Vol 2 Chapter 10 – Karambit Knife (【Just Trying to Be Kind】Arc)

Past 9:00 a.m.

In the hideout’s conference room, all the executives, except for Sakata, were gathering.

“♪~♪”

A cheerful hum echoed through the hideout.

The owner of the humming swayed her body side to side as she walked.

A cold voice suddenly interrupted.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself quite a bit, Hirata-san.”

The owner of the cold voice was a woman in a maid outfit.

Though her face was expressionless, her eyes carried unmistakable murderous intent.

Hirata, the humming individual, sighed when addressed.

“Your voice just ruined my good mood… Meido-san.“

“My apologies. It was simply too unpleasant to ignore.”

Hirata clicked her tongue softly and provoked her.

“Isn’t the real unpleasant thing your maid outfit and that creepily emotionless face of yours?”

Hearing Hirata’s words, Meido closed the distance between them in an instant.

The cold steel of a dagger’s blade pressed against Hirata’s neck.

“If you say any more, I’ll kill you. A piece of garbage like you isn’t worth keeping alive.”

Looking into Meido’s eyes, Hirata realized the truth.

(She’s serious.)

Hirata let out a faint smile.

“Starting something and then getting mad when it escalates—such a small-minded person. No wonder you don’t even have a single subordinate.”

“I dedicate myself solely to my master. I have no need for anyone else.”

Meido rebutted Hirata’s provocation.

Hearing this, Hirata’s grin widened.

“Yet it’s me who’s valued as the assistant by our boss.”

“That’s not true. Our master needs me and only me. You’re just a disposable pawn.”

The argument continued, with the dagger still pressed against Hirata’s neck.

The atmosphere grew heavier and heavier, threatening to spiral into bloodshed.

At that moment—

“—Then, shall we test it?”

Hirata stared into Meido’s utterly emotionless eyes.

“…What do you mean?”

Meido narrowed her eyes as Hirata casually reached into her bag and pulled out a document, showing it to Meido.

“This document contains critical information about the upcoming meeting. Take a look.”

Tempted by Hirata’s words, Meido glanced at the document.

The content written there was shocking.

Meido shifted her gaze back to Hirata.

Hirata smiled broadly, a grin that reeked of arrogance.

Feeling disgusted, Meido spoke.

“Very well. Let’s use ‘this’ to decide who is more deserving of our master’s trust.”

At some point, the dagger pressed against Hirata’s neck had been sheathed.

Now free from the threat, Hirata let out an exaggerated sigh.

“My, my… that was scary. I thought I was going to be killed!”

In her right hand, a karambit knife gleamed ominously.

Seeing it, Meido remarked.

“You really are insane, aren’t you?”

Hirata chuckled slightly.

“And what about you? The person who feeds her own blood and flesh to her master.”

At this, Meido’s expressionless face twisted into a deranged grin.

“So… you knew all along?”

Hirata responded.

“I am the boss’s assistant, after all. I also know about that strange drug you requested from Nonomura-san.“

“Does the boss know about that?”

For a moment, silence filled the air.

Then, Hirata broke it.

“—I didn’t think it was a necessary matter to report, so no, I haven’t told them.”

Her face bore the same kind of twisted grin as Meido’s.

“I see. So, you’re just like me—a kindred spirit.”

————————  

The two laughed together as they walked toward the conference room.

Flashback: 8:00 a.m.

In one of the rooms in Sakata’s apartment.

The alarm on his phone went off, waking him.

There was a meeting for executives today, and while he wanted to sleep in a bit longer, he couldn’t.

“…Guess I’ll get up.”

He turned off the alarm and climbed out of bed.

Opening the curtains, sunlight streamed into the room.

“Too bright…”

He headed to the sink, washed his face, and brushed his teeth.

Then, he moved to the living room and turned on the TV.

“Good morning, everyone! It’s a bright new day!”

The cheerful voice of a female announcer filled the room.

“Yawn… still sleepy…”

Sakata yawned widely as he sat on the sofa.

He recalled yesterday’s unexpected conversation with Hirata.

Flashback within a flashback: Yesterday

“Would you like to go to Hokkaido with me?”

“…Huh?”

Hirata’s abrupt invitation left Sakata dumbfounded.

Hokkaido? Why was she suddenly bringing that up?

Sensing his confusion, Hirata elaborated.

“Oh, no, it’s not a vacation or anything like that.”

“Is this related to the organization’s activities?”

“Oh, yes! Exactly!”

“……”

What’s she scheming?

————————  

The only explanation that made sense was that someone on the friendly contacts list lived in Hokkaido…

“Is this about meeting someone from the friendly contacts list?”

“That’s right! I was discussing it with Kuzuryuu-san the other day, and we decided to meet one of the people on the list.”

That explained it, but why was she involving him? The other executives could handle it on their own.

Declining outright seemed risky, so he decided to deflect.

“I see. In that case, discuss it with the executives during tomorrow’s meeting.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll bring it up at tomorrow’s meeting.”

After ending the call, Sakata stared at his phone.

Why would Hirata go out of her way to involve him?

Ah, I see.

“You’re just telling me to go to Hokkaido because you don’t want to bother, aren’t you?”

If that’s the case, it makes sense.

Well, I’m sure the executives will sort it out during tomorrow’s meeting…

Thinking this, I drifted off to sleep.

————————  

The Next Morning

Recalling last night’s conversation, I couldn’t help but sigh.

Well, they’ll probably decide I’m the one who has to go during today’s meeting…
If I’m not around, they’ll probably run wild.

Hokkaido, huh.

I’d like to eat ramen, and it’s summer, so maybe I’ll take a dip in the sea…
Guess I’ll just treat it like a vacation.

With those thoughts in mind, I prepared for the day.
As usual, it felt like another dreary morning.

Outside the Conference Room

Hirata and Meido stood in front of the door.

Hirata glanced at her watch. The time was 9:25. She let out a sigh.

“It’s almost time for the meeting to start…”

“Seems we talked a little too much,” Meido said, her face as blank as ever.

Hirata chuckled awkwardly and opened the conference room door.
Inside, all the executives, except Sakata, were already gathered.

The first to speak to the two who had entered was Kuzuryuu.

“You’re both late.”

“Sorry about that. I was just having a discussion with Meido-san…”

“My apologies,” Meido added.

At Kuzuryuu’s remark, the two lowered their heads and took their seats.

“It’s fine. The boss hasn’t arrived yet anyway.”

Kuzuryuu glanced at his watch. It was almost 9:30.

Two minutes later, the door opened again.

In walked the boss of the Empress organization, dressed in a jet-black mask and suit.

The executives all stood and bowed deeply.

The boss took in the sight and said calmly:

“Good morning, everyone. Please, take your seats.”

With that, the boss sat down, prompting the others to follow suit.

“Now that everyone is here, let’s begin today’s executive meeting.”

At Hirata’s words, the meeting began.

“Today’s meeting will address the matter of the Friendly Contacts List.”

Hearing the topic, the executives turned their attention to the documents placed before them.

“Recently, Kuzuryuu-san and I decided on the first individual to approach as a friendly contact.”

Hirata continued.

“Her name is Honoka Kinjou. She’s 19 years old and resides in ○○ Town, Hokkaido. We’ve already pinpointed her address.”

“You’ve already tracked down her address? Impressive.”

The boss spoke with an air of admiration, and Hirata, looking pleased, responded.

“Thank you! But this much is nothing for me—it’s as easy as eating breakfast.”

“I see. I couldn’t imagine accomplishing something like that myself.”

“Oh, boss, you’re terrible at joking.”

“I wasn’t joking…”

Their light exchange was interrupted by a raspy voice. It was Takanashi.

“I get who she is, but why did you pick her first? She seems like just an ordinary nobody.”

“That’s true. I’d like to know as well,” Kirino added.

Hirata smiled, unfazed by their questions.

“She’s feared as a ‘punisher’ by the people in her town.”

“Punisher?” Takanashi tilted her head in confusion.

Hirata elaborated.

“Apparently, she’s been capturing those involved in criminal activities around the town.”

“So, she’s like a self-proclaimed town cop?”

“Yes, that’s a good way to think of her.”

“Okay, I get that part… but what I don’t understand is why she’s worth recruiting as a friendly contact.”

The question hung in the air for a moment before the boss spoke.

“—Are you suggesting we bring her in as a punisher under the Empress organization?”

Hirata’s eyes lit up as she nodded enthusiastically.

“Exactly! While we can’t confirm her abilities yet, if her skills are genuine, she could be an indispensable asset to us.”

“Ah, now I get it,” Takanashi said, her expression easing as she nodded.

Kirino chimed in.

“So, when you say ‘directly,’ you mean someone’s going to Hokkaido to meet Honoka Kinjou, right?”

Kirino tilted her head slightly as she asked the question. Hirata stared at her for a moment before speaking softly, her tone signaling the start of the main discussion.

“To start with, I apologize, but… to determine whether to recruit her, the boss will personally go to Hokkaido.”

“Yes, I’ve already agreed to that,” the boss said, nodding.

“Therefore, we now need to decide who will accompany the boss to Hokkaido.”

At Hirata’s words, the room buzzed with murmurs of agitation.
Amidst the unrest, one executive remained stoic: Meido.

(Well, let’s see how this plays out…)

Meido’s mind drifted back to her earlier argument with Hirata.

————

Flashback

“This document contains critical information about the upcoming meeting. Take a look.”

“…What’s this?”

Meido examined the document Hirata handed her. Written on it was—

“Decide which executive will accompany the boss to Hokkaido.”

“Understood. Let’s use ‘this’ to determine who is more suited to serve our master.”

————

Back to the Present

Meido recalled her exchange with Hirata, her thoughts clear.

(The master will undoubtedly choose me over Hirata as the closest aide… Though it’s obvious I’m the better choice.)

She glared at Hirata, who returned the look with a smug expression.

(As if a ‘fake maid’ like her could ever stand beside the boss… What exactly is she expecting?)

Their gazes clashed silently until the boss’s voice cut through the tension.

“By the way, how many executives will accompany me?”

“I believe two would suffice. While unlikely, it’s best to minimize the risk of discovery by the Guardians or the police,” Hirata explained.

“I see.”

The boss pondered briefly before speaking again.

“In that case, may I choose the two individuals myself?”

The room grew even more restless at the boss’s suggestion. Hirata maintained her composed demeanor.

“Of course. If the boss decides, we will have no reason to dispute it.”

“Thank you.”

The boss’s masked gaze swept across the room. Who were they looking at?

“Hmm…”

(Boss, you’ll pick me, your assistant, won’t you?)
(Master, I trust in your judgment.)

Finally, the boss spoke.

“—Then, I’d like Kuzuryuu and Satsuki to accompany me.”

Hirata and Meido slammed their heads onto the table in unison.