Vol 3 Chapter 29 – Outsider’s Pastime (【The Exonerator of the Maritime Nation】Arc)

“I have nothing to do…”

Takanashi Hitomiko was lounging with her legs propped up on the desk, looking bored.

Her subordinates were quietly at work.

“I wonder what they’re doing over there…”

In her mind, Sakata Yuuto’s face—currently in Hokkaido—appeared.

She clicked her tongue and shook her head as if to dispel the thought.

“In the end, there are even fewer of those guys left at headquarters. What in the world is going on?”

The anger in Takanashi’s husky voice made the air in the room feel heavy.

Her subordinates continued working, careful not to upset her.

“I wish something interesting would happen here too… It wouldn’t do any good to stir up incidents and shoulder risks while the Boss is away…”

She swallowed the pills she had on hand, as if to mask her irritation.

It was at that moment.

“Hn…?”

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

At Takanashi’s permission, the door opened.

The person who entered was someone unexpected.

“Takanashi-san, I’m here!”

“…It’s rare to see you here. Is it for work?”

It was Kirino Haruka, her bright, sun-like voice and smile lighting up the room.

Seeing her, Takanashi naturally smiled.

“Hmm… well, if it’s work, then I suppose it is.”

Takanashi noticed an unfamiliar person standing behind the head-tilted Kirino.

“Is that about the one standing behind you?”

“Right! As expected of you, Takanashi-san. You’re quick to catch on.”

Clapping in admiration, Kirino grabbed the hand of the person behind her and continued.

“Ta-da! This is my subordinate ‘Ichiban’!”

“—————Ichiban here. Takanashi-sama, please take care of me.”

With that, Ichiban knelt before Takanashi.

Takanashi looked at her with an intrigued gaze.

“Heh… It’s rare for a pawn to have such self-awareness.”

“That’s right. Most of my subordinates end up acting like robots, but Ichiban actually has a proper sense of self.”

With that, Kirino patted Ichiban.

“So, did you only come to introduce your underlings today? Surely that’s not all, right?”

“Ugh… Of course not! Right, Ichiban?”

“While we were on our way here, Kirino-sama mentioned, ‘Since I’m bored, I thought I’d have Takanashi-sama give me some attention.'”

Upon hearing Ichiban’s words, Kirino’s face registered surprise.

“Hey!? Why are you spilling it all out!?”

“I merely told the truth; is there a problem?”

“There is! There’s definitely a problem!”

“And besides, Kirino-sama said, ‘Takanashi-sama is such an idler—'”

“Stop, stop!! That’s enough!”

Kirino, in a panic, clamped a hand over Ichiban’s mouth.

But it was too late—Ichiban’s words had already reached Takanashi’s ears.

“I see. So, to Kirino, I’m nothing more than a way to pass the time.”
“Takanashi-san, please don’t joke around! I’m really sorry!!”

Kirino clung to Takanashi as if in tears.
Takanashi brushed her off as though she were in the way.

“Ha, I’m just kidding. I’ve actually been told to behave, so I’m bored too.”
“Takanashi-san…!”

Kirino looked at Takanashi with hopeful eyes.
Takanashi’s face twitched slightly at that sparkling gaze.
Changing the subject, she addressed Ichiban.

“So… Ichiban, do you have any thoughts as Kirino’s pawn?”
“Hmm… that’s right…”

Ichiban thought for a moment.
And after a few minutes, her answer emerged:

“——————I consider Kirino-sama to be the savior of my life. I have not the slightest complaint.”
“Hmph… Looks like you’re not lying.”
“Ichiban…! That’s a good thing to say!”

Earlier, Kirino had been clinging to Takanashi, but now she embraced Ichiban instead.

“Kirino-sama, you’re heavy.”
“How mean!? To say that about a woman…”
“Well, I’m a woman too… I think it’s perfectly fine among women.”
“I agree.”
“Even Takanashi-san!?”

Glancing at the sorrowful look on Kirino’s face, Takanashi fixed a piercing, judgmental gaze on Ichiban.
However, she quickly averted her gaze.

“Yeah. There doesn’t seem to be anything suspicious—she doesn’t look like a spy.”
“Were you still suspicious of Ichiban?”
“Well, it’s the first time I’ve seen a pawn with such self-awareness.”
“Indeed, it’s often said that Kirino-sama has a rare type.”

At Ichiban’s words, Kirino nodded in agreement.

“Well, she follows my orders faithfully, and I sense no hint of rebellion. That’s why I’ve decided.”
“Decided? Decided what?”

Ichiban, sensing what Kirino was about to say next, tried to stop her—but it was too late…

“When the Boss returns, I intend to have you meet him!”
“Kirino-sama————————.”

This is bad. Kirino, ever capricious, tends to propose even significant matters in a lighthearted manner. However, in this case, Takanashi would surely feel that having a mere subordinate meet the Boss is something that demands serious consideration.
At this point, if Takanashi-san were to refuse, the precious opportunity to meet the Empress’s Boss might be lost.
For Ichiban, it was most convenient that she had been unilaterally dragged along by Kirino—without alerting anyone.

“Well, isn’t it fine? We can report it as a new discovery to the Boss.”
“Yeah! It sounds interesting!”

“Then, it’s settled.”
“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have received this precious opportunity.”
If approved by the executives other than Kirino, the chance to meet the Boss would increase dramatically.
Ichiban clenched her fist inwardly.

————————————————————

“So, what shall we do? Since we’re here at Kirino-san’s hideout, let’s do something fun.”
“Don’t treat someone else’s hideout as a playground.”

Takanashi retorted negatively to Kirino’s words, yet a smile naturally played on her lips.
That was when…

“Huh? A phone call.”
Suddenly, Takanashi’s cell phone rang.
Upon glancing at the screen, she wore a dismal expression.

“Hello…?”
A gruff, booming voice.
Combined with her already husky tone, the room’s atmosphere immediately darkened.

————————————————————

“Ah, got it. I’ll prepare right away.”
After a five-minute conversation, the call ended, and Takanashi put her phone away.

“Who was that call from?”
“Hirata.”

Takanashi answered without missing a beat.

“…Eh?”
The unexpected name caught her off guard, prompting an involuntary exclamation.

“I was about to have some fun, but something urgent came up. We’re heading to a certain location now.”
“A certain place? What do you mean by that?”

Kirino and Ichiban exchanged puzzled glances.
And then————————————.

“——————The airport.”
Her husky voice rang out clearly to everyone in the room.