Chapter 118 - Rio's Carnival
Leaving Gondo's office behind, I was seen off by a group of intimidating men.
I walked along the road with quick, heavy steps, letting out a single sigh.
—Was what Gondo said actually true?
The honeymoon period between the Yakuza and public authority, and then their breakup.
If that were the truth, then those guys might be unexpectedly pitiful in their own way.
Of course, it's dangerous to take everything a man like that says at face value, so I'll try to look into it to some extent myself.
I connect to a search engine from my smartphone and type in "Yakuza post-war."
"Whoa. A ton of stuff came up."
First, I access a famous free encyclopedia.
Since using a smartphone while walking is dangerous, I stop walking and browse thoroughly.
...I see.
The content written there is certainly very similar to the Yakuza history Gondo described.
That said, this is famous for being something even amateurs can edit freely. There's no telling how much can be trusted.
I tap the screen and look through another site. This one also describes a post-war history that isn't much different from the previous one.
Eventually, I even looked through an e-commerce site, and to my surprise, there were books for sale with content that seemed to support Gondo's claims.
...Information on the web or in books isn't necessarily the truth.
I think it should be kept strictly as a reference.
Or so I think.
"Is it... quite close to the truth?"
In reality, the police in this city and Gondo's gang are deeply intertwined, I sigh.
At the very least, the atmosphere of the era Gondo was talking about still remains around here.
However, looking at the country as a whole, they say the influence of the Yakuza is declining.
Public authority uses violent organizations, and once they've served their purpose, they discard them.
Maybe that's just how it is. I have some experience with that myself.
After all, I am the Summoned Hero who was used extensively by a Kingdom in another world, only to eventually be deemed a threat.
Will the day come when the Public Security Bureau treats me like that too?
Will they discard me, saying they no longer need to rely on me?
I don't even want to think about it, but is it dangerous to trust Sugitani-san completely?
Because the people I served before were so terrible, I've become completely suspicious.
It's not like I became this way because I wanted to.
How wonderful it would be if I could just wag my tail honestly.
Unfortunately, because I was bullied too much by my previous owner, I've grown into a dog that suspects euthanasia even when food is placed right in front of its eyes.
Master, there isn't any poison in this, is there?
On the other hand, if I don't trust him, nothing will start.
As of now, Sugitani-san is a person without any problems as a boss.
If I can work under that man, nothing could be better.
I wonder if there's any way to confirm his true intentions, I think, placing a hand on my chin.
When dealing with public authority, it's out of the question to try and drag out their true feelings through rough methods.
At times like this, one should probably sit down over drinks and talk heart-to-heart.
However, due to my constitution, I'm a lightweight, so even that is impossible.
I've even been stopped by Elsa, telling me never to drink alcohol again.
After all, just one cup makes me bright red and my consciousness becomes blurred.
It's a terribly inconvenient body. As I was grumbling about how no matter how much my status increases, alcohol resistance can't be trained, a change occurred on my smartphone screen.
[You have a new message]
The notification.
Who is it?
Reflexively tapping the screen, I am immediately sent to an SNS chat group.
The icon that appeared was...
"I've been waiting forever. Are you still not here?"
It's Rio.
Apparently, she's lost her patience because I'm being too slow.
She even sent a photo with an expression that clearly says, "I'm angry."
A face with arms crossed, lips pouted, and a "Hmph!" kind of look.
But she isn't truly angry; there's an atmosphere of her somewhat acting spoiled.
She's still using emoticons at the end of her sentences, too.
If she were truly pissed off, she'd lose the leeway to put on such charm.
Isn't she just simply wanting attention?
"My bad. I'll head your way right now."
"Where are you now?"
"In front of Gondo's office."
"Why are you in a place like that???" she asks, using three question marks.
"Adults have various circumstances."
"Hmm... I guess navigating the entertainment industry is tough."
It seems that in Rio's mind, I've become some kind of brute who uses violence to make Gondo obey and even makes him handle the groundwork for her entertainment activities.
She seems to have some misunderstanding, but since correcting her is a hassle, I'll leave it be.
"Are you actually training Gondo or something?"
"Don't say such terrifying things. We're men. I don't have such a hobby."
"Does that mean you might do it if the partner were a woman?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I was wondering if you do that kind of thing to the girls you bring home—"
This girl is suddenly cutting in with such sharpness, I freeze.
Even if she's a masochist or a delinquent, Rio is a woman.
Tactical maneuvering must be second nature to her.
"I'm not doing anything weird. I'm just looking after them because they have various circumstances; I don't lay a hand on them."
"Is that true? Nakamoto-san is quite easily swayed, so aren't you at least kissing them?"
"No, I am not."
"Why did you start using polite speech?"
With the three people still at the apartment, I've only done that with Angelica... I want to believe I've barely stayed on the path of humanity.
"Don't forget, Nakamoto-san. You remember what you did to me at the arcade, right? Normally speaking, that's the start of a relationship."
"You... even though you said back then that you'd let it slide..."
"Come see me as soon as possible, Mr. Boyfriend."
As if saying the conversation is over, Rio stopped replying.
As I was marveling at what a self-paced person she is, a new message arrived a few minutes later.
Was she in the toilet or something? Good grief. Thinking that, I opened it with complete carelessness, only to find an address posted.
Ah, this is the usual one... I thought as I tapped it, and as expected, a risky selfie was displayed.
The exposure wasn't particularly high, but it was a dangerous photo that you could tell was a violation of public decency at a glance.
"You little brat. What are you seriously thinking?"
Rio, holding a certain rubber product in her mouth, shows a provocative smile.
It is clear what she wants me to do. She is a cat in full heat.
If Gondo had received this, he would be dancing with joy by now.
But I am different. I have no interest in high school girls.
I find no brand value in such things.
I am not one of those middle-aged men who unconditionally falls for young women. Or rather, I don't want to be.
And yet, the reason my body reacts slightly is because she looks exactly like Elsa.
When someone who looks so much like the woman you love does something like this, your brain must be getting confused.
The thought that I might be seduced one day is truly terrifying.
"...I'm in trouble."
I have to stop Rio before I become a criminal.
I need to firmly tell her not to send images like this anymore.
Even though I already lecture her like that once every two days, it has no effect at all, with her saying things like "It feels good to be scolded," but I still have to say it.
No, seriously, how am I supposed to stop Rio?
Even while I'm thinking this, Rio continues to post obscene selfies one after another.
Lifting up her skirt, shamelessly exposing her black panties, and showing off poses full of creativity using her school uniform tie.
Wait, ties had this kind of use? How can you make it look this provocative? I mean, it's just a tie, right? The compositions made me doubt the laws of physics.
It seems that Rio, perhaps in accordance with her name, has a brain in a state of carnival.
Is she on cloud nine because she gets to see me after so long?
Letting out a sigh, I put my smartphone in my pocket.
At this rate, she won't stop unless I meet her in person and talk.