novelraw Chapter 40: Victory!
Chapter 40: Victory!
"If I just read from the slides you gave me, there shouldn't be any major problems. However, the fact that I've never sung before does raise suspicion," said Shiori Kisaragi.
Kirihara Akira casually strummed the electronic keyboard, randomly pressing F keys, and said, "The most important thing is whether you can fool the people you want to fool."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "I've wanted to ask this for a long time. If the Metropolitan Police Department was only targeting the Suruga Group, there was no need for them to go to such lengths to infiltrate you into the school. Does your presence in the school mean that you also have targets there, or rather, the yakuza?"
Shiori Kisaragi was clearly uncomfortable wearing this outfit, and she tugged at the hem of her clothes somewhat awkwardly. She was a beat slow to react before looking up and saying, "Ah, that's exactly what I was going to tell you."
"The details of this matter, well, in general, must be kept confidential."
What nonsense is this guy spouting… Kirihara Akira suddenly snapped, “But what?”
"However, I reported your situation." Seeing his tense expression, Shiori Kisaragi quickly added, "I told the class that I have a potential informant, reported the situation, and asked if it's possible to recruit him, of course, anonymously."
Kirihara Akatsuki asked curiously, "Anonymous? Is that allowed?"
"Theoretically, it's not possible, but our country doesn't have a sufficiently comprehensive witness protection program, and many people are unwilling to provide clues under their real names, so... you know," Shiori Kisaragi said.
"This serves as a proper procedure to complete our relationship, so that when Madam pursues the matter later, we'll have something to say."
"That's very thoughtful," Kirihara Akatsuki exclaimed. "You're not just a die-hard conscientious person, are you?"
Kisaragi Shiori glared at him and said, "You don't need to praise me. It's all your fault. I haven't even finished asking you about your situation."
"What do you want to ask?" Kirihara Akira felt at ease. The two of them had already talked about many things since they met, and he really didn't have anything to hide.
Kisaragi Shiori said seriously, "I'll only ask you one question: are you doing all this to take revenge on the yakuza?"
Kirihara Akira stated decisively, "No."
Kisaragi Shiori's expression softened slightly, and she asked, "Then what is it for?"
"You know my situation, I've mentioned it before, it's all for survival," Kirihara Akira said. "After my parents passed away, I moved into the Mori family's house, but I'm not really a member of the Mori family. I have no idea whether they will protect me, or for how long."
I know how ruthless the underworld is. They have huge businesses and influence; taking revenge on one or two people means taking out a whole bunch of them. I understand that it's not worth trading my worthless life for theirs.
"I want to cooperate with you because I want to be fully informed. I can't be completely unaware of the situation, and I can't let them secretly harm me."
Shiori Kisaragi felt much more at ease. She sighed, as if she already had the answer in her heart.
Kirihara Akatsuki said with a grin, "Actually, maybe it's because of you, teacher."
Shiori Kisaragi glanced at him and sneered, "Maybe you're also a member of the yakuza, and they sent you to attack my teacher's certificate."
Tsk, why aren't you shy?
Disappointed at not seeing the reaction she wanted, Kirihara Akatsuki changed the subject and said, "So you agree?"
"I have conditions," Shiori Kisaragi said.
"You're such a pain!" Kirihara Akatsuki shouted. "What else do you want?"
Shiori Kisaragi held up one finger: "Two conditions. The first one I mentioned last time is that you are not allowed to do anything dangerous."
"Okay, okay, I promise."
Then, she held up a second finger and said, "Secondly, I need you to do something for me."
Kirihara Akira raised an eyebrow and said, "Speak."
"I want you..." Shiori Kisaragi paused slightly before saying, "Help me get in touch with the Mori sisters naturally and without leaving a trace."
Upon hearing this request, Kirihara Akira was momentarily stunned. He said, "You're going on blind dates with them too?"
"Huh?" Kisaragi Shiori was dumbfounded. "What are you talking about?"
"Ahem." Kirihara Akira, realizing what was happening, coughed awkwardly and said, "It's nothing...no problem, but why do you want to get to know the Mori sisters?"
Having received an affirmative reply, Shiori Kisaragi knew that the matter was settled. She had indeed reached a cooperation agreement with the high school student in front of her, which made her feel a little strange. She quickly composed herself and said, "Now, let's talk about my job duties."
Kisaragi Shiori said, "You should know that this area is Suruga-gumi territory."
Kirihara Akira nodded.
"The Suruga Group is one of the core direct organizations of the Sanei-kai, and is a pair of white gloves owned by the young master of the Sanei-kai." Shiori Kisaragi explained the situation: "These white gloves can faithfully carry out their master's orders. In this turbulent era, their master wants to change and find a way to clean up his act, so they have set their sights on the Mori family because nobles can provide them with endorsement."
"Why the Mori family?" Kirihara Akira asked.
"I don't know. This is the world of important people, and I don't understand it." Shiori Kisaragi shook her head and said, "The intricacies of it are not for me to consider. I'll just say the result: Kaito Yamaei wants to get in touch with the nobility through the two young ladies of the Mori family."
Kirihara Akira said, "In fact, quite a few people hold this view. I don't really understand, are all these people thinking about arranged marriages?"
"Perhaps it's because the Mori family doesn't have a man in charge," Shiori Kisaragi said with a hint of sarcasm. "It could also be because Mrs. Mori is a very conservative leader, and they don't have many loopholes to exploit."
In short, the underworld has already planted informants around them, both inside and outside the school. My task is to find these informants and, incidentally, protect the two young ladies of the Mori family.
Kirihara Akira said, "Your mission shouldn't be to have a direct confrontation with them, right?"
Kisaragi Shiori suddenly felt a sense of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, often including nostalgia or regret), realizing that Kirihara Akira had exceeded her expectations in many ways.
She said, "My job is simply to find them, and once they are found, someone will take care of it."
"Understood." Kirihara Akatsuki pondered for a moment, then said, "I can try to bring them over, but I can't guarantee how they will react."
"It's okay. You just need to make sure I get to know them without revealing my true identity. You don't need to do anything special."
Kirihara Akira nodded and said, "Okay."
Then the room fell silent.
Although she didn't say anything, Kirihara Akira felt that she was up to no good.
Sure enough, after a while, the serious, businesslike expression on her face disappeared, replaced by a gossipy fire: "What's your relationship with those two young ladies?"
Kirihara Akira rolled her eyes and said, "It's about the relationship between my stepmother's beautiful younger sister and the wild boy who came to pick our flowers."
"Ugh, you're so indecent," said Shiori Kisaragi.