If You Say So
I obediently got into the car.
The person driving from the driver’s seat was none other than my colleague Vodka, the very person I had decided to secretly get back at. Despite having a name that sounded like a Russian specialty, he wasn’t actually Russian. However, since this Russian liquor name felt quite familiar to me, I didn’t harbor much resentment toward him.
Even if someone said the wrong thing, I usually got my revenge immediately, so I could always view people with a calm demeanor.
As for the person sitting in the passenger seat—the one who had just arrived in time to save me—he was my nominal and actual guardian, Gin. When others were around, I was used to calling him “Boss Gin” because he was, after all, my superior and had authority over me. However, I generally only needed to follow the Boss’s orders for missions.
And earlier, when I told Vodka that I was Boss Gin’s true love… I wasn’t actually exaggerating. I genuinely suspected it.
Despite how he always acted impatient with me, he never actually harmed me. Every time I was in danger, he would show up immediately to save me, even if he wasn’t nearby or had to interrupt his own mission to do so.
And this situation… had been going on for eight years.
When I first met Boss Gin, I was ten years old, and Rum had handed me over to him to look after for a while because the previous Organization second-in-command tasked with taking care of me had nearly gone bald from stress. At the time, Boss Gin had just received his codename and seemed like a cold-blooded killer through and through. Not only did he show me no special treatment, but he even starved me.
Since he subsisted on alcohol and coffee as his main diet, he had no idea how to take care of a child and never gave me proper meals. When I was little, I was so mistreated and hungry that I ended up chewing on his hair just to get normal food.
Back then, I was determined to get away from this guy as soon as possible… Then, when I was twelve, just as I was about to be handed over to someone else, I almost got into a car accident, and it was him—with a dark expression—who saved me.
After that, every time I was in danger, he would appear, even if I was in a foreign country. I went from being timid and fearful, to utterly confused, and now I’m brimming with confidence. I feel not only invincible but also capable of strutting around the Organization freely—except in front of the Boss.
As Sherlock Holmes wisely said, “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
I had secretly plucked his hair to run a DNA test, ruling out the possibility that we were related by blood… So, if I wasn’t his true love, what other explanation could there be!
Thinking this, I couldn’t help but glance at him with a look of understanding mixed with a hint of smugness.
He noticed, glanced at the rearview mirror, and said coldly, “Cut out that idiotic look!”
“If I’m an idiot, then there are no smart people in this Organization. My IQ test results can beat 99% of the people in the Organization, you know?” I retorted unhappily.
Vodka, who was sitting beside me, couldn’t resist chiming in, “What about the remaining 1%?”
I replied gently, “For the sake of scientific rigor, I can’t be that absolute.”
Vodka: “…”
“Natsume Natsuki.”
Hearing my real name called, my expression immediately shifted, my smile fading.
The speaker merely tilted his head slightly, casting a sidelong glance. His voice remained devoid of emotion, cold and low, carrying a strong warning tone: “If you cause trouble again, I’ll deal with you myself.”
My gaze turned subtle as I turned to look at my reflection in the car window.
In the past, hearing such words would have made me tremble for a while… But now, I could only force down the words I was about to blurt out: You’re lying! You absolutely adore me!
Of course, I wouldn’t actually say that. My mood wasn’t too bad today—no need to amuse myself by irritating my own people. Besides, with outsiders present, I had to save some face for Boss Gin.
Ah, there really aren’t many sensible kids like me left. Boss Gin is truly fortunate.
Thinking this, I shifted my position, leaning forward and wrapping my arms around the shoulders of the person in front of me. I loosely embraced their neck and drew out my tone as I replied, “Yes,” then continued gleefully clinging to them, tightening my hold from loose to firm, resting my chin on their shoulder.
The silver-haired young man frowned slightly, a trace of impatience flashing across his face. He reached out, pressed a hand against my head, and pushed me back a bit, but made no comment about my behavior.
I turned to look at Vodka, conveying with my eyes and expression: See! I told you! How dare you still deny that I’m his true love!
Vodka, who was driving, glanced over a couple of times, his expression hesitant, but ultimately withdrew his gaze and focused on the road.
However, it was clear he wasn’t entirely unaffected.
When Boss Gin went off to carry out his mission and left Vodka to keep an eye on me, he couldn’t help but speak up: “If it were really true love, he wouldn’t usually act like that, would he?”
“I know what you’re talking about,” I nodded understandingly. “Boss Gin doesn’t lay a hand on me or show me any kindness. It seems like he’s being forced, and every time he saves me, he looks unhappy, even gritting his teeth… I get it.”
“…” Vodka looked confused for a moment before replying honestly, “I don’t really get it.”
I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I skillfully retrieved my hidden chocolate-flavored Pocky from the car’s trunk, opened the door, and got out—because Boss Gin doesn’t allow me to eat snacks in his beloved car.
Seeing this, Vodka quickly got out too, since he’d been ordered to keep an eye on me.
“Because he’s resistant,” I said, holding the Pocky in my mouth, my expression serious. “He feels that caring too much about me doesn’t fit his cold-blooded killer persona, so his actions end up so contradictory.”
Vodka: “…”
“What’s with that expression? Can you come up with a second reasonable explanation?” I said discontentedly. “If I had some fatal leverage over Boss Gin, he’d definitely try to kill me first, right? There’s no way he’d protect me.”
Vodka seemed convinced by my argument, but after a moment, he found another point that didn’t sit right with him and asked, “Cocoa Wine, you’ve been following Boss Gin since you were very young, right?”
“Yeah, when I was ten.” I continued munching on Pocky, speaking vaguely, “But it was just for a period of time, on and off… Later I spent time with Rum and Vermouth separately. After getting my doctorate half a year ago and returning, I’ve been staying with Gin ever since. Don’t worry, Gin doesn’t have a Lolita complex or a Hikaru Genji complex.”
I had my suspicions at first, but when I was little he genuinely had this “don’t bother me, kid” expression. After I grew up, he actually became more tolerant and doesn’t reject my affectionate gestures… It’s pretty obvious when you look at it.
“Ah… right. You’re a highly valued researcher in the Organization who was sent to the US for advanced studies.” Vodka showed a look of realization, then seemed to remember something, “But didn’t you say you completed your studies early and should have returned two years ago, Cocoa Wine?”
Me: “Oh, because Gin said I should get a double degree.”
Vodka: “…Wait, then what did you mean before when you said you had classes to attend?”
Me: “Ah, that was the cello lessons Gin signed me up for last month.”
“…” Vodka fell silent for a moment before hesitantly asking, “Cocoa Wine, don’t you think this is just the boss finding ways to keep you busy so you won’t bother him?”
“You don’t understand.” I glanced at him and said meaningfully, “True love isn’t about restricting someone but helping them become better. Gin was even worried my skills weren’t sufficient – when I finished my studies early, he signed me up for various hobby classes. This is definitely an expression of love! Look at me now – I can play five instruments and even know how to use an abacus.”
As I spoke, I wore an extremely confident expression and threw him a determined look.
After Vodka seemed to struggle with whether to say something, probably unable to find a rebuttal, he finally managed with difficulty: “If you say so.”
I knew Vodka had this idealized view of Gin and couldn’t believe he’d genuinely love me. Though he superficially conceded, he was definitely internally complaining about all sorts of things.
Hmph, next time I won’t just mess with his sunglasses – I’ll secretly stick gum in his hat.
“Speaking of which… who else is on this mission?” I asked about business.
Vodka answered quickly: “Oh, it’s Chianti and Korn.”
“Ah… them.” I immediately lost interest.
Vodka paused: “Cocoa Wine, do you have issues with them?”
“Well… not really.” Finding the Pocky a bit dry, I handed the remaining sticks to Vodka to hold for me while I went to the car trunk to get a drink. After taking a sip, I replied, “I just don’t really get along with Chianti.”
Chianti and Korn are two other coded members of the Organization, a sniper duo.
Chianti is also a female member, her most distinctive features being the butterfly tattoo on her left eye and her heavy makeup. The first time we met, I commented that for a sniper, her appearance was way too distinctive, which made her quite unhappy.
And since she has a rather volatile temper while I’m not the type to back down in arguments… this led to us developing a grudge and constantly dissing each other.
Korn was fine—his outfit was normal, with sunglasses and a hat, and he was a man of few words. I thought that was standard sniper attire.
Vodka didn’t deny my words; instead, he subtly showed a hint of agreement.
I sensed something was off, took my Pocky back from him, handed him my drink to hold for me, and continued snacking. “I know she must’ve been talking behind my back… What did she say?”
Vodka once again looked like he wanted to speak but hesitated.
I reminded him, “Even if you don’t tell me, I’ll find out from someone else. But if you don’t say it now, I’ll hold a grudge against you.”
After a moment of silence, Vodka immediately sold her out: “…Chianti said you’re Gin’s dog.”
“…How did she come to that conclusion? I don’t even listen to Boss Gin at all!” I exclaimed in surprise. “If anything, it’s probably the other way around, right?”
Vodka shook his head repeatedly, looking so flustered he was sweating.
I noticed his reaction was off, so I turned around and saw the expressionless man standing there. After a brief silence, I called out to him with sincere enthusiasm, “Ah, Boss Gin, you’ve worked hard.”
“The other way around?” Boss Gin narrowed his eyes slightly, let out a derisive snort, and looked at me as if I were already dead.
After a moment of silence, still unafraid, I walked over, linked my arm with his, and gazed at him with earnest eyes, speaking softly, “You know how it is—sometimes I say things in the heat of the moment.”