Vol 4 Chapter 3 – Kirino’s Shell(【Revolver Maid】 Arc)

For me, it was great news.

Kuroda’s survival report, and the encounter with an Empress executive.

And the fact that she had returned safely.

“…”

Although I didn’t show it while working in front of Kirino, inside I was in such high spirits that I felt like shouting.

I then cast my eyes toward Kirino, who was seated right in front of me.

“…”

Honestly, for the past week, Kirino had been like an empty shell. When meeting with other executives besides herself, she maintained a somewhat cheerful expression; however, when it was just the two of us, she would bury her face in the desk as if her soul had been drained.

“Kirino-sama, are you alright…?”

“Ah, yeah. I’m fine.”

That was a clear lie. Her voice was devoid of spirit, answering only in a feeble tone. Just like a withered flower.

“I’ve, uh, finished all of today’s work, though…”

“I see, it’s already that time. Then you can head back. Good work.”

While saying that, Kirino waved her hand toward me. At the sight of her feebly wobbling wave, I even felt a slight tinge of fear. I wondered if I could do something about it, but there was nothing I could do. In fact, from her perspective, it was probably none of my business.

“Understood… excuse me.”

“Yeah. Later.”

With a sidelong glance at Kirino’s sorrowful figure, I left the room.

“I’m tired…”

It had been about two months since I arrived here. I had been infiltrating without any particular problems. So far, the executives I had encountered were Kirino, Takanashi Hitomiko, and Meido Arisu. However, I had yet to encounter the one known as the Boss.

——————————————————

Kirino’s excitement at the news that the Empress Boss had returned to the hideout was arguably at an all-time high. It was like a child on Christmas Day. That day, I bid farewell to the exuberant Kirino and waited in my room.

“Mm…”

She returned to the hideout the next morning. I was awakened by the sound of my room’s door opening. Before me, Kirino simply stood in silence.

“Eh…”

In that moment, she took a surprising action. Before I could react, she suddenly entered my room and clung to me.

“Kirino-sama!?”

“Sorry, Ichiban, but just let me do this for now…”

While uttering those words, Kirino’s embrace grew stronger. I held her, wondering if I should reciprocate.

“It’s all right. Please hug me as long as you want.”
“Yeah. Thank you.”

What a contrast to the usual Kirino. I was trembling with indescribable emotions. That day, we hugged each other until Kirino fell asleep.

“Huh…?”

When I woke up, Kirino was gone. Only a 10,000 yen bill was left by my pillow.

“Scary…”

She simply muttered that one word as she got up.

——————————————————

After that, Kirino continued like that. Perhaps because the other executives lack individuality, no one expressed concern for her.

“I wonder when she’ll get back to normal…”

Kirino has such a ridiculous personality, yet she is an Empress executive. For someone like her to appear so weak, something major must have happened.

“Phew…”

I returned to my room and activated the communicator. It is a device that allows communication with the Guardians. Since it doesn’t dial a specific person, whoever answers the call is random.

“———————Hello?”

A voice unfamiliar to me resonated from the communicator. However, I could never mistake who it was.

“Fifth-sama, I contacted you to make a report.”

On the line, it was unmistakably Fifth’s voice.

“Oh my. Aren’t you the spy from Second’s place? Since you’re reporting, have you found something?”

“Yes. There’s been some kind of problem with the Empress executive who owns the hideout I’m infiltrating.”

“A problem, huh? That sounds interesting.”

I can imagine Fifth wearing a twisted smile.

“One of the Empress executives has been lacking energy, as if her soul had been drained, since last week.”

“Hmm, an Empress executive, huh…”

“I’m investigating the cause, but no clear reason has been determined yet.”

“Hmm…”

A mysterious tension ran through me. Although I, as one of the Guardians’ subordinates, have met with all the executives, the one I fear the most is Fifth.

“However, one suspicious point is the day ‘the Empress Boss returned to the hideout.'”

“I see. The Empress Boss, huh…”

“At first, I was excited when the Boss returned, but later he came back looking weak.”

“Hmm… That seems to suggest something’s up.”

Just an ordinary report. However, for some reason, I felt a vague sense of discomfort deep in my chest. I didn’t realize the true nature of that uneasy feeling.

“Well then, please keep reporting if anything else happens. We’ll contact you if we learn anything.”
“Understood.”

The matter-of-fact report ended, leaving only silence in the room.

“I feel kind of gross.”

As if trying to forget the unpleasantness, she fell asleep in bed.

——————————————————

I turned off the communicator. In the lab, Fifth—who had been communicating with me—took out a photograph from the pocket of her lab coat.

“Haha. I wonder if something happened to Second’s benefactor.”

The photograph she pulled out showed Sakata Yuuto. It was from Kuroda Shiromi’s request, and Ichiban’s report. Although there wasn’t enough information to reach a conclusion, Fifth smiled.

“Maybe I’ll finally get to meet ‘my prince.'”

Muttering that, Fifth left the lab. Her steps were like those of a child going on a field trip. The lab was left in darkness and silence.