Vol 3 Chapter 21 – That just doesn’t suit me (【The Exonerator of the Maritime Nation】Arc)

“Finally! The promised land—Hokkaido!”

A lively voice echoed through the airport as a woman strode confidently ahead.

Her jet-black one-piece dress fluttered with each step, making her presence all the more striking.

“Hey, isn’t that woman in the black dress gorgeous?”

“Yeah, and she’s got a huge guy trailing behind her like a bodyguard. Maybe she’s a model or something.”

Ordinary travelers couldn’t help but be captivated by her presence.

None of them had the faintest clue that the woman walking before them was the No. 2 of a notorious criminal organization.

“It’s September in Hokkaido, but it’s still so hot. Guess this is what they call global warming.”

“I know, right? When I was little and traveled here with my parents, we even had to use the stove in summer.”

“I can’t even picture needing a stove in summer.”

Engaged in casual conversation, Empress executives Hirata Shizuku and Mayuzumi Ouga left the airport.

(In private, she was unbearable to watch, but in public, she carries an aura that keeps ordinary people at bay. As expected of Hirata-san…)

Mayuzumi compared her behavior on the plane to now and found himself impressed.

But inside her head—

(Ah… I want to see Boss. I want to see him. I want to see him. I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him I want to see him…!)

In the end, people don’t change.

Hirata may have looked composed on the surface, but inside, she wasn’t just eccentric—she was downright insane.

“For now, let’s head to where Satsuki is.”

“Agreed. We’ll also get a good look at the enemy’s hideout.”

The two quickened their pace, making their way to the location where Satsuki was keeping watch.

—————————————————

“Hello, it’s been a while.”

Hirata spoke to the driver of the red car. A few seconds after hearing her voice, the car window rolled down.

“Oh, isn’t that Hirata-chan? And if you brought Mayuzumi along, does that mean it’s from Meido-chan?”

In the car was Satsuki, who was on stakeout.

She behaved as cheerfully as ever, though both Hirata and Mayuzumi could sense her fatigue.

“Exactly. I volunteered as the ‘hero’ who came to rescue Boss.”

At Hirata’s words, Satsuki let out a laugh—a dry laugh that seemed to mock the very notion.

“Hehe…—————— ‘Hero’ just doesn’t suit us.”

“Now that you mention it… that’s certainly true.”

Hirata readily agreed, though her expression seemed to recall something.

“So, is that rundown movie theater our target hideout?”

A dilapidated movie theater, into which no one seemed able to enter, came into view for the three of them. It exuded a unique atmosphere that kept people at bay.

“Yes. Boss still hasn’t appeared, and we haven’t found anything resembling a back entrance… The only possibility is a special route from inside, but it doesn’t seem to be an exceptionally unusual structure.”

“I see… So when was the last time we confirmed Boss was alive?”

“The last confirmation was when Meido-chan was abducted… about 20 hours ago, maybe?”

As Satsuki spoke, dark circles formed under her eyes. Seeing her condition, Hirata looked at her with sympathy.

“That’s commendable. We’ll cover for you for a few hours, so Satsuki-san, please go back and get some rest.”

“It sounds a bit off-putting, but… I suppose I’ll take you up on that.”

After leaving the car, Satsuki stretched her body and let out a long sigh. Then she casually waved to the two remaining inside.

“Good work.”
“Yeah… although I still have one more job to finish before I can rest.”
“I see… Please take care.”
“Thanks. You two, good luck with the stakeout! Bye-bye.”

Satsuki turned her back on the two and left.

“Satsuki-san, you really backed off quietly.”
“Well, you must be tired after doing something unfamiliar for so long, right?”
“That’s true.”

The two settled into the front seats of the car, and Hirata and Mayuzumi began their stakeout.

—————————————————

“Sigh… I’ve finally escaped that dreadful job…”

Having parted ways with the others, Satsuki walked through the afternoon shopping district, looking exhausted. The relentless heat under a cloudless sky was taking its toll on her even more.

“It’s so hot… Maybe I’ll grab something cold to eat before my next job…”

In front of her was a sign that read “Ice.” To Satsuki, that single word shone with the radiance of glory.

“…Wait, no, no. If they manage to escape while I’m off resting, it’ll be a disaster…”

She lowered her head twice as if to scold herself, and began walking. For some reason, her steps suddenly grew lighter as she prepared to tackle her next job.

She muttered, “—————After all, murder suits me better than stakeouts.”