Chapter 26
It had been almost a year since Nakahara Chuuya joined the Port Mafia. From the King of the Sheep to a mafia member, Nakahara Chuuya’s growth had been astonishing. The speed at which he gained recognition in the organization was unprecedented, and the missions he undertook were more numerous than those of ordinary members.
Because of this, when Nakahara Chuuya heard about a clueless guy trying to drag the Boss to the police station, he immediately summoned the Black Lizard members present to his office.
“I-It was quite presumptuous,”
Faced with Nakahara Chuuya’s inquiry, Ishikawa, who had just joined the Black Lizard, recalled nervously.
“But that person seemed to have known the Boss for a long time, and he looked quite weak. Hirotsu-san didn’t let us act, saying not to provoke a conflict.”
Tachihara Michizou, who had originally come to have a drink with Chuuya, heard this as soon as he opened the door.
“Oh, it’s that Coca-Cola, right?”
He put on a look of sudden realization.
“Seems to be that Dazai’s friend, I don’t know what the Boss is thinking.”
As an important member of the Port Mafia, Tachihara was in charge of all the organization’s vehicles. He always had a smile on his face and was quite talkative, so he could be easily found even in the chaos of battle.
Nakahara Chuuya glanced at him coldly, not commenting immediately.
“Dazai’s friend?”
Nakahara Chuuya didn’t even bother thinking. Hearing the word “friend,” he knew that Tachihara was 99.99% teasing him.
“I’m telling the truth,”
Tachihara raised his hand and swore.
“If you don’t believe me, ask Dazai yourself, he doesn’t have a mission anyway—or have you two not fixed your habit of arguing as soon as you meet? Didn’t the Boss intentionally pair you two up for a while?”
Nakahara Chuuya: “…”
Like most people in the Port Mafia, Nakahara Chuuya also sincerely hated Dazai Osamu.
There was no other reason, it was because Dazai Osamu always clamored about making him his dog.
Forget partnering up, if that guy’s brain wasn’t somewhat useful, Nakahara Chuuya would have beaten him to death.
“I’ll go ask Kouyou-nee.”
Thinking of this, Nakahara Chuuya stood up expressionlessly, taking his coat from the hanger.
The Port Mafia executive lounge was at the end of the corridor, requiring a special password to enter. The mafia members passing by stopped and nodded to Nakahara Chuuya, not noticing the slight fatigue on his face.
Nakahara Chuuya had that dream again last night.
Although it had been eight years since that guy disappeared, Nakahara Chuuya thought he should have forgotten many things. But the recurring dream was too real, as if he would open his eyes and see that person lying by his bed, staring at him with a smile.
[“Happy birthday, Chuuya.”]
[“I stole some bread for you.”]
They had always been together before joining the Sheep, and they had always been together after joining the Sheep.
Nakahara Chuuya always couldn’t help but wonder what that person would look like when he grew up. Unfortunately, ever since Shirase stabbed him, Nakahara Chuuya knew this was unlikely.
After all, it was Nakahara Chuuya himself who entrusted that person to Shirase’s care, and it was Nakahara Chuuya himself who told that person to listen to Shirase.
The so-called truth was a kind of torture to him.
Every time Nakahara Chuuya woke up from the dream, it was like falling into a deeper darkness.
It was a darkness deeper than any night, like black jade.
“Hmm? Are you here to ask about Ougai-sama?”
Ozaki Kouyou, who was organizing documents in the lounge, had anticipated Nakahara Chuuya’s arrival. She smiled, not intending to hide anything from the junior she had personally raised.
“It’s nothing important,” Ozaki Kouyou said. “I originally wanted to recruit him, but their executive discovered him.”
Nakahara Chuuya frowned, immediately understanding: “An ability user?”
Ozaki Kouyou corrected his wording: “A very amazing ability user.” She described with a smile. “But judging by Dazai’s performance, he doesn’t seem to want him to join either.”
It was originally supposed to be Colonel, also an executive, who went to the negotiation with Ozaki Kouyou. The reason it was suddenly changed to Dazai was because he knew Asuka Kazuya better.
Whether it was to get back at Mori Ougai for deceiving him, or he really didn’t want to work with Asuka Kazuya, Dazai Osamu didn’t intervene much in this matter.
Nakahara Chuuya’s expression was strange upon hearing this: “So he really is Dazai’s friend?”
“Dazai wouldn’t admit it if you put it that way.” Ozaki Kouyou closed her eyes. “But he’s currently researching sniping techniques, seems to be planning to shoot back some paintballs.”
Nakahara Chuuya: “…”
Shooting paintballs? A three-year-old?
Nakahara Chuuya was expressionless, thinking these two were asking for a beating.
“I understand,” Nakahara Chuuya said. “Since it’s the Boss’s decision…”
Ozaki Kouyou smiled, not refuting his words.
“I just think it’s a bit of a pity, if that child could join, it might be more lively here.”
Nakahara Chuuya didn’t mind. He thought if that person really called himself Coca-Cola as Tachihara said, he must be an idiot.
It was rare for Dazai to do something serious.
Such a troublesome existence was enough of a nuisance to others, why bring him to the Port Mafia?
After searching for Miyano Akemi in the rain for two hours, Asuka Kazuya successfully collapsed with a cold.
“I’m so miserable,”
Staring at the blank ceiling, Asuka Kazuya lay on the sofa, groaning weakly.
“It’s all Big Brother’s fault, if he hadn’t drawn my blood, I could have endured the rain for another two hours.”
Matsuda Jinpei glanced at him, pouring a glass of water from the kitchen: “Who told you to go back to work overtime without changing your clothes? And how long has it been since you last slept?”
Asuka Kazuya: “A mere sixty hours.”
Oh, sixty… wait! How many?!
Matsuda Jinpei paused, staring at the lifeless person in shock, wondering if his brain had been flooded during the rain.
Asuka Kazuya: “Haha, just kidding.”
It was actually seventy hours.
Theoretically, by using his ability to heal his body, Asuka Kazuya could even go without sleeping forever, but he would usually start going crazy after 72 hours. Ever since he excitedly stole Gin’s hat and ran around last time, someone would come and give him a shot every 72 hours.
Matsuda Jinpei naturally didn’t know about this. He stared at Asuka Kazuya’s face, taking a deep breath, chanting “he’s a patient” ten times in his mind.
“Is that the point?” Hagiwara Kenji, just back from buying medicine, walked in from the entrance. “What blood draw? Little Kato, what kind of person is your brother? Why don’t you move out? I remember the First Investigation Division also has single dorms available.”
Since running away, Asuka Kazuya had missed one call from Gin, three from Rum, and sixteen from Vodka. He pondered the timing of their outbursts, sitting up from the sofa.
“I still prefer communal living,” Asuka Kazuya said. “I believe that with my efforts, Big Brother will definitely turn over a new leaf.”
Matsuda Jinpei: “…”
Matsuda Jinpei: “Can you be a bit tougher?”
He slapped a fever patch on the young man’s forehead, his gaze lowering, recalling the strangeness of the person who claimed to be his older brother.
At this time, even if he was out to catch his runaway brother, he shouldn’t be running around with a violin case in the middle of the night. That guy’s physique was clearly trained, even sensing someone behind him before Hagi spoke.
If he guessed correctly, the violin case probably contained a rifle.
Combined with Kato’s previous clue, “not blood-related,” Matsuda Jinpei guessed that he might be an adopted son of the official from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, specifically used for shady dealings.
“Forget it, you shouldn’t be tough,”
Under Asuka Kazuya’s gaze, Matsuda Jinpei stood up and suddenly said,
“Don’t act rashly before we gather enough clues, so I don’t see you in the hospital again next time.”
Asuka Kazuya raised his hand, thoughtfully touching the fever patch on his forehead.
Although the process was problematic, the result was surprisingly accurate.
The organization asked him to collect information about undercover agents in the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Special Abilities Division asked him to collect information about the organization’s crimes. Asuka Kazuya had a headache, just wanting to find a place to slack off.
“Then I’ll go back first,”
Considering that Chianti and the others might come looking for him later, Asuka Kazuya considerately decided to leave one step ahead of them.
“Don’t miss me, Jinpei-kun, I’ll wish you well just like I wished Hagiwara-kun.”
Matsuda Jinpei: “…”
Matsuda Jinpei: “Who would miss you?! Idiot!”
Matsuda Jinpei couldn’t hold back anymore. Asuka Kazuya was good at breaking people’s hearts just when they started to worry about him a little. Matsuda Jinpei had asked him before, annoyed, why he didn’t make fun of Hagiwara Kenji. His answer was that Kenji was a bit like his respected senpai, so he also had respect for Kenji.
Matsuda Jinpei was speechless when he heard that answer.
Then what was he? Just unlucky?
“Ah, right,” before Asuka Kazuya left, Matsuda Jinpei ruffled his hair, stopping him irritably. “I didn’t mean what I said before, if you have a misunderstanding with your friend, it’s better to clear it up as soon as possible.”
He pointed his thumb at Hagiwara Kenji beside him: “If this guy became a mafia member, there must be a reason.”
“That’s so mean, Jinpei-chan,” Hagiwara Kenji chuckled, continuing his words. “Why does it have to be me becoming a mafia member? Can’t you use someone else as an example?”
Matsuda Jinpei’s forehead twitched: “Is there anyone else here? And why do you care so much? Did you finish your self-criticism essay this morning? This kid has finished his report, and you haven’t even started yours.”
Hagiwara Kenji surrendered after being scolded, not forgetting to bid farewell to Asuka Kazuya, who was pondering at the door: “See you tomorrow, little Kato.”
Asuka Kazuya sighed, thinking their relationship was really good.
Unlike Bourbon, who tried hard to befriend Scotch, only to receive a “Scotch and I are just colleagues” reply after all his efforts.
Bourbon was so pitiful, he almost wanted to cry for him.
There was no good ending for a police officer and a mafia member being friends. Asuka Kazuya decided to advise Bourbon another day, or maybe he should just switch to befriending Rye. Although he didn’t know which organization Rye belonged to, since he didn’t stop his plan, he could reluctantly consider Rye half a good person.
Thinking this, he slowly returned to the base.
The previously tripped alarm had just been repaired. As soon as Asuka Kazuya opened the door, he saw a group of people waiting in full battle array.
Asuka Kazuya was silent, taking a step back and closing the door again.
“Why are you running?”
Vodka, unaware of Miyano Akemi’s fall, which hadn’t made the news yet, was puzzled, opening the door for him.
“Big Brother just came back from seeing the Boss, seems like there’s an information leak, we’re talking about the mole.”
“Mole?” Asuka Kazuya put his hands in his pockets, subtly glancing at Bourbon in the corner. “Isn’t that me?”
If it were someone else, they would probably have a dozen bullet holes in them after saying that. But who was Asuka Kazuya? Every time he was injured, the organization suffered losses worth hundreds of millions. Coupled with his intermittent craziness, Vodka didn’t believe a word of it.
“What’s wrong with you again?”
Having just gotten two stitches on his head, afraid that Asuka Kazuya would say something shocking again, Vodka instantly became alert.
“I’m a police officer,” Asuka Kazuya stretched out a hand, gesturing in front of everyone. “Police officer, undercover, understand?”
“…” Vodka choked, too lazy to talk to him.
He turned to Ireland: “First, rule out Kazuya, the police aren’t like us, they wouldn’t recruit someone like him.”
Asuka Kazuya: ???
Wait, explain! What kind of person was he?! Was Vodka’s brain really damaged? Or did Gin kill Vodka, and this was a Vodka clone?
Asuka Kazuya, dissatisfied, looked at Vermouth behind him: “Are you on the phone with Rum? Tell him quickly that I’m the mole.”
Vermouth: “Rum heard you.”
Asuka Kazuya: “And then?”
Vermouth: “He told you to go play with Bourbon, and not to interfere with everyone’s train of thought here.”
As the only two undercover agents present, Bourbon and Scotch exchanged glances, lost in thought.
They didn’t expect this method of clearing suspicion.
Although it wasn’t impossible for a werewolf to claim to be a villager…
Bourbon withdrew his gaze with a complicated expression, noticing a blind spot.
“Don’t you have very good luck, Calvados?” Bourbon said. “If so, you can just name anyone, right?”
Asuka Kazuya: “You’re so careless, Amuro Tooru.”
Asuka Kazuya: “Of course, we should think carefully about such a serious matter. Haven’t you thought about it? Someone who is inconspicuous, can transmit all information, and won’t arouse suspicion, there’s only one such person in the organization!”
The young man’s words sounded convincing. Vermouth raised an eyebrow, turning on the speakerphone.
“Then who do you think it is?” Vermouth asked cooperatively. “Don’t worry, Calvados, we’ll deal with him before he retaliates against you.”
“Yeah, who is it?” Asuka Kazuya drew out his words, turning to look at the silent Scotch. “Scotch, tell us.”
Suddenly called out, Scotch’s eyes, hidden in the shadows, lifted. He was silent for a moment, trying to control his heartbeat.
“Sorry,” Scotch said. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
In these few seconds, Scotch had already made up his mind. He didn’t understand why Calvados suddenly called him out, and he didn’t know if his identity had been exposed, but since Calvados was a police officer, he must have his reasons.
If he was planning to sacrifice him to protect others…
“Who told you to confiscate my bag?”
Asuka Kazuya snorted, bringing up the incident on the rooftop a few days ago.
“It’s written in the FBI book, these conspiracy theory things, I can spot the inconsistencies at a glance.”
“Someone who can transmit all information and won’t arouse suspicion—of course, it can only be the Boss!”
The base fell into dead silence again.
After pondering for a moment, Vermouth sighed, starting to applaud.
“What brilliant deduction,”
She said.
“Alright, Scotch, go play with Calvados too.”
