Chapter 87
Since he'd been "semi-coerced" into the organization, Akai Shuichi wasn't polite. He went straight to the refrigerator for a drink, sat on the sofa, and turned on the TV.
Miyano Akemi had been assigned by the organization to work as a housekeeper, so although she had some concerns about those two specially treated rooms, as long as she wouldn't die it was fine. She quickly adjusted her mindset, found cleaning supplies, and began cleaning.
Actually the living room was quite clean. Miyano Akemi didn't dare move around so many decorative items randomly, so after a general cleaning and dusting, she could move to the next area.
People are naturally curious, and Miyano Akemi was quite curious about those two rooms she'd been given special access to.
She had many theories and had long wanted to go look, but still pretended to be patient and finished cleaning the living room first, to avoid appearing too eager.
Since she wasn't sure if there were surveillance cameras in the house, Miyano Akemi was very honest—when entering one of the rooms, she first opened the door a crack, slipped inside, then closed the door behind her.
The curtains inside weren't even drawn, making it pitch black. After closing the door, Miyano Akemi turned on the lights.
Sitting in the living room, Akai Shuichi keenly heard a suddenly cut-off gasp from inside, followed by dead silence.
...What exactly was inside? What could make Miyano Akemi react like that?
His gaze fell on the most conspicuous pink piano in the living room as he fell into thought... Was it something more shocking than this?
This was a proper residential area—it shouldn't be something like "human specimens" that would guarantee police involvement, right?
After a while, Miyano Akemi came out with a strange expression and chose to clean the kitchen instead of continuing to clean the other room.
It seemed she'd been left with some psychological trauma and was temporarily wary of the other room, not wanting to try it anytime soon.
Akai Shuichi: "............"
Now he was even more curious... but there was no need to take risks. What if there were cameras?
This organization's style was really quite unique, seeming different from the materials he'd seen before going undercover... Full of unprofessional vibes. Was this the organization that had various countries' police running in circles?
Akai Shuichi sighed quietly.
Meanwhile, the system looked at the slowing growth of suspicion values and said with some regret: [Miyano Akemi went in too early—if she'd gone in later she could have been suspicious for longer.]
[Don't be too greedy—having anything is good.] Usuha Izuki, having harvested massive amounts from Akai Shuichi, was particularly agreeable. [Actually I think I'd probably get along quite well with a 'Fright Value System.']
[That's true. Always saying scary things, and this time was even worse—putting skeleton frames and anatomical models on your bedroom bed, what are you trying to do... If it's just for farming suspicion values, you don't need to go this far, right?]
Usuha Izuki argued righteously: [Of course it's to make Miyano Akemi act suspicious and arouse Akai Shuichi's suspicion!]
The system made a sigh similar to Vodka's: [Really making everyone into tools... You really don't know how to be gentle with women.]
[You're not a favorability system—why are you paying attention to this?]
Usuha Izuki was currently in a taxi, having the driver circle around Tokyo's edges—after all, he said it was to find talent for the organization, so he could have the organization reimburse it later.
His purpose was to help Kokonoe Yoto quickly move away from next door by finding that high school fugitive.
[Universal Navigation] had regional limitations. In central Tokyo it was roughly a circle smaller than Tokyo Metropolis. Considering that minors couldn't really decide to go too far from familiar places, he had the driver circle Tokyo's edges—after about one circuit he could scan all of Tokyo and surrounding areas. If he still couldn't find the person, he'd be too lazy to look.
Fortunately, [Universal Navigation] soon indicated the target had appeared within range.
After having the driver go near the destination, he got out and began using Samukawa Shinryu's phone number to email Kokonoe Yoto, telling him the person should appear around here and that coming now might catch him in the act. Since this was a commercial district, after sending the email he could also visit nearby shopping centers—not wasting any time.
Just as Usuha Izuki clicked send, a familiar voice called out hesitantly.
"...Botanist?"
Usuha Izuki looked toward the voice and discovered it was his acquaintance Amuro Toru.
Amuro Toru had spotted Usuha Izuki's increasingly eye-searing outfit from far away, thinking at the time "Could that be Botanist?" Coming closer, he found it really was Usuha Izuki.
He had complex feelings like "After not seeing each other for so long, how has your aesthetic under Tokyo's influence not only not improved but gotten even worse?"
This definitely wasn't Japan's fault—absolutely Middle Eastern-cultivated taste.
When Usuha Izuki saw Amuro Toru, he was a bit confused: "Aren't you supposed to be in Hakata?"
"Right, but there's a mysterious hacker in Tokyo who's worked with the organization before. I came to investigate." Amuro Toru rarely revealed information so honestly.
That hacker was quite skilled and the type of talent the organization lacked. Now that the internet could do more and more things, the organization seemed to be considering recruiting more people in this area—programmers, software developers and such were all within their scope of interest.
Although strictly speaking he should keep missions secret, the target was Botanist after all. Those who understood would understand—Rum wouldn't pursue his responsibility for this.
Rather, if he failed to satisfy Botanist's curiosity and the guy called Boss over this trivial matter, he and his superior would be the unlucky ones.
Of course, information wasn't free.
Amuro Toru, just back from reporting to the National Police Agency, finished his vague account and asked probingly: "What about you? Why are you here?"
"I'm seeking talent for the organization!" Usuha Izuki sighed. "I did meet one today, but unfortunately he's too much like Gin and FBI. If I recommend him to the organization and Gin misunderstands that I really admire him, that would be troublesome..."
Amuro Toru's mouth twitched: "Ah, that Moroboshi Dai?"
"You know about him?"
"Because I'm in Tokyo, and that Moroboshi Dai was also discovered in Tokyo, so Rum assigned the investigation to me." Amuro Toru said.
"Right." Usuha Izuki suggested: "Since you're investigating Moroboshi Dai anyway, why don't you just come back with me to see him?"
"...The hospital?"
"My house."
Amuro Toru: "...You brought someone of unknown origin directly to your house?! Is he also your friend?!"
"How could that be! I told you that guy is very much like Gin and FBI! Obviously annoying at first sight!" Usuha Izuki complained. "It's just that houses with no one living in them get dusty. Scotland won't be coming back often anymore, so I need someone to warm the house... Don't be jealous—you're my friend."
Amuro Toru was expressionless: "Thanks. As a friend, let me remind you that this is too risky. And if you already dislike the person, why bring him back just to warm the house..."
"I told you, it's because I need someone to warm the house. Anyway, I don't go back often so I won't see him. If I went back often I wouldn't need him! And don't worry—I'm very good at reading people!"
Usuha Izuki waved his hand confidently: "He absolutely won't act rashly! If you don't believe me, come back with me right now!"
"Right now? Aren't you looking for your talent?"
Usuha Izuki casually picked up the camera hanging from his chest and took a photo toward the office building ahead: "Found them. Problem solved. Let's go."
This was where that young fugitive was being harbored. Two out of ten people going in and out had problems—he'd just grab one randomly to fill his quota.
Amuro Toru: "...??? This casual???"
Even knowing Usuha Izuki had a good eye for people, it shouldn't be this good?!
"Don't you trust my eye?" Usuha Izuki puffed up angrily. "That person who just went in—obviously some kind of mercenary type. Anyway, I'm only responsible for providing talent lists. Whether they're the kind of talent the organization needs, the organization can judge for itself... Otherwise if I judge and you still say I waste too many lives."
Amuro Toru's mouth twitched.
The organization saying someone else wasted lives... What kind of hellish joke was that?
He always felt that many things happening around Usuha Izuki were completely at odds with the organization's normal style...
But being able to see through someone as a mercenary at a glance... that level was indeed quite high. Good thing he'd heard Rum complain that this guy was mentally abnormal and had different standards for undercovers than normal people—couldn't count on him to discover undercovers...
"Besides, you're my friend... Even if the list is a bit sloppy, you'll turn a blind eye, right?" Usuha Izuki said with a smile.
For some reason, Amuro Toru detected a hint of threat and was silent for a moment before nodding: "Right."
But this wasn't about friendship—it was about not wanting to create trouble for himself.
"Alright then, let's head home—ah, before that, come with me to buy some things over there. If there's anything you want to buy, get it together and I'll help reimburse it all."
Amuro Toru: "...Thanks."
Usuha Izuki had left alone but returned with an extra person.
Although Miyano Akemi had finished cleaning, she hadn't left. She sat anxiously on the single sofa waiting for Usuha Izuki to return, even considering whether she should cook something...
Hearing movement at the entrance, she sighed in relief and immediately went to greet them.
"I'm back—"
"Welcome back." Miyano Akemi immediately responded, and quickly saw Amuro Toru following behind.
When Amuro Toru saw Miyano Akemi, his pupils suddenly contracted.
When Rum assigned the mission he hadn't been clear—he only knew about Moroboshi Dai, not that Miyano Akemi was here! They'd met as children and he recognized her immediately. If Miyano Akemi also recognized him and her acting wasn't good enough to reveal something, with Usuha Izuki's observation skills...
However, Miyano Akemi didn't seem to recognize him. She smiled and nodded, then began helping them hang up their clothes.
Amuro Toru walked into the living room with complex feelings, then his attention was immediately drawn to Akai Shuichi sitting brazenly on the sofa.
"How about it?" Usuha Izuki asked with interest. "Similar?"
Amuro Toru certainly wouldn't contradict Usuha Izuki.
In fact, because of personal dislike, his answer was especially heartfelt.
"Indeed a bit like an annoying FBI."
Akai Shuichi: "............"
—With so many countries' intelligence organizations, why are you all so focused on the FBI...