Chapter 89
Scotland saw Akai Shuichi's expression suddenly become somewhat twisted. Recalling what he'd just said, he couldn't guess why the other party's mood had suddenly worsened...
Based on his own experience, at times like this, directly assuming Usuha Izuki had done something was absolutely correct.
Scotland coughed and changed the subject: "Well, I suppose I'm your senior. If you have any questions you can ask me. How many from your list have you resolved?"
These past days working under Vodka and Gin, Vodka wouldn't hide too much from him about Usuha Izuki-related matters, so although he wasn't there, he still had some understanding of Usuha Izuki's movements.
Akai Shuichi put down his backpack, then sat on the sofa and calmed down a bit: "Three."
"That's not bad. The commission would be enough to buy XXX." Scotland casually mentioned the auction price of a famous sniper rifle.
Akai Shuichi, whose mood had just calmed down a little, suddenly frowned: "I'm still two short of that amount."
Scotland was startled: "XXX is being auctioned again? When did that happen?"
The two stared at each other for a few seconds, then suddenly both seemed to think of something, their expressions becoming subtle simultaneously.
Scotland coughed and showed an awkward but polite smile: "Sorry, I'll go make a phone call."
He entered his bedroom and started calling Usuha Izuki. After trying for a while without getting through, he hesitated, composed an email to Usuha Izuki, then changed to calling Vodka.
Vodka answered cautiously: "What's wrong?"
Didn't Scotland say he was going back to check on Usuha Izuki today? How long had he been gone before calling?
Was this call from Usuha Izuki or from Scotland himself?
Vodka was like a startled bird, carefully recalling to confirm he hadn't received or missed any calls from Usuha Izuki today, then relaxed slightly.
"I discovered a situation at Botanist's place." Scotland said with great difficulty. "Do you remember the list Botanist asked you for a couple days ago?"
"I remember. Wasn't it for that person Miyano Akemi hit?" Vodka complained. "Randomly hitting someone who turns out to be from the underworld. Good thing Botanist won't recommend him to the organization—shows he has some sense."
Scotland laughed dryly: "He probably isn't refusing for such normal reasons..."
Vodka remembered the description about being like Gin and FBI and got a headache: "Whatever the reason, it's still trouble Miyano Akemi caused him. It's good enough that he's willing to take responsibility."
As for assassination lists and such, they were all picked from lists that could be outsourced anyway. Currently that guy's skills seemed decent—subsequent investigations showed all were one-shot kills without leaving traces.
Although the circumstances of his appearance were somewhat suspicious, as long as his skills were okay and the identity investigation found no problems, they could recruit him later... Huh? Speaking of which, how long would Rum's investigation take?
Vodka's mind wandered for a moment.
Scotland tried to tactfully express the problem he'd discovered: "I think Botanist probably isn't doing it to take responsibility... Do you remember he said Moroboshi Dai felt somewhat like Gin?"
"I do remember. What about it? Is he really that similar?"
"Uh... the temperament is indeed somewhat similar, and what we think doesn't matter—what's important is that Botanist thinks so." Scotland took a deep breath. "I suspect he's using Moroboshi Dai as a Gin substitute to torment."
Vodka was confused: "...? Though it would be strange if he wasn't tormenting someone... but how did he torment him to the point where you're calling me?"
Scotland was silent for a moment: "Botanist might have skimmed commission from the funds you gave him to pay Moroboshi Dai."
Vodka: "......"
"When I was talking with Moroboshi Dai just now, I found the amounts didn't match up... Anyway, Moroboshi Dai has probably already realized." Scotland sighed.
Vodka couldn't help saying: "He's not short on money. Haven't we always approved his expense reports? Is he just experiencing what it's like for ordinary people to embezzle?"
Because they were so used to discussing Usuha Izuki's affairs, after chatting for a bit, neither person focused on whether Usuha Izuki's behavior was problematic, but instead guessed what bizarre reason it was this time.
After all, Usuha Izuki really wasn't short on money! They'd never seen Usuha Izuki have any major expenses. The point of skimming commission definitely wasn't the money, but something else!
Scotland, who had seen Akai Shuichi, firmly believed Usuha Izuki was using him as a substitute for personal revenge.
"He even made Moroboshi Dai sleep on the sofa when there's an empty room... Looks like Botanist really dislikes Gin, taking it out to this extent."
Vodka, who hadn't seen Akai Shuichi and thought Usuha Izuki saying the other was like Gin was to insult Gin, stuck to his view.
"It's definitely some ordinary person's life experience he picked up somewhere, or he feels money earned openly doesn't feel like anything—only sneaky theft is exciting."
At least Scotland remembered his purpose for calling: "Anyway, because I accidentally let something slip, Moroboshi Dai probably already knows Botanist is scamming him and might be very angry, possibly doing things Botanist didn't anticipate... I couldn't get through to Botanist. To prevent Moroboshi from acting rashly, if there's a situation, can I kill him?"
"Although nominally you're still Botanist's partner, you know how things really are, right? Are you still going to clean up his messes? Since he dared to do this, if something goes wrong he should be responsible. If you kill his person without authorization, he might not appreciate it and could even be angry at you."
Vodka sighed: "Though Botanist seems somewhat casual, he's still aware of things. Moroboshi Dai at most only knows a few codenames and doesn't know the organization's situation. He can't possibly report to police, and even if he retaliates against Botanist he can't make much trouble—at most burn down this house. You should leave it for Botanist to handle."
Compared to Usuha Izuki, Vodka still favored Scotland, this little partner who could complain about Usuha Izuki together with him.
"I can't just pretend I didn't see anything, especially since it's because I let something slip... If Botanist knows I turned a blind eye, he'll be even angrier. Who knows how he'll torment people then."
Vodka felt Scotland's point also made sense.
While these two were discussing whether Scotland needed to silence Akai Shuichi if necessary, Akai Shuichi was still questioning life.
If he wasn't mistaken, Usuha Izuki had skimmed his commission, right?
Was it necessary?!
Although he'd only known Usuha Izuki for less than three days, he could tell that Usuha Izuki's personality wasn't greedy or pleasure-seeking. Compared to expensive things, he seemed to prefer fun, interesting gadgets—you could tell from this house full of strange decorations... He wasn't picky about food either, liking common fried foods.
No matter how you looked at it, he didn't seem like someone with desire for money. Plus most geniuses he'd encountered had little interest in money—because their abilities were enough to make people bring money to them. Compared to money, they cared more about other interesting things.
Moreover, the organization even had low-level members work as Usuha Izuki's assistants, showing his status in the organization wasn't low—he wasn't just a codename member with a fancy title. Such people would be even less likely to lack money.
So! Why would he skim commission?! What was the point?! Was this also a test?!
As an organization member, did he have to tolerate his superior skimming commission?!
Akai Shuichi felt the grand, mysterious image of the organization from the materials he'd seen before was gradually crumbling...
Scotland had finished his call and returned with an apologetic expression: "Sorry, you probably already know what's going on... Uh, this matter isn't easy to explain, but please believe Botanist means no harm. He should have his own ideas."
He thought to himself that this guy still seemed quite calm, which was good. Otherwise, to prevent this guy from implicating Botanist, he'd have to get rough.
Compared to a stranger, he naturally hoped more for Botanist's position in the organization to gradually solidify. Whether from his personal interests or undercover efficiency, this was the optimal solution.
Akai Shuichi looked at Scotland lying with his eyes open and was silent for a moment: "...You're the senior. Have you also been skimmed by commission?"
Scotland: "...No."
Akai Shuichi, worthy of being FBI's ace investigator, though his mindset had somewhat collapsed, still didn't forget to probe at this moment: "Is it because I really look like that guy called 'Gin'?"
"...Well, it probably isn't for such reasons." Scotland had been confident in front of Vodka, but in front of the person involved he still tried hard to cover for Usuha Izuki. "Botanist has his own ideas..."
Just then, Scotland's phone suddenly rang. He picked it up and saw it was Botanist calling back.
Scotland hurried to a corner to answer, and after listening for a few sentences, returned hesitantly: "Botanist says he wants to talk to you."
Akai Shuichi calmly took the call: "Hello?"
"Scotland sent me an email saying you know about me skimming commission... First I want to say, what I took wasn't commission."
Akai Shuichi made a cold joke: "Then was it handling fees? Brokerage fees? A cut?"
"No! I did it all for you!"
Akai Shuichi: "...???"
Skimming commission could be for him?! What nonsense was this person going to spin now?
Usuha Izuki said with heartfelt pain: "I didn't expect it to be exposed so early, preventing you from understanding my good intentions. But it's okay, I'll explain now—didn't you think before that my introducing you to work to earn money and letting you live at my house for free was compensation for hitting you?"
"Wasn't it?" Akai Shuichi asked back.
Usuha Izuki denied it: "Of course not! I actually wanted to pay you market rate first so you wouldn't be suspicious, then after you completed all the work, give you the extra money as a surprise!"
Akai Shuichi felt he could understand this sophistry's logic and calmly asked: "You mean this commission portion is the compensation you're giving me?"
"No." Usuha Izuki said. "The surprise and joy you feel when you receive an unexpected bonus—that feeling is my compensation to you... As they say, it's the thought that counts. How about it? Doesn't hearing this move you?"
Akai Shuichi: "............"
—Confirmed. With such absurd logic, and thinking others should understand and be moved after hearing it... Usuha Izuki wasn't simply a genius incomprehensible to ordinary people, but definitely mentally ill!!! It wasn't his imagination!!!