Chapter 267 - Negotiation
(1)
It was raining today.
I won't be able to go jogging.
Airi is still asleep since it was late last night.
It would be pitiful to wake her up.
Maybe I should just let her sleep.
I push myself up and get out of bed.
Airi sleeps on, unaware.
The TV isn't even on at this hour. It would be bad to wake her up with the sound of the television.
Handheld game consoles are convenient at times like this.
There's an RPG I was in the middle of playing.
I'll do that.
As I'm playing leisurely, Airi hugs me from behind.
Huh? I wasn't making any noise, so how did she notice?
"Sorry, did I wake you up?"
"It's not that~"
"?"
"Geez, where did yesterday's kindness go?"
"I thought I was being kind by letting you sleep?"
"That's not it!"
Airi hugs me tightly.
"I was waiting for you to give me a big squeeze and say 'Good morning, Airi'!"
So, she was awake.
"Sorry, sorry."
I gently pat Airi's head.
"It's not too late even now, you know? Come on, hurry, hurry!"
I turn toward Airi and hug her.
"Good morning, Airi."
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
After letting her enjoy the physical contact, I resume the game.
"Isn't that the kind where you connect it to the TV? Do it, do it!"
"Wouldn't another game be fine then?"
"Why?"
"It's more fun if the two of us play, right?"
"That's true! Which one should I pick~?"
Saying so, Airi rummages through the rack under the TV.
She is on all fours with her backside facing me.
Her protruding backside is a moderate size and well-shaped.
Any healthy boy would understand, right?
Since I spent yesterday looking at her enough to grasp the position of Airi's mole, I can easily imagine Airi naked.
"Airi!!"
"Kya!"
I hug Airi from behind.
"What is it, Toya-kun, all of a sudden?"
"Ah, sorry. Just..."
Even though it was impulsive, I just did it.
"Looking at you, I just couldn't help myself."
"...Does that mean..."
"Yeah, I've been captivated by you, Airi."
"Yay~"
Airi clings to me of her own accord.
"If it's Toya-kun, I'm fine with it anytime."
Ah, no. Look, our parents are still sleeping.
"Maya-san said it's fine because they did soundproofing!"
"Ah, no. Let's save the pleasure for tonight, shall we?"
"Hmm... then!"
Airi guides me to the bed.
"Is flirting inside the covers not allowed?"
Airi seems to be underestimating me.
When Airi says "not allowed?" with a face like that, I wonder how many men could actually say "it's not allowed."
"I guess it can't be helped."
I get into bed and hug Airi.
"Toya-kun, kiss me."
She intends to raise the hurdle like that, doesn't she?
...Fine, I'll just go with the flow for now.
I close my eyes and approach Airi's face.
Click.
I heard the sound of the door to the parents' bedroom next door opening.
I react instinctively and pull away from Airi's body.
"That startled me."
"We shouldn't be hiding."
Saying so, the two of us laughed.
"Well, shall we start over?"
"I'd love to, but~..."
Airi points to the clock.
Has this much time already passed?
"I'll be looking forward to tonight♪"
I guess I'll be staying up late tonight too.
While Airi prepares breakfast, I finish getting ready.
By the time I've finished changing, breakfast is laid out on the table.
The four of us eat breakfast together.
When we finish eating, I take the dishes to the kitchen and return to the room.
After a while, Airi returns and begins to change.
Airi's beautiful curves are right before my eyes.
Since being scolded by Airi, I tried not to pay attention, but after yesterday's events, I can't help but notice.
Whether Airi noticed my gaze or noticed my awkward expression, I don't know, but she spoke to me.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, no. Nothing in particular."
"Really?"
Airi makes a puzzled face.
Anyway, please put on some clothes.
Once Airi finishes changing, she drinks a café au lait beside me.
By the time she finishes her café au lait, I am drinking coffee, and Airi takes the cups to the kitchen.
Then she returns and begins applying makeup.
I don't know if her makeup skills have improved, but the time she spends on it has become longer.
I think she's plenty cute even without that much makeup.
When the makeup is finished, Airi sits beside me again and watches TV.
I'm curious about Airi's profile.
The makeup seems to have an effect.
It seems she's wearing perfume today as well.
As I gaze at Airi's glossy lips, I inadvertently feel lust again.
Airi notices my gaze.
"No, Toya-kun. You're the one who said 'no' since this morning, Toya-kun?"
That has nothing to do with it!
I wrap my arm around Airi's body.
Without averting my gaze from Airi's eyes.
Was Airi's heart captured by my gaze?
She entrusts her body to me and closes her eyes.
And then...
A smartphone ringtone sounded.
It was both mine and Airi's smartphones simultaneously.
The two of us hurriedly look at our phones.
"I want to have a meeting at noon regarding today's negotiation."
I had completely forgotten.
"Understood."
I send that.
Then, looking at the time, it's almost time to leave.
"Airi, let's go."
"Uuu... it's the same as this morning, it's unfair of you to just get my hopes up, Toya-kun."
Airi seems slightly sulky.
"Airi, stand up."
"Hoe?"
As Airi stands up as told, I hug her.
"No interruptions this time, right?"
"I'll pray for that."
I enjoy a deep kiss with Airi.
A slightly long kiss.
While intertwining our tongues.
The strength with which Airi hugs me increases.
Maybe I should skip school today?
Knock knock
"Toya, if you don't leave soon, won't you be late?"
It's Mother.
"I'm leaving now!"
Saying so, I pull away from Airi.
"I wonder if it really only works at night~"
Airi is worrying.
"Anytime we're alone, we can do it."
"...Yeah♪"
And so, we leave the house.
When the second period ends and lunch break arrives, we talk with Watanabe-kun and the others at the school cafeteria.
"What kind of negotiation do you think it will be?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"I think it'll probably be exactly what you're thinking, Watanabe-kun?"
Naturally, the exchange of Wizard and Ichinose-san.
It's normal to think that, right?
"However, the words you all said are bothering me."
I can't help but feel they are intentionally providing information.
"If that's the case, it wouldn't be strange if there's some kind of trap?"
When I say that, Watanabe-kun nods.
"I wanted to ask how you intend to negotiate?"
If we start saying something out of the blue and we get shaken, the opponent will see through us.
I see.
"I intend to negotiate normally?"
"What is 'normally'?"
Watanabe-kun asked back.
"Exactly as it sounds. Anyway, I'll buy time. Once Akira-san and the others successfully rescue Ichinose-san and the others, I intend to go on a strong offensive."
"Are you going to give Wizard-san back?"
Airi asked anxiously.
"If his safety is guaranteed."
"There's no way they can guarantee that."
"Probably. That's not the problem. If Ichinose-san isn't there, we have no bargaining material. The question is what kind of bargaining material they will prepare."
"I see..."
"That part can only be known by the opponent. It's a gamble on the spot."
"Are you confident in your negotiation?"
"I am. Because on our side, even if the negotiation breaks down, there's no damage. It's quite relaxing."
"That's true."
"In short, it's about buying time until the operation is carried out. Whether Akira-san and the others can rescue them before that Warlock person notices. The advantage is on our side. Provided the opponent doesn't realize we've pinpointed Honoka-san's location."
"What if they realize?"
"The operation will likely fail. In that case, we'll have no choice but to respond to the negotiation normally."
"Understood. ...Then let's go with that."
Watanabe-kun stands up.
"Airi too, you must absolutely not show any composure. There's a possibility they'll notice."
"Understood."
"Wait a moment."
Kanna, who had been listening nearby, seemed to want to say something.
"A message from Makoto. 'You can rest easy. There are no traces of hacking on the server or anyone's smartphones,' he says."
"Thanks."
Wait a minute.
"Why does he know about everyone's smartphones?"
"I pressed him on that too. He said he sent a virus that transmits access logs along with security. That idiot..."
"Well, as long as it's under Makoto's management, there's no problem."
Couldn't Makoto make a living even outside of soccer?
(2)
14:30.
We had come to a settlement deep in the mountains.
Apparently, there is a building there where Honoka-san is being held captive.
"This is Alpha 1, Delta 1 please respond."
"This is Delta 1, signal is good."
The mixed team of Emi and Akira-san's "soldiers" is divided into four.
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. Four in total.
Alpha is the command chain; Bravo and Charlie are the operational units. Delta is in charge of intelligence and search.
The command chain and intelligence/search are Emi's unit. The operational units are Akira-san's unit.
Bravo and Charlie are waiting in the back seat of a large van.
Rather than soldiers, it feels like an army.
Especially Akira-san's operational unit—no matter how you look at them, they are foreigners.
They have arms as thick as my thighs and fierce tattoos.
They are properly wearing dog tags.
To an outsider, they look like a survival game club.
Rather, I hope that's what they are.
I hope the assault rifles they're holding are model guns.
I mean, how did they even bring those in?
They didn't bring in something like an RPG, did they?
No matter what, they'd be arrested.
You're saying you can't bring that into Japan no matter what?
Tell me that after you see the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft flying above us right now...
"What's wrong, Nozomi? Are you getting scared now?"
Emi asks.
In a sense, I am scared.
"Why did you bring out an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft?"
"A drone would be too conspicuous, right?"
I think the Predator is far more conspicuous.
"Alpha 1 to Delta 1, report the enemy's deployment status."
"This is Delta 1, it's all clear. There are no figures around the target."
"Alright, everyone synchronize clocks to 1450, 3, 2, 1, 0."
Everyone synchronizes their time.
"The operation will begin in 10 minutes. Everyone, get into position. Delta 2 to Delta 3, confirm the target."
"This is Delta 2, the curtains are closed, so I can't see inside."
"This is Delta 3, the GPS position has not moved."
"Roger, 5 minutes until operation start."
"This is Bravo, front entrance secured."
"This is Charlie, back entrance secured."
1 minute until operation start.
The Bravo team is stationed at the entrance.
"This is Bravo, commencing breach."
They attach something to the door.
C4 explosives. Where on earth did they buy those?
It's not the end of the century; they don't sell those at convenience stores, you know?
After blowing up the door, they throw something inside. A stun grenade. A flash leaks from the room.
The Bravo team breaches the interior.
I pray the bullets are BB pellets. There are no other options... right?
But without firing a single gunshot... that was impossible.
Several shots are fired.
The opponent seems to have fired as well.
However, within a few minutes, the hideout is subdued and occupied.
Nakajima-kun rushes out.
"Honoka!"
"Ryuji-kun!"
The two have an emotional reunion.
It's a scene often seen in Hollywood movies.
The two embrace tightly.
Akira-san and Emi explain to the nearby residents that it's a "movie shoot." The residents seem convinced. That's fine, residents.
Well, they were convinced because Akira-san and Emi had properly given them something to hold onto.
"Nozomi. Contact Sakai-kun."
Ah, right.
I hurriedly contact Sakai-kun.
"What should we do with the Egoist bunch?"
I asked Emi.
"Let's see, what should we do?"
"It would be inconvenient for us too if we handed them over to the police."
"Shall we keep them detained like this until Watanabe-kun's instructions arrive?"
"Yes."
Emi and Akira-san are consulting.
"Thank you, everyone."
Ichinose-san gives her thanks.
"It's fine, these guys are the ones in the wrong. Did they do anything strange to you?"
"A girl appeared and took my bra."
"What did you say?"
The Egoist bunch taking incomprehensible actions.
Based on the footage, it's probably the ones called Pope, right?
When I show the tablet to confirm, she says, "It's this girl."
For now, the operation on this side was a success.
The rest depends on Katagiri-kun and the others' negotiation.
I hope nothing happens.
I prayed for their safety.
(3)
At exactly 15:00, those three appeared.
Two men wearing black hoodies and one boy wearing a gray hoodie.
"Welcome, valued customer."
"Are you Sakai-kun? I'm Warlock. Have the three of you come?"
"...Please, this way to the table."
As Sakai-kun guides them, we stand up.
"You're Warlock? You're quite young, aren't you?"
I acted surprised, intentionally.
"Were you surprised? Well, please sit."
Saying so, he prompts us to sit.
"Now then, the order is three coffees and... that looks delicious."
"The Napolitan here is delicious."
"Then I'll have one of those."
"Certainly."
After confirming Warlock's order, Sakai-kun returns to the kitchen.
"Well, shall we get straight into the negotiation? This is your territory. It's no problem even if someone overhears, right?"
"That's true. Then I want to ask immediately. Is Honoka safe?"
"She's safe, for now."
"I want proof that you are holding Honoka."
"Ah, I thought you'd say that, so I brought proof."
Warlock gives an instruction to the man in the black hoodie, and the man produces a paper bag.
"Check the contents."
When Warlock says that, I check the contents.
Airi let out a sound.
The contents were a large-sized bra.
"That should be enough to confirm, right?"
I hand the bra to Airi.
"Ah, this is Honoka's."
"How do you know?"
"Honoka's perfume scent remains."
Is that how it works?
I try smelling it too.
I don't get it.
Poke
"It's fine even if Toya-kun doesn't understand!"
Then Warlock laughed.
"You shouldn't give your name in front of the enemy, right? Tosaka Airi-san."
Airi covers her mouth.
"Well, I already know, but you're Katagiri Toya-kun, she's Tosaka Airi-san, and you're Watanabe Masashi-kun, I presume?"
Well, that much was within the expected range.
"So, what is the bargaining material?"
"After the handover of Wizard's person, I have one more request."
"Customer, would you like a refill of your water?"
Sakai-kun said.
Ah, the operation was a success.
We feigned composure and declined, saying "I'm fine."
"The Napolitan really is delicious."
Warlock is eating nonchalantly.
"What is the other request?"
"I want to borrow your power of matchmaking."
"Eh?"
"I want to entrust one of the women from our circle to you."
"You mean a hostage exchange?"
Watanabe-kun said.
"I'd like to say that, but unfortunately, she's just one of the low-ranking members. She wouldn't be a target for exchange, would she?"
Warlock denies it.
"Two conditions for just one Honoka-san? Isn't that too greedy?"
I said.
"Then, why don't we accept the conditions from your side?"
He still seems to have composure.
"In the first place, the exchange conditions are too poor. Giving up one Wizard for one Honoka isn't a fair trade."
"Toya-kun, that's too cruel no matter how you look at it."
Airi acts according to the plan.
"I think so too. Honoka is a precious comrade. I don't think that's a way to put it."
"But Wizard is also a valuable information source. I can't just hand him over easily."
"You've already heard all the necessary information from Wizard, haven't you?"
I begin arguing with Watanabe-kun.
Seeing that, Warlock laughed.
"Arguing in the middle of a negotiation? Your unity of will isn't as strong as I thought. Or perhaps..."
Or perhaps...?
"Perhaps your bargaining material was stolen?"
At that one sentence, Watanabe-kun and Airi reacted.
Seeing that, Warlock laughs with satisfaction.
"It seems I hit the mark."
"...Since you know, the negotiation is broken. Talking any further is a waste of time."
When I say that, Warlock says without being shaken.
"Wizard is already useless to you, right? I still have bargaining material on this side."
"Heh, what do you have?"
"If you accept these conditions, I promise in my name that I will never commit kidnappings again."
"Can you guarantee that?"
"You'll just have to believe me. You wouldn't want to live in fear either, right?"
"What will you do if you break it?"
"You're something, aren't you? You seem good at negotiations. You're the one who's good at reading minds, right?"
"What's the answer to the question?"
"How can I make you believe me?"
"Since I have no intention of believing you in the first place, that question is useless."
"I thought you'd be the one to understand."
Warlock's expression becomes grim.
As I thought, he's still a child.
Impatience.
That emotion is clearly surfacing.
"Then, why don't I hear your demands?"
"I can't decide that on my own authority."
"Then, I'll come back again. Think about it by then."
"Yeah, understood."
"Well then, see you. It was quite an interesting negotiation. I'd like to talk with you again."
"When the time comes, there will be another."
"I'm looking forward to it, Katagiri Toya-kun."
Saying so, he left the shop.
When he left the shop, he was biting his nails.
"That was quite interesting..."
Warlock reportedly said with a hateful expression.
(4)
That night, everyone gathered again at a family restaurant.
"Honoka! I'm glad!"
"I really caused everyone so much trouble!"
"It's not over yet, so don't let your guard down."
Kanna, Ichinose-san, and Emi-san are saying.
"Toya's negotiation was also splendid. It felt like we were dragging you down."
"Well, it was a bit painful that the rescue of Ichinose-san was leaked."
If only that hadn't happened, I could have played around a bit more.
"Toya-kun is amazing. He negotiated so strongly without being shaken."
Airi evaluates him so.
"So, Toya. Were you able to read the opponent's heart?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"I think I understood that he was a bit impatient at the end."
"So you only understood that much?"
Makoto says.
"Yeah, he's quite a capable person. I couldn't understand his intentions at all until Ichinose-san was rescued."
"Then, we must be careful about his future movements."
"For now, it's best to avoid acting alone as much as possible. We don't know what they'll do."
When I say that, everyone nods.
"Makoto, keep monitoring the opponent's movements. It must be hard balancing it with club activities."
"Leave it to me."
"I'll do the monitoring too. I've heard the basics from Makoto-kun... and then there's the flushing out of the Gods."
"Yeah, I'll leave it to you..."
"Toya-kun? Is there still something on your mind?"
Airi is sensitive to the things I think about, isn't she?
"...I'm just bothered by the part where he said he still has plenty of bargaining material."
It seems he hasn't played his final trump card yet.
A secret move enough to shake us.
Think carefully, calmly...
My basketball life and the damage to Emi-san and Akira-san's companies.
Mika-san's parents' scandal.
Makoto's soccer life.
Something that would overturn our unity...
"Katagiri-san."
Shiratori-san held out a candy.
"Please try chewing this."
"Chew it?"
"Yes, it calms the thoughts."
I try chewing the candy as told.
Crunch, crunch...
...I see. My thoughts are coming together.
"Shiratori-san, thank you."
"No, this is about all I can do to help."
"So, did you think of something?"
Emi-san asks.
Looking at Emi-san's face, I say.
"Emi-san, when is the next interview?"
"They said anytime is fine."
"Then, set it for the weekend. You're throwing me a victory party then, right?"
"I can, but... what do you intend to do?"
"Gather all the members."
"...I don't understand what you mean."
"Makoto. I want to ask one thing of you."
"What?"
"Listen..."
"Hah? What's the point of doing something like that!?"
"I'll drag the opponent's negotiation means out from our side."
"Wouldn't that cause damage to us too?"
"We can just be brazen about it, like last time, right?"
"So Toya intends to crush all of the opponent's bargaining material."
"That's right."
I answered Watanabe-kun's question.
If we can't see the opponent's hand, we just have to drag it out.
"Then, I'll update the Unity site and the exposure site."
Makoto says.
"Please. Emi-san, the leak to the mass media."
"That's an easy task, but are you sure? Your dream of the Universiade might crumble, you know?"
"It's the same thing. Rather than being used as material, I'll cut it from my side."
"Cutting it from your side means you have a trump card, right?"
"I'll make them think so."
When Makoto asks, I answer.
"Is there anything we can cooperate with?"
Hiyama-senpai, Kimoto-senpai, Manabe-kun, and Shiina-san asked.
"There's nothing right now. At most, just participating in the drinking party."
"That much is an easy task."
"But Katagiri-senpai... you actually have a trump card ready, don't you?"
"Well, yeah, it's something very simple. But I'll do enough to hint at it."
"Now that Toya's thoughts have solidified, it's late today. Shall we head home? Everyone, please get home safely."
Saying so, everyone dispersed.
"Uuu..."
Airi is groaning.
"What's wrong, Airi?"
"Are you really intending to do it?"
"Isn't it fine if Airi's wish comes true?"
"But I feel like I'll become a shackle for Toya-kun."
"I've never felt that Airi was a burden."
"I know that, but..."
I pat Airi's head.
"I have to go home early today."
"Why?"
"I haven't fulfilled the morning promise with Airi yet."
"Hoe?"
"I said the continuation is at night."
Poke
"Now is not the time for that, is it!?"
"True, my wording was bad."
"?"
"I want to. With Airi."
"...I guess it can't be helped."
Airi smiles.
That lovely smile of Airi's removed the only anxiety.