Vol 2 Chapter 16 – Monochrome Girl (【Just Trying to Be Kind】Arc)

After finishing the meeting with Sakata and the others, Kirino had returned to her hideout.

Inside the car transporting her, there were two people—

“Kirino-sama, you seem quite exhausted.”

One of her newly appointed subordinates was riding along with her.

“I’m so tired… I was scared, to be honest.”

Kirino let out a small sigh.

“I didn’t think Kirino-sama would ever feel fear.”

“I’m pure, after all!”

Kirino replied with a bright smile.

“But why did you summon me to pick you up?”

The subordinate looked slightly puzzled as she asked.

In truth, Kirino had contacted her with, “Come along in the car to pick me up!” That was why she was now riding with her.

Unlike the other subordinates, this one had bright, straightforward eyes. Maybe it was because of Kirino’s own pure-hearted nature, but she’d recently found herself interested in this particular subordinate.

Kirino tilted her head and posed a question.

“Hey, the last time I asked your name, you said ‘I don’t have one,’ right?”

“Yes. We subordinates exist solely to carry out various operations. We’re nothing more than disposable pawns. Pawns don’t need names.”

Hearing those words, Kirino paused, a thoughtful look on her face.

(So rigid… In that sense, she’s no different from the others.)

(Oh yeah, the boss mentioned something about this before…)

She recalled a particular statement.

————————————————  

‘Those in higher positions must show compassion to those below them.’

That was what the boss had said during a leadership meeting some time ago.

“Boss! Why should we show compassion to those who are of no value?”

Kirino tilted her head in confusion.

The other executives seemed to struggle to grasp the concept as well.

“Even insignificant subordinates, if united in tens or hundreds, could create situations we cannot handle.”

“But those lifeless-eyed underlings seem incapable of any unity or anything like that…”

Hirata offered a small rebuttal to the boss’s words.

“It’s precisely that kind of thinking.”

“Huh?”

The boss spread her arms wide, exuding an overwhelming presence. The aura she radiated caused the executives to hold their breath.

“That thinking gives rise to situations where we’re caught unprepared when the time comes.”

Kuzuryuu folded his arms and asked.

“So you’re saying that by considering every possibility and showing compassion, we prevent rebellion or betrayal?”

“Exactly. Have you understood?”

The boss nodded, satisfied.

Following that, the executives applauded.

“Boss! I’ll also start being kinder to my subordinates!”

“Kirino, that’s a commendable attitude.”

“Hehe, it’s nothing special!”

————————————————  

Recalling the boss’s words, Kirino’s face lit up like a child with a sudden idea. She turned to her subordinate and declared:

“I’ve got it! I like you! Starting today, I’m giving you a name—‘Ichiban!’”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Ichiban, you say?”

The subordinate muttered softly.

Her tone carried a mix of confusion and slight dissatisfaction, as if subtly questioning Kirino’s naming sense.

Noticing her reaction, Kirino’s tone grew sharp.

“No other subordinate gets such special treatment, you know? Aren’t you happy?”

Her voice took on a cold edge.

The light in her eyes began to fade, and her once-sunny demeanor slowly turned menacing.

“Y-Yes, I’m very happy. Thank you so much.”

A trembling voice echoed through the car.

Kirino nodded enthusiastically, her expression now one of pure satisfaction.

For a moment, there had been a sense of murderous intent.

If she hadn’t responded, she might have been killed.

Sweat trickled down the forehead of the subordinate—no, Ichiban.

“Alright! Let’s head back and have a discussion!”

“…What are we discussing?”

In stark contrast to Kirino’s cheerful tone, Ichiban’s voice was filled with unease.

“What do you mean?

—About what comes next, of course!

From now on, Ichiban will work as my right-hand person!”

Kirino laughed as she spoke, her face shining with the innocent joy of a child.

————————————————

Though it was early September and autumn was just around the corner, the heat felt like midsummer.

“Ah, so cool… I’m alive again.”

I had come to the shopping mall. The reason? To prepare everything I needed for next week’s trip to Hokkaido.

What should I bring to Hokkaido? As I thought about it, I realized this shopping mall had pretty much everything. Daily necessities, food, new clothes, shoes, even accessories—you name it, this place had it.

Not that it’s a vacation or anything!
I only planned to buy the bare essentials.

Still, even with just the necessities, the items quickly piled up. While I tried to limit myself, I’d see something nice, throw it into the cart, and then take it to the register. Before I knew it, I’d bought it. Like magic.

“Ugh… heavy…”

I walked through the mall, carrying two massive bags in both hands. My stomach growled as I considered grabbing something to eat. On my way to the restaurant, something caught my eye.

“…”

Swimsuits. Lots of swimsuits.

Yes, swimsuits. Despite the lingering summer heat outside, this shopping mall still had a shop specializing in beach goods.

Swimsuits, huh…
It’d be a shame not to swim if I’m going to Hokkaido in the summer. During the meeting, I jokingly suggested we go to the beach. Kuzuryuu and Satsuki mentioned buying swimsuits, but who knows how serious they were.
Well, I might as well take a look.

Dragging my feet, I entered the store.

Inside, there was a wide variety of swimsuits. From slightly dark blue ones to practically string-like designs with barely any fabric. As I burned the sight into my memory, I wandered further into the shop.

Nothing really stood out.
At least, that’s what I thought until I saw her.

At the inflatable ring section, there was a girl gazing intently at a dolphin-shaped float.

She looked small—like she wasn’t even in middle school yet. Normally, I’d assume she was some parent’s kid. But my eyes were drawn to something distinct.

Her hair. Split cleanly into twin tails, with one side pure white and the other jet black.

She wore a white blouse with a black skirt and matching black socks. Even her sneakers were pure white.

She was a monochrome contrast personified, like someone determined to draw clear lines between black and white. There was something unnervingly peculiar about her.

And then—

“—!”

Our eyes met as she looked up from the dolphin float.

Crap, she caught me staring.
This is it. I’m getting reported to the police. Forget being caught as the “Empress,” I’ll be arrested as some weirdo.

Before I could spiral further, the girl spoke to me.

“Do you need something? I seem strange?”

Her voice was robotic, devoid of emotion, yet it echoed sharply in my ears.

“Ah, no. I just thought you seemed really interested in that dolphin float.”

“Yes. I can’t swim.”

She can’t swim, yet she’s at a beach goods store?
Suppressing the urge to ask, I instead asked something else.

“Where are your parents? Are you lost?”

Looking around, there were no adults who could be her parents. Was she lost? Before I could speculate further, she shook her head, lowered her gaze slightly, and mumbled:

“I’m an adult. Don’t be rude.”

An adult?
She looked and acted so much like a child that I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“A-ah. My apologies.”

She nodded slightly in acknowledgment and then raised her head again.

“It’s fine. Are you traveling somewhere?”

Traveling, huh? Well, technically, she’s not wrong. I decided to play along.

“Yeah. Why do you ask?”

“I’m traveling too. But I’ve never gone on a trip alone before, so I don’t even know where to start.”

She spoke as if troubled by the thought.
I see. It’s true; your first solo trip can be confusing.

“Where are you heading?”

“Hokkaido.”

Hokkaido?
Seriously?

I wanted to yell out, Me too! but decided against it. Best not to share that kind of info. After some thought, I pulled out my phone and showed her the screen.

“This travel site lets you book flights or ferries and even find accommodations. Try using it.”

It was the site Kuzuryuu had recommended for our Hokkaido trip. Convenient enough for personal use, so I figured it’d help her.

She immediately accessed the site on her own phone, her eyes lighting up as she scrolled.

“This is easy to understand. Thanks. You’re helpful.”

Her cheeks turned slightly red as she expressed her gratitude.
Seeing her like that, I felt a bit embarrassed myself and looked away.

Just then, my phone rang.
The name on the screen was familiar. Answering the call, I heard her voice.

“Hello?”

“—Boss. Sorry for the sudden call.”

It was Satsuki.

“No problem. What’s up?”

“Well… I can’t decide what to wear to Hokkaido. Can you help me pick?”

“…You’re calling for that?”

“Oh, is it a problem?”

Why me? Ask Hirata or Takanashi.

“I’m sure there are better people for this…”

“But I want you to pick.”

Why me?!
I sighed, realizing I had no choice. If I refused, I’d have to deal with the fallout later.

“Fine. I’ll head over now.”

“Knew you’d help! I’ll be waiting.”

The call ended.

“Is everything okay?”

The monochrome girl, noticing my sour mood, asked with concern.

“Yeah, just someone from work calling. I’ve got to go.”

She looked slightly disappointed but then spoke.

“You’re kind. I want to stay in touch.”

She held out her phone, showing me a QR code for a contact-sharing app.

“Do people usually exchange contact info after just meeting?”

“Usually, no. But you’re special.”

“Special, huh…”

Slightly skeptical, I exchanged contact info with her.

“—I can see your ‘kind soul.’”

She muttered something, but I couldn’t make it out.

———————————————— 

“Well, see you around.”

“Who knows if we’ll meet again. If we do, tell me about your trip to Hokkaido.”

With that, I left the shopping mall. The monochrome girl, now alone, whispered to herself:

“I hope we meet again. I think he’s… a ‘chosen one.’”

Her phone rang, and the girl’s expression darkened briefly before returning to normal as she answered.

“Yes. Understood. I’ll prepare now.”

After ending the call, a car pulled up silently before her. She climbed inside without a word.

Inside the car, a woman in a lab coat greeted her.

“How was shopping, Second?”

The girl answered matter-of-factly.

“Productive. I met someone interesting.”

“Met someone? You weren’t shopping?”

The woman looked confused, but the monochrome girl ignored her, kicking her legs playfully as a satisfied smile spread across her face.