Chapter 77 Different Bodies, Same Heart
“Zero, I have already found Yuuki’s medical records in D-Lab.”
"So, everything was planned by the organization? Trafficking, smuggling, kidnapping, poisoning..." Zero became increasingly frightened as she spoke, feeling a chill run down her spine. "But I can't understand why the organization would go to such lengths to pull off this."
“I’m also thinking about this issue. I’ve heard from the researchers that some of the subjects here will be released and live normal lives. But they are actually always under surveillance.”
"You mean, Yushu was the subject of their long-term experimental observation?"
"I think that's very likely. Although I think this kind of experiment is worthless, it might be of great significance to some people. Yuuki's file says that the experiment was extremely successful, which might be why the organization values him?"
After a moment of contemplation, Ling asked, "Did the previous flu virus outbreak also involve transmission from infected individuals?"
“I didn’t find any relevant information in D-Lab. Maybe it’s the work of another research group.” Jing Guang paused, his expression becoming even more serious, which made Ling tense up as well. “Ling, I’ve found out Mia’s father’s identity.”
Who is it?
"Hashiba Takahisa."
Zero felt a buzzing in her head and froze completely: "Are you sure?"
“Chief Administrator Kuroda confirmed it, there’s no mistake.” Jingguang asked hesitantly, “You’ve already sent Mia’s information to the organization, right?”
“Um, um…yes.” Zero suddenly realized that he had acted too hastily this time: Hashiba was a suspect in the Ministry of Public Security’s internal mole case, and this move was tantamount to alerting the enemy.
In comparison, questions like whether Hashiba knew he had an illegitimate daughter named Mia, and if so, why he abandoned Catherine and her daughter, and why Catherine didn't come to him if she didn't know, seem less important.
As expected, Kagemitsu added, "Kawabata and Kazami have been released. However, they have not returned to their original jobs, but are under house arrest, with their movements strictly monitored and restricted."
“They’re trying to lure out the person who relays the organization’s intelligence communications,” Zero deduced. “I think the sequence of events is this: after I reported the information to the organization about the warden’s illegitimate daughter, the organization found out Mia’s biological father faster than we did.”
"The reason the organization acted so swiftly is probably because Hashiba is the mole within the Ministry of Public Security who colluded with foreign enemies. However, Hashiba has never mentioned to the organization that he has an illegitimate daughter."
"Mia's appearance made the organization begin to doubt whether Hashiba was reliable, and even began to suspect that he was secretly colluding with D-Lab behind the organization's back. Therefore, in order to prove his innocence, Hashiba had to take action quickly to find out who was behind Kazami and Kawabata."
Jingguang nodded in agreement: "That's right, that's what I thought too. So, who does Ling think should be this person?"
"Didn't we agree before that if this situation occurred, we would fabricate a person who doesn't exist?"
"But I now feel that this plan is not good enough, it is too easy to be exposed. Especially since the prison break operation in the United States has not made any progress, the efficiency of remote communication is still too low. By the time we return to China, the situation may have changed drastically."
Ling thought Jingguang's words made sense and asked, "Jing, what do you think we should do?"
"How about we set the mastermind as Scotland?"
Upon hearing this, Zero couldn't help but yell, "Are you kidding me?! You're going to your death!"
"Zero, calm down!" Jing Guang tried his best to calm his partner down. "Listen to me properly, okay? Of course I'm not going to my death."
Zero's chest heaved violently. He tried to calm himself down and suppress his excitement as much as possible, saying, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
"Zero, you once hated Rye so much, but the organization still suspects you of colluding with the FBI this time. Have you ever thought about why?"
Zero gritted his teeth and remained silent. Jing Guang continued, "Trust is something that's extremely easy to break but very difficult to build. Especially when you try to piece something back together, it's very difficult to restore it to its original state; cracks aren't so easily repaired. Now that the organization suspects you, there will be a second time, and a third time... It's endless, never-ending, and the suspicion will never be cleared. If you didn't do these things, that would be fine, but the problem is that you really did, and the organization really does suspect you. If one day the organization brings up old grievances, can you escape?"
"Moreover, even if you manage to escape this time, Kiel is at risk of being exposed. The organization already suspects there are rats, and this matter will likely be difficult to resolve without catching one."
"Kil?" Zero's eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes, Akai told me that he had suspected Kir’s identity before, but he finally confirmed it on the night of the ball. It was Kir who told him that Sherry on the rooftop was someone from the organization in disguise.”
"It was well hidden; I hadn't even noticed." Zero recalled his few meetings with Gil, and upon reflection, there seemed to be some clues. He wondered if the organization would discover them.
Jingguang sighed and said, "No matter what, we can't keep dragging this on. It's too dangerous for you and it's not helpful for gathering intelligence. Now, Hashiba Takahisa has given us an excellent opportunity. If we make good use of it, we can launch a brilliant counterattack and completely clear you of all suspicion."
"Furthermore, Shinichi's mother has already taught me a lot about disguise, so I can also hide my identity by changing my clothes. I'm currently in Texas, while the organization's headquarters are in Japan. It will definitely take them a lot of time to catch me. We have the upper hand and the initiative, so there's still a lot of room for maneuver!"
“This isn’t our first adventure. Ever since you decided to use Kazami and Kawabata-senpai to catch a big fish, I’ve been considering whether to take this step. Now the time has come, and we can’t afford to miss this opportunity!”
"Is Jing finished speaking?" Ling looked at that familiar and kind face, both adorable and hateful: she loved it to the bone and hated it with a vengeance!
"Yes, I'm done." Jing Guang answered calmly, vaguely sensing the impending eruption. "What does Zero want to say?"
"Huh? What did I mean?" Zero trembled with anger, his face contorted with rage. He roared, "What I meant was—you have no idea how I felt back then!"
Although Jingguang wisely turned down the volume, the sound coming from the headphones still made my eardrums hurt.
Jingguang knew what Zero was talking about:
Three years ago, the gunshot on the rooftop became a haunting nightmare for Zero.
The fear and despair of that moment are etched into my memory, unforgettable.
Occasionally, in the dead of night, Zero would return to that place. The long, endless staircase, the cold winter night, the frozen corpses, and the metallic smell of blood…
So close, yet so far.
Jingguang always comforted him, saying it was just a dream, but Ling would still wake up in a cold sweat every time.
Yes, Jingguang survived.
Yes, Jingguang was unharmed.
But who can guarantee that this won't happen again?
Will they be so lucky the second time?
The organization is like a Damocles' sword hanging over their heads. As long as the organization exists, their lives are not safe.
“Jing, I’m scared…” Zero pleaded almost desperately. “Can’t we think of another way? There are always plenty of options, aren’t there? You finally managed to get a hidden identity. Once it’s exposed, neither the organization nor the mole within the Public Security Bureau will go easy on you. They won’t treat you the way they treated Kazami and Kawabata-senpai; they will definitely kill you without hesitation!”
"Does Zero no longer believe me?" Jing Guang said gently but firmly. "Do you remember that night I promised you that I would never commit suicide, never leave you? I'll be there whenever you need me, always. So, you just need to believe me. Together, we can solve all our problems."
That deep, warm voice is captivating.
Rei Furuya knew that this was the thin, strong thread behind him when he plunged into the abyss of darkness, enveloping him, guiding him, protecting him... it was the thread that sustained his life and the thread that sustained him.
"But I'm still afraid... I'm afraid Jing will never be able to go home again."
"No way!" Jing Guang decisively dispelled Ling's doubts. "Think about it, when have I ever broken my promise to you?"
The golden retriever tilted its head and thought seriously: "Yes! You promised me that you would dress up as a woman when you reached one million followers, but you have never kept your promise in more than two years!"
"Uh, this..." The food blogger was speechless after being rebuffed. "It's because I didn't expect my follower count to increase so quickly! And it's not convenient for me to wear women's clothes like this right now, is it? After the mission is over, I'll agree to whatever clothes you want me to wear!"
"It's a deal then, no take-backs!" Zero finally smiled through her tears. "I'm sorry, I lost my temper just now. I shouldn't have yelled at you."
“Zero doesn’t need to apologize to me. I kept my promise. So, it’s settled then, okay?” Jingguang asked with a smile. “Bourbon, who helped Sherry escape?”
“Scotland,” Zero answered crisply.
"Who is colluding with Pisco?"
"Scotland."
Who is Kazami's contact person?
"Scotland."
"Who is Ray's collaborator?"
"Scotland."
Who is it that has repeatedly thwarted the organization's plans?
"Scotland."
"One last question: Shouldn't Scotland be dead by now?"
Jing Ling and the other person exchanged a knowing smile, both having come up with the same answer.
"Jing, do you think the organization will really fall for it?"
"I've said it before, as long as we're together, there's nothing we can't do!"
Throughout their lives, they will each encounter various partners. But no matter how many partners they meet, the best partner will always remain the same in the end.
"Scotland Alive"
"Scotland is back"
"Scotland has always been here."
In this way, when heaven and hell are reversed, Bourbon can stand on top unharmed, without having to worry about the reflection below.
Because standing below him was his partner, someone he could entrust his life to.
"Are you willing to believe me?"
"I have never doubted you."
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