Chapter 56
The Boss and the newly captured undercover agent were unusually close—perhaps because they didn’t intend to hide Asuka Kazuya at all, this news spread throughout the Port Mafia the next day.
“Although, don’t you think he looks a bit like the protagonist of that explosive news three years ago?”
“It was after that incident that the government’s measures to ensure ability user loyalty through ability technicians were forcibly abolished—speaking of which, I remember that guy was from the Special Abilities Division, right?”
“Wasn’t our former intelligence officer also from the Special Abilities Division?”
“Now that you mention it, I think that video’s background looks a bit like the lounge in our dormitory.”
“Haha, as if you’ve ever been inside the executives’ lounge.”
The men’s cheerful banter continued in a bar under the Port Mafia. Asuka Kazuya sat in a corner, his appearance slightly altered by disguise, his blond hair cut short to his shoulders, staring blankly at the juice in front of him.
“…I was wondering why they were willing to let you out,”
Sakaguchi Ango pulled up a chair, glancing at the gathered Port Mafia members, his demeanor calmer than Asuka Kazuya expected.
He put down his briefcase, saying casually, “Hiding in plain sight doesn’t always work, couldn’t you have escaped to somewhere further away?”
This short sentence contained both surprise at Asuka Kazuya’s escape and a hint of exasperation.
“…I didn’t escape,”
Asuka Kazuya insisted, shifting his gaze from the juice as he heard Sakaguchi Ango sit down.
“I already gave the information on other prisoners I gathered in Meursault to Suehiro-kun directly.”
Sakaguchi Ango nodded, replying with an “understood.”
“But you’re actually helping them?” Sakaguchi Ango asked. “I thought you wouldn’t trust anyone after that incident.”
“If I ignored it, it would cause trouble for other police officers,”
Asuka Kazuya said matter-of-factly, wanting to brag to Amuro Tooru and the others.
Unfortunately, Amuro Tooru had been tricked by his live broadcast, and Asuka Kazuya knew the consequence of bragging would be another pair of handcuffs.
“Right,” Asuka Kazuya said, “Ango-senpai, do you have someone you like?”
The topic changed so abruptly that even Sakaguchi Ango, an elite among elites, was stunned.
“…Why are you suddenly asking this?” Sakaguchi Ango had a headache, observing his attire. “If you’re curious about this feeling, I suggest you talk to Chuuya directly.”
Hearing Nakahara Chuuya’s name from Sakaguchi Ango, Asuka Kazuya was instantly filled with admiration for his respected senpai.
“How did you know?”
Sakaguchi Ango: “…”
Sakaguchi Ango: “What?”
“I was just asking about Chuuya,” Asuka Kazuya said. “Tachihara told me his methods are different from the previous bosses, it must be because he’s too busy, no one plays with him, that’s why he suddenly kissed me yesterday.”
Even after becoming the Boss, Nakahara Chuuya didn’t reduce his outings. Sakaguchi Ango recalled the recent intel, finding that the compensation he gave to homeowners whose houses were accidentally damaged during fights far exceeded the necessary amount.
Yokohama residents’ impression of the Port Mafia was improving, and the aspirations of the younger generation shifted from “becoming a teacher” or “flying a plane” to “joining the Port Mafia.”
This greatly increased Sakaguchi Ango’s workload, so when Dazai Osamu said he wanted to defect, Sakaguchi Ango not only agreed wholeheartedly, but also helped clear his name to weaken the Port Mafia’s expanding influence.
That being said…
“Kissed you?” Sakaguchi Ango was momentarily shocked. Reminding himself to only half-believe Asuka Kazuya’s words, he rephrased his question. “Wait, Kazuya, did you mistake an accident or a greeting for something else?”
Asuka Kazuya: “…”
Asuka Kazuya: “I was an undercover agent when others were still in elementary school, I can tell the difference.”
He was being sarcastic.
But since it was Sakaguchi Ango, Asuka Kazuya decided to let it slide.
“…” Sakaguchi Ango was speechless.
So why did he even come to this banquet?!
Although Nakahara Chuuya’s feelings were obvious, Sakaguchi Ango had thought these two idiots would never realize it, who knew Nakahara Chuuya would act so quickly.
What a joke, if Kazuya escaped later, wouldn’t Chuuya blame him?
“I suddenly remembered something,” Sakaguchi Ango pushed up his glasses, standing up, trying to appear calm.
Asuka Kazuya feigned sadness: “It’s all excuses, senpai just doesn’t want to talk to me.”
Sakaguchi Ango: …
Stop pretending.
“You talk to Chuuya like this?”
Asuka Kazuya: “Not really.”
Sakaguchi Ango sighed, sitting back down resignedly.
“Why ask me?” Sakaguchi Ango said. “I’m also a member of the Special Abilities Division, Kazuya, you should hate me.”
Asuka Kazuya thought for a moment: “That’s different, you never wanted anything from me.”
Sakaguchi Ango: “If it’s about those letters, it’s because I knew Chief Taneda’s intentions, I replied out of guilt.”
Asuka Kazuya chuckled: “I know.”
Sakaguchi Ango was stunned: “You knew?”
“But it’s true that you read my letters seriously, I wouldn’t have survived those years in Europe without your replies.” Asuka Kazuya smiled, his tone nostalgic.
“March 7th, eleven years ago, you said in your reply that I would make real friends in the future, that I could hang out with them openly under the sun, and get angry at them without considering the consequences.”
“You also said I would have someone I like when I grew up, experiencing joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, that’s the meaning of life.”
“Everything except the person I like has come true.”
Asuka Kazuya looked up, answering his question seriously under Sakaguchi Ango’s gaze.
“At least during those years in the Special Abilities Division, you were like family to me. Regardless of the reason, if you were just like the executive officer, you wouldn’t have helped me with Dazai and the others, would you?”
“…” Sakaguchi Ango fidgeted with his fingers.
He was very aware of his position, and that even now, he should be assisting Interpol in capturing the escaped Asuka Kazuya and returning him to Meursault.
But after disobeying the first order, there would be a second. Sakaguchi Ango had watched him grow up, truly treating him like a younger brother.
If he were Kazuya, would he do better than the current Kazuya?
Sakaguchi Ango doubted it. If he were Asuka Kazuya, he would have teamed up with Verlaine and Nakahara Chuuya to destroy the entire Ministry of Internal Affairs, not waste his energy on reforms, letting the previously exploited ability users join the Special Abilities Division’s management.
Thanks to Asuka Kazuya, now ability users under eighteen joining government agencies were assigned guardians and guaranteed their rights to education and rest.
There was only dislike in Asuka Kazuya’s dictionary, rarely hatred. Sakaguchi Ango had once asked if it was related to his initial programming, but Asuka Kazuya, after thinking for a moment, replied, “No.”
—When he thought Verlaine really killed Makino-senpai, he truly hated Verlaine.
Sakaguchi Ango then understood that Asuka Kazuya’s hatred was built upon others. Just like how he hadn’t considered his own fate before deciding on the reforms, only thinking about how to prevent the next “exploited ability user.”
Couldn’t he just live peacefully for a few years?
Sakaguchi Ango sometimes questioned the reliability of the law. Kazuya’s birth wasn’t his own choice, his ability should be a source of pride, not a reason to deprive him of his freedom.
“Change your name,”
Sakaguchi Ango sighed again, pushing up his glasses, taking out a document from his briefcase and placing it in front of Asuka Kazuya.
“The Armed Detective Agency, also the organization Dazai is about to join. If all goes well, your other friends in the Special Abilities Division will announce your escape to the West in a few days.”
Asuka Kazuya was confused, saying this wasn’t what he asked about.
Sakaguchi Ango stood up, apologizing that he couldn’t answer his question about Chuuya.
Because he believed Asuka Kazuya was completely human now, as a friend, he no longer needed to guide his decisions.
“Right, one more thing,”
Before leaving, Sakaguchi Ango returned the envelope filled with wills to Asuka Kazuya.
“You don’t need me to keep this anymore.”
“Kazuya,” Sakaguchi Ango smiled, saying softly, “Think about the future, think about a good ending.”
“Your lives have just begun.”
Matsuda Jinpei had been seeing things recently. After Asuka Kazuya was imprisoned in Meursault, he inherited his desk, transferring to the First Investigation Division.
His friend, Asuka Kazuya, was a legendary figure, having lived an eventful life at a young age. Matsuda Jinpei would often be questioned by enthusiastic juniors, asking him “what kind of person was Senpai Asuka?” Annoyed, he’d reply, “That guy is just as annoying as you.”
Annoying, yes. But despite all the annoying things Asuka Kazuya did, Matsuda Jinpei never thought he deserved to be imprisoned for life.
Saving him and Kenji with his ability was just the tip of the iceberg. Matsuda Jinpei silently watched the entire video, shocked that he hadn’t become Moriarty 2.0.
Humans had short memories. After a brief period of outrage, as times got better, they forgot about the person who fought for change, still languishing in prison.
Matsuda Jinpei didn’t even have a chance to visit him.
He held back his frustration, handling several murder cases, only to find homemade cookies on his desk when he returned to the MPD.
A pervert? A stalker?
Matsuda Jinpei was speechless, having no time to check the surveillance, only mentioning it during a gathering.
Amuro Tooru looked thoughtful, then caught Asuka Kazuya climbing the pipes on the third floor of the MPD.
“Are you a spider?”
No greetings, no concern or condemnation, Amuro Tooru’s tone was flat, as if he’d just returned from a trip.
Asuka Kazuya: “Spider-Man.”
Amuro Tooru: “…”
Asuka Kazuya: “Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man? The one in the red and blue suit? Wow, are you that old-fashioned, Amuro Tooru?”
Amuro Tooru: “…I don’t work 24/7, no need for the explanation.”
He looked at Asuka Kazuya’s braid.
Amuro Tooru chuckled, finally feeling like he wasn’t hallucinating: “Our previous agreement is void, the class president’s wedding is over, what do you want as compensation?”
Asuka Kazuya: “Then get married, I’d rather attend yours than a stranger’s.”
“Oh?” Amuro Tooru raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you tell Matsuda that?”
Asuka Kazuya: “You guys pretend to fight, Matsuda really hits, do you know how much it hurts?”
Amuro Tooru stared at him, listening to him ramble.
Like how he went to see senpai, but didn’t get the answers he wanted. And how he took the entrance exam for the Detective Agency, but didn’t get along with Edogawa Ranpo.
Asuka Kazuya talked about many things, just not his escape.
“You’re not afraid I’ll arrest you now?” Amuro Tooru interrupted, asking directly.
Asuka Kazuya: “I have things to do, I’ll resist if you try to arrest me now.”
Amuro Tooru: “Good.”
Asuka Kazuya: “Good?”
Amuro Tooru: “I’ll arrest you after you’re done, I have other things to do.”
Asuka Kazuya: “What things?”
Amuro Tooru: “I got a real puppy, taking him to the vet today.”
Asuka Kazuya: “Are dogs fun?”
Amuro Tooru: “As companions, they’re not bad.”
Asuka Kazuya: “Last chance, really not arresting me?”
Amuro Tooru, mimicking him: “Last minute, run before Matsuda gets here.”
Asuka Kazuya, thinking it made sense, climbed out the window.
Amuro Tooru waited, watching him climb back up, poking his head in.
“Scotch is still alive, right?”
“You can call him Hiromitsu.”
“Hiromitsu is too common, how about Scotch?”
“Do you have to give everyone nicknames?”
Asuka Kazuya complained: “You’re so cold, Amuro Tooru.”
“If you’re trying to force me to say I missed you, I won’t.” Amuro Tooru looked down, refusing ruthlessly. “Who knows if you’ll broadcast it throughout Public Security.”
Asuka Kazuya snorted, his thoughts exposed, quickly escaping before someone entered.
Matsuda Jinpei was puzzled, watching Amuro Tooru by the window, thinking he was being chuunibyou: “Did you have a nightmare?”
Amuro Tooru: “No, but I tricked someone into buying me a pet.”
Matsuda Jinpei: “?”
Matsuda Jinpei: “You have to take care of a pet, who did you trick?”
“He’ll take good care of it,” Amuro Tooru smiled, walking over sarcastically. “Probably bought it for a certain mafia member, even learning to bake cookies to please him, probably still counting money after being scammed.”
Matsuda Jinpei: “…”
Matsuda Jinpei: “You mean Asuka? Where is he?”
Saying he wouldn’t miss him, and he actually left.
Amuro Tooru was both exasperated and amused, seeing from his lips what he’d been doing with a certain mafia member.
It couldn’t be helped.
Amuro Tooru remembered when they were still in the apartment, Asuka Kazuya asking him if Nakahara Chuuya would be sad if he disappeared one day.
Amuro Tooru asked, why not ask if we’d be sad?
Asuka Kazuya replied, you wouldn’t ask if you would be, unlike Chuuya, who would only blame himself.
Amuro Tooru thought he was hopeless.
What good could come from a mafia member? That guy, freshly escaped, probably didn’t know that not just Yokohama, but the entire country was under the Port Mafia’s surveillance.
Only he thought Nakahara Chuuya wouldn’t do anything.
The Port Mafia headquarters was brightly lit. Nakahara Chuuya adjusted his scarf, looking down at the photo Asuka Kazuya sent him.
The young man was smiling brightly, a red string tied around the puppy’s neck, saying he met Sakaguchi Ango and Amuro Tooru today and was bringing it home.
Before Nakahara Chuuya could reply, another photo from a different angle arrived.
The Port Mafia’s informants had cut off any possibility of news about Asuka Kazuya spreading. They took photos with him under various pretexts, then eliminated the pursuers from Meursault.
Including the pet shop owner.
Amuro Tooru scoffed at this.
So it wasn’t “doing nothing.”
Nakahara Chuuya, the Port Mafia’s Gravity Wielder, the youngest Boss in history, had created an absolutely safe environment—
He stood there, waiting for his lover to come home.
