Beware of Those Who Report Secretly
Shuichi Akai’s entry into the Organization proceeded quite smoothly.
After all, the FBI was such a large official organization that creating a fake identity that the Organization couldn’t detect wasn’t particularly difficult. The only issue was the channel, but with the connection through the Miyano sisters, that problem was also resolved.
The method of entry didn’t differ much from what he had initially imagined. At first, he thought Natsume Natsuki was one of the more important members, but later, through Miyano Shiho, he met more people. This time, he couldn’t confirm which of that group had recruited him. In any case, the first step was on the right track.
However, Natsume Natsuki left a deep impression on him. While chatting with Akemi Miyano, he unintentionally asked, “I just found out that the organization your sister belongs to is of this nature… So is that Ms. Natsume the same? Last time, she seemed to have sensed something about my past profession. Was it because she said something that led to this recruitment?”
“Hmm… I don’t think so. Natsuki is just a researcher,” Akemi Miyano said with a smile. “She was recruited because she’s a genius in her field, just like Shiho.”
…Oh, right. That young woman seemed unusually close to his girlfriend’s sister. Shuichi Akai couldn’t help but fall silent for a moment.
But the start was good, and he had enough patience not to rush things.
The top priority was to climb the ranks so he could come into contact with more people and uncover a corner of this mysterious Organization.
Of course, necessary probing was still required, and given his current identity, some questions could be asked quite naturally.
“So Shiho’s codename is Sherry…” Shuichi Akai, who had officially passed the assessment and entered the Organization as one of the new members, showed a look of realization. “So all important members of the Organization have alcohol-related codenames?”
“Yes, but you don’t need to worry, Moroboshi. With your skills, I feel you’ll quickly gain the appreciation of the higher-ups and receive a codename,” the Organization member responsible for the task assessment said with a favorable attitude toward the newcomer.
After all, he could see the other’s potential and even felt that this man would likely receive a codename within a few months.
“Thank you for your kind words,” Shuichi Akai smiled faintly, deliberately showing a slightly puzzled expression before quickly concealing it.
The other noticed immediately and asked, “Is something wrong?”
“Ah… it’s nothing,” Shuichi Akai said, but still voiced his question. “I’m just a bit curious… Is there a member in our Organization named Natsume Natsuki?”
“…How do you know…” The other started to ask but then showed a look of understanding and answered his own question. “Right, you entered because you know Sherry…”
So she is indeed part of the Organization…
Shuichi Akai understood clearly and also concluded that Natsume Natsuki’s position in the Organization must be higher than Sherry’s!
This was basic deduction – the Organization didn’t allow the Miyano sisters much contact with others, but when Natsume Natsuki was present, it wasn’t a problem. This showed that the Organization’s trust in Natsume Natsuki was definitely higher than in Miyano Shiho.
But what would be the reason… If the other party was just an ordinary researcher…
“Is that Natsume-san also a member with a codename?” Shuichi Akai asked.
“Well… Regarding her matters, I’d advise you not to inquire too much,” the member answering him glanced at him, his expression turning somewhat complicated. He hesitated, then couldn’t hold back, “Especially you.”
The first part was understandable… but the latter part made Shuichi Akai involuntarily picture a question mark above his head. Why the special emphasis?
“Everyone who previously had ill intentions toward her is now dead,” the other said, his tone growing more serious. “She has powerful people protecting her, the kind who leave no gaps.”
Meanwhile, elsewhere
“Achoo!” I sneezed, sniffled, and turned my head in confusion while muttering, “Who’s talking behind my back?”
“It could also be a cold,” Miyano Shiho beside me said with half-lidded eyes. “Aren’t you going home yet? Based on your past records, the cold war period should be over by now.”
“First of all, this isn’t a cold war. I feel like from his perspective, I’m always the one throwing a tantrum unilaterally… which makes me even angrier just thinking about it. But it’s truly not a cold war—I’m not ignoring anyone, and there’s no need for reconciliation either,” I replied with a serious expression. “And… tonight, Gin has a mission himself, so he wasn’t going to come home anyway. Speaking of which, I think his daily routine has somehow reached immortal levels, plus he treats smoking and drinking like meals… To be honest, I’m a bit worried. What if he dies before me?”
“I don’t even know whether to say you two have a good relationship or a bad one…” Miyano Shiho had sweatdrops on her head, then lowered her head to spear a piece of venison from her plate with a fork. After a moment of silence, she asked, “By the way, let me tell you something—my sister’s boyfriend joined the Organization.”
“Yeah, I know. Looking at his resume, he seems quite capable. He’ll probably rise through the ranks quickly, right? Was the person who recommended him introduced by you?”
“Mmm… After all, my sister asked me to.”
…It was Akemi Miyano who asked?
Well, if not for that connection, given Miyano Shiho’s focus on research in the Organization and her lack of interest in building relationships, she wouldn’t have actively recommended anyone.
“Don’t worry, Akemi isn’t foolish,” I comforted her without saying more.
After all, things have already developed this way. If I were to voice my various conspiracy theories, it would only ruin Miyano Shiho’s appetite.
“…Mmm.” Miyano Shiho nodded, then shifted her concern to another matter. “If my sister’s boyfriend is competent, would he meet your previous annoying requirements?”
“About that…” My expression turned more serious. “Let’s discuss it after confirming he won’t embarrass me.”
I originally intended to tell him. In fact, my tendency to share more with those I’m closer to practically demanded it.
I mean, if I see that the Petri dish colonies today have a particularly interesting shape, I’ll take a photo and send it to Gin—let alone discovering that a new member in the Organization is the family member of a friend I’ve met before.
But given how he mocked me last time and his completely dismissive, underestimating attitude, I’ve decided not to tell him. I even thought about surprising him… Well, never mind, it probably wouldn’t surprise him anyway. Let’s just consider it a potential pleasant surprise for him!
I was reviewing Miyano Shiho’s recent experimental progress report when my phone buzzed with a new email. I picked it up and glanced at it, raising an eyebrow slightly. The content didn’t surprise me much—my subordinates had informed me that Moroboshi Dai had mentioned me after joining the Organization.
Given that we had met before and my intentions during our initial encounter were quite obvious, it was only natural that he’d suspect I had some connection to the Organization, unless he was a complete fool.
After a moment’s thought, I directly requested Moroboshi Dai’s contact information and made the call: “Hello? Mr. Moroboshi, it’s me, Natsume Natsuki.”
Across from me, Miyano Shiho glanced up with mild surprise but wisely remained silent, continuing to write her experimental notes.
The person on the other end seemed unprepared for this call, pausing for a second or two before responding as if just realizing what was happening: “Ah, Miss Natsume… My apologies, was it inappropriate to inquire about you within the Organization?”
“That’s not really important. My secrets aren’t so easily exposed anyway—if you managed to learn anything, that’s your own capability. First off, congratulations on passing the test and joining the Organization.”
“Thank you… Was the Organization’s recruitment of me related to you?”
“Just a little bit,” I replied without shame.
I had played a minor negative role—surely that counted as being involved somehow.
“I see… Should I thank you then?”
“No need,” I answered honestly.
I wasn’t being polite—I genuinely hadn’t done anything worthy of thanks.
“You must be high-ranking then… How should I address you going forward? What’s your code name?”
“You’ll know when it becomes necessary for you to know my code name. I called mainly to give you a warning in advance.”
“Is this advice for all new Organization recruits?”
“It’s advice, but specifically for you.” The laughter in my voice vanished instantly as I lowered my tone into a cold warning: “I don’t care what intentions you have in getting close to Akemi, but if you involve either of the sisters, I’ll kill you.”
After a few seconds of silence, he replied in an utterly calm, ordinary tone: “You’re overthinking things.”
“That would be for the best. Since you’ve decided to join, do your best!” I immediately dropped my threatening demeanor, switching to a friendly tone of encouragement before hanging up. Turning to face Miyano Shiho’s complicated expression, I asked, “What’s wrong, Shiho? Are you that touched?”
“…As if,” Miyano Shiho retorted awkwardly, looking away.
“Don’t be too moved. When I do good deeds, I always make sure the involved parties know—otherwise it’d be a loss for me. So you should understand that I have ulterior motives for deliberately raising your and your sister’s favorability.”
“Right, right. If you have nothing else to do, could you go home? You’re interfering with my work.”
“Even if you’re not touched, could you at least be a little gentler with me…” I replied with slight complaint. Hearing another phone notification, I picked it up and glanced casually at the new email. My expression immediately shifted as I stuffed the phone back into my pocket and jumped up from my chair. “I need to leave immediately!”
Miyano Shiho stared blankly: “Huh? Did something happen?”
“Well… you could call it a major issue.” I said with a grave expression, “Vodka just reported to me that Vermouth has arrived.”