Chapter 539. The hand
「 Seki-san, your car is here! 」
The observer from Kouzuki security service drove Shou-neechan’s car here.
The observer comes down the driver seat as soon as he stopped. The engine is still turned on.
「 Thanks, Mori-kun 」
「! 」
As expected of Shou-neechan. She remembers the name of the guy who went to get her car.
「 I’ll send you over. Get in 」
Shou-neechan tells us with a smile.
「 No, but, we were told to walk on foot 」
Minaho-neesan told me.
「 It’s okay now Onii-chan, let’s get in 」
Mana said.
「 We lost the reason to walk anyway 」
Oh, I see.
Minaho-neesan had us walk from the front gate to school on foot to encounter both the observers from Kouzuki security service and the police.
There’s no point in walking to the school other than that.
「 We’re late now due to the fuss 」
Megu’s waiting.
「 Well then, let’s take a ride 」
「 The car’s ready, young master 」
Shou-neechan says jokingly.
「 Edie, get in 」
Edie smiles and gestures that I should go in first.
Oh right, I’m the “young master” here.
Kouzuki security service and the police are still watching.
Edie’s setting is that she’s a bodyguard bought by Jii-chan from Kyouko-san for me, she can’t get in the car before me.
「 Reika, get in too 」
「 Yes, Shou-oneesama 」
With that said, Rei-chan goes to the pa.s.senger seat.
Mana, Edie, and I line up in the rear seat.
「 Let’s go 」
Shou-neechan steps on the accelerator.
The observers’ vehicles gradually become smaller in the back.
「 Don’t talk yet. Reika, please 」
「 Okay 」
Rei-chan takes out a small gadget from her pocket.
「 No strange radio waves emitting from inside the car. 」
「 Roger. I guess Mori-kun won’t be setting up wiretap or something like that 」
Shou-neechan laughs.
「 Think of all the possibilities and doubt everyone other than family. If you overlooked something, it might affect badly not just you but also the family, that’s absolutely not allowed 」
Shou-neechan looks at me through the rear mirror.
「 Minaho-san told us that last night 」
Oh, the three were drinking at the room next to Misuzu’s apartment last night.
「 Minaho-san’s amazing. I noticed how overly optimistic I am that I’m embarra.s.sed 」
Speaking of which, when I first met Rei-chan and Shou-neechan;
By the time they moved from the theater to the hotel, they had neglected to check the car, and we were attacked.
「 From now on, I must focus my mind so there won’t be any chances for the enemy to take advantage on. Reika too 」
「 Yes 」
Reika nods.
「 By the way, you’re not good at memorizing people’s names? 」
Shou-neechan looks at Rei-chan.
「 Ah, sorry. It’s particular to men. I’ll make an effort to remember their names and faces from now on 」
She’ll become the security director after all.
She needs to know the members.
Shou-neechan seems to remember the names of those working in Kouzuki security service.
「 Oh, you don’t need to force yourself to remember them 」
Shou-neechan said laughing.
「 Huh? Shou-oneesama? 」
Rei-chan’s surprised.
「 People have weak points, there’s an infinite variety of styles for the people standing on top. You can be the director that’s not good at remembering a person’s name 」
Shou-neechan smiles.
「 You’re strong so be an aloof existence. Make the staff think “I’ll rouse myself at the scene so director Fujimiya may remember my name” That kind of leadership has merits too, don’t you think? 」
I see.
「 But, the function of the security department 」
「 It’s okay. I’ll have an excellent secretary that can attend to Reika. Leave the minute details to them. Chief Yazawa and I will support you. In the first place, desk work is your weak point, isn’t it? 」
「 Yes 」
「 It’s okay, leave the decision making to somebody else. You’re not a generalist but a specialist, so concentrate on what you’re good at 」
Shou-neechan said.
「 Understood. 」
「 Oh right, if you don’t know your subordinates name, don’t try to fool them. It’s also not okay to ask their names. Make sure to ask your secretary on your side. Tell her “What’s this guy’s name again?” You don’t need to mind looking like you’re high-handed 」
Y-Yeah.
「 The secretary will reply “this-that” then you’ll reply “I see, this-that. I’ll remember it” speaking self-important. Whenever you praise them, scold them, or whatever you do 」
「 But, even if I say “I’ll remember it” I may not remember 」
Rei-chan said while hanging her head.
「 There’s no need to. When you see them again, just ask your secretary “What’s his name?” Then, the secretary will answer specifically “It’s this-that from this case” then you can remember it. Reika can just laugh and say “Oh right” 」
「 Then, won’t that make my subordinates lose trust? 」
「 Trust me and see, it’ll go well 」
Shou-neechan laughs.
「 Reika tries to remember but forgets it, that will be the character in their minds. That’s how it is. It’s better if you pretend to recognize and reveal that you don’t even though you don’t really remember. You will look sincere for them 」
「 Is that so? 」
「 Yes, trust me 」
「 Okay 」
「 Your response earlier was also excellent. Reika’s doing well. I saw it all 」
Shou-neechan?
「 There’s a camera and microphone on the main gate. Minaho-san and Katsuko-san were also watching you from the mansion. I was watching the broadcasted video in this car 」
Shou-neechan looks at the dashboard.
「 Your response to the squad leader of our company was okay. You can destroy all the positions Yamaoka-san gave them. Those who keep looking down on the new manager because she’s a woman gets beaten up. I give you my permission 」
「 Y-Yes 」
「 As for talking with the police and other problems, I’ll b.u.t.t in. In case my arrival is delayed, then Minaho-san and others will cut in. But it’s better if the police talks to Kakka or me who’s his personal bodyguard, right? 」
Shou-neechan has met a lot of people in the political and business world because she’s always close to Jii-chan.
Of course, since she protects the talks between Jii-chan and the VIPs, she’s acquainted with the upper level of the police.
She’s familiar with the police’s organization and knows how to negotiate with them.
Shou-neechan is much more appropriate when intimidating the police at the scene.
「 Therefore, I interrupted today but, Reika should also become someone the police fears sooner 」
「 Yes 」
Reika looks gloomy.
「 I’m sure Rei-chan will do fine 」
I speak from the back seat.
「 You’re our Rei-chan 」
Rei-chan puts her hand on her chest.
「 I’ll never forget that I have a family behind me I must protect 」
Yeah, her shoulders are still stiff.
Is she going to be okay?
「 Okay, we’ve arrived 」
The car reaches the school’s main gate.
「 In the end, they didn’t follow our car. Did they show respect from seeing my att.i.tude earlier? 」
Shou-neechan looked behind her car and said.
「 Reika, a.n.a.lyze it 」
「 Ah, yes 」
Rei-chan.
「 In regards to Kouzuki security service, Shou-oneesama didn’t order them to send an escort, so n.o.body came along 」
「 It’s not just me. Reika didn’t give any commands either 」
Rei-chan is the next director of the security department, the superiors of the monitoring team already know.
「 Well,, if there are no orders from the two of the top elites then they won’t be coming. The group leader is Kondo so it could be that he gave up thinking 」
Kondo was a guy following orders were given by the former leader.
「 What about the police? 」
「 The police are confirming the information Shou-oneesama had given them. Which are Kyouko-san’s whereabouts 」
Rei-chan replied.
「 That’s all? 」
Shou-neechan looks at Rei-chan.
「 No, if it was me, then I’d sent out one car to tail. I don’t understand why they didn’t send a tail 」
「 I’m glad that you’re honest 」
Shou-neechan smiles.
「 The police calls of the caution to Edie-san and him 」
Edie and me?
「 We explained it in a convincing way to them 」
「 Edie’s my bodyguard and that I’m Jii-chan’s approved partner for Misuzu? 」
I asked. Shou-neechan.
「 Didn’t Hayama say it in the end? “Which renowned house are you from?” he asked 」
Indeed, he asked me that.
「 In their senses, Kouzuki house, furthermore, Kakka’s granddaughter cannot be engaged to a boy from an average family 」
「 But, I’m not from any distinguished family though? 」
「 Yes. No matter how much they investigate, no connection to a distinguished house will come out 」
There’s no way it will.
「 Therefore, they think that you’re an illegitimate child of some n.o.ble. Didn’t he ask that too? 」
Oh. Speaking of which.
「 s.e.x scandals are always accompanying distinguished families 」
Even in Kouzuki house, Yoshiko-san is an illegitimate child of Jii-chan’s eldest son.
「 Anyway, since Kakka has approved of you, they think that you’re undoubtedly am an illegitimate child of a capable distinguished family. Furthermore, it’s on the level of a great n.o.ble family like Kouzuki house 」
Huh?
「 Kakka even took the trouble to buy a bodyguard like Edie just for you, that’s impossible for a normal distinguished n.o.ble’s illegitimate son, right? Instead, they think that you’re a child of someone influential inside Kouzuki house. That’s what the police thinks. 」
So that’s why he asked me if I’m an illegitimate child of a n.o.bleman.
「 And, their first objective is Kyouko-san, isn’t it? They don’t want to make a fight with Kouzuki house at all. Knowing that you’re someone connected to Kouzuki house, they have no choice but to erase you from their targets for investigation 」
Shou-neechan said.
「 However, no matter how much they investigate, it’s apparent that they’d find no connection to any distinguished house. If you have connections to Kouzuki house, then it’s no wonder that your records are erased. Besides, they work with the consciousness of preserving the country, so they have no pa.s.sion of revealing a n.o.bleman’s s.e.x scandal 」
I see.
「 With all that said, they’d abort all their investigation about you. While at it, the police will apologize to Kouzuki house for trying to take you with them. It’s natural if you think of the power relationship between the police and Kouzuki house. Though they didn’t know, they tried to make an unjust arrest to Kakka’s relative 」
So that was the meaning of the exchange in the end.
「 Well, the police will show an earnest apology saying that Hayama-san was being reckless. Kouzuki house will accept that apology and will promise not to pressure the higher-ups of the police. But in exchange, the police investigation about you will never resume 」
My past will never be touched by the police.
「 Edie-san too, the police will not take any action on her because she’s your bodyguard. She’s a talent referred by Kyouko Messer to Kakka. Besides, even if they examine Kyouko-san’s arrival in j.a.pan, they can’t get information to arrest Kyouko-san, I knew that from their investigation so far 」
Shou-neechan laughs.
「 For example, if you were caught by the police, do you know anything about Kyouko-an? Do you have anything you can testify to her crime? 」
Err.
Miss Cordelia killed Ruriko’s father. Kouzuki Shigeaki.
Kyouko-san didn’t kill anyone in front of me.
I only listened to her story of raiding a gang’s office.
I don’t know any evidence for Kyouko-san’s crime.
「 In the first place, do you know where Kyouko-san’s hideout is? There should be a lot in the country and abroad 」
「 I don’t 」
「 That’s right, that person tries not to inform us anything that would bother us 」
Ah, she’s letting Miss Cordelia, and the two do all the hazardous work.
「 She’s amazing. She’s completely strict with herself and others. Yet, she has that humor 」
Yeah.
「 Therefore, the police can’t mark Edie-san anymore. To the police, she’d be treated as someone thrown to j.a.pan and must not be concerned about 」
That means, even if Edie lives in j.a.pan as our family, the police won’t disturb.
We don’t need to do anything about Edie’s family register, but.
「 Uhm, what about me? 」
Mana asks.
「 Is it okay for me to stay here? 」
The police know that Mana is Shirasaka Maika.
「 Reika, please answer 」
Shou-neechan looks at Re-chan.
「 n.o.body will lay a hand on you unless someone submits a search request to the police. Don’t worry 」
If Mana’s mother or old man Ichikawa doesn’t issue a search request, then.
The police can’t do anything with mana.
「 But the police said they’d arrest Onii-chan for kidnapping Mana 」
「 I think the police was just probing around, using that as a threat 」
Rei-chan replied.
「 If Mana-chan said “help me” back then, then they’d arrest all of us 」
The police don’t know the reason why Mana is with us.
If Mana’s kidnapped contrary to her will, and we’re using her then.
She’d ask for the police’s protection in that place.
「 But, Mana-chan didn’t ask for help from the police. Therefore, they judged that you aren’t kidnapped 」
「 I think so too, Reika 」
Shou-neechan gives a stamp of approval.
「 They can’t move if you’re not kidnapped. You can puff your chest with pride 」
But, Minaho-neesan should contact Ichikawa-san one more time.
If Mana’s mother goes frenzy and submits a search request to the police, then it’ll be a problem.
She should be stopped.
「 If you’re worried, Minaho-san is already moving things 」
Shou-neechan smiles at me.
「 We’re your elder sisters, we don’t make mistakes 」
That’s right.
MInaho-neesan should’ve made measures for this long ago.
◇ ◇ ◇
「 Then, take care, we will be sending Misuzu-sama and others to the hotel, but we’ll head straight to the next location 」
Shou-oneechan opens the window of the driver’s seat and tells us who’s standing in front of the school gate.
I see. Shou-neechan’s going to Green Mountain Studio with Rei-chan.
「 It’s okay. Even without us, chief Yazawa and Kakka’s other personal bodyguards will come 」
A party Jii-chan’s attending will have perfect bodyguards.
「 Uhm, please take care of Yukino-oneechan 」
Mana said.
「 I know, I won’t let her get hurt 」
Shou-neechan promises while showing a gentle smile.
Then, she speaks to Edie in English.
Edie nods.
Well, it must be about asking her to be our bodyguard.
「 Rei-chan 」
I get on the other side of the car and knock on the window of the pa.s.senger seat.
Rei-chan opens the window.
「 Yes, what is it? 」
She looks up at me with a black face.
「 Do your best, I believe, and I’m expecting from you, Rei-chan 」
I stick out my hand.
「 T-Thank you 」
Rei-chan blushed and shook hands with me.
「 Rei-chan, are you nervous? 」
「 Huh? 」
「 Your hand is cold 」
I laughed.
「 Just a bit 」
Edie comes over and whispers something.
Then.
《 Sister 》
She hands Rei-chan one shuriken.
It’s the one Michi gave her earlier.
「 T-Thank you 」
Edie gives her a thumbs up.
It must be Edie’s encouragement.
「 Then, we’ll be going 」
Shou-neechan revs the engine.
「 If all goes well, I’ll return to the mansion with Reika. Let’s meet again by evening 」
「 Yeah got it, I pray for your success 」
「 Take care you too 」
Shou-neechan’s car turns and goes back to the mansion.
They’ll take Yukino and head to Green Mountain Studio.
Minaho-neesan and Misuzu will head to the hotel.
We’ll pick up Megu and wait for Nagisa and Margo-san to the hotel.
◇ ◇ ◇
We go through the main gate with the entry permit Katsuko-nee gave us.
I’m in my uniform, but Edie and Mana are wearing plain clothes.
But, n.o.body’s stopping us.
It’s the last of the May holidays, and it’s nearly evening.
The people in here now are only from the clubs, even those people are coming home already.
It seems that the clubs end the practice ahead of time on the final day, some clubs will celebrate a party at a family restaurant or something.
Anyway, the school building doesn’t have many people.
I head to the track and field grounds.
「 ♫……♫！ 」
Edie’s in a good mood.
She’s holding my hand, singing an English song and walking on the school grounds.
Mana holds my other hand.
「 Edie, you’ll be attending this school 」
I had Mana translate what I say.
「 ？ 」
Edie looks at me curiously and smiling.
「 Do you not know what a school is? 」
Err.
「 You see, it seems that Edie-chan attended only the school in their cult 」
Mana tells me.
I knew it.
It’s impossible for the children of an a.s.sa.s.sination cult to go outside and attend public school.
「 But, she’s good at math, science, and physics she said. 」
I see. That’s surprising.
「 Because it’s a necessity for a.s.sa.s.sination 」
Oh, so that’s it.
「 She’s terrible at the bible reading subject she said 」
That’s okay now.
Edie’s kicked out of the a.s.sa.s.sination cult.
But.
「 This might be equal as troublesome as Agnes. It might be impossible to get her transferred right away though 」
Should I have Agnes attend school from the third semester together with Edie?
「 In Edie-chan’s case, why not? 」
Mana said.
「 She’s an American from the start, so it’s natural for her not to know j.a.panese language, history, geography and others 」
I see. It might be rough for her, but it might be easier for her to get used to living in j.a.pan if she goes to school.
「 Well, she’ll be Onii-chan and Megu-oneechan’s cla.s.smate, right? 」
Yeah, Megu and I will look after her.
Megu has a lot of girlfriends in cla.s.s.
「 Edie, from now on, you’ll go to and from here everyday 」
I said. Edie’s delighted.
She hugs me and shakes my hand so hard.
She’s very delighted.
「 What’s up, are you that happy to attend school? 」
Edie.
「 Edie-chan said she’s happy that she’ll be here with Onii-chan everyday 」
That one?
Well, that’s okay.
「 She said that there’s a lot of trees and it feels good here 」
Oh.
The wind is cold and pleasant during the early summer afternoon.
We walk together while holding hands.
◇ ◇ ◇
We reach the girl’s track and field ground.
「 She asks “It’s all filled with soil here, why are they not planting on this large plot?” 」
Mana translates for me.
「 Hmm, this is a place for exercise 」
The running team and then, oh, is that a long jump?
《 OH！ 》
It seems that there were no track-and-field grounds in the a.s.sa.s.sination cult.
Edie’s impressed by Mana’s explanations.
Err, Megu’s not here.
Where did she go?
Ah, captain Takeshiba’s at the bench.
She’s supervising the exercise of the members along with four third-year seniors.
「 Excuse me, Takeshiba-senpai 」
I greet captain Takeshiba.
「 Err, where’s Megu? 」
「 I’m listening 」
Captain Takeshiba in her jersey suit replies in ill-humor.
「 Sorry, Megu’s leaving early for yesterday and even today 」
Other than that, Megu’s also been absent several times during the holiday.
「 It’s inevitable. I was watching the morning news 」
Shirasaka Sousuke’s unnatural death was taken by the media.
Everyone knows that Megu’s a distant relative of Shirasaka house.
「 It’s important to show distinction on important ceremonies within family 」
She glares at me.
Huh, why is Takeshiba-san angry at me.
「 Then, what’s with these two? 」
「 Ah, could it be that you’re mad at me for bringing someone not a student in school? 」
I asked. Captain Takeshiba
「 Your hand 」
「 What? 」
My hand?
「 You’re Megumi’s boyfriend and yet why are you holding their hands? 」
Aaaaah!
I’m still holding hands with Edie and Mana!
I’ve been thinking that it’s normal to hold hands with my women lately.
I didn’t realize it at all.
「 Could you explain it so I could understand? 」
Not just captain Takeshiba but also the third year seniors are looking at us.