Good grief—he was waiting for me here!
I let my guard down! This guy can strike out of nowhere! No wonder he’s top 1 in our field—his timing for delivering a decisive blow is impeccable!
I couldn’t help giving him a scrutinizing look, a hint of suspicion in my eyes—could he be doing this on purpose?
But Oda Sakunosuke, like Ayanami Rei, doesn’t give anything away through his expression.
After staring for a long time and getting nothing, I reluctantly withdrew my gaze and decided to bluff my way out: “I don’t know. Anyway, this set is a better deal—cheaper than buying separately.”
“Oh,” the red-haired boy replied. After walking a short distance, he suddenly added, “I thought this was a couple’s set.”
…You already know that! You’re just asking to make me embarrassed, aren’t you! You picked the wrong person—I’ve got a thick skin!
I calmly replied as we walked: “Anyway, it’s cheaper, even if it’s a parent-child set, we’ll wear it.”
Oda Sakunosuke: “Mm.”
The little episode passed quickly. I didn’t think much of it—mainly because I had no romantic intentions, and Oda Sakunosuke naturally seemed to lack that kind of impulse.
It’s not that he’s dense or clueless—someone like him, working solo in our line, would have to understand people well to survive. From casual chatter, you can tell he’s perceptive, probably more so than me. He often ponders philosophical questions, whereas I start thinking about what to eat when faced with something complicated.
He just doesn’t seem to consider matters of romance… or maybe he doesn’t have those emotions? His feelings are sparse, to be honest.
After all, he’s an Ayanami Rei type.
Anyway, I wouldn’t tell anyone, “Just smile at this moment.”
Of course, I quietly reminded myself not to let him know I was thinking that he’s an Ayanami Rei type, especially since I dragged him to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion—he already knows the reference.
Speaking of which, I’m a bit frustrated—this guy has no interest in entertainment at all. No movies, no dramas, no manga. Even music, he only knows one or two old songs. No wonder a single novel could suddenly move him—his mental life was like a desert before.
Now I’m not even that curious about the novel that changed him—it might be ordinary, and he’s just impressed because he hasn’t read much.
I guess I’m generous—that’s why I shared my cherished “mental nourishment” with him.
Partly because recommending things is enjoyable, and Oda Sakunosuke, besides being reserved, is a perfect audience—he accepts suggestions without arguing.
And when I recommend something, we naturally end up chatting.
After all these days, I consider him a friend. I don’t know if his previous promise to “protect me” was genuine, but he certainly isn’t going to kill me—so friendship is fine.
And the first rule of friendship is understanding each other.
“I learned a truth very early in life: the wise avoid love,” I said while eating chips, pulling him along to watch The Godfather. I even handed him the chip bag.
“Did you see something that made you think that?” Oda Sakunosuke took a chip, then handed the bag back.
“Mm. When I was little, there was an older assassin sister who was very kind to me. Later she joined the port Mafia, fell in love with a man, and eloped with him. Unfortunately, they were eventually caught…” I paused, glancing at the TV scene where Michael Corleone’s new wife is killed by revenge, “Anyway… the man was executed, and the sister returned to the organization.”
Come to think of it, this happened just last year.
Because of that, I tried to help her, accidentally exposing my identity, and later got caught by that idiot tycoon, who chased me.
That experience left a psychological scar and cemented three rules for me: love is unreliable, work alone, never join the port Mafia.
Oda Sakunosuke gave a very measured response: “Eloping like that is betrayal in the Mafia, even if they truly loved each other. In this world, there is no forgiveness—only revenge for betrayal.”
On TV, Michael Corleone was grieving his wife’s death, deciding to return to the family to avenge her killers.
I glanced at him: “Wait—putting aside the last sentence, do you even know what true love is?”
“Although I haven’t experienced it, it’s not hard to understand. I’ve seen people kill for love before.”
“Ah… that happens quite often, huh,” I muttered, opening a soda and taking a sip. “As for what you just said, I don’t think so. I’m still alive, right? If that’s the case, wouldn’t it mean you forgave me?”
The red-haired boy paused, processing for a moment, then calmly replied: “No. Kikuue, you didn’t betray anyone, so you don’t need my forgiveness. I’m not in a position to grant it.”
“For me, it’s the same thing. I’m only responsible for myself. I’m honest with myself, so there’s no betrayal or unforgivable thing in my life,” I said firmly. “But absolutely don’t join the port Mafia! I hate them! Ah… yes! That’s betrayal! If you join, it’s betrayal against me!”
He looked at me, his blue eyes steady, and nodded. “Mm, understood.”
I was satisfied.
For now, with me around, it’s fine—but as the saying goes, every feast ends eventually. I don’t know when or why we might part ways. Even if I’m gone, I hope my first partner in this life will do well.
…Even if he cut off my financial path.
Still, I truly dislike the port Mafia.
With that thought, I added a few more warnings: “And when you choose a partner later, don’t pick someone from the port Mafia. Doesn’t matter female, male, trans, or non-human.”
A normal person might protest here, but he just nodded: “Okay.”
“…Well, expecting a protest would be too much. Let me think… Ah, yes. Tonight’s omelette rice—you cook it!”
“Mm, and you, Kikuue?”
“I’ll handle the ketchup!”
“Good.”
“…Really?”
Honestly, I’m pretty satisfied with my current life. It’s like I’m living my imagined retirement life early—and I found an ideal roommate.
Sometimes I’m curious about Oda Sakunosuke’s ability. His emotional detachment seems related to it. But abilities are private, just like Stand users won’t reveal their powers. Asking about someone’s ability is as rude as asking to see them naked.
Just as I won’t reveal mine to him—for me, showing it is as shameful as streaking naked.
“Hmm… I think it’s time for a new job,” I thought on the way home.
The convenience store is just part-time work. The manager is nice, but it’s not a long-term option.
But other jobs suitable for our age…
“Damn it! Why isn’t there an easy way to make big money?” I muttered, then realized—well, there was before, I just can’t do it anymore.
Damn x2.
“Well, at least I can avoid the trouble from before…” I muttered, slowing my steps and finally stopping.
No one was around; silence was all. But I sensed something unusual.
“…Whatever, what’s meant to happen will happen,” I muttered, resigned, and turned to face the coming fight.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven… plus two nearby snipers—nine in total.
Hm, no problem. Should be easy to handle.
Just need to finish this before my roommate arrives.