Chapter 266 - Investigation
(1)
"Ugh..."
Toya-kun is fast asleep, still holding the game controller.
It is the time I usually wake him up.
But there was a lot going on last night, and it was late.
He had said to spare him from jogging.
Since it was an emergency, it couldn't be helped.
I had asked, "Why don't you sleep?" but he said he was awake.
And yet, look at this state.
I wonder what to do?
I took the controller from Toya-kun and tried playing it as a test.
First, it starts with an explanation of the controls.
I try doing as instructed.
It's surprisingly easy.
The tutorial ended.
I enter the difficulty settings.
Since it seemed easy, I tried the "Veteran" setting.
"Kya!"
As soon as I started moving, I was shot and the screen was dyed bright red.
This is just jam.
I tell myself that and continue.
However, just as I thought jam was splattering, I died immediately and it was game over.
"Ugh..."
It's difficult.
But he said that humans are the type to get fired up the more difficult something is.
While I was absorbed in it, Toya-kun grasped both of my hands that were holding the controller.
"If you just stand there on Veteran, you'll die immediately. You have to crawl."
Toya-kun operated the controller over my hands and cleared the level.
"What are you doing while someone is sleeping?"
"I just wondered if I should try it."
"Even so, jumping straight into Veteran is too much."
"The tutorial was easy, so I thought I might be able to do it~"
Once Toya-kun progressed to a certain point, he turned off the power to the game console.
"Isn't it about time for breakfast?"
Ah, when did it become that time?
I hurry toward the kitchen.
While I am making breakfast, Toya-kun comes downstairs.
He stands beside me.
My heart skips a beat.
"Is this one done?"
"Y-yes."
Toya-kun carries the plate of finished ham and eggs to the table.
After that, even though the toast was done, he spreads margarine on it and carries it over.
While I am staring blankly at that sight, Toya-kun stands beside me again.
N-no, you can't. This is the kitchen. Maya-san will see us.
"Airi, isn't that burnt?"
Hoe?
Ah, oh no!
I hurriedly remove the ham and eggs from the frying pan.
To think I'd get this flustered just because Toya-kun is standing next to me.
It's Toya-kun's fault. Because he's doing things he doesn't usually do.
"Let's eat these two together, just me and Airi, okay?"
Toya-kun smiled and carried the plates away.
After we finished eating, Toya-kun took the plates to the kitchen.
He even stood beside me to brush his teeth, something he usually hated.
Toya-kun just washes his face with water without applying facial cream or anything.
Usually, he would leave quickly, but today he's watching me the whole time from beside me.
My heart has been pounding since this morning.
What happened, Toya-kun?
Then, as if remembering something, he headed toward the kitchen.
I wonder what it was?
When I finished preparing and returned to the kitchen, Toya-kun was making coffee.
"Airi, you put in sugar and milk, right?"
Toya-kun said this with a smile.
"Yes..."
When I returned to the room and changed, Toya-kun beckoned to me.
Toya-kun sat cross-legged and instructed me to sit on his lap.
I sat on him as if he were a floor chair.
I don't mind that something hard is pressing against my waist at this point.
Why is he being so kind?
I try placing my hand on Toya-kun's forehead.
It's a normal temperature.
"What's wrong?"
Toya-kun asks curiously.
"Toya-kun has been so kind since this morning, and you've been letting me be spoiled, so I thought it was strange. I wondered if you'd gone crazy from lack of sleep."
Then Toya-kun smiles and says.
"Well, I said I'd give you attention last night, but I couldn't, right? So I thought I'd give Airi all my attention for today."
I am so happy that I lean back and entrust my body to Toya-kun as a backrest.
And then, I say in a spoiled voice into Toya-kun's ear.
"I'd be happy if it were like this every day~"
"It's only good because it's occasional, right?"
"I'd be happy even every day; I'm so happy I feel like I might go crazy."
"It would be a problem if you went crazy, so I'll keep it occasional."
Toya-kun says this and hugs me.
I am so happy that I don't care about the morning TV programs.
As we spent this sweet time, time passed in the blink of an eye...
"Toya-kun, you have a first-period class today!"
"Ah, let's hurry."
As we stood up and left the room, he said "Airi" once, and when I looked back, he gave me a bird kiss.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Today, we go to the University in Toya-kun's car.
It's his usual driving; I feel safe while riding.
Even while driving, he speaks to me kindly.
While listening to Toya-kun talk, we arrive at the University parking lot.
Toya-kun says as if remembering something.
"I have to do an inspection tonight."
Are you doing it again?
Come to think of it, we haven't done it in a long time, have we?
"I also have to confirm the position of Airi's black mole."
"Make sure to remember it, okay?"
Does that mean we'll do it with the lights on tonight?
It's embarrassing, but whatever.
We're close enough to have taken a bath together.
"I'll confirm it in the bath too, so it's fine."
You'll get in with me?
I'm so happy.
"I'll also memorize the position of Toya-kun's black mole~♪"
"Understood."
Toya-kun says this and links his arm with mine.
Because Toya-kun is kind, and because the relationship between the two of us is fun.
Even the rain clouds fled. Despite it being the rainy season, it was sunny.
When classes ended, we all gathered at the school cafeteria for the lunch break.
"Can Toya and the others also gather at the family restaurant late at night?"
Ah, there was that promise.
I feel lonely.
I look at Toya-kun with those eyes.
"Sure, is around 23:00 okay?"
He didn't get the message.
"Yeah, around that time."
Am I being put on hold again today?
After finishing the afternoon classes, do we go home?
Wait? Aren't we stopping by Blue Bird?
Did you forget because we haven't gone in a long time?
When we get home, I try to change into room wear for the time being.
"What are you doing, Airi? We're going out. Get your clothes ready."
Hoe?
"It'll be late tonight, right? Let's get it over with early."
"Where are we going?"
"A hotel near the sea. On the way back, let's stop by a nearby family restaurant for dinner."
A hotel near the sea...
My body became hot.
That's definitely a place Toya-kun didn't want to go to before.
"If we do it at home, you'll be worried about your parents, right? Especially at this hour."
I stood there dazed.
Toya-kun is being this kind.
Am I dreaming?
"Airi, let's get ready quickly. I can't possibly prepare your underwear for you."
"Then, watch me."
"Eh?"
"From now on, I'll match Toya-kun's preferences."
"...You're a troublesome bride."
Ehehe~
And then we went to the hotel by the seaside. I was sufficiently spoiled by Toya-kun.
There was plenty of time.
Toya-kun was seriously confirming the position of my black moles.
They're also in embarrassing places, though.
"Yeah, I've mostly got it. But more important than that is...?"
Hoe?
"Airi's sensitive spots... for example, here."
"Nn..."
A voice escaped me involuntarily.
I'm not losing either. Toya-kun's sensitive spots are...
"Airi is making an instruction manual for me too, huh."
Of course I am.
After that, we ate at a family restaurant, and then headed to the family restaurant where everyone was waiting.
When we arrived at the family restaurant, everyone was waiting.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, there's still time, so it's fine... wait, Airi-chan, what's wrong? You seem to be in a great mood."
I was holding Toya-kun's left arm firmly and smiling.
"Ehehe~"
It's a secret from everyone. Toya-kun's kind side.
"Toya, what the hell did you do to Airi?"
Kanna asks Toya-kun.
"I didn't do anything that great. I just gave Airi various services today."
"What do you mean by services?"
It's a secret, Toya-kun.
"Sorry, I can't say."
My wish came true.
"Well, judging by Airi's good mood, I can pretty much guess. Anyway, everyone's here, so just sit down. Let's begin."
When Kanna said that, Toya-kun and I took our seats.
After confirming that, just as Watanabe-kun said, "Then let's start, first..."
"Please wait, there's something I want to confirm first."
The one who said that was Shiratori-san.
"What's wrong, Shiratori-san?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"It's this..."
Shiratori-san brought out several photos.
We lost our voices.
Photos of Haruto-kun naked in bed with a woman we didn't know.
"Ah, this is!?"
Haruto-kun cried out.
"Haruto, you didn't possibly...!?"
When Kanna and Mika-san spoke, Haruto-kun hurriedly explained.
"N-no, it's not! This is an ex-girlfriend who dumped me a year ago!"
"I think it's as Haruto says. Look at the calendar in the photo."
We look at the calendar. It's last year's calendar.
"What is Haruna trying to say?"
Kanna says.
"I'll tell you about that. Actually..."
(2)
It was on the way home from school today.
As I left the school gate, a man called out to me.
When I looked back, a man who looked like a salaryman was standing there.
"Actually, I am this kind of person."
The man produced a business card.
He seemed to be from a detective agency.
I look at the man's face.
"Actually, I was requested by your father to conduct a background check..."
I let out a short laugh.
"So, what business does that detective have with me?"
"Actually, there is a bit of a problem regarding Kusunoki Haruto, whom you are dating... It's too conspicuous here, so how about at that cafe over there?"
"That's fine."
It didn't seem like a mere pick-up attempt.
When we entered the cafe, I ordered tea and the man ordered coffee.
When the ordered items arrived, the man took out a brown envelope.
"Please check the contents."
They were photos of Haruto naked in bed with another woman.
Anxiety.
Has he already grown tired of me?
Frustration.
He has never done this kind of thing with me even once.
Deception.
Was I being deceived by Haruto?
The emotions inside my head became a panic.
At times like this...
I take a candy from my pochette and crunch it.
Crunch.
I look at the photo again.
The date on the calendar is last year.
Relief.
Good. It seems I wasn't thrown away.
"Is something wrong with these photos?"
"I thought about what would happen if the world found out that the daughter of the Shiratori family was dating such a lewd man."
"Aren't you mistaken about who you're blackmailing?"
"Huh?"
"The relationship between me and Haruto is recognized by my father. You have no right to say anything now."
"However... if your father were to find out about this..."
"Nothing will change. If you think that, then go to my father. The claim that you were asked by my father is also a lie, right? If it were true, there would be no need to leak the information to me."
"..."
"Is that all? Since I'm here, I'll take the photos."
"I have the negatives here."
"If they are that valuable, I recommend you take them to some publisher. Well then..."
Theoretically, it should be correct, but emotionally, anxiety still clings to me.
I was operating my smartphone while heading home.
"Haruto, I want to meet tonight."
Haruto gave me a reply immediately.
"Tonight the whole of Unity is on the line, so I'll come pick you up!"
When Haruto's car arrived, I got in and showed him the photos.
"This is last year's ex-girlfriend! She has absolutely nothing to do with me now!"
Trust.
I felt relieved by Haruto's words.
Curiosity.
I tried asking Haruto something.
"How much more time must we spend together before I can take a photo like this with you?"
Then Haruto answered in a panic.
"T-there are still things to do before we do that!"
What are we doing?
We already kissed, right?
Is something else still necessary?
Haruto didn't answer my question.
(3)
"Haruto!! Are you even a man!? That's the part where you're supposed to push forward all at once!?"
Kanna-san is angry.
Is that how it usually is?
"But she's my precious girlfriend. And apparently it's her first time. Doing it suddenly is impossible!"
"Perhaps the training was insufficient? Do you feel nothing about making a woman feel ashamed?"
Haruto recoiled, pushed by Emi-san and Kanna-san.
"The conversation has drifted, so I'd like to bring it back."
When I said that, I drew everyone's attention.
Katagiri-senpai was eating a hamburger steak.
Munch.
"You just ate a little while ago, you're hopeless."
"I think that detective is a member of the Egoists."
"Well, that's probably it."
Tada-san said.
"Do you have any basis for that, Makoto?"
Kanna-san was asking Tada-san.
"Well, yeah. I think a shake-up will come for everyone else too."
"Why?"
Tosaka-san asked.
"I'll explain that now."
What he produced was a laptop.
There is an audio file.
"This is the recording data I took yesterday. Now, please listen carefully."
Tada-san clicks the play button.
The voice of a man we didn't know could be heard.
Everyone listened intently.
(4)
I enter the designated karaoke shop.
"I'm the one who reserved under 'Sora'."
"It's room *."
When told that, I enter the designated room.
Inside were several men in black hoodies like mine, and a boy in a gray hoodie. Also, a girl in a white dress was sitting there.
"One can eavesdrop on cafes easily. A place like this is safer."
The boy says.
"Well, let's all introduce ourselves. I'm 'Warlock,' a mere collaborator of the 'Pope'."
I knew he was just a brat.
Those who came were me, the local and Beppu Kings, the Pope, the Hermit, and God.
"Now then, shall we review the situation?"
The conversation proceeds under Warlock's lead. God remains silent.
"First, the fact that the Wizard is being hidden by Unity's hacker. This is the most important issue. Next, the existence of Unity itself. I want to settle this as well."
The two Kings nod.
"I want to proceed with the division of Unity and the recovery of the Wizard simultaneously."
"The Knights are moving now."
The local King says.
"Yes, I pray that things go according to plan."
"What is the plan?"
I tried asking.
"What, an eye for an eye, a hostage for a hostage. I'll just kidnap one promising person."
"Don't say such reckless things, Warlock. What will you do if someone is listening?"
"The Unity lot are all in Kumamoto. There's nothing to worry about. Besides, even if someone is kidnapped, they can't report it to the police. Even if they could, the police won't move, right? Right, God?"
"That is true, but..."
"Their bond is strong. Can you break that, Warlock?"
"A hostage and a comrade's life... what do you think happens if they are weighed against each other?"
"...I see."
Opinions will likely clash, right?
"After that, we can just break them down starting from the relationship between Shiratori and Kusunoki. The material has been obtained."
"As expected of Warlock, your work is fast."
"The Emperor, who has been sluggish until now, is out of his mind."
You brat!
I suppress my irritation.
"Besides, even if negotiations break down, they'll surely make contact with the Wizard to some extent. We just need to seize that. A Knight should be enough."
The Pope and God listen in silence as things proceed exactly as Warlock says.
"If negotiations are possible, I'll go as the negotiator. I ask for guards."
"...Let's assign two Knights."
The Pope spoke for the first time.
"Well, since it's a great opportunity, let's all exchange contact information."
We exchange each other's contact information.
"From now on, important matters are to be discussed by phone or in person. From here on, it's an information war. He who controls the information wins."
Warlock says this, and everyone nods.
"When is the timing for negotiations?"
"I'll do it after securing the hostage."
"I assume there's a guarantee it'll go well. If we mess up, it could be fatal for us."
"I won't do anything that dangerous. Right, Pope?"
"Failure is not permitted, Warlock."
"Leave it to me. Well, let's all disband. Ah, Emperor-kun, stay behind."
With that, it became just me and Warlock.
"What business do you have with me, Warlock?"
"There's something I want you to do for me..."
"If that is God's will."
"Of course."
"What is it?"
"I want to infiltrate one person into Unity. One woman."
"Is such a thing possible?"
"I think you, being at the same university, can do it."
"I'll give it a try."
"I'm counting on you."
"What kind of woman would be good?"
"Let's see, a woman who is as flirty as possible."
"There are women like that in Unity."
"They are overconfident that they can win those over. That's the opening we'll use."
"They don't seem to be recruiting right now, though."
"They will definitely respond to this application. An easy woman, as much as possible, okay?"
I don't know how he can be so certain, but I'll give it a try.
"Understood, I'll select the person. There are mountains of women like that in the Egoists."
"I'll contact you later regarding the timing of the insertion. I'm counting on you."
He seems somewhat overconfident, but if it fails, Warlock will be the one taking responsibility.
I don't mind. Shall I give it a try?
I'll enjoy this brat's capabilities as much as possible.
(5)
After listening to the end, we were laughing.
"So, Watanabe-kun, do you intend to accept this challenge?"
Sakai-kun was asking.
"What do you think, Toya?"
"Why not just accept it?"
This isn't even a game.
What can they achieve by declaring they'll send a trap and then sending one?
Their level is lower than Saki-san's or Nishimatsu-kun's.
"But we don't know what they'll do, right?"
"Their goal is the division of Unity, right? It's obvious."
I answer Ai-san's question.
"I think it's best to ignore them."
"I think it's effective to make the opponent play all their trump cards."
When Watanabe-kun says that, I answer.
"Even so, how were you able to obtain such information? A family restaurant is one thing, but this was inside a karaoke room. And you even got images?"
"You're mistaken, Ishihara-kun. It's the opposite. This kind of family restaurant is safer than a karaoke room."
Makoto says.
"What do you think is always present when you go to these kinds of karaoke shops?"
"Hmm, communication equipment?"
"Exactly. Karaoke terminals, networks for national scoring, and recently, even wireless LAN and free Wi-Fi are included. Hijacking the indoor cameras is a piece of cake."
Makoto is saying something terrifying quite casually.
"In contrast, a family restaurant is an open space, so you can tell immediately if someone is suspicious. If it weren't for Emi-san or Akira-san, we wouldn't be able to specify our seats."
What Makoto says is persuasive.
"So, how do we counterattack? I think the recovery of Honoka is the priority for now."
When Akira-san asks, Makoto grins.
"It's Akira-san's turn."
"Mine?"
"I want you to lend me a few 'soldiers.' I've pinpointed Ichinose-san's location. Those guys are completely clueless. They left the smartphone with Ichinose-san."
"Were you able to contact Ichinose-san?"
"I can, but I haven't. She's probably blindfolded and wouldn't know where she is anyway. I don't want them to notice our movements."
"Then how?"
"GPS."
"I see!"
Is it that thing we did when Airi was kidnapped?
"Nakajima-kun, you come along."
"O-of course!"
"It's fine, my soldiers are 'excellent.' They haven't fallen so far as to be beaten by some random thugs."
"Hey, I feel something is off."
Airi looks like she wants to say something.
"What is it, Tosaka-san?"
"Warlock-san is also an excellent hacker, right? I feel like he would have thought of the things Makoto-kun would think of. It's almost as if he's giving us information?"
I thought exactly what Airi said. There's something unnatural about this conversation.
"Either way, we have to save Honoka!"
Ai-san says.
That's true.
"There's also the possibility that they are underestimating our abilities. Thinking we're just a 'group of students,' for instance."
I hope it's as Watanabe-kun says.
At that moment, everyone's smartphones rang.
It was a message from Ichinose-san.
"I want to trade tomorrow at 15:00 at Blue Bird. I assume you'll know who Warlock is? You can freely choose three people from your side. We'll also go with three; the representatives will discuss one-on-one."
"It's come, the challenge."
"The problem is who goes, right?"
"I'll do the talking. You want to know the opponent's hand, right?"
I volunteered.
"T-then I'll go too... if Toya-kun is there."
Airi also raises her hand.
"Then, is it okay if it's decided as the three of us: me, Toya, and Tosaka-san?"
Watanabe-kun says.
Sakai-kun and Ichinose-san are also staff, so it'll be five people.
Watanabe-kun replies.
"Understood. It helps that you're reasonable people. See you tomorrow."
Makoto says while looking at the laptop.
He says the location is correct.
I don't know if it's just a place where they're holding her or their headquarters.
He says the location is in the mountains near Makoto's house.
"It really is eerie... I have no idea how the opponent will act."
Airi mutters.
I put my arm around Airi's shoulder.
"You don't need to worry."
"Yes."
"Our side is fine with that, but what about Ichinose-san's side?"
"I'll go with my husband, Akira, and Nakajima-kun. It'll be too conspicuous if too many people go."
Emi-san says.
"True. Those of you who remain, please wait at home."
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone nods.
"Let's make the operation execution time 15:00. If the operation is successful, please contact Sakai-kun. Sakai-kun, please send us a sign. Let's see. Just saying 'Would you like a refill of your water?' will be enough."
"Understood."
Everyone is tense.
Finally, we confront them tomorrow.