Chapter 97
Akai Shuichi was silent for a moment, almost thinking he'd been away from Japan too long and didn't understand some trendy words, having a generation gap with young people. He couldn't help repeating to confirm: "Self-criticism?"
"Right, self-criticism. Do you know what self-criticism is?"
Being looked at by Usuha Izuki with the gaze one would give an illiterate person, Akai Shuichi silently took a deep breath: "Of course I know."
He just didn't quite understand how the organization connected with the term self-criticism.
For this kind of large international illegal organization, when subordinates made mistakes, why write self-criticisms? Shouldn't there at least be fines, then stripping of some authority, then depending on the situation, more serious punishments like executing high-risk missions that could cost their lives?
A flimsy piece of self-criticism paper would be completely useless for a bunch of outlaws. Did the organization's Boss have brain problems?
Wait, maybe this was a kind of obedience test. Precisely because other illegal organizations didn't do this, making a bunch of lawless people write self-criticisms like students could grind down their temperaments. Even copying one proved submission.
System: [...This guy is starting to suspect the organization Boss. Though because it involves you, he's also contributing some to you, but the majority is going elsewhere. Such a waste!!!]
Hearing this, Usuha Izuki also felt heartache: [Akai Shuichi really is the least cooperative batch I've ever seen. His focus is way too off... Don't worry, I'll farm it back right now!]
So Usuha Izuki urged: "How about it? Can you write it? More formal, think of yourself as a civil servant! I think you have a great civil servant demeanor!"
Akai Shuichi's heart tightened, but his surface remained calm: "You said before that I don't look like a good person."
"Right, you look like FBI. Speaking of which, does FBI write self-criticisms? They seem very righteous when killing people."
Akai Shuichi: "...Don't know, I'm not FBI."
Could you stop mentioning FBI? Where exactly do I look like FBI? I clearly underwent professional training before infiltrating—how can you still detect FBI vibes?!
Mentioning it constantly, it really feels like you've discovered something but don't take it seriously... Is this what a mentally ill genius is like?
Akai Shuichi once again silently reminded himself to stay vigilant—he couldn't underestimate someone just because they were mentally ill. Sometimes these seemingly crazy people more easily discovered problems that normal people couldn't.
As he'd said before: he could doubt Usuha Izuki, doubt the organization Boss, but couldn't doubt that this international organization's ability to develop to this extent must have its strengths. To operate well until now and tolerate someone like Usuha Izuki having a codename, there must be reasons.
Usuha Izuki pondered: "So can you still help me write self-criticisms?"
Akai Shuichi took a deep breath: "Do you want someone to write self-criticisms, or do you want an FBI to write self-criticisms?"
Just then, someone pushed open their bedroom door, just hearing Akai Shuichi's words, and couldn't help being startled: "What FBI?"
Usuha Izuki, who already knew the other person was there, showed feigned surprise: "Scotland! You're here too!"
"Long time no see... I have a mission nearby in a couple days, so staying here is more convenient." Scotland answered gently. "What were you just discussing? Did you find evidence that Mr. Moroboshi is FBI?"
Akai Shuichi: "............"
This damn place really couldn't be stayed in. In one minute here, he'd heard FBI mentioned more times than in a whole day in America. After all, colleagues would just say "us"—only outsiders would say FBI.
But if he left Usuha Izuki now and found other ways to join the organization, that would seem too purposeful and more suspicious. Now, conversely, because this guy was crazy, not many people suspected he was really FBI... Sigh, that's what he said, but with so many people in the organization, why did he have to encounter a mental patient?
When his commission was skimmed, he'd reflected once. Now Akai Shuichi was reflecting again on how exactly he'd reached this point.
He clearly hadn't done any particularly difficult missions to gain the organization's trust, but why was he so tired?
Usuha Izuki answered cheerfully: "He asked me whether I simply wanted someone to write self-criticisms, or wanted FBI to write self-criticisms. Actually, if possible, I'd prefer Japan Public Security to help me write self-criticisms... You came at the perfect time."
This time it was Scotland's turn to feel his heart sink, but he was already very skilled at using questions to find reasons for Usuha Izuki's strange statements: "Why Japan Public Security? Won't ordinary Japanese police work? What about police from other countries?"
"I heard Public Security has higher education levels. Among ordinary police, some only graduated high school!" Usuha Izuki argued convincingly. "I thought about it and felt that since we're in Japan, it's better to write self-criticisms in Japanese."
Scotland felt somewhat speechless after hearing this but still maintained his smile: "If it's just Japanese self-criticisms, it doesn't have to be police, right?"
Usuha Izuki pondered: "It's all Mr. Moroboshi's fault. Seeing him makes me think of FBI, and unconsciously the topic goes off track. Originally I just wanted someone with a more rigorous civil servant style."
Akai Shuichi: "...???"
This could be blamed on him?! He was the one who least wanted Usuha Izuki thinking of FBI!
He needed to divert Usuha Izuki's attention, couldn't let him associate only him with FBI. Better to drag a few more people down, more associations.
So Akai Shuichi asked coldly: "Why did you say Scotland came at the right time? Is he Japan Public Security?"
Scotland: "...???"
He and Mr. Moroboshi had no grievances—why suddenly dig a pit for him?! He'd even helped Mr. Moroboshi discover his commission was skimmed!
After joining the organization for so long, this was Scotland's first time experiencing what it meant to not casually be a good person. Good deeds really don't get rewarded!
"Why are you so eager to pin labels on me?" Scotland's smile became dangerous. "Could it be because you were called out and you really are FBI?"
Akai Shuichi was very calm: "Just hearing what Botanist said, thinking he saw you as resembling Japan Public Security, I was a bit curious."
"Ah, Scotland does look quite like Japan Public Security." Usuha Izuki interjected. "But I said he came at the right time just because I thought with one more person, we could have several more self-criticisms... Plus Boss already promised to send people to investigate whether he's an undercover."
Akai Shuichi: "...?!?!?!"
Wait, I was just casually changing the subject, and you're taking it seriously?!
So when this guy says someone looks like an undercover, the organization Boss will really investigate?!
Akai Shuichi was greatly shocked, once again updating Usuha Izuki's status in his mind, couldn't help suspecting whether he'd really been exposed somehow, and now they were just watching the clown, which is why they kept mentioning FBI to see when he'd react.
But this shouldn't be right. He'd been active in America before, and after coming to Japan he'd only done things his fake identity should do. Even though Usuha Izuki said he looked like FBI on the day of the collision, even investigating in America wouldn't be this fast!
Scotland knew what Boss's so-called investigation was about, so he wasn't too worried about that. Instead, he felt relieved to finally get Usuha Izuki to explain why he mentioned Japan Public Security while being happy to see him: "What self-criticism are you writing?"
"Can't discuss the specific content. Just write a few templates." Usuha Izuki said. "I hope you can write something that feels like, 'Although to you I was indeed wrong, from the results I was indeed right. You'd better learn to be flexible instead of waiting until something really happens to realize you should have listened to me.'"
Scotland: "...Is it okay to write it like this?"
Is this still a self-criticism? This is provocation, right?
Usuha Izuki insisted: "No problem, write it like this. Mr. Moroboshi, you write too."
Akai Shuichi narrowed his eyes: "Scotland is your partner—it's his business if he's willing to help you. I'm your creditor, right?"
"Miyano Akemi was the one who hit you."
"...No, I mean you still owe me commission."
"I've said countless times that's not commission—you're so annoying! I kindly found you work, and now there's trouble! I'll give you the money later, okay?"
Akai Shuichi: "I personally don't like being charged such high brokerage fees. How about you keep that money and introduce me to a broker with lower commissions."
Usuha Izuki looked at him for a while: "What about the self-criticism?"
"...I'll help you write it."
"Deal, I'll introduce you."
Usuha Izuki cheerfully went into his room to make a phone call.
"Vodka, are you free now? Let me introduce you to a cheap sniper."
Vodka: "...??? The one you said looks like FBI? Didn't you say you wouldn't give him to the organization?"
"This person is too annoying, constantly going on about commission. I've said countless times that wasn't commission—might as well introduce you to him. At least he won't keep suspecting me of skimming commission. Just use him as an outsourcer. I'm not recommending him to join the organization! I can't stand two Gins in the same organization. Just thinking about it makes me want to laugh... I mean, feel terrible."
Vodka: "............"
He somewhat suspected whether Usuha Izuki had simply skimmed commission and felt guilty seeing the person in front of him, so wanted to find an excuse to dump the trouble on him.
But this person was indeed quite qualified as an outsourcer—missions completed, no extra trouble caused...
"Fine, give me his contact information later." Vodka didn't want to chat more with Usuha Izuki, deciding to make it quick. Regardless of whether this person had problems, he'd agree first.
...Speaking of problems, how was Rum's investigation of this Moroboshi Dai going?! It had been several days!