly concerned tone: "Botanist is also an executive. Would it be inappropriate for me to report on my mission with him to you?"
Completely unaware he was being led into revealing information, Vodka felt this was a very normal concern. He was even pleased that Morofushi Hiromitsu showed such regard for the organization's hierarchical order, so he responded:
"Don't worry. Paying close attention to Botanist's movements is the Boss's idea. This executive is pretty incompetent—completely relying on his adoptive father's legacy. Look, he doesn't even have subordinates he can mobilize at will and had to ask me for personnel... The main issue is his whereabouts are too mysterious, his personality is a bit crazy, and he has no loyalty to the organization. It would be bad if he did something that affected the organization. If you're standing from the organization's perspective, you should listen to me more and less to him."
This was quite a lot of information. Morofushi Hiromitsu hadn't expected that one probing comment would yield so much intelligence.
He and Zero's previous speculation was partially correct—Usuha Izuki did have a transcendent status in the organization, but the Boss didn't trust him... meaning Usuha Izuki probably didn't know much about the organization's secrets.
That adoptive father's legacy... the adoptive father would be Yalijiu, right? Vodka had said "Even if Yalijiu were resurrected, he couldn't save you."
This Yalijiu should be an organization backbone who had died, so Usuha Izuki, this irresponsible and somewhat mentally ill second generation, got promoted.
Looking at how he didn't manage anything yet still got a codename, the Boss probably wanted to stabilize Yalijiu's connections. After all, when the Boss wanted to maintain a mysterious image, he'd inevitably encounter problems with subordinates becoming too powerful.
I see. Usuha Izuki had a casual attitude toward the organization, but the organization temporarily couldn't do without him, though losing him wouldn't shake the foundation... that made sense.
Usuha Izuki really wasn't worth capturing and interrogating, but maintaining more contact with Usuha Izuki might be another shortcut to gaining the trust of Vodka, this executive.
Zero had already gained some intelligence their level normally wouldn't know through Vodka's sympathy, proving this route was useful.
Though it was possible that because Zero was about to be promoted to executive, Vodka could be a bit looser with information. But as Gin's partner, Vodka regularly contacted the organization's core, and even casual remarks might contain information they needed.
This was the gap between executives and peripheral personnel, so undercover agents couldn't slack off—they had to infiltrate the executive circle as soon as possible.
"Since this is for the organization, I know what to do." Morofushi Hiromitsu took a stance and began picking sides. "If I discover anything, I'll report to you immediately."
Vodka felt he'd gained another ally in his anti-Usuha Izuki squad and was in a good mood: "It doesn't matter if this mission fails. The fact that you can live in Botanist's house shows he doesn't dislike you. Build a good relationship with him—best if you can know where he usually goes and what he does."
Morofushi Hiromitsu said quietly: "You're also his friend. If you suggested it, he'd let you move in too."
Vodka: "...I'm busy here. Nothing else, I'll hang up now."
Don't say such terrifying things! Are Usuha Izuki's friends really friends?! They're called persecution targets!!!
Morofushi Hiromitsu put away his phone and mentally organized the intelligence he'd just obtained, feeling that several days of cleaning hadn't been wasted, and some of his unease had dissipated.
He'd gotten on Vodka's ship. Now the problem was, to further deepen his connection with Vodka, he needed to obtain Usuha Izuki's whereabouts... so, where was Usuha Izuki?
Hopefully that guy hadn't gone crazy on someone else's territory and gotten eliminated?
Should he also infiltrate that cult to check the situation?
Usuha Izuki, whose life Morofushi Hiromitsu was worrying about, had been peacefully attending classes at the Police Academy all week.
To say nothing had happened at all wouldn't be accurate, since the principal had come to talk with him, hinting that he might forgive the person who attacked him.
But soon the principal had no time to worry about him, because although the Police Academy tried to suppress the news, people's love of gossip couldn't be contained. Students at school told classmates on leave, who then told their parents... If they didn't know each other, that would be one thing, but if they were acquainted, the enthusiasm for sharing was even greater.
Finally, the parents of the child who had been bullied to suicide also got the news and rushed to the Police Academy. Hearing that they wanted the victim to show forgiveness, they immediately began pressuring the principal, threatening to tell reporters...
Regardless, right now it was only spreading in small circles—the outside world hadn't heard much, or after passing through several hands, listeners didn't take it seriously. But if reporters got involved, it wouldn't be a small matter and would completely contradict the higher-ups' intentions.
So now the pressure had shifted to school leadership, who were arguing with agitated parents, while Usuha Izuki was actually quite leisurely.
The leisurely Usuha Izuki hadn't forgotten the big words he'd spoken to Vodka.
Actually, Usuha Izuki had no idea what that religion was like. His understanding of the cult came entirely from what the two believers had told police when they tried to frame Samukawa Shinryu.
It was just that when Vodka had ill intentions, Usuha Izuki, to refuse office work, could only randomly find a scapegoat to complete the mission.
He wanted to maintain his current free lifestyle, at least putting on an act of working seriously. As long as he saved face, the Boss wouldn't be too picky.
So Usuha Izuki began collecting intelligence on [Happiness Truth Cult], even calling the Metropolitan Police to ask Inspector Megure for information.
Inspector Megure was a bit surprised to receive his call. Hearing that he wanted to understand [Happiness Truth Cult], his first instinct was to refuse.
For some reason, his first reaction was that Samukawa Shinryu wanted to seek private revenge.
But soon, Inspector Megure remembered this was a Police Academy student who wouldn't do such things. Having misunderstood him before, he felt apologetic and didn't immediately refuse, instead asking: "Those two did provide some information. What do you want to do with this?"
"I'm just a bit curious. After all, I was completely caught in an innocent disaster. Wanting to know what caused me to be framed is normal, right?"
Inspector Megure's reason said it was normal, but his feelings said it wasn't quite normal, and he even wanted to call the police... oh, he was the police, so never mind.
"This isn't quite proper..."
"Inspector Megure, as the victim, I should have the right to know some harmless intelligence about cases related to me, right? Besides, this case seems to have been solved because of me."
Inspector Megure was speechless.
Because of the incident at the Police Academy where Samukawa Shinryu was attacked, the higher-ups wanted to suppress it and recently didn't want the victim getting attention, so this case also didn't receive commendation.
Inspector Megure felt a bit sorry for Samukawa Shinryu. Besides, this really wasn't a matter of principle—this religion wasn't some secret society. Even if he didn't answer, Samukawa Shinryu had plenty of other ways to gather intelligence.
Somewhat swayed, Inspector Megure, under Samukawa Shinryu's subsequent persuasion skills, finally provided the materials.
Hagiwara Kenji also noticed that Usuha Izuki had been busy investigating [Happiness Truth Cult] recently.
Usuha Izuki's excuse was that he'd never encountered this type of religion before and was curious to learn about it.
Japan actually had many religions of various natures, but recalling the isolated rural orphanage on his resume... Hagiwara Kenji felt he could understand. These religions looked down on poor people.
So after Usuha Izuki got materials from Inspector Megure, Hagiwara Kenji also took a look.
After those two were arrested, they confessed quite a bit, possibly because their resentment ran so deep. They felt that if they hadn't joined that religion, nothing would have happened, so they emphasized many dark aspects of the religion.
Usuha Izuki summarized: "Obviously they weren't devout enough, or their money would have been donated to the Cult Leader instead of being swindled by cult members. Not being fooled by the Cult Leader shows they were somewhat smart, just limitedly so."
Hagiwara Kenji: "...That's not the point."
Since their argument, Hagiwara Kenji had noticed that the other person was talking more and more in front of him, sometimes making particularly sharp observations... but in front of others, Samukawa Shinryu was still the cool guy who seemed too lazy to speak.
Hagiwara Kenji was quite happy about this change.
Usuha Izuki continued reading: "The Cult Leader knows hypnosis, so many people were deceived, and more and more joined."
Hagiwara Kenji frowned continuously: "This has harmed so many people... and so many voluntary suicides... how many families destroyed..."
"This Cult Leader deserves to die."
Hagiwara Kenji was pessimistic: "...It's difficult. Most people joined voluntarily, and probably no evidence can be found for the rest. Besides, Japan hasn't imposed death sentences in a long time."
In Japan, evil acts committed under the guise of religion were hard to prosecute, and ignorant cult members would just say they acted voluntarily when questioned—police had trouble intervening.
Usuha Izuki was thoughtful.
Always being at odds with the organization's style wasn't good either. Even he should preferably submit some proof of loyalty to show they were all on the same side, which would allow him to cause more trouble.
This Cult Leader was perfect. Let's see if Vodka would cooperate.
On Friday, for the sake of an alibi, Usuha Izuki didn't plan to request leave, wanting the Police Academy to vouch for him again.
Instead, Instructor Onizuka waited and waited, didn't receive his application form, and felt terrible. He specially came to find him: "You're not taking leave this week?"
Usuha Izuki nodded: "I haven't finished reading my books."
Instructor Onizuka was a bit worried: "Do you have any other enemies?"
Usuha Izuki: "...I remember the Police Academy's security was strengthened. Last week's situation won't happen again."
Instructor Onizuka: "...That's not what I meant. Cough, never mind."
Unable to achieve his goal, Instructor Onizuka left worriedly.
He also felt it shouldn't be that mystical, but he was just very anxious. He didn't sleep well all night, constantly having auditory hallucinations of the phone ringing.
The next day, finding nothing had happened, Instructor Onizuka was almost moved to tears. Hearing that Samukawa Shinryu planned to stay in his room and study properly today, he repeatedly agreed.
"Great! Reading is good!"
But Usuha Izuki, who was supposed to be peacefully studying in his dorm, betrayed Instructor Onizuka's trust.
On Saturday evening, he first called Vodka to falsely report negotiation results, then waited a while before finally dialing Morofushi Hiromitsu's number.
Morofushi Hiromitsu answered almost instantly: "Botanist, where have you been these past few days?"
Usuha Izuki, who hadn't left the Police Academy at all, answered calmly: "I went to negotiate."
Morofushi Hiromitsu had actually already received a tip from Vodka, knowing not only had the negotiation failed, but Vodka had concluded they needed to eliminate the target. He didn't know if Usuha Izuki had let something slip or caused some other trouble... but he still had to act, so he asked: "What was the result?"
"Not ideal. Take your gun and go to this location."
Usuha Izuki opened [Universal Navigation] and gave Morofushi Hiromitsu an address: "Vodka says to eliminate the target."
As he'd expected, Vodka wanted him to "do something" domestically so the organization would have leverage over him, so he'd easily issued the elimination order.
After a pause, Usuha Izuki continued:
"Don't worry, this is a very safe and simple mission. I'll make sure you get out clean. Just follow my instructions."