Do It Once and I’ll Tell You
“No reward needed.”
Seeing this reply, I maintained Masuyama Nana’s emotionless persona without changing my expression.
However, my mind was already racing – things that come for free are usually the most expensive, there must be something wrong with this!
Perhaps because I was lost in thought, I stared at my phone for a bit too long. Matsumoto Sayuri took a sip of her lemon tea and looked at me with curiosity: “What’s wrong? Is it your Great White Shark?”
…That sounds so weird! Even though I came up with that nickname myself earlier!
I quickly replied to the message, deleted it, and calmly put my phone away: “No, it’s the Siamese cat I just met.”
Matsumoto Sayuri: “…?”
Clearly, my metaphor left Matsumoto Sayuri confused.
But since Masuyama Nana’s character was supposed to be an eccentric, emotionless type, Matsumoto Sayuri accepted it quite well and changed the subject, starting to ask about my study abroad experiences.
Fortunately, I actually did study in America, so I could answer fluently without revealing any flaws. Matsumoto Sayuri was also an easygoing, good-natured person who was easy to get along with. She even made an effort to take care of me. And all this was just because I had helped her with a small favor back then, even though that trouble was something I deliberately created to get close to her.
When we parted, Matsumoto Sayuri gave me some chocolate with a smile: “I’ll be spending Valentine’s Day with my lover, so I’m giving you chocolate early.”
I was surprised for a moment before accepting it: “Thank you.”
I wasn’t particularly surprised by her gesture… because back when I was studying at Teitan High School, I used the excuses “As someone who returned from abroad, I don’t understand Japanese Valentine’s Day etiquette – shouldn’t girls be receiving gifts on Valentine’s Day?” and “I don’t care, I want chocolate too, consider this as proof of our friendship” to ask for chocolate from all the girls I was on good terms with.
As long as I acted strange enough, they couldn’t hold me to their standards.
So during my high school days, I was always the one receiving chocolate every Valentine’s Day, without ever having to make obligatory chocolate gifts for others.
I just didn’t expect Matsumoto Sayuri to still remember this… She’s really a good girl. To repay her, I’ll help her find out whether her lover is reliable or not, I secretly decided.
Since I went shopping with Matsumoto Sayuri, I didn’t have Pisco’s arranged driver follow me the whole time. After we finished, I found a place to change back into my usual clothes, rubbed my cheeks that had grown stiff from maintaining a deadpan expression, and headed to the research institute – not Sherry’s, but the one I work at.
The research institute I’m responsible for has been renovated and put back into use.
Unlike Sherry’s drug research, what I’m responsible for is technology-oriented.
But even though I’m in my own research institute, that doesn’t mean I can’t chat with Sherry.
“I used to pester Gin every Valentine’s Day before, but this time I boldly showed some rebellious intent. If I act the same as previous years, I’ll be at a disadvantage!”I unwrapped the handmade chocolate Matsumoto Sayuri gave me, tossed a piece into my mouth, and said vaguely: ‘So Shiho, what do you think I should do?””
“Do you really think it’s appropriate to ask a thirteen-year-old this question?” Miyano Shiho’s voice on the other end of the line sounded remarkably calm. “I’ll go ask my sister about their Valentine’s Day plans. At worst, the three of you can spend it together.”
That Sherry, as always, possessed an unreachable level of deadpan humor.
“I don’t have a habit of intruding on other people’s relationships, okay? And I absolutely hate watching couples show off their affection.” I checked the latest data while responding lazily, “But if you agree to join us, I’m in. We could have a double date.”
“I already told you, you pervert, I’m only thirteen.” Miyano Shiho used her trademark dry delivery, “Then just be direct with Gin. With your ability to make a scene—crying, making threats, and pretending to hang yourself—even if he refuses at first, he’ll eventually agree to be your boyfriend.”
“Don’t make me sound so unreasonable! I’m actually very rational!” I complained verbally, though I didn’t actually dispute Miyano Shiho’s suggestion.
It wasn’t that I didn’t know or agree with what she said… but that approach would be meaningless. It’s not like I don’t understand Gin. Even if I succeeded through such methods, our current relationship might actually be more comfortable than what would result.
No matter what, I need to make him admit he likes me himself!
Miyano Shiho noticed my topic evasion and asked directly: “Why not just be straightforward? This overly roundabout approach isn’t like you. What are you worried about?”
…Well, Sherry really is a perceptive girl.
Of course, she was just saying that—she definitely wouldn’t know what I’m actually trying to probe.
I dragged out my words, using a matter-of-fact tone: “Not worried about anything at all. I have nothing to be concerned about. Because Gin’s patience with me is like pi—on a ten-point scale it doesn’t even reach passing, but it’s truly endless.”
“…Hmm, truly what you deserve.”
“What do I deserve?”
“Nothing.”
I had a feeling Sherry was secretly insulting me, but without evidence, I simply let it go.
However… I did have a Valentine’s Day plan in mind.
The day before Valentine’s, I generously gave myself a day off and went out with my camera to take photos. It wasn’t that I was particularly obsessed with photography, but one of my alternate identities had photography as a hobby. I had my eye on a photography exhibition and decided to enter as Masuyama Nana.
My photography skills are actually decent, since Gin had forced me into all those hobby classes before, including photography lessons.
It’s just… my luck today was particularly bad.
Originally, I was just crouching by a flower bed taking pictures.
Right at that moment, a couple nearby who were too lost in each other to notice their surroundings started showing affection. The guy lifted the girl and spun her around, bumping into me. I stumbled and fell directly into the flower bed. Fortunately, my knees landed on soil, so it didn’t hurt much.
After regaining my balance, I suddenly turned to glare at the culprits, only to find the couple sweetly calling each other “Mickey” and “Celine,” completely oblivious to their surroundings. They didn’t seem to notice me, the victim, as they clung to each other and walked away.
I remained rooted to the spot, my face a mask of disbelief. What kind of people were they?! I’d remember those two!
It was then that I heard a chuckle. Though the person quickly stifled it and tried to cover it up with a few deliberate coughs.
I turned my head and saw it was someone I actually knew.
“Sorry,” the blond young man struggled to suppress his upturned lips as he stepped forward, bending down to offer me his hand. “Are you alright?”
I stared at him for a moment before placing my hand in his and standing up. Brushing the dirt off my knees, I replied calmly, “I’m fine. I’ve just decided to dedicate tomorrow exclusively to ruining couples.”
“…” Bourbon’s expression turned slightly strange. He hesitated, held back, but couldn’t resist asking, “How do you plan to do that?”
Still perfectly composed, I answered, “I’ll go to places crowded with couples, hire staff to set up generic marriage proposals, specifically targeting couples. I’ll set traps to make the girl think she’s being proposed to, leaving the guy unable to explain himself. If anyone tries to take advantage of the situation, I’ll have other actors step in to claim it was their proposal, making everyone awkward. In short, no couple will enjoy their Valentine’s Day.”
Bourbon: “…”
I glanced at his expression and added slowly, “That’s right. I’m petty and have no class. Got a problem with that?”
Bourbon: “…Not at all.”
I figured he must have been so impressed by my ingenious idea that he was left speechless. Seeing him rendered silent like this, I felt I’d regained some dignity, and the irritation from being laughed at earlier subsided considerably. I turned to face him directly. “So, what do you want? This can’t be a coincidence, right?”
“It was your request, wasn’t it?” Bourbon wore a smile, deliberately pausing for effect. “Find me first, then we’ll talk.”
Hmm… that was indeed the reply I’d given him earlier. In response to his “no reward needed” comment, I’d simply said, “Then find me first.”
But… being this proactive? Highly suspicious.
Since Bourbon was also in the intelligence division… was this still related to intel? Or was it on Rum’s orders?
Crossing my arms, I studied him with a scrutinizing gaze and decided to test the waters directly.
“Alright, you found me. Congratulations, you passed the first round.” I lowered my hands, took two steps forward, placed one hand on his shoulder, leaned in close to his ear, and whispered, “What do you want to know from me? Sleep with me once, and I’ll tell you. How about that?”
Then, I watched as Bourbon froze completely in that instant, his face showing sheer astonishment. He snapped his head toward me, his gaze filled with disbelief.
Though he recovered quickly and immediately masked his reaction, that initial look of shock was enough for me to gauge the situation.
The scheme had succeeded beyond my expectations, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. That reaction made Bourbon quickly grasp my true intention. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he looked back at me, his gaze held a subtle nuance, his smile turning somewhat forced. “Is this kind of joke amusing to you?”
“Not treating it as a joke works too.” I took a step back to create distance, maintaining the smile on my face since I was in a good mood. Raising my hand, I rubbed my chin with my index finger while staring thoughtfully at the blond young man before me with crimson eyes, calmly assessing him. “Your reaction just now clearly shows you’re not interested in me personally, so there’s no need to act—you can’t fool me. Whether you’re after some benefit or information, you’d better bring out bargaining chips that interest me. I’m still quite willing to make equivalent exchanges. If you really want to use your body as a bargaining chip, that’s fine too, but you’ll need good skills. Poor technique would mean you owe me information instead.”
After saying this, I turned and walked away, raising a hand in a casual wave to signal my departure. After a few steps, I paused, glanced back at him, and added while pointing.
“Ah, right. If you’re approaching me because of Boss Gin,” I curled my lips into a grin and said cheerfully, “I suggest you give up as soon as possible. This isn’t a warning—it’s advice.”