Chapter 66 The Second Test: Gao Ming walked up to her...
Ravens are more powerful, smarter, and more in control than crows.
Even with its feathers fluffed up, a crow still appears small and delicate compared to a raven.
Chinatsu took out the feather and said to Gin, "I met someone today whose social media profile picture is a picture of a raven."
"age?"
"He should be older than me, but not by much. He looks like a recent college graduate named Karasuno Goku. Although he's Kudo Yusaku's editor, he doesn't really understand the job and his work is full of mistakes. His raven is named Koichi. When he gave me the feather, he said something strange, saying he was willing to share the feather with me."
"What he wants to share with you may not be a feather."
Takanashi Chika's heart skipped a beat, she had a guess, but she still couldn't believe it.
It is power.
If Karasuno Prison is indeed related to the organization, then the feathers certainly represent power.
Can……
"He doesn't look like someone from the organization; he's a bit simple-minded, not at all gloomy."
"Who told you that people in an organization have to be gloomy? Don't forget, you're part of the organization too."
But I'm different. Takanashi Chika wanted to retort, but then shut her mouth. People are diverse, and it's also possible that they're pretending. She couldn't be sure that Karasuno Goku was unrelated to the organization.
"Remember to go to the □□ office tomorrow afternoon; the second-in-command will be there too," Gin reminded her.
"Rum?"
"No, it's the person who will replace Rum?"
Takanashi Chinatsu was a little confused. Even if it was the person who replaced Rum, she knew almost all of those high-ranking officials. Was there any need for her to go and show her support? Karasuma Renya hadn't told her that she had to go.
Gin's eyes turned cold, and he slowly uttered, "Parachuted."
A single word instantly made Chinatsu's heart leap into her throat, and she understood why Gin cared so much.
Rum holds a high position and controls the intelligence group. Generally speaking, even if he were to step down, he would find someone who could keep the subordinates in check to take over. This position is one that cannot be lost.
But parachuting in?
The meaning of "parachuted in" is that this person is not a high-ranking member of the intelligence group, but someone directly named and dispatched by Karasuma Renya.
What is Karasuma Renya doing? Isn't he afraid that doing this will throw the intelligence team into chaos?
“Karasuma Renya specifically told me that Rum is too high up in the hierarchy, so he doesn’t recognize his own position, nor yours, and tries to put you down as the second-in-command. If it were someone else, they might even bully you, so he specially sent someone who would never bully you to take over.”
"So absolutely?"
"They were his private soldiers."
Chinatsu's face turned pale.
Karasuma Renya has a private army whose soldiers are brainwashed and trained by him from a young age. It is said that they are comparable to the best in their respective fields in terms of ability.
“They are completely obedient to Karasuma Renya and would never betray him. It is said that the most perfect leader among the private soldiers dispatched this time is also the number one killing machine.” Gin’s gaze slowly swept over the feather in her hand.
Chizuru's hand trembled, and she almost threw the feather away.
Little one, number one.
She is now almost certain that Karasuno Goku is connected to the organization, and is very likely the so-called Number One. If she were to speculate even more boldly, it might be Karasuma Renya.
No, that's not right.
Takanashi Chinatsu quickly denied it, saying that Karasuma Renya was always elusive and difficult to find, and that he was deep, controlling, and ruthless, definitely not the innocent college student image of Karasuno Goku.
But number one shouldn't be that kind of image!
“Karasuma Goku is very likely Number One. Since Karasuma Renya has his eye on Ran Mouri, it’s normal for him to arrange for Number One to keep an eye on her. Kudo Yusaku’s editor can easily get in touch with Ran Mouri without arousing suspicion.” Gin said with a solemn expression.
"Why not go directly to the Mori family?"
"It's too obvious. Kudo Yusaku probably thinks that Karasuno Goku's target is him, which actually makes it easier for Karasuno Goku to monitor Mori Ran."
How heartless! So heartless!
Takanashi Chika thought to herself, "With Karasuno Goku's actions, even Kudo Yusaku has guessed his true intentions."
"He seems very naive?"
Chika Takanashi nodded, not at all like a deep-thinking person.
"Perhaps it's a split personality."
"Dissociative identity disorder?"
Gin shook his head and reiterated, "It's dissociative identity disorder. The brainwashing method used by that private army is very special. They can create new personalities using cards of special colors and switch personalities at crucial moments to get away with it. Since the disguise can't fool Kudo Yusaku, then we should really become a pure and simple person."
Takanashi Chinatsu's eyes widened in shock. Could such a thing really be done?
"Rum's brainwashing of Curaçao is like this, but his brainwashing techniques are not complete, so the brainwashing of Curaçao is not thorough. After the personality switch, Curaçao may lose the memory of her original personality."
Chizuru Takanashi was completely baffled. This brainwashing was too over-the-top. According to her brother, wouldn't the private soldier not lose his memory after switching personalities? Same memories, but different personalities, and it wasn't an act but a genuine change from the heart. Is this even possible?
She looked at her brother suspiciously and asked, "How do you know so much?"
Gin stared straight ahead, his voice almost devoid of emotion: "I was also chosen by Karasuma Renya to be one of his private soldiers, but I was already old at the time, with a strong will, strong abilities, and loyalty. Forcibly brainwashing me would take too long and would not be worth it. After all, any brainwashing will cause some damage to a person's brain."
Chizuru Takanashi's palms immediately became sweaty.
She was so grateful for her brother's brilliant mind; otherwise, he might never have come back.
"Don't worry, it's all over now."
Despite Gin's comfort, Takanashi Chinatsu's heart was still pounding rapidly.
It was so close, just a tiny bit off.
Karasuma Renya is definitely no good!
The following morning, Takanashi Chinatsu binds herself to Hagiwara Kenji and takes him to the hospital to visit Matsuda Jinpei.
Thanks to yesterday's emergency treatment, Matsuda Jinpei's life was saved by medical staff, and he is now out of danger.
Kenji Hagiwara peeked inside first, and then called Chinatsu Takanashi in while Jotaro Matsuda went to get hot water.
Matsuda Jinpei was still unconscious, his dark eyelashes obscuring his eyes, his face devoid of color, even his lips were deathly pale.
As far as I can remember, the last time I saw someone injured this badly was Bourbon.
Considering that Bourbon and Matsuda Jinpei were classmates at the police academy, Takanashi Chinatsu felt even more helpless; the police really do have a lot of troubles.
"Jinpei doesn't seem to be awake yet." Kenji Hagiwara floated above Jinpei Matsuda, his body almost touching Jinpei's.
Takanashi Chinatsu quickly called out to him, "Be careful not to get Matsuda-nii cold."
Kenji Hagiwara then quickly floated down and stood next to Chinatsu, asking, "Are you very worried?"
"Aren't you worried?" Takanashi Chika rolled her eyes at him.
“I’m different. I’m worried because I’m your childhood friend, but you, China…”
"I'm worried as a good friend," Takanashi Chinatsu said firmly.
Kenji Hagiwara glanced suspiciously at Chinatsu Takanashi, clearly not believing her.
Takanashi Chinatsu nervously pursed her lips. Hagiwara Kenji just loves to overthink things. She's not even out of the organization yet, and dating would only be a burden. She has no right to even mention it.
Stay healthy, Matsuda-kun.
Chinatsu Takanashi reached out, her fingers almost touching Jinpei Matsuda's cheek.
Between the bandages on his neck and forehead, his handsome face was unharmed. He lay quietly on the bed, like Sleeping Beauty in a fairy tale.
When her fingertips stopped less than half an inch from his cheek, Takanashi Chika could almost feel the temperature of his skin. That temperature made her pause for two seconds before she suddenly came to her senses and tried to pull her hand back, but it was grabbed tightly by another hand.
A pang of panic shot through her, followed by a surge of joy. She grabbed Matsuda Jinpei's hands in return and exclaimed in delight, "Matsuda-nii, are you alright?"
Kenji Hagiwara's eyes lit up with joy, but he kept his mouth shut and didn't make a sound.
"It wasn't anything serious to begin with." Despite being covered in bandages, Matsuda Jinpei used his other hand to remove the respirator, his tone so calm that it was as if he wasn't the one who was injured.
He tried to sit up, but the pain prevented him from acting rashly, and he could only lie obediently in the hospital bed.
"Is Chinatsu in danger?" Matsuda Jinpei's gaze swept over Chinatsu's earlobe, where the tsavorite gem on her earring gleamed.
Chinatsu Kotaro denied it: "No."
"Only report good news, not bad news?"
Takanashi Chika opened her mouth, unsure of what to say.
Matsuda-kun is so perceptive!
In just two days, she faced both trials and brainwashing, and she did encounter many crises. But Matsuda was still injured, and she didn't want these things to affect his recovery.
She quickly changed the subject: "Matsuda-nii, just between you and me, Kenji-chan is here too." She lowered her voice and pointed at Hagiwara Kenji.
Matsuda Jinpei couldn't see it, but that didn't matter.
He gently touched Takanashi Chinatsu's face, his voice hoarse from just waking up, speaking slowly but reassuringly: "No matter what happens, be brave and do it, Chinatsu. I will always face it with you."
Chizuru Takanashi was stunned and subconsciously looked away.
No, she doesn't need it.
All she needs to do is for Matsuda to be a good policeman, and she doesn't need to worry about anything else. She has her brother and adoptive father to help her, so many undercover agents to assist her, and the ghost of Kenji Hagiwara. There's really no need to drag an innocent Matsuda Jinpei into this mess.
The organization itself is a muddy mess, a bottomless swamp that swallows up all justice and kindness.
"Matsuda-nii, I'm sorry, I have something to hide from you." Takanashi Chinatsu couldn't drag Matsuda Jinpei into this quagmire, and she wouldn't ask him for help regarding matters concerning the organization.
She thought Matsuda Jinpei would be angry, would try to persuade her, and would say harsh words.
Even while lying in a hospital bed, she would feel anxious and angry because of her words, and she was prepared to comfort her.
But Matsuda Jinpei just smiled this time.
His fingers slid down her cheek and gently brushed against her earlobe.
In that instant, not only did her ears burn, but her cheeks also felt like they were on fire.
"It's alright, I also have things I'm keeping from you." Matsuda Jinpei's tone carried a hint of smugness.
Chika Takanashi instinctively wanted to ask, but rationally kept her mouth shut.
"Go home, do what you need to do, don't worry about anything." Matsuda Jinpei looked at Takanashi Chinatsu earnestly, encouraging her to act bravely.
It's strange, this feeling...
Takanashi Chika always felt that Matsuda Jinpei shouldn't have said that. Usually, everyone else would advise her to be careful and to ask for help if she needed anything, but only Matsuda Jinpei encouraged her to be brave and do it.
Unfortunately, Matsuda Jinpei was very interested in her.
Something seems to be wrong, but Takanashi Chinatsu just can't understand it.
She could only nod, then turned and left with Kenji Hagiwara.
As soon as she opened the door to the ward, Takanashi Chinatsu made eye contact with Matsuda Jotaro, who was standing at the door.
"Uncle Matsuda!" Kenji Hagiwara clutched his head in shock and regret. "I'm so sorry, Chinatsu, I forgot to check your surroundings!"
Chizuru Takanashi walked out of the ward without making a sound and closed the door.
Matsuda Jotaro looked at her, forcing a smile, and asked, "You're that kid's girlfriend, right?"
"I……"
"I can tell that brat cares about you."
Chinatsu Takanashi tugged at her clothes with both hands, her head lowered, her gaze quietly fixed on her toes.
"When I went to pay the hospital fees, the doctor said that a girl had already prepaid the fees, which must be you, right?" Matsuda Jotaro's voice was as gentle as possible, but he seemed quite embarrassed about how to face his daughter-in-law, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.
Takanashi Chinatsu nodded, finally calming down, and looked up at Matsuda Jotaro, saying, "Uncle Matsuda, I'm Matsuda-nii's friend. I was a little worried about him this time, so I paid some money first. You can contact me if you need anything."
She handed him a business card.
"Then you and my brat..."
"I have something to attend to right now, so please excuse me." Takanashi Chinatsu really had no experience dealing with the matriarch, so she left as if fleeing.
Even though she had already entered the elevator, Takanashi Chika still didn't dare to turn around for a long time, as if she felt a pair of eyes staring at her from behind.
"Chinatsu-chan, that's so lame!" Kenji Hagiwara was still laughing at her.
Takanashi Chinatsu glared at the second-year student, scratched her head in annoyance, and said, "You're all overthinking this!"
"That's what Xiaozhenping said when he gave you the earrings."
Subconsciously touching her earring, Takanashi Chika glared at him again, embarrassed and angry.
"If Chinataka really doesn't like Kojinpei, how about trying with Kenji-chan?" Hagiwara Kenji touched Takanashi Chinataka's hand, interlacing his fingers with hers, and the two stood facing each other.
Just as Takanashi Chinatsu was about to tell him to stop fooling around, she saw the subtle seriousness in Hagiwara Kenji's gentle eyes.
serious?
Takanashi Chinatsu's hand trembled. Was Hagiwara Kenji joking?
She quickly withdrew her hand, her eyes darting around: "Are you kidding me?"
"It's a joke. Kenji-chan is already a ghost. Of course, a living person can't date a ghost." Hagiwara Kenji's voice was as light as ever.
Chizuru Takanashi, however, did not relax at all; instead, she felt even more pressure in her heart.
Although he said it jokingly, he was clearly serious just now.
Chizuru Takanashi understood, but she was even more afraid to touch it. She seemed to be sick. She clearly longed for affection and for someone to treat her wholeheartedly, but when that person actually appeared, her first reaction was to run away.
She could say she rejected Matsuda Jinpei to protect him, but why did she reject Hagiwara Kenji? Hagiwara Kenji is a ghost; even if she stayed by his side, no one would notice. So why did she still want to run away?
With her mind in turmoil, Takanashi Chika licked her lips, her throat feeling dry.
The elevator arrived at the first floor and opened with a "ding".
Takanashi Chika hurriedly went out, but still felt a faint chill around her. That's how ghosts are; the stronger they are, the colder they become, before they've mastered their skills.
The stark contrast between the burning heat in her body and the coldness around her only fueled her panic and made her lose her way.
"Chinatsu-chan, watch out!"
"Careful, are you alright?" Someone gently helped Takanashi Chika up.
Takanashi Chinatsu realized she had bumped into someone and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have wandered around the hospital... Was it you?"
It's Karasuno Prison!
She took a step back warily. Why would Karasuno Goku be here?
Were they spying on her? Or did they discover Matsuda-kun?
Karasuno Goku is a member of the organization, and there's no way to trust him; he must have ulterior motives for coming to the hospital.
"Miss Takanashi, why are you being so reckless?" Karasuno Goku asked with a relaxed smile.
She pretended to cover her head and said, "I have a bit of a cold and I feel very dizzy. I'm so sorry. What brings Mr. Karasuno to the hospital?"
Karasuno Goku looked worried: "A friend from Nagano came to Tokyo to visit me, but he got into a car accident on the way."
"That's terrible, how serious is it?"
"It's not clear yet," Karasuno Goku sighed.
"Ah Yu." A gentle voice came from not far away.
"Brilliant!" Wuyeyu immediately waved to the person who came and jogged over.
Was her friend really in a car accident? Takanashi Chika wasn't sure. She glanced over and saw a tall young man with bandages wrapped around his arm, but he didn't seem to be seriously injured.
She breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Karasuno Goku's visit to the hospital might just be a coincidence, but then she froze because of the familiar face of the injured man.
This face...this face seems to be...
Scotland?
A mature version of Scotland?
He was about to leave, but his steps were firmly controlled by a face, and he was stuck in place.
The two chatted as if no one else was around; the car accident was a close call, just a minor scrape.
Chika Takanashi remained standing there, frozen in place, her back drenched in a cold sweat.
"Miss Takanashi, this is my friend Takaaki, a very capable police officer." Karasuno Goku proudly pulled Morofushi Takaaki in front of Takanashi Chinatsu to show off.
Chinatsu's back was even wetter.
She understood, she understood everything.
Morofushi Takami was from Nagano. She had taken Scotland to Nagano before, and the two may have met at that time. That's why Karasuma Renya was able to track down Scotland and Bourbon's identities.
What was Karasuno Gakuen trying to do by bringing Morofushi Takami to her?
The two look so alike, how can she pretend she knows nothing?
She tried to save Bourbon and Scotland, but now it seems that Karasuma Renya doesn't want them to live. He didn't kill them, but he's gradually revealing the truth to her.
Karasuma Renya was waiting for her reaction.
Is it betrayal or loyalty? What is her stance? Will she protect the undercover agent...?
Karasuma Renya is waiting for an answer.
Kenji Hagiwara clearly realized this as well, his voice trembling slightly: "Chinatsu-chan, what should we do? Has Master Kei been exposed?"
It was exposed long ago.
Chika Takanashi understood that Bourbon and Scotland's identities had been fully exposed before that test.
At that time, however, she was "unaware" of it.
Now, she has been forced to become an insider.
This is the second test that Karasuma Renya has set for her.
"Takashi, say hello to Miss Takanashi!" Karasuno Goku reminded him with a smile.
Zhu Fu Gaoming let out a muffled groan, clutched his chest tightly, and slowly slid down.
His expression began to distort, his refined demeanor vanished, and he even appeared somewhat ferocious.
"It hurts, my chest hurts so much." Morobushi Takaaki clutched his chest with one hand and pulled hard on Karasuno Gaku's pants with the other.
"Gao Ming, what's wrong?" Wu Yeyu quickly checked on him.
"Help me...help me..."
"Doctor, doctor, come quickly to save him!" Karasuno Goku saw that the thin man had easily picked up Morofushi Takaaki and rushed towards the medical staff not far away.
Chika Takanashi did not linger and quickly left the hospital amidst the chaos.
“Was that Mr. Jing’s older brother just now? Mr. Jing told me that he has an older brother who is a policeman.” Kenji Hagiwara floated closely behind Chinatsu Takanashi.
"It's probably him."
"Was he faking illness just now?"
"I don't know." Takanashi Chika shook her head, but she had some guesses in her heart.
Her Scottish brother knows her!
The distorted expression was meant to obscure her face, and the feigned illness on the ground was an attempt to leave her side; Morofushi Takami was on guard against her.
But it was too late.
It was too late; she wasn't the one who wanted Scotland dead.
Morofushi Takami was on guard against her, but what about Karasuno Gaku? Was he on guard against Karasuno Gaku?
You've got the wrong target. Morofushi Takaaki should be wary of Karasuno Goku, not her.
She had to quickly notify Scotland to evacuate as soon as possible; the organization couldn't stay any longer, and it would be best to evacuate with Bourbon.
Taking out her phone, Takanashi Chinatsu's fingers trembled as she began to dial, only to have her phone slapped away by Hagiwara Kenji.
"What are you doing?" Takanashi Chinatsu looked at Hagiwara Kenji in shock.
Kenji Hagiwara clenched his teeth, his eyes red-rimmed, but he shook his head firmly at Chizuru.
Takanashi Chika bent down to pick up her phone, but before she could dial, she heard Hagiwara Kenji's voice, which was so rational it was almost cold.
"Don't hit me, Qian Nai. I know what you're going to do, but you can't contact Master Jing right now."
"He'll die if he doesn't run!"
"He'll die if you make this call!"
Kenji Hagiwara's stern shout startled Chinatsu.
Her hand trembled, and she almost dropped her phone again.
"If that person is part of the organization, do you think he dared to bring Master Jing's brother to you without any preparation?"
Calm, rational, and meticulous.
The more I analyze, the more alarmed I become.
“There’s definitely someone watching Master Jing. Even if he wanted to run away now, he couldn’t escape. Making this call will not only cause those people to take immediate action, but it will also implicate you.” Kenji Hagiwara pressed down on Chika Takanashi’s shoulder, harder and harder.
He seemed to be trying his best to restrain himself, but a sob still escaped his lips at the end: "I would not give up even if there was the slightest chance to rescue him. But Qiannai, there is no chance anymore."
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