Chapter 54 Bourbon's Honey: Eat the honey, discard the cannonball! ...
After completing her mission abroad, Takanashi Chinatsu's life returned to normal. Apart from occasionally learning magic from Eriol, she went to school diligently every day.
As dusk fell, a vast expanse of fiery clouds ignited in the sky.
Chika Takanashi rested her head on her elbow and sat quietly at her desk by the window, admiring the beautiful scenery.
When the bell rang, she left with the crowd. Her elective courses were different from those of Touya and Yukito, who had already left school to work.
The king of wage earners.
Some people act like emperors within organizations, while others are busy making money and becoming "emperors of employees."
Chika Takanashi's lips curled into a slight smile; she was in a good mood.
From afar, Takanashi Chika spotted the young man at the school gate.
The setting sun cast his silver wheelchair into a clear, flowing river, which parted the crowd in two, and his blond hair shone even brighter in the sunlight.
He sat quietly in his wheelchair, his face serene, his gaze flowing silently with the crowd, only focusing when he saw her, at which point his usually pursed lips lifted slightly.
"Chinatsu-chan!" Bourbon raised his hand and waved at Chinatsu.
Takanashi Chinatsu quickened her pace, pushing the person away swiftly amidst the good-natured teasing glances of her classmates. Only when they reached a less crowded area did she slowly breathe a sigh of relief, not angry at all, and asked, "Why did you come here?"
"Because I heard you were at this school, I wanted to come and see you."
Is your leg better?
“It’s alright, I can’t wait any longer.” Bourbon raised his head, his purplish-gray eyes no longer displaying their usual domineering and teasing nature, but instead filled with a gentle smile, and his voice was soft: “You haven’t come to see me in a long time, I was worried something had happened to you.”
Bourbon is a very handsome young man. When he was with Rum, his provocative smile always carried a bit of a roguish air. Now that he is with China, that roguish air that he was influenced by the organization seems to have disappeared because of her enthusiastic and cheerful temperament. He is more like a young college student.
Staring into those gentle eyes, Takanashi Chika awkwardly straightened her hair, one hand still pushing against her wheelchair.
"Am I useless? I said I would help you, but I can only lie in the hospital bed and can't help you at all."
"No way, didn't you give me a summary of Rum's situation?" Takanashi Chinatsu had already shared that information with Gin. After all, she was good at pranks, but when it came to really dealing with Rum, it was up to Gin.
Bourbon lowered his eyes, his eyelashes trembling slightly, and his voice was barely a whisper: "Not enough."
"Um?"
“There are many people who can achieve that level, China, I want to be the one and only person in your heart.” Bourbon kept his eyes downcast, a sense of loneliness spreading in them, but only a little was revealed, the rest completely hidden by his drooping eyelids.
Half-hidden, Bourbon, who is currently confined to a wheelchair due to his injuries, looked even more pitiful.
Chinatsu looked him up and down, and slowed down the pace of pushing her wheelchair.
Bourbon seems like a big dog with separation anxiety.
She had taken on a mission abroad some time ago and hadn't been able to visit him at the hospital for a while. The anxious dog kept shedding fur, scratching at the door, and howling. Finally, today, despite the pain, he insisted on coming to see her in his wheelchair.
Was he like this before?
Thinking back to that time at the coffee shop, when Bourbon so forcefully cornered her against the wall, and then looking at Bourbon's obedient and affectionate appearance now, it seems like it happened in a past life, even though it happened not long ago.
Are men really that fickle?
Wait, what exactly did her brother do to Bourbon? Their personalities are clearly different now!
Takanashi Chinatsu recalled how Bourbon looked so haggard and weak when she first visited him in the hospital, and suddenly felt even more guilty. It seemed that her brother had not only beaten Bourbon up, but had also dealt a heavy blow to Bourbon's heart, causing him to become so dependent on her now.
"I was planning to see you in a few days."
"In a few days?" Bourbon looked up, his eyes lighting up.
Chizuru paused, then lied and said, "Actually, if you hadn't come today, I was planning to visit you tomorrow. Bourbon is very capable, and I also want you to get better soon. I really appreciate your help."
No……
In fact, Chinatsu Takanashi had already forgotten about Bourbon.
She might remember him after some time, but definitely not tomorrow. But looking into Bourbon's bright eyes, she simply couldn't bring herself to say such cruel words.
Bourbon's eyes shone even brighter, and stars seemed to dance within his purplish-gray pupils.
“Then it was worth it for me to come out today, because I saw Chika a day earlier,” Bourbon said cheerfully.
My heart aches even more; it feels so guilty to lie to this kind of sunny and lively dog!
“By the way, China, I’ve been wearing the watch you gave me.” Bourbon shook his wrist, his lingering gaze fixed on the watch face, his voice filled with deep affection: “This was given to me by China. Just the thought that China can keep watching my location through the watch, and keep watching, makes me incredibly happy.”
Takanashi Chika remained silent; she couldn't reply to that.
Although Bourbon seemed happy, what she said made her sound like a pervert!
No, no, no... Actually, she wasn't watching all the time. She just wanted to be able to find her subordinates immediately when she needed to, that's all. She's really not some pervert or weirdo!
“I really liked the gift China gave me, so I wanted to give her a gift in return.” Bourbon took out a jewelry box from his pocket.
After buying the bracelet, he quietly observed it for a few days.
Matsuda Jinpei had already seen the bracelet and also bought a pair of earrings. He had been secretly observing for the past few days to see if Chinat had received the earrings.
Absolutely not!
If Matsuda really likes this woman, then it's going to be super troublesome, and he won't be able to give away the bracelet anymore.
Fortunately, he waited for several days and didn't see China wearing any earrings, so he was relieved.
The wooden jewelry box was opened, and the beautiful gold and green cat's eye bracelet with emeralds appeared before China's eyes, shimmering like gold in the sunset.
Although Takanashi Chinatsu has lived in the organization for many years, girls always have some knowledge of jewelry, and every year whether it's Gin, Mr., or Vermouth, they would give her a piece of jewelry that was more and more expensive. She estimated the value of this bracelet almost immediately.
"This bracelet must be very expensive, right?" she asked in surprise. Was Bourbon really that rich?
“It’s not expensive, but it’s all my savings from these years. But this gemstone suits you very well. Chrysoberyl cat’s eye is often considered a symbol of good luck, and when paired with an emerald, both the luck and the vibrant life force complement your nobility. With such a beautiful piece of jewelry, money is just a number. I will get it for you no matter the cost.” Bourbon’s tone was calm as his gaze fell on Takanashi Chinatsu’s right wrist.
She already had a magic bracelet on her left wrist, given to her by Karasuma Renya, which Bourbon dared not snatch, but her right wrist was bare, her skin delicate and fair, as harmless and beautiful as she was, making it hard not to feel a bit aggressive towards her.
"Is it okay?" Bourbon looked up and asked Takanashi Chinatsu.
No, can you cancel it?
Knowing the price of jewelry, Chika Takanashi understood that Bourbon's words were true; this bracelet could very well have emptied Bourbon's coffers.
What was he trying to do? Weren't the people who came to the organization just there to make money? Yet he emptied his pockets to buy her a bracelet. She really couldn't accept it. Bourbon wasn't Mr. Gin, nor was he her adoptive father or her biological brother. There was absolutely no need for him to do this.
But Bourbon kept his eyes fixed on her, without a trace of regret for his savings, his gaze sincere, earnest, and hopeful.
She really couldn't resist that look in her eyes.
So Takanashi Chika reached out her hand and let Bourbon gently put the bracelet on her wrist. The shimmering gemstone on her fair wrist made her look gorgeous and noble.
I really like it.
As long as it's a girl... no, regardless of gender, she firmly believes that while people in this world may have different feelings about beauty, there are always some things they share. It's really hard not to love the dazzling gems created by nature's amazing craftsmanship.
"Thank you, I like it very much." Takanashi Chinatsu gently rubbed it with her left index finger; it was cool and refreshing, making the light even more dazzling.
"I'm glad you like it. At least my trip wasn't in vain." Bourbon seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his smile more relaxed and carefree than before.
Takanashi Chika looked at him helplessly, "No, Bourbon, this won't do."
If Bourbon were to date, he would almost certainly fall victim to a "pig butchering scam," where he'd reveal his entire fortune before the girl could even exchange a few flirty words.
Does intelligence gathering not require money?
Does maintaining a relationship not require money?
Even setting aside other things like food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, don't they all require money? Bourbon spent a fortune on this inedible and undrinkable thing—was he planning to starve to death?
Even if Bourbon had some money left over, the value of this bracelet would be almost gone.
"Do you still have money for food?" Takanashi Chinatsu asked, drawing out her question.
Bourbon paused, his expression seemingly blank for a moment. He silently turned his head away, trying to appear indifferent. "I can always afford to eat."
Takanashi Chika stared in shock, wondering if he had actually taken out his money for food.
Wow, Bourbon, is he really planning to starve himself after giving out all the gifts?
"I'll take you back to the hospital." Takanashi Chinatsu pushed the wheelchair, intending to put him back in the organization's hospital first.
But Bourbon slammed on the brakes himself, shaking his head somewhat frantically: "I don't want to go back to the hospital."
Chinatsuka Takanashi stopped immediately, her eyes sharpening: "Is someone bullying you at the hospital?" Workplace bullying? Could it be that Rum has recovered and started bullying Bourbon?
Bourbon shook his head again, looking at Takanashi Chinatsu nervously, his voice pitiful: "If I go back to the hospital, I won't be able to see Chinatsu. I don't want to not see Chinatsu. I've had enough of those days when I can only stay in the hospital waiting for Chinatsu to come to me, but I can't take the initiative to go to Chinatsu. Chinatsu, just let me stay by your side. I can follow you forever."
Chinatsu Takanashi was stunned.
Follow? How? As a pendant?
elder brother--
Takanashi Chinatsu screamed inwardly, "It's all my brother's fault! Bourbon's separation anxiety is way too severe. Is he really going to stay glued to my side all the time?"
That's terrible! She still has to go to school, learn magic, and hang out with Kenji and Matsuda-san. Bourbon just can't possibly follow her around!
"No, Bourbon, you need to learn to take care of yourself. Your injury hasn't healed yet..."
“But I don’t have to be hospitalized. All that’s left is rest and dressing changes. I can go to the hospital regularly for dressing changes.” Bourbon’s voice was urgent, as if he was worried that Takanashi Chinatsu would force him back to the hospital.
Looking into those stubborn yet aggrieved eyes, Takanashi Chika sighed and finally relented: "You don't have to go back to the hospital, but you can't stay at my house. Where are you staying now? I'll take you back."
“Okay.” Bourbon immediately smiled, his little finger cleverly hooking onto Chika’s wrist, and his other hand pointing in a direction: “My house is over there, not far. Chika, could you please push me there?”
That's a very long way.
It wasn't "not far" at all, as Bourbon had claimed. Every time Chika stopped to ask him, Bourbon would obediently say, "We're almost there." In the end, it took them more than half an hour to walk that stretch of road.
Bourbon's smile grew brighter and brighter, and it was clear that he enjoyed this "pampering." Walking with Bourbon was not boring at all; he was funny and provided plenty of emotional value. Even though Takanashi Chinatsu knew she was being teased by him, she couldn't feel the slightest bit annoyed.
"Alright, we're at your house." Having finally dropped Bourbon off at his doorstep, Takanashi Chinatsu was about to say goodbye and leave.
But Bourbon grabbed her sleeve.
He only touched her briefly, restraining himself from touching her skin, and his voice was cautious: "Chinai, don't you want to come into my house and have a look?"
"That's not really appropriate." Takanashi Chinatsu was having second thoughts. Going to a grown man's house alone... and the sunset had completely darkened, it was already dark, wasn't that a bit inappropriate?
"Does China hate me?" Bourbon's fingers curled slightly as he loosened his grip on China's sleeve.
Although it's not good, Bourbon is so pitiful.
Takanashi Chika took a deep breath, pushed the other person's wheelchair again, and said in a relaxed tone, "Get the key, open the door, let's go inside and talk."
Bourbon immediately beamed with joy and handed the key to Takanashi Chinatsu.
Takanashi Chika opened the door and looked around. It was a very cozy house.
In the living room, there is a wooden table, two carved wooden chairs, and a long mahogany coffee table in the center of the sofa. On it is a beautiful kumquat tree. The kumquat tree is less than half a meter tall, but it is lush and leafy. I wonder how Bourbon takes care of it. It has already borne fruit in the summer, but the fruit is not big yet, and it is green and yellow.
The room was covered in beige wallpaper, and the floor was spotless. Only the sofa cover was dark brown, and the contrasting light and dark colors added a touch of elegance.
Upon closer inspection, unlike Gin's safe house which was cold and simple, Bourbon's safe house was quite decorated, with cute animal refrigerator magnets, a crystal painting that could be seen at a glance in the entrance hall, and even a row of wind chimes hanging in front of the window, the gold and silver bells making a clear and ethereal sound when there was a slight breeze.
"I'll go make some tea."
"It's late at night, so don't drink tea. Besides, you're a patient, so don't move around." Takanashi Chika said as she walked towards the refrigerator. The refrigerator was quite well-stocked, so it seemed that Bourbon was someone who really enjoyed life. She grabbed a can of cola and then went to the water heater to get him a glass of warm water.
Bourbon took the water glass blankly.
"Want a Coke? You'll have to wait until your bones heal, don't let it affect your recovery." Give her plain water instead!
Bourbon gripped the water glass tightly with both hands, head down, his voice muffled: "No one has ever cared about me like this before."
"You're a good subordinate of mine, so of course I'll take care of you." Takanashi Chinatsu opened her cola and took a sip.
"No, Chinatsu."
"Um?"
Bourbon looked up, his eyes reddening and glistening with tears.
Chinatsu Takanashi was immediately startled. Had she just said anything unusual? How did she manage to make someone cry?
“My parents left me a long time ago, both before and after I joined the organization. Chika, you are the only one who has ever truly cared for me.” Bourbon’s voice choked with emotion.
Takanashi Chika paused slightly, thinking of the information about Bourbon.
According to records, his parents died in a car accident when he was very young, and Bourbon had no other relatives, so the government abandoned him in an orphanage. Worse still, that orphanage not only mistreated the children and embezzled aid funds, but it was also involved in child trafficking; the adopted children were actually sold.
Bourbon was good-looking and was quickly "adopted". When news of him came out again, he had become a powerful information broker. What he went through in between is probably only known to Bourbon himself.
Poor Bourbon.
Is it too naive to try to find genuine sincerity within an organization?
Ultimately, unable to bear it any longer, Takanashi Chika said softly, "Rum didn't treat you well, but now that you're here with me, I'll definitely treat you well, just like Gin treated Vodka."
Seemingly confused by her example, Bourbon's expression faltered for a moment. "Huh?"
"What do you mean 'ah'? Doesn't Gin treat Vodka well? He always brings him along to get credit on missions!" Ever since she found out that Gin was her brother and that her adoptive father was not dead at all, Takanashi Chinatsu has found Gin more and more pleasing to the eye, as if she has a thick filter on him.
Her brother is so nice!
He was good to Vodka, good to Chianti and Cohen; there was probably no one in the organization who treated his subordinates better than his brother.
Chika Takanashi believes that only Pisco can compete with her brother in this aspect, but Pisco is no match for him. In other aspects, Pisco is far behind his brother!
In short, Chinatsu Takanashi doesn't allow anyone to question her brother.
"Bourbon, are you still angry about Gin hitting you?" Chinatsu asked him.
Bourbon's eyes were filled with confusion, and his voice was filled with grievance: "He actually wanted to kill me back then."
"But since you're still alive, he's actually quite magnanimous."
Bourbon almost lost his composure, and said in a low voice, "It's because you pleaded for me..."
“Yes, he let you go as soon as I pleaded for him. What does that mean? It means he’s not a petty person. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have listened to anyone pleading for him.”
Bourbon fell silent.
Takanashi Chinatsu finished her cola with a "glug-glug" and said goodbye, "I should go too. You should focus on recovering from your injury these days and not go out to play all the time, okay?"
Bourbon instinctively wanted to open his mouth to stop him, but for some reason he closed it again.
Chinatsu had already reached the door. "See you later!"
"See you tomorrow, Chizuru." Bourbon finally mustered his spirits and said goodbye to her.
Takanashi Chika left, and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.
Bourbon remained in the room in a long silence.
Gin...is that good?
Although he brought Black Cherry home, Bourbon didn't actually intend to do anything to her. An undercover agent doesn't need to go that far, and the easier something is to obtain, the less it will be cherished. So Bourbon planned to play a game of push and pull, to make Black Cherry interested in him before gently pushing her away.
After a few times, Black Cherry will probably become addicted to him.
That's a very despicable tactic.
Bourbon has always disdained such underhanded tactics, but Lai's offensive is too fierce. Hiro's cooking skills alone may not be enough to completely keep Black Cherry in check. The thought of that scumbag Lai cheating on two women and living a thriving life is something Bourbon can't swallow.
He was fully prepared to give it his all.
but……
Despite Takanashi Chika's barrage of praise for Gin, Bourbon couldn't muster any enthusiasm whatsoever.
Haha, is Gin good?
What's so good about that guy who kills without hesitation, is cold-blooded and ruthless, and always pulls out a gun?
What about being magnanimous and not petty? Bourbon was absolutely furious.
If Ray is a scumbag, then Gin is an absolute scumbag. People like him should be eating pork chop rice instead!
He decorated his room nicely today, and then waited at the school gate when the sunset was at its most beautiful.
He even filled the refrigerator with fresh vegetables, just so that Takanashi Chinatsu could feel the warmth of the house, his love for life, and all the beauty in it.
Next, Bourbon should cook. He had exchanged cooking tips with his childhood friend and learned a few simple dishes. Black Cherry, on the other hand, was worried about his mobility issues and should help him. The two continued their conversation in the kitchen.
A tragic family, a fragile heart—everything is filled with a sense of brokenness.
Just as a man rescues a prostitute, a woman can hardly help but feel sympathy for a man who is so broken.
Everything was so good, everything was planned so perfectly—
But because of Gin, everything was ruined.
Bourbon rubbed his head on the armrest of his wheelchair, feeling a mix of regret and relief. Takanashi Chinatsu's actions had brought him to a stop in time, preventing him from continuing his despicable deception.
Chinatsu Takanashi, with her hands in her pockets and her once flowing blonde hair tied into a high ponytail, walked along, marveling at Bourbon's cunning.
He looks obedient, but he's actually quite cunning.
A safe house is a very private place, and Bourbon wouldn't hire a nanny. He also doesn't have any trustworthy subordinates. Buying so many ingredients and putting them in the refrigerator was clearly a deliberate act to show her.
Bourbon had anticipated that she would open the refrigerator, so the refrigerator magnets were very suspicious. She had observed them when she opened the refrigerator, and they were all very new and spotless.
Not only the fridge magnets, but the whole room was spotless. How could a patient who had just been discharged from the hospital maintain such cleanliness without hiring a cleaning service?
Although it's unknown how long Bourbon worked with his limp, he certainly put his heart into it.
So those words he deliberately said, his reddened eyes, and his slight sob were all meant to elicit her sympathy, right?
That's clever, but unfortunately, the cleverness wasn't used in the right way.
Chinatsuka Takanashi gently flicked the emerald on her bracelet, her radiant smile fading, leaving only a faint curve at the corner of her mouth.
If Bourbon wants to gain her favor through this, that's fine; she's willing to show him more affection, after all, Bourbon is indeed witty and very capable. But if he has other intentions, such as trying to control her, then he's really messed up the wrong person.
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Author's Note: Black Cherry: Yes, Bourbon is very cunning!
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