Chapter 175
Bourbon's image in the organization had always been that of a black-hearted intelligence dealer, his smiling appearance looking like he was always scheming against someone.
This rare moment of serious expression greatly shocked Vodka and the others.
Vodka was frantically poking Bourbon under the table, throwing back all of Bourbon's previous complaints.
Bourbon was being way too bold! Why provoke Botanist! Anything related to undercover agents shouldn't be touched!
Just wait—next Botanist would seize on this topic, and everyone present might end up being labeled as undercover agents and reported to the Boss...
Vodka had already figured out how to send an email to the Boss first to get ahead of things, pessimistically looking at Usuha Izuki, but was surprised to find that Usuha Izuki also seemed stunned by Bourbon's unconventional move.
Usuha Izuki hesitated and pondered for a moment.
This reaction made Bourbon's heart race with possibilities.
Had Usuha Izuki gotten his meaning?
Bourbon wanted to probe too many things—whether Usuha Izuki knew Arak Wine was undercover, whether he knew Bourbon himself was undercover, whether he knew that Bourbon already knew Arak Wine was undercover—this last point would need to be built on the foundation of the first two being true.
Even if he guessed wrong, he could just say he was going along with what Usuha Izuki said. With Usuha Izuki's reputation, no one would really suspect him of anything.
But as time passed and Usuha Izuki remained silent for quite a while, Bourbon's mood sank from anticipation all the way down.
Since Usuha Izuki wasn't speaking, the others didn't know what to say or didn't dare say anything, so everyone accompanied him in silence, generating suspicion value in waves. Except for Bourbon wondering if he'd misjudged Usuha Izuki and shouldn't have tested him, everyone else was wondering what trouble he'd cause next.
Finally, Usuha Izuki said with a grave expression: "Since you've said that, I'll tell you something privately later."
Bourbon: "...Alright."
This attitude... could it be that he'd really understood the meaning Bourbon was conveying and wanted to make contact?
But why be so abnormal! Why be so obvious! Couldn't he pretend a little?! Acting so serious—didn't he think it was suspicious?!
He'd been a bit too impulsive, seeing the timing was too perfect and unable to resist.
After all, whether Usuha Izuki was really mentally ill or just pretending—this hadn't been figured out yet. Discussing serious matters with someone who might be psychotic felt very risky...
From the corner of his eye, Bourbon noticed Vodka's hand under the table typing rapidly, making him nervous too. If this was reporting to Gin or the Boss...
The next second, he felt his phone vibrate.
Bourbon: "..........."
He silently took out his phone and glanced at it, finding an email from Vodka.
[Don't wait—take him away now!]
"..." Bourbon was extremely speechless, feeling like his worries were like winking at a blind man. It seemed that whenever Usuha Izuki was involved, everyone's logic and thinking became very wrong...
Usuha Izuki stared at his phone: "What's wrong? What did Vodka send you?"
Did he really think he couldn't see the little movements under the table?
Vodka quickly put his hand back on the table, reaching for his glass in a covering gesture: "Nothing, suddenly remembered to remind him about unfinished work..."
Bourbon sighed and helped cover: "Botanist, I have something to do and need to leave early. Do you want to come with me? You don't like drinking anyway, right?"
"I ordered juice though..."
Usuha Izuki muttered but still agreed to leave with Bourbon first.
As they walked down the corridor toward the exit, Bourbon suddenly heard a familiar voice from the slightly noisy background.
"Right, seven PM, book a private room for about ten-plus people..."
Bourbon: "...!!!"
It was Hagiwara Kenji's voice! What was he doing here?!
But he couldn't stop now. He still couldn't confirm what Usuha Izuki's situation was, and being suspected would be troublesome...
Bourbon quickly scanned the source of the voice and found Hagiwara Kenji standing with his back to them at the front desk, discussing reservations.
Good—as long as he moved quickly and left before Hagiwara Kenji turned around...
Bourbon pretended to remain calm and continued toward the door, with Usuha Izuki calmly following behind.
Of course Usuha Izuki had also noticed Hagiwara Kenji and immediately realized he was planning to use this place as tonight's group date venue, making advance arrangements.
Unexpectedly, not long after they'd separated, they'd run into each other here again. Tokyo really was small.
But he didn't mind—after all, what he wanted to farm was suspicion value. Even if Hagiwara Kenji found him familiar-looking, that would be good for him. But for Bourbon, it might not be so good.
If Hagiwara Kenji didn't react in time and instinctively showed familiarity upon seeing Bourbon... that would be entertaining.
Usuha Izuki began uncharitably hoping Hagiwara Kenji would turn around so he could watch the show.
Hagiwara Kenji was focused on communicating and showed no signs of turning around, but the staff member confirming reservation details with him looked up and saw Bourbon and Usuha Izuki about to leave, immediately becoming somewhat anxious.
She'd actually wanted that blond customer's contact information earlier but hadn't found the opportunity, thinking she'd try again later. She hadn't expected him to leave so early, and now she was stuck talking with a customer and couldn't rush over...
For this reason, the staff member's expression showed some urgency and hesitation.
Hagiwara Kenji was habitually observing his surroundings and immediately noticed the staff member's attention seemed to be behind him, so he instinctively turned to look.
The blond hair and dark skin were too conspicuous—Hagiwara Kenji immediately spotted Bourbon, who stepped out the door the next second.
Hagiwara Kenji: "...?!"
Wait, that figure who just walked out the door... why did it look so much like Furuya Rei, whom he hadn't seen in ages?!
Just as he was about to step forward, he suddenly remembered that Squad Leader had mentioned Morofushi Hiromitsu seemed to be doing undercover work, and Furuya Rei was probably in a similar situation. If they met, it was best to pretend not to know each other.
So Hagiwara Kenji thought "that was close" while withdrawing his gaze and turning his body back around.
It wasn't until his gaze returned to the staff member that Hagiwara Kenji's brain belatedly analyzed the information from that one-second glimpse—besides that blond old classmate, following behind him was a silver-haired person whose profile looked somewhat familiar.
After all, his attention had been on his old classmate. Though his subconscious felt the other person was also familiar, Hagiwara Kenji really couldn't remember what he looked like.
...If his memory wasn't too off, judging by that physical distance, the two should know each other. If Furuya was undercover, could the person with him be from the undercover organization?
Hagiwara Kenji was a bit worried about his friend. Being undercover was really too dangerous, but he couldn't help much—he could only silently pray that his friend would be safe.
Receiving a wave of suspicion value from Hagiwara Kenji across the distance, Usuha Izuki was delighted.
[From this value, clearly he didn't get a good look at what I looked like.] Usuha Izuki even felt regretful. [After all these years, surprisingly no one has asked if I have any siblings...]
The system complained: [In this worldview, people who look alike are just very common. With such different auras, it's normal not to think in that direction... And believe it or not, people who've been your colleagues for two years still can't remember what Samukawa Shinryu looks like when they close their eyes?]
[They really just recognize people by aura?!]
[They simply don't dare look at your face carefully! Haven't you noticed many people look at your forehead when talking to you?]
Usuha Izuki was speechless: [I'm not some demon. How could I get angry just because someone looks at me a bit longer...]
[You'd have to ask the "Black Screen Aura" about that.]
Bourbon asked: "Where are you planning to go later? I'll drive you there."
"Sure, I want to go to the biggest game store around here." Usuha Izuki, who freeloaded rides everywhere, readily agreed and said very deliberately, "Two Mazdas—what a coincidence. I wonder who the owners are, such consistent taste. Maybe you could be friends."
One belonged to Bourbon, the other to Hagiwara Kenji. He believed Bourbon had guessed this too.
Bourbon remained composed: "People with different tastes can also be friends. I don't judge friendships by that... Do you care about that? Then wouldn't you be unable to make friends?"
Usuha Izuki: "...I'm quite tolerant."
The two got in the car. Bourbon, worried that Hagiwara Kenji might come out after finishing his reservation, quickly started the car and left the parking lot. After driving some distance, he pretended to ask casually:
"By the way, what did you want to tell me privately earlier?"
Usuha Izuki frowned: "Mm... You said before that you suspect I'm an undercover agent, right?"
"Right." Bourbon calmly answered in a way that wouldn't expose him regardless of Usuha Izuki's situation: "I feel like you're an undercover agent from Japanese Public Security."
"Why not guess something else?"
"Because you're a returnee, aren't you?"
Usuha Izuki sighed: "Alright, since your IQ is pretty high, I'll tell you some very important intelligence."
Bourbon: "...Go ahead."
This was way too casual—it didn't seem like making contact with a foster father's colleague at all. The situation probably wouldn't develop as he hoped...
Usuha Izuki: "Rye really is an FBI undercover agent. You have to believe me. I swear on my grandfather's name... my foster father's name. This isn't a joke—you'd better tell others about this too..."
Bourbon: "Get out of the car."
Playing Kindaichi references at a time like this! And "foster father's name"—his predecessor really had eight lifetimes of bad luck having you as a foster son!
If he ever again believed Usuha Izuki would say something serious, he'd be an idiot!
He'd never consider making contact again! If Chief Kuroda blamed him, he could blame his predecessor for not knowing how to raise children!!!