Vol 2 Chapter 17 – The Night Before Departure (【Just Trying to Be Kind】Arc)

September 9th.

The day when one-third of September is about to end.

Yet, the summer heat lingers on.

In the meeting room of the hideout, four executives had gathered.

“So, it’s finally tomorrow. I’m a little excited.”

“I’m thrilled too! Going on a trip with the Boss? I can’t wait!”

“That’s unfair. I wanted to go too…”

“Just to remind you… it’s work, alright?”

The voices of the three headed for Hokkaido, along with Hirata’s, echoed in the room.

Across from me sat Kuzuryuu, while Hirata and Satsuki were seated on either side of me.

Why are they sitting so close to me?

“It’ll feel lonely with the Boss gone for five days.”

Hirata spoke anxiously, paying no mind to my discomfort.

“It’s fine. This is why you have direct subordinates, right? I’m counting on you while I’m gone.”

“Boss…! I’ll do my best!”

Feeling entrusted, Hirata leaped onto me, embracing me with the enthusiasm of a happy puppy.

“Hirata. I understand you’re happy, but could you give me some space?”

“Ah, sorry. I got carried away…”

She quickly stepped back, though her expression held a tinge of sadness. I cleared my throat and resumed speaking.

“Well then, tomorrow we depart for Hokkaido. Let’s review the plan one last time.”

“Agreed. I’ll start.”

Kuzuryuu crossed his legs and began explaining.

“Tomorrow morning, we’ll board a flight to Hokkaido.

At the airport, there might be checks for possessions or luggage… but someone on our side has already arranged everything.”

“——So, I can carry my weapon without any issues, right?”

Satsuki pulled out her revolver, spinning it deftly as her finger rested on the trigger.

“Exactly. Boss, feel free to bring anything you’d like as well.”

“Understood.”

“——To recap, we’ll be staying from September 10th to the 15th, a total of five days. Our target is Honoka Kinjou. We’ll use a ryokan in the neighboring city of her hometown as our base of operations.”

“Boss, let’s share a room together, okay?”

“Isn’t it fine to have one room per person since we rented out the whole place…?”

Flustered by Satsuki’s suggestion, I replied cautiously, with Hirata chiming in.

“The Boss is right! Even I haven’t slept in the same room as the Boss!”

“Oh my, so even his personal aide hasn’t had that honor?”

Satsuki teased, provoking Hirata further.

Watching the exchange, Kuzuryuu smirked and turned to me.

“Boss, you’re quite popular.”

“This is what you call popular? Then I’ll happily let you have them, Kuzuryuu.”

“Please spare me, Boss.”

“Just kidding.——I love all my executives, after all.”

I laughed as I responded to Kuzuryuu. My words caused an immediate reaction from the two women.

“Boss… did you just say you love me…?”

“Yes, I did.”

“That ‘love’… you meant me, right? …Boss?”

“Uh?”

Their eyes suddenly gleamed like predators targeting prey, and I grew visibly nervous.

“——You can flirt all you want, but at least wait until the meeting’s over.”

Kuzuryuu stepped in to put a stop to their antics. His words brought the two women back to their senses, and they quickly regained their composure.

“R-right, we’re still in a meeting.”

“Boss, let’s have a nice chat after this, okay?”

I glanced at them and said,

“I’m not fond of anything forceful, so…”

“Mutual feelings lead to consent, don’t they?”

“Exactly!”

“Why does the conversation always end up here…?”

I sighed in exasperation and turned back to Kuzuryuu.

“…Kuzuryuu. Please continue.”

“Don’t suddenly throw it back to me… well, alright.”

Kuzuryuu resumed his explanation.

“The ultimate goal of this operation is to ‘establish friendly relations’ with the target. I’ll handle most of the negotiations with her. If anything happens, Satsuki will take over. In the worst-case scenario, we’ll rely on the Boss.”

“Understood.”

“Got it. If needed, it’ll be my turn.”

Kuzuryuu’s words earned nods from both Satsuki and me.

“Primarily, Satsuki will serve as the Boss’s bodyguard. Boss, your role is to decide whether or not to bring the target to our side.”

“I’m counting on you, Satsuki.”

“Fufu. Leave it to me.”

Satsuki smiled confidently, her excitement apparent.

“Tomorrow, we’ll meet here at 6 AM and head to the airport via shuttle. Our flight departs a little after 8, so we should arrive by 10.”

“Will I be able to wake up in time? Can I stay at your place tonight, Boss?”

“Ask your subordinates to wake you up. I’ll be busy packing.”

“How mean! You could be a little kinder to your onee-san, you know?”

Satsuki pouted, puffing out her cheeks. Kuzuryuu shook his head, exasperated.

“That concludes the agenda. Any questions?”

“None from me.”

“Same here.”

Kuzuryuu’s question was met with shaking heads from both Satsuki and me.

“Then, let’s wrap up for today so we can prepare for tomorrow.”

With that, Kuzuryuu stood, followed by me. Satsuki and Hirata, still clinging to me, were also pulled up as I rose.

I turned to Kuzuryuu and Satsuki.

“Kuzuryuu, Satsuki. The next five days will be busy. Let’s work hard but take care of ourselves.”

Both of them nodded firmly.

“Understood. Boss, you take care too.”

“If it gets tough, you can always rely on your onee-san, alright?”

Hearing their words, I nodded with satisfaction and left the room.

————————————————————

“……Excuse me.”

Sakata, having left the room, spoke to the “monsters” clinging to both his arms.

“What is it, Boss?”

“What’s the matter, Boss?”

The “monsters”—Hirata and Satsuki—turned to him with curious expressions.

“Well, uh… how much longer are you two planning to hold onto my arms?”

“How much longer? Forever, maybe?”

“Forever, of course.”

“…What?”

Their responses left Sakata visibly bewildered.

Paying no attention to his confusion, the two continued.

“You did say you loved us, didn’t you?”

“Exactly. Boss, you need to take responsibility for that.”

Their demeanor was entirely different from usual, leaving their “leader” at a loss for words.

Then, a new “challenger” appeared.

“What exactly are you doing… Master?”

Ah, it’s over.

In Sakata’s mind, his life flashed before his eyes.

————————————————————  

Kirino’s Hideout

In the private room of one of the executives, Kirino and her subordinate, Ichiban, were busy processing documents.

“Hmm…”

“…”

While Kirino furrowed her brows, struggling over the paperwork, Ichiban swiftly handled each sheet with ease.

Kirino glared at the documents with a grim expression.

Suddenly, Kirino froze in place. Ichiban glanced at her, noticing the stillness.

Seemingly oblivious to Ichiban’s gaze, Kirino spoke.

“I’m so glad I made you my aide, Ichiban. Tasks that used to take forever are now getting done so quickly!”

Kirino spoke cheerfully, her mood lifting as she addressed Ichiban.

“Thank you. It’s an honor to be of service, Kirino-sama.”

Ichiban, still reviewing documents, expressed her gratitude without skipping a beat.

“I should be the one thanking you!”

Laughing, Kirino playfully slapped Ichiban’s shoulder.

Ichiban responded with a small, awkward laugh, “Ahaha…”

Then, the two returned to their work, and silence once again filled the room.

After about thirty minutes of document processing, Kirino muttered softly.

“Tomorrow, those three are off to Hokkaido…”

“Hokkaido, you say?”

Ichiban picked up on Kirino’s words and asked.

“Yeah… ‘the three executives’ are heading to Hokkaido for five days starting tomorrow. They’re leaving me behind. Isn’t that so unfair?”

Kirino replied with a hint of frustration in her voice.

“Why were you left behind, Kirino-sama?”

“That’s such a rude thing to ask…”

“My apologies. I was just curious.”

“Whatever…”

Kirino sighed and continued.

“It’s because the other three are exceptional executives. I can’t really argue with that.”

“There are executives more capable than Kirino-sama?”

“Yeah! Honestly, I might be the least competent of them all…”

Kirino spoke, her voice tinged with dejection.

“That’s not true. While I don’t know the other executives, to me, Kirino-sama is an outstanding person.”

“———! I love you so much, Ichiban!”

Unable to contain herself, Kirino wrapped her arms around her subordinate.

“You really do have a ‘different scent’ compared to the other executives.”

“A ‘scent’…?”

Ichiban tilted her head, puzzled.

“Yup! I can usually tell what kind of person someone is by their scent!”

“I see…”

Kirino smiled brightly, but Ichiban’s forehead was now glistening with sweat.

“Hm? Are you okay? You look pale.”

“No…! Nothing’s wrong at all.”

Ichiban shook her head emphatically and asked,

“By the way, what does my scent tell you?”

“As I said, you’re unique. Most subordinates don’t have any scent at all, but you have this… ‘mixed scent.’”

Kirino spoke while gesturing with her hands.

“It’s the scent of justice and evil, all blended together. It’s rare to find that among the Empress’s people.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Ichiban’s response was calm, almost indifferent.

“Well, you’re still my subordinate, so I’ll be counting on you!”

“Of course. Please continue to rely on me.”

To any observer, their interaction would look like that of a boss and her subordinate.

The two then returned to their work.

————————————————————  

“———I’m tired today, so you can head home. Good work!”

Kirino dismissed Ichiban.

“Understood. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Ichiban bowed her head and left the room.

In the quiet hallway…

“…”

Instead of heading to the room designated for subordinates, she made her way to a more secluded area.

After confirming no one was around, she pulled out a communication device and made a call.

“Hello?”

A monotone voice answered.

“Hello. Is this… ‘Second-sama’?”

“Yes. If you’re calling me, that means you’ve found some information, haven’t you?”

“Indeed. I’ve obtained some critical intel and would like to report it.”

“Critical intel? Let’s hear it.”

Though the voice was flat, curiosity could be sensed even through the device.

“The Empress’s departure date for Hokkaido has been confirmed.”

“Quickly. Tell me.”

The voice grew slightly more intense.

“It’s tomorrow. Apologies for the short notice…”

“Understood. I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”

“Arrangements…?”

“I’ll inform the authorities. They’ll prepare a private jet for me.”

“I see. Very well.”

Ichiban nodded, sensing a faint trace of satisfaction in the usually emotionless voice.

“Then, let me know if there’s any further information.”

“Understood. Please take care.”

She ended the call.

“Ah… This is so exhausting…”

She pocketed the device and returned to her room.

————————————————————  

“Haah…”

After somehow escaping the three “monsters,” I finally made it home.

The cost? My post-Hokkaido vacation days.

I managed to strike a deal by promising “to spend individual time with each of them,” barely avoiding disaster.

Satsuki is coming to Hokkaido anyway, so shouldn’t that count?

I have no idea what schemes the three of them might come up with for my days off.

Will they finally decide I’m no longer useful and kill me?

If it comes to that, maybe I’ll just board another flight and flee overseas.

“———That reminds me. I should contact ‘that guy’ while I’m gone.”

I pulled out my phone and dialed a certain number.

The ringtone buzzed, and finally—

“Hello?”

The voice on the other end was calm and male.

Hearing him answer, I felt slightly relieved.

“——Hello. Is this Mayuzumi?”

“Yes. What’s the matter?”

“There’s something only you can handle.”

“I see. What do you need?”

Hearing his composed response, I smiled faintly.

“While I’m in Hokkaido, could you…?”

“…Understood.”

Hearing him agree, I felt a wave of relief.

“Good. That’s all I needed.”

“Got it. I’ll handle it starting tomorrow.”

“Thanks. I’m counting on you.”

I ended the call.

“With this, I can head to Hokkaido without worries.”

At 11 PM, I packed my bag and went to bed.

I felt like a student, excitedly preparing for a school trip.