Chapter 137, Fifty-Seventh Cycle (9)

8 PM.

"You didn't tell Bourbon I was coming, did you?" Scotland asked as soon as they met.

“Don’t worry, he didn’t say anything,” Vodka asked him jokingly. “What? Are you afraid Bourbon will just run away?”

Scotland—he actually nodded!

The young man with blue eyes, who looked cold and hard when he wasn't smiling but whose features were especially gentle when he did, curled the corners of his mouth: "Hmm, he doesn't really want to see me."

Vodka: "..."

Well, as expected of Scotland.

"Don't let your boring games affect the mission," Gin warned coldly.

“Okay, I’ll go find Bourbon to hang out with after the mission is over.” Scotland raised his hand and gave an OK sign.

Vodka: "..."

No, even though Bourbon had just shown his gorilla side in front of him, beaten up Gin, then went to beat up Ray and wanted to beat him up again, he still felt sorry for Bourbon.

In other words, although Bourbon was very bad, he didn't deserve this much punishment, did he?

If you put yourself in his shoes, even vodka would feel goosebumps and discomfort all over his body. It would be better for him to be shot a few more times or slashed a few more times.

However, upon closer reflection, it was indeed Bourbon who provoked Scotland first in order to target Rye, so he can't blame anyone for his current predicament.

It's truly heartbreaking to think about the story of Bourbon, Rye, and Scotland.

And no one expected that Bourbon would stumble with Scotland, nor did they expect that the real Scotland was such a terrifying man.

Before that, compared to Bourbon and Leie, he was actually quite low-key, and he was often mentioned only as a side story in the feud between Bourbon and Leie.

Although Scotland was not simple before, she quietly and safely broke away from the yakuza organization that was destroyed by the police and then found the Black Organization on her own. She gently said that she joined the organization because she was curious about a darker and wider world. Despite being in an organization that was almost full of madmen, she was able to get along well with almost everyone.

After that, because of his excellent sniping talent, he partnered with the rookie Rye as a sniper. Even when he was caught up in the war between Rye and Bourbon, he seemed to be handling it with ease and even enjoying it... Ah, thinking about it this way, Scotland seems to be quite terrifying, doesn't it? It's just that others find it hard to see the hidden danger.

He just wasn't taking it seriously before, right?

That's what TV shows and comics say. Most of those high-IQ criminals who lack morality are pleasure criminals. They commit crimes and enter the dark world just out of curiosity and their own preferences. They usually have a lighthearted attitude, but once they get serious, they can be very terrifying.

Thinking about it this way, could it be that Scotland was initially very interested in and curious about Bourbon, who was a mystic and an intelligence operative, and that's why they followed Bourbon's script?

Vodka suddenly understood why Chianti's most hated person had become Scotland. It was because all his previous worries about Scotland had been for nothing. It turned out that the clown was himself.

But you really can't blame them for being fooled by Scotland, after all, even Rye and Bourbon, who are closest to Scotland, were so badly deceived by him.

Leaving aside Bourbon, Rye was also used by Scotland to deal with Bourbon and then discarded.

Vodka quietly moved a little to the side, away from Scotland.

He knew his own limitations; he wasn't that smart, so he listened to Gin's advice on everything.

If he offends Scotland, it probably won't be as simple as a warning and a beating as it was with Bourbon. He might not even know how he ended up in a mess.

No, Bourbon isn't someone to be trifled with either, so they probably showed mercy because of their decent relationship over the years, right?

Vodka was suddenly moved and even thought of secretly taking out his phone to text Bourbon that Scotland had arrived so that he could be prepared.

But as soon as he took out his phone, Scotland turned to look at him.

Then, he gave a meaningful smile.

Vodka: "..."

Vodka put his phone away again.

Forget it, Bourbon, good luck to you.

*

10 PM.

After the mission was over, Bourbon drove the car to the underground parking garage, got out, and leaned against the car, waiting for Gin and Vodka to bring the documents over.

He will complete the remaining tasks, which should be finished before midnight, allowing him to catch up with the healthy sleep schedule everyone has set for him.

Actually, 11 o'clock is healthier, but I have tasks to complete today, so I can't do it.

Bourbon picked up his phone and glanced at it, temporarily switching to Furuya Rei's mode.

The small group of five people was still in the same chat room an hour ago, where three police officers who had already finished their shifts urged two members of the nighttime activity organizers to get some rest and not stay up all night.

They themselves often stay up all night due to a large number of cases, so they have no right to criticize him or Hiro.

The funniest thing is that these five incredibly busy people with extremely abnormal lifestyles are pretending to be a group of netizens who supervise each other and check in to maintain healthy living habits in this group. They even use code names, which are five different colored Mazdas.

However, the group is not usually lively. Usually, people talk about supervising the white Mazda representing Rei Furuya, or they share health knowledge like ordinary health-loving netizens.

Without even a thought, it's clear that the other four are probably spending most of their time chatting enthusiastically in another group where they don't have their own members, and the conversations are mostly about him.

After all, if it's something that involves everyone, we'll definitely discuss it with him in the five-person group chat, so that the group doesn't actually become a monitoring team for Furuya Rei.

Even so, Furuya Rei felt a strange mix of amusement and exasperation, as if he were being ostracized and isolated. This was probably the retribution for always keeping it a secret from the four of them.

This is a sweet kind of trouble.

The familiar sound of a Porsche drew closer, and Furuya Rei put away his phone, reverting to his bourbon-like state.

Not long after, a black Porsche slowly pulled up beside him.

The car stopped, but Gin didn't open the window to give him the USB drive as usual. Instead, the other car door was opened.

A man got out of the car; it wasn't Gin or Vodka.

It's Scotland.

Bourbon: "..."

Vodka rolled down the driver's side window, pushed up his sunglasses, and watched curiously as Scotland walked toward Bourbon.

Vodka thought Bourbon wanted to either just open the car door and drive away, or run Scotland over with the car before leaving.

But Scotland smiled and waved the USB drive in his hand.

Bourbon paused in his action of pulling the car door, his face darkening as he gritted his teeth and said, "Scotland!"

Damn it, he said Hiro clearly didn't have any missions tonight, but the blue Mazda in the group still said he had something to do and wouldn't go to bed too early. Turns out he was waiting for this!

"Bourbon, don't be angry. I just came to give you this information." Scotland smiled and handed him the USB drive.

“This task doesn’t require your participation at all!” Bourbon glared at him and reached for the USB drive.

Why not go and rest instead of participating in this boring task? He's going to complain to everyone in the group chat later—

Scotland stepped forward with practiced ease and gave Bourbon a big hug, whispering in his ear with a smile, "This is the third hug of the day. Goodnight, Bourbon. Don't work too late on your mission, go home and get some rest."

Bourbon: "..."

Bourbon: "!!!"

Aaaaaaahh ...

Hiro! The gin and vodka over there are still there!! What are you doing?!

Does this mean we'll really have to complete the daily three hugs and kisses routine even in front of other members of the group?

"Scotland!!!!!"

Scotland returned only after Bourbon's white Mazda stormed off in a huff, rubbing the hand that had just blocked a punch from Bourbon.

Vodka forced his open mouth shut and couldn't help but turn around curiously, asking, "Scotland, what did you just say to Bourbon? Why is he so angry?"

Scotland closed the car door and tilted his head innocently: "It's nothing, I just wanted him to not overwork himself and go home to rest early."

Vodka: "..."

Don't think I'm easy to fool and will just brush you off like this, okay? Look, even Gin next to you is sneering; he's just too lazy to bother with your business.

Well, since neither Gin nor the Boss said anything, it means there's actually no problem, right?

I think so?

*

December 31st.

While most people are on holiday at home, reuniting with their families and preparing for the Chinese New Year, the organization's members are still carrying out their tasks as usual.

After all, few people in the organization have normal families, and for them, these days just mean that another year has passed.

However, it's understandable to feel bad if you have to do tasks on a day when everyone is on holiday and having fun, especially with people you don't like.

"Why do I have to perform tasks with some dark, cold, human-shaped knitted hat rack even on New Year's Day? It's so unlucky. This is truly a [major unlucky day] now. I have to get rid of the bad luck immediately."

Even so, Bourbon was really too sharp-tongued, and his sarcastic and sarcastic skills had become even stronger.

"Bourbon, after the mission is over, shall we go to the shrine together to get a New Year's fortune? I know a really famous shrine nearby."

Scotland, why do you still treat Bourbon with such nonchalance now, just like before?

No, actually, that guy was just enjoying getting angry at and targeting Bourbon, wasn't he?

"Huh? Was someone talking just now? I didn't see anything. Hey, you over there, you heavy smoker with those dark circles under your eyes who looks like you're about to get lung cancer, did you hear someone talking just now?"

Don't involve me, it has nothing to do with me.

“Bourbon…”

"Hey! Ray—"

Ray's forehead veins throbbed, and he turned away with a long sigh, looking exasperated.

Honestly, once all the final issues of this Yamaguchi-gumi mission are resolved, he swears he'll never team up with Bourbon Scotland again.

Let's just wipe out the Yamaguchi-gumi.

"Bang--"

As the New Year's bells rang, huge, dazzling fireworks bloomed in the night sky.

People dressed in their finest attire walked together, looking up to admire the spectacular New Year's fireworks display and exchanging New Year's greetings with their important family and friends.

With his hands in the pockets of his black trench coat and a half-smoked cigarette between his teeth, Lei looked up at the fireworks, just like everyone else, as they trailed long, dazzling sparks across the night sky.

The two troublesome partners were still bickering, making Ray deeply regret teaming up with them again for the mission to gather intelligence.

Happy New Year, Bourbon.

Scotland gave Bourbon a hug, and his habit of hugging Bourbon every day as if he had a skin hunger has recently become quite famous.

Even Bourbon himself had become numb to it, or perhaps the atmosphere was just too good. This time, he neither refused nor attacked back, but instead sighed.

“Happy New Year, Scotland,” he said.

Lai: "?"

Ray turned to look at them, and after two seconds, he said, "Happy New Year."

Scots, who had been swatted away by Bourbon, was already used to it and turned to Ray with a happy smile: "Happy New Year, Ray."

Ray continued to stare at Bourbon, who seemed to have no intention of replying to him.

Bourbon: "?"

Bourbon stared at him in disbelief, as if he'd seen a ghost, and after a few seconds said with a look of disgust, "Fine, then I wish you a unhappy New Year, Ray."

Lei: "..."

Even Ray was taken aback by this unusual New Year's greeting.

No, it's less of a New Year's blessing and more of a New Year's curse, isn't it?

Scotland couldn't help but burst out laughing, and finally turned around and laughed heartily, shaking his shoulders.

The three of them looked just like any other ordinary friends celebrating the New Year together. Their cheerful laughter and playful banter even brought a nostalgic look to some of the older folks.

This was the last mission for the Bourbon, Scotch, and Rye whisky trio, and also the last time the three of them would spend New Year's Eve together.

Because in the new year, Bourbon's New Year's blessing, which seemed like a curse, came true.

Six months later, Rae's undercover identity was exposed, and he defected from the organization.