Chapter 155 This Kind of Life...
The final annihilation of the organization did not begin dramatically on a stormy midnight, nor was it chosen on any symbolic day.
It was just an ordinary Wednesday afternoon. There was no downpour, no gale. The Tokyo sky was its usual bright blue, with clouds spread out evenly, and sunlight filtering through the gaps, casting a warm and bright glow. Pedestrians were on the streets as usual, office workers hurried along, students walked in groups, and the familiar doorbell rang from the convenience store.
But in command centers, intelligence rooms, and standby points in dozens of countries around the world, the atmosphere is extremely serious.
Rei Furuya is currently at the central command center of the joint operation, making a final check on all communication channels to ensure they are working properly.
The screen in front of him was densely packed with dynamic battle maps, red dots representing organizational strongholds and blue dots representing friendly forces. Thanks to his and other undercover agents' infiltration of the organization, intelligence was transparent in one direction only.
Feedback from each squad confirming their positions came through the headset.
Rei Furuya took a deep breath, his purplish-gray eyes shimmering with a complex light under the dim glow of the screen.
Seven years have passed.
He picked up the communicator and said in a deep voice, "Attention all units, operation begins."
His voice was transmitted in all directions through an encrypted channel.
The organization's locations around the world were simultaneously attacked.
...
"Outpost No. 3 has been cleared, and 12 people have been arrested."
"Strong resistance at Outpost 7, requesting reinforcements."
"Target 'Chianti' has been confirmed arrested and is en route to the hospital."
The reports came in an orderly fashion. Rei Furuya's lips curled into a slight smile, but he wasn't completely relaxed. This was just the beginning; the more important goal was yet to come.
Especially that gentleman, whose whereabouts have always been a mystery.
...
Shinichi Kudo rubbed his slightly sore eyes. He had recently taken the antidote that had finally been successfully developed. The feeling of his body finally returning to normal was still somewhat unfamiliar, but his mind was clearer than ever before.
The whiteboard in front of him was covered with photos, maps, and messy pieces of paper with clues, with several names and locations repeatedly circled in the center. He certainly wouldn't give up on doing his part to help solve the mystery.
“If that gentleman is going to run,” Shinichi Kudo pointed to an inconspicuous cargo dock on the map with the tip of his pen, “he won’t go to any known safe houses or outposts. He’s more likely to go to some secret island… Judging from these recent unusual movements of supplies and personnel, he may have prepared a ship, but it won’t be a large ship. Instead, it will be a hidden small submarine.”
"His final escape route has been locked; he's very likely heading to Pier A3!" Shinichi Kudo turned around, his eyes burning.
He pressed the communicator, "Mr. Furuya..."
...
Meanwhile, at one of the organization's core strongholds.
Gin stood before the screen, his long silver hair cascading over his shoulders, his dark green eyes cold and menacing. On the screen, one dot after another went out—representing the fall of strongholds, the capture or death of their members.
Vodka said anxiously, "Brother, the outer defenses have all been breached! Those cops seem to know all our deployments! Bourbon, we still haven't heard from Bourbon... Did he realize things were going badly and run away?"
Gin didn't answer. At this point, what's there to be unclear? Bourbon must have something wrong with him.
But that wasn't the most important thing; he looked at the silent communicator.
That man wanted to abandon the organization and cowardly run away alone.
This realization made Gin's gaze grow even colder.
He turned around, drew his gun, and strode out of the base.
"Big brother?!" Vodka quickly followed.
"Leave here." Gin said without turning his head.
...
Under the dim emergency lights, the man, escorted by a group of trusted guards, strode quickly toward the hidden exit at the end of the passage.
It leads to the dock that the Karasuma family once invested in and built. During its construction, Karasuma Renya ordered people to secretly dig this underground passage connecting the base.
Despite his advanced age, his steps were unhurried, and his eyes gleamed with a desperate light. All he had to do was board that prepared mini-submarine and dive into the deep sea…
However, at the end of the passage, what awaited him was not the light of freedom, but an unexpected figure.
The silver-haired assassin stood at the exit of the passage, the cigarette between his fingers glowing a crimson light, his green eyes appearing dark and inscrutable in the backlight.
His black overcoat was stained with blood.
Gin.
He fought his way through the police encirclement, ignoring his injuries, and arrived at a miraculous speed.
He didn't look at the astonished man, but instead his gaze pierced through the thin smoke, landing on the direction from which the faint sounds of battle could be heard in the distance.
The organization's collapse was inevitable.
His loyalty was never to any specific person, but to the organization itself, to the order and power hidden in the depths of darkness that controlled the darkness.
When a leader chooses to abandon everything and escape alone, in his mind, that person has already lost the right to lead the organization.
They are no longer worthy of existing as a symbol of the organization.
The sound of a bullet hitting the heart was particularly dull.
—From this perspective, the leader who has controlled the organization for nearly a century does not have three heads and six arms, and his reactions are even slower than those of ordinary people.
Yes, he's too old.
The old man's eyes widened, seemingly unable to believe Gin's betrayal, and he fell backward. His trusted confidants were subsequently dealt with by Gin.
Of course, Gin also paid a price; his injuries became more severe.
He turned around, ready to leave.
Just then, Shinichi Kudo rushed over and spoke into his earpiece: "Mr. Morofushi, Mr. Akai, I've found the entrance, it's..."
Their eyes met.
Shinichi, whose luck has been terrible ever since he met Gin at the amusement park: "..."
Ouch, the head that was once hit hard with a blunt object suddenly started to ache!
Shinichi Kudo was somewhat bewildered when he saw the corpse lying on the ground behind Gin.
Internal strife within the organization?
What kind of dream is he having? Gin killed Karasuma Renya?
Why would he kill Karasuma Renya? It can't be... Gin is also an undercover agent, right?
Shinichi Kudo: Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Even if Gin really is an undercover agent, with his criminal record, he's doomed, haha.
It can't be washed away, it's impossible to wash it away.
He instinctively assumed a defensive stance: "Gin, you—" Then he saw Gin quickly turn his gun around.
Time seemed to slow down. Shinichi Kudo could clearly see Gin pull the trigger, see the flash of the gun—
A slender figure suddenly rushed out from the side and blocked his way.
"Cool guy, get out of the way!"
No one knows when she appeared, or why she didn't hesitate to take a bullet for Shinichi Kudo.
Vermouth groaned, and blood bloomed on her chest. She turned her head, gave the astonished Shinichi Kudo a complex smile, and then collapsed.
“Vermouth?!” Gin frowned.
The leader ran away when he saw things were going badly, the second-in-command always made mistakes on important matters, the newly appointed head of the intelligence group seemed to have problems, and now Vermouth was acting like she was possessed, risking her life to save the enemy.
Gin, feeling betrayed by everyone: "..."
Without pausing, he pointed the gun at Shinichi Kudo once more.
Bang! Bang!
Two gunshots rang out simultaneously, both coming from a distance. Morofushi Kagemitsu and Akai Shuichi, who arrived just in time, raised their guns in unison, one shooting at Gin's wrist and the other at his forehead.
Gin barely dodged the bullet to the forehead, but couldn't escape the subsequent attacks.
The already severely injured and exhausted assassin quickly collapsed unwillingly under the combined attack of powerful enemies.
"Vermouth!" Shinichi Kudo rushed forward and helped Vermouth up as she fell.
Her breath was rapidly fading, soon becoming barely a whisper. Her gaze seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she simply looked up at the sky. "This ending... isn't so bad..."
Her hand fell limply to her side, and she stopped breathing. The Thousand-Faced Witch, carrying countless secrets and a body full of sins, met her end, but seemed to have no regrets in her final moments.
In the chaos, no one noticed a ghost silently slipping into the depths of the base.
Nekono Ikuya stood in front of a huge computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
Countless lines of data scrolled across the screen—APTX-4869 research data, human experiment records, consciousness mapping research…
"Let things that shouldn't exist in this world disappear," Nekono Ikuya said softly, then pressed the Enter key.
He wouldn't gamble that officials from various countries wouldn't secretly restart the experiment after seeing it.
The uninstallation process initiated, permanently erasing all data. The hard drive was physically destroyed, and the backup server remotely formatted it. This gruesome research material vanished within minutes.
Nekono Ikuya watched all of this quietly until all the indicator lights went out and the screen went dark. He turned and left, concealing his accomplishment.
...
The operation lasted for three days.
When news arrived that the last base had been destroyed, Rei Furuya finally allowed himself to relax a little. He leaned back in the command vehicle seat and closed his eyes.
My phone vibrated.
He glanced at it; it was an encrypted number. Upon answering, a familiar voice came from the other end—it was a former mid-level manager who had held a significant position in the organization.
"Lord Bourbon!" The voice on the other end was urgent and hopeful. "It's so good that you're alright! What should we do now? I've contacted a few other members who also managed to escape. We can regroup at any time if you give the order!"
Rei Furuya was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Give me your seats."
The other party excitedly recited a string of addresses.
Half an hour later, the address was raided by the police, and everyone was arrested. When they were arrested, they were still excitedly discussing, "We knew that Lord Bourbon was alright. Lord Bourbon will definitely be able to lead us to rebuild the organization... or at least let us escape the encirclement."
Then he was arrested.
Organization members: "?"
Similar situations continued to occur in the following weeks.
Although the organization was destroyed, Bourbon's legend continues.
In the hearts of many former members, that smiling, enigmatic, ruthless, and terrifying figure remains their hope.
The guiding lamp should be crossed out; the guiding light should be clear.
They never imagined Bourbon was a policeman—how could that be? How could someone like that, with that kind of style, be a policeman?
A few people who realized something was wrong after being arrested assumed that Bourbon had already been arrested and, in order to get a reduced sentence, simply betrayed them.
In the interrogation room, they were furious: "I understand! It was Lord Bourbon... ugh, that bastard Bourbon! He must have already been captured or saw the organization was failing, so he sold us out as a pledge of loyalty, hoping to escape or even gain some benefit! That despicable, shameless, treacherous, and utterly disloyal villain! That's the kind of person he is! We were all blind!!!"
"Damn it, I should have realized sooner that I couldn't trust an ambitious opportunist like Bourbon... Hey, cop over there, I can tell you everything I know, my only condition is that you absolutely cannot let Bourbon go!"
Outside the one-way glass, Rei Furuya, who was directing the interrogation, heard these words: "..."
Okay, okay.
As long as you're happy.jpg
The remnants of the organization: Will they fall vertically into Bourbon's trap, or will they be overjoyed and walk right into it?
Rei Furuya: Pretending to be a cunning bourbon who has successfully escaped, he fishes with straight bait until he gets tired of it.
A two-way journey.
...
A few months later, everything seemed to have settled down, and life gradually returned to normal.
A new flower shop has opened in Beika Town.
The flower shop has a warm and inviting name. The two staff members are two outstanding women: the older sister is gentle and capable, while the younger sister is aloof and quiet, but both are very attentive to their customers.
Akemi Miyano carefully trimmed the leaves of a bunch of lilies, a calm and content smile on her face. Shiho Miyano sat in a corner chair, holding a thick botanical encyclopedia, occasionally glancing at her sister and the flowers in the shop, the long-standing gloom finally fading from her lake-blue eyes.
This flower shop is owned by Akemi Miyano, and Shiho Miyano often comes here to help out.
Because of Nekono Ikuya, they weren't bothered too much by various factions. Nekono Ikuya didn't exonerate them—their crimes weren't serious to begin with, and they had even redeemed themselves through good deeds. He simply told Miyano Shiho not to worry about being forced by the authorities to do research she didn't want to do.
The wind chimes tinkled softly, and a man wearing a light-colored trench coat and gold-rimmed glasses pushed open the door and walked in.
He looked to be around thirty years old, with a refined and handsome appearance, and a faint smile playing on his lips, exuding a unique charm of a suave scoundrel.
His gaze swept across the store, pausing briefly on the Miyano sisters before he gave them a polite nod.
Finally, his gaze fell upon a pot of purple irises in full bloom.
"Please wrap this potted plant for me, thank you." His voice was unhurried, with just the right amount of elegance.
Mingmei smiled and agreed, then skillfully began packaging.
The man waited quietly, his gaze casually drifting to the street across the street outside the window—where the Akai family was putting on a full-blown brawl.
Mary Akai was chasing and beating a middle-aged man who looked remarkably like Shuichi Akai. Hideyoshi Haneda wisely stayed away from the scene, while Masumi Sera excitedly tried to break up the fight. Shuichi Akai... Shuichi Akai unfortunately got caught up in it, and seeing that he couldn't escape, he simply assumed a fighting stance.
He didn't take sides, choosing to attack both sides equally, which led to a mixed doubles match between husband and wife.
Shuichi Akai: I have special skills in mediating disputes.
Akai Tsutomu: ...In a critical moment, my eldest son is still the most reliable!
However, it wasn't intentional that I've lost my memory for so many years.
The man's eyes behind his glasses curved slightly, a knowing smile flashing across them. He had already seen them.
He accepted the beautifully packaged irises, paid for them, thanked the florist, and left the shop with a composed gait, holding the flowers.
His next destination was the police department.
On the way, he passed a couple chatting and laughing. The boy's blue eyes were particularly bright, and the girl's bangs were styled into cute corners.
...
Police Department, the office area of the public security department.
Although it was nearing the end of the workday, many people were still busy. The organization's collapse brought with it a massive amount of follow-up work: interrogations, the elimination of remaining members, the transfer of evidence...
Although the organization has been destroyed, the ensuing international coordination and competition have only just begun. They still have a lot to do.
Kazami Yuya walked toward Furuya Rei's office with a document in his hand, then hesitated at the door.
In the office, Rei Furuya and Kagemitsu Morofushi were discussing something. Both were wearing their respective uniforms, the epaulets indicating their ranks.
Due to the need to handle follow-up work for the organization, Morofushi Kagemitsu's office location has been temporarily moved here.
"What's wrong, Kazami?" Furuya Rei asked, looking up.
“Mr. Furuya,” Yuya Kazami walked in, his expression somewhat subtle, “There is someone waiting for you downstairs…”
"who?"
“I don’t know him, but he’s… well, exceptionally good-looking.” Kazami Yuya carefully chose his words. “He was wearing a beige trench coat and gold-rimmed glasses, and he looked like a university professor.”
A refined scoundrel, a university professor.
Rei Furuya and Kagemitsu Morofushi exchanged a glance.
Morofushi Kagemitsu's lips began to curl upwards.
"And then?" Furuya Rei asked, already guessing what was going on.
"He said he was your boyfriend and was waiting for you to get off work," Kazami Yuya honestly reported. "I asked him to come up and wait for me, but he said no need, he'd just stay downstairs and enjoy the view."
Upon hearing this, the other colleagues in the office who were working overtime looked up and exchanged knowing smiles.
"Mr. Furuya, why don't you leave work early today?" a female colleague said with a smile. "There's never enough work to do."
“Yeah, it’s not good to keep people waiting.” Another male colleague winked.
Morofushi Kagemitsu couldn't help but laugh out loud. He patted his childhood friend on the shoulder and said, "Zero, go ahead. I'll handle the rest."
Looking at her suddenly "understanding" colleagues, and then thinking of her "exceptionally handsome" "boyfriend" downstairs, a helpless smile appeared in Rei Furuya's purplish-gray eyes.
He stood up, looked at the others, and said, "...Then I'll be going now."
"Go quickly!" the colleagues shouted in unison.
As Rei Furuya walked out of the office, he heard suppressed laughter and whispers behind him:
"It must be Mr. Nekono, right?"
"Definitely. Mr. Furuya only has that expression when he's facing Mr. Nekono."
"So there really are ever-changing lovers... I'm so envious."
"Tsk tsk, as expected of Mr. Furuya!"
Is this considered a reputation recovery?
He at least retracted it in front of those close to him, and took off the "playboy" label.
It just makes his interactions with his lover seem a bit too colorful.
Jianggu Ling: "..."
Rei Furuya paused, then closed his eyes briefly.
Sure enough... a peaceful daily life is impossible with that wild cat around.
But he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.
He looked forward to this kind of life.
As he stepped out of the building, he immediately spotted the figure standing under the sycamore tree on the street.
Wearing a beige trench coat and gold-rimmed glasses, he held a bunch of blooming purple irises and looked up at the sparrows hopping in the tree. The evening sunlight gilded him, making his profile look almost unreal.
Seemingly noticing the gaze, Nekono Ikuya turned her head and met Furuya Rei's eyes.
He chuckled softly, a smile that, reflected in his exquisite gold-rimmed glasses, carried a refined yet aggressive quality.
He's a truly refined scoundrel, but he's also really good-looking.
Rei Furuya walked over and stopped in front of him.
"Have you been waiting long?" Furuya Rei asked, his voice unconsciously softening.
“Soon,” Nekono Ikuya said, handing him the bunch of irises, “this is for you.”
Rei Furuya took it, looked at the vibrant purple irises, and then at the person in front of him.
Seven years undercover, countless dangers, all the pretense, lies, and days of walking on the edge of a knife have finally come to an end.
And this person was always by his side.
"Go home?" Furuya Rei asked.
“Yes, let’s go home.” Nekono Ikuya naturally took his hand.
The two walked side by side into the bustling crowd, just like any ordinary couple on the streets of Tokyo.
The setting sun cast long shadows of them, which intertwined.
An ordinary day has come to an end. And tomorrow... perhaps new storms, new mysteries, and new adventures await them.
But no matter what, Rei Furuya knew that Ikuya Nekono would always be by his side. And he would always be willing to guess which face his lover would show tomorrow.
This is probably what Rei Furuya's daily life is like—never monotonous and always sweet.
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