Bio Defense ~A City Built in a World That Has Ended~ - Chapter 4-2

Chapter 4-2

“I’m sorry, I made you feel uncomfortable.”

Matsushiba-san, who was concerned about Kanata and the others, said this as she guided them to the sofa in the reception area. Kanata and the others could only respond with, “It’s okay.”

“Honestly, it’s been like this ever since the NO. city plan started. They keep sending suspicious people under the pretext of sending personnel, building materials, and heavy machinery to places in need. I don’t know where they’re from, but those guys earlier were former cops, and I couldn’t refuse when they said they were needed for security. But being stuck with them 24/7 is really annoying.”

Matsushiba-san spoke with a look of frustration.

“As soon as the NO. city plan started, personnel were sent to Yamato, which lacked actual construction capabilities, and to our company. To be honest, we’re not specialists in this field, so we were grateful for the help in shaping the city. But more than half of them stayed, under various pretexts. In a way, it was like being watched.”

Matsushiba-san said this, sounding displeased. It seemed that there were many people other than Hinotori’s associates in NO.4 now.

“I’m not planning to do anything suspicious, but it’s not easy to work with them. Also, it seems that some of our people have been bribed. I can’t quite grasp how far their reach extends. I can’t relax at all.”

It seemed that Matsushiba-san’s worn-out appearance was not just a figment of Kanata’s imagination. They didn’t seem to be openly interfering, but they kept getting involved in various matters. According to Matsushiba-san, it seemed that they wanted to place their people in positions of power within the city.

“Whenever I try to do something, the chairman says I don’t need to move and takes over. I think they’re trying to make things work in their favor.”

“That’s practically the same as obstructing you, isn’t it?”

Daigo, who had been listening quietly, couldn’t take it anymore and said this. Tachibana-san pounced on his words with great force.

“That’s right! What Daigo-san said is correct. If the chairman can’t do things their way, it’s the same as interfering. Chairman, I’ve told you this many times…”

Matsushiba-san interrupted Tachibana-san’s words and said,

“I get it! Fumika, everything you’re saying is valid. But you have to understand, Hourai and Yamashiro Construction didn’t rise to the top by just sitting around picking their noses. They’re used to this kind of tactic. If you refuse one thing, they’ll push the next thing onto you. And it’s always worse than the first. That’s their usual method. In fact, they’re probably counting on us to refuse so they can make the next move.”

As Matsushiba-san said this, Tachibana-san looked frustrated and fell silent.

“Oops, sorry. I just couldn’t help but complain. I didn’t call you here to hear this.”

Matsushiba-san apologized with a sheepish smile. Tachibana-san stood up and headed to the adjacent kitchenette, likely to prepare tea. Without exchanging words, their mutual understanding was clear—it made me a little envious of their relationship. I wished we had more people like that around.

As Kanata thought this and glanced around, Haruka seemed to share the sentiment, her expression slightly frustrated, while Daigo looked concerned for Matsushiba-san. And Subaru… well, Subaru muttered, “So her name’s Fumika, huh…” with a rather foolish grin, so I decided to pretend I didn’t see that.

When Tachibana-san returned with tea for everyone, Matsushiba-san clasped her hands together on the desk and began explaining why she’d called them.

“This actually relates to what we were just talking about. There are those who don’t want power centralized in my hands and instead want to maintain their positions as second or third in command. Somehow, they’ve learned about you all. They claim you’re my benefactors and that I trust you, but there’s a hint of suspicion there. It might also be because I gave you some preferential treatment when you sought refuge here.”

Kanata understood this, as he had been bothered by the suspicious looks from the unknown people he had met since coming to NO.4. It seemed they saw him and the others as Matsushiba-san’s underlings.

“Each city has been organized into a defense team to defend its own city, and NO.4 has also created one from Hinotori. But it seems that they’ve been infiltrated…”

It seemed that the defense team that Kanata and the others had seen when they arrived, wearing matching uniforms and armed, was this group.

“Ah, those guys who were staring at us. That explains it…”

“They gave off such a bad vibe.”

Apparently, Subaru and Daigo had also noticed their rude stares and voiced their complaints. For Daigo, who’s usually quick to smooth things over, to not even try, it must have been pretty bad.

“That’s why I might cause you unnecessary trouble. I’m sorry, it’s my lack of power.”

Matsushiba-san said this and bowed her head.

“It’s not your fault!”

“Yeah, it’s those… those bad guys, right?”

The two hurriedly tried to support Matsushiba-san, who was bowing her head, but Subaru seemed to have not fully understood the situation, as he was summarizing it as “those bad guys.”

“Chairman was thinking of recommending you to join the defense force. After all, you’ll need to work to sustain your lives here. While the city provides a minimum allowance, there’s no guarantee it’ll last forever. The city still needs a lot of work to be fully established, so there’s plenty of jobs available. But because of the reasons I mentioned earlier, there’s a risk of mistreatment or interference, maybe even danger. That’s why the chairmain thought of having you join the defense force and work as her personal bodyguards…”

“I never expected the defense team to be infiltrated.”

The two sighed as they spoke.

Kanata and the others were at a loss for words, as they found themselves in a rather troublesome situation. However, a brave hero is one who charges forward, no matter the situation.

As the silence dominated the room for a moment, Subaru raised his hand and said,

“Umm, I have an idea…”

Realizing that his idea might not be appropriate for the situation, Daigo gently tried to stop him.

“Subaru-kun, how about we think this through together first? At least share it with me before you say it.”

“What? We can think about it here, right?”

“I don’t think blurting out whatever pops into your head and then thinking about it is the best approach.”

Haruka also joined in trying to stop Subaru. It seemed that Subaru was quite trusted by everyone… in a bad way.

It was understandable, given his past record. As Kanata was about to join in stopping him, Matsushiba-san smiled and said,

“It’s okay, there’s only us here. Maybe a good idea will come out of your opinion. So, Subaru-kun, what is it?”

Subaru, looking happy, smiled and pushed aside Daigo, who had been trying to stop him until the end, and straightened up.

“So, those bad guys might try to mess with whatever we’re doing, right?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m most worried about. And?”

“If they try to mess with us and we fail—or even if we succeed—they’ll complain, right? It’s a classic pattern.”

Looking around at the others, Subaru continued. The “classic pattern” probably came from something he saw on TV, but now wasn’t the time to point that out.

“So, we just need to do something that no one can complain about.”

Subaru said this with all his might.

“And how do we do that?”

“Huh?”

Daigo questioned Subaru.

“What exactly is this ‘thing no one can complain about’? How do we do it?”

“Uh… I dunno? There’s gotta be something, right?”

“Haah…”

Everyone sighed, as Subaru’s idea didn’t disappoint their expectations. However, while Tachibana-san was smiling wryly, Matsushiba-san seemed to be seriously considering something.

“That’s right, it’s because we’re doing it halfway. That’s what it is…”

“Chairman? Please make a calm judgment. This matter involves human lives.”

Tachibana-san, who seemed to have become anxious, was now urging Matsushiba-san to exercise restraint.

Wait, is Matsushiba-san on the same page as Subaru…

“Yeah, it’s not bad. Subaru-kun! I adopt your idea.”

Slapping her knee with enthusiasm, Matsushiba-san seemed to have made up her mind, her confidence returning. Meanwhile, Tachibana-san’s expression grew darker.

“Are we okay?”

Daigo’s muttered voice faded away sadly.