Vol 4 Chapter 17 – A Crumpled Memo Pad (【Revolver Maid】 Arc)

“Kuzuryuu-san, I have something I’d like to consult with you.”

“I don’t want to get involved with any more trouble for a while.”

“Even so, I have a rather troublesome matter to discuss.”

The meeting had been adjourned once Arisu was detained. After finishing a light chat with Satsuki, Hirata returned to the round table and found Kuzuryuu preparing to leave. Although another meeting was scheduled for tomorrow, one particular issue flashed through her mind, and she couldn’t help but speak up.

It was the matter she had hesitated to bring up during the earlier meeting—a topic she was sure would cause an uproar if discussed in front of all the executives.

“Please allow me to talk about the new executive candidate.”

“…What?”

Kuzuryuu furrowed his brows.

“Ah, just as I expected,” Hirata thought with an inward sigh.

“Although you currently serve as the boss’s proxy, I don’t believe you have the right to unilaterally alter the organization’s structure.”

“It isn’t arbitrary at all… which is why I’m consulting with you now.”

Anemi Kyouka.

Introduced by Arisu, she was the new candidate for an executive position.

She was an impeccably composed woman.

Of course, both Hirata and Kuzuryuu agreed that recruiting her without the boss’s approval was out of the question.

“Wouldn’t it be fastest to simply turn her down and deal with her? You already know what she’s like, don’t you?”

“That may be true, but…”

Hirata hesitated; Kuzuryuu sensed that she had more to say.

“What are you thinking? There’s no need to hide anything now.”

Perhaps resigned by his words, Hirata began speaking at length.

“If the boss were here, I believe he would have recruited her.”

“…”

Kuzuryuu couldn’t disagree with her; in fact, he had been thinking the same thing.

“That may be so, but…”

“Good. Kuzuryuu-san, you were thinking the same thing.”

Hirata and Kuzuryuu had long worked with Sakata Yuuto, giving them a certain insight into his mindset and behavior. They certainly didn’t understand everything about him, but all the executives shared one common view: Sakata Yuuto is exceedingly soft-hearted. He had saved every one of them in one way or another; many believed that without him, they’d be lost.

“But the crucial boss is now ‘in that kind of situation.’ What if we recruit her without permission and something goes wrong? The consequences would be irreparable.”

“I understand. That much, at least…”

For a moment, Hirata recalled a conversation at a café:

———— “Weren’t both of you saved by that man?” ————

Those were the words spoken by Anemi Kyouka, as if to assert that, like all of us executives, she was someone to whom Sakata extended his hand.

“For now, give me all the information on the candidate.”

“Ah, now that I think of it, I haven’t mentioned anything yet.”

——————————————————

Hirata recounted the situation to Kuzuryuu—the impression she had of Anemi Kyouka, the background leading up to her introduction, and her own remarks. Kuzuryuu listened, nodding repeatedly.

“———————— It’s all the more confusing.”

Kuzuryuu’s first remark after hearing Hirata was calm and matter-of-fact. He then took out his cellphone and began to search.

“Let’s see if anything relevant comes up.”

“It’s highly likely she’s just an ordinary individual.”

“But the one that stands out is that idiot.”

“Yes…”

The biggest question regarding Anemi Kyouka was her relationship with Arisu. It was peculiar that someone who normally avoided getting involved with others would recommend such an individual.

“There’s a high possibility that her second personality is heavily involved, but…”

“With such a bright personality, she could probably get along with anyone.”

Several hours had passed since the second personality had been subdued. Although subordinates were assigned to monitor her, there had been no report of the original personality returning—the personality in question remained completely silent.

“For now, let’s put this matter on hold until she reverts. In the meantime, I’ll investigate that person.”

“Thank you. I’ll report anything I find as soon as possible.”

Hirata bowed her head at Kuzuryuu’s words.

“If there’s no connection between the original personality and Anemi Kyouka, we’ll dispose of her immediately. No problem?”

“Yes. No problem.”

Kuzuryuu exhaled deeply and stood up. Then, as if suddenly reminded of something, he handed Hirata a crumpled piece of paper.

“What’s this…?”

“It’s just trash.”

“Please don’t hand me something like this!?”

“I just felt like giving it to you out of the blue. Later.”

With those parting words, Kuzuryuu briskly left the meeting room.

“Ah! Please wait!”

Hirata’s call went unheard, and she was left alone in the room.

——————————————————

She stared at the trash that had been handed to her.

“What is this trash…?”

A crumpled, rather large memo pad. Normally, she would have disposed of it without a second thought. But for some reason—just this once—she unfolded it. No, she completely unfolded it.

“…Hehe…hehehe.”

On the wrinkled memo pad, only one sentence was written.

“I had noticed that long ago, too.”

“Satsuki has betrayed the Empress.”

At that sentence, she couldn’t help but suppress a smile.

On a darkened street at night, three figures could be seen.

“It’s been hard to find her—the murdermaid in her maid uniform.”

“If she were that easy to find, she’d have already been arrested…”

“Well, that figures!”

Sugiyama patted his hand as he spoke, while Setsuna wore an awkward expression and the silent executioner remained mute.

“Despite four consecutive Fridays of crimes, it’s odd that there was hardly any news this week.”

“Exactly. It’s as if they knew we were coming.”

It was 3 AM. About two hours had passed since the search began. The surroundings were dark, illuminated only by streetlights. With recent news reports of murdermaid incidents, human presence was scarce.

“Looks like we’re coming up empty. Shall we head back?”

“Agreed! Let’s go home!”

Setsuna’s tone brightened noticeably at Sugiyama’s suggestion. Hearing that, the executioner gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You’ve suddenly become so cheerful. Were you planning to leave all along…?”

“…Not at all. I want to find her quickly.”

“Is that so? In that case, we’ll head back and you search alone.”

“There’s no way I can take such a high risk!”

“Come on, you two—don’t fight. Let’s all get along.”

The executioner reproved Setsuna, and Sugiyama stepped in between them. Then, suddenly—

“Ah, excuse me.”

Unable to withstand the pressure, Setsuna, who had slipped away along the path, collided with a woman. The woman showed no sign of getting up after falling.

“Uh… are you okay?”

Sugiyama and Setsuna patted her shoulder. Then, without a word, the woman stood up.

“Whoa…”

Startled, Setsuna exclaimed, but as if she were invisible to the three, the woman began walking away.

“What was that? She was creepy.”

“That was my last unpleasant experience…”

Sugiyama showed no particular concern while Setsuna shivered slightly.

The executioner simply stared after the departing woman.

“Somehow, I feel like I’ve seen her before…”

And with that, she left those words behind.