Chapter 75
Thinking of friends, Vodka suddenly realized something: "Don't you have other friends? That someone... Amuro!"
Considering that Usuha Izuki barely interacted with organization members, only meeting them when forced into missions, Vodka could easily distinguish who might be Usuha Izuki's friends.
"Right, and those two snipers you recruited! Aren't they your friends?"
Usuha Izuki sighed: "Isn't it because we have a good relationship that I thought of you first?"
Vodka: "............"
He kind of wanted to ask what exactly made Usuha Izuki think they had a good relationship—he could change that!
"As for Amuro, when we last met he said he'd probably be in the Hakata region long-term. I'm guessing he's not in Tokyo, but if you can call everyone together that's fine too. I forgot to exchange contact information with my new friends."
Vodka: "...You call that treating people as friends?"
Though he said this, Vodka found his emotions surprisingly stable... probably because his subconscious already knew Usuha Izuki was capable of such things.
Sure enough, Usuha Izuki said without shame but with pride: "This is what you call 'kindred spirits'—we keep friends in our hearts, other things don't matter."
"Losing contact with your friends doesn't matter either, right..."
"Don't I lose contact with you frequently too?"
"You actually know you lose contact frequently?!"
While complaining, Vodka subconsciously recalled the recent activities of these people.
Amuro Toru was now under Rum's command and beyond his control, but the two snipers were still in Gin's observation period, so he knew where they'd been lately...
Then Vodka suddenly felt a bit cold. Looking up, he found Gin silently staring at him, his contemptuous gaze seemingly saying "you really want to invite others."
Only then did Vodka realize he'd been led around by Usuha Izuki again.
The organization wasn't a real company where capitalists could order subordinates into mandatory team building. If he suddenly forced subordinates to attend a meaningless, torturous dinner for no reason, that hot-tempered sniper might actually shoot, and even if Boss sent people to investigate, they'd be in the right.
Being a capitalist really was better...
Therefore, considering that his deliberate avoidance of Usuha Izuki's calls had been exposed—though temporarily covered up—refusing the dinner now would really cause Usuha Izuki to make trouble for him. Vodka could only tearfully agree: "I understand. I'll go."
After setting the time, Vodka hung up and complained to Gin.
"Big Brother, how does Botanist know where our current base is!"
Vodka hadn't asked earlier because he wanted to badmouth Usuha Izuki in front of Gin. Since he couldn't immediately complain to Scotch and would suffer more torture later, feeling stifled and wanting to vent verbally to Gin, he could only find excuses: "Did he secretly investigate us?"
Gin said expressionlessly: "Since he already saw you, with his abilities, deducing your movements shouldn't be difficult."
Having such strong capabilities but doing nothing, getting upset when asked to do a little work and complaining to Boss... then using spare energy on organization members.
Why did such people still exist in this world!
Finding that Gin wouldn't play along like Scotch would, Vodka felt a bit disappointed: "Then Big Brother, I'm going to dinner with Botanist and Scotch later. Anything that needs conveying?"
Usuha Izuki still refused to communicate directly with Gin, and Gin preferred not to see him, but if there was business, it still needed to be said.
Gin actually had something to convey: "Tell Scotch that now he has a codename, there's no need to continue wasting time by Botanist's side."
Even without today, Gin would have found a chance to tell Scotch this, just without the necessity of making a special trip.
After all, Scotch actually did his missions, completely unlike Botanist!
Moreover, Scotch's codename was somewhat hollow—he had no great contributions to the organization. To truly establish himself among the organization's codename executives, just staying by Botanist's side was useless. He needed to rely on actual strength and achievements to truly enter Boss's sight.
With Scotch's ambition, he absolutely wouldn't stop at being Botanist's nanny.
As long as Scotch was willing and proactively proposed doing work, there'd be one less freeloader. Even if Botanist was dissatisfied, he couldn't complain to Boss again—problems could be directed at Scotch.
Scotch's control over Botanist should be sufficient to handle Botanist's dissatisfaction.
Vodka, hearing Gin's instructions, looked bitter: "I think Botanist will protest when he finds out... though I also think using Scotch as a nanny is wasteful."
"Let Scotch handle it." Gin pondered for a moment, probably still somewhat worried about Usuha Izuki going crazy and becoming unreasonable. "If it's just lacking a nanny, we can assign Botanist another person."
This way someone would continue caring for Botanist, and Scotch's persuasion success rate might be higher.
Vodka was extremely envious of Usuha Izuki's treatment: "The organization needs to hire him an additional nanny?"
Gin snorted lightly: "Pick someone from the peripheral members—someone who can take care of people, has no other abilities, but absolutely won't betray no matter how much Botanist torments them."
The organization didn't lack cannon fodder but sorely lacked elites. Yet Usuha Izuki kept a decent sniper on hand to do housework, complaining to Boss after just one or two requests... Gin was traumatized by Usuha Izuki's wasteful use of talent and strongly hoped to replace him with someone less regrettable.
Vodka nodded in understanding: "I get it."
He began mentally calculating suitable people under his command.
First, they had to be good at caring for people—exclude those who couldn't even care for themselves. Then they needed strong psychological endurance, preferably with leverage in the organization's hands so they wouldn't dare betray. That way, when feeling mentally unstable, thinking of their leverage would help them endure and continue working diligently.
Hmm...
A figure appeared in Vodka's mind.
Female, had a younger sister, good at caring for people, good personality, sister in the organization's hands—she absolutely wouldn't cause trouble for her sister...
He'd have his subordinates check if there were better candidates. If not, this person would do.
When the time came, Vodka reluctantly appeared at the barbecue restaurant right on schedule.
Usuha Izuki had reserved a private room.
"Who told you to dress so suspiciously." Usuha Izuki sighed. "Always in black suits... wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night is ridiculous. Learn from Scotch."
Scotch, wearing a hoodie with Usuha Izuki's previously gifted cross necklace hanging on his chest, dressed like a college student, smiled helplessly at Vodka.
Vodka was furious but didn't dare speak.
You may not dress suspiciously, but it's really an eyesore!
Why hasn't some devout religious believer cracked your head open!
Scotch consolingly poured Vodka tea: "Since you're here already... it's rare for Botanist to treat..."
Vodka, like someone at a buffet, was very ambitious, swearing to eat back all his mental damages this time.
"Alright! Have them start grilling, let's drink!" Usuha Izuki raised his glass. "Let's congratulate Scotch for finally getting a codename!"
Vodka: "...That's tea in your glass, right?"
"Oh, I hate drinking alcohol." Usuha Izuki frowned. "I tried it before—it just tastes bitter, can't really accept it."
Whatever, Vodka didn't want to argue with Usuha Izuki over such small matters anymore, and he was genuinely happy about congratulating Scotch's codename: "Fine, congratulations Scotch, you worked hard."
Scotch modestly clinked glasses with him: "It's okay, not hard."
If Usuha Izuki weren't sitting nearby, Vodka could smoothly say "then you could work harder, want to take on some missions?"
But with Usuha Izuki watching like a hawk beside them, and completely sober, Vodka couldn't find an opportunity and could only eat normally for now.
"Aren't you going to school anymore?" Vodka had defaulted to assuming Usuha Izuki's weekday disappearances and weekend-only appearances meant school. "Why so early this time? Don't say it's just for Scotch—you should have come back yesterday... Did your school close down and you have no other friends to play with?"
If it were before, Usuha Izuki would probably have retorted, but now he just sighed.
"I have friends, but this time my friend is very angry, so I wanted to hide for a bit."
Vodka and Scotch exchanged shocked glances.
What kind of divine being was this friend, actually making Usuha Izuki retreat instead of going crazy and fighting back?
"Why is your friend angry?"
Vodka couldn't help probing.
Good heavens, how did this friend manage it? Could they share their experience?
Usuha Izuki said melancholically: "He thinks I'm doing very dangerous things. I'm so innocent..."
Scotch: "......"
Vodka: "......"
Ah, this isn't about what your friend thinks—you're an organization member! You should be doing dangerous things! What innocence?!