Chapter 109

Upon hearing the system's sales pitch, Bo Yezaki fell silent for a moment.

【...Are you really suspicious of the value system?】

System: [Huh? I really am? What's wrong?]

[It's nothing, just shut up. You can't use my suspicion level anyway, so stop making me doubt you.]

system:【……? ? ? 】

Ignoring the system, Usoppei focused on Vodka, saying, "I suggest you intensify your investigation into Moroboshi Dai. Why would he participate in this kind of mission? I told you long ago he's not trustworthy. Look, the mission failed the moment he arrived, and he was the first to jump out and accuse me of being an undercover agent, trying to divert everyone's attention... Oh, and Gin too..."

"I understand, I understand, everything will be investigated."

The vodka was very perfunctory.

After all, it's obvious from the name that Usoya Saiki's nomination is full of personal grudges that it's hard to take it seriously.

Of all the nominations by Usakabe Saiki, only the one he felt made some sense, because Usakabe Saiki was indeed very suspicious, but since he nominated it himself, it seemed particularly bizarre.

But considering this was the story of Usoppō Saiki, it became understandable. Vodka stopped making a fuss and arranged for people to investigate this troublesome group overnight.

For a while, the members who participated in this failed mission will probably be marginalized. Among them, the one with the best relationship with Vodka is Scotland. He is very sorry to be implicated, but this is for the sake of stability. Scotland also expressed his understanding.

What? You're asking if Gin and he don't get along?

Of course, the eldest brother is not within the scope of the investigation! Assigning a personal investigation to Bo Yezaki is already a waste of human resources, how can we waste them on the eldest brother too! You really don't know the value of money until you're in charge!

Usakabe Saiki has already gone back to the next room to sleep, Vodka is still working overtime late into the night, and Gin is also trying to find other ways to make up for the failure of the mission.

Another sleepless night. When I woke up the next day, only Usoya Saiki didn't have dark circles under her eyes.

Usakabe Saiki seemed oblivious to how disliked he was. He had the hotel deliver breakfast to his room, then took the tray to the next room and ate his breakfast while watching Vodka and Gin at work and turning on the TV.

Vodka: "...Can't you go back to your own room?"

"Of course not. I might be a traitor now. If a normal person is suspected of being a traitor, they would try to reduce the suspicion, such as by staying in the sight of others."

After Bo Yezhai finished speaking confidently, he took a bite of the steamed bun.

The hotel breakfast was good. The steamed buns were still hot even after being delivered for a while. When you bite into one, the rich aroma of meat fills the air, making even vodka, who had little appetite due to staying up late and being too hungry, start to rumble in his stomach.

Vodka: "…………"

Bo Yezaki looked at him and asked, "Do you want to eat?"

Vodka was already about to wash his hands: "Eat."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Vodka saw the condemning gaze of Bo Ye Zaiqi.

? ? ?

What's wrong now?! Can't he eat?!

"You're so incredibly naive!" Bo Yezhaiji exclaimed in anguish. "I'm a suspect! Aren't you afraid I'll drug your food?! How have you survived this long, being so trusting!"

Vodka: "…………"

"Never mind, we're friends after all. I can't eat any more anyway, so you can have this bun," Bo Yezhai said generously.

Vodka's lips twitched: "I'll go order food..."

“I ordered right at the end of breakfast time, so you can’t order now and can only order takeout. By the time it arrives, you’ll be starving… Besides, I’m right here. Don’t you trust me as a friend?”

Vodka screamed inwardly, "Wasn't that you who was just saying I wasn't wary?!" But after a long night, he didn't want to argue with Usakabe anymore. He said a dry thank you, went to wash his hands, and came back to eat the steamed buns Usakabe had left for him.

Usoppai didn't ask Gin, because Gin had already been blocked by him.

Vodka knows Gin's habits; he's definitely not in the mood to eat right now, but he really can't skip meals, and eating is also for better work performance—he believes his older brother understands that! He's not slacking off!

After having a light snack, Vodka went back to work.

As soon as he sat back down, Vodka suddenly found it difficult to concentrate and his consciousness began to become blurred.

Usakabe Saiki's voice seemed to come from a distant place: "Vodka, are you feeling sleepy?"

"Um……"

Vodka struggled desperately, then belatedly realized something was wrong: "Potnis, you actually... drugged me..."

Before he could finish speaking, Vodka collapsed onto the table.

Before going to sleep, I contributed a wave of doubts to Bo Yezhaiji.

[It's really not easy to raise suspicion levels for vodka.] Ubuya Saiki remarked with considerable emotion. [The short-acting sleeping pills I got from the lucky bag are pretty effective! Even though I don't need them, they've come in handy now, so it's not a bad deal.]

[It's because you sleep so well... I don't understand how you can sleep so well.]

The system recalled its previous hosts, who were all suffering from insomnia due to stress, hair loss, or stomach problems... It was unbelievable that Bo Yezaki was so healthy.

If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear. I live an upright life, and with no worries, I naturally sleep soundly.

system:【…………】

Have some shame... The vodka you tricked is still groveling in front of you!!! What do you mean by blatantly lying?!

Vodka's sudden collapse, coupled with the leak of bizarre information about this mission, made even Gin, who didn't want to deal with Usui Saiki, unable to help but contribute a wave of suspicion.

Gin raised his gun and pointed it at Usui: "Explain yourself."

"There's nothing to explain, it's just like you see."

Usoya Saiki began trying to raise suspicion by using the riddle-maker approach, after all, you have to try every method to see which one is more effective: "Is it okay to leave him like this? Something might go wrong."

These ambiguous yet seemingly dangerous words immediately triggered a surge of suspicion from Gin, who had become somewhat indifferent to Usui Saiki.

"What kind of drug did you give me?"

"you guess."

Gin had already released the safety, but he was still hesitant about whether to fire.

This is a hotel. He didn't install a silencer. Even if it turns out to be just a particularly outrageous outburst by Usui Saiki, the Boss still doesn't intend to pursue the matter. Instead, it's his shooting that caused a riot, attracted the police, and left no trace before things were cleaned up...

Gin kept his gun pointed at Saiki Usaba, his body moving towards Vodka, but his eyes were fixed on Usaba, not missing a single detail, trying to deduce the reason for Usaba's sudden attack.

But Usakabe Saiki just sat relaxed on the sofa, even adding sugar to his coffee as if nothing was wrong, seemingly not worried at all that a bullet might hit him at any moment.

Gin's hand had already touched the vodka. He checked the carotid artery in the neck, found the heartbeat was steady, and then listened carefully—

Vodka was snoring softly.

Gin: "…………"

His suspicions and murderous intent suddenly froze.

Gin paused for a moment, then asked, "Sleeping pills?"

Usakabe Saiki's expression changed slightly: "...Guess again."

Gin sneered: "It's just sleeping pills."

Having confirmed this, Gin decided to go back to work.

Bo Yezaki exclaimed in surprise, "Are you just going to leave Vodka like that? What if he suffocates if he lies down like that?"

Gin thought coldly, "Oh, so this is what that kid meant by 'maybe something bad will happen'—suffocating to death because of an incorrect position after taking sleeping pills. That's really not good."

After all, he was his underling. Gin impatiently turned Vodka's head to the side to ensure he could breathe properly, and then walked to his seat.

Unconvinced, Usoppei pressed on, "You actually have a grudge against Vodka, don't you? Why are you so cold-hearted after your partner got into trouble? Shouldn't you be questioning me about why I did it? Tell me, what makes me seem like a traitor?"

Gin had already put the safety off the gun and ignored Usui Saiki's questions.

No need to ask, it's probably some nonsense like "As a friend, I saw that Vodka was working too hard staying up all night, so I let him rest," or "I'll teach Vodka a lesson and let him know that you can't just eat anything provided by someone who's suspected of being a traitor."

Vodka really needs to learn his lesson. He knew perfectly well what kind of person Usoya Saiki was, yet instead of staying away, he went even closer to him... Hopefully, after this incident, Vodka will be smarter and won't make the same mistake again.

Gin ignored everyone and stopped contributing any more suspicion points. The only one who was somewhat cooperative and could keep up with the conversation was asleep. Usui Saiki also felt that staying here was pointless.

"As a suspect, I won't be participating in any missions lately... So, can I leave now?"

Gin remained unmoved.

Bo Yezhai left the room dejectedly, then went next door to pack his luggage and leave.

However, he wasn't alone when he left.

Vodka stayed up all night arranging work, so the members of the organization responsible for investigating and tracking Usakawa Saiki were in place early this morning.

Because the task involved tracking and investigating codenamed members, which required a high level of secrecy, this mission was assigned to a codenamed member named Tequila.

Tequila was in Kansai and hadn't participated in this mission, so she wasn't a suspect and was assigned to track Potts.

Last night, Tequila heard the code name "Potnis" for the first time. After receiving the information, he remarked that young people these days can get code names so easily, wondering if it's because they have a good father.

Then he began to focus on tracking Usaku Saiki.

Because Vodka had provided the address, Tequila stayed in the hotel lobby, pretending to wait for someone, but actually secretly observing whether anyone resembling Potts would appear.

It has to be said that Potts was dressed quite conspicuously. Tequila spotted him as soon as he appeared and realized that he was dragging a suitcase and was not just going out for a short trip. Tequila quickly and quietly followed him.

At first, Tequila thought that Potts would get on a vehicle and maybe go back to Tokyo, but soon found that the other party had turned and twisted and entered a lively alley.

To avoid being discovered, Tequila followed the person from a distance. When he noticed there were more people around, he wasn't too worried. After all, Potts had such a large suitcase and was dressed so conspicuously that he couldn't walk fast and couldn't possibly disappear.

However, five minutes later, Tequila realized that she was very wrong.

Potts has disappeared!

Thinking about it carefully, this route really doesn't seem like the way someone carrying a large suitcase should take... Could it be that there really is something shady going on?!

He tracked down the real thing?! Is Potness really a traitor?!

--------------------

good evening.

Has everyone started school yet?

.

Thin Leaf: Attempting to take the Riddler route had some effect, but not significant. Gin is my lifelong nemesis.

Sleeping Vodka: Is no one speaking up for me?

Gin: He wants you to get a good night's sleep, or he wants you to learn a lesson. The choice is yours.

Vodka: ...

.

Tequila was the one who got blown up right at the beginning of the story because someone wanted to kill him, and he got the wrong box... extremely unlucky.

It's exactly the Kansai accent.