Chapter 37
The operation was scheduled for two days later. After asking a dozen members if they wanted to hang out, Asuka Kazuya had a good grasp of their movements for the next few days.
When the naive Scotch asked why his text messages all said “hang out,” Asuka Kazuya answered,
“Because to avoid being tormented by me, they’ll find something to do even if they have nothing to do.”
He sounded quite proud, completely unaware that this indirectly reflected his unpopularity.
Scotch: “…”
Scotch: “What were you rummaging through last night?”
After resting in the apartment for a few days, the rejuvenated Asuka Kazuya was back to his usual lively self. He claimed he could take on ten people at once, but after taking two steps out the door, he was dragged back by Bourbon. Seemingly bored, Scotch heard him banging around in his room when he came over yesterday.
“Preparing a gift,” Asuka Kazuya said seriously, his expression betraying nothing. “I promised him before, keeping promises is a good quality.”
“…Is that so?”
Scotch was silent, not even questioning who “him” was.
The young man picked up his sniper rifle, saying before leaving, “If you’re not coming back tonight, remember to tell Zero.”
Asuka Kazuya still hadn’t developed the habit of replying to messages promptly. Every time Scotch came back, he would see the parenting manual his childhood friend had been flipping through. If the author of this book hadn’t passed away a few years ago, he would suspect that Bourbon was writing complaint letters after being exasperated by Calvados.
However, Asuka Kazuya was reinstalling his phone system and didn’t hear Scotch’s words. He opened the car door, one hand in his trench coat pocket, instinctively glancing back.
Strangely, during the few days he’d been here, Asuka Kazuya always felt like someone was watching him. But the surveillance cameras in the monitoring room showed nothing, and the traps he’d set hadn’t been triggered. Puzzled, Asuka Kazuya could only dismiss this feeling.
[Rimbaud killed Verlaine.]
Because he suddenly remembered this sentence, Asuka Kazuya secretly snuck back to the Special Abilities Division last night. He hadn’t informed them beforehand, knocking out the executive officer who was working, using his identity to access the database…
Arthur Rimbaud.
Paul Verlaine.
The Special Abilities Division didn’t have many records on them. Asuka Kazuya quickly browsed through a few files, his gaze finally resting on the tragedy at the British cathedral three years ago.
Just as Japan had the Hunting Dogs and the Special Abilities Division, Britain also had its own ability user organization. The “Clock Tower Attendants” held knighthoods bestowed by the Queen and were known for single-handedly destroying terrorist organizations overnight.
However, these Clock Tower Attendants died mysteriously during their coronation ceremony three years ago. Their ribs were shattered into over a thousand pieces, but their bodies showed no external injuries. As Britain’s strongest ability users, not only did they fail their mission, they didn’t even have time to draw their swords… [1]
Although there was no concrete evidence, the Special Abilities Division seemed to suspect Verlaine of this crime.
Really?
Asuka Kazuya was even more confused.
If he knew such powerful people, why did he ask Gin to teach him how to fight before?
The black car stopped in front of a bar. Asuka Kazuya unbuckled his seatbelt, glancing around before getting out.
“Is this the family Chuuya mentioned?”
“Why did Chuuya tell you, Tachihara? Where did you hear that?”
“I overheard it when he called yesterday, don’t push me, Public Relations Officer! Don’t you have a mission?!”
“What was his name again? I only remember they called him Calvados… Doctor, are you really okay? The needle in your hand has come out.”
“Heh heh… how could I miss this…”
“Hey, hey, hey, he’s looking over here, you guys are too loud, alright, I choose you, Pianist, you go distract him.”
This time it wasn’t a feeling.
Asuka Kazuya squatted on a utility pole, looking down at the group of people hiding behind the wall.
“Tachihara, Public Relations Officer, Doctor, Pianist… are you the Port Mafia’s youth group? What are you hiding here for?”
The organization’s rising stars, the younger generation under twenty-five—Asuka Kazuya had seen their names in the files. Before Nakahara Chuuya joined, this was a group of only five people, known as the Flags within the Port Mafia.
Asuka Kazuya thought for a moment: “Were you the ones watching me the other day too?”
Feeling awkward at being discovered, Tachihara coughed and immediately denied: “N-No, we just happened to be passing by today.”
The Public Relations Officer smiled, seemingly dissatisfied with his improvisation, subtly elbowing him.
“Hello,” he said, “we’re Chuuya’s friends, this should be our first time meeting you.”
Then it wasn’t them.
Asuka Kazuya lightly jumped down from the pole, kicking up a little dust but making no sound.
“Eavesdropping isn’t nice.”
This was directed at Tachihara.
Then, while Tachihara was stunned, Asuka Kazuya added, “Although I also like to eavesdrop.”
Tachihara reacted, bursting into laughter: “I thought you were really annoying. By the way, Chuuya probably still has some things to do, want me to buy you a drink first?”
Akutagawa, who hadn’t been discovered, leaned against a tree, coldly saying upon hearing this: “And then throw you into the sea after you’re drunk, Tachihara, you should be more vigilant.”
This person’s presence was so faint.
He really hadn’t noticed Akutagawa’s presence just now. Asuka Kazuya sized him up for a moment, then honestly said that this wasn’t how he killed people, he usually made them fall into the sea themselves.
Akutagawa was rendered speechless by his words, and Tachihara clutched his stomach, laughing even harder.
“Akutagawa, if you’re scared, don’t come,” the young man with the cleaver stepped forward, putting his arm around Asuka Kazuya’s neck familiarly. “By the way, it’s thanks to my reminder that Chuuya found you. I told him about someone called Coca-Cola, and he thought I was joking.”
Asuka Kazuya glanced at the hand on his shoulder: “I’m not called Coca-Cola.”
“Asuka Kazuya, right?” Tachihara continued. “What’s the big deal? Do you want to hear some embarrassing stories about Chuuya? But you have to exchange them with stories about his childhood. We thought he would defect after a few days, but he actually lasted until now.”
Asuka Kazuya pursed his lips, trying to follow his train of thought: “Are you talking about his time in the Sheep?”
It was quite amazing, the Sheep and the Port Mafia had always been enemies, but Nakahara Chuuya, the King of the Sheep, joined the latter a year ago.
This record was sealed by the Port Mafia. Asuka Kazuya hadn’t investigated it carefully, but he was a bit tempted by Tachihara’s words.
“I’ll have to disappoint you, I don’t remember anything about his childhood.” Asuka Kazuya declined, feeling a chill down his spine and slightly distancing himself from Tachihara.
The pianist noticed his movement: “Do you think there’s someone else watching you here?”
“…Not really.” Still unsure if it was just a feeling, Asuka Kazuya thought for a moment, then denied it. “Are you sure it’s okay to talk to me like this? Considering our positions, we’re considered enemies, right?”
“What’s the big deal?” the Public Relations Officer said indifferently. “The Boss hasn’t given any orders, does that mean we can’t talk to anyone who isn’t a Port Mafia member?”
Speaking of Mori Ougai, Asuka Kazuya didn’t understand his intentions. But he had a feeling that he was planning something big, so he even secretly staked out the places Mori Ougai frequented for a few days.
But that guy did nothing but shop, making Asuka Kazuya lose confidence in himself.
“Besides, Chuuya is our companion,” the pianist smiled. “We even prepared a one-year anniversary gift for him, not sure if he still cares after finding you.”
It was a photo of Nakahara Chuuya’s past, obtained secretly against Mori Ougai’s orders.
Tachihara had initially claimed that Chuuya would be moved to tears upon seeing it, then heard the news that Asuka Kazuya and Nakahara Chuuya knew each other just two days later.
“…Is the Port Mafia such a humane place?” Asuka Kazuya pondered, not associating them with the Port Mafia in Dazai Osamu’s stories.
Tachihara started chatting with him, from “a certain gem dealer was beaten up by Chuuya and couldn’t get out of bed for three months for asking a taboo question,” to “a newly joined member had a mental breakdown after a failed mission and cried all night, saying he wanted to apply for a transfer, but now under Dazai, he can’t even cry.”
So by the time Nakahara Chuuya arrived, Asuka Kazuya had already drunk several bottles of red wine.
Beside him was the unconscious Tachihara. The young man was shaking Tachihara by the collar, trying to wake him up. The doctor looked weak, if he wasn’t on an IV drip, he might be in the same state as Tachihara.
Seeing Nakahara Chuuya arrive, Asuka Kazuya, who somehow had a high alcohol tolerance, released Tachihara and greeted him enthusiastically: “Hi! Chuuya! Your friends are so fun!”
Initially a bit angry that Tachihara and the others had taken him drinking, Nakahara Chuuya’s expression softened upon hearing his name from Asuka Kazuya’s mouth, suddenly feeling that Tachihara and the others could sometimes do good things.
“Why are you with them?” Nakahara Chuuya walked over, glancing at the unconscious Tachihara at his feet.
Asuka Kazuya: “They said they’re your friends and are planning your one-year anniversary celebration.”
Besides Akutagawa and the pianist, the others were all unconscious. Nakahara Chuuya didn’t pursue the matter further, only saying, “Do you believe everyone who claims to be my friend?”
Asuka Kazuya paused, thinking that sometimes Nakahara Chuuya and Bourbon were quite similar.
“How heartless, Chuuya,” the pianist said, holding a wine glass. “Kazuya-kun also prepared a gift for you, shouldn’t you ask him about it first?”
Nakahara Chuuya glanced sideways: “I already told you not to call people’s names so casually.”
The Public Relations Officer sighed, his movie-star-like face shaking sadly upon hearing this: “Didn’t Executive Ozaki teach you? Being too possessive will make people dislike you. Look, don’t Kazuya and I look a bit alike? Maybe we’re long-lost brothers.”
Nakahara Chuuya deadpanned: “Who’s your brother? Don’t mislead him, this half-drunk guy will actually believe it.”
The Public Relations Officer looked back, seeing that Asuka Kazuya, sitting at the bar, did indeed look confused. The young man’s brown trench coat was wrinkled from the previous commotion, a few strands of golden hair stuck to his lips, as if he was spacing out.
The Public Relations Officer let out a small “Oh,” watching Nakahara Chuuya take him away.
“The dormitory provides hangover soup.”
“I’m not taking him back to the dormitory.”
“He seems to have driven here alone, the keys are in his left pocket.”
“…Understood.”
“And–”
Before the Public Relations Officer could finish, the pianist covered his mouth, smiling and saying, “Give the youngsters some alone time.”
“I heard that!” Nakahara Chuuya, with his back to them, walked out with heavy footsteps. “Stop imagining things, and saying you’ll become an executive before me, are you that free?!”
The pianist couldn’t help but laugh.
Nakahara Chuuya didn’t know what they were laughing about, he could even imagine that they must have told Kazuya many embarrassing stories about him. The young man scowled, deciding to settle the score with them later.
“Here.”
Hearing the car door close, Asuka Kazuya came back to his senses. He fumbled in his pocket, finally handing the amulet he had made to Nakahara Chuuya.
“It’s not very big, but it’s very pure, I got it at an auction before and polished it myself.”
The amulet contained a blue gemstone. Nakahara Chuuya vaguely remembered someone buying it for millions, subconsciously glancing at Asuka Kazuya’s hand.
“Have you recovered from your training already?”
Asuka Kazuya blinked: “…Shouldn’t you say thank you at this time?”
Nakahara Chuuya took his gift, humming softly.
But even so, he still didn’t let go of the previous question: “You promised me you would rest when you got back, why are you rushing back to training?”
Asuka Kazuya perked up.
“I have a bad feeling!” He suddenly straightened up, looking around warily. “I have a feeling we’ll be captured! Don’t worry, I’ll subdue him with my smart brain!”
Nakahara Chuuya’s lips twitched: “Do you even remember who you are?”
Asuka Kazuya was puzzled: “Of course, I picked you up when we were young, and you even told me to listen to Shirase, didn’t you?”
Nakahara Chuuya subconsciously hit the brakes, turning to look at him in shock: “You remember?”
Asuka Kazuya felt dizzy, wanting to vomit: “What’s there to remember? I still remember we always slept together when I first picked you up, but one day you insisted on having your own bed. I asked Shirase why, and his expression was exactly the same as the pianist just now.”
He finished, leaning his head against the car window sleepily.
“After I annoyed him with my questions, Shirase suggested I borrow the Human Encyclopedia from the lady who sells breakfast, it was free anyway, and I would understand after reading it.”
Nakahara Chuuya stiffened, accelerating to twenty miles per hour.
This was an unscientific speed for him. As the Port Mafia’s strongest fighter, Nakahara Chuuya usually left his enemies in the dust, no matter what vehicle he used.
“…Don’t listen to their nonsense,”
Nakahara Chuuya said defensively.
“I’ll go buy you some hangover soup, wait for me in the car.”
Asuka Kazuya vaguely heard his words, unfortunately falling fast asleep.
When he opened his eyes again, the black car had resumed its normal speed.
The buildings outside were constantly receding, the shops sparsely populated, occasionally he would see a couple of seagulls flying by.
Asuka Kazuya stared at the scenery outside for a while, then turned his head, only to see a man in a black suit sitting in the driver’s seat.
“Nakahara-sama asked me to take you back,” the man said.
“…Oh.” Asuka Kazuya touched his empty pocket. “Are you also Chuuya’s friend?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s Chuuya?”
“He suddenly received an order from the Boss, so he asked me to come.”
“So you have a good relationship with him?”
“Sort of.”
All ambiguous answers.
Asuka Kazuya touched his aching forehead, catching a glimpse of a red string peeking out from the man’s pocket.
He was silent for a few seconds, then asked, “I think I said something to Chuuya just now, do you remember?”
The man still didn’t look at him, his eyes on the road ahead: “Sorry, Nakahara-sama didn’t mention it.”
“Is that so…”
Asuka Kazuya lowered his eyes.
The next second, he cocked and loaded his gun.
Pressing the dark muzzle against the man’s temple, Asuka Kazuya’s expression was cold as he slowly said, “You’re lying.”
“Thirty seconds, tell me where Chuuya is, and who you are.”
The man chuckled, not answering.
The bullet didn’t pierce his head as expected, but was crushed into powder the moment it left the gun.
Then, the metal screeched. Asuka Kazuya coughed, his entire body pressed against the seat, unable to move.
“You’re still the same as before.” The man turned his head, his eyes the same color as Nakahara Chuuya’s, his long golden hair braided and draped over one shoulder. “They told me you were dead, it seems you only lost your memory, clinging to life until now.”
Gravity.
Asuka Kazuya immediately realized this was the man’s ability.
But there couldn’t be two identical ability users in the world. He pursed his lips, going against Dazai’s warning, and used his ability to fight back.
“What clinging to life? Go to hell.”
“That’s more like it.”
The man in the suit lowered his eyes, catching his fist.
“Kazuya, you shouldn’t have grown up, your code indicated you could only remain five years old, but you rewrote the program yourself, violating their research all along.”
Asuka Kazuya sneered, slowly draining the man’s life, his internal organs aching as if being squeezed: “Who’s reminiscing with you? What code, program? Tell me where Chuuya is first.”
The man couldn’t help but sigh.
More accurately, Verlaine, one of the few Transcendentalists in the world, who should have been dead, sighed.
“That’s not the right reaction.” Despite realizing what Asuka Kazuya was doing, Verlaine still smiled. “Of course, you can die together with me, but your friends might not fare well either.”
He had originally intended to kill them directly, but the moment he approached them, Verlaine realized they carried traces of Asuka Kazuya’s ability.
If he killed them, his dear younger brother wouldn’t live much longer either.
Verlaine would never allow that to happen.
Asuka Kazuya froze, hearing a thud from the car roof.
It was Nakahara Chuuya, jumping down from above.
“Damn it! Give him back!”
Ignoring Nakahara Chuuya, Verlaine continued to look into Asuka Kazuya’s eyes: “You too, Chuuya too, I’m taking you both back.”
“Sleep, Kazuya,”
Verlaine said in an elegant tone.
“Once I deal with the trouble around Chuuya, we can go back to where we were before.”
Able to silently kill the Clock Tower Attendants, Verlaine naturally wouldn’t take the Flags seriously. He only needed one hand to deal with Nakahara Chuuya, this was the difference in their strength, they couldn’t stop him now.
However, Asuka Kazuya narrowed his eyes, breaking free from Verlaine’s restraints without warning, and yanked the steering wheel.
“Now!”
The collision of gravity and gravity created a significant physical effect. Normally, Nakahara Chuuya would have been sent flying.
Verlaine’s gaze lowered, looking at Asuka Kazuya, who was hugging his waist, using his ability to suppress his.
Time really flew.
[2383 lines of data]
Nakahara Chuuya was born from these 2383 lines of data.
And Asuka Kazuya’s purpose in existence was to remember this code, to adjust and replicate it when necessary.
Verlaine remembered when he was still small, Rimbaud held him in his arms, telling him that Kazuya was special.
Verlaine frowned, asking why he thought so.
Rimbaud smiled, saying that Kazuya could get angry, an emotion beyond his programmed settings.
[He argued with others because he heard them badmouthing you.]
[Verlaine, to what extent do you think he can evolve?]
Verlaine, back then, was also like this, looking down at him.
Even after being wiped by Rimbaud’s handkerchief, his face was still dirty. But those green eyes were beautiful, and his hair was the same golden color as his.
Verlaine silently braided his hair.
Kazuya was the name Rimbaud gave him. As for Asuka, it was something Verlaine thought of during a mission when he saw a little bird perched on a branch.
When they told him this name, Asuka Kazuya displayed another emotion, happiness.
“What is it now, sadness?”
Snapping out of his memories, Verlaine reached out and grabbed his younger brother’s wrist.
He smiled, saying in a gentle voice,
“This much evolution is enough. They’re taking advantage of your trust, making you develop many useless emotions. This is a dangerous sign, it will only make you think you’re human, and then you’ll become weaker and weaker.”
“Just like now, you easily gave up on the idea of dying together with me because of some uncertain news.”
As the sound of bones cracking filled the air, Verlaine, imitating Rimbaud, gently wiped the blood from Asuka Kazuya’s face with his fingertips.
“Are you in pain, Kazuya? Look into my eyes.”
“They deceived you, it’s about time you remembered.”
