Chapter 7

When he saw him, the ochre-haired boy's eyes lit up instantly, like cobalt blue gems, dazzling and eye-catching.

Two seconds later, realizing that his emotions were too exposed, Nakahara Chuuya covered his lips and coughed, then nodded modestly to Kono Seiryoshi to cover up, "Fortunately, I just got here too."

If he hadn't asked the waiter, Gongye Shengliang would have believed him. He didn't expose the boy, but silently remembered this little thoughtfulness in his heart.

"Come and see if there's anything you want to eat," Nakahara Chuuya pushed the menu to the other side, and said in a very generous tone, "I'll pay."

Although he had expected this, after seeing the prices of the exquisite dishes on the menu, Kono Seiyoshi was still shocked.

However, if you are too polite, such a good atmosphere will be wasted.

Thinking this through, Seiryo Kono ordered a steak as per normal procedure, and then immediately turned to the dessert page with great anticipation.

He couldn't decide between cherry almond shaved ice and mango pineapple egg tart, so he put down the menu and looked up and asked, "Do you have a favorite dessert, Chuuya?"

Nakahara Chuuya didn't seem to expect him to suddenly look up. When their eyes met, he reflexively dodged his gaze, his Adam's apple moving slightly: "Cherry...right."

"Okay, two more cherry smoothies."

Kono Seiryoshi put away the menu and spoke to the waiter.

Nakahara Chuuya noticed his hesitation and showed some confusion on his face: "If you like both, why don't you order one?"

Kono Seiryoshi stroked the wall of the glass, where a few drops of water condensed. He shook his head and replied with a smile, "Even if it's something you like, it's not good to be greedy."

"Besides," he paused slightly, his beautiful eyes and eyebrows showing a sly smile under the light, "next time when you come here, you can order another portion, so let me be your treat next time."

Facing his spontaneous invitation, Nakahara Chuuya was completely unprepared and his blue eyes widened slightly.

A few seconds later, the ochre-haired boy suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahahaha, that's nothing! You're quite an interesting person!"

Kono Seira, who received mostly positive reviews, said: "…Thank you? But Chuuya is also very interesting."

After some sincere business compliments, Kimino Seiryoshi felt that his relationship with Chuuya had become close enough that they could even talk about private topics.

For his ultimate goal, some things are better to be known sooner rather than later!

Kono Seira looked at the ochre-haired boy staring at a bowl of dessert, not knowing where to start. He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and couldn't help but lower his voice: "There is something I have wanted to ask you for a long time... Chuuya, your attitude towards me seems to be very friendly from the beginning." He used very tactful words and was observing the other person's expression while speaking.

Nakahara Chuuya was determined to put a spoonful of cherry jam in his mouth, but when he heard his words, he suddenly choked, "Ahem - what?!"

Kono Seira added some embellishments seriously: "I think I understand that Chuuya is kind-hearted, but is he too good to me? You know--"

The heat on Nakahara Chuuya's face had not yet subsided, and his face instantly turned red to his neck when he heard the words, "How can the mafia be said to be kind!" He gritted his teeth and interrupted Kono Seira's words. Fortunately, this was the seat he had specially reserved, far away from others, and no one would hear their conversation.

After holding it in for a few seconds, Nakahara Chuuya himself became a little uncertain and muttered softly, "Besides, am I good to you...?"

Gongye Shengliang seemed to have heard something incredible, and looked at him with wide eyes: "Of course! Think about it, I was a hostage in the hornet's nest. When I was taken to see the leader, not only was I not pointed a gun at my head, but you also comforted me!"

He disliked the previous leader, and his impression of the port mafia was not much better. But even if he had subjective prejudices, Kono Seira could still understand their approach.

The safety of the leader is the most important thing. Any factors that may threaten the leader's safety must be dealt with seriously. Especially since he was a hostage who was hostile to the port mafia, had a grudge against the previous leader, and possessed unknown supernatural powers. No matter how harsh the attitude towards him was, it would not be excessive.

As a senior member whose loyalty to Mori Ougai is evident, Nakahara Chuuya's actions from beginning to end were simply too gentle.

Due to his status, it was not convenient for him to ask other mafia colleagues about these issues, but it should be okay now. Kono Seira optimistically classified Nakahara Chuuya into the camp of "friends who can complain about their superiors together."

"…You mean that?"

Nakahara Chuuya's face flashed with an expression of speechlessness or something, but he quickly returned to his normal state, "Mr. Mori is different from the previous generation, and there are many people in the port mafia who oppose the previous generation's actions. Your identity...is not a big problem."

He was telling the truth. For example, his current boss and one of his subordinates, Ozaki Kouyo, had always hated the previous generation and the Port Mafia before Mori Ogai came to power. Even he himself was an enemy of the Port Mafia when he was the "King of Sheep".

"And it was the leader's order to bring you out. The leader must have his own reasons for doing so. Isn't it good now?"

Nakahara Chuuya wanted to say a few more words, but his eyes suddenly froze.

The gray-haired boy opposite him had a calm expression, and listened to him attentively with his eyes lowered. However, his fingers unconsciously gripping the tablecloth revealed his true emotions.

No matter how normal one appears to be on the outside, being imprisoned in a dark dungeon for three years will inevitably leave psychological shadows.

His fingers are long but lack explosive power, and he probably can't even withstand the recoil of firing a gun; his body is too thin, and one can tell at a glance that his physical skills are poor; as for his face...it's quite pretty.

She is very serious about her work and has a good temper. She didn't complain even though she had a terrible boss like Dazai. She is also a nice person, but sometimes her actions can easily lead to misunderstandings...

Nakahara Chuuya couldn't help but have the same initial doubts in his mind again.

——How did such a person become related to the cruel previous generation?

The scenery in front of him flashed suddenly, and he was caught off guard, and he ran straight into a golden expanse, like the glittering sea surface under the setting sun.

The owner of the golden eyes was looking at him in surprise.

Nakahara Chuuya was stunned for a moment before he realized that he had just asked that question and quickly tried to save himself, "Wait, wait, that's not what I meant!"

"What do you mean?"

“I don’t mean to force you to say it! Of course, whatever you want to say… wait, let’s skip this topic! Ahhh, come on!”

Gongye Shengliang couldn't help laughing when he saw the ochre-haired boy getting more and more anxious as he spoke, until he gave up and messed up his ochre hair.

He was so absorbed in thinking about the past that he did not notice the change in the look in the ochre-haired boy's eyes when he looked at him.

Kono Seira thought about it and felt that this was not a secret. He carefully considered his words and said, "The previous generation was interested in my ability, but I disagreed, so he locked me in the □□ room until Mr. Mori summoned me."

"Superpowers?"

Nakahara Chuuya slowly calmed down, his brows wrinkled unconsciously. The number of esper people is very rare, and they are an extremely precious resource. There is indeed no mafia that does not want to take them for themselves... Is that right?

As he was thinking, he heard a relaxed voice from the other side, "Come to think of it, it's been so long since I came out of the □□ cell, and I haven't celebrated my freedom yet."

The ice cubes in the lemonade were almost melted. Gongye Shengliang raised his glass and deliberately imitated the mafia's way of addressing the ochre-haired boy. He said in a drawn-out tone with a hint of mockery: "Lord Zhongyuan, please appreciate my visit and toast to me."

“…Why did you suddenly call me like that?” Nakahara Chuuya complained uncomfortably, “Besides, we should drink red wine to celebrate!”

However, just when he was halfway through his words, the corners of his lips curled up unconsciously, and the hand holding the cup raised up to touch it.

The clash of wine glasses produced a crisp sound, which was accompanied by the long and slow piano music, creating ripples in the night.

--

In the following period of time, Seiyoshi Kono became even busier.

Mori Ogai didn't know what medicine he had taken, but since the chance meeting at the hotel that day, he would ask him to visit the top floor leader's office whenever he wanted. He said "there is an important task to discuss", but eight out of ten times, Kono Seiryoshi went there to eat cake with Alice and stare at Mori Ogai.

It's good to eat and drink on public funds, but it puts a lot of pressure on you! Anyone who has to endure the fake smile of a smiling boss will find the food tasteless!

Moreover, his time was taken up for no reason, but his work was not reduced at all, so Kono Seiryoshi had to extend his overtime hours by another two hours.

The seemingly shy blonde Loli suddenly changed her attitude towards him 180 degrees. Not only did she share dessert with him affectionately, she also invited him to color picture books together.

Under Mori Owl's smiling gaze, Kono Seiryoshi had no choice but to take over the crayon and transform himself from a clerical gangster into the boss's tool to coax his children.

When he was spending time with Alice, he met Dazai Osamu and Nakahara Chuuya who came to report their work. The former glanced at him with a smile, but before he could react, Alice had already pulled him to the other side in fear.

As for Nakahara Chuuya, he was shocked at first when he saw him, but then, as if thinking of something, he patted his shoulder with relief and encouraged him to work hard.

Kono Seira's smile was numb during those days. Apart from deepening his relationship with Alice, his only gain was the improvement of his painting skills that had been put aside for many years.

That night, after just coming out of the leader's office, Kono Seiryoshi washed the ink off his hands exhaustedly. He looked at his face reflected in the glass window and thought with an empty mind whether to write a report or make some coffee first.

While waiting for the elevator for a minute, Gongye Shengliang habitually took out his mobile phone to check social media. In order to show respect for the leader, he would mute his mobile phone every time he came to the leader's office, and then deal with new tasks according to their urgency.

The situation today was a little special. As soon as he turned on the screen, he was caught off guard by a whole screen full of unread text messages.

Kono Seira was stunned for a few seconds, then turned to the beginning - it was the captain of Dazai Osamu's exclusive team, whom he had become acquainted with before.

"Mr. Kouno, the mission was completed smoothly, but on the way back, Dazai-sama suddenly said he wanted to jump into the river. We didn't dare to stop him, so we may not be able to submit today's report in time."

"Dazai-sama has jumped into the river! Don't worry, we will definitely bring Dazai-sama back to the office safely!"

"Continuing from the previous point, two of my subordinates jumped in and rescued the person, but they were scolded by Dazai-sama when he woke up. They are very sad. Can they apply for psychological compensation?"

"Oh no, Mr. Kouno. Dazai-sama got angry and chased us away. I sent you the location before I left. Please persuade Dazai-sama. If you must jump into the river, please don't jump into that river. The old ladies nearby swear fiercely."

Seira Konono: "……………………"

He looked at the dark night outside the window and flipped to the time when the last text message was received.

——1 hour and 33 minutes ago.

Kono Seira fell silent again.

Very good, if he rushes over now, he should be able to collect Dazai Osamu's body intact.

The author has something to say:

Let’s collect the bodies——