How Is This Not Considered Pampering?
Vodka seemed completely baffled when he heard me say this: “What?”
“Never mind, just relay it exactly as I said when you see Gin later.” I spoke with profound sincerity, ignoring his reaction and hanging up the phone.
“Aren’t you planning to go back today?” Miyano Shiho had already taken off her coat and changed back into her white lab coat. “I need to monitor the lab mice tonight and won’t have time to entertain you.”
I wore an indignant expression: “I just finished making bold declarations. If I go back now, wouldn’t it look like I lost?”
Miyano Shiho half-opened her eyes: “So what exactly are you using as criteria to determine wins and losses here?”
“Besides, based on past experience,” I offered a fair assessment, “now that he’s finally managed to send me somewhere far enough to keep me at a distance, yet close enough that he can quickly arrive if anything happens to me without wasting his time, he’ll probably reward himself by not coming home to deal with me for a few days.”
Miyano Shiho showed an expression that clearly said “I don’t understand but I’m thoroughly impressed.”
I nodded at her, acknowledging her reaction: “That’s right, we’re playing a rather unconventional game.”
“How admirable,” Miyano Shiho responded perfunctorily, then asked, “Have you considered writing a book?”
I answered with complete sincerity: “I’ll consider it. When I’m really short on money someday, this will be one of my emergency money-making methods. You can help promote it within the Organization for me then. I’ll make a limited edition with restricted sales, using an auction model.”
Everyone who knows me and Gin will definitely be scrambling to buy it! The Boss might even secretly purchase a copy to read! I’m sure to make a fortune!
“If you actually write it, I’ll definitely help promote it for free,” Miyano Shiho said with some exasperation, though also with a hint of curiosity. “Aren’t you afraid Gin will get angry?”
I remained silent for a long time before picking up my coffee cup and replying in a steady tone: “Let me put it this way, Sherry. Ever since I met Gin, he’s always been angry more often than not.”
Miyano Shiho: “…”
“So? Looking at it this way, don’t I really seem like true love?”
Miyano Shiho initially wanted to mock me, but after opening her mouth, she found she couldn’t refute this statement. Her expression shifted from exasperation to confusion, until finally her face was filled with seriousness and bewilderment.
“Of course, people in the Organization don’t see it that way.” Remembering previous incidents, I frowned. “Chianti once privately called me Gin’s dog.”
“What nonsense? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
“Exactly! That’s what I thought too! I made the same comment privately and Gin happened to overhear me!”
“…And nothing happened after that?” Miyano Shiho looked at me with a complicated expression and commented, “Maybe you really are true love.”
“But there are still parts that don’t add up. I’m working hard to solve the mystery,” I said, then offered my own preference. “Though rather than being a dog, I’d prefer to be a cat. That way, when I’m unhappy I can hit my owner, and then the owner has to come comfort me.”
Miyano Shiho half-opened her eyes and said: “Isn’t that already the case now?”
“Not at all, still far from it.” I shook my head, sighed, adjusted my earpiece, and made a shushing gesture toward the other person. “Keep quiet for a moment, let me hear their reaction.”
“Huh? Did you plant a listening device? On whom?”
“No, remote listening devices have distance limitations and are easily detected due to signal issues. I installed software on Vodka’s phone—after he answers my call, I can activate it with a command. Right now, his phone is essentially my listening device. But he probably put it in his pocket, the sound is a bit faint. Let’s stay quiet.Miyano Shiho looked like she wanted to complain about me again, but she ultimately held back, calmly getting up to check on her experimental group of white mice via the monitor.
Meanwhile, I quietly pricked up my ears to listen to the situation over there.
The sounds from the other end were initially quite noisy but soon grew much quieter, likely because the task force had assembled.
I also heard a familiar voice: “Quite rare—that woman didn’t tag along like an obedient lapdog this time?”
…Hmm, Chianti again.
Why does it feel like her repertoire of insults is getting even more limited?
Vodka immediately retorted, “Chianti, if Cocoa Wine finds out you said that, she’ll target you again.”
“Hah, as if I’m afraid of that brat.”
This time, it was Chianti’s partner Korn who spoke up: “You might not be afraid, but you’ve fallen for her pranks more than once. To avoid trouble, just say less.”
Chianti exploded: “Hey! Whose partner are you anyway? Just because Cocoa Wine said your outfit makes you look more like a proper sniper, you’re taking her side now?! Don’t think I didn’t notice you sneaking off to have afternoon tea with her last time! You just thought eating those overly sweet afternoon tea desserts alone was too girly, so you used her as cover, and now you keep defending her, right?!”
I listened with a grave expression—Chianti’s judgment was mistaken.
The one who wanted afternoon tea was only me. Korn sought me out because he wanted to ride the Ferris wheel, but a man over thirty riding it alone seemed odd, so he asked me to help provide cover.
His concern over his image was actually quite heavy too.
“You’re mistaken. I just don’t want to be dragged into your mess. Besides, Cocoa Wine doesn’t seem like Gin’s dog at all—she hardly listens to him.”
“…That’s true. Tch, who knows how Gin raised her… Hey, Vodka, you’re always with those two, right? What do you think she’s like?”
“Huh? I… I think Cocoa Wine is more like… a wild horse the boss is raising without reins…?”
At that, silence fell—both from me eavesdropping and from the sniper duo listening openly on their end.
The topic ended without any further conflict and was very deliberately shifted to mission-related matters.
After the mission concluded, I overheard them chatting about a new member.
“Oh, almost forgot to mention—there’s a new codename member on the sniper team, called Scotch. Vodka, let Cocoa Wine know.”
“Ah, sure… Is there something about him that Cocoa Wine needs to pay attention to?”
“That’s not it. It’s just that I remember her first reaction to all snipers is to dislike them and pick a fight. I thought having a new target might make her hold less of a grudge against Chianti.”
“…Korn, given Cocoa Wine’s memory and tendency to hold grudges, having one more person to torment won’t stop her from targeting Chianti.”
Then silence fell over there again.
On my end, I calmly started eating senbei crackers.
Vodka really understands me.
But Scotch… I recognize that name, though I have no intention of contacting him.
With so many people in our Organization, who knows how many have mixed motives and different purposes. The narrower my social circle, the fewer personal troubles I have. Even though Gin always comes to rescue me whenever I’m in danger… precisely because of that, I can’t let my guard down! Otherwise, I might easily become dependent!
I patiently listened to their random chatter and perked up when Gin arrived, pricking up my ears to listen.
Vodka remembered my request, probably considering how easily I hold grudges. After Gin got in the car, he said: “Big brother, Cocoa Wine called earlier.”
Gin’s voice carried a hint of impatience: “What is it now?”
“She asked me to tell you that she’s a woman of her word… ahem, that she keeps her promises, and that she’s already found it. She didn’t specify what she found, but it seems like it should be something you mentioned… She sounded quite pleased with herself.”
“Oh? That troublesome brat…” Gin sneered, then suddenly paused, his voice turning cold instantly. “Pull over, Vodka. Check yourself.”
“Huh? O-okay… But big brother, I already checked earlier. There are no bugs or listening devices from Cocoa Wine on me or in the car.”
“Check again, then hand me your phone.”
“My phone… Huh?! Why does it show the call is still connected… I was sure I hung up earlier!”
…Gin is so sharp! And so cautious! And he understands me so well!
My expression turned serious. I took a sip of my now cold coffee and frowned. Just as I was about to hang up, I heard that familiar voice deliberately lowered, almost like a whisper, carrying a warning tone: “Cocoa Wine, get over here right now.”
I remained silent for a moment, turned on the mute button, and said: “No! You’re the one who told me to stay away earlier!”
He seemed to laugh in anger, actually letting out a short, cold laugh: “Do you need me to come pick you up personally?”
I was taken aback. Even though I knew this was sarcastic and meant as a rhetorical question…
Since he dared to ask, I dared to answer. So I responded straightforwardly: “Yes.”
“…” Even Gin fell silent for two seconds before replying calmly, “Fine, wait there.”
…What’s going on? His calmness is actually more frightening!
I put down my phone, took off my earphones, and looked at the girl who had just emerged from the monitoring room. Meeting her questioning gaze, I said calmly: “See, I won. Now he even wants to personally come pick me up and take me home.”
Miyano Shiho: “You’d be more convincing if you could hide the guilt on your face.”