Chapter 34

When Gin got into the car, Vodka was busy.

"Yes, send them to the research institute first and let them confirm... send them all, don't miss a single one! Yes, yes... ah, big brother."

Upon hearing the car door open, Vodka quickly hung up the phone.

Gin frowned, quickly recalling his recent assignments, but couldn't remember any related to the research institute: "What happened at the research institute?"

"It's not an organization's mission, it's that kid Bo Ye's."

Vodka still habitually called the other person by name instead of code name: "When I was investigating his house before, I accidentally broke some things. I had already replaced them with new ones exactly as they were, but for some reason, he recognized that something was wrong at a glance and insisted that I return the broken pieces to him as well. I suspected that there might be something wrong with his things, so I asked the research institute to investigate."

Gin nodded, finding Vodka's caution commendable.

Although it's highly likely that Usaku Saiki is acting crazy again, it's better to be alert than not.

After explaining the phone call, Vodka began to report on today's progress: "It's pretty much resolved. He promised not to disappear without a trace."

Vodka thought a little guiltyly that he was angry and went missing because the item was replaced. Of course, it couldn't be considered a missing person without cause, but rather a special case, right?

And since we can't get in touch, how are we supposed to return those fragments to Usakata Saiki? So it's like we haven't lost contact at all!

Gin, oblivious to Vodka's subtle thoughts, simply nodded, indicating he understood: "Did you find out what he's been up to lately?"

"He said he couldn't answer the phone while he was at the police academy, he was probably just being sarcastic," Vodka quipped. "Amuro Tooru might be able to find out something. I saw him following Usoya very eagerly, it couldn't really be to thank him."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Vodka's phone beeped with a new email notification.

He opened it and exclaimed, "It's Amuro. So fast?"

Gin hummed in agreement, and Vodka, understanding immediately, opened the email and read its contents aloud: 'It seems that Thin Leaf has some issues with the organization. Was he forced to join?'...

A moment of silence fell over the carriage.

Vodka muttered, somewhat speechless, "That guy's been complaining about the organization for a while now. I'm too lazy to even ask him. I feel like if I did, he'd just say, 'We ordinary people all have complaints about the company. There's no such thing as a worker who's completely devoted to the company.' Isn't it a bit too late for Amuro to ask this now... Wait, there's more to come."

Amuro Tooru was still in his rookie phase and didn't dare listen to Usui Saiki's nonsense. He didn't mention anything about reimbursement and directly gave this worthless information to Vodka.

Scrolling down a bit, I saw the second paragraph, where Vodka read aloud: "'Bo Ye said he wanted to go to police academy.'"

Gin reacted this time.

He frowned: "He really went to investigate the police academy?"

Although Gin didn't believe that Usaku Saiki had really been at the police academy all this time, it did seem to have some connection with the academy... To be honest, he would rather Usaku Saiki had just been lying low and doing nothing during his disappearance.

At least those who lie low won't cause trouble. This guy, Bo Yezaki, had no one to restrain him in the Middle East before, and his actions have been particularly eye-catching ever since. If he attracts the attention of the police, the organization will have to clean up his mess...

Vodka also analyzed seriously: "It's unclear whether there was an investigation or not; it could just be a made-up excuse, but he told Amuro that he wanted to take the police academy entrance exam..."

“He won’t,” Gin sneered. “His personality isn’t suited for it. He has no sense of cooperation and no team spirit… He can’t stand being a law-abiding policeman. Let’s wait until he actually takes the exam before we worry about him.”

Vodka was immediately convinced: "Indeed, wearing a uniform all year round, it's amazing he can endure it for three days. Does Amuro Tooru really believe every word Usuha says? He's really not a good information broker."

"They're probably trying to probe for valuable information from you." Gin had seen this kind of tactic many times and didn't take it seriously. There were still too few newcomers with awareness and ability. As long as they didn't have any crooked thoughts, he would just pretend he didn't see these little schemes.

Neither of them took the intelligence seriously. Anyway, the organization had spies in the police force, and if Usakata Saiki went to take the police academy entrance exam, they would definitely find out.

As for what intelligence Usakata Saiki obtained at the police academy, they paid even less attention to it.

The police academy is full of freshmen, and the instructors are just so-so. They certainly wouldn't get any truly valuable intelligence from the police academy. Usaku Saiki is probably just spouting nonsense and messing with Amuro Tooru.

Vodka sympathized with Amuro Tooru for spending several hours with Usui Saiki and suspected he was suffering greatly, so he sent a charitable email out of pity.

[He wasn't forced to join; we negotiated terms that satisfied him before he joined. He just likes to appear dissatisfied with the organization, probably because it gives the impression of ordinary people enduring hardship at work. But if he crosses any lines, remember to report it. His interest in the police academy is also noteworthy; please let me know if there's any new information.]

Amuro Tooru had just finished cooking when he received this email.

Actually, he wasn't particularly good at cooking. The one who cooked really well was Morofushi Kagemitsu. He had only learned a little bit, so he didn't understand why Usaba Saiki suddenly wanted him to cook.

In reality, Usakabe Saiki was just making excuses to get someone to help him move the things he bought, because the driving skills belonged to Hanakawa Shinryu, he couldn't drive, and he was too lazy to carry them upstairs...

After serving the food, Amuro Tooru said politely, "I don't cook often, so it might not be very good. Please bear with me."

Usoya Saiki also politely said, "It's alright, you'll cook better in the future."

Toru Amuro: "...?"

I'm not sure if this is a blessing or something malicious. He's going to Hakata later, so he can't be called over to cook for Usuba Saiki all the time, can he?

...Becoming a cadre as soon as possible is urgent. If you don't become a cadre, you'll be forced by this mentally ill person to do these lousy things.

"By the way, what about the gift I gave you before? Did you bring it with you?" Bo Yezaki suddenly started checking.

Since Amuro Tooru wanted to build a good relationship with Usui Saiki, he naturally wouldn't overlook such details: "It's tucked in my wallet, do you want to see it?"

"No need, I believe you are an honest and good person."

Amuro Tooru: "...Sorry, are you being sarcastic?"

"No, not at all." Bo Yezaki looked at him sincerely, "I'm really touched to have met such a good person like you in such a lousy company!"

Amuro Tooru's grip on the chopsticks tightened slightly.

For people in the organization, "good person" isn't exactly a positive adjective...

Bo Yezaki continued, "If it were vodka, he definitely wouldn't have delivered it to my door! What an ungrateful person! I can't stand people like that. I'll avoid them on the street to avoid being mistaken for someone in cahoots with him."

Amuro Tooru: "...Hahaha."

—I can't take it anymore! This same thing keeps going back and forth. Is he just being paranoid, or is this just his usual way of speaking? Why do I keep feeling like he's already given himself away?!

Just then, he received an email from Vodka, and Amuro Tooru's lips twitched after reading it.

So Usakabe Saiki really joined the organization voluntarily after all!!! Why did he have to pretend like that in front of others?!

Could it be that the investigation by Usakabe Saiki is not over yet, and those ambiguous words, which seem like a test or that he knows something, are still fishing for information?

Vodka and Usakabe Saiki didn't get along, and Vodka didn't think he was an undercover agent, so he leaked the information to him.

Amuro Tooru felt that the amount of mental strain he had experienced today was equivalent to a whole week's worth.

Even working with Gin wasn't this tiring...

Just as Usui Saiki opened his mouth again, as if to say something, Amuro Tooru finally couldn't take it anymore and said with a forced smile, "Excuse me, I'm more used to not talking while eating. Could you please be a little quieter?"

Anyway, Bo Yezaki wouldn't stop suspecting him just because he acted compliantly! Similarly, if he were more impolite, his suspicions shouldn't increase—Bo Yezaki should have some awareness that he's actually quite annoying, right?

Bo Yezhai, feeling wronged, asked, "Don't you ever talk when you're eating with your friends?"

Amuro Tooru coldly replied, "Yes."

"...Okay, I understand."

In any case, Amuro Tooru finally had a quiet dinner time, and after putting the dishes in the sink, he was about to leave.

"I'm sorry, I still have a mission to complete and must return to Hakata immediately."

Amuro Tooru had never been so grateful for the mission the organization had given him: "I'll take my leave now."

Bo Yezaki didn't stop him, but warmly invited, "Come visit often when you have time!"

Toru Amuro: "..."

Thank you, but I refuse.

Spending an hour with Usaku Saiki felt like my lifespan had been shortened by ten years.

After Amuro Tooru left as if relieved, Usui Saiki washed the dishes, checked his beloved props again, locked the doors and windows, and then decided to go out for a stroll.

He almost went crazy from being cooped up at the police academy. If it weren't for the fact that the academy was a very efficient place to build up suspicion, he probably would have given up halfway through.

Now that we've finally managed to get out, of course we should let ourselves get some fresh air.

Since it was time to get some fresh air, Usakabe Saiki found a safe corner, switched to the appearance of Hanakawa Shinryu, and walked towards the nearby park under the "Black Curtain Halo".

Since we're all walking anyway, wouldn't it be great to get some attention and suspicion from passersby along the way?

There weren't many people in the park, and Usakabe Saiki didn't cause any commotion. Everyone just kept their distance from him. On the contrary, the stray cats in the park probably didn't think about the situation and were unaffected by the "shadow of darkness." They continued to meow and rub against him affectionately, just like before.

Bo Yezaki stopped and squatted down to pet the cat. After petting it a couple of times, he suddenly realized something.

There seemed to be a strange beeping sound. Considering the danger level of this world, Usakabe Saiki keenly looked in the direction of the sound and found a suspicious package under a park bench.

Although it hasn't been opened yet, Usoppei already roughly knows what's inside; all that's left is to confirm.

He took off his coat and spread it on the ground, then lay down and carefully unzipped the suspicious package, where he saw a flashing red countdown inside.

"...People are shaped by their environment, and the people of Mihua just love secret codes and bombs."

Usakabe muttered something to himself, then took out Matsuda Jinpei's number from his phone and dialed it.

Matsuda Jinpei was a little surprised to receive his call: "It's rare for you to call me. Did you have a fight with Hagi?"

“No,” Bo Yezaki calmly replied, “I found a bomb under a park bench on the west side of xxxx Park. I’m calling the police to hurry.”

Matsuda Jinpei: "...Huh???"

Hagi had just called him to complain about Instructor Onizuka's worries, fearing that Shinichi Kakeru would get involved in the incident again after leaving the school, when he received a report from the person involved.

—You're really something, you really don't let things drag on overnight!

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

I'll update extra tonight! If there are a lot of comments, I'll update earlier!

.

Gin's assessment was spot on; Usui was definitely feeling stifled at the police academy...

Amuro Toru is exhausted; he's hoping some newcomers will come along to share his burden.