Chapter 175

Bourbon's image within the organization has always been that of a ruthless intelligence operative, with a sly smile that makes him seem like he's plotting against someone.

His unusually serious expression surprised Vodka and the others.

Vodka then poked Bourbon under the table repeatedly, throwing back all of Bourbon's previous complaints.

Bourbon is too brave! Why did he mess with Potts? He shouldn't have talked to him about anything related to undercover work!

Just wait, Potts is about to use this as an excuse to make trouble. Everyone here might end up being accused of being an undercover agent and reported to the Boss...

Vodka had already figured out how to email the boss first to gain the upper hand, and looked pessimistically at Usakawa Saiki, only to find that Usakawa Saiki seemed to be stunned by Bourbon's unconventional actions.

Bo Yezhai hesitated and pondered for a moment.

This reaction made Bourbon have some thoughts in his mind as well.

Did Usaku Saiki understand what he meant?

Bourbon wanted to test too many things: one was whether Usakabe Saiki knew that Ari was an undercover agent; another was whether Usakabe Saiki knew that he was an undercover agent; and yet another was whether Usakabe Saiki knew that he already knew that Ari was an undercover agent—this last one had to be based on the premise that the first two were true.

Even if he guessed wrong, he could simply say that he was just repeating what Usaku Saiki said. Given Usaku Saiki's reputation, no one would really doubt him.

However, as time went by, Usakabe Saiki remained silent for quite some time, and Bourbon's mood sank from anticipation to despair.

Since Bo Ye Saiki remained silent, the others didn't know what to say or dared not say anything, so everyone remained silent, and their suspicions skyrocketed. Apart from Bourbon, who was wondering if he had misjudged Bo Ye Saiki and shouldn't have tested him, everyone else was wondering what kind of trouble he was going to cause next.

Finally, Usoppon Saiki said with a serious expression, "Since you've said that, I'll tell you something privately in a bit."

Bourbon: "...Okay."

This attitude... could it be that they really realized what he was trying to convey and wanted to make contact with him?

Why is this so unusual?! Why is it so obvious?! Couldn't you have at least pretended a little?! Making it so serious, doesn't it seem suspicious?!

He was a bit impulsive; seeing the perfect opportunity, he couldn't resist.

Ultimately, we still haven't figured out whether Usuo Saiki is genuinely mentally ill or just faking it, so discussing serious matters with someone who seems to be mentally ill feels very risky...

Bourbon glanced around and noticed Vodka typing furiously under the table. A surge of tension rose within him; what if he was reporting to Gin or the Boss…

The next second, he felt his phone vibrate.

Bourbon: "…………"

He silently took out his phone and glanced at it, only to find that it was an email from Vodka.

[Don't wait any longer, take him away now!]

"..." Bourbon was speechless, feeling that his worries were like flirting with a blind man. It seemed that everyone's logic and thinking became very wrong whenever they encountered Usui Saiki...

Bo Yezaki stared at his phone: "What's wrong? What did Vodka send you?"

Do you really think he can't see what's going on under the table?

Vodka quickly put his hand back on the table, reaching for his glass as if to cover up his embarrassment: "Nothing, I just suddenly remembered to remind him that his work wasn't finished..."

Bourbon sighed and tried to smooth things over: "Bottenis, I have to leave early now. Do you want to come with me? You don't like drinking anyway, right?"

"I ordered juice..."

Bo Ye Saiki muttered to himself, but still agreed to leave with Bourbon first.

As Bourbon walked down the corridor, he suddenly heard a familiar voice amidst the slightly noisy background noise.

"Yes, 7 pm, we need to book a private room, about a dozen people..."

Bourbon: "...!!!"

It's Kenji Hagiwara's voice! What's he doing here?!

But we can't stop now; we still can't be sure what's really going on with Usui Saiki. If we're suspected, it'll be troublesome...

Bourbon quickly scanned the source of the sound and found that Kenji Hagiwara was standing at the front desk with his back to them, discussing reservations with someone.

It's alright, as long as I'm quick and leave before Kenji Hagiwara turns around...

Bourbon pretended to be calm and continued walking towards the door, with Usakata Saiki following behind him in a similarly calm manner.

Of course, Usakabe Saiki also noticed Hagiwara Kenji and immediately realized that Hagiwara Kenji was planning to use this place as the location for the evening's social gathering and was making arrangements in advance.

Unexpectedly, they ran into each other here not long after they parted ways. Tokyo is really small.

However, he didn't care. What he wanted to do was raise suspicion levels. Even if Kenji Hagiwara thought he looked familiar, it would be a good thing for him, but not necessarily for Bourbon.

If Kenji Hagiwara doesn't react in time and instinctively acts as if he recognizes Bourbon... that would be interesting.

Usakabe Saiki began to unkindly hope that Hagiwara Kenji would turn around so he could watch the show.

Kenji Hagiwara was focused on communicating with someone and showed no intention of turning around, but when the waiter who was confirming the reservation with him looked up and saw Bourbon and Saiki Usaba about to leave, he suddenly became a little anxious.

She had actually wanted the blonde customer's contact information before, but hadn't had the chance. She was thinking of trying again later, but she didn't expect the customer to leave so early. Unfortunately, she was still communicating with the customer and couldn't get there in time...

For this reason, the waiter's expression showed a hint of anxiety and hesitation.

Kenji Hagiwara was already used to observing his surroundings, and he immediately noticed that the waiter's attention seemed to be on his back, so he subconsciously turned around to take a look.

With his striking blonde hair and dark skin, Kenji Hagiwara spotted Bourbon immediately, and the next second he stepped out the door.

Hagiwara Kenji: "...?!"

Wait a minute, that figure that just walked out the door... doesn't it look a lot like Rei Furuya, whom we haven't seen in ages?!

Just as he was about to take a step out, he suddenly remembered that the squad leader had mentioned that Morofushi Kagemitsu seemed to have gone undercover, and Furuya Rei was probably in the same situation. If they ran into each other, it would be best to pretend not to know each other.

Kenji Hagiwara thought to himself how close he had come to disaster, and then turned his gaze back to the present.

It wasn't until his gaze returned to the waiter that Kenji Hagiwara's brain belatedly analyzed the information from the scene he had only seen for a second—besides the blond classmate, there was a silver-haired person following behind him, whose profile looked somewhat familiar.

After all, his attention was focused on his old classmates. Although he subconsciously felt that the other person looked familiar, Kenji Hagiwara really couldn't remember what the other person looked like.

...If his memory is not too far off, given the physical distance, the two people should know each other. If Furuya is an undercover agent, then the person next to Furuya must be a member of the undercover organization.

Kenji Hagiwara was a little worried about his friend. Being an undercover agent was too dangerous, but there was nothing he could do to help. He could only pray that everything would go well for his friend.

Usui Yasaki was delighted to receive a wave of skepticism from Kenji Hagiwara.

"These numbers clearly show they didn't even see what I look like." Usakabe Saiki lamented, "It's been years, and nobody's ever asked me if I have any brothers or sisters..."

The system commented: "There are just too many people in this world who look alike. It's normal that people with such different personalities wouldn't think of that... And believe it or not, even someone who's been your colleague for two years can't remember what Han Chuan Shenliu looks like if they close their eyes."

Is it really true that people are judged solely by their appearance?!

[They simply don't dare to look closely at your face! Haven't you noticed that many people look at your forehead when they talk to you?]

Bo Yezaki was speechless: [I'm not some kind of devil, how could I get angry just because someone looks at me twice...]

Then you should ask about the "behind-the-scenes halo."

Bourbon asked, "Where are you planning to go later? I'll drive you."

“Sure, I’m going to the biggest game store around here.” Bo Yezaki, who was always hitchhiking, readily agreed and said deliberately, “There are two Mazdas here. What a coincidence. I wonder who the owners are. With such similar tastes, you two might become friends.”

One of them belonged to Bourbon, and the other to Kenji Hagiwara. I believe Bourbon had guessed this as well.

Bourbon remained unfazed: "We can be friends even if we have different tastes. I don't care about that when making friends... Do you care that much? Then you won't be able to make any friends!"

Usoya Saiki: "...I'm quite tolerant."

After the two got into the car, Bourbon, worried that Kenji Hagiwara would have to come out after making the reservation, quickly started the car and left the parking lot. After driving for a while, he pretended to ask casually.

"By the way, what did you say you wanted to talk to me alone?"

Bo Yezaki frowned: "Hmm...you said before that you suspected I was an undercover agent, right?"

“Yes.” Bourbon calmly replied in a way that would never reveal his identity, regardless of what Usui Saiki’s situation was. “I feel like you’re an undercover agent for the Japanese Public Security Bureau.”

Why not guess something else?

"Is it because you're not a returned overseas student?"

Bo Ye Zaiji sighed: "Alright, since you're quite intelligent, I'll tell you some very important information."

Bourbon: "...You say it."

This is too casual a statement; it doesn't sound like a meeting with his adoptive father's colleague at all. It feels like things might not turn out the way he wants...

Usoppai: "Ray really is an FBI undercover agent, you have to believe me, I'm betting it on my grandfather's name... on my adoptive father's name, this is no joke, you'd better tell other people too..."

Bourbon: "Get out of the car."

Why bring up Kindaichi references at a time like this?! And the "foster father" thing? Senior, you're incredibly unlucky to have an adopted son like you!

If you still believe that Bo Yezaki can speak seriously, then he's an idiot!

He'll never consider making contact again! If Commander Kuroda has anyone to blame, blame his senior for not knowing how to raise children!

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Bonus chapter for landmine!

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"I'll stake my grandfather's name on it"—a classic line from Kindaichi.

If Bo Ye had simply stated that he was acting in the name of his adoptive father, Bourbon would have hesitated, but now he has unhesitatingly chosen not to believe him.

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Once Shuichi Akai's identity is exposed...

Bo Ye: Why are you all suddenly mute? Do you finally realize how much you misunderstood me before?